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

JOIN US FOR THE MINI WITH THE MOSTEST, THE COUNTRYMAN ALL4... PAT GOSS SAYS, YOUR CAR CAN SHINE WITH FEWER WASHES... LAUREN MORRISON FINDS FACTS AT HER FINGERTIPS FOR THAT NEXT NEW RIDE... AND THE LEXUS LC 500 PROVES BEAUTY IS MORE THAN JUST SKIN DEEP...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... Man: "IT'S GOT 430 FOOT UNITS OF BEAST!"

Announcer: TIRERACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.

THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE... Man: "OOPS."

Announcer: TIRERACK.COM.

WEATHERTECH DIGITAL FIT FLOOR LINERS OFFER LASER MEASURED, CUSTOM FIT VEHICLE FLOOR PROTECTION IN THE FRONT, BACK, AND UP THE SIDES.

WEATHERTECH.

MADE IN AMERICA.

STATE FARM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

John: SINCE, THE 3RD GEN NEW MINI ARRIVED FOR 2014, ITS IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN STEADILY MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE ENTIRE MINI LINEUP.

AND NOW, THAT ROULETTE WHEEL STOPS AT MINI'S CROSSOVER UTILITY VEHICLE, THE COUNTRYMAN.

WELL, AMERICANS SURE LOVE THEIR SUVs, SO LET'S SEE IF THEY'LL ALSO LOVE THIS BIGGEST MINI YET!

♪♪ WITH THE LATEST MINI CLUBMAN WAGON GROWING BIGGER THAN THE COUNTRYMAN, YOU EXPECT A SIZE INCREASE FOR THE REDESIGNED 2017 COUNTRYMAN AS WELL.

AND, INDEED MINI DELIVERS IT; OR ACTUALLY BMW DOES, AS THE COUNTRYMAN'S NEW ARCHITECTURE IS SHARED WITH THE BMW X1 SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLE.

[ENGINE STARTS UP] ENGINE CHOICES ARE FAMILIAR, HOWEVER.

LIKE THE REST OF THE MINI LINEUP; 1.5 LITER OR 2.0 LITER TURBO'S, BOTH WITH AVAILABLE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

WE LOVE THE 134 HORSEPOWER 1.5 LITER 3-CYLINDER'S RESPONSIVENESS, BUT FOR THIS HEAVIER, ALL-WHEEL DRIVER, WE RECOMMEND THE 189 HORSEPOWER AND 207 POUND-FEET OF THE 2.0 LITER I4, DESPITE SOME NOTICEABLE TURBO LAG.

MINI HAS ALWAYS MADE CARS THAT ARE FUN TO DRIVE, BUT SOME HAVE ALSO PROVED HARD TO LIVE WITH ON A DAILY BASIS.

SO MINI HAS MAXIMIZED SPACE HERE, AS WELL AS ADDED A HOST OF PREMIUM FEATURES TO MAKE A KINDER, GENTLER, MORE PRACTICAL MINI.

A PANORAMIC SUNROOF, LEATHERETTE UPHOLSTERY, KEYLESS ENTRY, AND REAR VIEW CAMERA ARE ALL STANDARD ON ALL COUNTRYMAN.

AS IS THE LATEST MINI CONNECTED, BMW BASED, INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM WITH A 6.5 INCH HIGH-RES DISPLAY.

UPGRADING TO THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE UPS SCREEN SIZE TO 8.8 INCHES AND ADDS EVEN MORE FEATURES.

COUNTRYMAN HAS INDEED LOST NONE OF THE FUN TO DRIVE NATURE THAT KEEPS MINI BUYERS COMING BACK.

BUT, KEEP IN MIND THAT COMES WITH A MUCH STIFFER RIDE THAN A TYPICAL COMPACT CROSSOVER.

OPTIONAL ALL-WHEEL DRIVE OFFERS PLENTY OF GRIP FOR LAUNCHING, AND THE 2.0 LITER PROVIDES GREAT TORQUE TO EXPLOIT IT.

60 MILES PER HOUR COMES IN 7.1 SECONDS, WHILE THE QUARTER MILE TRIP IS COMPLETED IN 15.4 AT 91 MILES PER HOUR.

POWER IS PLENTIFUL, AND THERE'S A PLEASING EXHAUST NOTE.

