
2016 McLaren 570S & 2016 Honda Civic Coupe
Season 35 Episode 29 | 26m 48sVideo has Closed Captions
2016 McLaren 570S & 2016 Honda Civic Coupe
In this episode, we race around in one brand’s idea of being good sports, the McLaren 570S sports series. Pat Goss shows us why we never want to run dry. Zach Maskell is just drifting around over the edge. Later, it's back to sanity with the all-new and improved Honda Civic Coupe.
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National corporate funding for MotorWeek is provided by Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper (Auto Value & Bumper to Bumper are two brands owned by the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc.), Tire Rack, and Hagerty Insurance, LLC.

2016 McLaren 570S & 2016 Honda Civic Coupe
Season 35 Episode 29 | 26m 48sVideo has Closed Captions
In this episode, we race around in one brand’s idea of being good sports, the McLaren 570S sports series. Pat Goss shows us why we never want to run dry. Zach Maskell is just drifting around over the edge. Later, it's back to sanity with the all-new and improved Honda Civic Coupe.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipHI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK .
JOIN US AS WE RACE AROUND IN ONE BRAND'S IDEA OF BEING GOOD SPORTS, THE MCLAREN 570S SPORTS SERIES... PAT GOSS SHOWS US WHY WE NEVER WANT TO RUN DRY... ZACK MASKELL IS JUST DRIFTING AROUND, OVER THE EDGE... AND THEN IT'S BACK TO SANITY WITH THE ALL-NEW AND IMPROVED HONDA CIVIC COUPE...
SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT.
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.
* Announcer: THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY... TIRERACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.
"OH, COME ON..." "HOT, HOT HOT..." THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE... "JUST A BOTTLE OF WATER."
TIRERACK.COM.
ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF BRANDS, PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS.
ROCKAUTO.COM, ALL THE PARTS YOUR CAR WILL EVER NEED.
John: AFTER DOMINATING THE EXOTIC SUPERCAR MARKET WITH THE P1, YOU MIGHT WONDER WHAT'S NEXT FOR MCLAREN.
WELL, HOW ABOUT TAKING ALL THAT YOU LEARNED FROM THE P1 AND SCALING THINGS DOWN TO MORE ENTRY-LEVEL SUPERCAR TERRITORY.
IT'S THE 570S, BUT IT SURE AIN'T YOUR NORMAL ENTRY-LEVEL ANYTHING!
* THE 2016 MCLAREN 570S IS THE FIRST MODEL TO COME FROM THE BRAND'S "SPORTS" SERIES, WHICH FALLS BELOW THE "SUPER" SERIES; CARS LIKE THE 650S, AND THE "ULTIMATE" SERIES WHICH IS COMPRISED OF THE NOW OUT OF PRODUCTION P1.
NEVER A BRAND TO SHY AWAY FROM ATTENTION, MCLAREN OFFERS PLENTY OF BOLD COLORS FOR THE 570S.
OURS CAME IN ONE OF TWO ORANGE TONES AVAILABLE.
BEING THE EVERYMAN'S SUPERCAR MEANS THERE ARE CERTAIN LIBERTIES TAKEN WITH INTEGRATING CREATURE COMFORTS.
IT'S NOT SO MUCH ABOUT THEM BEING AN AFTERTHOUGHT, MORE OF A FACT THAT SUCH THINGS ARE LOW ON THE PRIORITY LIST, WELL BEHIND HAULING BUTT AND TAKING NAMES.
IN OUR VIEW, MOST OF THE ALTERATIONS MADE TO KEEP A LID ON PRICE WILL NEVER BE MISSED BY THE MAJORITY CUSTOMERS.
THEY INCLUDE FORGOING THE ACTIVE AERO ELEMENTS FOR MORE TRADITIONAL TREATMENTS, SIMPLIFYING THE SUSPENSION, AND MAKING THE BODY PANELS OUT OF ALUMINUM INSTEAD OF CARBON-FIBER.
STILL, IT'S ABOUT 180 POUNDS LIGHTER THAN A P1.
THOUGH, THE 570S DOES SHARE THE SAME BASIC CARBON FIBER TUB, WITH A FEW UPDATES; INCLUDING A NARROWER SILL TO AID IN ENTRY.
FORTUNATELY, ACCESS IS STILL BY WAY OF THE BRAND'S SIGNATURE DIHEDRAL DOORS THAT SWING UP AND FORWARD PROVIDING BOTH OPEN ACCESS AND A CERTAIN COOLNESS FACTOR THAT CAN'T BE DENIED.
