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

JOIN US AS WE ROAR INTO OUR 32ND SEASON WITH THE FORD SHELBY GT500.

PAT GOSS FUNNELS OUR ATTENTION TO DIY CAR CARE.

ROGER MECCA TAKES US ON A DRIVE THROUGH SPORTS CAR HISTORY.

THEN WE FIND POWER AND PRACTICALITY WITH NOT ONE BUT TWO 6 SERIES BMWs.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED 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.

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

GET SOME WINGS?

Announcer: TIRE RACK.COM CAN HELP YOU GET THE ANSWERS YOU NEED AND HELP YOU FIND WHICH TIRES ARE BEST FOR YOU.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRE RACK.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... MAKER OF 3M'S COMPLETE COLOR-CODED PAINT RESTORATION SYSTEM.

HELPS RESTORE YOUR CAR'S AUTO FINISH REMOVING OXIDATION, SWIRL MARKS, AND LIGHT SCRATCHES.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT 3MAUTO.COM.

John Davis: WHILE CARROLL SHELBY IS NO LONGER WITH US, THE CARS THAT BARE HIS NAME WILL FOREVER BE HIGH POINTS OF THE CAR CULTURE.

WE'VE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED EVERY SHELBY WE'VE GOTTEN OUR HANDS ON OVER THE LAST THREE DECADES, AND BY NOW I'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD OF THE LATEST ONE...

THE 662-HORSEPOWER SHELBY GT500 MUSTANG.

SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, IT'S TIME TO LET IT LOOSE!

IT'S CLEAR TO US THAT THE 2013 FORD SHELBY GT500, AND ITS 662-HORSEPOWER, IS A RAPID RESPONSE TO THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED 580-HORSEPOWER CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1.

TAKE THAT, BOW TIE BOYS!

AND WHILE THEY ARE HARD AT WORK SEARCHING FOR SOME MORE HORSEPOWER, WE'LL TAKE THIS BLUE OVAL SHELBY MUSTANG TO THE TRACK TO SEE WHAT IT'LL DO!

BURNOUTS ARE FUN, BUT THEY DON'T HELP LOWER 1/4 MILE TIMES.

FORTUNATELY, THE GT500 COMES WITH LAUNCH CONTROL TO HELP, AND IT'S EVEN PROGRAMMABLE, SO YOU CAN DIAL IN THE PERFECT SETTING DEPENDING ON TRACK CONDITIONS, OR WHETHER YOU'VE GOT SLICKS OR STREETS IN THE REAR.

WITH THE STOCK TIRES IN PLACE, AND A LAUNCH RPM OF 2,500 DIALED IN, WE STILL STRUGGLED TO GET TRACTION OFF THE LINE.

BUT GET EVERYTHING RIGHT AND YOU'LL SEE 0 TO 60 ROCKET PAST IN 3.5 SECONDS, AND THE 1/4 MILE VANISHED IN 11.7 SECONDS AT 126 MILES PER HOUR.

BOTH TIMES ABOUT A HALF SECOND FASTER THAN THE ZL1.

THROUGH 2ND GEAR AND INTO 3RD, THE ENGINE PULLS STRONG, AND THE SHIFTER HAS A SUPER-MECHANICAL FEEL WITH NICE, SHORT THROWS.

BUT YOU CAN CALL US CRAZY, WE STILL PREFER THE BOSS 302'S SHIFTER.

NO AUTOMATIC IS AVAILABLE.

THIS IS THE FIRST MUSTANG WITH A CLAIMED TOP SPEED OF OVER 200 MILES PER HOUR, AND ITS ONE INSANE THRILL RIDE!

BUT ON THE STREET, THE SHELBY CAN BE A LITTLE TOO MUCH OF A THRILL RIDE, WITH SO MUCH HORSEPOWER ON TAP, ACCOMPANIED BY A STIFF SUSPENSION AND SUPER GRIPPY TIRES, YOU'D BETTER BE ON YOUR GAME.

THE FRONT SUSPENSION COMBINES MACPHERSON STRUTS WITH "REVERSE-L" LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND IN BACK YOU'LL FIND A 3-LINK SOLID AXLE WITH COIL SPRINGS.

