MotorWeek

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

Join us for a pair of compact Utes, starting with a little adventure seeker, the new Subaru Crosstrek... We'll skid into the garage for advice on avoiding hydroplaning... We'll show our license to get onto an "R" rated motorcycle... Ending on a small Ute high note, the new BMW X1...

So, come drive with us, next!

Closed Captioning provided by Maryland Public Television.

ANNOUNCER: MotorWeek... Television's Original Automotive Magazine.

MotorWeek is proudly sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper, a nationwide network of stores and shops providing major brand auto and truck parts and service from coast to coast, and in your local community.

Learn more at AutoValue.Com and BumperToBumper.Com.

TireRack.Com is proud to support MotorWeek !

First, there was the wheel.

Then, the tire.

"We'll call it TireRack."

Forty years later, we're not slowing down.

JOHN: you could look at the Crosstrek as Subaru's tough little do-it-all crossover, or simply as a beefed up Impreza hatchback.

Regardless, the Crosstrek has been wildly successful.

Well, now there's an all-new Subaru Impreza has just hit the streets, so it looks like, it's time for us to get jacked up with an equally new Crosstrek!

The Subaru Crosstrek is a relatively newcomer to the notoriously conservative brand, but it wasted no time in making an impact, quickly becoming one of their best-selling models.

2024 begins a 3rd generation of this Impreza-based hatchback, and it mostly delivers the same things it always has, just a little more of them, and in a cleaner, and more tech-savvy package.

It's hard to miss the big multimedia touchscreen which grows from 8.0 to 11.6 inches.

It's standard in all but base Crosstrek's.

The interior feels a little more open, looks a lot less bland, and Subaru claims it's also both quieter and more comfortable.

We'll definitely agree on more comfortable, as the front seats are much improved.

Materials are upgraded but look and feel just as durable as always.

Gauges are mostly old-school analog, just the way we like them, with only a small 4.2 inch LCD display for extra info.

Rear seats feel comfier as well, and Subaru has integrated a small step into the area to give you someplace to stand when you're loading all those adventure necessities on the roof rack.

Premium trim, which is just one step up from base, gets ladder-type roof rails capable of holding 700 pounds along with 17 inch wheels and LED fog lights.

Exterior dimensions are almost identical to last year, and it doesn't look drastically different either, still appearing plenty adventure ready with 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

But there are a few relevant changes like the frameless grille, slimmer headlights, slightly more exaggerated fenders, subtle aerodynamic upgrades, and additional lower body cladding.

There's room for 19.9 cubic-feet of cargo in back, expanding to 54.7 cubic-feet with the rear seatbacks folded, and as before, the space looks ready to take some abuse.

Plus, there's a holder back here for your giant water bottle.

The mountain stream motif provides an anti-slip surface to keep things in place.

Benefiting from the Impreza's recently stiffened chassis and dual-pinion steering setup from the latest WRX, the Crosstrek feels plenty solid on the street for a small utility.

Though, we did battle with some understeer during handling exercises at our Mason Dixon test track.

A little more steering feel would also be nice.

Still, it was plenty stable and did whatever we asked of it without getting upset or putting up any resistance.

Standard engine in base and Premium Crosstrek's is the same 2.0 liter boxer-4 with the same 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque.

Sport and above get a 2.5 liter with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque.

All-wheel-drive and CVT come with all of course, and paddle shifters on the steering wheel allow you to select from one of eight pre-set ratios.

At the test track, our 2.0 liter equipped Premium behaved like most Subaru's; there was a fairly strong initial jolt of power to get you off the line, but things settle down quickly once you get rolling, and it's a very leisurely stroll to 60 miles per hour of 10.5 seconds.

On the plus side, the CVT has gotten smoother and engine noise is noticeably more subdued compared to last gen. That makes the quarter-mile experience a little more pleasant, but it was still a long slow trip of 17.9 seconds, finishing at 81 miles per hour.

In panic braking, we did experience a little bit of fade after multiple passes, but stops remained smooth and stable, with a decent average stopping distance of 125 feet from 60.

The latest Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is standard.

But Lane Keep Assist and Automatic Emergency Steering can be added.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings for the 2.0 liter are 27-City, 34-Highway, and 29-Combined.

We averaged a good 31.0 miles per gallon of Regular.

That's a slightly better than average Energy Impact Score, with annual use of 10.3 barrels of oil and CO2 emissions of 5.0 tons.

Pricing remains more than reasonable with a base Crosstrek starting at $26,290, Premium just $1,150 more at $27,440, topping out with Wilderness at $33,290.