STANDARD TRANSMISSION REMAINS A 6-SPEED MANUAL, BUT OUR CAR WAS SHIFTED BY THE OPTIONAL 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

IT PROVIDES A NICE LITTLE SURGE OF POWER EVERY TIME IT SELECTS A NEW GEAR.

CLEARLY, THE BMW INFLUENCE IS IN FULL EFFECT HERE.

JUST 112 FEET WAS OUR AVERAGE STOPPING DISTANCE FROM 60.

THE BRAKE PEDAL IS FIRM, AND THERE'S GOOD STABILITY WHEN BRAKING IN FULL.

LIKE ALL MINIS, THE RETRO FLAVOR IS SO PRONOUNCED, THAT IT TAKES CAREFUL STUDY TO SEE WHAT ACTUALLY IS NEW.

WELL, IN ADDITION TO EVERYTHING BEING LARGER, THE GRILLE GETS CLEANED UP A LITTLE AND THE FRONT BUMPER SMOOTHED OUT.

TRADEMARK FENDER FLARES AND FENDER TRIM ARE STILL HERE.

STILL, NOT EXACTLY PRETTY, BUT UNIQUE AND NOW BETTER FOR THE EYES.

WHILE, WE WILL CALL THIS AN SUV, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH GROUND CLEARANCE HERE TO VENTURE TOO FAR OFF THE BEATEN PATH; 6.5 INCHES, WHICH IS UP FROM 5.9 LAST YEAR.

STILL, MINI'S CAPABLE ALL4 ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM IS MORE THAN ADEQUATE FOR WINTERY TRAVEL.

INTERIOR SPACE GETS A NICE BOOST, BUT AGAIN EVERYTHING YOU SEE AND TOUCH LOOKS VERY FAMILIAR.

THINGS ARE HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL AS WELL, WITH REAR SEATS SLIDING FORE AND AFT, AS WELL AS RECLINING.

CARGO SPACE GROWS TO 17.6 CUBIC-FEET BEHIND THAT REAR SEAT.

40/20/40 SPLIT-FOLDING SEATBACKS ADD FLEXIBILITY, AS WELL AS EXPAND THE SPACE TO 47.6 CUBIC-FEET.

AN OPTIONAL HANDS-FREE POWER LIFTGATE IS NEW TOO.

UNDER POWER, GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 22-CITY, 31-HIGHWAY, AND 26-COMBINED; SO, OUR 27.3 MILES PER GALLON AVERAGE ON PREMIUM WAS ACCEPTABLE.

THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 12.7 BARRELS OF YEARLY OIL USE, AND 5.7 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS IS ONLY SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN AVERAGE FOR ALL VEHICLES.

BUT, REALLY THE ONLY THING TO GIVE US PAUSE ABOUT ANY MINI, IS THEIR CONSISTENT DWELLING NEAR THE BOTTOM OF RELIABILITY RATINGS.

BASE PRICING IS A REASONABLE $26,950.

THE COOPER S 2.0 LITER STARTS AT $29,950; TACK ON ANOTHER 2-GRAND, IF YOU WANT AWD.

BUT MOST TRANSACT FOR MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT; OUR OPTIONED OUT TESTER ECLIPSED $40,000.

SO WHILE THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF CHOICES FOR A SMALL CROSSOVER THESE DAYS, IF YOU'RE ALSO LOOKING FOR THE MINI BRAND OF FUN, IT CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN THE 2017 MINI COUNTRYMAN.

AND IT JOINS THE TAMER-LOOKING CLUBMAN WAGON IN OFFERING MINI STYLE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SECURITY.

WE THINK, THE COUNTRYMAN'S INCREASED REFINEMENT AND PRACTICALITY WILL ALSO ATTRACT A FEW MORE TRADITIONAL SUV SHOPPERS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING A BIT MORE EXCITING IN A MINI UTE.

AND THAT SHOULD MEAN BIG THINGS FOR MINI.

♪♪ SO, YOU WANT TO BUY A NEW CAR.

YOU KNOW, YOU ARE LIKELY TO OWN IT FOR AT LEAST 7-YEARS MAYBE LONGER.

