
2020 Lexus RC F Track Edition & 2020 Lincoln Corsair
Season 39 Episode 27 | 26m 48sVideo has Closed Captions
2020 Lexus RC F Track Edition & 2020 Lincoln Corsair
Join us this week as we ride in luxury on the track with the Lexus RC F Track Edition. Then, Pat Goss makes sure we can see clearly with our rearview cameras. And Zach Maskell enjoys the high life of RVs. Finally, we drive the Lincoln Corsair which is a compact utility that's high on style.
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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.

2020 Lexus RC F Track Edition & 2020 Lincoln Corsair
Season 39 Episode 27 | 26m 48sVideo has Closed Captions
Join us this week as we ride in luxury on the track with the Lexus RC F Track Edition. Then, Pat Goss makes sure we can see clearly with our rearview cameras. And Zach Maskell enjoys the high life of RVs. Finally, we drive the Lincoln Corsair which is a compact utility that's high on style.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipHI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !
JOIN US FOR LUXURY WITH AN INFUSION OF SPEED, THE LEXUS RC F TRACK EDITION... PAT GOSS ON ENSURING A CLEAR VIEW FROM EVERY ANGLE... ZACH MASKELL FINDS EVERYTHING GOES IN MOBILE LIVING... AND A COMPACT UTILITY THAT'S HIGH ON STYLE, THE LINCOLN CORSAIR...
SO, COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.
* Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY... Announcer: YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR TIRES ONLINE AND YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.
Man 1: I DO.
Announcer: WE'RE TIRERACK.COM, AND WE HAVE ANSWERS, AND TOOLS TO HELP.
Man 2: LIKE OUR TIRE DECISION GUIDE.
IT'S A...TAKE A LOOK.
Man 1: OH.
Announcer: FIND...DELIVER...INSTALL...
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: JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO, WE DROVE AN UPDATED LEXUS RC F COUPE.
AND WHILE, WE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED OUR TIME WITH IT, IT WAS HARD NOT TO TEMPER OUR ENTHUSIASM, KNOWING THAT THIS CAR WAS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.
IT'S THE RC F TRACK EDITION, AND IT IS INDEED ALL ABOUT GOING FAST IN FAST CORNERS.
SO, LET'S HIT THE TRACK AND TAKE IN A FEW!
* LEXUS, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
YOU USED TO BE SO STAID, SO CONSERVATIVE, AND YES...EVEN BORING.
NOW, YOUR FACE IS DOWNRIGHT CONFRONTATIONAL, AND YOU'RE PUSHING YOUR RADICAL PERFORMANCE AGENDA LIKE NEVER BEFORE.
INDEED, THAT IS THIS 2020 RC F TRACK EDITION.
AND SINCE, TRACK EDITION IS RIGHT THERE IN THE NAME, LET'S GET RIGHT TO IT, ON THE SANDY SURFACE OF SAVANNAH'S ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY.
WHAT AN AWESOME CAR TO DRIVE.
YES, WE JUST SAID THAT ABOUT A LEXUS.
FROM THE MOMENT YOU CLIMB INTO THE JET FIGHTER-LIKE COCKPIT, THIS CAR FEELS READY FOR BATTLE.
THE SEATS ARE VERY AGGRESSIVELY BOLSTERED FOR A LUXURY CAR, AND HOLD YOU IN PLACE ON TRACK, BUT DO SO WITH COMFORT WORTHY OF THE BRAND.
AS FOR GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS, LEXUS MAKES IT PRETTY EASY; JUST HIT THE START BUTTON, PUT IT IN SPORT S+ FOR MAX PERFORMANCE FROM THE ADAPTIVE VARIABLE SUSPENSION, AND GO.
AND, BOY WILL IT GO.
ITS 5.0 LITER NATURALLY ASPIRATED V8 IS A RARE BEAST IN THE LUXURY SPORT COUPE WORLD, AND WE'RE GLAD IT'S STILL AROUND.
IT GAINS A FEW MORE HORSEPOWER FOR '20, NOW AT 472, WITH SOME ADDITIONAL TORQUE AS WELL, AT 395 POUND-FEET.
THE UPGRADES COME FROM IMPROVING AIRFLOW BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE ENGINE; AS WELL AS SOFTWARE REPROGRAMMING, WHICH ALSO PROVIDES QUICKER THROTTLE RESPONSE.