Nothing groundbreaking or earth shattering here, just a better 2024 Subaru Crosstrek that's slightly more civilized, and packs some additional features and better tech along for the journey.

And as we've learned, that's exactly the way Subaru buyers want it.

Don't mess...too much, with success.

Motorcycle nomenclature is often very difficult to decipher, but when numbers are bookended by the letter R, chances are you're in for a really good time.

Brian Robinson takes us Two Wheelin' BMW style.

BRIAN ROBINSON: BMW seems to have a bike for just about everyone.

Whether, you're into cruising around town, chasing lap times on a track, or even riding around the world.

And then, they have some that can do it all.

We're talking of course about their R series lineup, based on the recently updated R 1250 which can be outfitted for high-performance riding in the RS, long-distance touring in the RT, or even outfitted for full on globetrotting adventures in the GS.

But it all starts with this R 1250 R, the all-arounder if you will.

BMW has been building opposed twin engines since the 1920s; performance wasn't really part of the picture until the 1970s, but in this century, they've been painting that picture a lot more vividly, as this 1,254cc twin now delivers 136 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque, and is smoother than ever, with much of its traditional quirkiness engineered out, for better or worse.

It works through a 6-speed transmission, which channels power through shaft drive to a 17 inch rear wheel with 180 tire.

With a tubular bridge-style steel frame and cast aluminum single-sided swingarm, weight comes in at 527 pounds; 4.8 gallon capacity in the fuel tank gives you a range of around 200 miles between fuel stops.

Suspension is fairly traditional for BMW, upside down telescopic fork and single rear spring/shock combo with preloads and rebound damping adjustability.

Dynamic Traction Control, ABS Pro, and Dynamic Brake Control are all now standard.

This red, white, and blue beauty looks aggressive and sporty, but not intimidating.

Updates for '23 include full LED lighting and a rear seat cover.

The front portion of the seat is plenty comfortable, and the whole package just wants to be ridden hard for extended periods of time.

So, off we go.

Riding position is just about perfect for my 6-foot frame; a minor lean forward, with an easy reach to the bars, and foot pegs mounted slightly to the rear.

The R feels very stable in corners, and with the bulk of its weight down low, very easy to lean into them, plus, there's oodles of power for getting to the next one in a hurry.

But, if you want to take it easy, the R can do that just as well; there's even a new Eco drive mode just for the occasion that will coach you into driving as efficiently as possible.

When it comes to instrumentation, it may look like they just pulled a touchscreen style tablet out of a 3 Series, popped it on here, and called it a day; but the 6.5 inch TFT display is rock solidly mounted, glare free, and pretty much as good is it gets for a non-analog gauge package.

More bike, same base price as last year starting at $14,995.

The Captain America style paint themed will cost you another $575.

While that's not inexpensive, you get an incredible amount of bike for the money here.

The R has built up a legion of passionate fans over the years, and the 2023 BMW R 1250 R is built to satisfy them.

STEPHANIE HART: Recent spy photos show Ferrari testing what may be the successor to their SF90 plug-in hybrid sports car.

Despite the heavy camouflage, we can tell that this test mule is using a modified version of the SF90's body, thanks to the aggressive headlights and individual taillights.

The most noticeable change may be the larger side intakes, though rumor has it the new model will be a little more reserved in design overall.

The yellow voltage stickers point towards an updated PHEV system.

We don't expect this official successor to drop anytime soon, but it's exciting to get a glimpse at Ferrari's next big electrified thing.

JOHN: Wet roads can mean big unexpected trouble.

We're talking about hydroplaning.

But a good set of tires can go a long way in keeping a grip on that situation.

So, we brought in Audra Fordin to help us tread safely in the wet on Motorweek's "Your Drive."

AUDRA FORDIN: With each passing mile, little bits of your tires are left behind, it's like the treads are gradually being sanded down.

And as your tires wear down more and more, you may start to notice a slight loss of traction when you're on the gas pedal or stopping, and if your tires get bad enough, you might even experience hydroplaning.

I like to think of hydroplaning as "water skiing on the road" because hydroplaning happens when water forces your tires to lose grip to the ground, and it feels like you're sliding on ice, and have like little to no control over your vehicle.

It's not good, it's not fun.

Now, if this happens to you, take your foot off the gas pedal to transfer the car's weight forward, and do not slam on your brakes, because this can cause you to spin out.

Do ease onto the brake pedal and try to stay calm and not to panic.

You will be back in control in just a few seconds.

