MotorWeek

Hi, I'm John Davis and this is MotorWeek !

Join us as we raise the shade on the Hyundai Palisade Night Edition... Dan Maffett helps us brush up on our touchup paint skills... Stephanie Hart goes inside the vault for a rarely seen car collection... Then, we'll charge up and take charge in the GMC Hummer EV SUV...

So, come drive with us, next!

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JOHN: Hyundai turned the page on their lineup when they launched the 3-row Palisade crossover utility 4 years ago.

Still the same Hyundai value we loved, but with more luxury, and more room for growing families.

Now for their next big hit, it looks like Hyundai is working on their night moves.

If you've been following the auto industry, you've probably noticed a darkness setting in.

No, we're not talking about EV mandates, we're talking about the increasing number of manufacturers invoking darkness or using some reference to the color black to create special editions of their vehicles or note their highest trim level.

Well, that's what we have here with the 2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition, a way to take the range-topping Calligraphy trim to an even higher level of exclusivity.

Available in either Abyss Black or this Hyper White, the Night Edition applies a dark chrome treatment to the grille, rear bumper, and door moldings.

There's also glossy black trim for both the front and rear fascias, as well as the roof rails, while door handles are now body color.

Finishing it off are 20 inch "black liquid" wheels and unique finishes for all logos including the HTRAC badge that signifies all-wheel-drive, which is standard here in the Calligraphy Night Edition, optional on most lesser Palisades.

All-wheel-drives get additional Snow and Tow driving modes, as well as the ability to lock in a 50/50 torque split.

All Palisades share the same V6 engine, a naturally aspirated 3.8 liter unit which produces 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque.

Nothing changes there, but it's more than enough to move this big utility down the road with ease and pull 5,000 pounds of trailer, aided by the standard 8-speed automatic transmission.

In addition to steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, minimal buttons for controlling the transmission share space on a rising center console which also houses the touch sensitive climate controls.

On top of the dash sits a 12.3 inch touchscreen with navigation standard on all Palisades.

A separate 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster resides in front of the driver on Limited trim and above.

As for the rest of the interior, Night Editions adds a unique blackout theme with some added dark aluminum trim and devilish 630 watts of Harmon Kardon premium audio.

There are also some exclusive premium micro-suede materials on the seats, though most of our staff felt they didn't seem quite as luxurious as the Nappa leather seats in the regular Calligraphy.

Second row captain's chairs here of course, plus, a power folding third row that holds three.

Palisades come as both seven or eight seaters with up to 16 cupholders!

There's also adequate room for adults in that third row, though seating comfort drastically improves moving forward.

Cargo capacity remains a strong point for the Palisade, with 18.0 cubic-feet available behind the third row, 45.8 behind the second, and a max of 86.4 with all seatbacks folded.

At Mason Dixon Dragway, the Night Edition delivered a moderate dose of power, enough to battle a little wheel spin off the line leading to a steady jog to 60 of 7.6 seconds; about a half second slower than the last Palisade we tested.

Gear changes happened smoothly, causing minor power flow pauses throughout the quarter-mile, completed in 15.8 seconds at a respectable 90 miles per hour.

This big unibody bruiser is suspended with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link independent setup in back.

They provided a surprisingly nimble platform for shuffling through our handling course.

There was a reasonable amount of feedback through the steering wheel, helping us stay on top of the slight understeer that we encountered.

There was very soft pedal action in our panic braking runs, along with a reasonable amount of nosedive, but 102 foot stops from 60 rate great!

All Palisades come with a healthy complement of active safety features like Lane Keeping Assist and Highway Driving Assist, while Calligraphies add a more advanced Parking Collision Avoidance Assist system.

With all-wheel-drive, Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 19 City, 24 Highway, and 21 Combined.

Even with the Night Edition establishing a new high mark, it's still priced less than many large 3-row utilities at $55,245.

That's $3,500 over the standard Calligraphy, and about $17,000 more than the base SE Palisade.

So, when it comes to this 2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition, there's no need to be afraid of the dark.

The only thing lurking in the shadows here is more tremendous value, something that Hyundai has been bringing to light for years and years.

The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan is well-known for showcasing milestone innovations in American transportation.

But there's much more to The Henry Ford than first meets the eyes.

Our Stephanie Hart had a chance to venture underground and explore the museum's secret storage areas filled with an eclectic mix of rarely seen cars.

STEPHANIE HART: This is the Driving America exhibit here at the Henry Ford museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

While, it's fantastic, this is actually not what we're here to see.