OPT FOR THE SVT PERFORMANCE PACKAGE AND THE SUSPENSION GETS NEW BILSTEIN ELECTRONICALLY SELECTABLE DAMPERS.

BRAKING ALSO GETS UPDATED WITH BREMBO 15-INCH ROTORS AND 6-PISTON CALIPERS UP FRONT.

IT TOOK ONLY 110 FEET TO WHOA THIS OVERGROWN PONY TO A HALT.

EVEN PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW MUSTANGS CAN SENSE THAT THIS CAR IS TRULY SOMETHING SPECIAL.

WITH THE "PIECE DE RESISTANCE" UNDER THE HOOD.

A 5.8-LITER SUPERCHARGED CHUNK OF RECIPROCATING ALUMINUM THAT PUMPS OUT 631 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE TO GO ALONG WITH THE 662-HORSEPOWER.

YOU'LL RUN OUT OF ADJECTIVES LONG BEFORE THIS ENGINE RUNS OUT OF STEAM.

ROOM IS TIGHT, SO EXPECT A FEW SCRAPED KNUCKLES IF YOU PLAN ON DOING ANYTHING IN HERE, AND THE SOUND IS SIMPLY INCREDIBLE.

THE INSIDE OF THE SHELBY IS PRETTY TIGHT TOO, WHERE THE MUSTANG'S COUPE COMFY INTERIOR REMAINS MOSTLY UNCHANGED -- SAVE FOR SOME AWESOME LEATHER RECARO'S WITH WHITE STRIPES, A COOL CUE BALL SHIFTER, AND SPECIAL SVT 20TH ANNIVERSARY LIGHTED DOOR SILLS.

REAR SEAT TIME IS BEST KEPT TO A MINIMUM.

THE EXTERIOR MODS ARE MUCH MORE EXTENSIVE, AND THIS BEAST CERTAINLY LOOKS TOUGH AS NAILS.

THE FRONT END IS WIDE OPEN AND READY TO SUCK IN AS MUCH AIR AS IT CAN, TO FEED THE MONSTER BLOCK UNDER THE HEAVILY DOMED HOOD.

WHEELS ARE FORGED 19s IN FRONT AND 20s IN THE REAR, WRAPPED IN GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 SUPERCAR G'S AND BETWEEN THEM, SHELBY GT500 ROCKER STRIPES ARE PROUDLY DISPLAYED.

IN BACK, THERE'S A LARGE SPOILER, AND OF COURSE SEQUENTIAL LED TAILLIGHTS UP TOP, WHILE DOWN BELOW LIES BIG, QUAD STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIPS.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS, HOWEVER, ARE FAR FROM INCREDIBLE, BUT NOT AS BAD AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, 15-CITY AND 24-HIGHWAY.

WE USED A LITTLE BIT OF RESTRAINT TO MANAGE 19.9 MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM IN MIXED DRIVING.

STILL, THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS BELOW AVERAGE WITH ANNUAL OIL CONSUMPTION OF 18.3-BARRELS OF OIL AND YEARLY CO2 EMISSIONS OF 8.2 TONS.

NOW, ALL OF THIS PERFORMANCE FOR A PRICE OF JUST $54,995 SEEMS A LITTLE UNBELIEVABLE, BUT WE'RE NOT COMPLAINING.

AND EVEN IF YOU ADD ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL GOODIES YOU WON'T BE MUCH OVER $60-GRAND.

THE COOL PART ABOUT OUR JOBS IS THAT WE GET TO DRIVE CARS LIKE THE GT500; THE NOT-SO-COOL PART IS THAT WE EVENTUALLY HAVE TO GIVE THEM BACK.

THE 2013 FORD SHELBY GT500 IS CLEARLY ONE VERY SPECIAL MUSTANG THAT EVERY MEMBER OF OUR STAFF WOULD LOVE TO OWN.

IT'S A HEART THROBBING TRIBUTE TO ONE AMAZING CAR GUY.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK PROFILES AN OFF-SITE AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUS COMPANY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

DURING THE LAST YEAR, THE PARKING SPOT HAS ADDED 31 COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS BUSES TO THEIR THREE LOTS NEAR THE HARTSFIELD-JACKSON ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THE PARKING SPOT WORKED WITH THE CLEAN CITIES ATLANTA COALITION TO MAKE THE SWITCH TO THE CLEANER BURNING FUEL.

