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I know. Weeks 2010 drivers Choice Awards. Are structured you kill something here while the driver's choice winners next stop order we. Keep the tips this time on bosses. I mean a lot of office in this week will tell you how car dealerships are using social media websites to create an online community of customers. All this in our Best of the year so they come drive now. Totally TV's original automotive magazines. Your host from over week John Davis. Well hello and welcome again to motor wing. We're glad to have you with us. At the start of each calendar year we're already thinking ahead to our next set of contenders for our annual drivers Choice Awards. Now sometimes the

choices are obvious. Other times we struggle to narrow down our winners from cars trucks and utilities to dream cars and green machines. We've driven them all. So now it's time to say which ones are the stars this year. Will start by naming our best small car the Mazda 3. This second generation compact gets an evolutionary overhaul for both body style sedan and a hatchback along with a boost in power and a 10 percent hike in fuel economy ride and handling of also been improved making to three more fun to drive than ever. Inside the Mazda 3 focuses on sportiness and practicality especially in hatchback poor. But for those in need of serious zoom zoom or revamped models the speed 3 is the turbo charge stick if you're wrong. Indeed this affordable little driver's car seems to have it all.

Our choice for best family sedan is the all new Ford Taurus. Having endured a history of twist and turns the iconic nameplate is reborn with a more aggressive design and at the subtly upscale personality. Ford also revived the hot shoe Taurus SHO. Powered by a strong and efficient 365 horsepower twin turbo charged eco boost B6 a first for domestic cars and signed a roomy well equipped cabin affords plenty of refinement comfort and space for the whole family. The 2010 Ford Taurus is a brand new chapter in the story of the bull. This year's best sports sedan accolade goes to a longtime stalwart the BMW 3 Series. As a quintessential benchmark of German engineering and driving dynamics. The three series lineup becomes even more complete this year with the addition of the diesel powered 335 D rated 265 horsepower with us

down 425 pound feet of torque all while reducing intellect's emissions and boosting highway fuel economy to 36 mpg. It's official dynamics at its best and makes the three series model lineup even more of a benchmark than ever. Our best luxury sedan is one that snuck up on a lot of people this year. It's the Buick Lacrosse and it's all new with stunning good looks and impeccable quality inside and out as Buick goes after a younger more affluent set of beautifully designed lacrosse becomes the brand's newest centerpiece a well-crafted cabin exudes an upscale image with a minute ease galore. And on the road the lacrosse rides like a premium so they end with good handling and plenty of power thanks to a 280 horsepower V-6. All this with a base price that's thousands less than rivals makes this lacrosse a winner. For true open air

thrills our choice for best convertible is the Nissan 370 Z roadster based on the recently revised 370 Z. The drop top is powered by the same three hundred thirty two horsepower 3.7 leader V-6 good for a wind in the hair is 0 to 60 in the low low high. Performance wise this roadster is right on par with its fabulous counterpart. Climb on in to experience an intimate and sporty to see cockpit and the power topis fabric which means this convertible actually has room for weekend luggage. The 370 zeroed ster is the ideal choice for driving enthusiastic who love the fresh air. My choice for Best Sport Coupe is the Chevrolet Camaro. This modernized throwback muscle car is above all else an extreme head turner. Designers combine the retro styling of Camaro as heyday with design cues that foretell the future of sports cars.

Now add to that two very healthy power trains including a rowing for under twenty six horsepower V-8 and excellent overall handling plus an authentically classic interior with a surprising in the low 20s. The new Camaro is a prize like no other. War high speed acrobatics check out our best performance cars. The Audi S4. Based on the A4. We asked for is almost too pretty to be a speed demon. This strikingly seductive rock it makes use of a super charged direct injected V-6. Good for three hundred thirty three or so hours. And three other 25 pound feet of torque. Yes we're moving from zero to 60 in the mid wars and stays unbelievably composed in the fastest quarter. And with an under 50 grand a sticker. Yes more as an excellent high performance value. When it comes to best eco friendly we take the new Toyota Prius. Now in its

