HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !

JOIN US AS WE HIT THE START BUTTON FOR OUR 39TH SEASON WITH THE ALL-NEW PORSCHE 911... AS ALWAYS PAT GOSS HAS SOLID ADVICE, THIS TIME ABOUT PARKING BRAKES... STEPHANIE HART LOOKS AT TAMING CROWDED HIGHWAYS WITHOUT ROAD RAGE... AND SWEEPING CHANGES FOR THE FAMILY FRIENDLY FORD EXPLORER.

SO, COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

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* Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... Announcer: YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR TIRES ONLINE AND YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

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IT'S A...TAKE A LOOK.

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ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF BRANDS, PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

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STATE FARM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

John: WELL...HELLO, AND WELCOME TO THE START OF THE 39TH SEASON OF MOTORWEEK WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

AND WE START WITH A QUESTION: HOW NEW IS NEW?

IT'S ACTUALLY, A CONSTANT DEBATE AROUND THE CAR BIZ, AND OUR SHOP, WHEN IT COMES TO PORSCHE'S ICONIC 911.

OVER 55 YEARS AND SEVEN GENERATIONS, EACH NEW 911 ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE REFINED, MORE THAN REBORN.

AND HERE WE ARE WITH THE EIGHTH GEN 911 READY FOR THE ROAD.

SO, IS IT JUST ANOTHER NOTCH UPWARD, OR HAS THE WORLD'S QUINTESSENTIAL SPORTS CAR ACHIEVED A NEW LEVEL OF "NEW."

* WHILE, THE "HOW NEW IS NEW" DEBATE WILL LIKELY CONTINUE FOR AS LONG AS THERE'S A 911, OR AT LEAST UNTIL AN ALL-ELECTRIC ONE SHOWS UP.

PORSCHE...AT LEAST, THINKS THIS 2020 911 IS "NEW" ENOUGH TO DEPLOY A NEW 992 NOMENCLATURE, EVEN THOUGH THE BASIC PLATFORM IS LARGELY CARRYOVER FROM THE 991.

THERE IS NOTHING DRASTIC ABOUT THIS 911 CHANGE; NO SWITCHING FROM AIR-COOLED TO WATER-COOLED.

BUT, THERE IS A LOT NEW ABOUT THE REAR MOUNTED FLAT-6 POWERTRAIN INCLUDING NEW TWIN-TURBOS, INTERCOOLERS, AND EXHAUST MANIFOLDS.

TURBOS ARE LARGER, SO COMPRESSION IS HIGHER.

TWENTY-THREE ADDED HORSEPOWER UPS THE TOTAL TO 443, WITH 390 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

A PDK WITH EIGHT TIGHTLY SPACED GEARS IS NEW TO THE 911; TAKEN FROM THE PANAMERA, WITH A NEW SHIFTER THAT REMINDS US OF AN OLD-STYLE MICROPHONE.

NO MANUAL AT LAUNCH, BUT A 7-SPEED GEARBOX WILL COME.

LIKEWISE, A HYBRID VERSION ARRIVES NOT TOO FAR INTO THE 992 LIFECYCLE.

FOR NOW, JUST 2-MODELS, OUR CARRERA S, AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE CARRERA 4S.

BUT CONVERTIBLE AND BASE CARRERA MODELS ARE IN THE WINGS.

YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION IS THAT STYLING HAS EVOLVED LITTLE.

MAYBE, BUT IT HAS CHANGED ENOUGH FOR US TO USE THE WORLD "BEAUTIFUL" FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A 911 ROAD TEST IN LIKE, FOREVER.

ITS SLEEKER, MORE ELEGANT, MORE SUPERCAR LIKE.

YEAH, BEAUTIFUL FITS.

LIKE, EVERY PREVIOUS 911 GEN, THE NEW CAR DOES GROW IN SIZE, WITH WIDER FRONT AND REAR TRACKS.

STANDARD WHEEL SETS ARE NOW 20s UP FRONT, 21s IN REAR.

REAR TIRES ARE THE WIDEST EVER ON A STANDARD 911, 305s; YIKES, THAT'S A LOT OF RUBBER HITTING THE PAVEMENT.

