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

We're putting foot to firewall in the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Coupe... Logan McCombs breaks down the facts on suspension bushings... Stephanie Hart checks out real estate for racetrack regulars... Then, its America's top selling mid-size sedan, the Toyota Camry...

So, come drive with us, next!

Closed Captioning provided by Maryland Public Television.

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JOHN: When we heard we'd be getting some track time in a Mercedes-AMG GT, a lot of questions followed.

Is it the 4-door Coupe?

The actual 2-door Coupe?

The roadster?

Which motor does it get?

Well, it's time for us to get all of the answers!

♪ ♪ This is the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Coupe.

Yes, the actual 2-door Coupe!

It is the second generation of the 911 fighter that first arrived for 2016.

It was quickly joined by a convertible version and even a 4-door Coupe, all the while continuing to pack in more and more performance.

And then almost as quickly, the Coupe disappeared from the Mercedes lineup.

Well, it's back, and we're back at Savannah, Georgia's Roebling Road Raceway to put it to the test.

This recreated GT Coupe no longer rides on its own chassis.

It now shares a platform with the reborn Mercedes-Benz SL which we had on track here 2.0 years ago.

Not much of that matters really, as it looks better than ever, and is still breathing fire from a ferocious V8.

This hand-assembled twin-turbo 4.0 liter may be very familiar at this point, but it's still an engine we love very much.

Here in the GT 63 Coupe it delivers 577 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque to a 9-speed AMG Speedshift Automatic transmission.

AMG claims 3.1 seconds to 60, something we couldn't verify as our track time was cut short by a surprise snowstorm blowing into Coastal Georgia.

But it sure feels that fast!

We focused our time on getting in plenty of full track laps before the snow started falling, and no matter how hard it seemed we were working in the cockpit, this car was working much harder, with standard fully variable all-wheel drive, active roll stabilization, active rear axle steering, and even active aerodynamics.

All-wheel-drive wasn't even available in the last gen, and when you combine all of the added hardware with dimensions that are bigger in every direction, the GT 63 feels noticeably heavier and bigger on track.

But the added grip from 4MATIC is surely a benefit.

We really felt those front wheels pulling us out of corners too.

So, is it more capable?

Yes.

Did it lose a little bit of its playful nimble feel in the transition?

We'd have to say yes there too.

Ceramic composite brakes are an optional upgrade, and well worth it if repeated late braking is more of a priority than just looking cool cruising down the strip.

And while, you're feeling like a boss in cruise mode, all those loyal electronically controlled mechanicals keep working just as hard to give you a relaxing ride that quickly reminds you this is a Mercedes-Benz first and foremost.

Other than a great looking and highly functional new touchscreen display, the driver-focused interior looks mostly the same as every other AMG from this decade or the one before it-- if we're being honest, and that's not a complaint.

Materials are attractive, it feels spacious, and there's an underlying sense of luxuriousness that you don't get in most high-performance cars.

We highly recommend upgrading to these AMG Performance seats, which actively adjust bolstering based on drive mode, and are equally adept at delivering great comfort.

Though, sold as a two-seater, rear seats are a no cost option.

The 11.3 cubic-foot luggage area makes it perfect for high-speed weekend getaways.

While, the GT Coupe has the same basic long hood, minimal greenhouse, fastback shape as before, it now looks much more purposeful.

Especially, up front where the widened grille with vertical slats helps give it much more presence.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 13 City, 20 Highway, and 16 Combined.

Pricing for this GT 63 Coupe starts at $180,200, but there are options on both sides of that: a base GT 43 and GT 55 below and an S E Performance version of the 63.

We get it, unless you're a real fan of the brand, it is difficult to keep track of which Mercedes-AMGs are the real deal AMGs and which are just AMG-tuned Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

But the car industry is full of blurred lines and shared chassis these days.

This GT 63 Coupe may not be as unique as it once was, but that doesn't make it any less very special indeed.

♪ ♪ Obviously, we love to test cars, and one of our favorite testing venues is Dominion Raceway in Thornburg, Virginia.

So, when we saw garage condos popping up near the track we were intrigued.

In fact, it's part of a national trend that's quickly becoming a lifestyle choice for car enthusiasts.

Our "FYI" reporter Stephanie Hart takes it from here.

♪ ♪ STEPHANIE HART: The garage condos are for car fanatics who love to race.

This one happens to be one of my favorites.

Definitely impressive.

And the condos can be used as a place to socialize, a workshop, or just a private getaway.