AS PART OF THE TEAMING ARRANGEMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PROVIDED FUNDING ASSISTANCE TO HELP PAY FOR THE BUSES AND TO BUILD SIX NEW CNG FUELING STATIONS IN METRO ATLANTA, INCLUDING THE ONE USED BY THE PARKING SPOT AT COLLEGE PARK.

COMPANY OFFICIALS SAY THEY'RE SAVING OVER 30% IN ANNUAL FUEL COSTS WITH THE NEW VEHICLES, DISPLACING ALMOST 200,000 GALLONS OF PETROLEUM ANNUALLY.

IT'S A "GOOD SPOT" TO BE IN AS THE COMPANY CONSIDERS ADDING MORE ALTERNATIVE FUEL BUSES TO OTHER PARKING SPOT LOCATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

IN MANY WAYS, CAR MUSEUMS ARE A CONTRADICTION.

AFTER ALL, DISPLAYING RACE CARS IN A PERPETUAL FREEZE FRAME SEEMS UNNATURAL; SOME MIGHT EVEN SAY A TRAGEDY.

BUT WHILE MOST MUSEUMS ADOPT THE "LOOK, BUT DON'T DRIVE" POLICY, OUR OWN ROGER MECCA FOUND A UNIQUE COLLECTION IN PENNSYLVANIA THAT ALLOWS ADMIRERS THE RARE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE SOME OF THE MOST EXCITING AUTOMOBILES OF THE LAST CENTURY, MOVE THE WAY THEY WERE MEANT TO.

Roger: FOR AUTO FANS, BEING SURROUNDED BY RACE CARS LIKE THIS IS ABOUT AS GOOD AS IT GETS.

AND JUST ENVISIONING WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE TO SEE THESE CARS IN MOTION BRINGS A SMILE TO YOUR FACE.

BUT HERE AT THE SIMEONE AUTO MUSEUM OUTSIDE OF PHILADELPHIA, YOU DON'T NEED TO USE YOUR IMAGINATION.

Fred Simeone: THESE ARE DYNAMIC THINGS AND PART OF THE STORY IS HOW THEY RUN, HOW THEY SOUND, AND WITHOUT BEING FACETIOUS, EVEN HOW THEY SMELL.

AND YOU CAN ONLY GET THAT IF YOU RUN THEM.

Roger: YES, IT'S TRUE!

THERE IS ACTUALLY AN AUTO MUSEUM THAT NOT ONLY DARES TO TAKE THEIR ARTIFACTS OUTSIDE, BUT STARTS THEM UP... [ ENGINE STARTS ] ...HITS THE GAS AND ROARS THE ENGINES!

AND THE EXPERIENCE IS A FEAST FOR THE SENSES.

Harry Hurst: YOU GET TO HEAR THESE ENGINES THAT YOU'VE ONLY READ ABOUT; THE FERRARI V12, OR THE ASTON MARTIN, OR THE PORSCHE 917.

YOU'VE ONLY HEARD ABOUT WHAT THEY'VE SOUNDED LIKE, NOW YOU CAN ACTUALLY HEAR THEM.

Roger: THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, DOCTOR SIMEONE DOESN'T JUST DRIVE ONE OR TWO, BUT NEARLY ALL OF THE 65 RACE &SPORTS CARS IN HIS COLLECTION.

JUST SO THE PUBLIC CAN APPRECIATE THEM IN A WAY THAT OTHER MUSEUMS CAN'T DUPLICATE.

AND SINCE THEY ALL SHARE A COMMON HERITAGE, MANY OF THE VEHICLES ALSO HAVE A HISTORY THAT INTERSECTS AT SOME POINT IN THEIR GLAMOROUS PAST.

ONCE A MONTH, DOCTOR SIMEONE AND HIS TEAM SELECT A FEW OF THE CARS FROM THE COLLECTION WITH A COMMON RACING BACKGROUND.

AND ON THIS WEEKEND, IT'S THE FERRARI BEATERS.