THAT'S PRETTY TYPICAL THESE DAYS.

SO, YOU NOT ONLY WANT TO GET THE BEST DEAL TODAY, YOU ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE IT REMAINS A SMART CHOICE FOR MANY MILES AND YEARS AHEAD.

WELL, OUR FYI REPORTER LAUREN MORRISON KNOWS THE INS AND OUTS OF SMART CAR BUYING, AND SHE'S UP NEXT TO GIVE US THE LOWDOWN.

♪♪ Lauren Morrison: TODAY'S, SAVVY CAR BUYERS KNOW THAT SPENDING QUALITY TIME ONLINE, RESEARCHING MODELS, SPECS, AND PRICES, WILL SAVE TIME, AND MONEY HERE, ON THE DEALERSHIP LOT.

DOING YOUR HOMEWORK AHEAD OF TIME IS KEY, AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF SHOPPING TOOLS AVAILABLE TO HELP GUIDE YOUR DECISION.

STEPHEN DUPAL WITH HIS FIANCÉE SHERRYN DANIEL ARE IN THE MARKET FOR A SMALL, ECONOMICAL COMMUTER CAR TO REPLACE STEPHEN'S AGING COROLLA.

BEFORE HEADING TO COMMERCIAL WEB PAGES FOR OPTION PACKAGES AND PRICING INFO, SEVERAL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SITES HELPED NARROW THEIR SEARCH IN THE AREAS OF FUEL ECONOMY, SAFETY, AND ALTERNATIVE FUELS, THREE OF THEIR KEY PARAMETERS.

THE JOINT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND EPA FUEL ECONOMY WEBSITE PROVIDES CONVENIENT, ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR EVERYTHING MOST BUYERS WILL EVER WANT TO KNOW ABOUT MAXIMIZING MPG IN THEIR NEXT CAR.

HERE, CONSUMERS CAN COMPARE UP TO FOUR DIFFERENT VEHICLES AT A TIME, AND THEIR FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS, ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENT SCORES, BASIC ENGINE, AND TRANSMISSION SIZE, DRIVING RANGE, AND ANNUAL FUEL COSTS, ALONG WITH REAL-WORLD FUEL CONSUMPTION DATA PROVIDED BY ACTUAL OWNERS.

THE WEBSITE HAD OVER 25 MILLION USER SESSIONS LAST YEAR!

Stephen Dupal: I LIKE TO HAVE LIKE THOSE CHARTS AND PLOTS, AND GRAPHS TO KIND OF COMPARE THINGS IN A NUMERICAL BASIS, SO I KNOW WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR AND THEN I CAN VERIFY... OH YES, THIS CAR WILL HAVE WHAT I NEED BASED ON THESE METRICS.

Lauren Morrison: OTHER USEFUL CONTENT ON THE WEBSITE, AND FREE FUEL ECONOMY MOBILE APP, INCLUDES DRIVING AND MAINTENANCE TIPS TO HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE, EASY TO UNDERSTAND DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY, INFORMATION ABOUT AVAILABLE TAX INCENTIVES FOR ADVANCED-TECHNOLOGY VEHICLES, TRIP CALCULATORS, AND MORE!

[SOUND OF CAR CRASHING] IN THE AREA OF SAFETY, YOU CAN START WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S SAFERCAR WEBSITE FOR HOW A CAR FARES IN MANDATED CRASH TESTING AND ROLLOVER RATINGS.

THE SITE SPELLS OUT WHICH VEHICLES GO BEYOND REQUIREMENTS, AND HAVE CUTTING EDGE SAFETY TECHNOLOGY.

Sherryn Daniel: WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE SAFERCAR WEBSITE IS THERE'S JUST SO MANY LITTLE APPLICATIONS, WHERE ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS ENTER THE MAKE AND THE MODEL OF THE CAR, AND WE CAN SEE IF IT WAS RECALLED, WE CAN LOOK FOR CERTAIN SAFETY FEATURES, I EVEN LEARNED ABOUT ROLLOVER THAT THIS IS THE MOST LETHAL TYPE OF CAR ACCIDENT AND THAT WITH THE BEST TYPE OF CAR, YOU CAN PREVENT DAMAGE.

