
Cars.com Mid-Size SUV Challenge & 2017 McLaren 570 GT
Season 36 Episode 5 | 26m 49sVideo has Closed Captions
Cars.com Mid-Size SUV Challenge & 2017 McLaren 570 GT
In this episode, we'll round up the latest Mid-Size SUVs, and pick a winner! Pat Goss talks with experts about some common hub and wheel issues. Zach Maskell goes over the edge with some modern day supercars. Then we'll get going, fast, in a supercar of our own, the 2017 McLaren 570 GT.
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Cars.com Mid-Size SUV Challenge & 2017 McLaren 570 GT
Season 36 Episode 5 | 26m 49sVideo has Closed Captions
In this episode, we'll round up the latest Mid-Size SUVs, and pick a winner! Pat Goss talks with experts about some common hub and wheel issues. Zach Maskell goes over the edge with some modern day supercars. Then we'll get going, fast, in a supercar of our own, the 2017 McLaren 570 GT.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipHI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK .
JOIN US AS WE GO OUT ON A LIMB AND PICK THE BEST MID-SIZE FAMILY UTILITY... PAT GOSS SHEDS LIGHT ON WHAT MIGHT BE TRIGGERING SENSITIVE SENSORS... ZACH MASKELL GOES OVER THE EDGE WITH SUPER CARS ON A SUPER STREET... AND WE'LL SLIP BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A NEW TWIST FOR MCLAREN, THE 570GT...
SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.
* Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY... TIRERACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.
Man: "YO DANNY, MY MAN!
HA, HA, HA!"
Announcer: THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND HAVE THEM SHIPPED TO A LOCAL INSTALLER.
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: IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE TREND OF TRUCK AND SUV SALES OUTNUMBERING CAR SALES WILL BE ENDING ANYTIME SOON.
AND IT'S MORE THAN JUST A REACTION TO CHEAP GASOLINE.
IT'S ALSO ABOUT OVERALL VALUE AND USEFULNESS.
AND AN EVER GROWING VARIETY OF FAMILY TRUCKSTERS, MEANS THERE'S A PERFECT PACKAGE FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYONE.
BUT, WHICH ONE IS THE BEST FIT FOR A MODERN FAMILY?
WELL, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT.
* ITS 5-PASSENGER MID-SIZE UTILITIES THAT ARE OUR FOCUS HERE.
AND WE'RE JOINING OUR FRIENDS AT CARS.COM FOR THIS RUN THROUGH OF FIVE OF THE SEGMENT'S TOP SELLERS.
A PRICE CAP OF $45,000 LEFT PLENTY OF ROOM FOR FEATURES, AND WE HAD A MIX OF '16 AND '17 MODELS AS WELL AS TRADITIONAL V6 AND MODERN TURBO-4 POWERTRAINS.
A QUICK DRIVE NORTH OF CHICAGO, GOT US INTO SOUTHERN WISCONSIN AND AWAY FROM URBAN SPRAWL, WHERE WE ASSEMBLED OUR GROUP...
THE DYNAMIC-LOOKING FORD EDGE...
THE VALUE-MINDED HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT...
THE RUGGED AND READY JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE...
THE SLEEK AND SOPHISTICATED KIA SORENTO... AND THE LUXURY LOUNGE ON WHEELS NISSAN MURANO... AS USUAL, WE WERE JOINED BY A LOCAL FAMILY TO HELP US SORT THROUGH THESE RIDES AND OFFER A POTENTIAL BUYER'S PERSPECTIVE.
NEW WRINKLE THIS TIME AROUND, WE'VE ALSO FACTORED IN THE LATEST IIHS CRASH TEST RESULTS AS WELL.
YOU CAN FIND THE FULL SCORING BREAKDOWN AT CARS.COM, BUT HERE'S HOW THEY STACKED UP.
MUCH LIKE THE OLYMPICS, FINISHING IN LAST PLACE HERE DOESN'T MAKE YOU A LOSER.
THAT EXPLAINS 5TH PLACE BEING OCCUPIED BY THE HIGHLY POPULAR JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE.
DESPITE ITS WELL-ESTABLISHED TRUE OFF ROAD CREDENTIALS, A LUXURIOUS INTERIOR, AND A STRONG V6; THE GC ALSO HAD A STIFFER, TRUCK-LIKE RIDE, ONLY ADEQUATE COMFORT AND STORAGE SPACE, AS WELL AS THE HIGHEST PRICE AT $44,760.
