Motorweek; 2601

Still. The legend continues as the Mustang. For chilled BGT 500 the most powerful stock Mustang yet. Hi I'm Pat Goss. Fuel economy. This time I'm Goss's garage which will join a land rover on a spectacular adventure to earlier time. And test back euro's first compact utility. The RDX. So come drive with us. Little. Girl. Brought to you by the Stanley Works makers of max like 3 6 9 and tripod elimination tools Stanley is proud to support public television steadily. Make something great information available at w w w dot Stanley Works dot com by Dunlop tires. The search for a true performance is part of our heritage. Dunlop is proud to present the Dunlop

drivers Cup where amateurs from around the world compete head to head in the on and off road competitions. Information at Dunlop tires dot com. And buy cars dot com. Let's say your looking for a car. And cars dot com can help research locate even contact your dealer. Cars dot com find the right car for you. Your host for Motor Week. John Davis. Well hello and welcome to the 26 season of Motor Week. We're glad to have you with us. Carol Shelby and the Ford Mustang first got together in 1965 with the shell BGT 350. Adding TIF to Ford's already popular Mustang made it an instant hit. The ante was up to one thousand sixty seven with a big block shell BGT 500 which cemented the Mustangs muscle car fame once and for all. Now 40 years later Shelby is adding even more muscle to that legend with the 2007 Ford shell BGT 500 as the most powerful

factory Mustang ever. It seems even hard to question. But is this a new mix of man in stede another perfect match. The combination of Mustang and Shelby has always produced serious performance so the challenge for the designers of the 2007 Ford shell BGT 500 was to come up with an extraordinary car to further the Shelby legacy. So starting with the rock solid chassis of the current Mustang Ford special vehicle team under the watchful eyes of Carol Shelby himself added a host of primo performance parts to make the GTI 500 the wildest production Mustang yet. The heart of the stallion is a super charged version of forty five point four leader or 330 cubic inch Twin Cam V8. It stomps out an even 500 horsepower with 180 pound feet of torque that peak power comes from the intercooler roots type super charger that adds eight and a half pounds of

boost and high flow cylinder heads borrowed from the exotic 4G t to feed all that power to the fat rear tires. The GTI 500 dons a heavy duty six speed manual gearbox and clutch which when low. Launched under perfect conditions will return 0 0 to 60 time of 4.5 seconds and quarter mile of twelve point nine seconds and 112 miles per hour. But mix in a little moisture and slow hook up and speed sapping will span really hinders the launch. Still we were impressed with the GTI 500 broad power delivery and free reading character without any of the rough edges of classic she'll be Mustang and in true muscle car tradition the GTI 500 is no gas sipper still government fuel economy ratings of 13 city 21 highway and a real world return of 17 mpg using premium gas. Our improvements over 60s era muscle machines.

But there's more to the GTI 500 than just a big V8 Ford wanted the new car to be as quick in the corners as it is in the quarter mile so SVT engineers retune the shock Springs and stabilizer bars. The three link pan or rod rear suspension is derived from that of Ford racing's Mustang F or 500 seat competition car. While the wheels are stout 89 Talboys wearing 45 series front and 40 series where performance tires. Still we found that the heavier power train contributed to a good bit of push in the tight corners of Summit Point raceways quick in Jefferson circuit but it vanishes mid-corner as you feed and power giving the car a very balanced feel. Long past sweepers are where the GTI 500 is most at home. The steering is quick with very good weight and feedback and even with a bit more body roll than we expected. It's a definite step up in handling from the stock Mustang GTI but not quite the bottom loop that we expected giving Shelby's competition

history. The GTA 500 does stop like a race car however massive 14 inch Brembo cross drilled rotors with four piston calipers up front and 13 inch of it a disc at the rear all down from 60 in a short 121. Seek and maintain their awesome power and feel lap after lap. The 500 looks like a race car too thanks to aggressive but not overdone styling cues up front the Shelby shows off a deeper aphasia with blacked out grills and a functional air splitter while the pumped up good which features traditional long stripes on the hard top has functional heat extractors near the leading edge of the table stands tall with a bit style duck tail spoiler. Then there are Shelby and COBRA badges galore including one that looks like the originals gas cap but the inside is a little on the plain side. It lacks the aggressive retro style of the exterior. The leather seats post increased lateral support for spirited driving and embossed Cobra logos but only seats in red cars get color keyed