Lauren: BUT, YOU'RE A CONSUMER OR A FLEET MANAGER THAT IS UP TO DATE, MAYBE EVEN AHEAD OF THE CROWD.

SO, PERHAPS A PLUG-IN HYBRID OR EVEN FULL ELECTRIC CAR FITS YOUR LIFESTYLE OR BUSINESS.

OR, A VEHICLE THAT RUNS ON ANOTHER NON-TRADITIONAL FUEL LIKE E85, BIO-DIESEL, NATURAL GAS, PROPANE, OR EVEN HYDROGEN.

NOW, YOU NEED TO KNOW NOT ONLY THE SPECS, BUT THE PROS AND CONS, AND PRACTICALITY OF EACH FUEL.

WELL, FOR THAT, MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION USERS A YEAR CHECK OUT THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT'S "ALTERNATIVE FUELS DATA CENTER" WEBSITE.

THE AFDC WEBSITE AND ALT-FUEL APP ARE DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE YOUR CONFUSION OVER THE VARIOUS TYPES OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS AND THEIR VEHICLES.

AND NOW, THAT PLUG-IN AND ALT-FUEL VEHICLES ARE BEING SOLD WITH EVER INCREASING RANGE, THE WEBSITE'S FUELING STATION DATABASE IS ENJOYING INCREASING POPULARITY AS WELL.

Sherryn: THERE'S THIS LINK WHERE YOU CAN JUST TYPE IN YOUR STATE, SO IF WE BOUGHT LIKE A HYBRID, OR A CAR THAT USES NATURAL GAS, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WE CAN LOOK UP STATIONS NEARBY AHEAD OF TIME, WHEN WE MAKE TRAVELS.

Lauren: THE END GAME IN ALL THIS IS TO BE THE BEST INFORMED NEW CAR SHOPPER YOU CAN POSSIBLY BE.

AND ULTIMATELY, TO BUY OR LEASE A NEW CAR, SUV, OR TRUCK, YOU CAN LIVE WITH TODAY, AND WAY INTO THE FUTURE.

THESE COMMERCIAL FREE, DOT-GOV WEBSITE'S CAN HELP YOU TO AVOID COSTLY MISTAKES AND SURPRISES, BEFORE AND AFTER YOU VISIT THE DEALERSHIP.

John: GOOD CAR CARE NEVER RESTS, SO WE WELCOME ANY HELP.

PAT GOSS HAS SOME DOWN IN GOSS' GARAGE.

Pat Goss: AS AUTOMOBILES HAVE EVOLVED, SO HAVE THE FINISHES THAT GO ON THEM.

LET'S FACE IT, PAINTS THESE DAYS ARE MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THEY WERE 15 OR 20 YEARS AGO.

AND THAT MEANS YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER A MORE MODERN PROTECTION FOR YOUR PAINT SOMETHING LIKE NANO TECHNOLOGY.

AND TO EXPLAIN THAT TO US, WE HAVE ROB FREEMAN FROM PRO FORM AUTO.

ROB WELCOME TO GOSS' GARAGE.

Rob Freeman: HI PAT, THANKS FOR HAVING ME AGAIN.

Pat: ABSOLUTELY.

TELL US ABOUT NANO TECHNOLOGY.

Rob: WELL TODAY, WHAT WE HAVE IS THE CERAMIC PRO LINE OF NANO PRODUCTS.

THESE ARE PAINT SEALANTS AND WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO IS ONCE THE CAR IS PROPERLY PREPPED THEY'RE GOING TO PROTECT YOUR PAINT, GIVE IT GLASS LIKE COATINGS.

IT'S SELF-CLEANING.

IT'S GONNA MAKE IT TO WHERE YOUR CAR IS VIRTUALLY MAINTENANCE FREE FOR THE TIME THAT YOU OWN IT.

Pat: ALRIGHT...NOW, I'VE BEEN ON THE INTERNET, I'VE SEEN ALL KINDS OF DO IT YOURSELF NANO TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS AND SO ON.

AH, HOW GOOD ARE THEY?

Rob: UM, THERE ARE SOME OUT THERE THAT ARE CONSUMER BASED THAT ARE GONNA BE ALRIGHT, BUT EVERYTHING THAT WE USE IS PROFESSIONAL.

