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

JOIN US AND SEE WHAT CAUGHT OUR EYE IN THE MOTOR CITY AT THE 2013 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW.

PAT GOSS STRUTS HIS STUFF DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE.

BRIAN ROBINSON THROTTLES UP A VERDICT ON THE VICTORY JUDGE.

AND WE'LL POWER UP THE STYLISH NEW FORD FUSION SEDAN.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CAPTIONED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY...

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

JESSICA, I HAVE SOMETHING I WANT TO ASK YOU...

YES?

WHEN I'M SWITCHING TO WINTER TIRES DO I HAVE TO CHANGE ALL FOUR OR CAN I JUST PUT TWO ON THE FRONT AXLE?

I DON'T KNOW.

THERE'S A BETTER PLACE TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR TIRES.

GET SOME WINGS?

TIRERACK.COM CAN HELP YOU GET THE ANSWERS YOU NEED AND HELP YOU FIND WHICH TIRES ARE BEST FOR YOU.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

AND BY... ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS.

NO MATTER WHAT CUSTOMERS DRIVE, THEY CAN PURCHASE ONLINE FROM A COMPREHENSIVE SELECTION OF BRANDS, PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

ROCKAUTO.COM, ALL THE PARTS YOUR CAR WILL EVER NEED.

AND BY... 3M, MAKER OF INNOVATIVE AUTO CARE PRODUCTS.

AGED OR YELLOWED LENSES REDUCE BRIGHTNESS OF HEAD, TAIL AND DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS.

THE 3M HEADLIGHT RESTORATION SYSTEM HELPS RESTORE LENS CLARITY FOR SAFER DRIVING.

THOUGH THE HOLIDAYS HAVE COME AND GONE, THE AUTO WORLD IS ALWAYS IN THE GIVING MOOD.

CASE IN POINT, THE 2013 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW.

SO LET'S HEAD OVER TO MOTOR CITY, WHERE THE INDUSTRY'S LATEST AND GREATEST ARE ON DISPLAY, AND SEE WHAT'S DOWN THE ROAD FOR THE YEAR AHEAD.

AND THAT ROAD STARTS WITH THE ALL-NEW SEVENTH GENERATION CHEVROLET CORVETTE.

THIS ROCK STAR TOOK MOTOWN BY STORM AS THE STINGRAY WAS UNVEILED TO A THRONG OF SCREAMING FANS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE SHOW OFFICIALLY OPENED TO THE PRESS.

C7 STYLING, WHILE NOT RADICAL, IS STRIKINGLY DIFFERENT FROM ALL PREVIOUS VETTES.

THERE'S A NOD TO CLASSIC FERRARI UP FRONT, DYNAMICALLY VENTED HOOD, FLANKS, AND FENDERS; EVEN DOGLEGS ADDED TO THE ICONIC CORVETTE TAILLIGHTS.

THE NEW STINGRAY IS IN A WORD, "SHARP"!

POWER IS A NEW SMALL BLOCK PUSH-ROD 450-HORSEPOWER V8 WITH BOTH DIRECT INJECTION AND VARIABLE VALVE TIMING.

0 TO 60 IN UNDER FOUR SECONDS IS CLAIMED.

WITH MORE ALUMINUM IN THE FRAME, AND GENUINE CARBON FIBER IN THE HOOD AND ROOF, THIS IS THE MOST EFFICIENT AND LIGHT ON ITS FEET CORVETTE IN THE SERIES' 60 YEAR HISTORY.

THE PREMIUM INTERIOR IS TOTALLY DRIVER FOCUSED WITH A HIGH STYLE COCKPIT SHAPE, HIGH GRADE MATERIALS, AND HIGH-END ELECTRONICS.

AND FINALLY WE CAN EVEN PRAISE THE SEATS.

IF ANYONE EVER WANTED A CORVETTE BEFORE, THE 2014 STINGRAY WILL MAKE THEM WANT ONE EVEN MORE.

ONCE THE DOORS OF DETROIT'S COBO HALL OFFICIALLY OPENED, CHRYSLER, THE ONLY U.S. AUTOMAKER TO GAIN MARKET SHARE LAST YEAR, LED THINGS OFF WITH AN UPDATED JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE.