CARS LIKE THIS, THE 1967 FORD MARK 4, ONE OF THE AUTOMOBILES THAT DETHRONED FERRARI AS THE KING OF LE MANS IN THE '50s, '60s AND '70s.

AND FOR THE SPECTATORS ON HAND, IT'S A THRILL THEY'LL REMEMBER FOREVER.

Robert Perez: IT'S AMAZING THAT SOMEBODY TAKES CARE OF THE VEHICLES LIKE THIS.

IT GIVES THE PUBLIC A CHANCE TO COME OUT HERE AND WITNESS THIS.

YOU JUST DON'T SEE THIS ANYWHERE ELSE.

Colin Watson: WOO, TO SEE THEM RUNNING IS A DREAM COME TRUE.

YOU CAN HEAR THE HISTORY DRIVING AROUND THIS TRACK.

I MEAN, THEY'RE NOT OPENING UP 100%, BUT JUST TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEM RUNNING AROUND.

AND IT'S - YOU CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN IT, IT'S AMAZING.

YOU HAVE TO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.

Kristina Cavallaro: IT'S REALLY INCREDIBLE.

I MEAN, IT'S SOMETHING I FEEL LIKE ANYONE WHO'S REMOTELY INTERESTED IN CARS WOULD DEFINITELY WANT TO COME SEE.

Roger: IT'S CLEAR THE TRADITION OF TAKING THESE CARS OUTSIDE FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY IS APPRECIATED.

BUT NOT JUST BY MUSEUM GUESTS, BUT ALSO BY THOSE WHO SEE THEM EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Harry: SITTING STATIC, IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE CARS ARE ASLEEP AND YOU TAKE THEM OUT AND RUN THEM AND YOU CAN SEE THAT THEIR WHOLE PERSONALITY CHANGES.

Roger: THE PHILOSOPHY HERE AT THE MUSEUM ISN'T TO RACE THESE CARS BUT TO DRIVE THEM RESPONSIBLY, NEVER TAKING THEM ABOVE 30 OR 35 MILES AN HOUR.

BUT TRUST ME, WHEN YOU'RE A PASSENGER IN THIS ASTON MARTIN DBR1 GOING 30 MILES AN HOUR, IT STILL FEELS SPECTACULAR.

Fred: USE THEM.

EVERY CAR HERE IS MADE TO RUN.

USE IT.

USE IT RESPONSIBLY, DON'T BREAK IT MAKE SURE IT HAS THE SAME STUFF IT LEFT THE FACTORY WITH.

WE DON'T TRY TO RACE OR BEAT THEM UP BECAUSE I HOPE THEY'RE HERE NOT JUST FOR DECADES BUT CENTURIES.

BUT WE RUN THEM SO EVERYONE CAN SEE THEM, AND THAT'S TURNED OUT TO BE VERY POPULAR.

Roger: ANY CAR FANATIC CAN APPRECIATE THESE AMAZING MACHINES WHILE THEY SIMPLY SIT STILL UNDER DIMMED LIGHTING.

BUT TO FULLY EXPERIENCE THE THRILL THEY'RE CAPABLE OF DELIVERING, THE ONLY OPTION IS TO OPEN THE TAPS AND LET THOSE HORSES RUN FREE.

BUT BE WARNED, ONCE YOU SEE THEM MOVE, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THEM ANY OTHER WAY.

John: NOW LET'S HEAD DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE WHERE PAT FUNNELS OUR ATTENTION TO THE EVER CHANGING WORLD OF CAR CARE.

Pat Goss: BACK IN THE DAY, CHANGING OIL IN A CAR WAS A PRETTY SIMPLE OPERATION THAT ANYBODY COULD DO.

BUT TODAY, THAT IS ALL CHANGING.

YOU SEE, ON A CAR TODAY, YOU USUALLY HAVE AN AIR DAM UNDERNEATH THE CAR THAT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED, LOTS OF SCREWS OR CLIPS, AND SO ON.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, ONCE YOU GET THE OIL DRAINED AND PUT EVERYTHING BACK TOGETHER UNDERNEATH THE CAR, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET OIL BACK IN THE ENGINE.

