Motorweek; 1506 PTV

Oh. This time on motorways 96 Chryslers in the show room Land Rovers in the jungle and Audi in the main story to come drive with up. Their. TV's automotive magazine. Your host for more than a week John. He was. Alone welcome again to motor week we're glad to have you with us. Ten years ago Chrysler was known for its trendsetting many bands and little else. The

cars were stodgy their trucks antiques and quality seemed like a foreign term. Boy what a difference a decade makes. Chrysler is today's hottest car company enjoying a prominence not seen since the 1950s. But with even more goodies coming for 96 it's clear that Chrysler's turnaround is still a work in progress. 1996 marks yet another year of transformation for Chrysler brands as old designs and even model names continue to make way for the new. Meanwhile the company as a whole strives to return to its historical reputation for advanced automotive engineering. Clearly the engineering of the latest Chrysler front wheel drive minivan platform is trendsetting larger in size than the originals. The Dodge Caravan Plymouth Voyager and Chrysler Town and Country are also sleek and solid. Did you top the first generation Chrysler minivan was innovative. Wait until you get a load of the optional left side sliding door or the rear bench seat

that rolls away for storage. Once again the Chrysler trio comes in regular and extended will base models with engine choices to fit almost every case. A new 2.4 liter Twin Cam for cylinder car. From the Stratus powers the base regularly banned all the familiar Mitsubishi 3.0 leader B6 is entry level performance in the expanded version optional power trying to build a 158 horsepower 3.3 meter B6 and a three point eight leader B6 generating 166 horsepower. Passengers are treated well too with a tall handsome dash complete with dual airbags and large centralized event in stereo control and cup holders galore. Rear air conditioning is available for the first time secure handling and antilock brakes are standard. While an electric windshield wiper deicer an all wheel drive are desirable bellweather minivan options the most significant car news for 1996 involves the Chrysler brand. Behold the

Chrysler Sebring convertible. While it shares its name with a Mitsubishi made coupe It's actually built on a variation of the Cirrus J.A. platform. This replacement the LeBaron convertible has four and six cylinder power on its roof for four adults and stunning good looks. As for the Cirrus itself no slouch in the styling department changes 496 arc you like its near twin Dodge Stratus owners can now choose either four or six cylinder engines. Look for a sunroof on both by mid year. Plymouth finally gets a J A sedan after the first of the year the Plymouth breeze will be a price leader with limited options and a two leader in line for the only engine. Breeze marks an expansion of the Plymouth car models taking space alongside the trendy neon both Plymouth and Dodd branded neons continue to be identical including a new bargain espresso model with a rear spoiler white bubble wheels and perky interior 1996 marks the first year in decades. There's no law

Baron or New Yorker in the Chrysler lineup. Both names have been retired. Chrysler's largest car known simply as the LH s. Performance brand dodge ups the output a bit showroom stopper a viper r t 10 now delivers 15 horsepower more 415 total as well as a host of new suspension and chassis tweaks that makes this a stronger better handling super car. Alas noise regulations mean an end to the side pipe exhaust while red remains the primo Viper color. The yellow wheels are new black with silver striped and white with blue stripes for the other 96 color schemes. A new helmet style removable hard top with sliding window side curtains is now available. What it lacks in looks it makes up more by keeping the rain out. But if it's a real hard top you're looking for. Wait til spring finally goes into production. It has real roll up windows too. Keeping nasty elements at bay has always been a jeep Hallmark again for

1996 the Jeep Grand Cherokee concentrates on keeping its customer safe and comfortable. Inside you'll find new dual air bags standard and a revised yet still very luxurious interior. Outside you'll have to be a Jeep fan to notice new bumpers and a reduction in vertical bar grills from eight to seven. The standard for leader in Line 6 is quieter than before. While both available for wheel drive systems are now designed for all time use. Once again Orbitz is the Grand Cherokees designer EDITION. However we've had a lot of the Orvis clan uses the Dodge Ram to get to that special fishin hole. They may even do it with Cummins turbo diesel powered a big 23 percent increase to 200 it. Horsepower is the clanking 96 story here. It's no news the Dutch can't build ramped up fast enough. Finally the Eagle Vision has the most novel update this year with its auto stick shift it yourself. Automatic transmission. It looks like the hits just keep on