center panels in the gauge cluster the SBT styles but armor and tax which signage to help drivers keep an eye on their rpm and the three spokes steering well get to cover badges well otherwise it's straight forward Mustang twin cockpit all the way. Not flashy but clean and functional as you would expect given it Shelby braiding the cittie 500 carries the highest stickers of any factory Mustang G.T. 500 coupe starts in forty two thousand nine hundred seventy five dollars and the GTI 500 convertible at forty seven thousand eight hundred dollars. Now if that's too steep for your. Budget the note that Ford has just announced that a retail version of the shell BGT Hertz built for rental will arrive soon known as the shell BGT. This 325 horsepower model should considerably undercut the GTI 500 in price. It was 40 years between the original GTI 500 and the 2007 Ford shell BGT 500. Like the

original. It takes a great car design and brings it to completion. It is both impressively capable and amazingly refined and one that has earned the right to be a Shelby. Coming up Land Rover straying to ancient terrain. When it comes to what makes cars and trucks go. There isn't much that our Pat Goss doesn't know. But when it comes to high gas prices he simply doesn't want to pay. John there are lots of ways to improve fuel economy in lots of ways to waste money trying to improve fuel economy not the least of which are these new miracle fuel improvers they don't work. Don't waste your money. Now you may have a diesel engine and you may be tempted to run that diesel engine on vegetable oil. Well don't do it it will work for a while but it could cause internal engine damage from deposits over the long haul. And remember if you live where it gets chilly in the morning

that vegetable oil could look very much like this lard on a cold morning and the engine isn't going to run. Something else to be concerned with. Most parts of the country have new fuel it's called 10 it's 10 percent ethanol 90 percent gasoline. Now ethanol is a renewable resource and it cleans up tailpipe emissions but it lowers fuel economy and don't confuse it with E-85 which is 85 percent ethanol and must only be used in cars that are flex fuel capable. Now some of the practical things tire pressure check it regularly set the tires to the specification inside the door of your car. Clean Fuel Filter good spark plugs and there are some sensors that can dramatically reduce fuel economy. These are in a let air temperature sensor oxygen sensor manse airflow sensor and no don't look for codes because they can be out of spec and reduce fuel

economy with out setting codes. Dirty antifreeze will do it as well. A bad coolant temperature sensor or a bad thermostat that makes the car run to cooler makes the computer think the car is running cooler than it should right air filters should look like this should be replaced when they look like this. And this sucker is going to cost you 10 to 12 miles to the gale and never let your rear filter get that bad heavy oil. A lot of you seem to think that that's better for an engine while it isn't. The only thing thicker than recommended oil is is hired or to push through the engine that requires power and that reduces failed economy. The battery if it's not in good condition that will cause the alternator to charge all the time trying to charge the battery that consumes power and that reduces mileage and last but not least all the junk in the trunk. Get rid of it because you're paying for every mile that

you haul it around. If you have a question or comment write to me the address is Motor Week Owings Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7. Over the last 25 years Land Rover has taken us to some of the most far flung and exotic locations on the planet to try out their new vehicles. What part of Land Rovers pride is to try and give something back to the cultures they visit. While we've always reported on the driving adventure we've never reported on the other side of the story. It is a story of generosity and sensitivity and it's a story that deserves to be told. In 1948 Land Rover had its beginnings as a simple English multi-purpose farm vehicle. But today it's off road reputation is legendary World long. I think from land members outside it's always when we talk about the product as a tool. It's used to go in with aid organizations you know it's a very capable product because it can do

the job. Bottom line so it's kind of evolved over the years as the the tool of choice to get into very remote areas. On our most recent adventure with Land Rover our tools of choice for the Land Rover LR 3 the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. With them we slog our way deep into the jungles of the Central American country of believes led by archaeologist. I may always I mean certainly it's just hard to believe the first time I make a call was back in 1986. I was driving this old Land Rover and he used Land Rover to come down these tracks to find these the ruins of Jericho and Old Betsy as he used to call that over in fact I think parts of old Betsy still live on. Even after 29 years. In other vehicles. In this country one of the more popular vehicles over time has been the lead over. Many archaeologists have explored areas that are not just adventures that are

out in the middle of nowhere. Musing then over. To me I can attest to that. I know some of my early career. That's what I did. We've got a background with Cara call of helping preserve that in the past some time years ago. The original. Is and Philadelphia. We couldn't afford to make these replicas and Landrover. Came through and said we're prepared to fund the reproduction of those monuments and we want to continue that tradition with hillbillies as a very special place. The culture is amazing and there's just a natural fit for life really. Land Rover. Was the first to really introduce that whole concept in conservation here in Billy's and if I didn't tell you you would know that this is fiberglass. Because it darkens. Just like the original. It looks just like a rock fiberglass replica such as this one cover the original stonework protecting it from decay and with a renewed support