WELL, BACK IN THE DAY, ALL THAT REQUIRED WAS A BASIC FUNNEL.

BUT ON MODERN CARS, THAT REALLY DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE.

YOU SEE, TODAY, MOST OIL FILLER CAPS HAVE THREADS ON THEM AND THEY THREAD INTO THE VALVE COVER.

NOW, IN ORDER TO GET OIL BACK IN WITHOUT SPILLING IT ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND MAKING A GIANT MESS, MANUFACTURERS ARE RECOMMENDING THAT YOU USE FUNNELS LIKE WE HAVE HERE.

NOW, THESE COME IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT SIZES AND SHAPES FOR VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS OF CARS, BUT WHAT MAKES THEM PARTICULAR IS RIGHT HERE.

THIS PORTION OF IT IS THREADED TO MATCH THE THREADS IN THE VALVE COVER OF A PARTICULAR AUTOMOBILE.

IT HAS AN 'O' RING, OR IN THE CASE OF THE RED ONE, IT HAS A GASKET, SO THAT WHEN YOU TIGHTEN IT DOWN INTO THE VALVE COVER, IT DOES NOT LEAK.

NOW, THAT MEANS YOU CAN POUR THE OIL IN, THE FUNNEL IS NOT GOING TO FALL OUT, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY SPILLED OIL - NO ISSUES AT ALL.

I RECOMMEND IF YOU HAVE A LATE MODEL CAR SEE IF YOU CAN FIND ONE OF THESE THAT FITS YOUR CAR.

BUT HERE'S SOMETHING.

NOW THIS COULD SAVE YOU SOME MONEY ON A LOT OF CARS - JUST A SIMPLE PAPER FUNNEL.

NOW, WHAT AM I TALKING ABOUT HERE?

WELL, INSIDE MANY VALVE COVERS, IF WE TRY TO USE ANY KIND OF A CONVENTIONAL FUNNEL - PUT IT IN, IT DOESN'T GO ANY PLACE.

THERE IS ACTUALLY, IN THIS VALVE COVER, A PIECE OF TIN DOWN THERE.

NOW, THAT TIN IS A BAFFLE, AND IF WE LOOK AT THE BACK SIDE OF IT, WE SEE THAT IT COVERS THE WHOLE INSIDE OF THE VALVE COVER.

AND WHAT IT DOES, IS IT PREVENTS THE CRANK CASE BREATHER SYSTEM - YOU CALL IT A PCV, IT PREVENTS THAT FROM SUCKING OIL OUT OF THE ENGINE AND BURNING IT.

WELL, IF YOU DAMAGE THAT, YOU'LL WIND UP WITH A CAR THAT BURNS OIL.

SO, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE VERY, VERY CAREFUL NEVER TO DAMAGE THE BAFFLE IF YOUR CAR HAS IT.

SO, THE PROPER FUNNEL MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

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

John: THIS WEEK, THE SMALLEST AND LARGEST VEHICLES IN OUR LONG TERM FLEET ARE UP FOR REVIEW.

STARTING WITH THIS 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT SE, A HIGHLY FUEL EFFICIENT 5-DOOR SUBCOMPACT THAT TRANSCENDS ITS SMALL SIZE WITH USEFULNESS AND LOOKS.

WITH 5,000 COMMUTER MILES ON THE ODOMETER IN JUST OVER FOUR MONTHS WITH US, WE'RE PRETTY HAPPY WITH THE SOFT BUT EARNEST RESPONSE FROM ITS 138-HORSEPOWER 1.6-LITER I4.

URBAN SPEED LIMITS HAVE ALSO LIMITED FUEL ECONOMY TO 29.8 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR.

WHILE THAT'S A LONG WAY FROM THE ACCENT'S HIGHWAY RATING OF 40, ITS DEAD ON WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S 30 MPG CITY PREDICTION.

YOU CAN'T HELP BUT EXPECT SOME DRIVING FUN IN A CAR THAT LOOKS AS SPORTY AS THE ACCENT.

BUT WITH A SOFT SUSPENSION, AGAIN PERFECT FOR POT HOLED CITY STREETS, IT'S MOSTLY LEFT TO THE MANUAL SHIFT MODE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO PROVIDE ANY AMUSEMENT.