LIKEWISE, THE 3.8 LITER TWIN-TURBO V8 ENGINE IS THE SAME, BUT PUTS OUT SUBSTANTIALLY LESS HORSEPOWER AT 562, ACCOMPANIED BY 443 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
IT'S MID-MOUNTED AND THE 570S IS REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE ONLY.
* STEP ON THE GAS THOUGH, AND YOU WON'T FEEL LIKE IT'S A DETUNED ANYTHING.
SPRINTS TO 60 HAPPENS IN JUST 3.1 SECONDS AND IT'S A HOLD ON AND CLENCH EXPERIENCE.
WITH THE LAUNCH CONTROL SEQUENCE ENGAGED, WAIT FOR BOOST TO BUILD AND THEN TAKE OFF.
YOU DO STILL FEEL SOME LAG, BUT ONCE THE POWER STARTS POURING ON, IT BLASTS YOU BACK IN YOUR SEAT; NOT QUITE AS BRUTAL FEELING AS A GT-R, BUT THE RESULTS ARE SIMILAR.
THE TURBO DUET SPINNING BEHIND YOUR HEAD SOUNDS MAGNIFICENT.
JUST LET THE 7-SPEED SEQUENTIAL GEARBOX TAKE CARE OF THE SHIFTING AND ENJOY THE INCREDIBLY FAST 10.9 SECOND TRIP TO THE END OF THE QUARTER MILE AT 137 MILES PER HOUR.
AT OUR WINTER TESTING FACILITY, ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY NEAR SAVANNAH, THE 570S PROVED SUPREMELY CAPABLE AROUND THIS FAST, NINE TURN TRACK.
NOT QUITE UP TO THE LEVEL OF A P1, LACKING THAT CAR'S ACTIVE AERO HARDWARE, AND THE 570S WAS MORE SENSITIVE TO PROPER TIRE PRESSURES, STILL IT WAS PRETTY AMAZING NONETHELESS.
SWIFT AND DEADLY THROUGH THE HIGH SPEED SWEEPERS, YET IT DOESN'T MIND THE ULTRA-TIGHT CORNERS EITHER, AS IT'S INCREDIBLY AGILE.
YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO SOMETHING INCREDIBLY STUPID TO REALLY UPSET THIS CHASSIS, AS IN MOST DRIVING MODES THE STABILITY CONTROL IS VERY SENSITIVE.
KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, HOWEVER, AND TRACK MODE IS THERE TO FULLY ACCOMMODATE.
BUT, BEFORE YOU DIVE INTO ANY HIGH SPEED CORNERS, YOU DO HAVE TO SLOW DOWN, AT LEAST A LITTLE.
THE STANDARD CARBON CERAMIC BRAKES WERE MORE THAN UP TO MULTIPLE LAPS, AND PERFORMED FADE FREE.
OUR FULL LAP TIMES WERE A LITTLE DOWN FROM WHAT WE EXPECTED, BUT BLAME THAT ON COLD AND WINDY TRACK DAYS, NOT THE CAR.
GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE THAT HAVE NO PLANS ON TAKING IN TRACK DAYS, THE 570S IS ALSO VERY PLEASANT ON THE STREET.
WE FOUND TRANSMISSION OPERATION QUITE SMOOTH FOR A SEQUENTIAL TRANS EXOTIC.
INSIDE YOU'LL FIND THE EXTREME BOLSTERING OF THE SEATS REALLY LOCKS YOU IN PLACE.
STILL, IT PROVED A QUITE COMFORTABLE HABITAT FOR EVEN THE LARGEST OF OUR STAFF.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 16-CITY, 23-HIGHWAY, AND 19-COMBINED.
SO, THERE'S NO GAS GUZZLER TAX.
WHILE FOR MOST, AN $187,400 STICKER, OR EVEN A MONTHLY LEASE OF ABOUT $2,200, WILL CERTAINLY NOT BRING THE WORD BARGAIN TO MIND, YET IT'S STILL THE MOST ATTAINABLE MCLAREN EVER.
THE JUST ANNOUNCED NEWEST MEMBER OF THE "SPORTS" SERIES, THE 570GT, COST ABOUT 14 GRAND MORE, BUT YOU DO GET A GLASS ROOF AND A REAR TRUNK.
BOTH VERSIONS DELIVER OUTSTANDING BANG FOR THE BUCK AMONG CURRENT SUPERCARS.