And one of the best parts, the Dominion Lux garage condominium is just two minutes from Dominion Raceway, by private road.

STEVE BRITT: These are really high-end condominiums.

Our collector car market here is high-end...uh, and so we...we finish these for a high end collector car person, and a lot of them have a finished loft, some of them have showers, uh...some of them are fully built out, some are, you know, bought just for storage purposes.

STEPHANIE: Will Alexander bought this garage condo recently and was more than happy to show me around.

He's an off-road truck convert who fell in love with road racing and now owns his own business, Contender Motorsports.

WILL ALEXANDER: One of the challenges I had with trying to operate this from home is that, you know, at the end of the day I got to try to pack up and tidy this stuff up because that's also where we have our...our daily vehicles.

So now, I can do more mad science down here in a dedicated space, right.

We have great proximity to the track so I can, you know, do some modifications here and then take it out onto the track, and test and tune and really be able to dial things in, uh, without having to try to worry about the logistics of transport or worrying about track day fees or any of that sort of thing.

STEPHANIE: However, the cost of owning a condo like this one starts at $300,000.

It was a dream purchase for Russ Bartlett, who owns this garage condo.

RUSS BARTLETT: It's a lifesaver because in the winter we put the boat in here, we've got a couple of cars in here, we got a little, uh, seating area upstairs to just kind of relax and we got the racetrack right there.

So, it's perfect.

(engine starts up) It's a community of like-minded, uh...car nuts, so it's a lot of fun and they kind of, kind of get each other.

STEPHANIE: (laughs) Just beyond the car garage condos is the chrome lounge here.

I love its style.

This is a great place to socialize with other car enthusiasts or even host a meeting.

And check this out...this is the Pit Stop, a lift bay where you can make all necessary repairs and maintenance to your car.

There's even a wash bay affectionately named Suds.

STEVE: Some of these people, the Ferrari owners and stuff, will have a traveling mechanic, and so they can come service a car here at the garage condo.

Um, they also have a wash bay that is heated and cooled.

STEPHANIE: Plus, owners have unlimited access to the amenity suite with flat screen TVs, pool, darts, and more.

STEWART BARTLEY: It's a great group of people uh...over there.

We...we've...um...we're-we're building a small community of like-minded car enthusiasts and that's a lot of fun.

STEPHANIE: Which makes track days even more memorable.

JUSTIN GELLERT: Here you can literally...uh, drive out of our condo garage area and drive right over to the track.

Um...technically, its private property so you can drive without a...um, a muffler if you want to, for example, stuff like that.

So...um, that's what I love about this property, is that it's close to the 2.0 mile road course.

WILL: I could not have ever imagined, uh, that I would be part of a community like this.

It's been a lot of fun.

A lot of these guys are more experienced Motorsports enthusiasts and so...uh, it's been an opportunity to learn a lot from folks who have been doing this a little bit longer.

Anytime...um, I'm down here wrenching, uh, folks will be like, "Hey Will, you need a hand?"

So, it's been great to be part of a group like this.

JOHN: Maybe you've heard the term "suspension bushings," and maybe not.

Either way, they are important parts of your car that affect ride, handling and safety.

Logan McCombs is stopping by to make sure we all know just how important they really are on MotorWeek's "Your Drive!"

♪ ♪ LOGAN MCCOMBS: One commonly overlooked suspension component is your bushings.

Bushings are used whenever two metal parts that are bolted together, to control movement in the joints.

They absorb road bumps and reduce noise, and vibration as well while you're driving.

The two primary materials used in bushings are rubber and polyurethane.

Rubber is softer, and is used where comfort is a priority.

While, on the other hand, polyurethane bushings are used in high-performance cars, especially in racing, to allow less flex in the joints, which makes the car more responsive.

But the downside is a very stiff ride.

Over time, the round hole here will become oval, or it'll allow metal to move around freely, and give your car a wobbly ride or a sloppy steering feel, or even worse.

There is no set timeframe for when to change your suspension bushings.

They wear differently in every vehicle.

It can depend on the environment where you live, how you drive the vehicle and the amount of stress you put it through on a regular basis.

When suspension components begin to wear out, you'll probably first notice a clunking or a rattling over bumps; you may feel the car react differently when cornering or coming to an abrupt stop.

To check your suspension bushings, first you want to raise your car up off the ground, give the tire a good tug from side to side and top to bottom.

If you feel any movement, looseness in the suspension, that could indicate a problem, and it's time to pull the wheel off and inspect the bushings for bulges, cracks, or check if they have been forced out of place.