IT'S A FAIRLY EASY REAR-WHEEL DRIVE CAR TO LAUNCH; LOTS OF GRIP, AND A CHASSIS THAT LIKES TO HUNKER DOWN AND SPRING OFF THE LINE.
WE HIT 60 IN 4.4 SECONDS.
THIS 8 ALSO LIKES TO REV.
THERE'S ABUNDANT TORQUE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE BAND, THOUGH POWER REALLY SEEMS TO COME ON VERY STRONG BETWEEN 5,000 AND 7,000 RPM.
THE 8-SPEED SPORT DIRECT-SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DELIVERED TIMELY SHIFTS, SHORT ON LAG, AND LONG ON AGGRESSION, HELPING US COMPLETE THE QUARTER MILE IN 12.8 SECONDS AT 114 MILES PER HOUR.
STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED SHIFTERS FOR MANUAL TRIGGERING IF YOU CHOOSE, AND THE NEW TITANIUM EXHAUST SYSTEM SOUNDS FANTASTIC BOTH INSIDE THE CAR AND OUT.
THE ENGINE FEELS PLENTY STRONG DELIVERING POWER FOR GETTING OUT OF THE TURNS AS WELL.
HELPING DEPLOY IT, IS AN UPGRADED LIMITED SLIP REAR, NOT THE TORQUE-VECTORING DIFF AVAILABLE IN THE STANDARD RC F. IN ADDITION TO THE VARIABLE SUSPENSION, THE ACTUAL HARDWARE GETS UPGRADED TOO, WITH LIGHTER COMPONENTS, AND UNIQUE DAMPERS; AS WELL AS FORGED 19 INCH WHEELS.
AND INDEED, YOU WON'T FEEL TOO MUCH BODY ROLL IN CORNERS.
CARBON CERAMIC BRAKES WITH 6-PISTON BREMBO CALIPERS ARE STANDARD, THEY PROVED MORE THAN TRACK WORTHY; TRACKING STRAIGHT AND TRUE WHEN LATE BRAKING INTO CORNERS, WITH NO FADE TO SPEAK OF.
THE RC F CERTAINLY LOOKS THE PART.
A BIG REAR WING SETS THE TONE; WHILE PURPOSEFUL ELEMENTS SUCH AS A FRONT SPLITTER AND CARBON-FIBER HOOD, AND ROOF, HELP DELIVER THE PERFORMANCE.
THOSE BBS WHEELS NOT ONLY LOOK GREAT, BUT SHAVE WEIGHT WHERE IT'S MOST IMPORTANT; PART OF AN OVERALL WEIGHT LOSS PLAN, THAT SEES THE TRACK EDITION CHECKING IN 176 POUNDS LESS THAN THE STANDARD RC F. THIS BAD TO THE BONE LOOKING MATTE NEBULA GRAY PAINT JOB IS EXCLUSIVE TO THE TRACK EDITION, AND IS ONE OF ONLY TWO COLORS AVAILABLE; THE OTHER BEING ULTRA WHITE.
AWAY FROM THE TRACK, WHEN YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO SLOW DOWN AND CHECK THINGS OUT AROUND THE CABIN, YOU'LL FIND SOME UNIQUE PIECES; BUT NOT ENOUGH TO DISTRACT YOU FROM THE FACT THAT THIS IS THE SAME BASIC SPACE THAT THE RC DEBUTED IN 2015.
ADDITIONS FOR THE TRACK EDITION INCLUDE CIRCUIT RED LEATHER AND ALCANTARA SPORT SEATS, AS WELL AS RED CARPET AND TRIM PIECES.
AMAZINGLY LEXUS' TOUCHPAD IS STILL HERE, THOUGH WE TENDED TO ONLY USE IT WHEN NECESSARY.
REAR SEAT ROOM IS EXPECTEDLY TIGHT, BUT THERE'S ADEQUATE SPACE IN THE TRUNK FOR WEEKENDERS, OR WHATEVER ADVENTURES YOU HAVE IN MIND; AT 10.1 CUBIC-FEET.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 16-CITY, 24-HIGHWAY, AND 19-COMBINED... ...FOR A WORSE THAN AVERAGE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE; CONSUMING 17.3 BARRELS OF OIL YEARLY, WITH 7.6 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS.