ENSURING THEY'RE PLANTED INTO THE PAVEMENT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, A LARGER REAR SPOILER IS IN PLACE.

BUT, THAT'S JUST ONE OF THIS ACTIVE SPOILER'S TRICKS; IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING DOWNFORCE, IT ALSO CHANNELS AIR INTO THE UPDATED ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM, AS WELL AS HAVING AN ECO-POSITION TO REDUCE DRAG.

THERE'S MORE ALUMINUM IN BOTH THE CHASSIS AND THE BODY, BUT THEY DIDN'T MANAGE TO TAKE ANY WEIGHT OUT, ACTUALLY TACKING ON ANOTHER 150 POUNDS OR SO.

BUT UNLIKE BEFORE, YOU DO GET THE SAME WIDE BODY STYLE WHETHER YOU GET REAR OR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

WHEN IT COMES TO DRIVING, MANY PORSCHEPHILES MIGHT CLAIM THAT THEIR 19-WHATEVER IS BETTER, AND THEY'D BE WRONG.

THIS 992 IS SUPERIOR BY EVERY MEASURABLE CATEGORY, AND A FEW THAT AREN'T MEASURABLE.

STEERING HAS BEEN QUICKENED TO RAZOR SHARP LEVELS, AND YOU CAN ENGAGE THE REARS IN THE PROCESS OPTIONALLY, AS WELL.

FAMILIAR MACPHERSON STRUTS UP FRONT, WITH A MULTI-LINK REAR, BUT DAMPERS ARE NEW, AND OF COURSE, THE PASM ACTIVE MANAGEMENT OF THEM HAS BEEN UPGRADED.

YOU CAN TALK SPECS AND DIFFERENCES ALL DAY LONG, BUT THE FACT THAT THIS 911 IS JUST PURE BLISS ON A WINDING ROAD IS WHAT MATTERS MOST TO US.

THAT'S WHERE YOU'LL ALSO APPRECIATE THE NEW AND FAR MORE MODERN 2+2 INTERIOR.

BESIDES THE BIG DASH TOUCHSCREEN, ALSO LIFTED FROM THE PANAMERA, WE WERE SURPRISINGLY QUITE FOND OF THE MOSTLY DIGITAL GAUGE PACKAGE.

MOSTLY, AS PORSCHE PROPERLY KEPT A REAL NEEDLE AND DIAL FOR THE CENTER TACH.

CLASSIC 911 TOUCHES LIKE A LEFT HAND STARTER SWITCH, AND MANUAL FORE-AFT SEAT ADJUSTMENTS REMAIN.

WE FOUND THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE WAS MORE FUN, AND NOTICEABLY IMPROVED, ON THE SUMMIT POINT CIRCUIT AT SUMMIT POINT MOTORSPORTS PARK.

WE SPENT A FULL DAY THERE TRYING TO FIND LIMITS OF GRIP.

WITH DRIVE MODE IN SPORT PLUS, STEERING RESPONSE IS IMMEDIATE, WITH EXCELLENT FEEDBACK.

PLENTIFUL TORQUE AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES TO PUSH YOU THROUGH CORNERS, WITH NO NOTICEABLE TURBO LAG.

PLENTY OF BRAKING POWER AS WELL, WHETHER YOU UPGRADE TO CARBON CERAMICS OR NOT.

OUR REAR-DRIVE CARRERA S DID NOT HAVE THEM, BUT WE DID HAVE THE UPGRADED SPORT SUSPENSION WHICH LOWERS THINGS ABOUT 10MM.

THE NEW PDK WORKS GREAT AS ALWAYS, PROVIDING RAPID SHIFTS RIGHT AT RED-LINE.

THOUGH, THE REVISED RATIOS DID THROW IN A MID-CORNER UPSHIFT HERE AND THERE WE DIDN'T EXPECT.

BUT, LIKE AN OLD TRAIL HORSE, IT SEEMS TO KNOW ITS WAY AROUND THE TRACK BETTER THAN YOU DO, WITH LOTS OF TECH DOING ALL THE HARD WORK BEHIND THE SCENES.

AND JUST LIKE THAT, THIS JOY RIDE'S COME TO AN END.

