
2020 Range Rover Evoque & 2019 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
Season 38 Episode 36 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
2020 Range Rover Evoque & 2019 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
This week, the stylish Range Rover Evoque adds a bigger dose of power and sophistication. Pat Goss has advice on replacing thinner threads. Brian Robinson monkeys around on a couple nostalgic Honda motorcycles. Finally, we drop the top and escape the ordinary in the Volkswagen Beetle Convertible.
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2020 Range Rover Evoque & 2019 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
Season 38 Episode 36 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
This week, the stylish Range Rover Evoque adds a bigger dose of power and sophistication. Pat Goss has advice on replacing thinner threads. Brian Robinson monkeys around on a couple nostalgic Honda motorcycles. Finally, we drop the top and escape the ordinary in the Volkswagen Beetle Convertible.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipHI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !
JOIN US AS THE STYLISH RANGE ROVER EVOQUE ADDS A BIGGER DOSE OF POWER AND SOPHISTICATION... PAT GOSS WITH ADVICE ON REPLACING THINNER THREADS... BRIAN ROBINSON MONKEYS AROUND ON TWO NOSTALGIC HONDAS... AND WE DROP THE TOP AND ESCAPE THE ORDINARY, IN THE FINAL VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE...
SO, COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.
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John: EIGHT YEARS IS A LONG TIME FOR A VEHICLE LIFECYCLE THESE DAYS.
BUT THAT'S HOW LONG THE FIRST GEN LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER EVOQUE HAS BEEN AROUND.
ONE REASON, IT'S LOOK WAS CLEARLY AHEAD OF ITS TIME, AND IT'S A LOOK THAT'S STILL MORE MODERN THAN MOST OF ITS COMPACT LUXURY CROSSOVER RIVALS.
BUT TO SOME IT WAS STILL TOO MUCH FORM OVER FUNCTION.
SO, LET'S SEE IF THE ALL NEW SECOND GENERATION EVOQUE CHANGES THAT REALITY... * THE RANGE ROVER EVOQUE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LOOKER.
BUT NOW, THAT IT HAS EVERYONE'S ATTENTION, FOR ITS LONG ANTICIPATED 2ND GENERATION, LAND ROVER FOCUSED THEIR ATTENTION ON PUTTING A LOT MORE FUNCTIONALITY INTO THE 2020 EDITION.
NOT THAT THEY'VE NEGLECTED EVOQUE'S BREAKOUT STYLING.
LAND ROVER CALLS THE NEW DIRECTION "REDUCTIONIST," WHICH IS TO SAY, THEY KEPT THE SAME BASIC SLOPED FLOATING ROOF AND HIGH BELT-LINE, BUT ESSENTIALLY TOOK A BUFFER TO IT, REDUCING MOST OF THE SHARP LINES AND ANGLES OF THE ORIGINAL.
THE OVERALL FOOTPRINT REMAINS ALMOST THE SAME; JUST A FEW MILLIMETERS OF WHEELBASE STRETCH.
YET, THEY WERE ABLE TO RECONFIGURE AND MAKE A BETTER INTERIOR PACKAGE.
IT'S NOT QUITE TARTUS-LIKE INSIDE, BUT THERE'S NOTICEABLY MORE LEGROOM FOR BACK SEATERS.
THE SPACE IS CLEAN AND UNCLUTTERED LOOKING, WITH MOST CONTROLS FALLING READILY TO HAND, AND OF COURSE MATERIALS ARE PRIME PLUS "ECO-FRIENDLY."
TECH UPGRADES INCLUDE A CLEAR SIGHT GROUND VIEW CAMERA THAT ALLOWS YOU TO SEE THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE EVOQUE FOR NAVIGATING TRICKY OFF-ROAD SITUATIONS.
AND, A CLEAR SIGHT HD REAR VIEW MIRROR, SO YOU CAN PACK THE CARGO AREA FULL, AND STILL BE ABLE TO MONITOR YOUR "6."
DOING SO, WILL MEAN YOU'VE GOT 21.5 CUBIC-FEET OF STUFF; FOLDING THE REAR SEATBACKS WILL EXPAND THE SPACE TO 50.5 CUBIC-FEET.