SO, IT GOES THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS.

YOU CAN ALWAYS PUT SOMETHING ON THAT'S JUST GONNA COVER FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT YOU REALLY WANT TO GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS TO MAKE SURE IT'S DONE PROPERLY.

ON THIS ONE WHAT WE'VE DONE IS A WASH, A CLAY BAR, A BUFF, AND THEN A POLISH, THEN WE APPLY THE CERAMIC PRO 9-H WITH THE LIGHT PRODUCT ON TOP OF IT TO GIVE IT THE ULTIMATE PROTECTION THAT IT'S GONNA NEED.

Pat: SO YOU'RE CLEANING THE PAINT UP AND CLEANING EVERYTHING BEFORE WE COAT IT WITH ANYTHING.

Rob: ABSOLUTELY, JUST LIKE WITH ANYTHING ELSE IT'S ALWAYS PREPARATION, PREPARATION, PREPARATION.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SURFACE IS IN THE MOST PRISTINE SHAPE THAT IT CAN BE BEFORE YOU APPLY ANY PRODUCTS TO IT.

Pat: OKAY, WHAT IS THE END RESULT FOR THIS AS FAR AS THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED?

Rob: THE END RESULT IS GOING TO BE EASE OF CLEANING, LONGEVITY, IT STOPS ACID RAIN... EVERYTHING TENDS TO SELF-CLEAN IN THE RAIN ITSELF, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WASH THE CAR, THERE'S NO MORE WAXING FOR CLIENTS.

EVERYTHING CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF AND IT'S GONNA LAST AND MAKE THE CAR LOOK BETTER.

Pat: QUICKLY, WHAT ABOUT WHEELS?

Rob: WE DO HAVE PRODUCTS.

WE HAVE A WHEEL AND CALIPER PRODUCT THAT'S DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR RIMS AND CALIPERS WHICH IS GONNA STOP THE BRAKE DUST FROM ETCHING INTO THE RIMS, SELF-CLEANING AGAIN...

SO AS YOU'RE DRIVING, IT'S GONNA MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR.

Pat: ALRIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE A DEMONSTRATION YOU'RE GOING TO SHOW US ON THIS.

Rob: WE DO.

WHAT WE'VE DONE ON THIS ONE IS THE PROCESSES THAT I'VE EXPLAINED BEFORE AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WE'VE ONLY DONE HALF OF THIS HOOD, SO WE'RE GOING TO DO THE MUD TEST ON IT.

THIS IS GETTING THE MUD THROWN ON AND WE'LL SEE HOW THE TREATED SIDE COMPARES TO THE UNTREATED SIDE.

Pat: ALRIGHT, AND LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.

WOW, THAT'S IMPRESSIVE.

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

John: WE SEARCH THE GLOBE FOR THE LATEST AUTOMOTIVE GOINGS ON.

AND YOLANDA VAZQUEZ HAS WHAT'S NEW WITH THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

Yolanda Vazquez: THE BI-ANNUAL TOKYO MOTOR SHOW IS BEST KNOWN FOR ITS SOMETIMES WILD, AND CREATIVE CONCEPT CARS, AND THIS YEAR WAS NO EXCEPTION.

MAZDA'S SLEEK VIEW OF THE FUTURE INCLUDES THE VISION COUPE.

BUT SURPRISE, THEY'VE ACTUALLY PACKED 4-DOORS INTO THE ELEGANT COUPE SHAPE.

MAZDA ALSO, PUBLICLY REVEALED THEIR KAI CONCEPT.

THE COMPACT HATCHBACK WILL FEATURE MAZDA'S NEXT GENERATION SKYACTIV-X GASOLINE ENGINE.

LEXUS PREMIERED THIS STYLISH "LS+ CONCEPT."

THEIR "HIGHWAY TEAMMATE" ALLOWS AUTOMATED DRIVING FROM ON-RAMP TO OFF-RAMP.

PARENT COMPANY TOYOTA REVEALED THE FINE-COMFORT RIDE CONCEPT.

THIS FUEL CELL VEHICLE GETS ITS ELECTRIC POWER FROM HYDROGEN FOR A RANGE OF 621 MILES.

