Motorweek; 2901

- Transcript
No this is once again charging the Muslims come to this uprising next to. The water this time. And see themselves in this region. Inside. Syria. Returns to America with the exotic You see DC owning so come drive with us. The week TV's original automotive magazine brought to you by cars dot com let's say you're looking for a car. Cars dot com can help research locate even contacting dealers cars dot com. Your host for Motor Week. John Davis. Well hello and welcome to the start of the
twenty ninth season of motorways. Now in high definition we're glad to have you with us. It's 1986 and the Ford Motor Company is nearly bankrupt. So a successful launch of the all new midsize Taurus is critical. Well it's unusual coke bottle shape soon caught on and Taurus roared to bestselling heights but the redone 1996 oval Taurus didn't fare as well. And the bull headed for rental car status until it faded away in 2007. But that's not how the story ends. Only a year later with Ford once again on the skids the Taurus returned as a full size car and here it is completely redesigned for 2010. So let's see if this boa can strike twice. The Ford Taurus has endured a history of twists and turns and once again for
2010 the iconic nameplate adorns a dynamic new design. And marks the return of the Taurus S H O super high output performance sedan revealed at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. It's a bold styling and aggressive sculpture were greeted with near-universal blues and angst. Ridden headlights on lower hills like a more stylish version of Ford's Three Bar Grill. A big intake below and power dome hood of Bob underscore a confident personality. The roof line is now lower for a smoother silhouette perched atop 17 to 20 inch wheels. The tall rear carries a creased trunk with wrap around lighting and tasteful bright details. Has the four brands flagship the upscale interior is very well-equipped defined by a flowing instrument panel and a dramatically forward leaning center stack seats are now positioned lower but they're still wide and comfortable with a new heating and cooling option available
luxury touches include a push button storage ambient lighting navigation and keyless entry keypad for its unique hands free sink is also an option but this catalyst fuel filler is standard. Safety options include adaptive cruise control collision warning system and blind spot monitoring where seating seems to be a bit more confined than last year but there are still plenty of head and leg room for three grown adults. And he retains the 60 40 folding feature that extends an already huge 20 point one cubic foot trunk easily enough space for a week long family vacation. Moving the Taurus along are to be six is the standard 3.5 leader is rated at two hundred sixty three horsepower and two hundred forty nine pound feet of torque with a six speed automatic and front or optional hold X all wheel drive. New in the SH 0 or show is the 3.5 leader whose twin turbo 36 with a stealth 365 horsepower and 350 pound feet of
torque all controlled by paddle shifters. The eco boost P6 is intended to deliver the power of a V-8 with the fuel economy of a V-6 and according to government fuel economy ratings. It's sort of done. 17 city 25 highway on regular gas. But I just loop up twenty one point two miles per gallon is only slightly better than a state of the art Ph. The fucking. Nose does wonders in me. Can the show live up to its track heritage. Are all wheel drive Taurus s h o spread from zero to 60 in 5.5 seconds and not down the Quarter Mile End fourteen point one second said 101 miles per hour. Power wise the eco boost basics is every bit of the strong off the line pulling all the way down the stretch with quick precise shifts only a rich period exhaust note is missing much of the chassis hardware as an update of the previous Taurus 500 Volvo platform.