My best advice is to prevent hydroplaning in the first place.

Yes, of course, this means driving safely, but it also means having good tires.

Remember how I mentioned the tire treads?

One of the main purposes of the treads on your tire is to channel water out from under the tread making the contact patch as dry as possible.

You can imagine that as these channels get shallower, they become less effective.

So, your tires wear down, and the risk of your sliding goes up.

This is why it is vitally important to routinely check your tire tread depth.

Now, you can see the tire tread depth by looking at the treadwear indicator bar in the sipes of the tires.

Now, of course, using a proper tread depth tool, and note you should have more than 3/32nds of an inch of tread depth left, which is the minimum of an acceptable limit.

Now, when it comes time to replace tires, I always recommend going new.

The benefits of new tires include a longer lifespan, no fear of underlying damage, a warranty, and that gives you overall peace of mind.

You know, this isn't to knock used tires as a whole.

But keep in mind that someone used them and removed them from their vehicle for a reason.

Yes, there are reputable shops out there that will sell you quality rubber.

But, just remember that, while you might save some cash at the moment, this is a short-term fix and you'll be heading back to the shop sooner for a replacement.

Now, when you're looking at used tires, be sure to check the age of the tire - which is the DOT Code stamped onto the sidewall, that will tell you the month and year that the tire was made.

This one says 4308, meaning it's the 43rd week of 2008 when it was born.

That's really old!

Look at the sidewalls for any weird abnormalities.

You're going to look for any bulges, any tears, and any cracks.

Also, be sure to look for any scuffs in the treads, cuts in the treads, and melted ends on the tire.

Either way, be smart, play it safe, and keep your tires fresh!

If you have any questions or comments, reach out to us, right here at Motorweek.

JOHN: Let's drop a gear and disappear into another QuickSpin!

GREG CARLOSS: One of the most influential sports cars of all time, the Porsche 911, is turning 60.

We flew to Italy for a special birthday bash where the star of the party was a new limited-edition variant, the 911 S/T.

This is much more than a 911 with a special badge; the S/T happens to be the lightest 911 of the 992 generation, coming in at 3,065 pounds.

The body is kept light through various uses of carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

The wheels are made of magnesium, and even a lightweight clutch was made exclusively for the S/T.

Yep, the S/T's sole transmission is of the manual 6-speed variety.

It's paired up to a GT3 RS-derived engine, a 4.0 liter Boxer-6 putting out 518 horsepower and revving out to 9,000 RPM.

Utilizing the 911's standard narrow chassis, a double-wishbone front-axle and multi-link rear setup without rear steering further carves out the S/T's niche in the 911 portfolio.

DAVE SCRIVENER: Porsche is approaching Baskin-Robbins territory.

I think there's 27 flavors of 911 now, and not a plain vanilla in the bunch.

The 911 S/T is positioned to be the ultimate street GT 911, and built to be lightweight, nimble and dynamic for the driver.

I can't give the location, but we're driving the actual roads Porsche's engineers used to develop this car.

It tracks with pinpoint precision, soaks up bumps, and still gives a ride you can drive every day.

GREG: The 2024 Porsche 911 S/T starts at an eye-watering $290,000.

They're expected to arrive to those lucky buyers in the Spring of next year.

JESSICA RAY: The revived Bronco has been a retro delight for Ford fans since its 2021 debut; but just in case it was still a little too modern, Ford honored the nameplate's lineage with special Heritage models, including this 2023 Bronco Heritage Limited Edition.

ALEX KELLUM: It's really no surprise that automakers like to capitalize on nostalgia to sell cars; and of all the players in that game, I'd say Ford quite possibly reigns supreme.

And while, the Bronco in of itself-- is of course, a callback, this Heritage Limited sets it over the top.

JESSICA: The most obvious rewind signals are the white-rimmed wheels, grille, and hardtop, met by '60s-inspired "Bronco" scripture on the fenders.

But the Heritage treatment is more than just a paint job.

These throwbacks come standard equipped with the Sasquatch package, granting 35 inch tires, electronic-locking axles, Bilstein Dampers, and special driving modes a la the "HOSS 2.0" system.

The Heritage Limited ups the ante with a standard 2.7 liter EcoBoost V6, twin-turbocharged for 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired exclusively to a 10-speed automatic.

ALEX: The Bronco Heritage is of course, a serious off-road machine; but, the on-road experience has not been sacrificed.

I mean, despite having these massive, meaty tires on there, there's really not a lot of road noise.

And they do actually absorb the road quite well.