THE 2014 GRAND CHEROKEE ADDS A BADLY NEEDED FUEL SAVING 8-SPEED TRANSMISSION WITH ECO MODE, THE RETURN OF A TURBOCHARGED V6 DIESEL OPTION, AND A HOST OF EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR UPGRADES.

THE GRAND CHEROKEE SRT ALSO GAINS THE 8-SPEED.

BUT FOR HOT ROD SPRINTS, THERE'S ALSO A NEW LAUNCH CONTROL, AND THIS 470-HORSEPOWER HEMI V8 JEEP TAKES A BIG LEAP IN TOW RATING FROM 5,000 TO 7,200 POUNDS.

ALSO HELPING JEEP TO RECORD SALES LAST YEAR IS THE COMPACT COMPASS.

THE 2014 COMPASS ADDS A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC, NEW FASCIAS, AND A MORE QUALITY INTERIOR.

WHILE THE CORVETTE WAS AN IMPOSSIBLE ACT TO FOLLOW, CADILLAC DID ITS BEST WITH THE NEW ELR PLUG-IN COUPE.

A LUXURIOUS ADAPTATION OF THE EXTENDED RANGE ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY FROM THE CHEVROLET VOLT.

THE ELR'S STYLING ADHERES CLOSELY TO THE WELL-RECEIVED CONVERJ CONCEPT.

COMPLETE WITH THE BRAND'S CUE INTERFACE, IT WILL HAVE RANGE SPECS SIMILAR TO THE VOLT WHEN IT ARRIVES IN LIMITED NUMBERS LATER THIS YEAR.

ON THE TRUCK SIDE OF GENERAL MOTORS, IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE ALL-NEW CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA.

CLEARLY AIMED AT THOSE WHO NEED A BIG TRUCK FOR BIG WORK, THESE BRUTES ADD HI-TECH ENGINES, ROOMIER CABS WITH MORE ACCESSIBLE REAR DOORS, AND LOTS OF FEATURES LIKE CLEVER CORNER REAR BUMPER STEPS TO MAKE TOILING MORE TOLERABLE.

BUT THE FIRST NAME IN PICKUPS, FORD, WAS NOT GOING TO LET GM GET TOO MUCH ATTENTION AND GAVE EVERYONE A PEAK AT THE 2015 F-150.

THIS CHISELED-FACE ATLAS CONCEPT INCLUDES A HOST OF TRICKS; LIKE GRILLE SHUTTERS, A 360 DEGREE CAMERA, AND TAILGATE EXTENDER CARGO RACK.

THIS TRUCK KING IS READY TO DEFEND ITS CROWN.

AIMED AT THE CROWN OF THE HIGH ROOF FULL-SIZE VAN BUSINESS IS FORD'S NEW TRANSIT COMMERCIAL VAN.

REPLACING THE VENERABLE E-SERIES, TRANSIT ENGINES INCLUDE STANDARD AND ECOBOOST GAS V6s AND A 3.2-LITER I5 TURBO DIESEL.

FORD'S LUXURY BRAND LINCOLN MADE ANOTHER MOVE IN ITS COMEBACK WITH THIS MKC CONCEPT.

WELL HIDDEN UNDER ITS DRAMATIC SHAPE ARE THE GUTS OF FORD'S LATEST COMPACT ESCAPE.

BUT WITH ITS SPLIT WING GRILLE, PANORAMIC SUNROOF, AND POSH INTERIOR TREATMENT, THE LINCOLN MKC LOOKS READY TO TAKE FLIGHT IN 2014.

WHILE DETROIT BRANDS TRY TO OWN THIS SHOW, THIS IS THE 2013 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW, SO VIRTUALLY EVERY IMPORT BRAND ALSO CAME WITH NEW GOODIES TO SHOW.

AND WE'LL HIT THE HIGHLIGHTS LATER IN THIS EDITION OF MOTORWEEK.

OUR SUCCESS STORY OF THE WEEK TAKES US TO SUNNY SAN DIEGO, WHERE EVEN CAR SHARING IS TAKING ON AN ELECTRIFYING NEW LOOK.

CAR2GO CHOSE THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CITY TO LAUNCH THEIR FIRST ALL-ELECTRIC U.S.