LOG BOOK COMMENTS PRONOUNCE THE INTERIOR AS COMFY FOR ITS CLASS, AND ROOMY.

SO THUS FAR, IT'S EASY TO ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVES OF THE HYUNDAI ACCENT.

WE'VE HAD A LOT MORE TIME AND DISTANCE IN OUR 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED.

SUMMER VACATIONS HAVE REALLY PACKED ON THE MILES.

WE'VE PAST 24K IN JUST 10 MONTHS WITH ZERO MECHANICAL FAULTS.

NO SIGN OF THE "TICKING" SOUND THAT SOME PENTASTAR V6 POWERED VEHICLES ARE HAVING.

THE A/C DID FREEZE UP ON ONE COOL AND VERY HUMID MORNING.

BUT SHUTTING IT OFF FOR 10 MINUTES CURED THAT.

A LOT OF INTERSTATE TRAVEL HAS RESULTED IN A NICE BOOST IN ECONOMY TO 21 MPG USING REGULAR FUEL.

THAT HELPS MAKE THE V6 GC A WONDERFUL LONG DISTANCE HAULER, FOR KIDS, PETS, OR WATERCRAFT TRAILER.

WE NEVER GOT TO TRY THE SELEC-TERRAIN FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM IN SNOW, BUT IT CAN HANDLE MUDDY CAMP GROUNDS WITHOUT BREAKING A SWEAT.

WE'LL SWEAT THE DETAILS OF OUR SUBARU IMPREZA AND HONDA CR-V, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

NOW IT'S TIME TO JOIN YOLANDA VAZQUEZ FOR ALL THE LATEST MOTORNEWS.

Yolanda: EVERY YEAR IN THE THIRD WEEK OF AUGUST, AUTO AFICIONADOS FLOCK TO THE MONTEREY PENINSULA FOR WHAT HAS BECOME A WEEKLONG EXTRAVAGANZA OF CLASSIC-CAR RACES, SHOWS AND TOURS... AND WE WEREN'T ABOUT TO MISS OUT ON ALL THE FUN.

THE WEEK STARTED FOR US AT THE CONCORSO ITALIANO, WITH AN EYE-CATCHING ARRAY OF ITALIAN EXOTICS FROM FERRARI, LAMBORGHINI, MASERATI, AND THEIR MANY COUSINS.

HERE FIAT INTRODUCED THE 2013 500 TURBO TO ITS LINEUP.

DESIGNED TO HIT THE SWEET SPOT BETWEEN ITS BASE MODELS AND THE RACY ABARTH, THE $19,500 TURBO FEATURES A SPORT-TUNED SUSPENSION, MANUAL TRANSMISSION, 135 HP, AND 150 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA WAS THE SCENE FOR A MOVING TRIBUTE TO THE LATE CARROLL SHELBY.

THERE, MORE COBRAS ON HAND THAN YOU CAN SHAKE A DIPSTICK AT, AND FORD AND SHELBY AMERICAN UNVEILED A ONE-OFF 850-HORSEPOWER SHELBY GT500 COBRA MUSTANG THAT WILL TOUR THE COUNTRY AND EVENTUALLY BE AUCTIONED FOR CHARITY.

MONTEREY WEEK IS ALSO A GOOD PLACE TO CATCH AUCTION FEVER, AND A STAGGERING $260 MILLION CHANGED HANDS THROUGH FIVE MAJOR SALES.

RM SET A NEW WORLD RECORD FOR AN AMERICAN CAR WITH AN $11 MILLION WINNING BID FOR THIS 1968 FORD GT40, ONCE USED AS A CAMERA CAR FOR THE STEVE MCQUEEN RACING FILM LE MANS .

NOT TO BE OUTDONE, GOODING &COMPANY PARTED WITH THIS 1936 MERCEDES 540K SPECIAL ROADSTER FOR A COOL $11.7 MILLION.

BEST OF SHOW AT THE PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS WENT TO ANOTHER MERCEDES, THIS 1928 680S WITH TORPEDO BODYWORK BY SAOUTHCHIK.

