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

JOIN US AS WE LOOK FOR CLEAR SKIES AHEAD IN THE BENTLEY FLYING SPUR.

PAT GOSS FINDS A FRIEND TO HELP WITH THOSE COSTLY REPAIRS, BRIAN ROBINSON SEES IF THE NEWEST KAWASAKI NINJA IS STILL A DEADLY WEAPON, AND THEN WE'LL CALL THE BUICK LACROSSE TO THE FRONT LINES AND SEE IF IT CAN HOLD ITS OWN.

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: 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.

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 3M PAINT DEFENDER SYSTEM.

HELPS PROTECT YOUR PAINT IN THREE STEPS.

DRYING TO A CLEAR, REMOVABLE FILM FOR PROTECTION.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT 3MAUTO.COM.

DIEHARD.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM John Davis: YOU DON'T HAVE TO COUNT YOURSELF AMONG THE ONE-PERCENTERS TO KNOW THAT THE BENTLEY BRAND PRODUCES EXTRAORDINARILY FINE AUTOMOBILES.

THAT INCLUDES THIS NEW FLYING SPUR.

IT'S A CAR THAT PROMISES UNCOMPROMISING FOUR-DOOR LUXURY, ALONG WITH UNBRIDLED PERFORMANCE.

SO FOR THE NEXT FEW MINUTES, LET'S PRETEND THAT OUR POCKETS ARE DEEP ENOUGH TO SEE IF THE FLYING SPUR KEEPS ITS PROMISES.

DESPITE THE UPS AND DOWNS OF OUR ECONOMY, THE WORLD-WIDE DEMAND FOR HIGH-END LUXURY CARS HAS NOT DIMINISHED.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE CHINESE MARKET AND THEIR INCREASING DESIRE FOR "WESTERN" LUXURY GOODS.

AND THAT'S A PERFECT CLIMATE FOR THE 2014 BENTLEY FLYING SPUR.

BENTLEY HAS TRIED HARD TO REESTABLISH ITS CREDENTIALS AS A LUXURY PERFORMANCE BRAND.

BUT THIS FLYING SPUR SHOWS THEY HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN POTENTIAL BUYERS WHO PREFER TO ENJOY THEIR BENTLEY FROM THE BACKSEAT, LETTING A CHAUFFEUR TAKE CARE OF THE DRIVING.

SO, IN THAT VAIN, THE LATEST CONTINENTAL-BASED FLYING SPUR DROPS THE CONTINENTAL NAME, AS WELL AS SOFTENS THE RIDE, TO HEIGHTEN ITS OVERALL PRESTIGE APPEAL.

BUT THAT ASIDE, IT'S STILL A CONTINENTAL UNDER THE HOOD, WHERE YOU'LL FIND THE UPDATED TWIN-TURBO W12 ENGINE IN ALL OF ITS GLORY, CRANKING OUT 616-HORSEPOWER AND 590 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

FOR NOW, THE CONTINENTAL GT'S OPTIONAL V8 IS NOT AVAILABLE.

IF YOU'VE EVER HAD A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE TSUNAMI OF TORQUE THAT CAN BE UNLEASHED FROM THIS ENGINE, YOUR LIFE MAY NEVER BE THE SAME.

IT IS A TIDAL WAVE OF POWER, YET IT'S DELIVERED IN SUCH A SMOOTH MANNER IT FEELS LIKE A TRUE MIRACLE OF ENGINEERING.

THE 8-SPEED PADDLE SHIFT AUTOMATIC IS EQUALLY UNOBTRUSIVE, EXPERTLY DELIVERING POWER TO ALL FOUR WHEELS WITH A NOMINAL 40/60 SPLIT.

THOUGH THE FLYING SPUR IS 116-POUNDS LIGHTER THAN THE PREVIOUS CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR, IT STILL WEIGHS IN AT 5,451-POUNDS.

THAT TONNAGE, PLUS POT HOLE TAMING SUSPENSION TUNING, MIGHT MAKE IT HARD TO EVER BE CALLED "FUN TO DRIVE."