CONSIDERING, A BASE RC F COSTS $66,950, AND THIS TRACK EDITION HAS BEEN UPGRADED SO MUCH, IT'S BARELY THE SAME CAR; PRICING IS STIFF BUT NOT UNCOMPETITIVE AT $97,825.
STILL, WITH SO MANY GREAT CHOICES FOR TRACK DAY FUN THESE DAYS, THIS ONE'S PRIMARILY FOR THE LEXUS FAITHFUL.
REGARDLESS, THE 2020 LEXUS RC F TRACK EDITION IS A REFRESHING BREATH OF TRACK DAY FUN, FROM AN UNEXPECTED PLACE, AND PROOF THAT TOYOTA CAN DO HIGH PERFORMANCE RIGHT, IF IT SETS ITS MIND TO IT.
MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, TOYOTA SHOULD KEEP IT IN HOUSE WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR THE NEXT SUPRA.
* ALONG WITH TODAY'S NEWEST CARS AND TRUCKS, EVEN OUR HOMES ARE FILLED WITH THE LATEST IN INNOVATIVE COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE TECHNOLOGIES.
MAYBE THAT'S ONE REASON SO MANY HOUSEHOLDS ARE RELUCTANT TO TAKE LONG FAMILY GETAWAYS.
WE'D SIMPLY MISS ALL OF OUR STUFF!
WELL, OUR ZACH MASKELL WENT OVER THE EDGE AT THE SWEETEST PLACE ON EARTH, TO PROVE YOU CAN TAKE YOUR HOME, ANYWHERE YOU WANT TO GO.
* Zach Maskell: WELCOME TO AMERICA'S LARGEST RV SHOW.
HERE IN HERSHEY, PENNSYLVANIA WE'VE GOT ABOUT 50 MANUFACTURERS AND OVER 1400 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES TO CHECK OUT.
LET'S GET TO IT.
IMAGINE TRYING TO COVER 33 FOOTBALL FIELDS, FULL OF EVERY SIZE CARAVAN.
CHOICES INCLUDE THE POPULAR TEARDROP TRAILER...
WHICH CAN HAVE AS LITTLE AS JUST A BED.
THESE CLASS B MOTORHOMES ARE BUILT ON A VAN CHASSIS AND CAN BE VERY VERSATILE.
THOSE INTERESTED IN "VAN LIFE," SEEKING A MINIMALISTIC LIFE OF FREEDOM AND EXPRESSION ON THE OPEN ROAD HAS SKYROCKETED.
CLASS C'S ARE USUALLY ON TRUCK PLATFORMS, AND HAVE BATHROOMS, LARGER KITCHENS, AND BEDS.
AND THE BIG DOGS...
THE CLASS A, HOME AWAY FROM HOME BEHEMOTHS, THAT CAN BE FULLY LOADED, INCLUDING A WASHER AND DRYER.
Heather Leach: WHEN PEOPLE COME HERE, YES, THEY'RE SHOPPING FOR RV'S AND YOU KNOW...COMPARING BUT I'M ALWAYS AMAZED AT THE PEOPLE THAT SAY, "LAST YEAR I WAS OVER IN THE CAMPGROUND, WE MET THESE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR, THAT ARE HERE FOR THE SHOW, WE PICK THE SAME SPOTS NEXT YEAR BECAUSE WE'RE NOW FRIENDS WITH THEM AND WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR AND MEET HERE."
Zach: THESE MODERN NOMADS WERE AMONG THE VERY FIRST TO SEE THE 2021 MODELS.
Heather: WE ACTUALLY HAVE A HYBRID SHOW.
SO, THE FIRST DAY IS AN INDUSTRY DAY.
SO, THE MANUFACTURERS RENT ALL THE SPACE AND THE DEALERS COME IN AND GET TO SEE NEW PRODUCT AND GET TO LEARN ABOUT IT.
AND THEN, WHEN CONSUMERS COME IN, THEY TAKE OVER THE DISPLAYS AND THEN SELL IT TO THE CONSUMERS.
Zach: IT ALL STARTED WITH THIS IN 1910.
A THREE TON PACKARD TRUCK, CONSIDERED THE FIRST EVER MOTOR HOME...
SIMPLY PUTTING WOOD ON TOP OF A CAR PLATFORM.
TODAY, YOUR OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS.