Brian Robinson: THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, HAS THE MOST TRUCK-LIKE RIDE QUALITY HERE, BEING A TRUE SUV, WHICH IS GREAT IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.
BUT, IF YOU WANT MORE OF A MODERN CAR-LIKE RIDE, YOU'D BE BETTER OFF WITH ONE OF THE CROSSOVERS HERE.
Jennifer Newman: THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE REMAINS TRUE TO ITS ROOTS; IT'S GOT THIS V6 ENGINE THAT JUST CHEWS UP THE HIGHWAY AND IT'S REALLY FUN TO DRIVE.
HOWEVER, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR REFINEMENT, YOU SHOULD LOOK ELSEWHERE.
John: DESPITE ITS STYLISH UPDATE FOR '17; THE CROSSOVER HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT FELL TO 4TH HERE DUE TO AN INTERIOR SHORT ON COMFORT AND A SURPRISINGLY HARSH RIDE QUALITY.
ITS 2.0 LITER TURBO-4 MAKES DECENT POWER, BUT IT IS NOISY, AND THE COMBINED FUEL ECONOMY RATING IS NO BETTER THAN THE CHEROKEE'S V6.
HOWEVER, NOT ONLY DID IT MAKE IT UNDER OUR PRICE CAP WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE AND THE HIGHEST TRIM LEVEL AVAILABLE, BUT IT WAS 2ND LEAST EXPENSIVE IN THE TEST AT $41,355.
Mark Williams: THE HYUNDAI WAS PROBABLY THE MOST BORING LOOKING VEHICLE OF OUR GROUP HERE; IT'S GOT THE MOST JELLYBEAN LOOK TO IT, WHICH IS VERY KIND OF MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD VANILLA.
SO, THAT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT IT DOES WELL.
Brian: THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT, STILL A GREAT VALUE, AND JUST ABOUT EVERY FEATURE YOU COULD WANT FOR THE MONEY; RIDE QUALITY IS A LITTLE BIT CHOPPY, AND IT DOESN'T HAVE QUITE THE REFINEMENT THAT MOST HAVE HERE.
John: OUR TOP-3 STARTS WITH THE KIA SORENTO.
IT SHARES THE 2.0 LITER TURBO-4 ALL-WHEEL DRIVE POWERTRAIN, AND TOP CRASH SCORE, WITH THE SANTA FE SPORT.
BUT, ITS BIGGER SIZE AND MORE INTERIOR ROOM, ALONG WITH LONGER WHEELBASE FOR SMOOTHING OUT THE RIDE, MOVED IT A NOTCH HIGHER.
NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT IT WAS ALSO CHEAPER, AS THE LEAST EXPENSIVE RIDE IN OUR TEST AT $40,660.
Mark: THE KIA SORENTO, FOR ME, IS THE MOST LIKE A MINIVAN; IT'S GOT A BIG SPACIOUS INTERIOR.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE STEERING AND THE FEEL OF IT, EVEN THE BOOMING OF IT WHEN YOU GO OVER SOME ROUGH ROADS, JUST DID NOT MAKE ME FEEL GOOD INSIDE.
Kelsey Mays: THE KIA SORENTO IS ARGUABLY THE BEST LOOKING VEHICLE IN THIS BUNCH, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT, REALLY APPEALING UNTIL YOU DRIVE IT UNFORTUNATELY; THE RIDE QUALITY IS JUST KIND OF ALL OVER THE PLACE...
THERE'S JUST A LOT OF SUSPENSION LIFT... A LOT OF BODY MOTION THAT'S GOING ON...
IT JUST REALLY GETS CHUCKED AROUND BY BUMPS AND SOME OF THE OTHERS DON'T.
John: OUR RUNNER UP, THE FORD EDGE, WAS THE ONLY FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVER IN OUR TEST; YET AT $44,175, ITS PRICE CAME IN 2ND HIGHEST.
SO, WHAT DO YOU GET FOR ALL OF THAT MONEY?
WELL, IT APPEARS THE EDGE FOLLOWS THE HONDA STRATEGY OF NOT BEING GREAT AT ANY ONE THING, BUT REALLY GOOD AT EVERYTHING; OFFERING GOOD RIDE QUALITY, SPACE, TECH.
FEATURES, AND COMFORT.
Kelsey: THE FORD EDGE IS A REAL NICE REDESIGN, EXCELLENT RIDE QUALITY, REALLY GOOD STEERING...