WHILE ON THE CONCEPT CAR LAWN, FUTURE CLASSICS FROM THE WORLD'S SPORTING AND LUXURY CARMAKERS WOWED THE CROWDS.

LAMBORGHINI SHOWED THEIR URUS SUV CONCEPT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AMERICA, ALONGSIDE THEIR $2.2 MILLION SESTO ELEMENTO TRACK CAR.

BMW'S Z4 ZAGATO ROADSTER ADDS A LITTLE MORE DARING TO THE DROPTOP'S DESIGN, WHILE THE SRT VIPER GTS LAUNCH EDITION WILL SEE A LIMITED PRODUCTION IN THIS SIGNATURE BLUE AND DUAL WHITE STRIPES COLOR SCHEME.

THIS WHIRLWIND SENDS US INTO AUTO OVERLOAD EVERY TIME WE GO, AND WE'LL BRING YOU MORE COVERAGE IN UPCOMING SHOWS.

BUT FOR NOW, THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS!

John: NO BRAND COVERS THE AUTOMOTIVE LANDSCAPE QUITE LIKE BMW.

FROM SMALL SPORTY COUPES TO BIG FAMILY HAULING SUVS, THEY DO COVER A LOT OF BASES.

BUT DESPITE A WIDE VARIETY, ONE MANTRA SEEMS TO REIGN SUPREME; EVERYTHING TAKES A "BACK SEAT" TO "PERFORMANCE"!

WELL, NOW THERE ARE TWO NEW ADDITIONS TO THE 6-SERIES LINEUP.

ONE WITH MORE BACK SEAT, AND ONE WITH MORE PERFORMANCE!

IN TYPICAL M FASHION, THE 2012 BMW M6 CONVERTIBLE IS A HIGH PERFORMANCE VERSION OF THE RECENTLY REVAMPED 6-SERIES DROPTOP, SHARING A LOT UNDER THE SKIN WITH THE M5 SEDAN.

TIPPING THE SCALES AT OVER 4,500 POUNDS, IT'S NO LIGHTWEIGHT.

STILL, IT CUTS THROUGH THE CONES LIKE MICHAEL PHELPS THROUGH CHLORINATED WATER.

GOING INTO DETAIL ON HOW MANY ADJUSTMENTS YOU CAN MAKE TO THE THROTTLE MAPPING, CHASSIS DYNAMICS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS WOULD SEND US INTO OVERTIME.

DESPITE ITS HIGH PERFORMANCE CALLING, RIDE QUALITY IS NOT HARSH, ESPECIALLY IN COMFORT MODE, AND THAT'S WITH A STIFF REAR SUB-FRAME THAT'S BOLTED TO THE CHASSIS WITHOUT BUSHINGS.

HANDLING AND BRAKING ON THE OTHER HAND HAVE ALL OF THE SHARP FEEL YOU EXPECT IN AN M. THE BIGGEST M UPGRADES ARE THE 560-HORSEPOWER 4.4-LITER TWINPOWER TURBO V8 UP FRONT AND THE ACTIVE DIFFERENTIAL IN THE REAR.

WE PUT BOTH TO GOOD USE BLASTING TO 60 IN FOUR SECONDS FLAT, RUNNING THE FULL 1/4 MILE IN 12.3 SECONDS AT 117 MPH.

THERE'S TORQUE-A-PLENTY AT ANY POINT IN TIME THROUGHOUT THE REV BAND, BUT WITH A SOFT THROTTLE AND SOMETIMES SLUGGISH 7-SPEED DCT, IT'S NOT ALWAYS INSTANTANEOUSLY DELIVERED.

STILL, THE M6 CONVERTIBLE IS ONE OF THE FASTEST DROPTOPS WE'VE EVER DRIVEN, BUT IT IS MORE EFFICIENT AS WELL, GETTING 30% BETTER GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS THAN LAST GENERATION AT 14-CITY AND 20-HIGHWAY.

IT'S ALSO VERY SUBSTANTIAL IN LOOK AND FEEL, WITH BIG, HEAVY DOORS AND SMOOTH-OPERATING, VERY QUIET, POWER, CLOTH TOP WITH A RETRACTABLE GLASS BACKLIGHT THAT DOUBLES AS A WIND BLOCKER WHEN THE TOP IS DOWN.