LITTLE TIME LEFT TO TELL YOU ABOUT 3.0 SECOND 0-60s, THANKS TO BRUTAL PDK LAUNCHES, OR 11.3 SECOND QUARTER MILES AT 124 MILES PER HOUR.

THE BASE CARRERA, WHEN IT ARRIVES, WILL START AT $98,750; YES, A BASE 911 IS NOW PUSHING SIX-FIGURES.

THIS CARRERA S BEGINS AT $114,650, AND THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE C4S GOES FOR $121,950.

SO, JUST HOW NEW?

WE SAY, NEW ENOUGH TO BE NEW!

BOTH IN HARDWARE AND IN SPIRIT.

THINK OF THE 992 AS A MODERN MASTERPIECE WHERE ENGINEERS HAVE BEEN CHIPPING AWAY THE 911 STONE FOR OVER 50 YEARS.

PORSCHE, BEING PORSCHE, WILL STEADILY UNVEIL A VIRTUALLY LIMITLESS NUMBER OF VARIATIONS ON THIS THEME OVER THE NEXT 6-7 YEARS, BUT YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE TO WAIT; AS THIS 2020 CARRERA S, IS PURE PERFECTION.

* [DOOR CLOSES] IT'S NO SECRET, WE ARE DRIVING MORE THAN EVER.

ACCORDING TO AAA, AMERICANS SPEND AN ASTONISHING 70 BILLION HOURS BEHIND THE WHEEL EACH YEAR.

BUT, MUCH OF THAT TIME IS WASTED STUCK IN TRAFFIC.

OUR STEPHANIE HART EXPLORES THE HUMAN FACTORS BEIND OUR SLOWING DAILY COMMUTE.

* Keantay Fenwick: I LIKE GETTING WHERE I GOTTA GET AND NOT WAIT TOO LONG.

SO, I'M SURE EVERYONE ELSE FEELS THE SAME WAY.

[CHUCKLES] Brittany Cole: IT'S HIGH ANXIETY IT'S LIKE HECTIC.

Marvin Jones: I THINK OF THE TIME, WE ARE WASTING WHEN WE COULD BE SITTING AT HOME.

Autumn Pelham: THE TRAFFIC, IT'S TWO LANES NOT MOVING ANYWHERE BUT WHAT I DO TO RELAX IS JUST JAM OUT TO MY FAVORITE SONG.

[CHUCKLES] Stephanie Hart: THESE DAYS, WE ARE DRIVING SO MANY MILES THAT IT EQUATES TO DRIVING FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. TO SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA -- ROUNDTRIP, TWICE.

TONS OF DRIVING, PLUS...TRAFFIC EQUALS MONEY, JUST ASK AAA'S JOHN TOWNSEND.

John Townsend: IT'S COSTING US INDIVIDUALLY, THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PER YEAR NOT ONLY IN TERMS OF LOST PRODUCTIVITY, BUT IN THE TIME THAT WE COULD SPEND WITH OUR FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS, AND IN LEISURE PURSUITS.

Stephanie: WASHINGTON D.C. HAS SOME OF THE WORST CONGESTION IN THE NATION, WITH PEOPLE SPENDING 88 HOURS STUCK IN TRAFFIC.

OTHER CITIES ALSO HAVE SIMILAR GRIDLOCK PROBLEMS.

BOSTON WINS FIRST PLACE FOR TRAFFIC TIE-UPS, SECOND GOES TO D.C., THIRD CHICAGO, FOURTH NEW YORK, AND FIFTH LOS ANGELES.

AAA SAYS, "OUT OF DATE STREETS AND HUMAN NATURE ARE TO BLAME FOR MOST TRAFFIC TIE UPS."

John T: THE ONE THING THAT HASN'T CHANGED IN THE LAST 50 YEARS IS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE NOT ADDED ANY ADDITIONAL ROAD CAPACITY OR INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE'VE MADE A GREATER INVESTMENT IN MASS TRANSIT AS WE SHOULD HAVE AND AS WE SHOULD DO, AND WE'RE MAKING A GREATER INVESTMENT IN TRANSIT OPTIONS, BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, THAT MOST PEOPLE LOATHE TO LEAVE THE CAR BEHIND.

Stephanie: AAA REPORTS EIGHT OUT OF TEN PEOPLE STILL DRIVE TO WORK ALONE.

