Motorweek; 1524 PTV

This time on motor week we pick the best of 1996 beat up friendly devil and get in a crop top secret drive with. TV's automotive magazine. Your hopes for Motor Week. Hello and welcome again to motor week. We're glad to have you with us. And the world of exotic super cars a few symbols command as much respect as the wild bowl of Lamborghini. To many it's a perfect description of fast demanding machines like the Diablo. But while many well-heeled buyers desire the status and panache of a Lambo not everyone wants the challenge of

driving one Lamborghini recognize this little marketing obstacle and has responded with the all wheel drive Diablo Beatty as the bow finally been tamed. So you wouldn't know it from the Diablo BTS brutally aggressive line wearing the same Marcello Dandini design panels as the standard Diablo which was named after a famous fighting bull. It's the visual equivalent of a mighty symphony. The 1812 Overture crafted in aluminum and carbon fiber. But the real music in this symphony comes from the 12 piece orchestra under the engine cover a massive 5.7 leader 48 Balbi 12 blast out four hundred ninety two horsepower and four hundred twenty eight pound feet of torque. But where the standard Diablo feeds all this power to the massive rear tires alone the TV puts it to the. Around the different way it's the first Lamborghini model to use the company's new

viscous traction system which transfers up to 40 percent of the engine's power to the front wheels when the rear wheels begin to spin. But that's not all that makes the BT different. It also features an adjustable active suspension system as well as new speed sensitive power steering and a new hydraulic clutch. With so many new features this was a car we had to drive so we hopped the plane to the home of Lamborghini Zantac about Italy. Upon arrival we were taken on a tour of the Lamborghini factory and observe the Vittie being built. Now many longtime Lambo fans put off by the obvious sophistication need not fear the BT is still mostly hand assembled with the same level of care as any Italian supercar. But it's the driving that always matters in the end and driving the BT is unlike any Lamborghini that came before. And fact it may well be the ultimate Lamborghini because no other model from San take it out has ever been so user friendly yet still capable of the speed and ferocity of a wild blue namesake. Slammed the gas pedal to the

floor. The Big 12. What she's doing to the seat back reclaim 0 to 60 times in just over four seconds. Our seat of the pants impression said that was just about right. Once over the initial burst of sound and fury the BT proved to be remarkably simple to drive both steering and clutch are surprisingly light with plenty of feel. Though the traditional Italian gaited shifter can still be a hard clumsy affair the viscous traction system eliminates that the OP loads sometimes unnerving tendency to wag its tail in corners but without piling on the front plow like so many all wheel drive systems do. What's most amazing however is how much less effort is required to drive the BT. We wouldn't call it easy but BT is remarkably accessible to those whose talents are good and the Formula One leave. But while it has seen some improvement the low slung cockpit remains accessible only to the most flexible ones and the driver nestled in very firm but very supportive bucket seats and faces a long sloping dash that packs all of the features and power

excess or ease that one expects of the top dollar car. Smart looking if not always ergonomically correct. Now when we describe the Diablo Vittie as top dollar we mean it. In fact you'll need two hundred forty two thousand of your best dollars to purchase one of the approximately 300 bt the Lamborghini will build this year. Those privileged few will obtain a car that delivers all of the thrills that this historic Italian breed is famous for and now allows more drivers access to its remarkable skills. But there's more. Soon those same drivers not to mention the sun will have access to the Diablo roadster shown in production form at Detroit's recent North American International Auto Show. This raging roadster goes on sale later this year. It shares the same old wheel drive system as the BT was identical performance numbers. US prices are expected to be about 10 percent more than the normal BT for around two hundred sixty five thousand dollars. The roasters top is a somewhat one that is not left at

home can be carried on top of the engine cover how civil was it. Indeed it has beyond low those wild Italians been changed hardly. But now that we've driven the DTD and had a close look at the roadster we can say that he is in a better mood. Time now for our weekly visit with motor week's Top Ridge Pat Goss and more of his handy car care advice. John it's time to talk about some of the new products that I've been playing with recently. First right here is what is called the police enforcement of wheel lock. Now this is an alternative to the old fashioned Denver Boot which doesn't necessarily fit all of the modern wheels. The big advantage to this one is not only does it fit the wheel on the car it also can fit the steering wheel serves a dual purpose. Over here we have something that's very interesting this is called a spider lock. Now we've worked with

this. And believe me this makes a car non drivable and it has the ability once you get it set up to be installed in a manner of seconds really really easy to work with. Does a good job. Now here's something that I have on one of my own vehicles. These are called Syl blades. There's silicone rubber windshield wiper blades. They're made of a softer rubber material and softer material gives them a really good cleaning capability. The only problem is every once in a while they like to pick up little pieces of debris and that debris doesn't want to go away. So sometimes you have to stop turn the wipers off and clean the blades to keep up that really great cleaning action they have. Here's something else that's very interesting. I've been using this in one of my cars for a while now this is called an auto ledger. It hooks into the electronics of the car and it logs the mileage. It logs a whole bunch of different pieces of information about the car. The big thing is

