Motorweek; 1234

This time on motor week 93 we test s LP's ferocious Firehawk Elisa Barrow tries a unique form of racing. Take a quick look at BMW is most affordable car. Great seeing hot shows us a historic race south of the border to come drive with us next. Ninety three TV's automotive magazine. Your host for Motor Week ninety three. John Davis. Hello and welcome again to motor week 93 we're glad to have you with us. One of the most impressive after market attempts to improve on the original was the S L

P engineering Pontiac Firebird based Firehawk that we tested last year. The modifications that s LP street legal performance made to a standard formula Firebird turned it into a street legal monster. Now it's 1993 and Pontiac has given the all new Firebird the Corvette T1 V8 engine. But that didn't stop our friends it s l p from upping the performance and once again. This time the pot is up to a full 300 300 horsepower that is. And 330 pound people for granted that's a good deal less than the previous Firehawk 350 horses. But those were necessary to extract the required performance from last year's tired old body design. The Firebird of today requires a lot less tweaking to make it really move. This helps preserve its easy drive ability as well. Fewer modifications also means that the price drops from around 40 thousand

dollars last year to twenty four thousand two hundred forty four dollars now. This puts the 250 fire hawks that will be built within the reach of a lot more enthusiastic. What the folks at SLC did was to essentially leak to the Firebird formulas to tell t one he ate. This is accomplished by the installation of a new induction system which breezed through a pair of fully functional. These n takes are part of a lightweight composite hood which also shaves off critical weight. The s LP package also includes a set of stylish 17 inch shallow wheels there where P. 275 40 series Firestone SC Firehawk tires finally flashy Firehawk graphics and flared exhaust to make sure that no one mistakes this for standard formula Firebird. Of course one trip to the dragstrip confirms that as the latest Firehawk from zero to 60 and only 4.9. Second. Over a second faster than a stock Firebird the mildly tuned

engines more efficient power delivery puts it through the quarter mile and thirteen point five seconds at 103 mph. It's a street racers dream come true. The six speed manual is unchanged from the regulation Firebird But here throws were a bit more Nazi than the Trans-Am we tested in February. We still find it easy to miss third. We have nothing but praise for the fire Hawks handling the combination of the formula Firebirds original suspension and those extra sticky Firestone tires transforms the handling from great to exceptional. That's what grip. Yeah plow is almost nonexistent. This improvement alone is worth the $6000 price increase over the stock car. Thanks to the tires braking has also improved with the formula. Standard blocking stopping our test car from 60 and an average distance of only 100. Good to see. Stability and battlefield are top notch. So a trip to the local racetrack is definitely in order.

The last Fire Hawk was impressive on the track but rode rather harshly on the street. The latest Firebird suspension under the current model is almost washed by comparison. But the look is pure aggression the subtle changes the hood and wheels makes the Firehawk much more formidable than the already smart looking formula. The standard interior is left completely alone by s LP except for the addition of a small plaque denoting each Firehawk serial number just as well since the Firebird cockpit is already clean and efficient. Dual front airbags are standard big comprehensive analog gauges provide plenty of driving information while firm supportive bucket seats hold you tight during spirited driving stereo and ventilation controls are well marked and easy to reach from the driver's seat but you'll have trouble carrying admiring adults in the tight two plus two rear seat. Better to fold the seat back down for more cargo space just in case at the already respectable twelve point nine cubic feet available isn't enough. Of course cargo space is the last thing on your. You're putting this much horsepower to the

pavement. It's not pure horse power however but rather a drive ability that tops our list of hits. This is a Fire Hawk that you don't need a racing license to drive quickly. But both handling and braking are improved to racetrack levels. We also applaud the subtle but effective styling changes and kudos to SL P for the new lower price. The only significant mis is the vague notchy shifter. We complained about this in the stock Firebird as well. Obtaining a Firehawk of your own is a simple affair. Just go to your local Pontiac dealer and order a Firebird formula with the option package you are 6. You can order all of the formulas. Other options as well including leather and even an automatic transmission. So lay your money down because the newest s LP Firehawk is better batter and a whole lot more fun. Auto racing is generally considered a pretty expensive and not