CAR SHARING FLEET, BRINGING IN A FLEET OF 300 SMART FORTWO ELECTRIC DRIVES FOR RENTAL.

CAR2GO WAS QUICK TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WAS HELPING TO INSTALL HUNDREDS OF EV CHARGING STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE SAN DIEGO AREA.

THAT MADE IT THE PERFECT SPOT FOR AN EV CAR SHARING FLEET.

NICHOLAS COLE: WHEN YOU LOOK AT CAR SHARING IN PROVIDING THIS TRANSPORTATION TO A LARGE GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS IN A CITY CENTER, THE NEXT LOGICAL STEP IS, LET'S PROVIDE EMISSIONS-FREE TRANSPORTATION.

JOHN: WITH 12,000 MEMBERS MAKING OVER 5,000 ELECTRIFIED TRIPS EACH WEEK IN THE FIRST YEAR, CAR2GO HOPES TO SUCCESSFULLY PLUG INTO OTHER AMERICAN CITIES SOON.

MANY OF US HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF THE MUSCLE CAR HEYDAY OF THE '60s AND EARLY '70s.

AND WHILE THERE IS PLENTY OF HIGH PERFORMANCE HARDWARE AVAILABLE TODAY, FOR SOME, IT'S JUST NOT THE SAME.

WELL, OUR TWO WHEELIN' GUY BRIAN ROBINSON IS ONE "DUDE" WHO IS STILL STUCK IN THE '70s.

AND THIS WEEK HE'S FOUND THE PERFECT BIKE TO APPEASE HIS MUSCLE CAR ADDICTION.

Brian Robinson: THESE DAYS, IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO BUILD A NICE LOOKING CRUISER.

YOU NEED A THEME.

AND I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER THEME THAN AMERICAN MUSCLE CARS.

SO, DOES THIS VICTORY HAVE THE PERFORMANCE TO BACK UP ITS MUSCLE CAR STYLE?

WELL, WE'LL BE THE JUDGE OF THAT!

THIS IS THE 2013 VICTORY JUDGE, AND IT DOES INDEED TAKE STYLING CUES FROM MUSCLE CARS OF THE PAST, PRIMARILY THE 16-INCH MAG-STYLE WHEELS, AND FAT DUNLOP ELITE II'S WITH RAISED WHITE LETTERING.

THE REAR FENDER ALSO GETS A UNIQUE TREATMENT WITH ITS ALMOST FULLY RECESSED TAILLIGHT AND GRAY EXPOSED STRUTS.

BUT FROM THERE, IT'S A BIT MORE STANDARD VICTORY FARE, WITH THE TRADITIONAL SCALLOPED TANK.

THE BLACKED-OUT FRONT END, FRAME, ENGINE, AND PIPES ALL GIVE A MENACING LOOK AND ALLOW YOU TO KEEP THE POLISH ON THE SHELF AND SPEND MORE TIME RIDING.

SIDE COVERS ARE REMINISCENT OF OLD RACE-BIKE NUMBER PLATES.

THE HEAVILY STEPPED SEAT REALLY LOCKS YOU INTO POSITION.

FORTUNATELY, IT'S A FAIRLY COMFORTABLE ONE.

AND IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TIME IN THAT SADDLE TO REACH A VERDICT AND DECLARE THE JUDGE ONE SMOOTH OPERATOR.

IT EVEN RIDES LIKE A MUSCLE CAR, A LITTLE CHOPPY OVER BUMPS, BUT FAR FROM HARSH.

IT'S READY AND WILLING TO BE PUSHED THROUGH CORNERS, BUT DO SO TOO AGGRESSIVELY AND YOU'LL FIND YOURSELF SCRAPING THINGS BEFORE YOU'RE EXPECTING TO, AND THEN BACKING OFF A BIT TO A MORE REASONABLE PACE.

THE ENGINE IS PLENTY TORQUEY AND ALSO SMOOTH.

IT'S VICTORY'S LATEST 1,731CC 50-DEGREE FREEDOM V-TWIN.

OLD-SCHOOL AIR COOLING AND MODERN FUEL INJECTION WORK TOGETHER TO PUSH 113 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE THROUGH A 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION.

THERE'S LOTS OF THROTTLE TRAVEL, SO JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU'RE GIVING HER ALL SHE'S GOT, THERE'S STILL ANOTHER QUARTER TURN LEFT.