THE INTERIOR IS MOSTLY TYPICAL BMW.

THERE'S STILL A STRONG COCKPIT FEEL, BUT MOST SURFACES ARE FLATTER AND LESS ROUNDED THAN OTHER BIMMERS.

THE 2012 BMW M6 CONVERTIBLE IS CLEARLY DESIGNED FOR THE WELL-HEELED BUYER WHO WANTS A CAR THAT'S GREAT LOOKING, BUT NOT TOO FLASHY, ONE THAT'S EQUALLY AT HOME ON BOTH THE SUNSET STRIP AND MULHOLLAND HIGHWAY AND HE'LL HAVE TO FORK OVER $113,995 FOR THE PRIVILEGE.

NOW, THE GERMANS LOVE TO KEEP US CONFUSED, AS FOR A WHILE NOW THEY'VE BEEN SELLING SEDANS STYLED TO LOOK LIKE COUPES, SOME OF WHICH ARE EVEN HATCHBACKS!

WELL, BMW NOW JOINS THE PARTY WITH THE 2013 640I GRAN COUPE.

LIKE THE M6 CONVERTIBLE, IT'S ALSO BASED ON THE STANDARD 6-SERIES COUPE, BUT WITH A STRETCH FOR BOTH WHEELBASE AND OVERALL LENGTH.

IN FACT, IT'S EVEN LONGER THAN THE 5-SERIES SEDAN.

SEDANS, OF COURSE, DON'T LOOK AS STYLISH AS THIS 4-DOOR COUPE, WITH ITS LONG HOOD AND REARWARD PASSENGER COMPARTMENT ADDING A BIT OF FRESHNESS TO THE TYPICAL BMW PROPORTIONS.

BUT TRUTH-BE-TOLD, WE STILL PREFER A TRADITIONAL SEDAN.

BOTH AVAILABLE V8 AND I6 ENGINES HAVE BEEN UPGRADED, WITH THE TWIN-SCROLL, SINGLE-TURBO SIX IN OUR TEST CAR DELIVERING 315-HORSEPOWER AND 330 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

ENOUGH TO LAUNCH TO 60 IN 5.5-SECONDS AND HIT 97 MILES-PER-HOUR IN THE 1/4 MILE, WHICH TAKES 14 SECONDS TO COMPLETE.

THROUGH THE CONES WE WEREN'T QUITE AS ENTERTAINED, HOWEVER, AS IT MOSTLY COMES DOWN TO STEERING.

THE GRAN COUPE IS A VERY HEAVY CAR, YET TURN-INs ARE IMMEDIATE, WITH LITTLE TO NO RESISTANCE IN THE STEERING WHEEL.

SO YOU MUST DEPEND ON FEEDBACK FROM THE CHASSIS TO LET YOU KNOW HOW HARD TO PUSH.

FORTUNATELY, AN UPDATED VERSION OF BMW'S ELECTRONIC DYNAMIC DAMPER CONTROL IS THERE TO HELP OUT.

BESIDES THE ADDITIONAL REAR SEAT ROOM, THE GRAN COUPE ALSO DISPLAYS THE TYPICAL BLEND OF GERMAN PRECISION AND HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS THROUGHOUT THE CABIN.

PRICING FOR THE 2013 BMW GRAN COUPE STARTS AT $76,895 FOR THE 640I, WHICH IS RIGHT AROUND THE PORSCHE PANAMERA, BUT MUCH HIGHER THAN THE AUDI A7.

THE V8 POWERED 650I ARRIVES LATER IN THE YEAR.

SO, WITH MORE STYLE AND SPACE, AND MORE PERFORMANCE ADDED TO THE BMW DECK, THIS PAIR OF "SIXES" LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER WINNING HAND.

WELL, I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AGAIN FOR MORE MOTORWEEK, WHEN WE'LL SEE IF THE CADILLAC ATS IS FIT TO TAKE ON SPORTS SEDANS BEST.

AND IF THE SUBARU BRZ SPORT COUPE LIVES UP TO ITS CONSIDERABLE HYPE.

TILL 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.

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