TOYOTA EXPANDED ITS HYBRID PROWESS BY THINKING REALLY BIG WITH THE TJ CRUISER.

THIS EXTRA BOXY SUV IS POWERED BY A 2.0 LITER ENGINE HYBRID SYSTEM.

HYBRID POWER IS ALSO, UNDER THE HOOD OF TOYOTA'S GR HV SPORTS CONCEPT.

WITH GAZOO RACING INFLUENCES, THE TARGA TOP HAS THE HYBRID BATTERY MOUNTED NEAR THE VEHICLE CENTER FOR IMPROVE HANDLING.

HONDA UNVEILED THIS SPORTS EV CONCEPT.

IT COMBINES PURE ELECTRIC PERFORMANCE AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, SIMILAR TO THE URBAN EV CONCEPT WE SAW AT FRANKFURT.

BUT NOW, WITH A BODY THAT SIGNALS A MORE SPORTS CAR LIKE DRIVING EXPERIENCE.

SUBARU PREMIERED THE VIZIV PERFORMANCE CONCEPT.

THE SPORTS SEDAN NATURALLY FEATURES A BOXER ENGINE AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, BUT WITH THE NEXT-GEN EYESIGHT DRIVER-ASSIST SYSTEM.

THE PERFORMANCE THEME CONTINUED WITH THE NISSAN LEAF NISMO CONCEPT THE MANUFACTURER ALSO UNVEILED THE IMX CONCEPT.

THIS ALL-ELECTRIC CROSSOVER CLAIMS A DRIVING RANGE OF MORE THAN 372 MILES.

THERE IS A STEERING WHEEL, BUT IT SLIDES INSIDE THE DASH FOR FULL AUTONOMOUS DRIVING.

MITSUBISHI PREMIERED THE E-EVOLUTION CONCEPT AT TOKYO.

THIS ALL-ELECTRIC HIGH PERFORMANCE SUV, INCLUDES AN ONBOARD ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PERSONAL ASSISTANT.

AND IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE WE SEE WHICH OF THESE IDEAS ACTUALLY MAKE IT TO THE ROAD.

AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

THIS WEEK, WE WANT TO ACQUAINT YOU WITH OUR 2017 KIA NIRO HYBRID A LITTLE MORE FULLY.

THIS ECO SLED, DRESSED IN RED, IS THE TOP LEVEL TOURING MODEL; WHICH DUE TO HIGH CONTENT LEVEL AND WEIGHT IS RATED AT 43 MPG COMBINED.

BASE NIRO'S ARE RATED AT 49, WITH THE NIRO FE RATED AT 50.

SO, OUR AVERAGE OF 43.3 MILES PER GALLON IS SO FAR RIGHT ON.

AND OUR NIRO HAS BEEN BUSY.

IN AND OUT OF OUR LOT FOR JUST TWO MONTHS, WE'VE RACKED UP 4,500 MILES ALREADY.

MOST DRIVERS HAVE FOUND A COMFORTABLE RIDE WITH AMPLE PICKUP FROM THE 104 HORSEPOWER ELECTRICALLY ASSISTED 1.6 LITER I4.

YOU CAN CERTAINLY TELL WHEN THE GAS ENGINE ENGAGES, THOUGH SOME OF THE READOUTS ARE A LITTLE SLOW IN SHOWING THE CHANGE; GIVING YOU A VERY OPTIMISTIC VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING.

CONTROLS WORK WELL, AND THERE'S LONG DISTANCE COMFORT IN THE SEATS; HOWEVER, THE FOOTWELL PLACEMENT OF THE PARKING BRAKE ROBS A LITTLE SPACE FOR THE LEGS.

WE'LL KEEP STRETCHING THE NIRO'S LEGS OVER THE COMING MONTHS.

OUR THREE MONTHS WITH THE 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI SPORT RACED BY, BUT WE ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE BEHIND THE WHEEL.

WE KNEW GOING IN IT WOULD BE A SPIRITED DRIVE, AND BOY WAS IT.

THE 220 HORSEPOWER TURBO-4 SATISFIED OUR NEED FOR POWER, AND THE 6-SPEED DUAL-CLUTCH AUTOMATIC HAD NO TROUBLE KEEPING UP.

THE GTI HELD ON TIGHT AROUND THE CURVES.