But extra tuning for the shows MacPherson strut front and multi link rear suspension results in a far higher caliber of handling than any other full size car we can think of with new electric steering the SH o turns in pretty quickly. Still this is a heavy car with body roll that nearly overwhelms the tires. Even the standard Taurus displays above average responsiveness traction and stability control standard across the line. The SH O does ride a bit firmer than the volume Taurus but owners will find the entire lineup to be comfortable and quiet. Standard for Will abs dispraise are also enhanced on the SH ow hard stops average to fine one hundred twenty seven feet. More feel in the pedal and it would be spot on. Visually the Taurus sets itself apart with unique badging performance tires a deck mounted spoiler and specialized exhaust tips the interior is sportier as well. Leather seat coverings with suede inserts a perforated leather wrap steering wheel and aluminum pedals. Overall nice
and understated pricing starts understated the 2010 Ford Taurus begins at a reasonable twenty five thousand nine hundred ninety five dollars. But the niche market Tauruses say Cho goes for a lot the thirty seven thousand nine hundred ninety five dollars and can climb past forty five thousand with options. The 2010 Ford Taurus is a bit big to be a family car volume leader like the original. That said it does achieve a far higher standard for full size family cars and design accommodations powertrain. And with the S H O street performance. For those who bought the story of the bull was over they could get this Taurus is a new beginning. Our success story of the Week is from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. With more than 700000 takeoffs and landings a year. DFW is the third busiest in the world covering 29 square miles. DFW
is a mini city with more than 500 service vehicles most of which operate on compressed natural gas and onsite CNG were fueling station built in 2000 makes it easy for airfield sweepers like this one to stop in and fill up. DFW CNG usage replaces about 1.7 million gallons of gasoline and diesel annually. Keeping their shuttle buses and other CNG vehicles up and running cleanly. Employees also use Highbridge to travel throughout the airport. All to make the blue Texas skies even bluer. As per usual Our next stop is Goss's garage. Let's see one pats pumped up about this week. No John this is not a luscious drink. Actually what this is is
not five brake fluid that we have put into a blender to simulate what goes on in a car with ABS brakes and five silicone fluid. You see that foam on the top. Well if that was in your abs system your pedal would sink closer to the floor your stopping distance would increase and you would be in trouble. I never used 5 fluid in an ABS equipped car. Now if you look at an ABS system all of this looks pretty complicated. But really it's not all that bad. Come over here and here's some of the basics. This is a wheel speed sensor. It's mounted back in by the axle of the vehicle and it rides very close to this tone ring on the end of the axle. Now you see each one of those teeth on the tone ring is the axle rotates. It sends the signal through the sensor back to the ABS computer. If one of the wheels is turning noticeably slower than the rest of them while the brakes are
applied. This computer senses that and it reduces the braking pressure on the slowest turning wheel to keep it from locking up. I know what are some of the things that can go wrong with this system. Well many of them are very very simple go off road get into some mud and you may find these tone rings get clogged with crud so you clean them out. Another thing that happens lots of times is metal filings from worn out breaks or from doing brake work. They collect in here you have an ABS light and the only thing that's really necessary. Just clean the tone rings so don't overlook them. Also you say that you know brake fluid. You can look at it and you can tell that it's good or bad. Well yeah you could look at it and if it's really discolored or nasty looking it's bad in the brake system needs to be flushed but just because it looks good doesn't mean it is good. If you look at these two jars they look pretty much the same. You'd be
hard pressed to tell there was a problem yet this jar is 50 percent water and 50 percent brake fluid. So rule is flush the brake system every two years every six months. Use a test strip like this to check the condition of the fluid and if it fails before the two years flush the brake system. Now by doing this you'll drive a safer car and you'll prevent a lot of the more Easter related damage to the hydraulic system in your car and that's going to save you money even if you have a question or comment write to me the address is Motor Week. Always will. 2 1 1 1 7. We were so impressed by the boat's wagon Jetta TDR that we named it our driver's choice best of the year. It's not just that the jet is turbo diesel engine a strong and thrifty. Or that it's a great small family car. The TBI is also a blast to drive so much so that it was only a matter of time before it headed for the checkered flag. And our Stephen Chapnick went
over the edge to be in this winner's circle. And become a motor weeks 2009 car of the year. The Volkswagen Jetta has quite a lot of attention and with the TV icon series Oh it's like you're showing off a new side of the car racing so. You already know the turbo power the car puts out a regular stick. Was just a matter of time before. You took it. For. The clean diesel cars green vehicles. These amateur racers. Oh I love driving is so much fun my personal car exactly the route that. I got I was like. Start a bike park and the series is a way to promote upon the fuel and racing all at the same time. The diesel jet is such a performance oriented car but most people have a. Mr stereotype some of these will be slow and smelly and smoky. We want to find a way an exciting way to showcase that the new technology allows it to be fast clean and efficient and we felt like racing a more sport program would be a perfect way to do it. Come live with all the car set up the same it's the drivers