AND THEY ARE BOTH HAND ASSEMBLED IN WOKING, ENGLAND WITH THE SAME ATTENTION TO DETAIL OF THE F1 CARS THAT ARE BEING BUILT JUST DOWN THE HALL.
BUT BACK TO JUST THE 570S.
WE SEE IT AS PROOF THAT MCLAREN IS NOW A FULL MEMBER OF THE CONVERSATION WHEN IT COMES TO A BROAD EXOTIC CAR LINEUP.
AND COMPARED TO FERRARI AND LAMBORGHINI, IT HAS THE TRUMP CARD OF BEING WAY MORE EXCLUSIVE.
ALTHOUGH IF MCLAREN KEEPS EXPANDING THEIR BRAND WITH CARS LIKE THIS, THAT'S NOT LIKELY TO BE THE CASE FOR VERY LONG.
* FOR MOST ROAD RACERS, LOSING TRACTION IS THE LAST THING THEY WANT.
BUT FOR A SELECT GROUP OF RUBBER SLAYING ENTHUSIASTS WHO KEEP CONSTANT CONTROL OF A CAR... THAT APPEARS TO BE OUT OF IT, THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.
OUR OVER THE EDGE GUY ZACH MASKELL STAYS SIDEWAYS AS HE SPENDS HIS DAY DRIFTING AWAY.
Drifter: BURNT RUBBER...
GASOLINE... ROARS OF V8s... AND LIKE, A GOOD VIBE.
YOU DON'T REALLY HEAR IT, BUT IT'S THERE.
YOU CAN HEAR EVERYBODY TALKING AND HAVING A GOOD TIME.
Zach Maskell: IN DRIFTING, THE DRIVER USES THE THROTTLE, BRAKE, CLUTCH, AND GEAR SHIFTING, ALONG WITH STEERING TO KEEP THE CAR IN A CONSTANT OVERSTEER SITUATION... JUST LIKE THAT... TODAY'S GOING TO GET ROWDY.
OPPOSITE LOCK THEY STAY, AT CHARLESTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA'S SUMMIT POINT MOTORSPORTS PARK, ABOUT TWO HOURS WEST OF WASHINGTON D.C...
HELPING US UNDERSTAND THIS MADNESS IS A MAN WHO RANKED 25TH IN FORMULA DRIFT IN 2015.
FD HAS PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
Dan Savage: PEOPLE KNOW ME AS RAPPER... R-A-P-P-E-R... [LAUGHS] RAPPER D-A-N SAVAGE... Zach: FIRST OF ALL, WHAT WOULD ONE NEED?
Dan: YOU CAN COME INTO DRIFTING WITH A $3,000 CAR AS LONG AS IT'S REAR WHEEL DRIVE AND IT'S MANUAL.
Zach: OKAY THEN, HOW TO GET THE THING SIDEWAYS?
Dan: "THERE'S DEFINITELY SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO IT.
THE MORE NOVICE WOULD BE, GO STRAIGHT IN, AND JUST JERK THE WHEEL, AND THE CAR HOPEFULLY WILL STEP OUT.
THERE'S OTHER TECHNIQUES AS FAR AS...
GOING AS FAST AS YOU CAN INTO IT AND RIPPING YOUR EMERGENCY BRAKE.
THERE'S ANOTHER ONE WHERE YOU CAN GO IN AND ALMOST...
UPSET THE CAR, AND THEN PUSH THE CLUTCH IN, AND OUT, AND JUST JOLT THAT DRIVELINE, AND REALLY DRIVE THE TIRES.
Zach: AFTER THAT, IT'S ALL ABOUT HOLDING YOUR SPEED AND ANGLE.
RAPPER WAS PUMPED TO GIVE US A RIDE IN HIS NISSAN 240SX, WITH BARELY 100 HORSEPOWER AS OPPOSED TO HIS 800 HORSEPOWER PRO CAR.
WITH SUCH LITTLE POWER, YOU'VE REALLY GOT TO FOCUS ON FUNDAMENTALS, AND USE MOMENTUM IN YOUR FAVOR.
Dan: I THINK IT BRINGS THE JOY BACK TO IT.
* I GAVE MY 86 YEAR OLD GRANDMA A RIDE BACK IN THE DAY AND YOU JUST SAW HER LITTLE PURPLE MITTEN HANGING OUT THE WINDOW JUST, JUST HAVING A BLAST...
IF YOU LEAVE TODAY WITH A FROWN, IT'S YOUR FAULT.