coming. For Chrysler the benchmark minivans to the buy for GTX. No other car company displays as much depth and vitality for 1996. New cars are motorways the main game but our top range Pat Goss has his Eye on cars of all ages and what it takes to keep them running right. John this time I have the weird letter of the year it's from John Evans of Chicago. It seems that he took his car into a dealership and ask them to clean the engine. Well the dealer told him that there's some kind of a coating on the engine block and cylinder head. And if they clean the engine that coating is going to go away once the coating goes away he's going to have oil leaks because the holes in the engine. Come on folks cleaning engines is a very good thing to do. A clean engine runs better and it will last a lot longer so will all the electronics under the hood of the car and inside the car. But there are some precautions. First

the chemicals make sure the chemicals you're going to use are good for cleaning engines and that they're safe for the environment. Next thing you have to do in addition to covering the various things that always have to be covered under the hood. You have to cover the fenders with plastic or some other protective coating. You can't hold that plastic in place with masking tape so the masking tape will combine with the chemicals that you're using. And it can actually damage the paint just like the chemical skin. So what do you do while you go to the hardware store and you get magnetic tape. This is very very simple to use. You simply put it over the plastic that's covering the fender and it holds the plastic in place. Also make sure you wear goggles while you're doing this so you don't get the chemicals or the dirt in your eyes. Then you need some sort of pressure washer in order to do it. Well this is the most typical type it's electric powered. They're reasonably inexpensive but a lot of people don't want to put that much money into it. If you're one of those people maybe you want to rent a power washer

of that's the case you're probably going to right end up with one of these commercial units like this which does a tremendous job because it produces a lot of pressure produces too much pressure. This one is capable of 2000 pounds per square inch. So you need something between 600 and 1000 never more than a thousand. These do have pressure regulators on them cut it back to something that's acceptable so you don't damage anything under the hood or around the fenders or anything on the car. It will do a great job it'll make the engine last longer make everything under the hood last longer. Now that's only part of the story though. We have to keep the inside of the engine clean too. And here's something that I've seen several of and we're going to see more and more of them. This is an engine flush machine it flushes the oiling system of the engine. It's pretty simple to use. The technician removes the oil filter and the drain plug into an adapter that replaces the oil filter and one that replaces the drain plug. These adapters have hoses on them that are connected to the

machine. The machine circulates a solvent through the engine and really does a good job of cleaning the inside of that engine. Something you're going to see more and more of because they really work. And if you have a question or a comment write to me. If I select your letter I'm going to send you a motor week T-shirt. The address is Motor Week always Mills Maryland 2 1 1 0 1 7. We come from England by way of Italy. It's an Italian version of England's most famous micro car. The 1972 Morris mini Mark Three fifty. It belongs to Peter Larson of Shaun Washington to make the color photos of your car of the week candidate for Motor Week Owings Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7. Each year amateur off road enthusiastic test their minds and bodies and a grueling contest known as the Camel Trophy. This year over a million people

applied to enter. Reflecting the worldwide popularity of this very demanding rally Well F1 I-Reporter Lisa Barrow has always enjoyed covering unique events. So armed with malaria pills and the best insect repellent money can buy. She headed off into the jungle and her latest adventure. And it's. This year's jungles of the ancient Maya civilization have been struggled and now each team was supplied with a

Land Rover Discovery specially equipped to tackle the severe jungle environment. Drivers push their discoveries with their five speed manual transmissions where. You remember to roll up the window. One agonizing challenge after another. Participants are judged on team spirit and. Physical stamina. I did many sports but never. Ever before and I've been so many times in addition to the competition. There's a strong humanitarian emphasis is well on this year's competitors health downtime archaeological survey and contributed funding to an environmental research facility and along the way they made a few new friends.

In fact wherever they went they made new friends got stuck in the. Tunnel we made it and would have. Been. In many ways is about making friends even in this unrelenting competition. With temperatures soaring to one hundred fifty degrees in a scorching sun. Participants found time to question what it means to win as they rested in the shadows of spectacular Maya ruins. You look around here and that's created by a group of people not one person alone. And I think that it's all about building the camaraderie that exists between nations and that is really special. And his overall winner can be argued that everyone who participates in Camelot is a winner.