Steve Fretz: SO, EACH MANUFACTURER SETS UP THE DISPLAY AND HAS REPRESENTATION; HAS INCENTIVES FOR THE DEALERS TO DO BUSINESS, AND KIND OF USES IT AS A BAROMETER FOR WHAT PEOPLE LIKE, AND WHAT THEY DON'T LIKE BECAUSE IT'S STILL EARLY ENOUGH IN THE SEASON, THAT IF THEY NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE THEY CAN MAKE A CHANGE BASED ON CONSUMER FEEDBACK.
Zach: WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE YOUR HUNTING TRIP, OR DAY AT THE PARK A SIMPLE SET UP.
AS WITH ANYTHING, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
Steve: THE TRAVEL TRAILERS WILL PROBABLY START OUT AROUND $10,000 AND GO UP TO MAYBE $150,000 AND ON THE MOTORIZED SIDE, YOU CAN PROBABLY GET INTO A NEW MOTORHOME FOR AS LOW AS IN THE 50'S AND ALMOST SKY IS THE LIMIT.
AT THE SHOW HERE, YOU'LL PROBABLY FIND THINGS INTO THE 5, 6, $700,000 RANGE.
Zach: THIS COUPLE'S SON TRAVELS TO DRAG RACES ALL OVER THE U.S.
THEY SAID, "IF THEY COULD GET A NICE DEAL ON A TOY HAULER, THEY'LL BE SPENDING MORE NIGHTS AT THE TRACK."
THE GOLF CART'S GOING TO FIT NICELY IN THE BACK.
NOW, IF YOU NEED SOMETHING ON A GRAND SCALE, YOU'LL FIND THIS TO FIT THE BILL.
I'VE DEFINITELY, BEEN IN HOTELS THAT ARE NOT NEARLY AS NICE AS THIS, I MEAN...THIS LOOKS LIKE A BRAND NEW KITCHEN.
Anthony Pinto: WHAT YOU HAVE HERE IS A TRUE INDUCTION COOKTOP IN THE RENEGADE XL.
REAL HARDWOOD CABINETS, YOUR SAMSUNG MICROWAVE, GIANT, LARGE, OVERSIZED, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.
STAINLESS STEEL IS REALLY GREAT FOR WORKING WITH.
YOU CAN GET A DISHWASHER IN THESE GUYS.
A LOT OF RETIREES WILL GET THIS.
THEY'LL SELL THEIR BIGGER HOMES, WE'RE IN THE NORTHEAST IN NEW JERSEY, SO SOMEBODY MIGHT LIVE IN LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE NEW YORK AREA.
AND THEY'RE LIKE, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SELLING MY BIG HOUSE, I'M DOWN SIZING, I'M GOING TO GET SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND THEN A SMALL CONDO, OF COURSE IN FLORIDA."
Zach: THEY'RE DOWN SIZING, WHERE I'D BE UPSIZING."
Anthony: YES, THIS... Zach: THE DEMOGRAPHICS HAVE MADE A BIG SHIFT.
SEEN AS ONE OF THE MOST MOBILE GENERATIONS EVER, MILLENNIAL'S HAVE BEEN BUYING UP THE SMALLER HI-TECH CAMPERS.
WITH THE ADAPTATION OF SOLAR PANELS, LIGHTWEIGHT AND ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS...
IT'S CLEAR MANUFACTURES ARE REACHING ALL THEIR CUSTOMERS, AND THAT THE AMERICAN RVING LIFESTYLE IS ALIVE AND VERY WELL INDEED.
* John: IF YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR, IT WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.
SO HERE'S PAT GOSS WITH A CLEARER VIEW.
* Pat Goss: WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOUR MODERN CAR IS THAT IT COULD BE A ROLLING COMPUTER.
IT HAS ALL KINDS OF SENSORS, CAMERAS AND SO ON...
DOES ALL SORTS OF NEAT THINGS FOR YOU.
ONE OF THE MORE COMMON CAMERAS IS MOUNTED UP HERE BEHIND THE WINDSHIELD.
AND IT LOOKS AT THE LINES ON THE ROAD, HELPS YOU TO STAY IN THE LANE PROPERLY.
WELL, IF YOUR WINDSHIELD GETS BROKEN AND HAS TO BE REPLACED, YOU MAY HAVE TO RECALIBRATE THAT CAMERA.
WELL, THE THING THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IS...
DOES YOUR CAMERA NEED TO BE RECALIBRATED WITH A WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT?