YET, WITH THE ADJUSTABLE DAMPERS SET TO THEIR SPORTIEST MODE, WE STILL FOUND THE FLYING SPUR QUITE AGILE, WITH A HUGE AMOUNT OF GRIP AND STEERING THAT'S VERY LINEAR AND PRECISE.

AND, OFF THE LINE, IT LUNGES TO 60 IN JUST 4.5-SECONDS, AND STREAKS TO THE END OF THE QUARTER-MILE IN 12.8 AT 106 MILES-PER-HOUR.

AFTER THROWING YOU BACK IN YOUR SEAT AT LAUNCH, THE REST OF THE TRIP IS JUST A VELVETY SMOOTH BLUR OF VELOCITY.

JUST AS IMPRESSIVE ARE THE BRAKES, HALTING THIS BEAUTIFUL BEAST IN AN AVERAGE DISTANCE OF 117-FEET FROM 60.

PERFORMANCE ASIDE, BENTLEY IS WELL AWARE THAT THEIR OWNERS PREFER NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING THAT'S NOT WRAPPED IN LEATHER, COVERED IN WOOD, OR PLATED IN METAL.

SO BUYERS OF THIS CAR WILL FEEL RIGHT AT HOME BEHIND THE FLYING SPUR'S 2-TONE 3-SPOKE STEERING WHEEL.

LIKE ALL RECENT BENTLEY'S, IT ELEGANTLY STRADDLES THAT FINE LINE OF BEING ULTRA-LUXURIOUS WITHOUT BEING PRETENTIOUS.

THOUGH WELL-CRAFTED, THE FRONT SEATS ARE NOT AS COMFORTABLE AS WE'VE COME ACCUSTOMED TO IN A BENTLEY, BUT THAT PLAYS WELL WITH THE CHAUFFEUR DRIVEN IMAGE OF THE FLYING SPUR.

THOSE THAT DO PREFER TO LEAVE THE STEERING WHEEL, THROTTLE, AND BRAKE TO SOMEONE ELSE, AND RELAX OR BE ENTERTAINED IN THE WELL-APPOINTED REAR SEAT AREA, STILL CONTROL EVERYTHING ELSE THANKS TO A NEW TOUCHSCREEN REMOTE.

NO NEED TO TELL JEEVES TO TONE DOWN THE AIR CONDITIONING, AND YOU CAN EVEN PROGRAM THE CAR'S GPS.

MANY CUSTOM OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE OF COURSE FOR THE INSIDE AS WELL AS THE OUTSIDE, WHICH BRINGS US TO OUR TEST CAR'S DAMSON PURPLE PAINT.

WITH OUR OFFICES BEING LOCATED IN THE SAME TOWN AS THE BALTIMORE RAVENS TRAINING FACILITY, MORE THAN ONE RUBBERNECKER WAS STRAINING TO SEE WHICH FOOTBALL STAR WAS PILOTING THIS BUDGET BUSTER.

THE DESIGN THEME IS UNDOUBTEDLY TRADITIONAL, BUT THE NEW FLYING SPUR SITS LOWER AND WIDER THAN BEFORE, WITH THE GRILLE MUCH MORE UPRIGHT.

BODY PANELS ARE A MIX OF ALUMINUM AND COMPOSITES, WHILE LED SIGNATURE LIGHTING KEEPS THINGS IN STEP WITH OTHER MODERN PREMIUM SEDANS.

NOW FOR THE REALITY CHECK.

BASE PRICING FOR THIS BRITISH BRUTE COMES IN AT A LOFTY $205,825.

SO, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOUR POCKETS ARE THAT DEEP OR NOT, THE FLYING SPUR DOES INDEED KEEP ITS PROMISE.

IT'S A COLLECTION OF EVERYTHING BENTLEY DOES BEST, THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CONTINENTAL GT WITH THE LUXURY OF THE MULSANNE.

THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS MAY OFFER MORE WHEN IT COMES TO HIGH-TECH AND SAFETY FEATURES, BUT THE 2014 BENTLEY FLYING SPUR, THE FASTEST BENTLEY 4-DOOR EVER, IS A UNIQUE ANIMAL IN THE MARKET PLACE; AS THIS STYLE OF BRITISH LUXURY PERFORMANCE MOTORING AT ITS FINEST CAN ONLY BE FOUND BEHIND THE "WINGED-B".