once you log the mileage you can take this back and you can hook it into your personal computer and you can print a form that is suitable for tax purposes to keep track of all of your work related expenses on your car does a very good job. Down here on the floor you know we all have cars that we keep in the garage or in the driveway many of them may leak. Well this is a garage. Diapers. This can soak up to two quarts of oil helps keep the garage floor looking clean without having all those oil stains on it. Now for those of you who like to work on your car light is always a problem. Here is a magnetic based light from Custer does a good job attaches to the metal of the car. Aim it wherever you want and up here is what's called a work like has this neat frame that hooks it over the hood of the car so that it gives you a lot of light underneath makes it really easy to see what you're doing. And that of course is vital for any type of repair. And if you have a

question or a comment write to me. If I use 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. Well it's trivia time I guess the name of a top selling convertible for six of the last eight years. Now if you said the Chrysler LeBaron you're right. Since 1982 the drop top LeBaron has offered convertible buyers an affordable combination of style and visibility. But the LeBaron is finally history this year and in its place is in the rag top. This is the Chrysler Sebring convertible. Another best seller. Well Chrysler certainly hopes so because they know the image of a stylish convertible fun freedom romance an escape. It's crucial to attracting upscale buyers to the Chrysler brand. And with this striking new Sebring racked up the pitter star folks have

used their cab forward architecture to set a new standard in convertible form Sebring is a purpose built convertible not a Sebring coupe minus its steel roof. It's not even built on the chassis but on a stiffened version of the already stout platform that carries the Chrysler Cirrus sedan dubbed J x. It shares the Cirrus is double wishbone suspension at each corner. It's confident enough to take the kinks out of any road. Power of the base from Dr. Sebring J x convertible is a twin cam 16 about 2.4 lieder four cylinder it produces 150 horsepower and 167 pound feet of torque. Top Grade Jr High cars. Again a Mitsubishi single cam 2.5 liter 24 valve B6 good for one hundred sixty eight horsepower and 170 pound feet of torque. Both are made into a four speed automatic always with a manual beam sadly unlikely driven for maximum go AJ excise Sebring can sprint from 0 to 60 and nine point one seconds higher Sebring B6 jumped off the line like a jack

rabbit despite a 30 132 pound weight. Speaking of weight the Sebring is only 20 pounds more than the LeBaron convertible but it's 80 percent better enforceable rigidity. This leads into a much smoother ride over rough roads. There is minimal house shake to most impressive the leather covered front buckets feature rather short and surprisingly somewhat uncomfortable shoulder belts integrated into the seat backs. First among domestic cars they do provide increased safety and much easier access to the back seat. Easy also described See brings top down operations just released the two Winchell header latches. And press a single console switch. The double line top holds itself down far enough not to hinder rear visibility. A semi hard boot snaps and slides easily into place. Top down cruising poor away from home as possible thanks to the generosity love in point 3 cubic foot trucks you can drive a Sebring J x convertible out of the showroom for as little as nineteen thousand nine hundred ninety five dollars

which includes air conditioning power windows and much more of the six jacks I start at twenty five thousand two hundred ten dollars and does include abs. Those prices should not only keep Chrysler's confirmed convertible buyers in the hole but with the Sebring top down high appeal and all weather practicality attract loads of nontraditional buyers as well. That's what we call making a best seller on forgettable. People are always asking us which cars and trucks are our favorites. Now with so many top notch vehicles available today that's not an easy question to answer. But each year we try anyway with our annual drivers Choice Awards this year the winners are many and varied. They range from sports cars to station wagons and they even include a surprise or two. So here's motorways 1996 drivers Choice Awards. The first category in Motor Week 1996 drivers Choice Awards is best small

car. Our winner for the second Here is the Chevrolet Cavalier in Sedan and Coupe after driving a long term Cavalier for almost a year. We continue to be impressed with its solid construction. Gutsy engine roomy interior and high level of standard safety features including dual airbags and anti-lock brakes. Our best station wagon is actually a hybrid. The U.S. built Subaru Legacy Outback Sport Utility wagon. Well basically an all wheel drive legacy wagon with more ground clearance and huge fog lamp. It delivers much of the capabilities of a luxury sports ute including cargo space at a much lower price. During the East Coast blizzard of 96. This Outback was unstoppable. No wonder Subaru can't keep up with demand. For the eighth time in 13 years our best mini band pic goes to Chrysler. But this time with a new Chrysler minivan 1996 Dodge Caravan Plymouth Voyager and Chrysler Town and Country innovations like the left rear sliding door and roll