SOME CARS DO, SOME CARS DON'T.
IF YOURS DOES, THEN YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE PROCESS IS...
IT MAY BE SOMETHING SIMPLE, OR IT MAY BE SOMETHING VERY COMPLEX.
THE REASON, I'M TELLING YOU THIS IS BECAUSE SOME GLASS SHOPS WILL AUTOMATICALLY TELL YOU THAT YOUR CAMERA NEEDS RECALIBRATION, AND IT'S GOING TO BE 2, 3, 4 HUNDRED DOLLARS.
IF YOURS DOESN'T, AND YOU BUY INTO THAT, THEN YOU'RE WASTING MONEY.
ALRIGHT, ANOTHER THING: BUMPERS...THEY GET SCRATCHED, THEY GET DINGED, THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED.
WELL, A LOT OF BUMPERS WILL HAVE SENSORS IN THEM USED FOR PARKING MANEUVERS AND LANE DISTANCE KEEPING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
SOME OF THE REPLACEMENT BUMPERS, ESPECIALLY THE ONES THAT ARE UNIVERSAL, DON'T HAVE THE HOLES FOR THOSE SENSORS, AND THE TECHNICIAN HAS TO POSITION THEM.
WELL, IF THEY'RE NOT POSITIONED RIGHT, THE SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK RIGHT.
SO, SELECT YOUR BODY SHOP CAREFULLY AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO THOSE SENSORS THE WAY THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE.
SOMETHING JUST ABOUT EVERY CAR HAS THESE DAYS IS A BACKUP CAMERA.
BACKUP CAMERAS GET DIRTY, AND MANY OF YOU JUST LOVE PAPER TOWELS TO CLEAN THEM, DRY.
WELL, DON'T DO THAT.
YOU SHOULD WET THE LENS WITH SOME KIND OF GLASS CLEANER OR POLISH OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND THEN USE A MICROFIBER CLOTH TO CLEAN THEM.
OTHERWISE, YOU CAN SCRATCH THE LENS AND THAT CAN BE VERY DISTRACTING, AND SOMETIMES GETS SO BAD THAT YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE CAMERA.
WASTED MONEY!
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR A COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE, RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .
* Greg Carlos: WE'RE STILL DRIVING BRIGHT GREEN IN OUR 2019 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PLUG-IN HYBRID AFTER CROSSING THE 10,000 MILE MARK.
THE 2.0 LITER I4 EFFECTIVELY AUGMENTS THE TWO ELECTRIC MOTORS... ONE ON EACH AXLE FOR PURE EV ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.
THERE'S GOOD EVERYDAY TRACTION...
BUT SO FAR, NO CHANCE TO SEE HOW IT WORKS WITH THE WHITE STUFF.
TOTAL SYSTEM OUTPUT IS A DECENT 190 HORSEPOWER.
WITH A LIGHT FOOT, IT'S EASY TO GET AROUND TOWN ON EV POWER ALONE... AND THE 22 MILE RANGE IS AMPLE FOR RUNNING ERRANDS.
ON THESE COLD WINTER MORNINGS, THE HEATED FRONT SEATS ARE A WELCOME ADDITION...
BUT THE HIGH SETTING CAN GET A LITTLE INTENSE...
SO LOW IS A GOOD CHOICE ONCE THINGS GET GOING.
AND WHEN IT'S TIME TO STOP GOING, THE MULTI-VIEW CAMERA SYSTEM IS A NICE TOOL TO AID BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE.
WE'RE NOW AVERAGING 34 MILES PER GALLON...
WHICH IS NOT OUR BEST RESULT...
SO WE NEED TO WORK ON GETTING MORE OUT OF THOSE ELECTRIC MILES.
* IT'S TIME TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO OUR 2019 HONDA INSIGHT.
MORE THAN A YEAR HAS PASSED SINCE THIS EFFICIENT DRIVER WITH A PREMIUM TOUCH ROLLED ONTO THE MOTORWEEK LOT.
SINCE THEN, WE'VE RACKED UP ABOUT 19,000 MILES.
THE 151 HORSEPOWER COMING FROM THE TWO-MOTOR HYBRID SYSTEM WITH A 1.5 LITER I4 AND CVT PRODUCED 52.1 MILES PER GALLON... MORE THAN LIVING UP TO ITS CLAIMED EFFICIENCY OF 48 MILES PER GALLON COMBINED.