third generation Toyota made its iconic gasoline electric five door both more powerful and more efficient equipped with a larger one point eight leader four cylinder engine. And a reengineered hybrid Synergy Drive government fuel economy ratings are stellar 51 City 48 highway with 70 percent fewer pollutants than the average new gas powered car. But the new Prius also has a much better ride and a more refined cabin with many upscale details not to mention a wide array of tech and safety systems which makes the very green Prius as family friendly as it is he co friendly. Now it's time to size him in our picks for best dream machines of the year starting with the awesome Howdy Hari five point two Fs on a significant step above the original are eight four point two. This mid engine blunder head is brought to life by a five hundred twenty five horsepower by point to lead or direct injected Feagin it zips from zero to 60 in a

blinding 3.9 seconds and then sings an exhaust note that will bring the rain built on a perfectly balanced chassis we are right. My point to overstrain and track performance. That is virtually flawless. And as far as looks go they are none more beautiful and exotic. This is an Audi for the ages. Our other dreamer is the classically gorgeous Mercedes Benz s ls in G. The first vehicle design from the ground up by the henhouse bins 2:30. Am jis respectful interpretation of the time was 300 SL Goldwing his arms with the end of the space frame and am GS 563 or power 6.2 liter V8 low and tight. Yes LS is ready to carve up almost any corner but if he can afford to drop $200000 you better keep on dreaming.

But the dream isn't over. Well more of our motor week drivers Choice Awards coming up. When it comes to automotive know how we have only one winner. So let's stop by Goss's garage for more of Pat's award winning advice. John. All cars now coming quick from the factory with tire pressure monitoring systems and the majority of them use a sensor like this. This is the actual sensor This is the valve stem. They go into the wheel like this they fit through and you see the stem portion of it the sensor portion is inside the tire. All right. They do a very very good job but they do have some problems. Number one is that many of these succumb to corrosion. The stem portion is made out of aluminum and it doesn't take much in the way of moisture to cause the aluminum to deteriorate.

Then many times when you have to have tire service performed well the sensor can't be salvaged. You have to put new sensors in the car. Well you always had to put the entire sensor in until recently and now dormant products. Has this unit right here. This is a two piece unit. It has the sensor just like it always has but the stem is replaceable it's held in place by a hollow screw. So if the aluminum portion gets damaged all you need to do is to buy the aluminum stem not the entire sensor This saves a lot of money. This comes in a kit such as we have here has a whole variety of stands and repair parts and so on and it is from Dorman products right now. When you have service done tire rotation or anything like that in most cases the sensors have to be reprogrammed to the computer on the car. In some cars it will

simply require a round magnet like this that's designed specifically for that purpose or on others you may have to use an electronic unit such as this that interfaces the computer on the car. The big thing here is if you're going to have tire service done make sure that the shop that you're using has the proper equipment to do everything without damaging anything on the car. And if you want to prevent a lot of the moisture problems here's what you look for. You look for nitrogen and you have nitrogen put in your tires just like they do on airplanes. Nitrogen from a good machine like this one through a film machine is completely dry so you do away with all of the moisture related problems. Not only that but the molecules in one trip are bigger than oxygen so what happens is tire pressure remains constant longer and it's more stable. It's

something that I would look for because it can increase the life of your tires it can prevent TPM miss problems and overall you might get a little better fuel economy. And if you have a question or comment write to me the address is Motor Week Owings Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7. While most new car manufacturers were hit hard last year new car dealers were hit even harder. Thousands closed almost overnight. Now the smart ones that remain know they have to adapt to survive. That means bringing new and often younger buyers into the showroom. So more and more dealers are using social media networks to make that first connection. And our AF why reporter you along to Vaska us looks at this Internet sales technique to see what has dealers and buyers all a twitter. This is the first thing that they would say this is our our wall. BRIAN Hi Doc is slowly learning how to make the most of his company's newly developed

Facebook page. Right now we have our use and Torrie and the new inventories is coming along as well. The digital marketing manager of Ken Dickson automotive in Waldorf Maryland is responsible for posting pics. She just sent us her 250 at the oil change. So the natural thing was to shoot a picture of her in the service bay and then post it up on Facebook. He also passes along news blurbs and daily messages as a way to engage his nearly 150 fans. I feel like I learn something new every day when it comes to social media. I'd like to learn more. So high doctrine to the experts at Gozo a social media and marketing company for help. When you kind of take the auto industry and compared to a lot of the other industries you have to kind of look at the competitive landscape and realize the automotive industry is you know behind you quite a bit go so President Adam Bolt says most dealerships are slow to embrace new technologies but once they put a social media strategy in place it can really affect their bottom line. It's about really establishing

