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Stick. To the midsize sedan seen with the older take on front drive family value. Join us behind the wheel of the new you should. Have gone this time garage essential Goss's garage. And will fly to Frankfurt for Germany's biggest auto show plus we'll open up the performance of Porsche 911. Get real. Ride with. Little. Rock You. We're going to need to support public information available to the leader.

Of the Dunlop drivers Cup at international competition racing to America testing the skills of nonprofessional enthusing on the track information at Dunlop tires. Let's say you're looking for a car can help even find the right car for you. And by Radio Shack where the excitement is building with robotics Bex lets you create and design a working robot limited only by your own imagination. More information about this robotics is it Radio Shack or Radio Shack dot com. Your host for Motor Week. John Davis. Well hello and welcome again to motor week. We're glad to have you with us for an end family sedan does go together like ham and cheese from LTV the Taurus the folks in Dearborn have delivered some of America's favorite family four

doors and now they have a new one for 2006. The midsize fusion surrounds some of the best in global car design with American heritage looks. Let's find out if the recipe works. With. The 2006 Ford Fusion is a significant departure from the recent Ford family sedan. It not only looks different. It drives different Thanks for a design infusion from around Ford's far flung global empire slotted between the compact focus and Ford's flagship 500 sedan the fusion tackles the fiercely competitive midsize class against Toyota Camry Honda Accord Hyundai Sonata and the Mazda 6 on which it is based. That competent front wheel drive platform straps two point one inches to a wheel base of one hundred seven point four inches. That's a little shorter than the Taurus it will eventually replace but

longer than most important badge rivals other dimensions are equally solid at one hundred ninety point two inches long and fifty five point eight inches tall at seventy two point two inches with also gives it a wider track than typical for its class. That stable platform the fusion designers fitted bold styling taken from ports very well-received and somewhat retro 427 concept though Lestrade in direct transitions from the 427 to fusion include the aggressively slanted chrome grill and multi element projector beam headlight the Fusions lines are also more sculpted and its body leaner with an also wide stance broad shoulders and dual tailpipes around back. The fusion sporty physique easily stands out among other midsize or the Fusion is available in base s mid-level se and top of the line se l trim. All models come standard with Mazda as two point three leaders dual overhead cam in line

4 that delivers a healthy 160 horsepower and £150 feet of torque. But to quicken the pace trade after their well seasoned twin cam 3 liter V-6. Box Full on the S E N S E L it delivers 221 horsepower and 205 pound feet of torque transmission choices are either a 5 speed manual or optional 5 speed automatic for the 4 for the rare for its classic speed automatic standard with a V. 6 We got our first chance to drive the new Fusion on the Smoky Mountain highway surrounding the Regal Biltmore Estate near Asheville North Carolina. In a few words we were impressed and handling delivered a near perfect balance between sports sedan and family cruiser with hydraulic engine mounts keeping the age low fusion is far more entertaining to drive than Camry or accord. This sick speed automatics reaction was very competent. Shifting right in sync with

constantly shifting incline. The fourth speed manual allowed quick positive shifts. It felt a lot like the Fusions complex front long arm where independent suspension uses designs that are more Europe than Asia springs in the front shocks do a great job in absorbing both coarseness good grip is provided by standard 16 inch rims wearing wide 60 series tires 17 lower profile 50 series tires are an option driving tools include Well weighted steering and four wheel dispraise with available abs and electronic brake force distribution. Inside the Fusions cabin is as broad and well thought out is the exterior soft touch materials and attractive finishes give the fusion a clean and elegant look with three different interior themes gauges around and easy to read and alone seating is quite spacious for five with lots of shoulder room up front. Small item

storage includes a dash top standards include tilt telescoping wheel air conditioning. AM FM CD stereo plus power windows and door locks with remote keyless entry for occupant safety fusion as well outfitted with side impact and side curtain airbags optional on trim entry to the rear cabin is easy with adult size foot and leg room. Seating is by way of 60:40 spring assisted fold down seats with trunk passed through to fill the trunk you need fifteen point eight cubic feet of stuff bigger than a cord but just shy of the Sonata fusion makes good use of fuel. EPA ratings for the eye for manual are 23 city and 31 highway the V-6 automatic 21 city and 29 highway expect 25 in every day driving. And pricing is even more frugal. The Fusion is 4 cylinder manual stickers are just seventeen thousand nine hundred ninety five dollars while the top shelf NCLB six starts at twenty two