THE LATEST VERSION OF LAND ROVER'S INCONTROL TOUCH PRO IS AVAILABLE TO HANDLE MULTIMEDIA DUTY, AND THERE'S MORE FRONT STORAGE SPACE FOR ALL THE THINGS WE SEEM TO BRING ALONG THESE DAYS.
THERE'S NEW TECH UNDER THE HOOD AS WELL.
OUTPUT FROM THE BASE 2.0 LITER I4 TURBO IS 246 HORSEPOWER.
THAT'S UP 4% OVER LAST YEAR; TORQUE OUTPUT JUMPS EVEN HIGHER, AT 269 POUND-FEET UP 7%.
BUT, CHOOSE THE OPTIONAL 48 VOLT MILD HYBRID SYSTEM AND YOU NOT ONLY BOOST AROUND TOWN EFFICIENCY, BUT ADD 50 HORSEPOWER AS WELL.
OUR FIRST DRIVE WAS NOT EXACTLY THE TOUGHEST ASSIGNMENT WE'VE HAD RECENTLY; EXCLUSIVE FRONT SEAT TIME IN GREECE.
Dave Scrivener: THE EVOQUE IS ALL-NEW FOR 2020, AND IT'S A MUCH MORE REFINED VEHICLE IN TERMS OF RIDE, AND HANDLING, AND INTERIOR NOISE.
THEY'VE STRENGTHENED AND STIFFENED THE BODY STRUCTURE IN KEY AREAS LIKE, SUSPENSION MOUNTING POINTS, SO IT SOAKS UP BUMPS BETTER.
WE TACKLED SOME PRETTY CHALLENGING OFF-ROADING THROUGH THE OLIVE GROVES HERE IN GREECE, AND WITH A FULL COMPLEMENT OF TERRAIN RESPONSE SYSTEMS, IT'S PRETTY CAPABLE.
THE EVOQUE MAY HAVE A PRETTY FACE, BUT IT'S NO CUTE-UTE.
John: THAT MORE SUBSTANTIAL PRESENCE, COMES COURTESY OF A NEW PREMIUM TRANSVERSE ARCHITECTURE, AND IT GOES A LONG WAY TOWARDS MAKING THE RIDE, A LOT LESS CHOPPY THAN BEFORE.
NOT ONLY IS ALL-WHEEL DRIVE STANDARD, BUT LAND ROVER'S TERRAIN RESPONSE 2 IS AVAILABLE IN THE RANGE ROVER EVOQUE FOR THE FIRST TIME.
IT DOES A REMARKABLY EFFECTIVE JOB OF MAXIMIZING AVAILABLE TRACTION IN JUST ABOUT EVERY SITUATION.
THE ONLY THING THAT HAMPERED THE WHOLE PROCESS WAS AN OCCASIONAL INOPPORTUNE THRUST OF TURBO BOOST, JUST WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO BE EASY ON THE THROTTLE TO NAVIGATE THROUGH A DELICATE SITUATION.
WHILE, IT DOESN'T HAVE THE GROUND CLEARANCE OF OTHER LAND ROVER PRODUCTS, WE STILL FORDED STREAMS, DROVE THROUGH DEEP RUTS, AND BOUNCED ALONG ROCKY PATHS AND DIRT ROADS WITHOUT WORRY.
FEELING VERY COMFORTABLE WHILE DOING SO, WITH NO TEETH-RATTLING THUMPS THROUGH THE SUSPENSION.
THE HIGHWAY RIDE WAS EQUALLY COMPOSED, WITH VERY LITTLE WIND NOISE SEEPING INTO THE CABIN.
WE SPENT MUCH OF TIME WITH THE BASE 2.0 LITER, AND FOUND POWER ADEQUATE, BUT NOT EXACTLY EFFORTLESS AT HIGHER SPEEDS.
THE MILD-HYBRID MANAGED MUCH BETTER.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 20-CITY, 27-HIGHWAY, AND 23-COMBINED; THE MILD-HYBRID DOES ONE BETTER IN THE CITY, BUT ONE WORSE ON THE HIGHWAY.
THAT MAKES FOR AN AVERAGE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE; 14.3 BARRELS OF YEARLY OIL USE, WITH 6.4 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS.