of Land Rover. These preservation efforts can continue. The guys do a three dimensional drawing of the original And we have measurements for every feature over there. And then these guys. Car with these homemade tools until recent times my Indians had their ethnicity for fear of ridicule or worse. But projects like this help restore pride in their heritage. What's your what's your national. Vision. True but you're really you're my you're right this is your history my history. My sister is mine. So I'm going to be doing my work. When this is done. We will then make the replica out of this because we'll paint the latex etc. and if we destroy that it doesn't hurt the original. If we don't do this conservation work eventually you lose this unique monument. The past does not belong to one person you know of the past is for all humanity.

I think that Land Rover has certainly gone out of its way to assist us to try to protect and preserve some of the cultural remains that we have in this country in this part of the world archaeology plays such a strong part of this country's history and heritage. So I was we're down here to say what a wonderful way to time to believe understand where its roots are. And would like to be able to have that preserved for people in the future to come down and see this culture. On this motor week long term road test update we checked the log books of the small and the tall. But while our five door 2006 Audi A3 is indeed compact in size it delivers big in performance and creature comforts. Based on the latest Focus wagon Goff platform power delivery for our Quatro S minus 250 horsepower strong from its corporate three point two leader Twin Cam B6. So much like the Mini Cooper S the daily driving

experience is spirited and agile. After two months and 6000 miles our staff has already professed their love for the A3 generous top end power easily controlled by the quick acting 6 speed direct shift gearbox pedal shift transmission and the drive train does seem to be a good match for the tussle nature of this little Autobahn burner. The interior is also to our liking Audi well equipped and quite roomy with the open sky twin panel sun roof. It's almost convertible white. Only the A3 is rather stiff seats cause any qualms on longer trips. Indeed the A3 is pure Audi luxury sports sedan. That means it's designed for putting the pedal down so we're not surprised with the performance car fuel economy of twenty one point three mpg on premium brake gas. The Audi A3 is great fun. Now for the tall of it all. Step up to our 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab twenty five hundred four by four and for a short stay this full size pick up with that extra large

crew cab is proving to be a star when it comes to being a television production support vehicle with its huge five passenger cabin the largest of any full size pick up and deep six foot four inch cargo box. There isn't much we can haul orto are four by fours three hundred twenty five horsepower five point nine leader Cummins turbo diesel six and automatic is rated for twelve thousand four hundred pounds of trailer. The combination of a five thousand five hundred fifty five dollar premium for the Cummins diesel a 410 rear axle ratio and fourteen point four mpg diesel economy does not make this mega kava frivolous use truck. The Dodge Ram Mega Cab is big and proud of it. We'll leave the pure fun of driving to our Porsche Boxster s and Mitsubishi Eclipse coupe both up next on motor weeks long term road test update. For what's going on and all the latest modern

Mercedes-Benz has over 80 years of diesel experience. So it's no surprise they're on the cutting edge of making them environmentally friendly. The full size 7 passenger 2007 Mercedes-Benz Geo 320 Blu tack is the cleanest diesel sport utility vehicle in the world. Named after the color of the emission reducing Yury a fluid injected into the catalyst system. Blue tech is the technology that could ultimately make clean diesels. The obvious choice for Americans using Mercedes latest three point two liter turbo diesel V-6. The G L 320 will also be the most efficient began with an anticipated highway fuel economy of over 25 miles per gallon. The tech goes on sale in January. Also making fuel saving Automotive News is General Motors as part of their turnaround strategy. GM is quickly ramping up production of all new full size pick ups both the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra will hit showrooms this November. With the addition of cylinder cutter Silverado and Sierra

with the five point three leader V8 will carry government fuel economy ratings of 20 miles per gallon on both four by two and four by four models. An even more efficient hybrid electric power train is also in the works. GM hopes their own new pick ups will block the current downturn in full size truck sales putting much needed cashflow back in their pockets. And that's it for this week's Motor News. It doesn't seem that long ago when this 1963 Lincoln Continental was the definition of pure luxury it was the cutting edge of style and technology for its day. But as the years pass so do automobiles. Now when we think of luxury vehicles our sights are just as likely to fall on posh SUV like Acura first compact utility. The 2007 RDX But does this new luxury crossover also break new ground. Hard urban warrior part weekend speedster the 2007 Acura