We're here to check out about 150 or so cars in this secret storage area adjacent to the museum.

A lot of these vehicles haven't been seen in years.

It's definitely cool to be underground surrounded by 100 years of automotive history.

Immediately, this rare 1953 Ford X-100 concept car caught my attention.

It looks very futuristic for its time and back then it was called a "laboratory on wheels."

MATT ANDERSON: It's interesting to note that some of the styling cues did make it into production.

The front end looks a lot like Lincoln's from the later '50s and if you look at the rear end, uh, you can see some Thunderbird.

1953 was the 50th anniversary of Ford Motor Company, so they wanted to celebrate by building a concept car with what they describe as 50 new innovations.

STEPHANIE: Some of them, like heated seats and the telephone, eventually became standard.

Some did not.

Well, some of those new innovations didn't quite catch on like the electric shaver in the glove box and the Dictabelt recorder in the center console, the idea being that the driver could dictate a letter, for example, on his way to work.

MATT: My favorite, uh, idea in the car though: It actually has hydraulic jacks built into the four corners, so if you get a flat tire you don't have to mess with the screw jack.

The car just lifts itself up off the road.

STEPHANIE: One of the most unusual concept cars here is the 1962 Budd XR-400.

It was based on a Rambler Ambassador chassis, but with a powerful V8 engine and a sporty looking body.

MATT: You'll recognize this as the same formula that Ford used with the Mustang, uh, putting a sporty body on the Falcon.

And it's interesting to wonder what would have happened if Budd had, uh, convinced AMC to put this thing into production.

AMC passed, ah, they just thought the car was a little too small.

I think they also, frankly, didn't have the financial resources to take a big gamble like that, but, uh, it's a cool car nevertheless and a great what-if question.

STEPHANIE: Many people don't realize that electric vehicles were on our roads at the turn of the 20th century, cars like this 1912 Baker Electric Victoria model, and range anxiety was an issue back then too.

MATT: They had range of, oh, probably about 30, 35 miles in-- in real world conditions, though, uh, some manufacturers advertised range up to 70 miles on a charge, which is pretty impressive thinking about 1910 or so.

STEPHANIE: Another significant car in the collection is this 1923 Copper Cooled Chevrolet.

It's powered by an air-cooled engine.

MATT: There are advantages to that.

You don't have to carry coolant or...or water around.

You are going to be, you know, free of the engine, uh, cracking or the block cracking if you forget to drain the water in the winter time.

But unfortunately, Chevy just kind of rushed into production a little too quickly, so the cars began to overheat, and of the 759 or so that they built, uh, all of them were recalled.

STEPHANIE: This one is rare because it was purchased by Ford Motor Company engineers to size up the competition.

This secret storage facility also includes luxury cars.

This one stuck out to me.

Can you guess why?

MATT: One of the more luxurious cars in our collection is a 1926 Rolls Royce New Phantom that was built for J.P. Morgan Jr., son of the famous financier and uh, you look at this car, it feels like it's about one and a half times life size.

STEPHANIE: You probably notice it has an elevated roof.

That's because very tall hats were in style back then.

All of the cars in this secret storage facility eventually make their way upstairs to the museum's main floor so everyone can enjoy them.

Each one tells an interesting story about the evolution of the automobile while empowering us as we steer toward the future of transportation.

JOHN: Touch-up paint: It isn't just about keeping your finish pristine.

It can also prevent tiny rock chips from turning into massive rust spots; but there is an art to this delicate job as Dan Maffett is about to show us on MotorWeek's "Your Drive."

DAN MAFFETT: No matter what car you drive, if you have it long enough, eventually you're going to have to deal with dings, dents, scratches or even rust.

Now, there's plenty of ways to go about fixing it.

Most people are going to jump to a body shop, but that can be thousands of dollars.

You can get replacement panels like this, or patch panels, but they're all going to need to be color-matched.

You can find junk yards that have some old stuff for you, but they're going to be pretty banged up.

Now, we got lucky, a quick search on the Internet, we found a scrap yard that had this exact year, make, and model...same paint color.

So, we were able to get the fender for a fraction of the cost and with a little bit of touch-up paint, it's going to be brand new."

Now, we're at the fender with our touchup pen.

Now, not all touchup pens are created equal.

I always try to get one that has this nib on the front.

A lot of people don't realize that this is a sander.

So, to start, you want to go through each one of these little nicks that we have and use this sander to smooth out the edges of the paint so there's nothing sharp, and it's going to give a nice surface for this touch up paint to flow into and stick.