WHY?

BECAUSE IT'S ALL ABOUT PERSONAL FREEDOM AND SETTING OUR OWN SCHEDULE.

John T: AND UNLESS WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, UNLESS WE INVEST IN IT HEAVILY, TO THE TUNE OF TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS, WE'RE GOING TO BE STUCK BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL AND THINGS WILL NOT IMPROVE.

OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS AGING, IT'S CRUMBLING, AND WE'RE STILL STUCK IN THE 1950s AND 1960s IN TERMS OF MAJOR INVESTMENTS.

Stephanie: BUT WHILE EVERYONE LOOKS TO WASHINGTON, D.C. TO FUND MORE ROADS, THE SOLUTION ACTUALLY LIES CLOSER TO HOME.

John T: WE HAVE TO HAVE A POLITICAL WILL, AND A POLITICAL WILL POWER, AND SO FAR, WASHINGTON, D.C., HAS NOT SHOWN AN INCLINATION TO DO IT.

I AM TALKING ABOUT THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

BUT WHAT WE SEE ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE MORE AND MORE STATES RAISING THE GASOLINE TAX AT THE STATE LEVEL TO INVEST THOSE FUNDS IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

Stephanie: OKAY, SO MOST OF US DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP OUR CARS, AND THERE'S NO SPEEDY WAY TO BUILD ADEQUATE ROADS, SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP OURSELVES OUT OF THIS TRAFFIC MESS?

RIGHT NOW, CARPOOLING, TELECOMMUTING, AND VARYING OUR WORK HOURS SEEM TO BE THE BEST BET.

BUT IN THE FUTURE, THERE'S HOPE SELF DRIVING CARS MIGHT HELP.

TILL THEN, WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE THE BEST OF GOING SLOW.

* John: A CAR HAS THOUSANDS OF PARTS, SO SOMETHING'S BOUND TO GO WRONG NO MATTER HOW YOU GO OR STOP.

FOR SOME POINTERS, LET'S HEAD DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE.

Pat Goss: THIS TIME WE'RE JOINED BY OUR ONLINE PARTS EXPERT MISTER TOM TAYLOR.

TOM, WELCOME BACK TO GOSS' GARAGE.

Tom Taylor: THANKS PAT ITS GREAT TO BE HERE.

Pat: ALRIGHT, WHAT DID YOU BRING FOR US TODAY?

Tom: WE'LL WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE REAR BRAKES.

THERE'S ACTUALLY, TWO SYSTEMS GOING ON BACK HERE.

YOU HAVE THE BRAKE THAT STOPS THE CAR AND THEN THE PARKING BRAKE FOR WHEN YOU PARK ON A HILL OR JUST WANT TO BE SAFE AND DON'T ROLL AWAY.

THE PARKING BRAKE NEEDS TO BE INSPECTED AND SERVICED LIKE THE REGULAR BRAKE BECAUSE DAMAGE CAN HAPPEN PRETTY QUICK.

THIS EXAMPLE WE HAVE HERE, THE DRIVER LEFT THE PARKING BRAKE ON, IT'S DRAGGING FOR JUST ABOUT FIVE MILES AND THAT WAS JUST ENOUGH TIME TO OVERHEAT THE METAL, IT STARTS TO DISTORT A LITTLE BIT, THE FRICTION MATERIAL MIGHT MELT OR DISTORT, AND YOU GET CRACKS, AND ACTUALLY CHUNKS FALLING OFF.

SO, YOUR PARKING BRAKE DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE OR YOU GET NOISE OR BOTH.

Pat: WELL, IN MY SHOPS WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU CHECK THE BRAKES ON ANY CAR IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE, EVERY 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE CHECKING THE PARKING BRAKE.

Tom: RIGHT, BECAUSE THIS COULD HAPPEN WHEN YOU'RE NOT DRIVING THE CAR AS WELL AS WHEN YOU LOAN IT TO YOUR KID, OR SOMETHING, LIKE I SAID, IT TAKES A FEW MILES FOR THE DAMAGE.

WHEN YOU ARE CHECKING IT OR YOU'RE REPLACING IT, ITS GOOD TO LUBE BETWEEN THE PARKING BRAKE SHOE AND THE BACKING PLATE, THE METAL BEHIND IT, JUST LIKE YOU WOULD THE PINS IN THE CALIPER, VERY SIMILAR SYSTEMS.