Bushing kits are available for many vehicles, but you may find the simplest solution is to replace the entire suspension component, since now most of them come pre-assembled and they already have the bushings in place for you.

A stock replacement front suspension kit for this Dodge Ram, including control arms, tie rods, sway bars, end links, ball joints and shocks, can be had for just around $200.

If you're handy with a socket set, you can replace them yourself and save big versus having a shop do it for you.

If you notice a rattle or a clunk, don't beat around the bush.

Take the time now to see if your bushings are bushed, before you get bushwhacked by a broken suspension.

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

JOHN: From revived to redesigned, we're always ready for another "QuickSpin!"

♪ ♪ GREG CARLOSS: Ahhh, the Chevrolet Corvette.

We've tested a lot of them in our 44 years, most recently the mighty Z06 and electrified E-Ray, the current front runners of the C8 generation.

That is until the ZR1 returns later this year.

(car whooshing by) Well, this isn't any of those.

This is a 2025 Stingray 3LT Coupe, somewhat humble by comparison but equally deserving of some laps at Roebling Road Raceway to show that you don't need one of those top performers to have some pure fun.

(car whooshing by) To be fair, this 3LT's optional Z51 Performance Package does sharpen this 'Vette's track focus, and it's more than just a redesigned spoiler.

Wrapping the 5-spoke wheels are Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires, 245s for steering and fat 305's for ample rear-wheel-drive traction, and an electronic limited-slip diff evens power distribution.

(car whooshing by) The Corvette's mid-ship-mounted 6.2 liter V8 generates 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, provoking the right foot to challenge Chevy's 2.9 second 0-to-60 claim.

That said, we know what this chassis is capable of, and a little more horsepower wouldn't hurt.

Still, blasting down Roebling's front straight at wide open throttle got us close to 150 miles per hour at which point stomping on the Z51's larger monoblock Brembo brakes from the 5-marker brought us down to turn one entry speed with room to spare.

(car whooshing by) The performance package exhaust sounds fantastic as each 8-speed dual-clutch downshift releases a burst of endorphins the way only an American V8 can.

The Z51-tuned suspension, reinforced by optional magnetic selective ride, had us fast and flat through all nine corners with the GT2 sport seats keeping us in place in heavy lateral G sections like Turn three's high-speed, you'll-be-sorry-if-you-lift lefthander.

The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 3LT proves you don't need a Z06 or ZR1 to enjoy this American sports car stalwart.

You can pick up a 2025 Corvette for around $70,000, a 3LT around $80,000, and one like ours just shy of $100,000.

By no means cheap, but with more performance than cars two to three times its price, and a ride that'll make you smile every mile.

And we'll have more QuickSpins...soon!

JOHN: Electric vehicle charging is now readily available in most areas of the country and along major travel routes, but many smaller communities still find themselves behind the clean energy curve when it comes to EV infrastructure.

Well, here's a look at one group that's banding together to help create an electric nation.

♪ ♪ The upper Midwest inter-tribal EV charging community network, which the project team named Electric Nation, is an EV infrastructure project serving tribal members on 23 Native American reservations across five states.

Aided by U.S. Department of Energy funding, this public-private partnership will introduce 60 level 2 chargers, along with 19 light, and medium-duty plug-in electric vehicles, directly into these communities, empowering them to expand their fuel diversity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

ROBERT BLAKE: It always seems that these communities are always last to receive, um...this...these, this type of investment.

How do rural communities participate in this energy transition?

Well, this is a perfect opportunity for rural communities to be a part of that transition.

JOHN: Electric Nation chose their plug-in vehicles carefully, closely matching each one's range and capabilities to their intended use.

Sitting Bull College, in the Standing Rock nation of North Dakota, uses this Ford E-Transit to shuttle students between campus and local destinations.

Traveling about 140 miles daily closely matches the van's range, and allows it to recharge fully overnight.

Two new electric school buses will clear the air for Red Lake, Minnesota students, who often spend hours aboard for their daily school commutes.

This family and child services office in Red Lake nation is now using electric vehicles to transport individuals around the region for appointments, and deliver meals to elder residents.

Boosting economic development for these traditionally disadvantaged areas is equally important.

Vehicles and chargers deployed at key businesses like the Red Lake fishery, trading post and even a buffalo farm, will enable them to stay competitive by reducing fuel costs and to work clean at the same time.

Miles and miles of gravel farm roads are the norm around these parts, so the F-150 Lightning will be especially useful here.