Think of all the people none of them with something like this before and I didn't think much of them one of it would be something like this again. It's the adventure of a lifetime. Leases adventures don't normally take her quite so far afield. Watching Back home now and ready to bring us up to date with this week's motor Harley Davidson has long ruled the world a big cruiser bikes. But a new entry from Yamaha good finally give it a real run for its money. It's called the Royal Star and is intended to open a new market and a new era for Yamaha. The influence of the company's U.S. Army is obvious in the styling which features plenty of chrome and classy details like huge sweeping steel fenders and the vintage looking stainless steel shrouds which cover the front forks that clean classic look is also maintained at the rear by locating the single rear shock in a horizontal position under the engine. There are touches of Oriental efficiency as well like the digital odometer nestled in the huge tank mounted

Speedo and a low maintenance shaft drive system. Power comes not from the traditional cruiser twin but a thirteen hundred CC the bore borrowed from the venture touring bike and modified to give it that milieu American sound. And as we found out on our first ride a familiar American feel as well. The Royal Star handles rides and rumbles like real Milwaukee iron and if you want to ride for long distances there's the Royal Star Tour classic which as long haul Beecher's like an adjustable windshield reinforced leather saddle bags and a pleasure seat with passenger backrest plus even more chrome and all royal stars will carry a five year unlimited mileage warranty. Royal Star marketing plans also call for a dedicated showroom space and a complete line of clothing and accessories. The Royal Star will arrive at Yamaha dealers in late December with a price at thirteen thousand four hundred ninety nine dollars with a standard bike and fifteen thousand three hundred ninety nine dollars for the tour classic. A

vehicle due a bit later is Lincoln Mercury sport a sport utility vehicle. The mountaineer his company's sketch shows a big chrome grill for this upscale version of the Ford Explorer mountaineer will feature out by Leader V8 engine and full time all wheel drive system. When it debuts in late spring of 1996 and that's the motor news for this week. Over the years Audi has earned a reputation as a driver's Mark. That's one of the reasons they're smaller more nimble Sudans have always been so popular and why Audi chose its smaller chassis to create the original Quatro back in 1980. Well here's the latest ality of that lineage for a car that a resurgent Audi hopeful plays not only hardcore enthusiast but also reach well beyond and into the mainstream. And ality has done everything they can to place the ape war squarely within the horrifying consciousness of American import prior with the development cost of one point two billion dollars a head to. What Audi delivers for the money. It's a car that's

wider taller and longer than the one it replaces the Audi 90 yet weighs 200 pounds less. Part of the weight reduction comes from the new boards the aluminum poorly front suspension by reducing the amount of offset me with it. Tire contact patch and the wheel steering pivot point bridle torque steer has been virtually eliminated by drivers also raved about the county's tight solid body and on track. Yet the right has also been enhanced. Firm Yes and controlled but one that no longer fights with expansion joints. Standard 55 series 16 inch tires man it's both been huge Well USA. More power come from this 12 valve single cam 90 degree B6 which produces 172 horsepower and 184 pound feet of torque while a light shifting manual transaxle is standard. Our car's 5 speed automatic selects one of 200 chip strategies to perfectly match the driving styles. Together they took our 30 £100 Audi.

It is 60 and a respectable nine point one second most of the eighth floor smooth power comes in the middle to upper power band giving a quarter mile time of sixteen point nine seconds ending at 83 mph. Breaks or four will disc with the fifth generation of the watch system which integrates electronic differential locking. Even better low speed traction. A three stop from 60 average to find one hundred eighteen feet exceptionally fine too or the a 4S interior appointments are cars optional leather seats combined with the other quality materials to produce a cabin that exudes sporting luxury. The front bucket seats are supportive and comfortable with eight way power adjustments plus manual lumbar heated seats are optional but the Tilton telescoping wheel is standard so is this automatic climate control with pollen filter are a forehead the optional Bose sound system. While we'd like larger switchgear we did appreciate both the end baskets at player and the trunk mounted cd changer. The larger interior of the A4 is especially

appreciated in the rear seat which also splits and folds for access to the also larger thirteen point seven cubic foot trunk Audi's done its best to keep the price down. The A4 starts at twenty six thousand four hundred dollars. Our car's automatic leather trim sunroof Bose stereo and more took its ticker to thirty one thousand seven hundred eighty five dollars. Given the high price of many Asian imports we think it's a reasonable price range for a while. Yuri is German made sport sedan that does virtually everything well but we spend another fifteen hundred fifty dollars to counties. Excellent. True. All wheel drive systems to the mix. Are enthusiastic. I have always enjoyed a car now with the mainstream A4. We think everyone will when the original Acura Legend debuted in 1986 and offered car buyers a luxury machine with premium Japanese quality for thousands less than European imports. But along the way the world changed.