Zach: AH, THAT INITIAL FEELING WHEN YOU FIRST GET SIDEWAYS, NOTHING ELSE COMPARES TO THIS.
[TIRES SCREECHING] THAT'S EXACTLY WHY THIS IS SO ADDICTING!
IT'S JUST A CONSTANT ADRENALINE RUSH!
YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF NISSAN 240s AND OLDER 3 SERIES BMWs.
YOU'LL ALSO SEE ENGINE SWAPS, LIKE THE SR20-DET, A TURBO CHARGED 4-CYLINDER.
OF COURSE, THE VERY POPULAR V8s.
AND THE INLINE 6 TURBOCHARGED 1JZ-GTE IS GLORIOUS BOUNCING OFF THE REV-LIMITER.
ROCKING A 1J HIMSELF... A DRIVER WHO'S NEVER MISSED AN EVENT IN NINE YEARS.
David Bellomo: YOU WANT TO BE PASSIONATE ABOUT A SPORT BUT YOU HAVE LIMITS AND RULES IN OTHER SPORTS.
AND THIS IS A SPORT LIKE FREESTYLE.
LIKE MOTOCROSS OR SKATING, AND ONCE I GET OUT THERE, AND I RIP THE E-BRAKE, I CAN DO IT MY OWN LEVEL AS HARD AND I WANT TO DO IT, AS RABID AS I CAN.
Zach: DRIFTING IS ALL ABOUT CONSISTENT SPEED, THE LINE YOU TAKE, AND ANGLE.
SUMMIT POINT HAS TRACKS FOR BEGINNERS, AND PROFESSIONALS.
ON THIS DAY, AT "DRIFT NIRVANA'S 100 DRIFTERS OF DECEMBER," IT WAS ALL ABOUT PRACTICE, AND KEEPING IT FUN AND SAFE.
Dan: IT'S JUST A COMPANIONSHIP BETWEEN FRIENDS AND PEOPLE YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW.
IF YOU LIKE THE WAY THE CAR LOOKS, YOU SAY, "HEY YOUR CAR LOOKS AWESOME WHILE IT'S DRIFTING.
OR LIKE, "HEY YOURS LOOKS LIKE CRAP BUT YOU'VE GOT THAT HEART."
AND THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE SHARE.
Zach: IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN INTO EXTREME SPORTS, YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW THE FEELING, BUT IT'S BEEN A HEADY DAY AT SUMMIT POINT.
HIGH FIVES ALL AROUND, DRIVERS SHARING PARTS...
YOUR FRIENDS PUSHING YOU TO BE BETTER.
WHILE THIS IS STILL MOTORSPORTS, IT FEELS ALIEN.
LIKE NOTHING OF THE SORT EXISTS.
AND ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND WHY THAT COULD DRAW CERTAIN PEOPLE TO IT.
YOU JUST MIGHT BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND DRIFTING.
[LAUGHS]"THAT WAS A BLAST, THAT WAS A BLAST..." John: PAT GOSS HAS A FEW TIPS TO KEEP CAR CARE ON THE STRAIGHT AND LEVEL.
Pat Goss: PROPER LUBRICATION IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF ANY VEHICLE.
AND HERE TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS ABOUT HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES WE HAVE LYNDON ABEL FROM ROMMEL HARLEY-DAVIDSON.
LYNDON, WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW.
Lyndon Abel: THANKS FOR HAVING ME, PAT.
Pat: ALRIGHT.
NOW, WE GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT, "HOW DO I CHECK MY OIL?"
SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW, AND THEREFORE THEY DON'T DO IT.
NOW, ON A HARLEY, AH, SIDE STAND, OR STRAIGHT UP?
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT IT?
Lyndon: WELL, THEY'RE GREAT QUESTIONS, AND ANY TIME YOU HAVE A QUESTION LIKE THAT, YOU WANT TO START BY LOOKING AT THE MOTORCYCLE'S OWNER'S MANUAL TO FIND OUT EXACTLY HOW TO DO IT.
IN FACT, ON SOME MOTORCYCLES, YOU WANT THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN.
SOME YOU WANT ON THE SIDE STAND.
CHECK THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND MAKE SURE.
Pat: OKAY, NOW ONE THING, AND I GET THIS A LOT ON CARS, IS PEOPLE ASK, "SHOULD THE ENGINE BE RUNNING?"
WELL NO IT SHOULDN'T... Lyndon: NEVER FOR THE MOTORCYCLE, THE MOTOR OIL.