WE DROVE THIS INSIGHT JUST EVERY DAY FOR OVER A YEAR AND IT HAS LIVED UP TO HONDA'S QUALITY STANDARDS.
THE HYBRID POWERTRAIN IS SOLID, IF A TAD BIT NOISY AT TIMES, BUT THAT'S A FAIR TRADE-OFF WITH THE OTHERWISE COMFORTABLE DRIVE EXPERIENCE AND EXCEPTIONAL FUEL ECONOMY.
THE HONDA INSIGHT IS A PLEASANT PLACE TO SPEND TIME, WITH PLENTY OF USER TECHNOLOGY MAKING THIS MUCH MORE THAN JUST AN EFFICIENT RIDE.
WE'LL UPDATE YOU ON OUR TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!
John: WHEN IT COMES TO DRIVING, WE'LL GO ANYWHERE!
SO, OFF WE GO ON ANOTHER QUICKSPIN!
* JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT GERMAN LUXURY BRANDS HAD EVERY CONCEIVABLE SUV NICHE FILLED, ALONG COMES THE ALL-NEW 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLB 250.
A COMPACT LUXURY 3-ROW UTILITY MAY NOT BE A QUESTION FEW AMERICANS ARE ASKING, BUT BENZ'S ANSWER IS A COMPELLING ONE NONETHELESS.
WE GOT OUR FIRST DRIVE IN THE GLB IN PHOENIX ARIZONA, AND WERE IMMEDIATELY TAKEN WITH ITS RESEMBLANCE TO GREAT BIG BROTHER GLS.
SHORT OVERHANGS, A LONG, FULL-HEIGHT PROFILE AND FULL-LENGTH SIDE GLASS MAKE THE GLB APPEAR BIGGER THAN ITS 111.4 INCH WHEELBASE WOULD SUGGEST.
THE LOOK IS MORE UTILITARIAN THAN THE CUTE-UTE GLA AND SPORTY GLC THAT BOOKEND IT IN THE MERCEDES LINEUP.
A 2.0 LITER TURBO I4 PRODUCES 221 HORSEPOWER, MATED TO A SMOOTH SHIFTING 8-SPEED DUAL-CLUTCH AUTOMATIC.
PERFORMANCE IS MORE THAN ADEQUATE FOR DAILY DRIVING WITH A CLAIMED 6.9 SECOND 0-TO-60, AND 30 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY.
POWER GOES TO THE FRONT WHEELS.
THE OPTIONAL 4MATIC SENDS VARYING AMOUNTS OF TORQUE TO THE REAR DEPENDING ON THE DRIVE MODE.
THE BOXY PROFILE HOUSES A VERSATILE INTERIOR.
IT'S THE FIRST COMPACT MERCEDES WITH OPTIONAL 3-ROW SEATING FOR UP TO 7, ALTHOUGH THAT BACK ROW IS CHILD FRIENDLY AT BEST.
MAXIMUM CARGO SPACE IS 62 CUBIC FEET.
THE CABIN IS QUIET, COMFORTABLE AND WELL-APPOINTED, INCLUDING THE ADVANCED MBUX INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM... THAT RESPONDS TO NATURAL VOICE COMMANDS.
THE TECHNOLOGY IS EASILY VISIBLE ON THE 7.0 INCH DIGITAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND A 7.0 INCH TOUCHSCREEN.
NOW, GLB COULD STAND FOR "GRAND LITTLE BOX," AS IT'S JUST THE RIGHT SIZE FOR GROWING FAMILIES AND JUST THE RIGHT MIX OF OLD-SCHOOL UTILITY AND UP-TO-THE-MINUTE ENGINEERING.
THE 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLB 250 IS ON SALE NOW, STARTING AT UNDER $37,000.
AND WE'LL HAVE MORE QUICKSPINS SOON!
John: THESE DAYS, IF YOU'RE IN THE LUXURY VEHICLE BUSINESS, THAT MEANS YOU'RE ALSO IN THE SUV BUSINESS.
AND, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, BOASTING ONE OF THE FRESHEST UTILITY LINEUPS IN THE INDUSTRY IS LINCOLN.
THE LATEST EXAMPLE OF WHICH IS AN ALL-NEW COMPACT, THE CORSAIR.