...INTERIOR WISE, REALLY NICE MATERIALS, REALLY FIRST RATE MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM... Johnny & Marianne Walker: THE EDGE WAS A VERY COMFORTABLE CAR, UM, WHEN YOU SAT IN IT; AH, THE CONTROLS, EVERYTHING SEEMED TO WORK VERY WELL... AND THEN, DRIVING WISE THE CAR DROVE VERY, VERY WELL, IT FELT REALLY NICE TO DRIVE.
John: THAT LEAVES THE NISSAN MURANO AS OUR WINNER.
IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THE ROOMIEST CROSSOVER HERE, BUT FOR A MID-PACK PRICE OF $44,070, YOU DO GET A STRONG 3.5 LITER V6 ENGINE WITH ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, A SMOOTH AS SILK RIDE, AN INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT THAT'S PURE LUXURY, AND A HIGH IIHS CRASH TEST SCORE.
Jennifer: I LOVE THE NISSAN MURANO'S STYLING, IT REALLY SETS IT APART FROM THE REST OF THE PACK, AND THANKFULLY, ITS V6 ENGINE CAN BACK UP THOSE NOTICE ME LOOKS WITH SOME POWER.
Johnny & Marianne: ...FOR THE MURANO I JUST THOUGHT THAT FOR DRIVING, BECAUSE I DO SO MUCH DRIVING, THAT I FELT IT WOULD BE VERY COMFORTABLE, I SAT IN IT REALLY NICELY... John: IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THERE IS ANY END IN SIGHT FOR STRONG SPORT AND CROSSOVER UTILITY SALES, AND ALL OF THE VEHICLES HERE ARE TRULY WORTHY OF THE STRONG SALES NUMBERS THEY SEE.
AS THEY SAY, "TO EACH, HIS OWN," BUT AS FOR OUR CHOICE ON WHICH TO OWN, IT WOULD BE THE NISSAN MURANO.
* FROM AMELIA ISLAND, FLORIDA, TO PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AND JUST ABOUT EVERY CITY AND TOWN IN BETWEEN, WHEN IT COMES TO CAR SHOWS, AMERICA IS EASILY, THE GREATEST COUNTRY ON EARTH.
AND FOR THIS ONE, WE GO OVER THE EDGE WITH ZACH MASKELL AS HE DRIVES PASSED THE "ROAD CLOSED" SIGNS, FOR A SUPER CAR, SUPER CAUSE!
Zach Maskell: BEFORE WE SLIDE PAST ROAD BLOCKS, WE'VE GOT TO MAKE IT THERE FIRST.
SO, WE'RE FUELING UP LESS THAN AN HOUR OUTSIDE OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.
WELL OVER 100 CARS LINE THIS SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD'S STREET, MAKING YOU QUESTION IF THERE'S SOME KIND OF CAR CHASE MOVIE BEING FILMED.
Woman: SO, MY BOYFRIEND SAID, "WE WERE GOING TO BREAKFAST."
SO, WE TURN THE CORNER AND I SEE ALL THESE CARS LINE UP, IT'S LIKE, ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.
I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE.
Zach: THE LINEUP IS FOR THE ANNUAL "SUPER CARS ON STATE STREET CAR SHOW," BENEFITING THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY!
BUT, BEFORE HEADING TO THE MAIN EVENT, THESE FOLKS ARE CATCHING UP WITH NEW, AND OLD PALS.
Kevin Wolverton: SO IT'S PEOPLE FROM ALL WORKS OF LIFE.
IT'S PEOPLE WHO HAVE A SHARED INTEREST IN CARS, AND THEN TO GET TOGETHER AND HAVE THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF IT.
EVERYBODY LIKES CHECKING OUT THE RIDES, BUT THEN HAVING SOME FREE FOOD, GETTING TOGETHER TO CHAT WITH PEOPLE AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF IT.
Zach: IN ADDITION, THIS IS THE 4TH YEAR KEVIN HAS SOUGHT CONTRIBUTIONS FROM HIS FRIENDS FOR THE AMERICAN BRAIN TUMOR ASSOCIATION.
LAST YEAR HE BROUGHT IN CLOSE TO $3000, AND MATCHED IT.
AND THE NEIGHBORS?
THEY SEEM JUST FINE WITH THIS BREAKFAST GATHERING.
James Ruthven: IT'S PRETTY EXCITING TO COME OUT.