PROBABLY THERE'S SOME CONFUSION THERE BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION CHECKS IN THE OLD DAYS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
BUT YOU CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE HARM TO YOURSELF OR YOUR MOTORCYCLE IF YOU'RE CHECKING THE MOTOR OIL WHEN IT'S RUNNING.
Pat: ALRIGHT NOW, READING THE DIPSTICK.
Lyndon: YEAH, YOU'RE ALWAYS GOING TO GET A BETTER READING WHEN THE OIL IS AT FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE.
BUT YOU CAN SEE ON THIS DIPSTICK THEY TELL YOU THE FULL HOT, AND FULL COLD SO YOU CAN GET AN IDEA OF IF THE READING IS CORRECT WHEN IT'S COLD.
BUT I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND ADDING OIL UNTIL YOU'VE BROUGHT THE OIL UP TO FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE.
Pat: SO, GET IT HOT AND RECHECK IT.
Lyndon: YUP!
Pat: NOW, HERE WE HAVE ONE... Lyndon: SO, THIS IS AN ANALOG DIPSTICK THAT SHOWS YOU THE TEMPERATURE OF THE OIL.
VERY SIMPLE DEVICE.
UM, IT'S JUST A THERMOMETER WITH THE READING ON THE TOP.
WE HAVE A DIGITAL MODEL WHICH DOES THE SAME THING, BUT IT'S GOT A REALLY NEAT EXTRA TRICK...
IT WILL ALSO TELL YOU THE LEVEL OF THE OIL WITHOUT HAVING TO PULL THE DIPSTICK OUT OF THE...OIL PAN...SO, PRESS THAT BUTTON, AND IT'LL SHOW YOU THE LEVEL.
OBVIOUSLY THERE'S NO OIL ON IT, BUT WE CAN SHOW YOU AN EXAMPLE RIGHT HERE ON THIS BIKE... AND THIS JUST MAKES IT SO MUCH EASIER TO CHECK.
SOMETIMES THE MOTOR IS HOT, THE EXHAUST IS NEARBY, YOU'RE TRYING TO UNSCREW THAT, AND OIL IS DRIPPING OFF.
IF YOU HAVE A DEVICE LIKE THAT, THAT CAN ALLOW YOU TO CHECK THE OIL AND MAKE SURE IT'S WHERE YOU WANT IT TO BE, REALLY AT EVERY GAS STOP.
Pat: RIGHT, JUST LIKE A CAR, EVERY TIME YOU FILL IT UP, CHECK THE OIL.
Lyndon: THAT'S IDEAL.
Pat: AND ALWAYS USE THE PROPER OIL.
Lyndon: YOU WANT TO USE THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED OIL AND MAKE SURE THAT IT'S COMPATIBLE.
DON'T JUST BE POURING RANDOM QUARTS OF OIL IN THERE IF YOU THINK IT NEEDS OIL.
Pat: AND SOME YAHOO ON THE INTERNET DOESN'T KNOW MORE THAN THE PEOPLE WHO DESIGNED THE ENGINE.
Lyndon: RIGHT.
Pat: OKAY.
LYNDON, THANK YOU.
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR A COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .
John: WE'VE BEEN ALL OVER, GRABBING QUICKSPIN'S IN TODAY'S LATEST.
SO HERE'S WHAT WE DROVE, AND WHAT WE THINK!
* FOR A LONG TIME WE'VE BEEN EXPECTING THE RETURN OF THE ACURA NSX.
NOW FINALLY, WE GOT OUR CHANCE TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THIS "SUPERCAR FOR DAILY DRIVERS" IN SUNNY PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA.
AND IT'S CLEAR RIGHT AWAY THAT THIS NEW NSX PICKUPS UP RIGHT WHERE THE LAST ONE LEFT OFF, MORE THAN A DECADE AGO.
SOPHISTICATED, WITH STYLING THAT IS FAR FROM BRASH.
CLEARLY EXOTIC, YET IN ALL MANNERS SOLID.
PLUS WHEN PUSHED IT'S A SUPERCAR THAT ADAPTS TO YOUR DRIVING STYLE, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
AS THE FIELD OF SUPER HIGH PERFORMANCE CARS HAS EXPLODED, SO TOO HAS THE ELECTRIFIED TECHNOLOGY THAT MOVES THEM.
AND THE NEW NSX IS ON THE SAME PAGE.