abilities that are really put to the test. The end of the series as amateurs and they graduate with a fully pro SCCA driving license. That's really a privacy is a really little you know want to make sure that the young driver has that chance to become a true professional. You know. The first race of the season took place in the Iowa Virginia International Raceway. Last year's winner Mark Pombo returned to defend his title. Even though his use of the competition is still learning. It's time he goes out. It's fun but it's crazy sometimes and you don't really know the people that you're next to that well when the series starts and you can develop relationships and just like anything else you know your reputation so you kind of have to figure out who you can and can't trust to be around. Be mindful a fuel economy is what makes this series so intriguing. This year VW paired with golf hydrocarbon using their hyper fuel synthetic diesel only fuel. And we think this series is great because it is the first diesel racing series in the country and it allows us to deploy our Cindi's will be five and thirty racing cars over 10 races in the United States promoting a cleaner environment is a motivator for a
lot of the drivers of the series so the fact that the racing was. Definitely sound part of it that attracted me. Like they used to having. The pilots and the. Braves. Great play the running Renay saying all swaying is also giving students of which when you take university the chance to learn the tricks of the trade and the pressures of the pit probably in the U.S. They get to know the TBI inside and out for them as it shows them a repetition you know especially the help on the change in the wheels frightening to brake pads up to looking at the grassy chassis alignment. It's that we instruct the yeah we didn't take students every step of the way we want them to learn of our program. There were a ton of things to do for us non-drug was. Looming and ever since I can't get on. Real track I might go try my luck at the go cart track. From the mini course to the hospitality suite. I still get my fix on the go cart track so I figured I'd take my hand at the video game. Back on the course. It's on this. Journey after
General sped by with only one goal to. Be. In on this double race weekend. Two rookies came out on top. Joey Atterbury in the Red Bull number 14. Race 1. Jake Thompson and then. On to number 90 race two still in the thick of this season next year is shaping up to be. Even better. Than. The first. We're halfway through our year with the Hyundai Genesis sedan. Our 2009 pick for best luxury car and so far it's living up to our billing. The Genesis is quiet and responsive even with our car standard 290 horsepower three point eight leader V-6 and very competent to drive hard. The interior is rich and warm with an excellent fit in finish after six months and thirteen thousand five hundred miles fuel economy is twenty two point two miles per gallon of regular down. Happen mpg since last report. The satellite navigation system is
one of the easiest for you and the optional lexicon sound system also gets applause. But with all this finesse Why did Hyundai choose to use old fashioned cargo crushing truck engines. Oh well no car is perfect. But for not fordable much for a sedan the Hyundai Genesis comes close. Our 2009 BMW 535 sports activity vehicle delivers the best combination of crossover flexibility head turning styling and excitement. It's very popular with our crew racking up 20000 miles in 10 months. The standard three liter 300 horsepower serves our power needs well. Fuel economy has slid to fifteen point nine mpg of premium. Those miles have taken a toll on tire wear and the electrical grid lines we noted earlier including an intermittent electronic parking brake have come down. Still no other utility
vehicle gets our heart pumping up like the BMW XXIX. Speaking of utility we just took delivery of a 2009 Dodge Ram full sized pickup. Our very personal use s l t crew cab 4 by 4 has the innovative brand box bed mounted cargo compartments. We'll see how much stuff and Miles we can cram into the ramp over the next year. Time to check in on our trendy Kia Soul and useful Suzuki equator on the next motorway. Long term road test update. Time now for Jessica choccy and all the latest motor news out of the many many types of cars that have graced the American roadways over the years. Only a select few have made such a huge dent in American culture as the Chevrolet Camaro and for 2010 it's back. With heritage in place and very intact. Originally launched in the 1967 model year the Camaro concept has aged very well. A true icon
is among the most sought after collector cars. And with over 25000 of the latest edition already on the road is destined to be one of the most sought after new cars once more. So what could be more fitting with the launch of the new Camaro legend that it is than to be touted by America's most famous auto racer. The only man to ever win the Daytona 500 the Indy 500 and Formula One world title Mario Andretti. Both of span the last five decades making indelible mark on the car community and leaving behind a legacy of great performance. It's a Call it took a dish to a car that was always very attractive. Never before in the story and the buyer in now did capture the thief all of the bodies did the scribe possessed over here. Plus. Contemporary technology. And he just made it the best there ever in my opinion the first Camaro arrived during a turbulent decade.