I LIKE TO SHOW MY BOYS THE OTHER SIDE OF LIFE AND SEE THE FAST CARS, THE NICE CARS IN THE WORLD.
Zach: WHICH CAR DO YOU LIKE BETTER?
DO YOU LIKE THE AMERICAN MUSCLE, OR DO YOU LIKE THE GERMAN SPORTS CAR?
Bud: WELL, THAT ONE LOOKS A BIT COOLER THAN THAT ONE.
Zach: AH HA, SO WE HAVE AND AMERICAN FAN.
THE WINNER IS THE MUSTANG.
GOOD CHOICE, BUD.
WITH A BELLY FULL OF EGGS AND BACON...
IT WAS TIME TO CARAVAN UP THE HIGHWAY, AND BRING THE NOISE TO HARRISBURG.
WITH THE POLICE ON OUR SIDE, 400 VEHICLES PAID TO DISPLAY THEIR CARS, IN FRONT OF THE STATE CAPITOL.
IN 2011, YOUNG EVAN ROSS WANTED TO FIND A UNIQUE WAY TO COMFORT HIS FRIEND SARAH, WHOSE MOTHER DIED OF BREAST CANCER.
NOW, SIX YEARS LATER, PARTICIPANTS COME IN AND PAY A MINIMUM OF $40 THAT'S DONATED TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.
THIS GO-AROUND, SUPER CARS ON STATE STREET MANAGED TO RAISE 15,000, FOR A TOTAL OF $40,000 SINCE THE EVENT HAS STARTED.
Rhys Myers: I KNOW PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER THE EAST COAST, AND I THINK EVERY YEAR IT GROWS AND GROWS.
BECAUSE EVERYBODY RECOGNIZED IT'S SUCH A GREAT CAUSE.
MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY OF CANCER.
SO, IT'S SORT OF NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.
Ed Ross: THE FIRST YEAR WE ONLY HAD STATE STREET SHUT DOWN AND WE HAD ABOUT 60 CARS SHOW UP.
AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE JUST A ONE YEAR, DONE, EVENT.
WE SURPRISED SARAH THAT YEAR.
SHE DIDN'T KNOW WE WERE DOING THIS FOR HER.
SHE SHOWED UP AT THE END OF THE DAY AND WE PRESENTED A CHECK TO HER IN MEMORY OF HER MOM.
Zach: BOTH SARAH AND EVAN, CAN'T THANK EVERYONE ENOUGH.
Evan Ross: IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE BOTH REALLY GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO DO.
I KNOW THAT SHE ENJOYS SEEING THE COMMUNITY SIDE OF IT.
AND SO DO I.
AND FOR ME, THE CAR SIDE OF IT IS ALWAYS MY PASSION.
SO, SHE LOVES IT.
Sarah Burkhardt: SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET TO BE HELPED BECAUSE OF WHAT I WENT THROUGH.
BUT THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE THAT MAYBE WON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH I WENT THROUGH.
Zach: AND EVERYONE, LOVED THE CARS.
SO, FOR SOME PEOPLE A STOCK LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO SUPERLEGGERA JUST ISN'T QUITE ENOUGH.
SO, THE OWNER SENT THIS TO UNDERGROUND RACING WHERE THEY STRAPPED ON TWO TURBO'S, THAT MADE IT 1800 HORSEPOWER AND IN HALF A MILE, IT DOES 221 MILES PER HOUR, YES, PLEASE.
Sonir Ghosal: IT'S JUST A FANTASTIC MACHINE, YOU KNOW, I'M VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE IT, MOST PEOPLE WOULD NEVER DRIVE IT ON A DAY LIKE THIS, BUT WE TURNED THE BOOST DOWN, WE'RE HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF FUN AND JUST ENJOYING DRIVING THE CAR.
Zach: SO, CHEERS.
TO ALL WHO TOOK THEIR SUPER CARS OUT IN THE RAIN.
AND ESPECIALLY TO SARAH AND EVAN, FOR SHOWING US ALL HOW TO MAKE MEMORIES, MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE.
John: THE DAILY GRIND SURE TAKES A TOLL ON OUR CARS.
BUT NOT TO WORRY, PAT GOSS IS HERE WITH THE INFO WE NEED ON A SENSITIVE TOPIC.
Pat Goss: MOST DRIVERS WOULDN'T KNOW A HUB BEARING FROM A WIND SHIELD WIPER, BUT HUB BEARINGS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF ALL VEHICLES AND THEY'RE A LOT MORE COMPLICATED THAN THEY USED TO BE.