THE 3.5 LITER TWIN TURBO V6 WORKS IN NEAR SEAMLESS BALANCE WITH THREE, COUNT 'EM, THREE ELECTRIC MOTORS: ONE BEHIND THE V6, AND ONE AT EACH FRONT WHEEL.
TOTAL OUTPUT IS 573 HORSEPOWER, CHANNELED THROUGH HONDA'S OWN 9-SPEED DUAL CLUTCH AUTOMATIC.
NOT ONLY DOES THIS ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SETUP AID CORNERING THROUGH ACTIVE TORQUE VECTORING, BUT THE REAR MOTOR ELIMINATES ANY V6 TURBO LAG.
WITH LAUNCH CONTROL, IT RIPS TO 60 IN UNDER 3.0 SECONDS.
ALL TOLD, IT'S AN EXTREMELY COMPLEX AND CAPABLE SUPER CAR, BUT AN ACCESSIBLE ONE, TOO.
THE 2017 ACURA NSX IS NO HOTROD, BUT IT SURE IS FAST.
IT'S AGGRESSIVE BUT NEVER A BRUTE, AND IT PRACTICALLY THINKS ITS WAY AROUND CORNERS.
IT ADHERES TO THE DNA OF THE FIRST NSA; A TECH LADEN, HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED SUPERCAR FROM A BRAND KNOWN FOR ITS DAILY DRIVER RELIABILITY.
STARTING AT $156,000, OPTIONS INCLUDE TWO TRACK TIRE PACKAGES AND CARBON CERAMIC BRAKES.
THE 2017 ACURA NSX IS FINALLY BACK FOR REAL.
* IF YOU THOUGHT RANGE ROVERS WAS THE TOP OF THE BLOOD LINE FOR SUVs, THEN THE BENTLEY BENTAYGA JUST MIGHT MAKE YOUR HEAD EXPLODE.
YES, WE NOW LIVE A WORLD OF $200,000 SUVs.
BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, FOR THAT CRAZY AMOUNT OF MONEY, YOU ARE GETTING ONE TRULY SPECIAL SPORT UTE.
FOR STARTERS, A 6.0 LITER 600 HORSEPOWER TWIN-TURBO W12 IS YOUR ENGINE.
YOU DON'T SEE THAT VERY OFTEN, UNLESS YOUR OTHER CAR IS A BENTLEY, TOO.
INSIDE, THE BENTAYGA DEBUTS A NEW INTERIOR LAYOUT DESIGN FOR THE ENTIRE BRAND, BUMPING UP THE TECHNOLOGY, LOOKING MUCH MORE MODERN, WHILE STILL KEEPING THAT HANDCRAFTED FEEL.
MATERIAL QUALITY IS UNMATCHED, AND THE RIDE IS WHISPER QUIET.
Zach: ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS IS THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN DESCRIBE THE SUSPENSION DAMPENING IN HERE.
IT WHISKS AWAY ANY BUMPS LIKE A LOW FLYING BIRD TO A GIANT'S BACKHAND.
John: NEED A LITTLE OFF-ROAD PROWESS TO GO WITH THAT ON-ROAD PRESENCE?
OUR QUICKSPIN TOOK US ON SOME DICEY TERRAIN, AND THE BENTAYGA PROVED VERY CAPABLE.
WE WERE MORE WORRIED ABOUT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY THAN WE WERE OUR OWN.
AS STATED, BENTLEY BENTAYGA PRICES START STEEP, AT $229,000, AND IT'S ON SALE NOW.
SPEAKING OF UTILITIES, KIA'S GOTTEN A LOT OF MILEAGE OUT OF THEIR SMALLEST CROSSOVER, THE SPORTAGE.
IT'S THEIR OLDEST NAME PLATE.
BUT FOR 2017, THERE'S AN ALL-NEW 4TH GENERATION.
LIKE OPTIMA, AND SORENTO, THE SPORTAGE TAKES ON KIAs NEW APPROACH OF PACKAGING A BORDERLINE LUXURY VEHICLE IN MORE PEDESTRIAN GUISE...
CALL IT BUSINESS CASUAL.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS UNDER THE HOOD IS A 181 HORSEPOWER 2.4 LITER I4, OR A 240 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER TURBO I4.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE IS AVAILABLE FOR BOTH.
BUT IT'S AN ONLY MINOR GRIPE, AND ONE OF THE FEW WE HAVE OVERALL.
THIS NEW SPORTAGE REALLY SHINES INSIDE, AS KIA CONTINUES TO NAIL INTERIOR DESIGN.