away seats made the Chrysler trio unanimous winner. Chrysler also gets kudos for continuing to offer both standard and grand link minivans. The latter in either but for all will drop. Now if there's space in your garage for something a bit more fun to drive than a band. Try our best sport coupe designed for 1996. The Mitsubishi Eclipse and the eagle talon for the second year in a row. We picked the diamond star twins for their sharp looks and even sharper performance. We especially love the turbo charged all wheel driving thrill of the eclipse GSX and Talon TS IAW D. You don't expect a lot of excitement from a family four door sedan but that's what makes our best domestic sedan choices. The 1960 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable such industry stand out from all angles but their first complete redesign in 11 years or pulled out all the stops with oval styling and over engineering. That should keep Taurus and sable fresh well into the next century.

Intelligent Design and refined driving habits are behind our name in the Nissan Maxima as Best Import sedan for the second year. No other core door does a better job of papering families on long trips. Yet also rewarding the lone driver with authentic sports sedan response. Both styles of travel benefit from Maximus greeter B6. Possibly the best V-6 engine design ever. We admit to being completely smitten by our best convertible for 1996 the BMW Z3 roadster. Much more than a toy. This South Carolina built two seater catches the eye with a modern sculpture styling but it captivates the rest of the senses with a chassis that delivers a crew BMW driving experience. The Z3 is comfortable on long trips or inside short switchback it's delightful and affordable. We also came away thoroughly impressed with our drivers choice for best luxury car of the year. The Mercedes Benz E-Class like the Z3 it is the striking appearance of the E-Class that first grabs your attention.

But after one drive you realise that there is now a bold new definition for a luxury car and it has nothing to do with price. Which for the new E-Class is no more than the car it replaced. Our best high performance car has more bite in the box than any other. The Ford Mustang Cobra. We are invigorated by not only the all aluminum clean can be a seemingly endless horsepower and torque but even more so by our reworked chassis that makes this slippery beast a real play thing. The fact that it's riding position is also best in class. It's just an added plus. This year we split an SUV into two sizes. My best family sport utility vehicle nod goes to twins the Chevrolet cha hope for Gore and the GMC Yukon for door by pairing 21 inches off the Suburban. GM designers have successfully created a new full size SUV next big but not too big and with loads of B.A. power. They're perfect for the longest the family outing. However at the other end of the size spectrum is our best mini sport utility vehicle.

Oh yeah those cute new Rav 4. Well not a new niche mini SUV these are gaining popularity with younger buyers that don't want to drive the biggest box in town. The RAV 4 and both 2 and 4 doors passenger car face with a correspondingly smooth ride. Rapport is also the first in its class with Toyota quality. Or take home our best pickup truck ropey but they're all new 1997 F-150. This generational redesign should ensure that the most popular vehicle in the world for the last 14 years will continue to dominate from its aero top styling to the first overhead can be 8 in a full sized truck to the super cab standard third door to dual airbag to a locking tailgate. There is innovation at every F-150 turn. Finally the high point Harleys then price of our drivers choices were 1996 our best three machines or how we might spin that first lottery check. First up the delicious Mitsubishi 3000. The spider

biar or hard top convertible. No other car lets the sun in and keeps the rain out with more passion and performance. But if the weather really turned sour try the Range Rover 4.6 HST while most 4.6 owners are unlikely to ever get the tires dirty. It's still killing an off road bragging rights. Not to be confused with the king of on road bragging rights. For that we see a Porsche 911 Turbo in our dream. To our minds it's the most exciting Street Legal drive in the world. But if you're really cool and filthy rich you'll have to dive into the Ducati 916. The first motorcycles are earn our dreamers award. It turns every highway into an unforgettable adventure. And that's our church and motor week's 1996 rubbish Choice Awards. A wise man named Darwin once boiled the workings of nature down to a single perfect term survival of the fittest. It means that a

species that cannot compete becomes extinct. You know Darwin's theory also applies to the car market. And today the automotive species least likely to remain with us is the high end Japanese sports car. Like the once mighty dinosaur these powerful expensive brutes are ill equipped to survive in today's slim down cost conscious marketplace. So we decided that we'd better drive home while we can. And drive them we did from our home base in Maryland to the challenging turns of Georgia's Roebling road raceway and while the poor turbos that we picked are not the only premium Japanese sports cars. They are clearly the most endangered. The first enter cool animal on our list is also the most substantial measuring over one hundred seventy nine inches long and weighing thirty seven hundred eighty one pounds. The Mitsubishi 3000 TBR 4 is big but compensates with a massive blend of power and technology.