So, that's what we're going to start with.

Now, it might not feel like it's doing much, but that is a very aggressive grit.

One important thing to note is that you're not trying to dig any paint out.

You really just want to focus on smoothing the edges, so that nothing is sharp.

A lot of people use this and just go to town and it creates way more damage than what was there.

So, once you've gone through and you've sanded out your edges, there's two applicators.

There's a pen tip, which is a very fine tip, and then there's a brush tip inside.

Um...we're going to start with the pen tip on some of these smaller spots, and just flood it in with some paint, move to the next spot.

Just do a little bit at a time.

Move around a little bit, so it can set up.

You can always go back and clean it up.

Now, when you get to a bigger area like this, I like to step it up to the brush just to have a little bit more control of the flow.

Now, I like to put it on a little bit thicker than you normally would, but that allows you to go back and cut and buff it down a little bit and help that blend.

Now, I'm going to let these all tack up, and then go, uh, back again and make sure we don't have any holes anywhere.

So, once you've got your touch-up paint on, and it's cured for a good amount of time, you want to go back with a top coat.

Now, these pens, on the opposite side, have a top coat applicator.

And just like before, you want to just drag it across your touchups, and that's going to add a nice layer of protection against UV and just seal those little touchups in.

Now, it's okay if it looks a little bit blobby.

You can go back with some wet sanding, smooth it out.

Speaking about paint and buffing, we're going to take this, buff it, get it to match the luster of this car behind us, and then we're going to put it on, swap out that rusty one.

Now, as always, if you have any questions or comments, hit us up right here, at MotorWeek .

JOHN: Nothing keeps us from getting behind the wheel, even if it's just for a QuickSpin!

JESSICA RAY: When the 2nd gen Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV arrived for '23, we figured the sportier Coupe wouldn't be far behind; and sure enough, it's here for 2024.

We know coupe-styled SUVs may just be a fad to some, but if anyone can do it right-- it's Mercedes, and this AMG GLC 43 Coupe is a prime example of that.

There's no doubt it looks the part when compared to the SUV, as the Coupe does have an aggressive rear rake.

Sporty looks can only get you so far, but the AMG GLC 43 Coupe gains a number of meaningful performance buffs.

Last gen's V6 has been replaced by an AMG-tuned version of the GLC's turbocharged and hybrid assisted 2.0 liter inline-4, rated at 416 horsepower, quite a leap from the standard GLC's 255 HP.

It's sent to the standard all-wheel-drive system though a 9-speed automatic; and as expected, it's peppy and fun to scoot around town with enough muscle to fling you up the nearest on ramp.

Variable suspension dampening via AMG Sport Suspension and AMG Ride Control is standard; we found it a little bouncy at times, but certainly firmer than the "regular" GLC's setup, and we appreciate the ability to switch between sporty and cushy at the turn of a dial.

You'll feel that blend of plush performance inside; rear passengers lose a little headroom, but upfront is plenty spacious.

We found the 3rd generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience, seen on the 11.9 inch touchscreen and 12.3 inch digital gauge unit, to be quick and responsive, too.

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 starts around $70,000, making it no cheap thrill.

That said, it is one of those coupe-Ute's that actually backs up its looks with real deal performance.

And we'll have more QuickSpins, soon!

GREG CARLOSS: We are closing the curtains on our 2024 Nissan Sentra Long-Term, after finishing out its 3-month show.

We've tallied 6,700 MotorWeek miles on the odometer, more than 3,700 miles since our last update.

After numerous stints out to the Delaware shore and an extended week down in western North Carolina, everyone has complimented its nimble nature, capable of safely slicing through traffic.

That's also thanks to the powertrain; sure, the CVT does skip a beat on sudden acceleration, but passing power is good for the 2.0 liter inline-4.

149 horsepower may not sound like much, but it's plenty for this compact.

We've spent a lot of seat time in this Sentra and now that it's coming to an end, we're going to miss its adaptability as a commuter and a long-hauler.

We even managed to have a little fun with it.

Now, it's certainly not a speedster, but this Sentra does have a sport-tuned suspension, which definitely added some confidence during our spirited back road adventures.

It's fun to push, but some more reserved driving has led us to even better efficiency: 34.5 miles per gallon combined, again better than the EPA estimate.

Our gripes with the Sentra are minimal, including the buzzy CVT and smartphone connectivity issues.