AND WE HAVE TOM TAYLOR OUR INTERNET PARTS GURU TO GIVE US SOME TIPS.
TOM WELCOME BACK TO GOSS' GARAGE.
Tom Taylor: THANKS FOR HAVING ME PAT.
Pat: OKAY, WHAT DO GOT FOR US HERE?
Tom: LIKE YOU SAID, THE DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEIR WHEEL HUB BEARING UNTIL A LIGHT COMES ON IN THEIR DASH THEIR ABS WARNING LIGHT OR THEIR TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT.
THERE'S ELECTRONICS NOW IN THESE HUB BEARINGS, IT'S NOT JUST A MECHANICAL PART.
I'VE GOT SEVERAL DIFFERENT EXAMPLES OF HOW THEY LOOK AND THE ELECTRONIC PART IS THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR THAT THE ABS SYSTEM USES THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM USES.
THIS IS SORT OF THE ORIGINAL DESIGN HERE WHERE YOU HAVE A RING THAT'S SPINNING, AND A SENSOR THAT'S MODERATING THE GAPS IN THERE TO MEASURE WHEEL SPEED, AND THEN, WE HAVE A VERSION HERE WHERE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR IS INCORPORATED INTO THE HUB ANOTHER VERSION OF THAT HERE.
AND THEN, THIS ONE THERE'S A SEPARATE SYSTEM LIKE THIS, AND THE RING IS ACTUALLY INCORPORATED INTO THIS GASKET LIKE MATERIAL, AND THE PROBLEMS ARISE OVER TIME YOU HAVE ROAD DEBRIS, AND BITS OF BRAKE, AND JUNK BUILDS UP ON THIS SLIGHTLY MAGNETIC RING, AND IT SCREWS UP THE SENSOR SIGNAL, AND THAT LIGHT GOES ON IN THE DASH.
OVER TIME YOU GET A MESS LIKE THIS WHERE YOU HAVE ALL THIS GRIT, AND GRIME, AND IF THERE'S TOO MUCH GREASE THAT WILL ATTRACT THE CRUD.
ANOTHER PROBLEM CAN BE IF RUST BUILDS UP BETWEEN THE BRAKE ROTOR AND THE HUB SURFACE.
RUST ACTUALLY TAKES UP MORE SPACE THAN THE ORIGINAL MATERIALS...
WHEN WATER FREEZES, AND TURNS INTO ICE IT EXPANDS THAT CAN ACTUALLY FORCE THE ROTOR OUT OF ALIGNMENT WITH THE HUB AND THE DRIVER WILL START COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSING, AND THINK THE BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPED, ACTUALLY IT'S JUST THAT RUST.
THE GOOD NEWS IS SOMETIMES YOU CAN REPAIR THESE PROBLEMS JUST BY TAKING OFF THE HUB CLEANING OFF THE SURFACE, NOT WITH A GIANT MAGNET THAT'LL WRECK THE SENSOR, BUT WITH COMPRESSED AIR OR SOAP, AND WATER, AND CLEANING OFF THE RUST BUILT UP ON THE HUB, SO IF IT'S MAKING THE ROTOR GO OUT OF WHACK.
Pat: YEAH, THAT WORKS WELL.
WE IN THE SHOP WE COAT THE HUB SURFACE BEHIND THE ROTOR AND THE SURFACE OF THE ROTOR WITH ANTI-SEIZE COMPOUND.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE SEE A LOT OF ARE WHEELS LIKE THIS ONE DOWN HERE, WHERE THERE'S NEVER BEEN ANY KIND OF PROTECTION, NO LUBRICANT BEHIND THE WHEEL AND IT JUST EATS THE ALLOY OF THE WHEEL INTO OBLIVION.
...METALS, ALUMINUM AGAINST STEEL THAT'S INSTANT CORROSION.
Pat: OKAY.
WELL TOM, I WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT DROP ME A LINE RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .
John: CAR COMPANIES ARE CONSTANTLY ENTICING US WITH SOMETHING NEW.
SO, TIME NOW FOR A QUICKSPIN IN SOME OF THEIR LATEST TEMPTATIONS.
THE CREATIVE TEAM AT KIA HAS TAKEN A BIG STEP FORWARD WITH THE ALL-NEW 2017 KIA CADENZA.
ONLY ON THE MARKET HERE SINCE 2014, THIS SURPRISINGLY QUICK REDESIGN HAS PRODUCED A PREMIUM SEDAN THAT'S A GOOD DEAL MORE SOPHISTICATED AND ELEGANT THAN BEFORE.