PRICING STARTS AT $43,645; THE R-DYNAMIC MILD-HYBRID, AT $47,595.
FEW SUV LINEUPS ARE AS INSTANTLY RECOGNIZABLE AS THAT OF RANGE ROVER, AND THE 2020 EVOQUE CONTINUES TO BE THE TINY TERROR THAT STICKS OUT THE MOST.
YES, IT'S NOW, A LITTLE MORE PRACTICAL, AND HAS LEGITIMATE OFF-ROADING CHOPS.
STILL, IT'S THE EVOQUE'S ABILITY TO CRAM RANGE ROVER LUXURY AND LAND ROVER CAPABILITY, INTO A TINY, BEAUTIFUL, COHESIVE PACKAGE THAT MAKES IT AGAIN A WINNER FOR US.
* PEOPLE TEND TO FORGET THAT IT WAS MOTORCYCLES, NOT CARS, THAT ORIGINALLY BROUGHT HONDA TO AMERICA.
THEIR 1960s, "YOU MEET THE NICEST PEOPLE ON A HONDA" AD CAMPAIGN, NOT ONLY DID WONDERS FOR THEM, BUT FOR MOTORCYCLING IN GENERAL.
SO, WE SENT OUR TWO WHEELIN' BRIAN ROBINSON TO FIND OUT IF THAT STILL RINGS TRUE, BUT AS USUAL, WE FOUND HIM JUST MONKEYING AROUND.
* Brian Robinson: YES, IT'S STREET LEGAL, AND YES, YOU WANT ONE.
IT'S CALLED "THE MONKEY," AND ALONG WITH THE SUPER CUB, IT'S PART OF A ONE...TWO PUNCH OF NOSTALGIA FROM HONDA.
IT'S HARD NOT TO GET EMOTIONAL WHEN YOU SEE THIS 2019 HONDA MONKEY.
AFTER ALL, CHANCES ARE GOOD YOUR FIRST EXPOSURE TO MOTORCYCLING WAS A HONDA MINI TRAIL THAT WAS USED TO TERRORIZE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
YES, IT WAS HONDA THAT BROUGHT BACKYARD MOTORCYCLING TO THE MASSES WITH THE Z50.
WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS NOT AN EXACT COPY, BUT THE FUN AND FRIENDLY SPIRIT OF IT LIVES ON IN THE MONKEY.
AND THANKFULLY, IT'S NOT A COPY, AS WHILE 125CCS IS NOT A LOT THESE DAYS, IT BEATS THE MINI TRAIL'S 50; STILL JUST A SINGLE CYLINDER OF COURSE.
THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL, NOW FOUR SPEEDS.
AND WITH NOSTALGIA-SEEKING ADULTS THE INTENDED BUYERS, NOT KIDS; IT'S BIGGER AS WELL.
I WOULDN'T SAY, IT'S PERFECT FOR MY 6-FOOT FRAME, AS I DO TEND TO FEEL LIKE THE MONKEY HERE, BUT IT WORKS BETTER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD.
TOP SPEED IS AROUND 60 MILES PER HOUR, SO YOU'D BE WISE TO AVOID THE INTERSTATES, BUT IT HAS NO PROBLEMS KEEPING UP WITH TRAFFIC ON TWO LANE BYWAYS AND CITY STREETS.
WHILE, WE USUALLY SAVE PRICING INFORMATION FOR THE GRAND FINALE, IT'D BE PRUDENT TO MENTION IT HERE.
ONLY TO SAY THAT YOU CAN'T EXPECT MUCH IN THE WAY OF A SOPHISTICATED SUSPENSION FOR A BIKE THAT COSTS $4,000.
AND INDEED, IF THERE'S A MINOR BUMP IN THE ROAD, CHANCES ARE IT'LL SOAK IT UP; ANYTHING MORE, YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
THERE'S A NICE DIGITAL GAUGE DISPLAY WITH SPEEDOMETER, AND FUEL GAUGE, AND LED LIGHTING TO REINFORCE THE FACT THAT THIS MONKEY IS INSPIRED BY THE Z50, NOT A REBIRTH OF IT.
BUT, MUCH LIKE THE ORIGINAL MINI TRAIL, THE HONDA MONKEY IS THE PERFECT GATEWAY DRUG TO QUICKLY GET YOU ADDICTED TO THE THRILLS AND FREEDOM THAT MOTORCYCLING PROVIDES.
THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAD?
FIGHTING THE URGE TO CUT THROUGH EVERYONE'S BACKYARD ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK EVERY DAY.
NOW, YOUR CHANCES OF ACTUALLY MEETING ONE OF THOSE NICE PEOPLE ON A HONDA, IS MUCH BETTER WITH THIS SUPER CUB 125.
IT IS ALSO...INSPIRED BY, BUT NOT A DIRECT COPY OF THE SUPER CUB OR CA100 THAT TOOK CALIFORNIA BY STORM IN THE '60s, WHILE ALSO SHOWING UP IN "LIFE" MAGAZINE AND BEACH BOYS SONGS.
WHILE, IT DISAPPEARED FROM OUR MARKET IN THE MID-70s, SOME VERSION OF THE SUPER CUB HAS BEEN SOLD IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD EVER SINCE.
NOW, IT RETURNS HERE AS THE C125; FEATURING THE SAME 125CC SINGLE CYLINDER ENGINE AS THE MONKEY.
EVEN MORE MODERN THAN THE MONKEY, HERE YOU GET KEYLESS IGNITION; AND A TRICK CLUTCHLESS MANUAL 4-SPEED TRANSMISSION.
IT FEELS MUCH DIFFERENT TO RIDE TOO, THANKS TO ITS 17.0 INCH WHEELS AND SKINNY 90-SERIES TIRES.
AND PRICE.
IT'S EVEN CHEAPER THAN THE MONKEY, STARTING AT JUST $3,599.
ALL TOLD, THESE ARE TWO TINY HONDAS THAT HAVE BIG APPEAL, WHETHER YOU'RE OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THE ORIGINALS OR NOT.
John: YOU KNOW, CARS ARE LIKE HOUSES, THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO KEEP UP.
SO, LET'S SEE WHAT PAT'S UP TO DOWN IN GOSS' GARAGE.
Pat Goss: PROBABLY, THE MOST ABUSED PART OF THE INTERIOR OF ANY CAR IS ITS CARPETING.
LET'S FACE IT, IT GETS DIRTY, IT GETS CHEMICALS FROM YOUR SHOES, AND YOU SCUFF AROUND ON IT AS YOU MOVE AND SO ON.
THAT MEANS, THAT EVEN RELATIVELY LATE MODEL CARS ARE GOING TO NEED CARPET REPLACEMENT.
NOW, IS IT A DO IT YOURSELF?
YEAH, COULD BE, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW.
FIRST, YOU NEED TO BUY MOLDED CARPETING SUCH AS WE HAVE HERE.
THIS IS MOLDED SO THAT FITS AROUND THE CURVES.
FLAT CARPETING, UNLESS YOU'RE AN EXPERT AT CUTTING, AND TRIMMING, AND SO ON, YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO GET IT TO FIT ALL THE LUMPS, AND BUMPS ON THE INSIDE OF YOUR CAR.
ALRIGHT NOW, THE MOLDED CARPETING, SOME OF IT WILL BE LIKE, WE HAVE HERE.
THIS HAS A RUBBERIZED BACK TO DEADEN MORE SOUND, KEEP THE INSIDE OF THE CAR MORE LIVABLE.
SOME PIECES OF OUR KIT CAME IN ACTUALLY TWO PARTS.
THE PADDING, WHICH IS SEPARATE FROM THE CARPETING ITSELF...
SO YOU INSTALL IT AS TWO PIECES.
ALSO, YOU CAN UPGRADE, LIKE OUR KIT HAS THE HEAL REST HERE FOR THE PEDALS, THE ORIGINAL DID NOT.
AND HERE'S A TRICK, YOU MAY HAVE TO USE A KNIFE TO TRIM THE CARPETING.
AND THE THING YOU HAVE THE MOST PROBLEM WITH IS REALLY SIMPLE TO OVERCOME, AND THAT'S FINDING THE HOLES WHERE THE BOLTS GO BACK THROUGH THE CARPETING.