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO NORTH AURORA, ILLINOIS FOR A STOP AT ALPHA BAKING COMPANY, PARENT OF S. ROSEN'S AND OTHER POPULAR BAKED GOODS BRANDS.

AFTER YEARS OF LOOKING FOR AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL TO FIT THEIR DAILY DELIVERY NEEDS, ALPHA RECENTLY PURCHASED 22 PROPANE-POWERED BREAD TRUCKS FOR THE CHICAGOLAND DELIVERIES.

WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF SOUTH SHORE AND CHICAGO AREA CLEAN CITIES, ALPHA WORKED WITH ROUSH CLEANTECH TO DEVELOP THE FIRST PROPANE FORD E-450 STEP VAN.

Bob McGuire: I APPLAUD ALPHA BAKING AND THE OWNERSHIP FOR REALLY HAVING THE VISION AND THE COMMITMENT TO DOING THE RIGHT THING WHEN IT COMES TO POWERING OR VEHICLES.

John: ALPHA'S PROPANE STEP VANS WILL EMIT 2 MILLION FEWER POUNDS OF CARBON DIOXIDE OVER THEIR LIFETIME.

THE COMPANY HOPES TO EXPAND THIS INITIATIVE TO THEIR FLEETS IN WISCONSIN AND INDIANA AS WELL.

IT'S A WELL-EXECUTED ALT-FUEL PLAN THAT SHOWS THIS CHICAGO ICON CLEARLY "RISES" TO THE OCCASION.

THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT STYLES OF POWERED TWO-WHEELED TRANSPORTATION, FROM MOPEDS TO HARLEYS.

BUT EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT INTO MOTORCYCLES, MOST KNOW THE KAWASAKI NINJA NAME IS SYNONYMOUS FOR A RIDING MACHINE DESIGNED TO DO ONE THING ABOVE ALL ELSE; GO FAST!

SO, WHEN THE CHANCE CAME FOR OUR TWO-WHEELIN' SENSEI BRIAN ROBINSON TO CHECK OUT THAT LATEST TO WEAR THE LEGENDARY WARRIOR'S TITLE, HE GEARED UP IN A FLASH.

Brian Robinson: IN 1972, KAWASAKI SHIFTED THE SPORT-BIKE WORLD INTO A WHOLE NEW GEAR WITH THE Z1.

AND EVER SINCE, THEY'VE KEPT THE THROTTLE PINNED BY UNLEASHING A STEADY STREAM OF STREET GOING TRACK WEAPONS.

THIS ZX-6R IS THE LATEST.

THE 2013 EDITION OF THE KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-6R IS ALLEW AND LOOKING TO SLICE ITS WAY THROUGH THE MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORT BIKE COMPETITION, AND PACKING THE BIGGEST ENGINE IN THE CLASS IS ALWAYS A GOOD WAY TO START.

ITS 636CC ENGINE HAS A FEW MORE CC's THAN THE TYPICAL 600 SPORT-BIKE, THUS CAN PACK IN JUST A BIT MORE MID-RANGE, WHICH IS MUCH APPRECIATED IN THE REAL WORLD RIDING THAT MOST OF US DO.

THE REST OF THE POWERTRAIN IS TYPICAL SPORT BIKE, 6-SPEEDS, AND CHAIN DRIVE.

EVEN AT LESS THAN RECORD SPEEDS, THE ZX-6R FEELS RIGHT AT HOME ON THE TRACK.

AN F.C.C.

SLIPPER CLUTCH SMOOTHES CORNER ENTRIES, NO MATTER HOW HAM-FISTED YOU ARE WITH THE CLUTCH...

...WHILE THE UNI-TRAK REAR SUSPENSION WITH GP STYLE SWINGARM USES A LONGER SHOCK, WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SHOWA BIG PISTON, SEPARATE FUNCTION FORKS TO KEEP YOU SETTLED THROUGH THE CORNER.

THERE'S MULTI-STAGE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE MAPPING TO ASSIST AS WELL.

ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE WITH A SWITCH ON THE LEFT CLIP-ON.