particularly environmentally friendly proposition. It also requires extraordinary reflexes but in California where so many trains began Lisa Barrow has discovered a form of racing that is an expensive clean and suitable for those without the talents of Mario Andretti. The car makes no noise its just past and its stealthy. Something like this. Oh it's a dream but a little. Different about vehicles that run on electricity and natural gas. What about idiot movie star by gravity. It's a gravity reason. That. It's pollution free. You can go a hundred miles an hour and skilled you're going to be driving until next super quiet gravity formula 1 racing is the brainchild of

world champion skateboarder Roger Hickey. These postmodern go carts were introduced onto the market less than a year ago but with sales already in the U.S. Canada and Europe it looks like they might become the fastest growing sport on wheels. A lot of people when they first see the car they don't take it seriously as a race car. There's one guy that owns a twin turbo Callaway Corvette which is a $200000 race car that I thinks differently now. There was a $2000 drive a car versus a Callaway twin turbo Corvette and I didn't buy half a mile. Gravity Formula 1 racers are designed to meet exact specifications. All cars are identical and races are won by driver expertise not by vehicle modification. Numerous safety features include a five point driver harness rib cage and roll bar foam padding and a flexible cold rolled steel frame steering and braking are operated by unique split handles.

As Roger explained Lisa this is gravity formula 1 gravity there is no engine in the back so the only way to drive this is down a hill. You got your five point seatbelt harness here. You have your steering here now there's no steering wheel which keeps the deck height lower for aerodynamics and the second thing is in a crash. It's not going to ruin any of your baby making type things. Now on your staring he pushed forward for right you pull back for left and center is going straight over here you have your brakes the inside handle is the front. The outside handle is the rear. You got your north bars your rib cage. You roll kids your front bars from inserts in the in the frame. Once you put your helmet on put the body on you're ready to go. In an era marked by increasing environmental concerns gravity Formula One cars offer up pollution free economical method of racing with a price tag of under $2000. No air pollution and no noise pollution. There is much to recommend in these vehicles. When you start doing some turns and it just throws your helmet from left to right to left or right.

That's something we have make good decisions yet for the like 85 90 miles an hour. There's a certain thing that just takes you right there and I guess that's why we do it. Nobody nobody crush like fast Perrie Edwards saves everybody was say but it was the most and Pathan look of my life. Because the automobile's invention affected so many facets of everyday life. It soon was represented in every type of artwork imaginable in the motor car and card selections from the Raymond Holland automotive art collection. Beautifully illustrates hundreds of examples of painting sculpture of ceramics toys and common household items. Those able to afford its $100 price tag will hold their own work of automotive parking. We thank Pat Goss his current pick up truck project qualifies as a work of art. And this week we get to see the finished product that John were

back at and the coach works again to complete the customizing of our pickup truck. This time we're going to install our graphics package and our ground effects kit. This is really going to make it stand out. You install the graphics first thing that you do is you clean the area that it is going to be affected. Best way to do that is with denatured alcohol. Then you prefer fit the graphics. You do an outline with masking tape and make sure that everything lines up the way that you want it before you do the actual application. Striping graphics is probably something you could do yourself. But when it comes to your ground effects package I would definitely recommend that you leave that to the professionals so you could be dealing with three basic types of material that these ground effects are made up. First is your thing. Then there's ABS plastic and then there's fiberglass.

Each one of these is distinctly different in the way that they're handled. But there's one thing that's common to all of them and that is that they have to be pretty fit into the vehicle. It has to be put up against the vehicle and any imperfections have to be trimmed or altered so that it fits precisely from that point it has to go to the paint shop and it has to be painted in accordance with the material that's involved. Now in the case of a Ranger pick up well we're using a full blown kit. We're going to start at the rear of it with a roll pan. Then we're going to go up the side of the vehicle with several panels that go the full length of it. Last We're going up to the front of it with the front air dam. Now through the magic of television here's our completed truck. Wow our truck is done and it looks great. One of the things we didn't talk about was what we were going to do with the bed. But we actually did is we put a hard Tano cover on it makes it look good protects whatever is in the bed and still