PIN IT AND UNLEASH THE FULL FURY THAT THIS ENGINE OFFERS.

BIG SMILES QUICKLY FOLLOW.

THE SHIFTER WORKS WELL, NOT QUITE AS CLUNKY AS A HARLEY, BUT MORE POSITIVE THAN MOST METRIC CRUISERS; AND THE CLUTCH, SURPRISINGLY SOFT.

GAUGES ARE MINIMAL, THOUGH YOU CAN BRING UP A DIGITAL TACH.

IN THE TRIP METER, BUT IT'S NOT THAT USEFUL, OTHER THAN FOR ME TO TELL YOU IN TOP GEAR AT 60 MPH, THE JUDGE'S V-TWIN IS PUMPING AT 2,200 RPM.

CUSTOM-STYLE CRUISERS CAN GET EXPENSIVE IN A HURRY, BUT THE JUDGE KICKS IT OLD SCHOOL HERE AS WELL, COMING IN AT JUST $14 GRAND FOR BLACK, ADD $400 IF YOU WANT SOME COLOR.

MUCH LIKE THOSE MUSCLE CARS MOST OF US REMEMBER SO FONDLY, THE 2013 VICTORY JUDGE IS MOST FUN IN A STRAIGHT LINE OR WHEN CRUISING THE STRIP.

STILL, IT WOULD BE A PERFECT BIKE FOR THE GUY WHO'S READY TO HANG UP THE SPORT BIKE, BUT NOT QUITE READY TO PUT ON AN OLD MAN'S BIKE JUST YET.

SO, DOES THE JUDGE SUCCESSFULLY BACK UP ITS MUSCLE CAR STYLE?

GUILTY!

NOW, IF I COULD JUST GET SENTENCED TO LIFE IN THE SADDLE WITHOUT PAROLE.

WHEN THINGS GET SHAKY, WE TURN TO OUR EXPERT PAT GOSS.

SO LET'S HEAD ON DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE AND SMOOTH THINGS OUT.

Pat Goss: A CAR THAT BOUNCES AS YOU GO DOWN THE ROAD CAN BE VERY TIRING AND VERY ANNOYING.

AND KEEPING IT FROM BOUNCING IS THE JOB OF THE SHOCK ABSORBERS AND OR THE STRUTS.

WHICHEVER YOUR CAR HAPPENS TO HAVE.

NOW, THE WAY YOU TEST THEM IS, A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR, YOU GO AROUND EACH CORNER OF THE CAR AND BOUNCE IT UP AND DOWN, LIKE I DID THIS ONE.

AND WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS, IT'S GOING TO GO LIKE THIS.

YOU LET GO OF IT IN THE DOWN POSITION, AND IF THE SHOCK OR STRUT ON THAT CORNER OF THE CAR IS GOOD, IT'LL COME BACK TO THE CENTER AND IT WILL STOP.

IT WON'T CONTINUE TO BOUNCE.

IF IT CONTINUES TO BOUNCE, PROBABLY YOU NEED NEW SHOCKS OR STRUTS.

BUT WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SHOCK ABSORBER AND STRUT?

WELL, HERE WE HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF A STRUT.

NOW, WHAT THIS DOES IS, IT HAS A SHOCK ABSORBER IN THE MIDDLE, AND THEN AROUND IT, IT HAS A SPRING TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE.

A SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE OTHER HAND, SUCH AS WE HAVE HERE, THESE SHOCKS DO NOT HAVE THE SPRINGS ON THEM.

THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE HEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

THE ONLY THING THEY DO IS TO KEEP THE CAR FROM BOUNCING.

THE SPRING IS MOUNTED SOMEPLACE AWAY FROM THE SHOCK.

NOW, A SHOCK OR A STRUT, WHICHEVER IT IS, ALL THEY DO IS CONVERT THE VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF THE CAR INTO HEAT ENERGY, THEY DAMPEN IT, SO THAT YOU DON'T GO DOWN THE ROAD JUST KIND OF, A MOTORBOAT EFFECT, JUST FLOATING ALONG.

NOW, IF YOU HAVE BAD SHOCKS OR STRUTS, AND THEY CAN WEAR OUT IN AS LITTLE AS 50,000 MILES, OR IT MAY BE 150,000.