WHEN IT COMES TO MONITORING VITALS, DIGITAL INSTRUMENTATION IS CLEAR WITH PLENTY OF INFORMATION, AND THERE'S A NICE, BIG ANALOG TACH.

BUT LIKE MOST NINJA OWNERS WE SPENT MOST OF OUR TIME ON THE STREET, AND THE NEW NINJA EXCELS THERE AS WELL.

THE PHRASE CLIP-ONS IS RARELY USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE WORD COMFORTABLE; BUT FOR A BIKE DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO WIN RACES, IT OFFERS MORE THAN ACCEPTABLE COMFORT FOR WEEKEND RUNS.

YOUR WRISTS WILL BE THE FIRST TO FEEL THE PAIN.

THE THROTTLE IS ULTRA-RESPONSIVE, THUS CAN BE A LITTLE HERKY-JERKY, LIKE DRIVING A FERRARI IN A PARKING LOT, UNTIL YOU GET A FEEL FOR IT.

WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE NEW 636 SPORTS AN EVEN MORE PURPOSEFUL DESIGN.

LARGER OPENINGS IN THE BODYWORK ALLOW YOU TO SEE MORE OF THAT ENGINE AND THE TWIN-SPAR ALUMINUM FRAME, BUT ALSO AID IN COOLING.

TWIN HEADLIGHTS ARE HOUSED IN A SLEEKER FRONT END WITH A LARGE AIR INTAKE IN BETWEEN, TURN SIGNALS ARE MOUNTED ALMOST FLUSH, AND THE TAIL IS ABOUT AS MINIMALIST AS IT CAN BE.

THE ANGULAR SHAPED MUFFLER IS ALSO KEPT SMALL THANKS TO AN EXHAUST PRE-CHAMBER LOCATED UNDER THE BIKE.

FRONT BRAKES CONSIST OF 310MM DISCS WITH 4-PISTON CALIPERS.

WHILE IN BACK, A SINGLE PISTON CALIPER GRABS A 220.

ABS IS AVAILABLE.

AT $12,699, THAT'S WITH ABS, MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORT BIKES ARE NO LONGER THE BARGAIN THEY USED TO BE, BUT THEY ALSO PACK PERFORMANCE THAT COULD ONLY BE DREAMED ABOUT A FEW SHORT YEARS AGO.

YOU CAN SAVE A GRAND BY DOING WITHOUT THE ABS, BUT THAT'S STILL PRICIER THAN MOST IN THE SEGMENT.

ALL SPORT BIKES ARE FAST, IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT SET THEM APART, AND JUST BEING MORE POWERFUL IS PROBABLY NOT ENOUGH ANYMORE.

BUT THE 2013 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-6R IS MORE THAN JUST FASTER; IT'S A HIGH-TECH, HIGHLY CAPABLE STREET BIKE THAT'S TAKING THE MIDDLEWEIGHT SEGMENT TO NEW HEIGHTS.

John: PAT GOSS IS A ONE-MAN ARMY WHEN IT COMES TO CAR CARE, BUT THE REST OF US AREN'T QUITE SO SKILLED.

SO HE'S FOUND A WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU FIND THE BEST PERSON FOR THE JOB.

Pat: AS THE OWNER OF AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP, I'M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW CUSTOMERS.

AND IT'S BENEFICIAL IF THAT NEW CUSTOMER HAS A GOOD IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN THEY COME TO SEE US.

WELL, TO HELP IN THAT PROCESS, WE'VE SIGNED ON WITH REPAIR PAL.

AND TO EXPLAIN WHAT REPAIR PAL IS ALL ABOUT, WE HAVE BRETT BODAS FROM REPAIR PAL.

BRETT, WELCOME TO GOSS' GARAGE.

Brett: HI, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

Pat: ALRIGHT, GIVE US AN IDEA HERE OF WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

Brett: SO WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE IS THE REPAIR PRICE ESTIMATOR ON OUR WEBSITE.

WHAT THIS DOES IS IT HELPS CONSUMERS UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH THEY SHOULD EXPECT TO PAY FOR A CAR REPAIR.