THIS IS ACTUALLY LIKE, THE OLD...

THIS PARTICULAR CAR IS LIKE, THE OLD BRAKE SHOES AND BRAKE DRUMS IN 30 YEAR OLD CARS.

Pat: MM-HMM.

[AFFIRMATIVE] AND THIS IS WHERE WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU USE A DEDICATED BRAKE GREASE BECAUSE IT'S DIFFERENT THAN JUST REGULAR CHASSIS GREASE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

Tom: YEAH, IT WON'T HAVE THE DIRT AND DUST GET EMBEDDED IN THERE AND IT WILL STILL PROVIDE SOME LUBRICATION.

Pat: RIGHT.

Tom: AND I'D ALSO, PUT LUBE BETWEEN THE HUB AND THE ROTOR.

THIS IS WHERE RUST BUILDS UP AND YOU MIGHT HAVE THE TWO SORTS OF WELDED TOGETHER OR THERE'S SO MUCH RUST YOU SORT OF GET RUST CHAFFING OR THE ROTOR GOES OFF CENTER A LITTLE BIT AND YOU GET THAT WARPED ROTOR EFFECT THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY FEEL THE CAR VIBRATING.

Pat: ALRIGHT.

AND HERE AGAIN, WE USE ANTI SEIZE COMPOUND AND WE TAKE IT ONE STEP FURTHER.

WE PUT A LITTLE BIT OF THIS ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WHERE IT FITS OVER THAT HUB BECAUSE THEY'RE PRONE TO CORRODING, AND IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE, AND IT'S WELDED ON THERE, YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK.

Tom: RIGHT, YOU HAVE THE SANDWICH OF THE WHEEL, THE ROTOR, AND THE HUB, AND YOU HAVE TO PUT LUBE BETWEEN ALL OF THOSE, IT'S A GREAT IDEA.

Pat: ALRIGHT, NOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE.

BAD IDEA?

Tom: YEAH, THEY THINK I DON'T WANT TO WEAR IT OUT.

NO, YOU SHOULD USE IT KEEPS EVERYTHING, SO IT DOESN'T SEIZE UP.

IT KEEPS EVERYTHING LUBRICATED, AND IF IT'S A CABLE SYSTEM, IT'S NOT BOUND UP INSIDE THE CONDUIT WITH RUST.

SO YEAH, USE IT OR YOU LOSE IT.

Pat: OKAY.

TOM, THANK YOU.

AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE, RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .

* Greg Carloss: OUR 2019 NISSAN ALTIMA LONG-TERM ARRIVED JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, BUT HAS ALREADY RACKED UP A QUICK 1,000 MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES.

THAT HAS FUEL ECONOMY OFF TO A GOOD START AT 33 MILES PER GALLON.

WE CHOSE TO STICK WITH THE BASE NATURALLY-ASPIRATED 2.5 LITER I4 ENGINE, NOT BECAUSE WE'RE FRUGAL PER SE, BUT BECAUSE IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO GET ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

IT'S MODEST 182 HORSEPOWER HAS SO FAR SUITED OUR DAILY NEEDS JUST FINE.

LOOK, YOU CAN ALWAYS ASK FOR HORSEPOWER, BUT THE FACT IS THIS ALTIMA OFFERS PLENTY FOR DAILY USE.

IT'S DELIVERED SMOOTHLY AND TO ALL FOUR WHEELS, WHICH WILL BE WELCOMED COME WINTER TIME.

OUR 2019 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID HAS NOW RACKED UP ALMOST 4,000 MILES DURING ITS FIRST TWO MONTHS WITH US.

MANY OF THOSE MILES WERE ADDED ON LONG ROAD TRIPS...

SO WE'VE HAD SOME REAL QUALITY TIME BEHIND THE WHEEL.

THE 219 HORSEPOWER 2.5 LITER I4 AND TOYOTA'S HYBRID SYSTEM COMBINE WITH AN ELECTRIC MOTOR ON THE REAR AXLE FOR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE...