BUT YOU SHOULD CHECK THEM TWO OR THREE TIMES A YEAR.

AND WHEN THEY'RE BAD, REPLACE THEM IN PAIRS; TWO FRONTS OR TWO REARS.

NOW, HERE'S THE THING...

THIS SHOCK, RIGHT HERE, THIS ONE IS WORN OUT.

IF WE PUSH THIS DOWN, WE SEE THAT IT COMES BACK VIRTUALLY IMMEDIATELY.

NOW, OVER HERE WE HAVE A BRAND NEW ONE.

THIS GIVES YOU AN IDEA AS TO WHAT THESE THINGS DO.

AS YOU SEE, THIS COMES BACK VERY SLOWLY.

IT'S VERY CONTROLLED, AND THAT'S HOW IT CONTROLS THE RIDE OF YOUR VEHICLE.

SO, CHECK THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS, REPLACE IN PAIRS WHEN NECESSARY, AND REMEMBER THAT IF YOU DON'T REPLACE THEM, YOU CAN HAVE A DANGEROUS CAR, THAT'S NUMBER ONE.

BUT NUMBER TWO, YOU COULD HAVE SEVERE TIRE WEAR PROBLEMS, AS THE RESULT OF A BAD SHOCK OR STRUT.

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

THERE'S STILL PLENTY MORE FROM THE 2013 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW, SO LET'S HEAD BACK TO DETROIT.

OFFICIAL PRESS DAYS KICKED OFF WITH THE 20TH ANNUAL NORTH AMERICAN CAR AND TRUCK/UTILITY OF THE YEAR AWARDS.

49 JOURNALISTS CAST SECRET BALLOTS TO PICK THE YEAR'S TOP MODELS.

THE TRUCK/UTILITY HONOR WENT TO A REAL TRUCK THIS YEAR, THE RAM 1500, WITH ITS HIGH TECH V6, 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC, AND USER FRIENDLY INTERIOR.

THE 2013 NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR AWARD WENT TO THE CADILLAC ATS; A U.S.

BUILT LUXURY SPORTS SEDAN THAT'S TRULY A WORLD CLASS CAR.

SPEAKING OF CARS, THEY DOMINATED THE PRODUCT NEWS FROM MOST IMPORT BRANDS, FROM SMALL TO LARGE, AND FROM INEXPENSIVE TO EXORBITANT.

TOYOTA INTRIGUED US WITH IT'S COROLLA FURIA CONCEPT.

TOYOTA SAYS THE NEXT GEN COROLLA, DUE BY YEAR END, WILL BE MORE LIKE THE DYNAMIC FURIA AND LESS LIKE THE PLAIN BROWN WRAPPER OF NOW.

ONE CAN ONLY HOPE.

IN THE SMALL CAR RANKS NISSAN IS A GROWING PLAYER, NOW ADDING THE SUBCOMPACT NOTE HATCHBACK TO ITS STILL FRESH VERSA LINEUP.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE 40 MPG FUEL ECONOMY AND AN ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT CARGO FLOOR.

TOWARDS THE UPPER END, NISSAN'S INFINITI BRAND SHOWED THE Q50, A REVAMPED G37 AND A RETURN TO USING THE "Q" MONIKER FOR ITS CARS.

WITH STYLING DRAWN FROM THE ESSENCE CONCEPT, THE Q50 HAS THE FIRST STEER-BY-WIRE SYSTEM IN A PRODUCTION CAR.

DIRECT RIVAL LEXUS SHOWED ITS ALL-NEW I-S SERIES SEDAN.

THIS LUXURY COMPACT ARRIVES WITH THE FULL SPINDLE GRILL TREATMENT, AND A HOST OF HI-TECH, BOTH PERFORMANCE AND PERSONAL.

ALWAYS A MAJOR NEWSMAKER AT DETROIT, LUXURY POWERHOUSE MERCEDES-BENZ PREVIEWED IT LATEST TREASURE, THE ALL-NEW CLA SEDAN.

ON SALE THIS FALL, CLA LOOKS LIKE A COMPACT KIN TO THE STYLISH CLS.

BUT AS THE BRAND'S FIRST FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE MODEL HERE, THE CLA IS A MAJOR CHANGE FOR MERCEDES IN AMERICA.