THE TRICK IS, YOU TAKE THE BOLTS, YOU SCREW THEM BACK INTO THE FLOOR, AND YOU LEAVE THEM THERE... LAY THE CARPETING... THEN, USE THE KNIFE TO CUT A CROSS OVER THE BOLT, SO THEY CAN BE PULLED UP THROUGH THE CARPETING.
THAT WAY YOU HAVE THE PROPER POSITION FOR THE HOLES, FOR THE BOLTS.
WE LET THE PROFESSIONALS AND PAYMER, AND PHILLIPS, MARYLAND'S BIGGEST TRIM, AND UPHOLSTERY SHOP HANDLE THIS JOB FOR US, AND HERE'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY.
THEY HAVE THE TOOLS AND EXPERIENCE TO HANDLE ANY PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE WITH THE INSTALLATION.
AND IN OUR CASE, THEY APPLIED STEAM TO THE RUBBER BACKING OF THE CARPET TO MAKE IT MORE PLIABLE AND TO MAKE IT CONFORM BETTER TO THE SHAPE OF THE WHEEL WELLS.
THAT'S A NIFTY TRICK.
THEY ALSO, REUSE THE BACKER BOARD AND PADDING FOR THE TAILGATE, AND REAR SIDE PANELS, AND INSTALLED THE NEW CARPET ON THOSE.
THE CARPET MAKES A NICE FINISH TO OUR INTERIOR RESTORATION ON THE JEEP.
NOW, THIS COULD BE A DO IT YOURSELF PROJECT, BUT BEFORE YOU GET INTO DOING IT YOURSELF, MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE TOOLS NECESSARY AND YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT'S INVOLVED, AND THAT YOU HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF DOING IT YOURSELF.
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE, RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .
Stephanie Hart: A LEGENDARY NAME AND ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED VEHICLES IS CLOSER TO HITTING THE ROAD... AND WE HAVE THE VIDEO.
OUR SPY VIDEOGRAPHERS SPOTTED THIS CAMOUFLAGED 2-DOOR 2020 FORD BRONCO IN MICHIGAN.
WITH HIGH GROUND CLEARANCE AND ALL-TERRAIN TIRES, FORD IS APPARENTLY FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH THEIR PROMISE TO MAKE THE NEW BRONCO, A RUGGED MIDSIZE UTILITY TARGETING THE JEEP WRANGLER.
THE BRONCO WILL BE BUILT ALONGSIDE THE NEW RANGER, USING MUCH SAME BODY-ON-FRAME CHASSIS AND MECHANICALS, INCLUDING A BASE 2.3 LITER TURBO 4-CYLINDER ENGINE.
BRONCO MAY TURN OUT TO BE A SUB-BRAND WITH AN ESCAPE-DERIVED MINI-BRONCO TO FOLLOW.
FORD BUILT BRONCOS FOR 30 YEARS ENDING IN 1996.
EXPECT SALES TO START IN 2020.
John: THEY KEEP MAKING THEM, AND WE KEEP DRIVING THEM.
SO, LET'S GO FOR A QUICKSPIN.
* IN A WORLD WHERE UNIBODY, CAR-BASED CROSSOVERS FILL UP MOST LANES, THE 2019 TOYOTA 4RUNNER STAYS TRUE TO ITS TRUCKIN' SUV ROOTS.
THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AFTER ITS DEBUT, IT'S STILL BODY-ON-FRAME.
[ENGINE STARTS UP] A TORQUEY 270 HORSEPOWER 4.0 LITER V6 ROARS TO LIFE MATCHED WITH A 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC.
OUR TRD PRO'S NEWLY OUTFITTED SUSPENSION WITH FOX INTERNAL BYPASS SHOCKS AND AN EXTRA INCH OF WHEEL TRAVEL PROVES VERY TAUT ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT SLOW DOWN AND LEAVE THE ROAD, AND THE SET UP QUICKLY ADJUSTS TO THE TOUGHEST GROUND.
A MULTI-TERRAIN SELECT SYSTEM AIDS IN COPING WITH WHATEVER IT MEETS.
AN UPDATED ALUMINUM FRONT SKID PLATE IS READY TO PLAY ROUGH, PERFECTLY MATCHED TO ITS OLD SCHOOL, 4-WHEEL DRIVE WITH 2-SPEED TRANSFER CASE.