However it managed to capture the most optimistic moments of those chaotic times. Now decades later its rebirth also comes at a time of uncertainty in America. Backed by the best known name in American racing and supported by over 1000 narrow clubs around the globe this beloved American icon should have no problem spreading optimism once again a few weeks down the road we'll find out more about why the collectors are so crazy about this shabby Sport Coupe after all these years. When I look back at the original 67 Camaro and that's it for this week's Modern. Camaro four for two. These are some of Detroit's most iconic high performance models ever. The Complete Book of classic GM muscle by photojournalist and muscle car guru Mike Bueller is a superb account of the general's most macho machines. The pages are awash with Mueller's splendid photographs presented alongside clear concise prose and a
glance specked each and every model year and changes documented and explained right down to the chrome bezel. Mueller is passionate about these cars and it shows in this beautiful book a worthy addition to any gearheads coffee table. For Americans the phrase at talian sports car evokes images of Ferrari's Lamborghinis in Maharani but ones that also included the Alfa Romeo brand until the mid 90s Alpha was a way of enjoying Italian motoring without mortgaging the house. Now after 15 years Alpha returns to America with a heart stopping and competent Sione only this time your mortgage may not be big enough. What's not to love about testing a beautiful new coupe from a village like this one here
is extra special. We haven't been behind the wheel of an output in a very long time. The eight seat company easy only gets its name 60 lines in heritage from the super charged alphas of the 1930s and 40s. These were the cars they ran the mill a million open road insurance rates back in its heyday. Today's a C bound as a concept is the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show. And then in production dress at the 2006 Paris show. All run of just 500 units were billed at parent company Fiat's Maharani facility in Modena Italy less than a hundred came to the U.S. and they were sold out about as quickly as Bocelli at the Coliseum. Alba has now followed up with an even rarer drop top version. The eight see Spider only 35 of these are slated for the US. Not only is the agency built at Montserrat it's also based on Montserrat the underpinnings to that the AC and sleek Wolfgang Egger design carbon
fiber body panels that are above swift and muscular visually the beauty of the AC is a product of artful aerodynamics from the front angle of incidence to the curvy rear haunch is it's all about supreme airflow. Behind the front wheel since the heart of the Sea Monster Ronnie's Ferrari build the aluminum block 4.7 leader with four hundred forty four horsepower three hundred fifty four pound feet of torque and an exhaust note that's the automotive equivalent of an Oreo sung by a world class tenor. Brock to balance the thirty five hundred pound eight C uses a transaxle setup with gearbox and differential housing inside the rear axle. The gear change is a six speed electro hydraulic automated manually controlled by have one style steering column mounted panels. Power lays down the PS here of course are racing tires which carry the 8 0 0 to 60 and I'm wanting more point two seconds Maclean's a top speed of 180. 1 mph and we believe it.