THE CLA SLIGHTLY OVERSHADOWED THE MORE IMPORTANT PUBLIC INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW E-CLASS.

AVAILABLE IN SEDAN, WAGON, COUPE, AND AMG FORMS, THE NEW "E" IS AGGRESSIVE OUTSIDE, BUT TO KEEP THINGS CIVILIZED, ALSO THROWS A NEW TURBO4 BLUETEC DIESEL INTO THE MIX.

BMW IS ADDING A NEW CAR SERIES, NUMBERED "4", AS THE COMPACT COUPE BASED ON THE 3 SERIES SEDAN GETS ITS OWN IDENTITY.

AND IT DESERVES IT.

LOWER, WIDER, AND SEXIER THAN ITS SEDAN COUSIN, THIS 4 SERIES CONCEPT WILL EVOLVE INTO A FULL LINEUP OF PRODUCTION MODELS.

THE 4 SERIES SHARED THE STAGE WITH THE NEW M6 GRAN COUPE, ADDING A 560-HORSEPOWER TWIN-TURBO V8 TO ONE OF THE SEXIEST FOUR-DOOR SHAPES ON THE ROAD.

SPEAKING OF SEXY SHAPES AND PERFORMANCE... AUDI REVEALED THE SIMILARLY THEMED RS7 SPORTBACK.

IT'S TWIN-TURBO V8 SPOUTS 560 HORSEPOWER TOO, PLUS QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

LOOKING AS POWERFUL AS A LOCOMOTIVE, THE REAR DRIVE HYUNDAI GENESIS HCD-14 CONCEPT IS A GOOD INDICATOR OF WHERE THE BRAND'S PREMIUM VEHICLE STYLING IS HEADED.

MEANWHILE, SISTER BRAND KIA TARGETS AVALON AND TAKES A STEP TOWARDS PREMIUM WITH ITS CADENZA FULL-SIZE FOUR DOOR.

AT THE ULTRA-HIGH END OF SEDANS IS THE SINFULLY APPEALING 50TH ANNIVERSARY MASERATI QUATTROPORTE.

OR THE UPPER CRUST CAN "AIR" THEIR SINS IN THE NEW CONVERTIBLE VERSION OF THE 616-HORSEPOWER BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT SPEED.

WHEN IT COMES TO NEW SUVS AND CROSSOVERS AT DETROIT, THE HORSEPOWER PRIZE GOES TO THE PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO S. WITH 550 HORSEPOWER, PORSCHE'S RENOWNED HANDLING HARDWARE AND TORQUE VECTORING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, IT IS THE ULTIMATE DRIVER'S SUV!

AS FOR DRIVING AROUND TOWN, HONDA'S URBAN SUV CONCEPT GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION.

THIS GREAT LOOKING SUBCOMPACT IS BASED ON FIT MECHANICALS AND WILL ARRIVE FOR REAL NEXT YEAR.

HONDA'S PREMIUM ACURA BRAND SHOWED A NEAR-PRODUCTION CONCEPT OF THEIR NEXT MDX THREE-ROW MID-SIZE CROSSOVER.

SMOOTHER, WITH A LONGER WHEELBASE, UPON FALL ARRIVAL THE MDX WILL FOR THE FIRST TIME COME IN FRONT AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

NISSAN HAS A NEW MID-SIZE CROSSOVER COMING TOO.

WE'RE TOLD THIS SLEEK RESONANCE CONCEPT SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE NEXT GEN MURANO.

THIS CROSSBLUE PLUG-IN HYBRID CONCEPT IS THE CLEAREST VIEW YET OF VOLKSWAGEN'S LONG RUMORED THREE-ROW, MID-SIZE UTILITY.

IT WILL BE BUILT ALONGSIDE THE PASSAT SEDAN IN TENNESSEE LATER THIS YEAR.

AUDI WILL TAKE A MORE POWERFUL APPROACH TO CARRIAGE WITH ITS FIRST "S" MODEL CROSSOVER, THE SUPERCHARGED SQ5.

AND SUPERCHARGED IS CERTAINLY A GREAT WAY TO SUM UP THE 2013 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW.