thousand four hundred dollars. That's over four grand less than a quart ESX and about a thousand dollars less than the somewhat better equipped Hyundai Sonata elex. For years. The Ford Taurus was the best selling car in America while that title is long gone. Ford clearly wants to stay in the game with head turning looks WAY above average road manners and a generous but simple interior. The 2006 Ford Fusion is a first class mid-size family sedan competitor and a bargain it that. Coming up. It's Motor Show time in Frankfurt. We know how cars run. But it's Pat Goss who knows how to keep them running. So let's see what motor week's top tack has for us this week. John this time we have some interesting and handy items to have around the home shop. First this is something that I use on my cars this is a filter Meg. It's a

very strong magnet that attention's to the outside of the oil filter. Now the way I use this is I leave it on when I take the old oil filter off. Then I cut the oil filter apart and I look inside to see if there's any appreciable accumulation of metal particles. If there is then I know I've got a problem with my engine. And I do some exploring. Now here's something this is a bolt pattern gauge for wheel lugs. And if you're going to change wheels you need to know what the pattern is. Simply slide this over the logs and it tells you what that is. Saves a lot of grief and mistakes. Well here's something no shop should be without this diagnostic device. Now you simply roll the dice and you get your answer like this is a head gasket. Oh how I wish it was that simple. And anyway. Every shop needs to have air. Most shops need to have portable air.

But there are two types of portable air. There's an air in high volume and low pressure in the air with high pressure and low volume high pressure low volume. That's to inflate tires and things like that. High volume low pressure. That's to inflate inflatable boats or pull toys or those sorts of things. Make sure you know which type of compressor you need. Buy what is appropriate. Here we have one that jump starts and inflates over here we have another one. It jump starts it inflates and it has an inverter so that you have hundred ten volt power available for small items like TVs and things like that. Now most of you will need some type of something that's more established as far as air goes and maybe you don't want to get a great big very expensive permanent compressor. Well this Bostic unit is

available either with electric power or gasoline power it's completely portable. It can be used for all sorts of tools like nail guns and staplers you can inflate tires and you can take it where ever you need air. Very very effective inexpensive way to have a good air supply. And if you have a question or comment write to me the address is Motor Week Owings Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7. Auto shows are like candy stores for car nuts and every year we hit the road to bring you the sweetest traits from the world's most important automotive expos. This week that road leads to Germany and a bi annual Frankfurt Motor Show and big hands on where our driving future is headed. Every other September the Frankfurt Motor Show was where the roads from east and west meet to map out the near-term course of the global auto industry. If folks wagons

is any gauge the course will lead to sunny times their egos hard top convertible was a real showstopper. A true poor season drop top the roof can also open part way is a sundress look for iOS to arrive in the US late next year. Other new VW debuted in Frankfurt included the U.S. bound wagon and a V or six powered off our thirty two premium division ality also debuted a new convertible the restyled 84 but Audi's biggest news was their long awaited 7 passenger SUV the Q7 based of the VW touring the Q7 will have a 350 horsepower V-8 six speed automatic and Quatro per minute all will drop. Over at Mercedes-Benz the focus was also large with an all new and longer flagship S-Class looking sleek and far more muscular. The S class in America will feature to be eight and to be 12 and is now outstanding luxury.

The Mercedes-Benz also wants the new S-Class to be the world's safest car so it's loaded with advanced sensors and systems to limit injury. Mercedes also unveiled the hot rod in male 63 A N G. It has a 510 horsepower V-8 to the new M class SUV Porsche Germany sports car stalwart chose Frankfurt to display its latest model the two seat Cayman S derive from the Boxster roadster the 295 horsepower Cayman S just might give the legendary 9 11 a real run for less money. General Motors Opel division had this tease for American buyers. This weekend's carriage concept is said to favor the next Saturn Vue SUV hybrid power train is on tap too. GM Saab division weighed in with a facelift for its biggest car the 9 5 Toyota unveilings included this three seat Indo mini car and third generation Rav 4 compact utility. The new Rav 4 boasts a larger 3 euro interior and possible V-6 power but it is the 20 that a