a relationship with your customers. And then when they're ready to buy a car they're going to know where to go go so help auto dealers all across the country by using a comprehensive set of marketing tools. And as you can see you know we basically help enhance everything from a visual standpoint. There's buzz monitoring which scours the web for any mention of the car dealerships name both good and bad. For every negative experience that you have one customer will write ten bad things about you. They'll also generate custom landing pages with information on every vehicle in a car dealerships inventory along with a slew of other features designed to attract customers without going for the hard sell. It's not a place where people are going to be sold. You know it's kind of a commercial free environment. The use of social media websites like Facebook and Twitter can certainly help strengthen a car dealerships online presence and brand reputation but how does that translate into

car sales. I mean how do you get a person to go from their family room into the showroom. How Doc believes it's merely a matter of time. The return on investment is in kind of calm until you turn those fans and into buyers once they enter the buying cycle. Social media doesn't have the type of metrics traditional advertising has at least not yet but high talk is encouraged by comments posted on their wall and an ever increasing number of fans. And maybe I've engaged them enough created enough interest that they just want to know more about who can fix an automotive is Bolt estimates there are less than 20 percent of dealers currently using social media. He says that number will rise as online efforts bring in a faithful following of would be buyers. I think that the automotive industry is going to see a tremendous change and everybody's going to start using social media very soon. Now that you've seen our 2010 drivers choice best picks for cars let's check

out the winners for best trucks and utility. On the Compaq end our best small utility the all new second generation Chevrolet Equinox is one of the brightest lights of the new GM. With a 33 percent boost in fuel efficiency over the previous model. The equinoxes 32 mpg highway rating tops all other crossovers including hybrids. That's with its one hundred eighty four horsepower I pour. For more power you can opt for a stronger 200 64 horsepower V-6 right in handling or very well-controlled. And with all wheel drive the equinox isn't able all road Myler. Interior Design follow Chevy's eye catching plane cockpit the fit and finish are quite good. There's plenty of space for five and up scale a minute ease like a power lift are plentiful offering

top value within IT segment the equinox raises the bar on small people movers across the. Board but for those families that need all the elbow room they can possibly get. Our best large utility two years in a row the Honda Pilot should fit the bill. This very contemporary 3 row 8 passenger utility and front end all will drive the finds the modern crossover. Aesthetically and ride wise the pilot leans in a more rugged in truck like direction than most crossover rivals. It's powered by a capable 3.5 leader B6 complete with cylinder deactivation to help fuel economy. And they can still tow up to forty five hundred pounds more than most rival. The pilots carry cabin offers. All the safety and state of the art goodies. Today's families could ever hope for. With a high level of comfort. It's clearly the do anything choice of the day. Big utility said.

Our choice for best pickup truck is also a repeat winner from the Chrysler Group. The full size Ram pickup. Last year when it was known as the Dodge Ram the emphasis was on the light duty personal use RAM 15:00. This year they've added real workhorses ram heavy duty twenty five hundred and thirty five hundred complete with carry hearty believe Springs. These Go Lions have their blood. OH MY either a 5.7 leader himi V8 or a common 6.7 leader turbo diesel 6. That puts out a staggering six hundred fifty pound feet of torque. Towing capacity has over 17000 pounds. Unlike the RAM 15:00 the heavy duty line gets a redesigned interior with loads of refinement and amenity County updated big rig styling and now a true crew cab model h DRAM pickups are all you'll ever need to get the job done. Stay tuned we'll add one more drivers choice award as

we pick out our best of the year. Now last turn a few new sets of car keys for more first impressions of the latest on our lot. For infinities loyal fans the M series is the brand's halo car and for 2011 it's all new. Call the Nissan flugel in Japan. The new Infinity m carries much more visual drama than the corridor places and initial stroke down and 16 foot flanks moves from behind the swept back headlights to high shouldered reporters a short front overhang long hood and clipped tail of the EM placid grand tour proportions. A big imposing grille dominates the front and cools either of two new engines. The M 37 will sport a 330 horsepower 3.7 leader V-6 shared with the Infinity g the top flight m 56 gets a direct injected four hundred twenty or so power five point six leader V8 modified heavily