everything is very usable. Well I got to tell you it's time for us to have some fun now so let's take it for a ride. Really a great day. Thanks a lot. Hope you're we'll. Well I've got to tell you I'm out of this truck. Certainly a success. We wanted to support truck and that's what we wound up with. The ride that he had a late

appearance are all very sporty. Now there are a number of ways you could customize your truck. Sporty. High performance or luxury whatever turns you on. If you'd like to do that would like more information about the businesses and the people that participated in our modifications. Write to me. I'll send you a list. The address is Motor Week Owings Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7 0 2 we milled Maryland 2 1 1 1 7. Given our choice of new cars many of the motor week staff would pick from the number of fine luxury performance models offered by BMW. The trouble is many of them carry hefty price tags. BMW knows that most potential owners can't afford the top of its line so it offers the entry level 318 II model. We tested one in 1990 and were very impressed. The BMW has since introduced a new 3 series and that means a new

389. Let's see if it's an affordable ie worthy successor. Now prices have gone up since 1998 with a twenty three thousand seven hundred ten dollars. The BMW 318 is still the least expensive way into the German sport. Samantha Wright and this leaked three series today and still offers a healthy list of standard features including power locks and windows a power sunroof and naturally air conditioning standard safety features include a driver side airbags antilock brakes and impact sensors that unlock the doors for easy. After an accident and driving enthusiasm will be pleased that the optional sports suspension is available for a mere 160 dollars. One point eight leader for solar output is up slightly from 1993 to one hundred thirty eight horsepower torque is up £2 to 129. It still reaches the rear wheels through a superb five speed manual gearbox but a four speed automatic is now available as an option.

A manual transmission test car did match its predecessors 0 to 60 times of nine point seven seconds. Quarter mile took seventeen point three seconds. Two miles per hour. This despite a 55 pound weight increase as the times indicate the newest three series platform does sometimes feel a bit hefty for the 1.8 liter engine but enthusiastic shift at work kept our car moving along. The road. The standard any lock brakes accomplished just the opposite. Stopping the car from 60 in a short average distance of one hundred twelve feet. This is slightly longer than that of its lighter predecessor but control and feel are better as was the handling the 389 is a joy in corners with excellent grip and tons of driving feel its substantial body roll is typically German. The smooth neutral control is as good as that of cars costing twice as much. Move out onto the public roads and the real world comparison of the new and old 318 I clearly tilts towards the latest design ride a smoother less Jory and will fire

one on a long trip. Move en side and you'll find a cockpit that we won't tire of soon either. It delivers the efficient layout expected in a German car but with a much more modern style. Only the materials tell us that this is an entry level the analog gauges however are identical to those used in other BMW. That means a bit sparse but large and legible. Seat fabrics are also a bit utilitarian but they cover a firm supportive buckets with comprehensive manual control interior climate is maintained by efficient ventilation control with welcome separate temperature adjustments for both driver and passenger. A cassette stereo is standard with a CD changer optional in the back. Thanks to more wheelbase usable rear seat room is much improved over the last three 89. Now even tall adults are comfortable for long periods and they can carry plenty of luggage thanks to a fifteen point four cubic foot trunk left over is now lower for easier loading. So while Times have changed and prices have gone up in the last few years the

BMW 318 II is still the best bet for those looking to enter the German sports events. Or maybe we should include all imported sports sedans since the new 318 I even undercuts many of Japan's entry level sports advance in price. All while still offering respectable power excellent handling and braking performance. In the US. Style and prestige that for many drivers is only delivered by a BMW. Our car of the week is a 1960 Buick Le Saber convertible. Belongs to Fred Everett Washington. Now if you have a great old convertible that you're proud up send us a good color photo and a stamped self-addressed return on below. We'll consider it for part of the week. Our address is Motor Week Owings Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7. Now Lisa Barrow returns to bring us all the latest Motor News.