AND WHILE, SPORTY DRIVING USUALLY MEANS A STIFFER RIDE, WE WERE CONSISTENTLY IMPRESSED WITH HOW COMFORTABLE THE SEATS WERE, ESPECIALLY, DURING LONG TRIPS.

AND WHEN WE PUT IT IN REVERSE, THE BACK-UP CAMERA GAVE US A NICE WIDE VIEW.

IT WAS SO POPULAR AMONG OUR DRIVERS IT SEEMS LIKE WE SELDOM PARKED IT FOR VERY LONG.

WE RACKED UP 6500 MILES, AVERAGING 27.4 MILES PER GALLON.

WE JUST WISH IT HAD AN EVEN BIGGER GAS TANK, SO WE COULD HAVE SPENT EVEN MORE OF THOSE SHORT 90 DAYS DRIVING IT.

WE'LL CHECK IN ON OUR BMW X1 ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!

AS A LUXURY HIGH-PERFORMANCE FLAGSHIP COUPE, THE LEXUS LC 500 MUST NOT ONLY FEATURE ENOUGH STYLE TO ATTRACT ATTENTION TO THE BRAND, BUT IT ALSO NEEDS TO BACK THAT UP WITH IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE.

BOTH KEEP BUYERS HAPPY, AND GET THE AUTOMOTIVE PRESS LIKE US EXCITED.

SO, LET'S FIND OUT IF THIS ALL-NEW LUXURY MISSILE DELIVERS.

♪♪ WELL, THIS 2018 LEXUS LC 500 CERTAINLY HAS THE LEVEL OF REFINEMENT YOU EXPECT IN A TOP-TIER AUTOMOBILE.

AND REMARKABLY, LEXUS WAS ABLE TO KEEP MOST OF THE LF-LC CONCEPT'S DYNAMIC LINES IN PLACE; AS THE LC LOOKS BETTER IN PERSON THAN WE EVER IMAGINED.

AND THAT INCLUDES THE ULTRA SLIM LED HEADLIGHTS, AND THE BEST INTERPRETATION YET, OF LEXUS' CONTROVERSIAL SPINDLE GRILLE.

FROM THE REAR, THERE ARE HINTS OF THE LFA SUPERCAR.

BUT FROM ANY ANGLE, ITS ONE SLICK, ULTRA MODERN LOOKING PIECE OF AUTOMOTIVE SCULPTURE, THAT HOLDS ITS OWN AGAINST THE BEST IN SHEET-METAL BENDERS LIKE ASTON MARTIN.

STANDARD WHEELS ARE 20 INCHES, BUT YOU'VE COME THIS FAR, SO WHY NOT OPT FOR THE 21s?

BUT AS MODERN AS THE EXTERIOR IS, THE INTERIOR IS SPICED WITH RETRO FLAVOR.

LEXUS DESIGNERS WERE ALLOWED TO HAVE SOME FUN HERE, AND IT SHOWS, AS THEY'VE MANAGED TO INFUSE IT WITH A MISHMASH OF MID-CENTURY AUTOMOTIVE DETROIT CLICHÉS.

IT'S WAY COOL!

THE VERY LINEAR DASH HAS A FLOWING DESIGN HIGHLIGHTED BY CHROME TRIMMED CONTROLS, HORIZONTAL VENTS, SHARP ANGLES, GRAB HANDLES, AND WELL-INTEGRATED INFOTAINMENT.

THERE ARE MINI STALKS BEHIND THE WHEEL FOR SOME CONTROLS, WHILE AUDIO INPUTS RESIDE ON THE CONSOLE; UNFORTUNATELY, SO DOES LEXUS' NOT TERRIFIC TOUCHPAD CONTROLLER.

IT ALL COMBINES FOR A BEAUTIFUL, MODERN SPACE, WITH A TIME WARP SENSE OF A BYGONE ERA.

FRONT SEATS ARE VERY LUXURIOUS AND COMFORTABLE, THOUGH, THERE'S NOT MUCH SPACE IN THE REAR FOR TAKING ALONG FRIENDS.

IT'S CLEARLY AT 2+2.

WHICH MAKES IT PERFECT FOR USING THE SPACE PACKING FOR WEEKEND GETAWAYS WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER, AS THERE'S JUST 5.4 CUBIC-FEET OF ROOM IN THE TRUNK.