European and domestic luxury cars got better and more off workable all while the rising input Acura prices in orbit. Well now Acura is fighting back and going back to its roots. This week's road test by request features a new car with a new name the TPL. But is the t l good enough or accurate or bring its past back to the future. Well it has two chances for the Acura T.L. is actually a series of two sedans both more upscale than the departed bigger the sporty driver oriented 2.5 and the more luxurious three point two. The focus of attention on the Acura brand and less on specific models. The details began a new practice of an alphanumeric model designation T.L. stands for touring luxury. The number denotes the engine and the 2.5 That means the all aluminum 20 valve single overhead cam 2.5 leader 5 cylinder that powered the bigger. It still produces 176 horsepower and

170 pound feet of torque. Besides the logo on the deck lid the easiest way to tell the two models apart is by the grille. The 2.5 uses horizontal bars. Then there are these business like for pole 15 inch alloy wheels with wide 60 series tires the three point two is cast wheels are 5 0 and richer looking but where a less aggressive 65 series rubber. The grille on the three point two is actually one with the hood and wears vertical bars under it however is what makes the real difference with. In the two models three point two liter twenty four valve all aluminum V-6 white out of the legend l sedan horsepower is two hundred and torque is 210 more than enough power for a 0 to 60 sprint of 8.5 seconds. But the TLC are much more alike than different from the windshield back they share most exterior features and mechanicals such as Acura is well known all independent suspension with double wishbones and Clover shots at each corner plus front and rear

stabilizer bars. Thus discovering that the DL is a fine handling machine is no surprise but the quality of the ride was a revelation. This is the softest riding and quietest Acura ever. This new gated shifter activates the only TTL transmission electronic for speed automatic with great logic control that reduces annoying deer hunting on Hill. Grades are for Will this is naturally the standard three channel anti-lock system. Traction control is unfortunately only available on the 3.2 as part of the optional premium package upgrade the 2.5 the premium package does add a leather interior and power moonroof The same is on this three point two gauges are indicative of accuracy. Honda Parenthood's large clear analog units but fewer in number than we'd like. The firm driver's seat in all t l sports eight way power with manual lumbar I just add in the standard tilt will and this is also the most accommodating accurate today.

And three cheers for the standard 8 speaker stereo system with both end Aska set and CD players and if you think the switch here for the automatic climate control system looks familiar they too come from the legend. If the owner is a non smoker. A coin strike can replace the ashtray while nearby are two big gulp size competitors although the Teals wheel base is only one point four inches longer than the Biggers rear seat room increases much more especially leg and head room. There's also a lockable ski size passed through to the large fourteen point one cubic foot truck. These exposed frame supports may hinder some stories but they are one of the reasons the body is so solid and prices are solidly in the mid luxury car class. The base 2.5 goes for twenty seven thousand nine hundred dollars while the top three point premium package model is stickered at thirty five thousand five hundred dollars. Not bad for almost a legend. And a lot less than a comparable Mercedes Benz C 280 buyers will enjoy safety that's more than competitive beginning with standard dual airbags enhanced seat belts and antilock brakes

traction control is available on the three points and all of our bumpers and meet 1097 side impact standards. With standard safety and luxury features roomy interior able power handling smooth quiet ride and competitive prices. The T L series looks to have what it will take to drive an Acura back to its former glory. It could be 1986 all over again. If you're the sort of vehicle owner who isn't afraid to get his or her hands dirty then here are some new manuals for you. They're the latest publications from author Moses Lou Dale and Robert Bentley publisher. They include the Jeep owners Bible the Ford F-series pickup owners Bible and the Chevrolet and GMC light truck owners by their all comprehensive and well illustrated as well as easy to understand and with a level of detail that you won't find in the average home shop manual. We highly recommend them.

Be sure to join us for the next motor week as we test the odd ranges run tech F.L. 506 point out. Also check out Saturn. Smart little F.L. to check in with car care expert Pat Goff. Take a trip to the well with an architect and bring you all the latest Motor News. Talk about out right. Yes I'm John Davis than to order a video cassette of this program. Call 1 800 4 2 2 0 0 6 4. Or send twenty nine ninety five plus $4 shipping and handling to this address. Water from the Motor Week home video collection or cover the best episodes of the motor week

television series. 1 800 4 2 2 0 6 4 0 to order a catalog send a self-addressed stamped envelope to this address. Oh wise guys say on the next edition of motor week we'd just be outrageous ransack SL 500 6.0. Also check out Saturn smart little SL to sit in there and check in with Motor Week car care expert had to take a trip to the frozen Arctic

and bring you all the latest Motor News. Go to Mr let's move for a week.