In our time with it, maintenance was limited to a 10,000 mile service call, just oil and a tire rotation, nothing major.

All in all, our 2024 Nissan Sentra, with models starting in the low $20,000s and ending up, like our well-equipped SR model, around $30,000, proved to be a true bargain, and a pleasure to drive.

If you couldn't tell, we're going to miss our little orange hot rod, but we'll stay positive with an update on our Honda Accord Hybrid in the next MotorWeek Long-Term Road Test update.

JOHN: The reborn GMC Hummer all-electric pickup delivered all the off-road chops we expect from a Hummer, plus, the supercar-like acceleration of a high-performance EV that we didn't expect.

Well, now things have come full circle, as the Hummer is once again an SUV.

So, let's burn up some rubber, and some electrons, and learn what's next for Hummer.

What a roller coaster the Hummer has been on.

In seemingly no time at all it went from aspirational military-inspired ruggedness, to the poster boy for excess and environmental irresponsibility; and then just as quickly, it disappeared altogether as a casualty of GM's 2009 bankruptcy.

Well, then under the GMC banner, the 2022 Hummer EV Pickup flipped the script by becoming the ultimate pollution-free EV at a time when EVs were just becoming mainstream.

Since this 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV more closely resembles the original, it looks like we've come full circle.

Most of the same stuff that made the pickup version so unique and so awesome are here: interactive LED lighting, Crab Walk, Super Cruise, Extract Mode, Watts to Freedom-- just slightly less of it as the SUV version has four fewer modules in its double-stacked battery assemblies that make up this Ultium platform.

This 3X uses the same three-motor arrangement as the pickup, one up front and two in the rear, but "only" 830 horsepower here, due to the smaller battery; though 11,500 pounds of torque is plenty enough for any land-based automotive task we can imagine.

As to range, if you opt for the Extreme Off-Road package, which comes with mud-terrain tires, you'll be limited to just 298 miles; but the standard setup here is rated for 314.

We saw as much as 305 available in the gauge display, so we planned a 302 mile road trip and still had an indicated 46 miles remaining at the end of it, putting us on pace for a range of 348 miles.

With a 9.0 inch-shorter wheelbase, the SUV's tidier package makes for better off-roading agility; that is, if you're comfortable hammering through trails in your six-figure EV showpiece.

And the SUV has also brought a few new things to the Hummer portfolio such as satellite-based trail mapping as part of the myGMC app and a Power Station onboard generator that gives you 19.2 kilowatt of power for charging things out on the trail, including other EVs.

Much like the Hummer EV Pickup, it can be a handful when you give it a foot-full, as Watts to Freedom launches are no joke.

Then, only 3.6 seconds to 60 for a borderline cinematic experience with unique displays and sounds along for the ride.

Nothing is held back here.

Full power is unleashed whether there's enough grip for it or not, so you tend to get pulled in different directions as you take off and, for the most part, the whole way down the track.

We cleared the quarter in 12.3 seconds at 112 miles per hour as power never really lets up.

It's easy to say that an 8,500 pounds vehicle probably shouldn't be moving that fast, but a few trips through our handling course reveals it has more than enough stuff to handle that weight.

If you're not afraid of some body roll, you can push it quite hard, and it will turn in without issues; the 4-wheel steering clearly helps.

And it dealt with that weight just fine in panic braking runs too, stopping us from 60 in a respectable 130 feet with no drama.

With everything forward of the rear seats the same as the Hummer Pickup, the interior is very familiar.

There's plenty of comfort and space for three in the rear seats...plus, lots of flexibility.

Cargo area is accessed through a side-opening, power-operated door that reveals 35.9 cubic-feet of space, which expands to 81.8 cubic-feet with the seatbacks folded; and of course, there's also 11.3 cubic-feet in the front under hood cargo area.

But even with the shift to battery power, this Hummer remains very thirsty, using 63 kilowatt-hour of energy per 100 miles.

Pricing for this 3X starts at $106,945, the two-motor 2X at $98,845.

Both the same as the Pickup.

While, it can seem more ridiculous than practical, it's hard not to love the reborn Hummer.

Not only is it a purely unique automotive experience, but it's a rolling example of what's possible with battery power, while at the same time being incredibly fun and surprisingly easy to drive.

The 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV delivers much the same macho bravado of the original Hummer H1, but does it for a new era.

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 for an ever-evolving sport sedan icon, the Porsche Panamera, and a top-off of the latest BMW 5 Series.

Until then, I'm John Davis.

We'll see you right here on MotorWeek !

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