[ENGINE STARTS UP] FIRE UP THE ENGINE, AND THERE'S A NICE POWERFUL BURBLE COMING THROUGH THE DUAL EXHAUST TIPS.

THAT AUDIO COMES FROM A 471 HORSEPOWER 5.0 LITER NORMALLY-ASPIRATED V8 WITH 398 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

A 10-SPEED SPORT DIRECT SHIFT TRANSMISSION CHANNELS ALL OF THE GOODNESS TO THE REAR WHEELS.

A 3.5 LITER V6 BASED HYBRID IS COMING AS WELL.

BUT THE V8 GOES LIKE A ROCKET, AND EVEN FEELS LIKE ONE BLASTING OFF THE LINE.

WE LEAPT TO 60 IN 5.0 SECONDS FLAT, WITH JUST A TOUCH OF WHEEL SPIN AT LAUNCH.

[ENGINE REVVING] THE TRANSMISSION RIFLES THROUGH GEARS WITH CVT-LIKE SMOOTHNESS, AND YOU HEAR VIRTUALLY NOTHING IN THE CABIN EXCEPT FOR SOME FANTASTIC V8 EXHAUST NOTES THAT SOUND MORE LIKE A '60s MUSCLE CAR THAN AN ASIAN LUXURY COUPE.

THE QUARTER MILE RUN WAS 13.3 SECONDS OF UTTER SMOOTHNESS AT 110 MILES PER HOUR.

AS FOR HANDLING, WELL, THERE'S A LOT TO LOVE; BUT THERE'S NO GETTING AROUND THE FACT THAT THE LC IS A HEAVY BEAST.

CURB WEIGHT IS 4,280 POUNDS.

YOU HAVE TO ENGAGE SPORT+ FOR IT TO FEEL REALLY SERIOUS, AND EVEN THEN YOU MOSTLY NOTICE IT IN THROTTLE RESPONSE AND STEERING, AS HANDLING STAYS AMAZINGLY FLAT NO MATTER WHAT MODE YOU'RE IN.

STEERING FEEL IS AWESOME, SOMETHING WE DON'T SAY OFTEN, AND CERTAINLY NOT IN REFERENCE TO A BIG LEXUS.

IT IS VERY QUICK AND DIRECT.

THERE IS A SLIGHT UNDERSTEER TENDENCY, BUT PLENTY OF MID-RANGE TORQUE TO OVERCOME IT WITH JUST A QUICK STAB OF THE THROTTLE.

WE AVERAGED VERY CONSISTENTLY SHORT 105 FOOT STOPS FROM 60.

HOWEVER, BRAKE PEDAL FEEL WAS VERY INCONSISTENT.

YET, IT DIDN'T AFFECT THE NUMBERS.

AWAY FROM THE TRACK, COMFORT MODE KEEPS THINGS PLEASANT AND INOFFENSIVE IN EVERY WAY, FOR THAT TRUE LEXUS EXPERIENCE; WITH BARELY ANY NOISE SEEPING INTO THE CABIN, AND ALL OF THE SERENITY OF FLOATING THROUGH OUTER SPACE.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 16-CITY, 26-HIGHWAY, AND 19-COMBINED; WHICH WE ALMOST MATCHED EXACTLY AT 18.9 MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM.

A $92,995 BASE PRICE WILL KEEP SALES LIMITED, BUT IT'S A RELATIVE BARGAIN FOR THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO ENJOY THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE; FULLY COMPETITIVE WITH CARS COSTING 50 GRAND MORE.

SO, THE 2018 LC 500 DOES INDEED DELIVER; IT'S QUITE THE PERSONAL LUXURY 2+2 EURO STYLED GRAND-TOURING FLAGSHIP COUPE, THAT FULLY ENCAPSULATES ALL THAT LEXUS IS ABOUT, YET AT THE SAME TIME POINTS TO WHERE THEY'RE UNDOUBTEDLY HEADED.

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 FOUR, 3-ROW SUVs JOCKEY FOR OUR FAMILY'S TOP SPOT, AND ITS PORSCHE POWER WITH PANAMERA ROOM.

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

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