The Electric Nation project is building on the idea of the National Alternative Fuel Corridors, where designated highways, now covering parts of all 50 states, are populated with EV chargers, and clean fuel stations for natural gas, propane, and hydrogen.

Linking the tribal lands across this vast Midwestern landscape will be 55 DC fast chargers on popular travel corridors and along tourist routes like, the Native American Scenic Byway in South Dakota, and at several tribal casinos.

ROBERT: A lot of...uh, tribal nations...um, through our cultural teachings, have a connection to the planet and to the environment, and so being able to reduce our need for fossil fuels is something that speaks to our cultural heritage.

JOHN: The Electric Nation project is analyzing how these electric vehicles perform, especially in extreme cold weather, and includes EV education, outreach and engagement so that the successes here can be replicated in other parts of the country.

It seems only fitting that those with the longest ties to our natural history are taking the biggest strides towards a clean future.

Whether, you call it Camry or Cam-ray, you have to call this Toyota the best-selling sedan in the U.S. for 2023.

Not bad for a car in the last year of its lifecycle.

That's right, the Camry is all-new for model year 2025.

So, let's find out if this 9th generation Camry can stay truly competitive in this world of SUVs and crossovers.

♪ ♪ There have been many variations of the Toyota Camry over the last 40 years; some more exciting than others, but all have been incredibly comfortable, efficient, and practical.

That theme carries over for the all-new 2025 Toyota Camry.

Though, it feels like they purposely avoided any type of "wow" factor inside.

Sure, there are the expected big screens for multimedia and gauge display, but they kept them separated, keeping the overall vibe traditional and classy rather than flashy.

They've also retained lots of physical controls, added some unique materials, and attempted to open up the space a bit, knowing that they're going up against EVs these days too, not just usual family sedan nameplates.

The new Camry follows Toyota protocol of basic LE series and more sport-oriented SE series; adding an X in front of either adds a bit more content.

For our XSE tester that mostly means a flashier exterior that includes black trim and rear spoiler, dual exhaust tips, and 19 inch wheels, but it also gets a sport-tuned suspension.

Following the pattern of many recent Toyotas, Camry now has an all-hybrid lineup.

Toyota's newest, 5th generation hybrid system mates to a 2.5 liter I4 engine for the first time.

It works with two electric motors for a 225 horsepower output, 17 more than the outgoing Camry hybrid.

And it delivers up to 51 miles per gallon Combined.

All-wheel-drive versions add an additional electric motor in back for powering the rear wheels for an increased total output of 232 horsepower; and AWD is available for all trims.

Our all-wheel-drive tester did feel quite peppy on the street, with a competent suspension that soaked up bumps easily without feeling soft or floaty.

At the test track, there was great grip off the line, and a substantial punch of power to get us to 60 in 6.9 seconds.

There are some simulated gears you can play with, but they don't really add much to the performance; our best quarter-mile time was 15.2 seconds at 94 miles per hour.

This is one case where "sport-tuned suspension" seems to really mean something, as this is easily the best handling Camry we've driven.

Minimal body roll, great road feel, and steering that was both tight and responsive.

All-wheel-drive grip was great through the cones, but most people will find it much more beneficial when driving on slippery roads.

The hybrid's regen braking is not the most natural feeling, but in panic stops the brakes clamp down quickly, causing some aggressive nosedive, but ultimately resulting in short, 110 foot stops from 60.

As mentioned earlier, Government Fuel Economy Ratings are as high as 51 Combined, but all-wheel-drive XSEs come in at 44 City, 43 Highway, and 44 Combined, though our lead foot test loop saw just, but still noteworthy, 42.6 miles per gallon of Regular.

Pricing starts with the base LE at $29,535; all-wheel-drive is another $1,525...if you want it.

XSE tops out the range at $35,735.

While, the midsize 4-door sedan in not the suburban staple that it once was, the Camry absolutely remains a staple of the Toyota lineup, and even kept its status as America's best-selling car last year.

So, it looks like there's no stopping the Camry, as the more efficient 2025 Toyota Camry is better-looking, has better performance, and is a better all-around family car than ever.

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 a high-speed hybrid thrill ride in the McLaren Artura, followed by the all-electric return of the Acura ZDX.

Until then, I'm John Davis.

We'll see you right here on MotorWeek !

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We're Tire Rack.

We test tires, then share our results.

We stock over one million tires.

We offer multiple installation options.

We do this because we believe tires matter.

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