WITH A GROUND CLEARANCE RANGING FROM 9 TO 9.6 INCHES, YOU DO FEEL THE HEIGHT INSIDE.
THE STRAIGHTFORWARD SWITCHGEAR HAS PLENTY OF BIG KNOBS AND BUTTONS.
THE COMPANY SAYS, "SMART PHONE INTEGRATION AND TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE ARE COMING NEXT YEAR."
SO, 10-YEARS INTO ITS 5TH GENERATION THE UPDATED 2019 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HOLDS ON TO ALL OF THE TRUCK-STYLE TOUGHNESS THAT MADE IT A GO-TO AMONG OFF-ROAD PURISTS.
ON SALE NOW, STARTING AT JUST OVER $35,000.
WE'RE OFF TO GREECE, SOAKING UP THE SUN IN THE 2020 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA S CABRIOLET.
PORSCHE IS NO STRANGER TO OPEN AIR DRIVING, BEFORE THE 911...
THERE WERE 356 CONVERTIBLES.
IN 1965 THE 911 TARGA TOOK OVER THE TOP DOWN DRIVING DUTIES... UNTIL THE 911 CABRIOLET DEBUTED FOR 1983.
THIS NEWEST ADDITION TO THE 8TH GENERATION 911, FOLLOWS THE COUPE BY A FEW MONTHS.
LIKE, THE BENCHMARK HARD TOP, A TWIN-TURBO 3.0 LITER FLAT-SIX PUMPS OUT 443 HORSEPOWER, MATED TO A RAPID FIRE 8-SPEED PDK DUAL-CLUTCH AUTOMATIC.
AND YES, A MANUAL IS COMING.
THE TOP IS FUNCTIONAL ART, DROPPING IN A SMOOTH 12 SECONDS FROM UP TO 31 MPH.
WHEN UP ITS NEARLY AS QUIET AS THE COUPE... WITH A SILHOUETTE JUST AS EVOLUTIONARY AS THE ENCLOSED CABIN TWIN.
Ben Davis: ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT HAVING THE TOP DOWN IN MY OPINION, IS WHEN YOU DO WANT TO DRIVE IT SPIRITEDLY, WHICH FOR ME WOULD BE 90% OF THE TIME, YOU HAVE A FULL OPEN EAR TO EVERY SOUND THIS THING MAKES FROM THE BACK END.
YOU HEAR THE HEAVY DRAW OF THE INTAKE, THE WISPY CAPPUCCINO LIKE, MACHINE SOUNDS OF THE TURBOCHARGER, IT'S DEFINITELY THE WAY TO GET A LOT CLOSER TO YOUR 911.
John: FOR THE FIRST TIME 911 CARRERA S AND 4S CABRIOLET MODELS CAN BE OUTFITTED WITH THE COUPE'S PASM SPORT SUSPENSION, WITH STIFFER SPRINGS, SWAY BARS AND A 0.39 INCH LOWER RIDE HEIGHT.
PORSCHE KNOWS HOW TO CREATE EXHILARATING DRIVING...
DROPPING THE TOP JUST ADDS TO THE ADRENALINE RUSH.
THE 2020 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA S CABRIOLET STARTS AT ABOUT $126,000... WITH THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE CARRERA 4S CABRIOLET BEGINNING AT JUST OVER $133,000.
BOTH SHOW UP THIS SUMMER.
EVER SINCE IT ARRIVED FOR 2004, THE MAZDA3 HAS STOOD OUT FROM THE CROWD AND BECOME THE BRAND'S BEST SELLER.
AS THE KODO DESIGN LANGUAGE MATURES...
THE 2019 MAZDA3 SEDAN AND HATCHBACK'S LOWER STANCE DELIVER A MORE AGGRESSIVE EXTERIOR.
UNDER ITS BEAUTIFUL METAL IS A 186 HORSEPOWER SKYACTIV-G 2.5 LITER 4-CYLINDER ENGINE.
IT WORKS WITH G-VECTORING CONTROL PLUS TO DELIVER THE FUN FACTOR.
A PRECISE SHIFTING 6-SPEED, FRONT DRIVE AUTOMATIC IS STANDARD, WITH A 6-SPEED MANUAL AVAILABLE FOR THE 5-DOOR.