Under It's eye catching skin sits a three metre twenty four valve dual overhead cam P6 engine with two turbo charger output is three hundred twenty horses and 315 pound feet of torque. And it all feeds through a drive line that includes a limited slip differential and pool time all wheel drive. But despite all this heavy lifting the PR for still blasted the six million five point seven seconds. Romp through the quarter mile and fourteen point three seconds at 100 miles per hour on a race track that turns to be our horse weight shows and pronounced run in push despite where we'll steering with the all wheel drive system pounders with tremendous balance and grip. And when the curb straighten the engine pulls hard to the next corner where the large block a quick yes hold it down quickly but also faded under heavy use. The B are forced to plus two accommodations mark your grand tour with lots of luxury touches for pictorial climate controls to infinity stereo while the Dodge still version goes away after 96. Mitsubishi says the 3000

GTA is here to stay even though the VR Force Base price of forty five thousand five hundred eighty dollars isn't cheap but you clearly do get a lot of car for your money. A lot also describes our next group the Toyota Supra turbo coming close behind the Mitsubishi and overall link the super was also the most surprising. But not for engine output. It's a difficult to the VR core at three hundred twenty horses and 315 pound feet of torque. But here the 3 liter 24 valve twin turbo is an inline 6. The surprise is it's not faster than the core out of the chute despite nearly 600 fewer pounds. It was down in the sprint to 60 posting a five point eight second time the quarter mile However it was quicker fourteen point one seconds at 105 mph as the engine surprisingly corrosion Toppin rush quickly gained the rear drive super the nickname rocket sled. But it's nimble small car agility was the biggest surprise especially for a machine with over 100 inches of wheel base.

While the massive ABS equipped displayed impressive pedal feel and longevity once again accommodations are two plus two. But here with fewer creature features and a more serious sports car environment and a higher price starting at forty nine thousand dollars slightly lower on the money comes the car that most folks know simply as three hundred ninety six is the final year for the car in America at thirty five hundred eighteen pounds. It is heavier than the Supra and 10 inches longer than the VR four and Wiley carries the requisite reliever twin turbo B6. It packs only 300 horsepower and 280 three pound feet of torque. A disadvantage we found to be only on paper. Is the Z blasted to 60 and 5.4 seconds 10 through the quarter mile and thirteen point eight seconds at 105 mph. The quickness of our set yeah. Out on curves. Lizzie was certainly number one thanks to super high cast

and its willingness to drip the tail makes it the most entertaining of the lot. There it's limits some of our drivers did complain of a vague response from the rear suspension but that's a place that no sane Street Pilot should go. Like the Mitsubishi the brakes had a short track life a while on they were some of the best on the circuit. Like the others. The Z has a luxurious cockpit but its dimensions require more compact occupant while its price requires fewer dollars starting at forty three thousand nine hundred seventy nine. Our final plaything was the shortest lightest and most serious machine of the group. The Mazda Arik 7 built on the principle of less is more. More speed that is. All right seven dispenses with most let's redo the ads. In favor of a more classic sports car approach. Until you look under the hood that is at the one point three hundred twenty twin rotary engine pumping out 255 horsepower and 213 pounds of torque. But just because it packs fewer horses doesn't mean it's

slow. With under 3000 pounds to move our X rocketed to 60 in 5.4 seconds and down the hall a quarter mile in Britain point nine seconds and one hundred four miles per hour. It was also the most neutral handling of our quartet requiring an experienced hand to exploit its massive grip stunning brakes and razor sharp steering. The SOME the R x 7 was the only pure sports car of the group. It's designed unfettered by bells whistles or a rear seat. And back its tight Spartan interior is much more GTP car than millennia Senay in history. Racer will set an invidious back thirty seven thousand eight hundred dollars and tell us it's the bargain of the bunch. But if you lust for a real automotive grills you can justify the price of any of our quartet of high end Japanese turbo sports cart upgrade that is unfortunately being stamped out by insurance companies. Exchange rates and an aging population. Now we hope our predictions of doom are wrong but until we're sure we think it's a great excuse to keep on trying to

tame these marvelous machines. Be sure to join us next time for more motorways. Well pass the BMW Sonny newsy gray roadster and travel south to the home of the thievery and BMW first US assembly plant. I'm John Davis. Well Theo that. To order a video cassette of this program call 1 800 4 2 2 0 0 6 4 percent twenty nine ninety five plus 495 shipping and handling to motor week. Post Office Box 5 5 7 4 2 Indianapolis Indiana 4 6 2 0 5. Water from the motorway home video collection or crude at 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. Hello I'm John date. On the next edition of hauteur we will hit the road in James Bond's favorite new car the sunny BMW C3 roadster and travel south of the Z3 is home and BMW first US assembly plant. Also see how our long term test leaders handling all their miles plus will visit with

us for a quick lesson on battery and bring you all the latest Motor News. So don't you miss the next motorway.