SO, LET'S FIND OUT IF THEIR SMALLEST UTE WILL HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THE BRAND'S FUTURE.
* THIS 2020 LINCOLN CORSAIR IS AN ALL-NEW CROSSOVER, REPLACING THE MKC AS THE SMALLEST OFFERING IN LINCOLN'S SUV LINEUP.
BUT, LIKE THE MKC, IT SHARES A CHASSIS WITH THE COMPACT FORD ESCAPE; WHICH IS ALSO ALL-NEW FOR 2020.
STANDARD ENGINE HERE, IS THE ESCAPE'S AVAILABLE 2.0 LITER ECOBOOST I4, WITH 250 HORSEPOWER AND 280 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
OPTIONAL, IS THE 2.3 LITER ECOBOOST WHICH MOST PEOPLE ASSOCIATE WITH THE MUSTANG, BUT IT WAS ACTUALLY LINCOLN THAT BROUGHT IT TO MARKET FIRST IN THE MKC.
OUTPUT NOW SITS AT 295 HORSEPOWER AND 310 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
BOTH ENGINES GET A NEW 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND BOTH CAN TOW UP TO 3,000 POUNDS.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE IS STANDARD WITH THE 2.3 LITER, OPTIONAL WITH THE 2.0.
LINCOLN'S INTELLIGENT AWD SYSTEM IS PRIMARILY GEARED TOWARDS ALL-WEATHER CAPABILITY, NOT REALLY FOR OFF-ROAD USE, BUT IT DOES ADD A PERFORMANCE BENEFIT AS WELL, AND FOR FUEL ECONOMY'S SAKE, THE REAR CAN BE FULLY DISCONNECTED IF NOT NEEDED FOR TRACTION.
IN THIS NEW ERA OF LINCOLN, SMALL AND ENTRY-LEVEL DOESN'T MEAN DE-CONTENTED.
THE LIST OF STANDARD FEATURES IS QUITE LENGTHY...
HEATED FRONT SEATS, POWER LIFTGATE, AND REMOTE START... AND MOST MATERIALS ARE QUITE NICE, AS THE INTERIOR HAS LITTLE RESEMBLANCE TO THE ESCAPE.
LINCOLN CALLS IT "A SANCTUARY FOR THE SENSES."
WE MAY NOT GO THAT FAR, BUT FOR A COMPACT, IT IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.
IT'S ALSO VERY COMFORTABLE IN ALL SEATING POSITIONS.
THE DASH IS LOW, WHICH AIDS VISIBILITY ALL AROUND, BUT THAT ALSO MEANS, THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN RESTS ON TOP; ONE THING IT DOES SHARE WITH THE ESCAPE.
BUT, IT DOESN'T LOOK TOO OUT OF PLACE, IS EASY TO REACH, AND FUNCTIONALLY PRETTY SIMPLE TO FIGURE OUT.
PLENTY OF TECH FILTERS DOWN FROM LARGER LINCOLN'S SUCH AS THE AVAILABLE 12.3 INCH FULL LED GAUGE PANEL, PIANO KEY-LIKE GEAR SELECTORS, 14-SPEAKER REVEL AUDIO, PHONE AS A KEY, AND CO-PILOT 360 SAFETY.
REAR SEAT LEG ROOM IS QUITE GOOD WITH 6.0 INCHES OF SEAT TRAVEL, BUT MOST ADULTS WOULD APPRECIATE A LITTLE MORE HEADROOM.
PLENTY OF SPACE FOR GEAR IN THE BACK HOWEVER; 27.6 CUBIC-FEET, EXPANDING TO 57.6 WITH THE REAR SEATBACKS FOLDED.
OUR FIRST DRIVE OPPORTUNITY SAW US CAVORTING AROUND THE ROLLING HILLS AROUND SAN FRANCISCO.
POWER FROM THE 2.3 LITER IS PLENTIFUL, AND IT IS DELIVERED QUITE SMOOTHLY; HAVING A MUCH DIFFERENT FEEL THAN IN THE MUSTANG.
THE BASE 2.0 LITER IS CERTAINLY ADEQUATE, BUT THE UPGRADE IS WORTH THE MONEY.
BETWEEN ALL OF THE SOUND DEADENING AND ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION, YOU WON'T REALLY HEAR A WHOLE LOT OF GRUMBLING COMING FROM EITHER ENGINE.