UP UNTIL NOW, THEY'VE UNDERSTOOD HOW TO FIND INFORMATION ON HOW MUCH TO PAY FOR THEIR CAR, BUT NOT HOW MUCH TO PAY FOR REPAIRS.

SO WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE TAKEN A LOT OF INDUSTRY DATA, PLUS INFORMATION FROM MY TEAM, AND WE'VE CREATED A NICE LAYOUT HERE OF HOW MUCH THEY SHOULD EXPECT TO PAY.

THERE'S A BREAKDOWN OF THE PARTS AND LABOR, THERE'S INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT PARTS ARE USED, AND THERE'S INFORMATION ABOUT THE BEST PRACTICES THAT THE BEST SHOPS USE, AND ALSO WHAT COMMON SYMPTOMS THEY WOULD EXPECT TO SEE ALONG WITH THIS REPAIR.

Pat: SO THEY'RE ACTUALLY WRITING THEIR OWN ESTIMATE.

Brett: THAT'S RIGHT.

TO SOME EXTENT THEY ARE GETTING THE SAME INFORMATION YOU WOULD HAVE WHEN YOU CREATE AN ESTIMATE FOR THAT CUSTOMER.

Pat: OKAY.

SO NOW THEY'VE GOT GOOD INFORMATION.

HOW DO THEY GO ABOUT FINDING A SHOP?

Brett: SO HERE'S THE MOST EXCITING PART ABOUT WHAT WE DO AT REPAIR PAL.

WE'VE CREATED THE TOP SHOP NETWORK.

AND EACH TOP SHOP IN OUR NETWORK AGREES TO STAND BEHIND THEIR WORD WITH AT LEAST A ONE YEAR AND 12,000 MILE WARRANTY.

WE INTERVIEW THEM AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE TECHNICIANS THAT ARE EXPERIENCED AND TRAINED AND CERTIFIED IN THEIR SHOP.

MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND INFORMATION THEY NEED TO PERFORM THEIR JOBS.

EACH SHOP AGREES TO CHARGE NO MORE THAN WHAT YOU SEE HERE ON THE REPAIR PRICE ESTIMATOR, SO THEY'RE GUARANTEEING A FAIR PRICE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS.

AND ONE OF THE LAST FEATURES, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT, IS WE INTERVIEW YOUR CUSTOMERS AND WE MAKE SURE YOU'RE EXECUTING ON ALL OF THESE THINGS AND THAT THEY'RE VERY HAPPY WITH THE EXPERIENCE AT YOUR SHOP.

Pat: SO, MY CUSTOMERS ARE DRIVING MY DESTINY?

Brett: YOUR CUSTOMERS HAVE A BIG PART IN SAYING WHETHER YOU'RE A TOP SHOP OR NOT, THAT'S CORRECT.

Pat: OKAY.

WELL, I AM IMPRESSED.

BRETT, THANK YOU.

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

John: TIME NOW TO TAKE A FEW MORE QUICK SPINS.

LET'S SEE WHAT WE THINK OF TODAY'S LATEST!

WHILE MOST OF THE KIA LINEUP FOLLOWS A MAINSTREAM APPROACH TO DESIGN AND FUNCTIONALITY, THE BOXY SOUL HAS ODDLY ENOUGH BECOME AN OUT OF THE BOX EXPRESSION, MARRYING BOLD LOOKS WITH THE BRANDS LATEST TECH OFFERINGS.

AND THE REDONE 2014 SOUL AGAIN SUCCEEDS ON BOTH FRONTS.

DIMENSIONS FLEX FOR A MORE MUSCULAR STANCE, WITH WHEELBASE AND WIDTH BOTH UP AND OVERALL HEIGHT DOWN.

ELEMENTS FROM KIA'S TRACK'STER CONCEPT VEHICLE ARE CLEARLY EVIDENT.

IT'S STILL A QUIRKY SOUL JUST WITH A MORE MODERN TURN.

ADDED CONVENIENCE COMES THROUGH KIA'S UVO INFOTAINMENT AND THEIR NEW E-SERVICES SYSTEM FEATURING A REVISED INTERFACE AND AVAILABLE TFT SCREEN GAUGE CLUSTER.