SEATS ARE COMFORTABLE, THE DASH IS HANDSOME WITHOUT BEING COMPLEX, AND MATERIALS HAVE AN UP LEVEL FEEL.
CARVING THROUGH CANYON ROADS OUTSIDE SAN DIEGO GAVE US A GOOD FEEL FOR THE SPORTAGE'S DRIVING DYNAMICS: SPORTY IN NATURE, MUCH MORE SO THAN A RIVAL LIKE THE HONDA CR-V OR TOYOTA RAV4.
WIND AND ROAD NOISE WERE MINIMAL.
ROOM FOR ADULT PASSENGERS WAS REASONABLE, THOUGH RIVALS CERTAINLY OFFER MORE CARGO CAPACITY.
ON SALE NOW, THE 2017 KIA SPORTAGE STARTS AT $24,000.
IN GIVING THE HONDA CIVIC OUR MOTORWEEK DRIVER'S CHOICE BEST SMALL CAR AWARD FOR 2016, WE ACKNOWLEDGED HOW WELL, AND HOW RAPIDLY, HONDA CORRECTED THE SHORTCOMINGS OF THE PREVIOUS GENERATION.
AND WHILE WE WERE ALSO INFLUENCED BY THE WIDE ARRAY OF CIVIC MODELS THAT WOULD FOLLOW, OUR SEAT TIME WAS SOLELY IN THE FIRST TO BE LAUNCHED SEDAN.
WELL NOW, WE'VE FINALLY GOTTEN DRIVE TIME IN THE FIRST NON 4-DOOR CIVIC BORN FROM THIS PLATFORM, AND IT'S QUITE A COUPE.
* OF COURSE A CIVIC COUPE IS NOTHING NEW; HONDA SAYS THEY'VE SOLD NEARLY TWO MILLION OF THEM SO FAR.
BUT THIS 2016 EDITION COMES HOT ON THE HEELS OF THE CIVIC BEING NAMED THE NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR, AS HONDA ADEQUATELY RIGHTED WHAT MOST THOUGHT WAS WRONG WITH THE PREVIOUS GENERATION.
THIS 2-DOOR FEATURES A SPORTIER DESIGN COMPARED TO THE SEDAN AS EXPECTED, INCLUDING GETTING A FULL WIDTH TAIL LIGHT TREATMENT ACROSS THE REAR THAT GRABS YOUR ATTENTION AND MAKES THE COUPE EASY TO IDENTIFY AT NIGHT.
AGGRESSIVE, IS A MUCH OVERUSED DESCRIPTOR WHEN IT COMES TO CAR DESIGN, BUT WE'LL SUCCUMB TO IT HERE WHEN DESCRIBING THE FRONT END, THOUGH THE LINES SOFTEN THE TONES AS THEY HEAD REARWARD; ACCOMPANIED BY A SHARPLY DESCENDING ROOF LINE.
WHEELBASE IS LONGER BY OVER AN INCH COMPARED TO THE SEDAN, YET OVERALL LENGTH DROPS BY MORE THAN 5-INCHES, ALL OF THAT LENGTH COMING OFF THE BACK END.
AND DESPITE A HATCHBACK APPEARANCE, A TRADITIONAL TRUNK REMAINS, WITH THE CARGO SPACE IN IT, UP SLIGHTLY OVER THE PREVIOUS GEN. TO 11.9 CUBIC-FEET.
REAR SEAT PASSENGERS ARE THE ONES THAT ULTIMATELY PAY THE PRICE FOR THE COUPE COOLNESS.
ACCESS IS BEARABLE, AND SEATS ARE ACTUALLY FAIRLY COMFORTABLE, YET THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH HEADROOM FOR MOST ADULTS.
IF YOU PLAN ON PLENTY OF "PARTY OF FOUR" OUTINGS, YOU'D BEST BETTER STICK WITH THE 4-DOOR.
WITH WHICH THE COUPE SHARES CURRENT ENGINES CHOICES.
YOU CAN GET THE 2.0 LITER NATURALLY ASPIRATED I4, AT 158 HORSEPOWER AND POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, WITH A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION OR CVT.
THE MANUAL HAS THE TYPICAL HONDA FEEL WITH LIGHT CLUTCH AND MOSTLY WEIGHTLESS THROWS, TO THE SHIFTER.
THE SMALLER BUT MIGHTIER 1.5 LITER I4 TURBO OUTPUTS 174 HORSEPOWER AND 162 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, BUT IS AVAILABLE WITH A CVT ONLY.