Prius hybrid that is making the big waves in Europe. The Prius is prompting consumers to ask why more European car companies are not building hybrids. European fuel prices of $6 or more a gallon are causing companies to question their strong penchant for diesels and look closer at hybrids. BMW surprised everyone by joining General Motors and arch rival Mercedes Benz and developing hybrid technology for passenger cars. That and other alliances proved that if you can't beat them join them. And deed future hybrids will include a new Mercedes-Benz S-Class the Audi Q7 and the Porsche Cayenne. Even Minnie is talking hybrid and it may look something like the mini traveller concept. The mini traveler confirms rumors that a stretch mini is on the way. The travelers split rear doors make easier access and there's more cargo room behind the back seat. Parent BMW showed a fresh hybrid concept this X3 efficient dynamics it

uses an electric motor and capacitors in the rocker panels to give the X3 a real shot in the arm when accelerating. But BMW stores where the wagon version of the new three series and the South Carolina made C4 coupe available next year the Z4 coupe is the best looking small BMW in decades. Six cylinder powered choices will include a 265 horsepower 3 liter hard top convertibles were everywhere already greenlighted for production is the second generation Volvo C seventy its three section solid top as a work of art and to protect occupants top up or down our innovative door mounted side curtain airbags. The C 70 arrives in the US next spring. This sport iOS is concept opened up in a different way with four gold wing doors. Don't look for them to reach production but the aggressively smooth styling is clearly in Ford's global future. The road ahead looks smooth for the jaguar x K. The production version of JAGs all aluminum advanced lightweight coupe concept with a 300

horsepower v 8 x K arrives next year it will include the world's first pedestrian friendly safety hood. Other notable introductions in Frankfurt included this open mouth Mitsubishi support back concept styling exercise. There's a big face to on the one liter powered sassy two concept three door from Mazda. And this Renault Aegis utility concept may also show us the future of Nissan styling in the US. Frankfurt was the first major Western Auto Show with a large presence from Chinese brands like land when Gili and brilliants well-known are on sale in Europe yes they will be sued. And that's the latest global vision of our driving future from the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show. Motor Week long term test look at how a vehicle holds up over a period of up to a year and up to 30000 miles of driving. So far we're about two thirds of the way towards those goals with our 2005 Honda Odyssey e x

minivan. Our drivers choice is the best minivan of the year. No big SUV can touch the Peopling cargo hauling versatility of a minivan. Remove the Odyssey second row seats which is still a chore and pull the third row into the floor. And it's ideal for the biggest loads. The wide power side doors make loading easy. We did have problems with our doors but they're working fine now. Highway cruising is smooth and effortless and pretty thrifty with a two hundred fifty five horsepower V-6. Our average fuel economy is twenty point seven miles per gallon. But a recent trip to New England yielded a solid 26. We have noticed a few more suspension groans than when new but just a few signs of age. If you've had it Thursday SUV the mini van just might deserve another look. And we think you should look closely at the front wheel drive Honda Odyssey. Now if you must have all wheel drive and can't afford to downsize just a bit. How about a

Subaru Outback Sport Utility wagon after eight months and seventeen thousand three hundred miles. We have almost total praise for our outback 2.5 x T. It's flat for 250 horsepower turbo charged engine and 5 speed automatic transmission is a smooth and willing combination with a fuel economy average of twenty point four MPG so far plus its cargo capacity of sixty six point two cubic feet. Rivals many popular SUV. We have no wants except for more front seat comfort and mechanically our outback has been trouble free. Got the SUV blues then cheer up with a Subaru Outback. High fuel prices are hitting the popular recreational vehicle pass time too so the arrival of this tiny Winnebago view classy motor home is great timing with an efficient Mercedes-Benz 5 cylinder diesel. New is based on the dodge Sprinter van. It looks like a great way to view the country and we'll