from duty in the Infinity Q x 56. Both bolt to a seven speed automatic in drive either the rear wheels or all four in extra. With four will stary optional on rear drive models inside the M's grandiose flowing design language continues in leather and optional wood trim from the twin hump instrument trials to the step center console. GM is arguably Infinity's best with the interior ever its twin cockpit theme is just loaded with gadgetry and controls. But it's all done in a very refined manner. Forest air climate control manages air flow and humidity to mimic a fresh breeze while up to 16 speakers are available including shoulder height speakers in the front. Pricing hasn't yet been announced but we expect the M 37 to start just under thirty eight thousand dollars and the end 56 were just over fifty four thousand dollars. Both go on sale in late March for 2010 the Land Rover Range Rovers to box silhouette changes little but refreshing metal

drives it further upscale and a pair of new more power. Pull engines move it there more quickly. A Three Bar theme echoes from the revised grill to new add lights and taillights to the tall rectangular Fender vests wheels are 19 or 20 inches. The HSC is powered by a naturally aspirated version of the new jaguar derived direct injected 5 leader V8 making 375 horsepower 70 more than last year at 510 horsepower is more to your liking. The Land Rover super charged just the way to go. It sports a new twin vortex taking roots type supercharger. That delivers power more quietly and efficiently. Either way the power supply through a smoother shifting six speed c up automatic with paddle scepter. The HSC is plenty quick but with zero to 60 of under 6 seconds the super charged rover is a blast. Weather out on the freeway or out in the woods. Minute bit. More refined multimode terrain response system and new adaptive

dynamics suspension. In the spacious cabin softer leather and materials adorns everything from the seats to the headliner staring Will controls have been reconfigured for easier use and the news thin film transistor screen instruments are easier to read on sale now the 2010 Land Rover Range Rover agency's lofty price starts at $80000. Super Charge starts for around ninety five thousand dollars. Our motor week drivers choice award roster reflects real choices for buyers. And while each winner conquered their segment only one can be crowned best of the year. So while the others may be green with envy this year's pick is a breath of fresh air. There's no question that consumers and carmakers alike are focusing their attention on vehicles that are greener and more efficient at the same

time no one wants to compromise aspects like comfort refinement and build quality. And uncompromising attitude clearly fits our 2010 Motor Week drivers choice pick as best of the year. The third generation Toyota Prius. This iconic nameplate gas electric hybrid is more than just the standard bearer for the green car movement. It's a well rounded well conceived family car that just happens to also be tops in fuel economy. The all new Prius supports government fuel economy ratings of 51 City 48 highway the combined rating up 50 is a four mile per gallon or 9 percent improvement over the previous Prius. Plus in our testing which included substantial mountainous driving we found the government ratings were right on. That efficiency is mostly due to a reengineered hybrid Synergy Drive system with a larger yet more efficient 1.8 leader. Atkinson cycle four cylinder petrol engine and a

physically smaller electric motor Truong. Total output is one hundred thirty two horsepower Twenty two percent more than before and not. Far from adequately powered non-hybrid car. This bull hybrid also supports a stronger battery an electric water pump and three selectable driving modes. PV ECO and power improved aerodynamics the lowest drag coefficient of any mass produced car today also contributes to the Prius has heightened economy. For this effort. Prius is certified as both a super ultra low emissions vehicle and as an advanced technology partial Zero Emissions Vehicle. Under California standards. The improvements in the new Prius however go far beyond the power train brined in handling a postman enhanced thanks to a Reto suspension. Ride especially as plusher and more comfortable making the Prius just right for any length of commute. To go with its relaxed riders are redesigned

almost upscale mid-size cabin with more than ample room for a growing family of fine standards include height adjustable seats seven airbags and a 60 40 second row that opens up to a generous cargo area. As for gadgets a wide roster of technology from dynamic cruise control to a solar powered vent fan are available and with a base price in the low 20s. The Prius is an affordable choice for the vast majority of households. Offering unprecedented efficiency plane motoring solid drivability and a well crafted interior her Prius offers countless positives for anyone seeking intelligent transportation and for those reasons we name in our book are weak. Drivers choice. I hope you'll join us here next week for more motorways. When will track test Chevrolets newest man the grand sport and its a new family favorite. Oh yeah the

Sienna minivans. I'm John table. To learn more about motor week. TV's original automotive magazine is it. PBS dot org. To order a DVD of this program Call 1 888 and 3 6 1 5 4. This program was produced by public television which is so responsible. For its content. We are PBS.