NOW, ALL-WHEEL DRIVE CAN BE ADDED TO EITHER MODEL.
THE SUSPENSION CONSISTS OF MACPHERSON STRUTS UP FRONT, BUT SWAPS OUT A MULTI-LINK REAR FOR A MORE COMPACT TORSION BEAM.
BUT, IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE A SERIOUS NEGATIVE.
Kyle Scanlon: NOW, AFTER A FEW HOURS IN THE CAR, BOTH ON ROAD, AND OFF-ROAD, I CAN HONESTLY SAY, IT IS BOTH VERY COMFORTABLE AND VERY CAPABLE.
THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE TECHNOLOGY REALLY HELPS YOU FEEL THE ROAD, AND MAKES IT A DRIVER'S CAR.
John: THE QUIETER INTERIOR FEATURES SOOTHING SMOOTH LINES.
A LARGER 8.8 INCH INFOTAINMENT SCREEN... AND USER FRIENDLY CONTROLS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.
THE TECHNOLOGY CAN NOW DETECT WHEN THE DRIVER NEEDS TO TAKE A BREAK.
THE 2019 MAZDA3 IS A COMPACT PACKAGE THAT DELIVERS BIG RESULTS IN ALL THE WAYS THAT MATTER.
DEALERS HAVE THEM STARTING AT $21,000.
AND WE'LL HAVE MORE QUICKSPINS SOON!
AS EXCITED AS WE WERE TO SAY HELLO TO THE NEW BEETLE WHEN IT RETURNED FOR 1998, WE'RE JUST AS SAD TO BE SAYING GOODBYE TO IT, AGAIN, IN 2019.
YES, WE'VE BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD BEFORE.
SO MAYBE IT'S NOT SO MUCH GOODBYE, AS SEE YOU LATER.
WHATEVER THE CASE, HERE'S A LOOK AT THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE FINAL EDITION.
* A LOT IS MADE IN THE SPORTS WORLD ABOUT PLAYERS HANGING ON TOO LONG, VERSES RETIRING ON THEIR OWN TERMS WHEN THEY'RE SEEMINGLY IN THE PRIME OF THEIR CAREERS.
WELL, THE 2019 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE IS NOT EXACTLY AT THE TOP OF ITS GAME RIGHT NOW, BUT NEITHER IS IT MERELY A SHADOW OF ITS FORMER SELF.
REGARDLESS, IT'S GOING OFF THE FIELD WITH A SPECIAL FINAL EDITION.
LAST REVIVED FOR 2012, WHEN VOLKSWAGEN DROPPED "NEW" FROM THE NAME, AND ATTEMPTED TO INJECT SOME TESTOSTERONE INTO THE BUG; PUSHING THE PROPORTIONS REARWARD, AND SHARPENING THE EDGES, REPLACING THE CUTE LOOK FOR MORE OF A HOT ROD VIBE.
THIS FINAL EDITION BEETLE CONVERTIBLES SPORTS ALLOY WHEELS, 17s ON OUR SE TESTER, AND A SPECIAL TRUNK "BEETLE" BADGE.
TOP OPERATION IS SIMPLE ENOUGH, WITH A SINGLE BUTTON TO PRESS IN THE WINDSHIELD HEADER.
IT FOLDS BEHIND THE REAR SEATS, AND OFF YOU GO, UNLESS YOU WANT TO PROTECT IT, OR MAINTAIN A SNAPPY LOOK, THEN PAUSE AND SNAP ON THE TONNEAU COVER.
FRONT SEATS ARE SPACIOUS AND COMFORTABLE AS ALWAYS, HERE WEARING UNIQUE CLOTH.
OTHER NOTABLE EXTRAS ARE BEETLE LOGOED STEERING WHEEL, STAINLESS TRIM ON THE PEDALS AND DOOR SILLS, DISTINCTIVE DASH-PAD AND BLACK TRIM, AND UPGRADED COMPOSITION MEDIA INFOTAINMENT.
REAR SEATS REMAIN A DIFFICULT PROPOSITION EVEN FOR CHILDREN.
AND THE CARGO AREA IS EVEN MORE MODEST, AT 7.1 CUBIC-FEET, IT DOES BEAT THE MIATA THOUGH.