THOSE CHANGES BECOME CRYSTAL CLEAR AT THE FRONT FASCIA WITH A NEW CONCAVE GRILL AND SLEEK Z-GESTURED HEADLIGHTS.
THE MORE POLISHED LOOK GLIDES ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK... WHERE "Z-ED" LED TAILLIGHTS ENHANCE THE REFINED EXTERIOR.
STILL FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE, A REVISED 290 HORSEPOWER 3.3 LITER V6 PROVIDES THE GO.
ITS SILKY SMOOTH EXPERIENCE AIDED BY A NEW 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC.
Greg Carloss: DRIVING ON THE WINDING ROADS OF VIRGINIA THE FIRST WORD THAT COMES TO MY MIND IS SOLID.
IT'S UP 35% IN TERMS OF TORSIONAL RIGIDITY AND IT DEFINITELY SHOWS.
I CAN PUSH THIS THING PROBABLY MORE THAN I SHOULD, AND IT STAYS COMPLIANT, AND COMPOSED.
THERE'S A LOT MORE GRIP HERE THAN I EXPECTED THERE TO BE.
IT'S ALSO, REALLY COMFORTABLE AND REALLY QUIET... DEFINITELY NEAR THE TOP OF ITS SEGMENT IN THAT ASPECT.
John: IN THE NOW MORE UPSCALE CABIN...
THE DESIGN LINES ARE ELONGATED, BLENDING NICELY INTO THE DOOR PANELS.
IT'S VERY QUIET IN HERE, AND COMFORTABLE.
THE CADENZA CRADLES DRIVERS IN THE AVAILABLE ADJUSTABLE EXTENDED SEAT CUSHION... A FEATURE OUR TALL DRIVER LOVED.
THE 2017 KIA CADENZA LEFT US WITH A FIRST IMPRESSION THAT ITS RAPID REDESIGN WAS WELL WORTH IT.
IT ARRIVES AT DEALERS LATER THIS FALL WITH PRICES STARTING UNDER $32,000.
THE 2017 SMART FORTWO CABRIO IS HOPING TO STEP UP THE OPEN AIR EXPERIENCE FOR COMMUTERS ON CROWDED CITY STREETS.
WE'VE BEEN IN THE DRIVER SEAT OF THESE TINY TRANSPORTERS NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE.
THIS TIME, WE PUT THE TOP DOWN FOR OUR FIRST TRY OF SMART'S ALL-NEW 3RD GENERATION.
AMERICAN MOTORISTS HAVE HAD THEIR CHANCE TO MANEUVER THESE MICRO CARS BEGINNING IN 2008, BUT THEY'VE BEEN SEEN ON THE SLIM STREETS OF EUROPE SINCE 1998.
Garrick Zikan: IF YOU'VE BEEN TO EUROPE YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN SMART CARS ON THE ROAD.
TODAY, WE'RE DRIVING IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY...
THE KIND OF DAY YOU WANT TO DRIVE WITH THE TOP DOWN.
SURE IT'S 3-CYLINDERS, BUT WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS IT'S VERY RESPONSIVE.
John: THAT COMES FROM A NEW 89 HORSEPOWER TURBOCHARGED 900CC 3-CYLINDER ENGINE.
THAT MAY SOUND PUNY, BUT IT'S 19 MORE PONIES THAN BEFORE.
IT EASILY PROVIDES MORE GET-UP-AND-GO FOR PASSING IN TRAFFIC AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
THAT'S SOMETHING YOU HAVEN'T HEARD US SAY, THE PREVIOUS TIMES WE'VE BEEN BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THIS ULTRA-COMPACT CRUISER.
ANOTHER NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT IS THE OPTIONAL AUTOMATIC DUAL-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION.
WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN A FORTWO WITH THE PREVIOUS HERKY-JERKY AUTO-MANUAL GEARBOX.
OUR LATEST DRIVE WAS FAR SMOOTHER THROUGH THE FREQUENT GEAR CHANGES THAT COME WITH CITY DRIVING.
WHEN MERCEDES BENZ AND SWISS WATCH MAKER SWATCH TEAMED UP TO CREATE SOMETHING INTERESTING FOR CITY LIFE, THERE WERE LOTS OF SKEPTICS.
BUT OVERTIME, SMART CARS HAVE PROGRESSED INTO A VIABLE DRIVING OPTION WHERE SPACE IS AT A PREMIUM.