Now, this isn't going to be like riding on a cloud, but it's still very comfortable.

JESSICA: And the interior drives that point home even further, outfitted with leather-trimmed vinyl seats, a large 12 inch infotainment screen, and other modern amenities bringing this old school off-roader completely into the 21st century.

A Ford Bronco Heritage 2-door starts around $49,000, while a Heritage Limited 4-door like ours will start at $73,000.

It sounds like a pretty big price to pay, but Bronco lovers, the nostalgia is so worth the extra coin.

And we'll have more QuickSpins, soon!

JOHN: Whether, you insist on calling them Sports Activity Vehicles or just SUVs like the rest of us, BMW truly has the bases covered when it comes to Utes of all shapes and sizes.

But it's always the entry-level SUVs that are the hardest to get just right.

So, let's see how the folks from Bavaria did with the all-new, 3rd generation, BMW X1.

This 2023 BMW X1 is just one of the many small luxury-minded crossovers available today, many of which even pack a healthy dose of performance into their tidy dimensions.

So, where does the X1 fit in?

Well, BMW has been very successful at transferring the feel of their highly regarded sport sedans into SUV form, including for the compact X1.

This 3rd gen X1 builds upon that by becoming more spacious inside, packing flagship levels of tech, and of course, with a healthy dose of performance.

Just about everybody builds a 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder these days, but few do it as well as BMW.

Their latest here in the X1 delivers 241 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 13 horsepower and 37 pound-feet over last year.

Attached to the business end of that engine is a new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that replaces the previous 8-speed automatic.

The X1 remains front-wheel-drive based, which means very little to most buyers, as xDrive all-wheel-drive is actually now standard.

Though, the front-wheel-drive architecture does give it a slightly different feel than other BMWs with AWD.

With the optional 19 inch wheels, the ride can be a little stiff at times, but as you can imagine, handling is impressive, feeling more like an all-wheel-drive 3 series through our handling course than a typical utility.

It was nimble, stable, and steady through the cones with surprisingly great steering feel to manage it all.

In straight-line testing, there was a little turbo lag, but once rolling it builds speed quickly, with 60 miles per hour achieved in, in 5.7 seconds.

The DCT likes to hold onto gears, keeping them in the power band as long as possible before smoothly engaging the next one.

Best quarter-mile time was 14.4 seconds at 98 miles per hour.

The brakes were consistent and strong, stopping us from 60 in a 109 foot average, with very little nosedive and minimal ABS pulsing in the pedal.

It certainly looks part of the BMW family outside; we wouldn't call it rugged, though the squared-off kidney grille and heavy use of black trim give it a bolder vibe.

Every exterior dimension has increased over last year.

And that certainly delivers an airier, feel inside.

Its more modern too as it's strictly touchscreen now, with no central controller for iDrive 8, and some other physical controls lost in the exchange.

I guess we're mostly fine with such progress, as the curved display looks fantastic and works well.

They've truly maximized the space inside the X1, and there are great materials for this price point.

Front seat cushions are also much more comfortable now, with a surprising amount of room for adults both front and rear.

Cargo capacity is good; 25.7 cubic-feet, and with the 40/20/40 split seatbacks folded down, a max of 57.2 cubic-feet.

Currently available in a single xDrive28i model, pricing starts reasonably low for a German luxury brand SUV at $40,095, but you can easily add a lot more to your bottom line, with our tester coming in over $47,000.

We love the additional power and space, along with the plentiful new features that BMW has packed into the 2023 X1, even if progress makes it a tad less user-friendly.

But there's no denying, the X1 still manages to deliver a sizable dose of the BMW experience in a spacious and comfortable package at an entry-level price.

BMW has embraced SUVs just like everyone else but continues to build them in the superior way that only they can.

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 try out the high lux high voltage Mercedes EQE SUV.

Then, cruise back into daily choirs with the Kia Seltos.

Until then, I'm John Davis.

We'll see you right here on MotorWeek !

ANNOUNCER: To learn more about MotorWeek , Television's Original Automotive Magazine, visit To order a DVD of this program... MotorWeek is proudly sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper, a nationwide network of stores and shops providing major brand auto and truck parts, and service from coast to coast, and in your local community.

Learn more at AutoValue.Com and BumperToBumper.Com.

TireRack.Com is proud to support MotorWeek !

First, there was the wheel.

Then, the tire.

"We'll call it TireRack."

Forty years later, we're not slowing down.

This program was produced by Maryland Public Television, which is solely responsible for its content.

(engine revving) You're watching PBS.