IT COMES IN THE TOURING MODEL THAT WE SPENT MOST OF OUR TIME IN AT THE SAN DIEGO PRESS LAUNCH.
AND WITHOUT A DOUBT IT IS ONE SPIRITED PERFORMER, WITH VASTLY IMPROVED HANDLING COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS GEN.
THEY PROBABLY DIDN'T GO FAR ENOUGH FOR THE FAST AND FURIOUS CROWD, BUT THERE'S PLENTY FOR THE AVERAGE BUYER TO ENJOY.
IT CAN FEEL STIFF OVER ROUGH ROADS, BUT THAT'S THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR THE SHARPER HANDLING THAT FANS IN THIS SEGMENT DEMAND.
STEERING IS WEIGHTIER THAN IN THE SEDAN, THOUGH THAT CAN PARTIALLY BE DUE TO DIFFERENT TIRES AND WHEELS; AS THE SUSPENSION ITSELF, DESPITE UNIQUE TUNING, FEELS ABOUT THE SAME.
THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION WORKED WELL WITH THE LITTLE TURBO, AND NEVER REALLY ANNOYS; SAVE FOR THE USUAL CVT SHORTCOMINGS OF HIGHWAY MERGING AND EXTENDED HIGH SPEED RUNS.
INSIDE, THERE'S THE SAME WIDE AND UNIFORM LOOKING DASH OF THE SEDAN, YET WITH A LITTLE MORE FLAIR TO BE FOUND.
GAUGES, LIKE THE SEDAN SIBLING, ARE NOW MORE TRADITIONAL IN THEIR SETUP, BUT NO LESS FAR REACHING WITH PLENTY OF DIGITAL READOUTS.
CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WORK WELL; WHICH IS A GOOD THING, AS HERE IN THE TOURING TRIM THERE ARE NOT TOO MANY OTHER BUTTONS OR KNOBS, JUST A SCREEN WITH TOUCH SENSITIVE AREAS FOR CONTROLLING MOST EVERYTHING.
THE NOW NECESSARY ACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS SUCH AS COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING ARE AVAILABLE AS PART OF HONDA SENSING.
AND THERE'S EVEN A STANDARD ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE, FREEING UP CONSOLE SPACE FROM THE TRIED AND TRUE HANDBRAKE HANDLE.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS HAVEN'T BEEN FINALIZED, BUT HONDA PUTS THE 1.5 TURBO AT 31-CITY, 41-HIGHWAY, AND 35-COMBINED.
THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS EXPECTED TO CLOSELY MATCH THE 1.5 SEDAN'S FINE 9.4 BARRELS OF OIL CONSUMED, AND 4.2 TONS OF CO2 EMITTED YEARLY.
LOOK FOR COUPE PRICING TO START JUST UNDER $20,000 FOR A BASE LX, OR JUST A BIT HIGHER THAN THE SEDAN.
A BIG KEY TO THE LONG TERM SUCCESS OF THE HONDA CIVIC COUPE HAS BEEN ITS ABILITY TO APPEAL EQUALLY TO BOTH ECO-MINDED MATURE DRIVERS, AS WELL AS BOY RACER WANNABE'S, AND JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE IN BETWEEN.
WHILE WE ALL WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIGHER OUTPUT CIVICS, AND THE NEW BRITISH BUILT HATCHBACK JUST TEASED AT GENEVA, THE WELL DONE 2016 COUPE SETS A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR WHAT IS TO COME, GIVING THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY EXPECT IN A SHARP LOOKING, UP TO DATE 2-DOOR, AND THEN SOME.
WELL, THAT'S OUR SHOW, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.
FOR MORE MOTORWEEK , WHY NOT CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST AS WELL AS COMPLETE EPISODES AT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.
AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME, AS WE CHECK ON A MINIVAN FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM, THE CHRYSLER PACIFICA.
THEN WE'LL LAUNCH A TRACK ATTACK WITH THE PORSCHE CAYMAN GT4.
TILL THEN I'M JOHN DAVIS.
WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE, ON MOTORWEEK !
Announcer: TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE, VISIT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.
MOTORWEEK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY... TIRERACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.
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TIRERACK.COM.
ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF BRANDS, PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS.
ROCKAUTO.COM, ALL THE PARTS YOUR CAR WILL EVER NEED.
Announcer: THIS PROGRAM WAS PRODUCED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, WHICH IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.
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Hit the road in a classic car for a tour through Great Britain with two antiques experts.












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