THE FORD FUSION WAS INTRODUCED FOR THE 2006 MODEL YEAR AS AN ATTEMPT TO STEM THE TIDE OF MID-SIZE STALWARTS CAMRY AND ACCORD.

IT DID A REASONABLE JOB, ALTHOUGH MOSTLY WHEN DEEP DISCOUNTS WERE APPLIED.

WELL, FOR 2013, FORD HAS READIED A SECOND GEN FUSION, AND THIS ONE IS NO BARGAIN HUNTER'S DELIGHT.

IT'S A "SYNTHESIS" OF HIGH STYLE, HIGH-TECH, AND HIGHLY FUEL EFFICIENT PERFORMANCE.

SO LET'S SEE IF THE NEW FUSION GENERATES A WINNING "BLEND"!

FROM FIRST SIGHT YOU KNOW THAT THE STYLING OF THE 2013 FORD FUSION IS A WINNER.

IT'S STRIKING, CREATING AN AURA MUCH LIKE THE HYUNDAI SONATA DID WHEN IT FIRST APPEARED.

MOST OF THE AUTOMOTIVE PRESS, INCLUDING US, HAVE BEEN SALIVATING OVER THE ASTON MARTIN INSPIRED DESIGN SINCE IT DEBUTED IN DETROIT LAST JANUARY.

AND WHILE SUCH FAME CAN BE FLEETING, AFTER SPENDING SOME QUALITY DRIVE TIME WITH THE FUSION, WE'RE STILL JUST AS ENAMORED.

THE NEW FUSION HAS GROWN, ALTHOUGH BY LESS THAN APPEARANCES SUGGEST.

WHEELBASE IS UP BY ALMOST FIVE INCHES TO 112.2, BUT OVERALL LENGTH GROWS JUST OVER AN INCH TO 191.7.

BUT THAT LENGTH IS PUT TO GOOD USE WITH A LONG HOOD AND FOUR-DOOR-COUPISH BODY SIDES THAT ARE SLEEK AND MUCH MORE INTENSE.

THE REAR DECK SPORTS ADDITIONAL CREASING, AND SPLIT LED TAIL LIGHTS BOOK END A DECK-LID CUTOUT THAT MIMICS THE GRILLE FOR A VERY SUBSTANTIAL LOOK AT THE REAR.

INSIDE, EVERYTHING IS WELL DONE WITH GOOD MATERIALS THROUGHOUT, IF A LITTLE MONOTONE LOOKING.

THIS HYBRID EXAMPLE SPORTS SE TRIM WITH BOTH SYNC AND MYFORD COMMUNICATIONS, WITH OPTIONAL MYFORD TOUCH, NAVIGATION, AND BACK-UP CAMERA.

GAUGES FOLLOW OTHER RECENT FORDS WITH A LARGE CENTER SPEEDOMETER WITH MESSAGE CENTERS ON EITHER SIDE, EACH CONTROLLED WITH STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED 5-WAY SWITCHES.

ENERGY READOUTS WITH DRIVER COACHING ARE INCLUDED FOR THE HYBRID.

A BIG PART OF THE 2013 FORD FUSION BLEND IS FUEL ECONOMY WITH PERFORMANCE.

LIKE SONATA AND MALIBU, ALL ENGINES ARE FOUR CYLINDER.

AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN FOR NOW IS A NEW FUSION HYBRID.

ITS DOWNSIZED 2.0-LITER-4 COMBINES WITH AN 88KW ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR A SYSTEM OUTPUT OF 188-HORSEPOWER.

COMBINED WITH A NEW CVT TRANSMISSION, IT CAN CRUISE UNDER ELECTRIC POWER ONLY TO UP TO 62 MILES-PER-HOUR.

BATTERIES ARE UPGRADED TO LITHIUM-ION, AND AS BEFORE, THEY ARE LOCATED IN THE TRUNK, DECREASING STORAGE SPACE FROM 16.0 CUBIC FEET TO A STILL ACCEPTABLE 12.0, AND SEAT BACKS STILL FOLD 60/40.

OUR FIRST GASOLINE-ELECTRIC DRIVING OPPORTUNITY CAME IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND WHILE CRUISING AROUND DOWNTOWN SANTA MONICA THE HYBRID SYSTEM WORKED SEAMLESSLY, THOUGH THE ENGINE DOES TEND TO GET NOISY WHEN MAKING FAST GETAWAYS.