see for ourselves over the coming months. We'll check in on our Toyota Tacoma and Suzuki Reno on the next motor week long term road test update. What could be better than the open air freedom of Porsches 911 cabriolet. Well how about the same car. Upgraded to Porsche's s performance level. I'm talking about the 911 coroner ask cabriolet a clumsy name perhaps but definitely one very quick convertible. If a car wears a Porsche badge it's pretty much a given that it's going to be quick especially if it also comes with an illness attached to its name like the 2005 911 correct. Yes cabriolet the s designation first used on a 356 model back in 1952 always signifies an expanded engine and horsepower in the new generation

career esque cabriolet. That means a 3.8 leader flat 6 engine with dual exhaust port 300 55 horsepower that's 30 more than the standard 9 11 cabriolet three point six leader and two hundred ninety five pound feet of torque. I'm twenty two. And if you so choose the optional sports promo package that triggers more aggressive engine mapping the drive train is completed by either our test car six speed manual gearbox or a five speed tiptronic automatic with manual shift capability vs cabriolet also gets an upgrade Down Under to the 9/11 cabriolet is already tight struck the front link rear suspension the Porsches active suspension management it uses active damping to switch between every day an all out setting and enforces latest variable ratio steering. 19 inch wheels wearing low profiles E R rated tires. A taller rear spoiler that deploys automatically at speeds an extra large drill

brake this with four piston caliper. Porsche super strong ceramic composite brakes are also available as an option. Bolt it all together and you have a car that even on a 100 degree day bolts to 60 in only five seconds and rocks to the quarter mile and thirteen point five seconds at 107 mph. Overall that's about a half second slower than the 200 pound lighter esque hoop. Like all Porsche engines the 3.8 is strong at the bottom end and then picks up steam even more as it climbs the Rev bam dump the clutch too fast and you will get some rear wheel honk. But once its all rolling engine clutching gearbox all perform flawlessly as does the suspension athletic nimble and lightning quick on turn ins are pretty much par for the Porsche of course. And the career s Cabrio does not disappoint. Steering feedback is superb and rear end grip may be the best of any rear wheel drive car on the road. And even the most aggressive

maneuvers fail to trigger any flex in this rock solid chassis. It's hard to believe that this is a rack tom. After such great exhilaration and handling We expect great great and the s delivers. Taking only 107 feet to stop from 60. Stability and feedback are also first rate as the Cabrio sucks itself into the pavement. Yet after all that this car is still capable of our lax cruising cept the suspension and softer setting and enjoy a ride that's tight and Teutonic but never on civil law. After so much performance Porsche's latest lightweight power folding top is icing on the cake complete with glass backlight and defroster. One switch opens it in 20 seconds and they can be safely raised or lowered at speeds up to 31 miles per hour. Once uncovered the cockpit of the latest generation 911 reveals itself to be most simple up displaying Porsches uncanny ability to pull in

luxury with race car functionality for instance the bi dial gauge cluster with this large central tack ometer and tight fitting sport seats with serious support for enthusiastic driving leather clad of course. Audio options include a 13 speaker Bose surround sound system wit enterable DVD based navigation while automatic climate controls include interior air and pollen filter safety features include side impact and novel head protection airbags mounted in the doors plus a rollover sensor that will automatically deploy when supplemental safety bars. If you go belly up as with all 911 as the rear seat is strictly ornamental only good for luggage. While the real cargo space remains the 4.4 cubic foot well up front so fancy a chance at a 9 11 rack top. Well the 911 cabriolet starts at seventy nine thousand eight hundred ninety five dollars. Hard Rock in S goes for eighty nine

thousand six hundred ninety five dollars. Rather have a true Four Season soft top 9/11. Then wait until November when the all wheel drive Guerrero four and four ask every Laser Rod while we think every Porsche is special. We found a 911 caress cabriolet to be something very special. One of the most exhilarating to drive convertibles yet Yvonne. The name may be a bit clumsy but it's the only thing about this car that is nice. Why I hope you'll join us next week for more motorways. One will test the V12 Harari 6 12 step thing. And care of high performance range rover. I'm John David we'll see you then. To learn more about Motor Week TV's original automotive magazine. Visit PBS not or. To order a DVD or VHS copy of this program call 1 800 873 6 1 5 4.

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