ENGINES ARE BOTH CARRYOVERS.

THE 1.6 LITER I-4 WITH 130 HORSEPOWER AND A 2.0 LITER I-4 RATED AT 164.

NEW FOR 2014 IS DIRECT INJECTION ON THE 2.0 LITER.

AND IT CERTAINLY HELPS.

RIDE QUALITY TAKES A BIG JUMP OVER LAST YEAR AS THE SOUL MANAGES A BETTER MIX OF SPORTY STIFFNESS AND LONG HAUL COMFORT.

Zach Maskell: IT WAS DEFINITELY NEEDED IN THE SECOND GENERATION SOUL, THERE'S NOW MORE SUSPENSION TRAVEL IN THE REAR, THERE'S FOUR SUB FRAME BUSHINGS UP FRONT, AND THERE'S OTHER MOVES THAT MAKE POT HOLES JUST A LOT LESS OF A BURDEN.

John: ON SALE NOW, THE 2014 KIA SOUL STARTS AROUND $16,000.

THE NEXT STAGE OF MITSUBISHI'S ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO RELEVANCY IN AMERICA COMES BY WAY OF AN ALL NEW 2014 MIRAGE SUBCOMPACT.

AND WHILE IT'S NOT UNIQUE IN SIZE OR STYLING, AND POWER IS ON THE WEAK SIDE, IT DOES HAVE SOME CLAIMS TO FAME.

THE MIRAGE IS THE FIRST MASS PRODUCED CAR IMPORTED FROM THAILAND.

AND IT'S ALREADY SELLING WELL IN OTHER MARKETS.

IT ALSO HAS NOTEWORTHY FUEL ECONOMY BEING RATED AT 40 MPG COMBINED WITH THE OPTIONAL CVT.

IT IS THE MOST EFFICIENT NON-HYBRID GASOLINE FUELED CAR IN NORTH AMERICA.

Greg Carloss: THE NUMBERS FOR THE NEW MIRAGE ARE NOT IMPRESSIVE, HONESTLY.

IT'S 74 HORSEPOWER COMING FROM A 3-CYLINDER ENGINE.

BUT ONCE YOU GET IN IT AND YOU START DRIVING IT, THE 74 HORSEPOWER DOESN'T SEEM WEAK.

THE CAR IS BARELY OVER 2,000 POUNDS, AND SOME OF THEM ARE EVEN UNDER 2,000 POUNDS.

SO THAT'S PLENTY TO PROPEL YOU IN THE CITY, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS CAR IS, IT'S A CITY CAR.

John: STARTING AROUND $14,000 THE 2014 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE IS ON SALE NOW.

THE ORIGINAL BMW X5 WAS SO RADICALLY DIFFERENT FOR THE BRAND THAT THEY CREATED THEIR OWN CLASS FOR IT AS A SPORT ACTIVITY VEHICLE.

AND NOW ENTERING ITS THIRD GENERATION, THE 2014 X5 BRINGS MORE TO THE TABLE.

THROUGH CAREFUL ENGINEERING THE NEW X5 LOSES CLOSE TO 200 POUNDS.

DESPITE THIS, INTERIOR CARGO ROOM ACTUALLY GROWS BY A SMALL AMOUNT.

THE EXTERIOR IS NEW TOO, ALTHOUGH CLEARLY EVOLUTIONARY WITH A NEW GRILL, REWORKED HEAD AND TAILLIGHTS, AND FRESH DETAILS AROUND THE SHEET METAL.

ENGINE OFFERINGS ARE, HOWEVER, MOSTLY THE SAME.

THE XDRIVE50I GRABS POWER FROM A TWIN-TURBO V8 RATED AT 445 HORSEPOWER.

DROPPING DOWN, THE XDRIVE35I HAS THE WELL-KNOWN TURBOCHARGED INLINE 6 GOOD FOR 300 HORSEPOWER.

DIESEL LOVERS CAN OPT FOR THE XDRIVE35D, MOTIVATED BY A TURBO I-6 OIL BURNER RATED AT 255 HORSEPOWER.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, A REAR WHEEL DRIVE SDRIVE35I WILL BE OFFERED AS THE LOWEST PRICED MODEL.