They saw the news this week John is Jaguars return to the trial the engine in the sedan body the next day 12 represents Jaguars first 12 cylinder sedan available in the US since the old X-Day 12 was discontinued in 1979. The 1994 X-Day 12 made its first U.S. appearance during February Chicago Auto Show. It's an elegant body is shared with Jaguar six cylinder cars and this logo on the trunk is the only exterior hint as to what resides beneath the rear opening hood. The six liter version of Jaguars legendary beats well. Which powered the company to victory in both the Daytona and the moms 24 hour races in 1988 and 1990. It produces an impressive three hundred one horsepower and three hundred thirty six foot pounds of torque new hydraulic engine mounts help to isolate engine noise and vibration. Jaguar claims a top speed of 155 miles per hour and is 0 to 60 times a 7.3 seconds. That's over one and a half seconds quicker than the one thousand nine hundred two x day six we tested 18 months

ago. But numbers alone don't do justice to the twelves effect on this Jaguar sedan. The V12 engine is what this car needed. Driver can summon its power instantly. It's delivered to the roads thanks in part to the four speed automatic overdrive transmission which can be shifted manually by its node left in the normal setting. Shifts are almost undetectable. Eighty X Day 12 smooth quiet ride or 16 inch Perelli feet four thousand sixty series tires on Fords alloy lot of wheels a 4 wheel antilock brake system is standard. The driver faces a full complement of analog gauges and a leather wrap steering wheel that contains an airbag. The X-Day 12 cabin is typical Jaguar luxury surrounding its occupants with yards of premium leather and lots of wood trim. The wide comfortable bucket seats featured 12 way power adjustments plus power lumbar support. But all this Jaguar luxury and smooth effortless power has its price in the twelves case. Seventy one thousand seven hundred fifty dollars but Jaguar

believes there will be strong demand for its flagship sedan John and the company expects the next day 12 to account for 10 percent of total Jaguar sales this year. Normally when Craig saying Haas attends have been his racing event he concentrates on the great cars and the people who are preserving them. This week Craig brings us a race that's much the same as it was 40 years ago and we have some of the same equipment and then a few changes have been made. It's still an event like no other. We've been to many recreate sions of great races where cars like this relive the racing past. And while there are a lot of fun one usually doesn't feel the great mental or physical challenge of the original event. That is until we found the Mexican road race. Like Herrera PanAmericana. All of Mexico knows this is this is the US Mexico road race in the world. You see the race nowadays is not much different than the original that began in

1950. You still have the mix of big American power and European sports cars. The ruling six day agenda covering almost. Thousand miles of wildly varying terrain. The spirit of the Mexican people. What is missing is the sheer number of accidents and they tallies that finally spelled the end for the original race in 1954. Nowadays such things as roll cages and safety harnesses are mandatory and the races run. Rally style. And they have they have three different sections and they have a Christmas section which you just have to average a pretty slow speed and have a special section or a limited section where you can go a little faster and you can actually be early and you're not going home and in the last section which is where you just goes past 24. The race began as a commemoration of Mexico's opening of the Pan-American

Highway a highway that connects the southern tip of Mexico to the Texas border then and now the highway poses a true test of driver skill and metal of machine. There are some of the worst roads secondary roads that you'll ever encounter anywhere in the world. If you've got to poke the folks down it will get loose if you weld the something or break it. Ever know what it. Costs. Whether rich driver error or mechanical problems. Many cars never make it to the finish. But this doesn't stop the participants or the spectators from embracing the romance and adventure. We try middle of the road and it just so happens we have a red car. See her at the start of the comet. Where else can you go a thousand thousand miles just as fast as you want to go across the

countryside. I have all my life and I never thought that I was going to be able to participate. Yes. For some it's realizing a childhood fantasy. Others claim it's the last. Great Road Race. One thing's for sure it's an adventure of life. Join us next week as we take a look at what's new and hot in sports cars. Lisa Bell has a report on seat design. Plus we'll have another ride down the high road and all the latest Motor News. I'm John Davis. We'll see you then. 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. As for program number twelve thirty four. An expanded version of motor week's How to buy a car is available on video cassette. The

tape previews new cars for 1993 and include segments about negotiating and financing a new or used car purchase. To use your credit card call 1 800 4 2 2 0 0 6 4. Or send twenty to ninety five plus $4 shipping to Motor Week home video post office box 6 8 6 1 8 Indianapolis Indiana 4 6 2 6 8.