RESULTING IN EXCELLENT POWER FOR PASSING AND PULLING AWAY FROM TAILGATERS, WITH ONLY MODEST CVT NOISE.

OUT ON THE HIGHWAY IT IS VERY STABLE, NEVER GETTING BLOWN AROUND BY PASSING BIG RIGS.

WHILE, IT IS COMFORTABLE OVERALL, THE SEATS ARE GETTING MIXED REVIEWS AMONG OUR DRIVERS.

THE CONSOLE PROVIDES A GOOD AMOUNT OF STORAGE, AND WE APPRECIATE HAVING A REAL SHIFTER, AS OPPOSED TO BUTTONS OR A ROTARY SWITCH.

SO FAR, THE INFOTAINMENT WORKS WELL, BUT WE'RE ALREADY SPOILED BY PERSONAL ASSISTANTS IN OTHER BRANDS, SO WE WISH THE VOICE CONTROL WAS MORE EXTENSIVE HERE.

WHILE, HYBRID FUEL ECONOMY DOESN'T OFTEN SHINE BRIGHTEST IN HIGHWAY TRAVEL, AT 37.3 MILES PER GALLON, WE HAVE NO COMPLAINTS.

WE'LL SEE IF THAT NUMBER RISES AS MORE ROUTINE DAILY DUTIES TAKE OVER.

WE'LL UPDATE YOU ON OUR VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN CROSSOVER, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!

John: ONE THING'S FOR SURE, CHANGE IS CONSTANT IN OUR AUTOMOTIVE WORLD.

SO, FOR THE LATEST GOINGS ON, HERE'S LAUREN MORRISON WITH THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

Lauren Morrison: THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY MAY BE HEADING TOWARDS A HIGH-TECH COMBINATION OF ELECTRIC POWER AND AUTONOMOUS DRIVING.

BUT, CONSUMERS ARE NOT YET READY TO PLUG IN AND RELINQUISH CONTROL.

A SURVEY BY J.D.

POWER AND SURVEYMONKEY REVEALS THERE'S A LACK OF CONFIDENCE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES, WITH A NEUTRAL FEELING ABOUT EVs.

THEY FOUND 39% ARE NOT EXCITED ABOUT ANY SELF-DRIVING TECHNOLOGY, WHETHER IT'S THEIR PERSONAL VEHICLE OR OTHER WAYS OF TRANSPORTATION LIKE...DELIVERY SERVICES, PUBLIC TRANSIT, OR RIDE-HAILING SERVICES.

MOST OF THOSE RESPONDING SAY EVs ARE BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, BUT PRICE, THE AVAILABILITY OF CHARGING STATIONS, AND RANGE REMAIN KEY CONCERNS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT TWO-THIRDS OF RESPONDENTS HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN EV, AND ADMIT HAVING LITTLE TO NO KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES.

RESEARCHERS SAY, "AUTOMAKERS NEED TO BETTER EDUCATE CONSUMERS ABOUT THESE NEW TECHNOLOGIES, IF THEY HOPE TO CREATE A VIABLE MARKET FOR THEM."

BMW IS TAKING THEIR LATEST EV CHARGING TECHNOLOGY TO A NEW LEVEL AND MORE PEOPLE.

TWO-HUNDRED PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA WILL BE ADDED TO THEIR GLOBAL INDUCTION CHARGING PILOT PROGRAM.

BMW IS USING WHAT THEY CALL A "GROUNDPAD."

IT'S INSTALLED ON THE FLOOR IN THE GARAGE, AND THE VEHICLE PARKS ON THE PAD FOR WIRELESS CHARGING.

THERE ARE NO CABLES, JUST 3.0 INCHES OF A CONTACTLESS TRANSFER OF ENERGY BETWEEN THE GROUNDPAD AND THE CAR.

BMW SAYS, "A FULL CHARGE TAKES ABOUT THREE-AND-A-HALF HOURS.

THEY'LL PAY FOR INSTALLING, MAINTAINING, AND REMOVING THE GROUNDPAD MODULE ONCE THE PROGRAM ENDS."

SPECIAL 2019 530E PHEV SEDANS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A THREE YEAR LEASE AS PART OF THE PILOT PROGRAM.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

* John: THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF BOOKS OUT THERE ABOUT STEVE MCQUEEN.