THOUGH STILL CAPABLE IN MOST SITUATIONS, EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE SNOW, IT'S HARD NOT TO RECOMMEND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE FOR AN X5.

A HOST OF OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE, INCLUDING M PERFORMANCE AND FULL ON M VARIANTS: STEERING AND SUSPENSION CONTROL OPTIONS AND SAFETY FEATURES GALORE, INCLUDING TRAFFIC JAM ASSISTANT WHICH WILL AUTOMATICALLY SPEED UP, SLOW DOWN, AND KEEP THE VEHICLE IN ITS LANE.

STARTING AROUND $53,000, THE 2014 BMW X5 IS ON SALE NOW.

AND WE'LL BUCKLE UP SOON FOR MORE QUICK SPINS AND MORE OF OUR FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS.

GM IS ON A ROLL!

WHETHER YOU'RE TALKING NEW FULL-SIZE PICKUPS, THE CORVETTE STINGRAY, THE CADILLAC ATS AND CTS, OR THAT THE NEW CHEVROLET IMPALA TOPS CONSUMER REPORTS SEDAN RATINGS.

CALL US HOME TEAMERS ALL YOU WANT, BUT WE LOVE SEEING THE GENERAL STORM BACK.

ON THAT SCORE, THE BUICK LACROSSE HAS ALREADY HAD QUITE AN IMPACT ON THE PREMIUM MID-SIZE SEDAN CLASS, BUT NOW GM IS SENDING IN REINFORCEMENTS FOR A FURTHER ATTEMPT AT SHOCK AND AWE.

WE WERE CERTAINLY SHOCKED BY THE 2014 BUICK LACROSSE.

SHOCKED AT HOW NICE IT IS!

AND WHILE WE'VE BEEN A FAN OF THE LACROSSE'S SLEEK STYLE AND PREMIUM INTERIOR SINCE THE PREVIOUS DESIGN LAUNCH FOR 2010, THINGS HAVE ONLY GOTTEN BETTER.

THE CHIC SHEET METAL THAT GRACES THE LATEST LACROSSE IS NOT A "DEPARTURE FROM," BUT RATHER A "REFINEMENT OF" THE PREVIOUS DESIGN.

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS REMAIN THE SAME, BUT BODY PANELS ARE MORE FLOWING, THE HOOD MORE SCULPTED, AND THE GRILLE MORE EXPRESSIVE.

THE INTERIOR IS EQUALLY WELL DONE, WITH GOOD LOOKING AND LUXURIOUS FEELING MATERIALS, EVEN IF THE "WOOD" DOES COME FROM A PLASTIC TREE.

FOUR INTERIOR THEMES ARE AVAILABLE, OURS FEATURING THE EBONY WITH LEATHER PACKAGE.

A NEW ULTRA LUXURY INTERIOR PACKAGE TAKES THINGS A NOTCH FARTHER UP WITH LEATHER AND REAL ASH WOOD TRIM.

REAR DOORS OPEN VERY WIDE FOR EASY ACCESS, AND THERE'S PLENTY OF LEGROOM, BUT SEATS ARE A LITTLE ON THE FLAT AND HARD SIDE OF THINGS AND HEADROOM IS TIGHT FOR THOSE OVER SIX-FEET.

MATERIAL QUALITY IS VERY NICE BACK HERE AS WELL.

TRUNK SPACE, AT 13.3 CUBIC-FEET, IS DECENT IF NOT GREAT, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PROTRUSIONS INTO THAT SPACE, AS WELL AS A SMALLISH OPENING.

A REAR VIEW CAMERA WITH PARKING GUIDANCE IS STANDARD ON ALL BUT THE BASE MODEL.

TWO DRIVER CONFIDENCE PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE TO BEEF UP SAFETY.

FEATURES INCLUDE LANE DEPARTURE WARNING, FORWARD COLLISION ALERT, REAR CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT, AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AMONG OTHERS.

MANY SYSTEMS WORK WITH GM'S VIBRATING SAFETY ALERT SEAT.