HMM...MAYBE THIS REALLY IS A SANCTUARY.
SAME BASIC SUSPENSION DESIGN AS THE ESCAPE UP FRONT; YET IT, AS WELL AS STEERING RESPONSE, ARE TUNED SPECIFICALLY FOR LINCOLN CUSTOMERS.
READ THAT A BIT SOFTER.
THE REAR GETS A MORE THOROUGH REVAMPING WITH A UNIQUE MULTI-LINK ARRANGEMENT.
ADAPTIVE DAMPERS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE HERE, AS WELL AS LINCOLN DRIVE MODES TO FURTHER CUSTOMIZE THE RIDE.
LINCOLN ENGINEERS ARE QUICK TO POINT OUT THAT ALL DEVELOPMENT WAS DONE INDEPENDENT OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING OVER AT FORD, ONCE THEY BOTH HAD THE BASIC ARCHITECTURE TO BUILD UPON.
AND AFTER HAVING DRIVEN BOTH RECENTLY, WE WILL AGREE THAT CORSAIR'S RIDE IS MUCH SMOOTHER AND MORE SOPHISTICATED THAN THE ESCAPE'S.
NOT THE USUAL SPORT AND COMFORT DRIVE MODES HERE; INSTEAD, YOUR OPTIONS ARE NORMAL, CONSERVE, EXCITE, SLIPPERY, AND DEEP, EACH VERY COMPREHENSIVE WITH POWERTRAIN AND CHASSIS ADJUSTMENTS.
IN "EXCITE," BODY ROLL IS WELL-CONTROLLED; STEERING QUICK AND FAIRLY RESPONSIVE.
FROM ALL ANGLES, CORSAIR LOOKS QUITE REGAL.
WHERE THE FORD ESCAPE APPEARS LIKE A TALLER HATCHBACK, THE CORSAIR LOOKS LIKE A SMALLER VERSION OF LARGER LINCOLN SUVs, WHICH IS A VERY GOOD THING.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE 2.0 LITER ARE 22-CITY, 29-HIGHWAY, AND 25-COMBINED.
NOT MUCH PENALTY FOR THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE 2.3 LITER, AT 21-CITY, 28-HIGHWAY, AND 24-COMBINED.
BOTH HAVE AN AVERAGE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE, THE 2.0 LITER'S A TINY BIT BETTER AT 13.2 BARRELS OF YEARLY OIL CONSUMPTION, WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 6.0 TONS.
PRICING STARTS AT $36,940, WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE A $2,200 OPTION.
BUT LIKE MOST LUXURY RIDES, IT RATCHETS UP QUICKLY TO TOP TRIM RESERVE WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE AND THE 2.3 LITER ECOBOOST, AT $46,965.
THE REALLY TOUGH THING FOR SMALL LUXURY UTILITIES TO OVERCOME, IS THAT UNLESS YOU REALLY WANT TO BE PAMPERED, YOU CAN BUY A LOT MORE VEHICLE FOR LESS MONEY IF YOU LOOK TO THE MIDSIZE MASS MARKET BRANDS, LIKE COUSIN FORD.
SO, LUXURY COMPACTS MUST BE REALLY SPECIAL TO APPEAL TO MORE THAN JUST BRAND LOYALISTS, OF WHICH THERE ARE VERY FEW THESE DAYS.
THE 2020 LINCOLN CORSAIR PACKS ENOUGH LUXURY, TECHNOLOGY, AND REFINEMENT TO BE JUST THE KIND OF UTE THAT CAN PULL THAT OFF.
WELL, THAT'S OUR SHOW, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.
NOW FOR MORE MOTORWEEK ; INCLUDING DAILY NEWS UPDATES, PODCASTS, AND EVEN COMPLETE EPISODES, CRUISE ON OVER TO PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.
AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME...
WHEN WE POUND THE PEDAL ON THE MOST POWERFUL SUBARU EVER, THE STI S209 AND A NEW OUTSIDE PLUS, BIGGER CHANGES UNDERNEATH FOR THE FORD EXPLORER.
PAT GOSS WITH CAR CARE RESULTS YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE.
THE LATEST ON HOW EVs ARE HELPING KEEP LAW AND ORDER.
PLUS, A LONG TERM TEST UPDATE AND A BRAND NEW QUICKSPIN.
UNTIL NEXT TIME, I'M JOHN DAVIS, WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK !
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