BUT WHILE MOST ARE FOCUSED ON HIS MOVIES, CARS, OR RACING EXPLOITS; MATT STONE'S "MCQUEEN'S MOTORCYCLES," KEEPS THE TOPIC TO JUST THAT, HIS MOTORCYCLES.

MCQUEEN REPORTEDLY OWNED AROUND 200 OF THEM IN HIS LIFETIME.

THE FIRST HALF OF THE BOOK GIVES SOME BACK STORY INTO HOW HE DEVELOPED HIS LOVE AFFAIR WITH TWO-WHEELERS; WHILE THE SECOND HALF GOES INTO MORE DETAIL ON SOME OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT MOTORCYCLES THAT HE OWNED.

IT'S A QUICK MUST READ, PERFECT FOR BOTH FANS OF MOTORCYCLES AND THE ULTIMATE "KING OF COOL."

FROM ORIGINATOR, TO FAMILY STAPLE, THROUGH CONTROVERSIES, AND VARIOUS FRAME ON/FRAME OFF DESIGNS, THE FORD EXPLORER REMAINS THE BEST-SELLING AMERICAN SUV OF ALL TIME.

BUT THE 2020 EXPLORER ARRIVES WITH SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES IN QUITE A WHILE, RETURNING TO A CLASSIC REAR-WHEEL DRIVE LAYOUT, WHILE RETAINING IT'S UNIBODY FORM.

SO, LET'S FIND OUT IF THAT MAKES FOR A STEP FORWARD, BACKWARDS, OR SIDEWAYS, FOR THE ALL-NEW EXPLORER.

* NO VEHICLE BETTER SYMBOLIZES THE TRANSFORMATION OF SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FROM BACKWOODS EXPLORERS TO FAMILY CARS MORE THAN THE FORD EXPLORER.

LAST GENERATION SAW IT FULLY EMBRACE THAT ROLE, WITH A FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE BASED UNI-BODY ARCHITECTURE.

AS MENTIONED, THIS 6TH GENERATION EXPLORER RETURNS TO IT'S REAR-WHEEL DRIVE BASED ROOTS, BUT ALSO DEBUTS A NEW CD6 UNI-BODY MODULAR ARCHITECTURE THAT WILL UNDERPIN MANY NEW FUTURE FORD AND LINCOLN PRODUCTS, INCLUDING, IF RUMORS ARE TRUE, THE NEXT MUSTANG.

NO "ONE ENGINE FITS ALL" STRATEGY HERE.

BUYERS CAN CHOOSE FROM THE SAME BASE 2.3 LITER ECOBOOST I4, BUT NOW UPGRADED TO 300 HORSEPOWER.

IT'S JOINED BY A NEW 3.0 LITER ECOBOOST V6 THAT'S AVAILABLE IN 365 AND 400 HORSEPOWER VERSIONS, THE LATTER BEING EXPLORER'S MOST POWERFUL ENGINE EVER.

ON TOP OF ALL THAT, IS A FIRST-EVER HYBRID EXPLORER.

IT PAIRS A NATURALLY-ASPIRATED 3.3 LITER V6 WITH A SINGLE SMALL ELECTRIC MOTOR MOUNTED BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE 10-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

DON'T EXPECT HUGE GAINS IN FUEL ECONOMY, AS IT'S MORE ABOUT HELPING THE ENGINE DO MORE WITH LESS, AND PUSHING POTENTIAL RANGE TO 500 MILES BETWEEN FILL UPS.

OUTPUT IS A COMBINED 318 HORSEPOWER.

ALL OTHER ENGINES GET THE 10-SPEED AUTOMATIC AS WELL, AND TOWING CAPACITY IS UP 600 POUNDS OVER LAST YEAR TO 5,600 POUNDS.

THE OPTIONAL ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM IS FORD'S INTELLIGENT 4WD, AND THOSE INTERESTED IN OFF PAVEMENT EXCURSIONS WILL FIND UP TO SEVEN DRIVE MODES WITH THE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

DESPITE BEING PHYSICALLY BIGGER, WITH THE NEW CHASSIS ADDING OVER 6.0 INCHES TO WHEELBASE; FORD HAS MAINTAINED MOSTLY THE SAME LOOK.