AND WHILE THE NANNIES HELP KEEP IT BETWEEN THE LINES, YOU'LL FIND THE RIDE IS VERY GERMAN, WITH A SURPRISINGLY SPORTY FEEL THAT FALLS JUST SHORT OF BEING AN ALL OUT SPORT SEDAN.

WE ALSO BELIEVE IN BUICK'S QUIET TUNING APPROACH AS THE INTERIOR IS CALM AND SERENE.

THE DIRECT INJECTED 3.6-LITER V6 ENGINE HAS PLENTY OF POWER FOR PASSING AND EXCELLENT PICKUP FOR GETTING OFF THE LINE.

OUTPUT IS 304-HORSEPOWER WITH 264 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

GM'S LIGHT HYBRID 2.4-LITER I4 E-ASSIST ENGINE IS ALSO AVAILABLE; AS IS HALDEX ALL-WHEEL DRIVE WITH THE V6.

AT THE TEST TRACK, OUR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE V6 LAUNCHED TO 60 IN 7.4-SECONDS.

THE ENGINE REVS QUICKLY AND SHIFTS FROM THE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WHETHER TRIGGERED MANUALLY OR NOT, ARE SURPRISINGLY QUICK; AS THE LACROSSE WORKED ITS WAY TO 90 MILES-PER-HOUR AT THE END OF THE QUARTER MILE IN 15.7-SECONDS.

AS FOR HANDLING, WE FOUND OUR V6 WITH ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS ADDED TO THE STANDARD HIPER STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION REMARKABLY WELL BALANCED.

AND THE GOOD VIBES CONTINUE WHEN IT CAME TIME TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, AS OUR STOPS AVERAGED 120-FEET FROM 60.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR OUR V6 AWD ARE 17-CITY, 26-HIGHWAY, AND 20-COMBINED.

WE AVERAGED A FINE 23 MILES-PER-GALLON OF REGULAR FOR OUR TEST.

STILL, THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS ONLY AVERAGE AT 16.5-BARRELS OF ANNUAL OIL CONSUMPTION WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 7.2 TONS.

WITH SO MANY UPGRADES, PRICING IS UP SIGNIFICANTLY OVER LAST YEAR HOWEVER.

THE BASE LACROSSE NOW STARTS AT $34,060.

BUT ADD ON ALL OF THE GOODIES THAT MADE OUR TEST CAR SO GREAT AND YOU'RE OVER $45,000.

AS NICE AS IT IS, IT'S STILL HARD FOR US TO WRAP OUR HEADS AROUND SPENDING THAT MUCH ON A MID-SIZE BUICK.

BUT THE BRAND HAS CERTAINLY FIRED A SHOT HEARD 'ROUND THE SEGMENT AS THE 2014 BUICK LACROSSE NOT ONLY DELIVERS THE PREMIUM STYLE AND FEATURES WE LIKED BEFORE, BUT DOES SO WITH MUCH MORE OF THE SPORTY SEDAN DRIVING DISPOSITION WE ALWAYS LOVE, ONE THAT SOME BENCHMARK FOUR-DOORS ARE LOSING IN EXCHANGE FOR MORE COMFORT AND LUXURY.

STRATEGICALLY, NOT A BAD PLACE FOR THE LACROSSE TO BE, AS IT LOOKS LIKE GM'S ARMY OF WINNERS HAS RECRUITED YET ANOTHER NEW SOLDIER.

WELL, I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AGAIN FOR MORE MOTORWEEK, WHEN WE'LL SEE IF THE FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE CLA IS WORTHY OF THE MERCEDES 3-POINTED STAR.

AND THAT THE TOYOTA TACOMA HAS THE MUSCLE TO HELP KEEP SMALL PICKUPS VIABLE.

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 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.

3M.

MAKER OF 3M PAINT DEFENDER SYSTEM.

HELPS PROTECT YOUR PAINT IN THREE STEPS.

DRYING TO A CLEAR, REMOVABLE FILM FOR PROTECTION.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT 3MAUTO.COM.

DIEHARD.

THE DIEHARD ADVANCED GOLD BATTERY.

DESIGNED TO HELP START YOUR CAR AND POWER THE DEMANDS OF TODAY'S ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES IN IT.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.