NOW ON SALE IN THE U.S.
THE SMART FORTWO COUPE STARTS AT ABOUT $14,700, CABRIO AT $17,500.
AND, WE'LL HAVE MORE QUICKSPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS SOON!
DESPITE PRODUCING A SLEW OF CARS THAT ARE BOTH MORE ATTAINABLE AND MORE LIVABLE THAN EVER, LIKE THE SPORTS SERIES 570S WE TRACK TESTED LAST SPRING, MCLAREN OBVIOUSLY STILL FEELS THEY HAVE MORE WORK TO DO.
THUS THIS 570GT HAS ARRIVED.
NOW, IT'S THE CLOSEST THEY'VE COME YET, TO BUILDING A TRUE "GRAND TOURING" MACHINE.
BUT IN DOING SO, HAVE THEY MADE IT LESS OF A MCLAREN?
WELL, LET'S TOUR TOGETHER AND FIND OUT.
* John: MCLAREN, THE BRITISH SPECIALTY PURVEYOR OF ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE CARS, IS ONCE AGAIN EXPANDING THEIR LINEUP WITH A NEW SPORTS SERIES MODEL, THIS 2017 570GT.
AND WHAT APPEARS AT FIRST GLANCE TO BE THE SAME, IS ACTUALLY QUITE DIFFERENT.
IT DOES INDEED SHARE MOST OF THE 570S' BODY PANELS, BUT MANY HAVE BEEN TWEAKED SLIGHTLY, AND EVEN, THE SIDE SILLS HAVE BEEN CUT DOWN A LITTLE TO MAKE GETTING IN AND OUT EASIER.
MORE NOTICEABLE IS THE NEW GLASS REAR HATCH, OPENING TO THE SIDE TO REVEAL 7.8 CUBIC-FEET OF LEATHER-CLAD LUGGAGE SPACE; A FRONT TRUNK STILL REMAINS AS WELL.
THERE ARE PLENTY OF TIE DOWNS FOR KEEPING YOUR GOODS SECURE; AND CUSTOMIZED LUGGAGE THAT MAKES BEST USE OF THE ODD SHAPED AREA.
THERE'S STILL ROOM BACK HERE FOR THAT MID-MOUNTED 3.8 LITER TWIN-TURBO V8 OF COURSE, WITH OUTPUT THE SAME AS IN THE 570S AT 562 HORSEPOWER AND 443 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
LIKEWISE, TRANSMISSION DUTIES ARE PERFORMED BY THE SAME 7-SPEED DUAL CLUTCH UNIT.
IT LOOKS AS RADICAL AS EVER, WITH AIR INTAKES AND DOWN FORCE INDUCING ELEMENTS A BIG PART OF THE DESIGN.
AS ARE MINIMAL LED LIGHTS.
THERE'S PLENTY OF SUPERCAR SPEC.
EXPOSED CARBON FIBER AND OF COURSE MCLAREN'S SIGNATURE DIHEDRAL DOORS.
ATTEMPTING TO FULLY EARN THE GT MONIKER MEANS SOME NOISE CANCELLING MATERIALS HAVE BEEN ADDED, THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN SOFTENED, AND THE STEERING HAS A LESS HYPERACTIVE NATURE.
CHASSIS-ALTERING DRIVE MODES ARE STILL PRESENT; AND DON'T WORRY, TRACK MODE IS STILL INCLUDED.
AND WHILE THIS MCLAREN REMAINS A TRUE DRIVER'S CAR IN EVERY SENSE, GIVING YOU TREMENDOUS FEEL, THAT FEEL IS VASTLY DIFFERENT THAN IN THE 570S.
AND AT THE RISK OF COMING ACROSS AS SOFTIES, WE ACTUALLY LIKE THE GT BETTER THAN THE S. EVERYTHING FROM ROAD FEEL TO POWER DELIVERY IS LESS SEVERE, EVEN WHEN IN TRACK MODE.
BUILDING CARS WITH THIS MUCH PERFORMANCE IS TRULY IMPRESSIVE, BUT MAKING THAT POWER ATTAINABLE AND THIS EASY TO LIVE WITH, IS PERHAPS EVEN MORE REMARKABLE.
STILL, THE 570GT IS MORE OF A CAR YOU'D TAKE TO A SUMMER HOME, OR ON A COASTAL TOUR OF SOME WINERIES; RATHER THAN ALL-OUT TRACK DAYS.