THE ROOFLINE DOES SLOPE A LITTLE MORE, AND OVERHANGS ARE NOTICEABLY SHORTER, BUT OTHERWISE THERE'S NO MAJOR DEPARTURE.

SEATING FOR SEVEN IS STANDARD, THOUGH IN UPPER TRIM LEVELS THAT NUMBER FALLS TO SIX WITH 2ND ROW CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS.

SPECS SAY, ALL THREE ROWS ARE ROOMIER, AND INDEED IT FELT THAT WAY TO US.

THE 2ND ROW BEING PARTICULARLY COMFORTABLE; 3RD, STILL A LITTLE TIGHT FOR ADULTS.

FORD DID THEIR BEST TO PACK EXPLORER FULL OF TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING AN AVAILABLE 10 INCH VERTICALLY-ORIENTED TABLET THAT'S THE LARGEST SCREEN IN A FORD TO DATE.

BOTH IT, AND THE MANY MANUAL CONTROLS THAT REMAIN, ARE SURPRISINGLY USER-FRIENDLY AND PLACED IN AREAS THAT ARE NOT DISTRACTING TO USE WHILE DRIVING.

AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING IS STANDARD; PART OF FORD'S CO-PILOT360.

BLIND SPOT MONITORING AND ACTIVE DRIVING AIDS CAN BE ADDED AS WELL.

CARGO SPACE, UNDER A STANDARD POWER LIFT-GATE, STARTS AT A GREAT 18.2 CUBIC-FEET BEHIND THE 3RD ROW; FOLDING THE 3RD ROW UPS IT TO 47.9 CUBIC-FEET, WITH A MAX OF 87.8 WITH ALL SEATS FOLDED.

WITH ALL HYBRID HARDWARE PACKAGED UNDER THE REAR SEAT, THOSE NUMBERS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME IN THE EXPLORER HYBRID.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, THIS EXPLORER REMAINS A VERY COMFORTABLE, PREDICTABLE VEHICLE TO DRIVE.

DURING OUR EARLY SEAT TIME IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, WE SPENT THE BULK OF OUR STINT IN THE NEW HYBRID, AND ACCELERATION WAS QUITE IMPRESSIVE, AS WAS OVERALL POWERTRAIN SMOOTHNESS.

WE EVEN GOT OFF THE PAVEMENT A BIT AND FOUND LOTS OF GRIP IN ALL SITUATIONS WE ENCOUNTERED, AS WELL AS A VERY SOLID OVERALL FEEL.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR THE HYBRID AREN'T FINALIZED, BUT THE REST OF THE LINEUP RANGES FROM 18-CITY, 24-HIGHWAY, AND 20-COMBINED FOR AN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE V6, TO 21-CITY, 28-HIGHWAY, AND 24-COMBINED FOR THE 4-CYLINDER.

A BASE EXPLORER IS STILL A RELATIVE BARGAIN, AT $33,860.

TOP LEVEL PLATINUM GOES FOR $59,345, AND THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS IN BETWEEN, INCLUDING THE HYBRID, WHICH AS FOR NOW, IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN LIMITED TRIM, STARTING AT $53,375.

SO, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE FRONT OR REAR WHEELS ARE PROVIDING THE BULK OF THE POWER, THIS 2020 FORD EXPLORER IS INDEED STILL AN EXPLORER.

BUT, WITH 7.5 MILLION HAVING BEEN BUILT, WE'D SAY, IT'S EXPLORING DAYS ARE JUST ABOUT OVER, HAVING PASSED THROUGH COLONIZATION, AND WELL ON ITS WAY TO NATION BUILDING.

SO, EXPLORER NATION, YOUR NEW RIDE HAS ARRIVED, AND IT'S STILL LOOKING TO CLAIM MORE GROUND.

WELL, THAT'S OUR SHOW, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.

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WHEN WE CHECK OUT A NEW CHOICE IN DOMESTIC LUXURY UTES, THE THREE-ROW CADILLAC XT6.

AND THEN, DESIGNERS DREAMS YIELD AN ARTISTIC HATCHBACK, THE VOLKSWAGEN ARTEON.

UNTIL THEN, I'M JOHN DAVIS, WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK .

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