RDX crossover utility vehicle brings much more to the table than the old school luxury ideal. Joining BMW X3 and Land Rovers upcoming LR to the RDX is on the ground floor of a growing city fide all weather niche. The compact luxury utility. Turning heads with its muscular physique the RDX exudes ultra confident a brawny MDX like snout accented by HIIT headlights leads to aggressively rake body size 18 inch alloy wheels punctuate the powerful past year aimed at younger first time premium buyers. The five passenger RDX is based on Honda's latest global white truck platform. But what really changes the small luxury utility equation lies within Hondas first turbo charge production vehicle engine a two point three leader double overhead cam 16 valve in-line four cylinder with an ID tag variable valve timing with an innovative variable flow Inner Cool turbo charger at lower

RPMs it spins up quickly like a small capacity Turbo for minimal lag above 2000 rpms. A valve opens for top in reserve output is impressive at 240 horsepower and 260 pounds speed of torque. That's more torque than any other Acura firing on all cylinders we watch the RDX homerooms. You're 0 to 60 in a utility quick 7.1 seconds the quarter mile dust of the track and fifteen point six seconds at 91 miles per hour. This CUBC sprints hard for the launch to finish using a 5 speed automatic with sequential scorches an F1 style paddle shifters. Chips are tightly spaced and nearly seamless on our track we were impressed with the overall balance and stability and with the minimal body roll with the RDX clearly aimed at city dwellers. A compliant all independent suspension was a must. The results are make fares and struts up front and multi links in the rear. They all hold the most progressive feature of the RDX accuracy first use of it

super handling all wheel drive system on a utility while a simpler system than used on the flagship Arielle sedan the results are the same. S H A W D raises cornering prowess by shifting torque to the outside rear wheel to help reduce understeer and push the RDX through corners. About the only thing not up the sports sedan standards were brakes. Even with all dis abs and brake assist average track stops of 136 feet were on the long side. Back on the streets we were pleased at how well the RDX if not serious potholes without bodies. Beyond its long front doors a stylish and roomy cabin awaits combining the themes of performance driving and superior technology. The leather splash cockpit features bright deeply Benecol gauges and a well-conceived dash where the focal point is a large multi informational display. The RDX comes loaded standards include age weight power driver's seat seat heat dual zone solar sensing automatic

climate control and power moonroof. The technology package brings home an upgraded 410 watt surround sound system wireless phone interface Acura link with real time traffic satellite navigation and a rear view camera. That's enough to keep any gadget hound happy. Occupant safety comes in the name of six airbags including side curtains with a rollover sensor where seating will accommodate two adults comfortably and three in a pinch. While the 60 40 split folding seat adds a good level of versatility behind the traditional had has an ample cargo space of twenty seven point eight cubic feet seats up and par for its class sixty point six cubic feet. Seats down also right on par with other similar C U these are government fuel economy ratings of 19 city 24 highway. Our testers mileage loop came in about as expected at 21 using premium grade gas. Pricing for the very complete RDX starts at thirty

three thousand six hundred ten dollars. Add the technology package and the sticker comes to thirty seven thousand one hundred ten dollars. That is right up there with the BMW X3. But you can buy sporty well-equipped C.U. these like the Mazda CX 7 for many thousands less. Clearly the classic formula for what surely is out the window and premium utilities like the 2007 Acura RDX are is it's in body mode of technology meets performance clearly bring something new to the equation and we think you know solution that will have street savvy urbanites borrowing to get behind the wheel. Oh I hope you will join us next week for more motorways. One more task force's spectacular 911 Turbo and Jeep hip new compact compass utility. I'm John Davis. We'll see that. To learn more about Motor Week TV's original automotive magazine visit

PBS dot org. Thanks. To order a DVD or VHS copy of this program call 1 800 8 7 3 6 1 5 4. Motorway has been brought to you by the Stanley Works makers of max like 3 6 9 and tripod elimination tools Stanley is proud to support public television stand late make something great information available at w w w dot Stanley Works dot com ad buy Dunlop tires. The search for true performance is part of our heritage. Dunlop is proud to present the Dunlop drivers Cup where amateurs from around the world compete head to head in the on and off road competitions. Information at Dunlop tires dot com. And buy cars dot com. Let's say your looking for a car. Cars dot com can help research locate even contact a dealer. Cars dot com find the right car for you. This program was produced by American Public Television which is soley responsible for its

content. I mean PBS.