BUT, THE BEETLE CONVERTIBLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE AND CARES BEHIND, CATCHING SOME RAYS, AND SEARCHING OUT NEW EXPERIENCES.
IF THE WEATHER "HARSHES YOUR MELLOW," NO NEED TO WORRY, TOP UP THE BEETLE'S INTERIOR IS SURPRISINGLY QUIET AT SPEED, WITH VERY LITTLE WIND NOISE WORKING ITS WAY INSIDE.
UNLIKE THE GOOD OLD DAYS, THERE'S NO DIESEL ENGINE OR MANUAL TRANSMISSION; JUST ONE POWERTRAIN COMBO AND IT'S A GOOD ONE.
THE 2.0 LITER 4-CYLINDER TURBO OUTPUTS 174 HORSEPOWER AND 184 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, AND WORKS THROUGH A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC.
AT OUR TEST TRACK, THEY PROVIDED THE MEANS TO GET TO 60 IN 8.1 SECONDS.
NOW, THAT WON'T WIN YOU TOO MANY STOP LIGHT GRAND PRIXS, BUT IT DOES FEEL QUICKER THAN THAT, AND EVEN SPINS UP THE TIRES A LITTLE BIT AT LAUNCH.
SHIFTS ARE SMOOTH AND TIMELY, HELPING US FINISH OUT THE QUARTER MILE IN 16.2 SECONDS AT 89 MILES PER HOUR.
THERE'S A SOFT FEEL TO THE BEETLE, WHETHER IN COUPE OR CONVERTIBLE FORM, BUT STILL VERY LITTLE BODY ROLL, AND IT'S RESPONSIVE ENOUGH TO REMIND YOU THAT THIS PLATFORM CARRIED MANY A SPORTY GOLF AND JETTA BACK IN THE DAY.
IT ALL MAKES YOU WONDER WHY THE BEETLE IS GOING AWAY.
WELL, THE TRUTH IS, VOLKSWAGEN WAS NEVER ABLE TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING AFTER THE ORIGINAL NEW BEETLE FANFARE DIED DOWN.
AND VOLKSWAGEN JUST DOESN'T SEE A GOOD BUSINESS CASE FOR IT GOING FORWARD.
BUT, WE'VE LEARNED TO NEVER SAY NEVER; ESPECIALLY WHEN THE BEETLE IS CONCERNED.
IT WOULD MAKE A DARLING EV.
RIGHT NOW, GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 26-CITY, 33-HIGHWAY, AND 29-COMBINED.
WE AVERAGED A GREAT 34.6 MILES PER GALLON ON REGULAR.
PERHAPS, THE MOST CONFOUNDING THING ABOUT THIS FINAL EDITION, IS NOT THAT THE BEETLE'S GOING AWAY, OR THE FACT THAT IT'S AVAILABLE IN BOTH SE AND SEL TRIMS; IT'S THAT EVEN WITH ALL OF THE UPDATES, IT IS ACTUALLY CHEAPER THAN A COMPARABLE NON-FINAL EDITION BEETLE.
A BEETLE SE CONVERTIBLE GOES FOR $29,290.
THIS FINAL EDITION SE, $28,190; THE SEL, FOR $30,890.
AND OF COURSE, YOU CAN GET A COUPE AS WELL FOR JUST $23,940.
SO, THIS REVIEW OF THE 2019 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE FINAL EDITION MAY HAVE BEEN DONE PURELY BASED ON NOSTALGIA AND DESIRE TO GIVE IT ONE LAST RIDE.
OR, IT COULD BE THAT WE'RE JUST SUCKERS FOR CUTE AND ENTERTAINING CONVERTIBLES.
DOESN'T MATTER, ITS WAY MORE FUN THAN IT SHOULD BE.
AND, IF A VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE IS SPEAKING TO YOU, YOU'D BETTER ACT NOW BEFORE IT'S GONE FOR GOOD...WE THINK.
WELL, THAT'S OUR SHOW, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.
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AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME... FOR A BIG AND BRAWNY KIA, THE 3-ROW TELLURIDE.
AND THEN, MORE EV MILES AND POWER FROM THE NISSAN LEAF PLUS.
UNTIL THEN, I'M JOHN DAVIS, WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK.
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