WHEN IT CAME TIME TO GET OUT OF TOWN AND HIT THE CANYONS, WE DITCHED THE HYBRID FOR A FUSION PACKING THE 1.6-LITER ECOBOOST I4, WHICH COMES WITH A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AS STANDARD, AND WE FOUND IT A REAL JOY.

THROUGH CORNERS, BOTH TIGHT AND WIDE, THE FUSION'S ELECTRIC STEERING, COMBINED WITH A STRUT FRONT AND MULTI-LINK REAR SUSPENSION, DELIVERED EAGER RESPONSE.

FRONT AND REAR STABILIZER BARS HELP KEEP THINGS RELATIVELY FLAT, MAKING THE FUSION EASILY AMONG THE TOP IN ITS SEGMENT FOR DRIVER ENJOYMENT.

THE 6-SPEED MANUAL SHIFTS SMOOTHLY AND THE 1.6-LITER PROVIDES MORE THAN ADEQUATE POWER, MUCH MORE THAN THE 178-HORSEPOWER AND 184 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE WOULD INDICATE.

A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC IS AVAILABLE, AND IT'S STANDARD ON BOTH THE CARRYOVER BASE 175-HORSEPOWER 2.5-LITER NORMALLY ASPIRATED I4, AND WITH MANUAL SHIFT MODE ON THE 240-HORSEPOWER 2.0-LITER ECOBOOST TURBO-4 THAT ALSO CAN BE ORDERED WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

WE SPENT SOME TIME IN THE 2.0 ECOBOOST AS WELL, AND IT IS DEFINITELY A LITTLE SMOOTHER AND QUIETER, PLUS PEPPIEST OF THE GROUP.

STILL, WE'D LOVE TO DRIVE THE 1.6 MANUAL EVERYDAY.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS SPAN FROM 22-CITY, 33-HIGHWAY AND 26-COMBINED IN THE 2.0 TURBO, TO A CAMRY BEATING 47 STRAIGHT ACROSS FOR THE HYBRID.

WHICH NATURALLY HAS THE BEST ENERGY IMPACT SCORE AT 7.0 BARRELS OF OIL CONSUMED ANNUALLY WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 3.1 TONS.

THE INTENSE COMPETITION IN MID-SIZE SEDANS HAS KEPT BASE PRICES LOW, AS THE FUSION STARTS AT JUST $22,495, AND TOPS OUT AT $30,995 FOR THE PLATINUM TRIM.

THE HYBRID STICKERS FOR $27,995 WITH A PLUG-IN ENERGI MODEL DUE NEXT YEAR.

THE FUSION'S BLEND OF BEAUTY AND BRAINS CERTAINLY WON US OVER.

ON TOP OF ITS GREAT FACE, LOADS OF FEATURES, AND LEADING FUEL ECONOMY, IT ALSO IS ONE OF THE BEST HANDLING FAMILY FOUR-DOORS EVER.

THE 2013 FORD FUSION IS YET ANOTHER SIGNAL THAT DETROIT IS BACK, ONCE AGAIN BUILDING GREAT CARS YOU'LL WANT TO OWN.

WELL, I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AGAIN SOON FOR MORE MOTORWEEK FOR OUR ANNUAL DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS, WHEN WE'LL ANNOUNCE ALL OF OUR BEST CAR, TRUCK, AND SUV PICKS FOR 2013.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, I'M JOHN DAVIS.

WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK .

Announcer: TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE, VISIT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

MOTORWEEK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY TIRE RACK.

AND BY... ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS.

NO MATTER WHAT CUSTOMERS DRIVE, THEY CAN PURCHASE ONLINE FROM A COMPREHENSIVE SELECTION OF BRANDS, PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

ROCKAUTO.COM, ALL THE PARTS YOUR CAR WILL EVER NEED.

AND BY... 3M, MAKER OF INNOVATIVE AUTO CARE PRODUCTS.

AGED OR YELLOWED LENSES REDUCE BRIGHTNESS OF HEAD, TAIL AND DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS.

THE 3M HEADLIGHT RESTORATION SYSTEM HELPS RESTORE LENS CLARITY FOR SAFER DRIVING.