On open country roads the AC roars to life. Power has been tuned for a steady delivery as opposed to a Ferrari which is biased to the higher end of the band. Jumps are smooth and perfectly space with short controlled burst in each channel. He sees rigid steel chassis barrels its front and rear wishbone suspension from the Maharani Gran Turismo driving dynamics are some of her mix of response and compliance. Offering an enjoyable middle ground tuning between us to play strong for every man daily driver Maharani. So out of the box handling is tied while the ride is never harsh. Bud when you want to take it up a notch. Throw on sport mode to firm things up further while deepening the exhaust note and gain even quicker throttle response. It's so easy to lose yourself to the AC but electronic stability control helps you maintain a safe focus and it operates with minimal interference as to not spoil the experience.
And for clamping down on gobs of momentum the AC is equipped with large perforated unventilated disk with aluminum 6 piston calipers at the front. And four piston at the rear. High speed stops are short and sweet. It's easy to see. Cockpit is a symphony of whether aluminum and carbon fiber with Dave gauges and quite a toggle switch here. The carbon fiber seats with hand-stitched leather converse are ultra deep and super firm to provide maximal lateral support. Behind them is just enough space for a couple of small overnight bag. Throughout the cabin shiny glints of eye catching metal include a branded brush steel plate bright sport pedals down below aluminum grab handles and a console mounted limited edition plaque. The retro classic feel of the AC interior is made with modern technologies such as high end audio and navigation but even if you can't afford a two hundred eighty two thousand dollar base price of a Alfa Romeo A C company only
you can have one. They're sold out as is the spider had about twenty eight thousand dollars more. So you'll just have to live this Italian dream vicariously through us. The Alfa Romeo A C Company Z Oni is both unique and classic an exciting icebreaker to the brand's return to America with more mainstream delights. Fifteen years is a long time and the wait is almost over. I hope you'll join us here next week for more motorway. Real Economy champs New York stunningly new look. John David. To learn more about Motor Week TV's original remote PBS daughter. Order a DVD of this program called 1 888 in-tree 6 1 5 for Motor Week has been brought to you by car.
Let's say you're looking for a car can help research even contacted us because. This program was produced by American Public Television which was responsible for its content. We are PBS.
- Series
- Motorweek
- Episode Number
- 2901
- Producing Organization
- Maryland Public Television
- Contributing Organization
- Maryland Public Television (Owings Mills, Maryland)
- AAPB ID
- cpb-aacip/394-94hmh1bw
If you have more information about this item than what is given here, or if you have concerns about this record, we want to know! Contact us, indicating the AAPB ID (cpb-aacip/394-94hmh1bw).
- Description
- Episode Description
- MotorWeek, television's original automotive magazine: '10 Ford Taurus, Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Goss: Brake Fluids and ABS. Additional Formats: 4x3 PBS Letterbox DigiBeta CC, Speed HDCam CC
- Series Description
- "MotorWeek is a magazine feauring segments on automotive news, reviews, and road tests."
- Created Date
- 2008-08-29
- Asset type
- Episode
- Genres
- Magazine
- Topics
- Transportation
- Media type
- Moving Image
- Duration
- 00:27:22
- Credits
-
-
Copyright Holder: Maryland Public Television
Producing Organization: Maryland Public Television
- AAPB Contributor Holdings
-
Maryland Public Television
Identifier: MOTORWEEK #2901 16973 (MPT)
Format: Digital Betacam
Generation: Master
Duration: 00:28:46
-
Identifier: cpb-aacip-394-94hmh1bw_20200729.mp4 (mediainfo)
Format: video/mp4
Generation: Proxy
Duration: 00:27:22
If you have a copy of this asset and would like us to add it to our catalog, please contact us.
- Citations
- Chicago: “Motorweek; 2901,” 2008-08-29, Maryland Public Television, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC, accessed May 2, 2025, http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-394-94hmh1bw.
- MLA: “Motorweek; 2901.” 2008-08-29. Maryland Public Television, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Web. May 2, 2025. <http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-394-94hmh1bw>.
- APA: Motorweek; 2901. Boston, MA: Maryland Public Television, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-394-94hmh1bw