IT'S NOT ALL SUNSHINE AND ROSES, HOWEVER.
THERE IS SOME NOTICEABLE TURBO LAG IN NORMAL DRIVING SITUATIONS; AND THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT FULLY ON BOARD WITH THE NEW MISSION, AS IT STILL LIKES TO HOLD ONTO GEARS LIKE IT'S ON A TRACK RATHER THAN EXHIBITING THE TYPICAL QUICK UP SHIFT FEEL YOU MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR AT THIS RELAXED PACE.
THE GLASS ROOF AND ACCOMPANYING STRUCTURAL CHANGES HAVE TACKED ON ABOUT 120 POUNDS OF ADDITIONAL WEIGHT, SO IT WON'T QUITE MATCH THE 570S, 3.1 SECOND 0-60 TIME.
BUT TRUST US, YOU'LL BE FULLY ENJOYING YOUR TIME INSIDE THIS CAR, AND IN NO PARTICULAR HURRY TO GET TO WHERE YOU'RE GOING, OR TO GET OUT OF THE CAR ONCE YOU GET THERE.
THAT'S BECAUSE THE ATMOSPHERE INSIDE IS LOADS MORE INVITING.
THERE'S A LOT LESS EXPOSED CARBON FIBER, NOW COVERED WITH MORE CARPETING AND SOFT TOUCH MATERIALS, AS WELL AS JUST AN OVERALL FEEL OF BEING A REAL CAR, AND NOT A STREET VERSION OF A RACE CAR.
SEATS, THOUGH STILL FIRM, ARE MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE, COVERED IN MORE LUXURIOUS LEATHER, AND HAVE FAR LESS AGGRESSIVE BOLSTERING.
THE GLASS ROOF IS HIGHER THAN THE 570S', SO THERE'S MORE HEADROOM, AND IT ALLOWS A LOT OF LIGHT IN, MAKING IT FEEL ROOMIER STILL.
BUT THAT LIGHT CAN BE TOO MUCH AT TIMES AS THERE'S NO SHADE FOR COVERING IT.
THE CENTRAL CONTROL AREA, WITH MINIMAL SWITCHES AND A MOSTLY TOUCHSCREEN INTERFACE, CARRIES OVER DIRECTLY FROM THE 570S.
LIKEWISE, THE HIGHLY CONFIGURABLE GAUGE PANEL CARRIES STRAIGHT OVER; NESTLED BEHIND THIS GLORIOUSLY CONTROL-FREE STEERING WHEEL.
AS FOR MORE MUNDANE MATTERS LIKE PETROL CONSUMPTION?
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 16-CITY, 23-HIGHWAY, AND 19-COMBINED.
WITH AN ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 17.3 BARRELS OF OIL CONSUMED AND 8.0 TONS OF CO2 EMITTED YEARLY.
AND IF YOU'RE CURIOUS ABOUT PRICE?
WELL, THE 570GT'S ADDITIONAL COMFORT AND USER-FRIENDLINESS COME AT A COST OF $14,050 OVER A 570S, FOR A MODESTLY-EXOTIC STICKER OF $201,450.
WITH THE 2017 570GT, MCLAREN CONTINUES TO GROW THEIR LINEUP, NOW ATTRACTIVE TO LUXURY-ORIENTED HIGH ROLLERS AS WELL AS THE TRACK-DAY FAITHFUL.
AND THEY CONTINUE TO DO IT WITH CARS MORE UNIQUE THAN COMPARABLE FERRARI'S OR LAMBORGHINI'S.
WE UNDERSTAND IF ONE MIGHT HAVE A HARD TIME DECIDING BETWEEN THE 570S AND THE NEW 570GT.
BUT TRUST US, DRIVING IT MAKES THAT DECISION EASY.
WELL, THAT'S OUR SHOW, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.
NOW FOR MORE MOTORWEEK ; INCLUDING DAILY NEWS UPDATES, PODCASTS, AND EVEN COMPLETE EPISODES, HEAD ON OVER TO PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.
AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME, WHEN WE WEDGE OURSELVES INTO ONE FAST FORD FOCUS RS.
AND SEE IF GMC'S ALL-NEW ACADIA DELIVERS MORE FROM LESS.
UNTIL NEXT TIME, 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.
Man: "YO DANNY, MY MAN!
HA, HA, HA."
Announcer: THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND HAVE THEM SHIPPED TO A LOCAL INSTALLER.
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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