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

JOIN US AS WE HIT THE FAST TRACK TO FUN IN THE CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY.

PAT GOSS KEEPS THINGS RED HOT DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE.

WE PLUG INTO THE TREND OF EV CHARGING IN THE WORKPLACE.

AND WE'LL SEE IF AN ALL NEW HONDA FIT IS READY TO EXPAND ITS APPEAL.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

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

BROUGHT TO YOU BY...

THIS IS BOB.

BOB'S NOT THINKING ABOUT WHERE TO BUY HIS NEXT SET OF TIRES.

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ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS.

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>> John: THE 2014 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY IS A VERY IMPRESSIVE CAR -- IN PART BECAUSE IT DELIVERS SO MUCH EXOTIC PERFORMANCE FOR FAR LESS THAN AN EXOTIC PRICE.

BUT ALSO BECAUSE THAT PERFORMANCE DOESN'T KEEP IT FROM BEING A VERY COMFORTABLE STREET DRIVER.

STILL, THIS NEW CORVETTE NEEDS A RACE TRACK TO REALLY SHOW WHAT IT'S MADE OF.

AND FORTUNATELY FOR US, GM SENT US THIS LAGUNA BLUE COUPE FOR A LITTLE FURTHER RESEARCH.

THE 2014 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY IS ALREADY AN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS.

THUS TO SAY THE LEAST, THEY ARE HARD TO GET.

SO WE WERE VERY PLEASED WHEN THIS C7 WAS DELIVERED JUST SO WE CAN GET SOME SERIOUS TRACK TIME TO SEE IF IT FULLY LIVES UP TO ITS POTENTIAL.

OUR EXAM TOOK PLACE ON THE SHENANDOAH CIRCUIT AT SUMMIT POINT MOTORSPORTS PARK, AND HAVING NEVER DRIVEN THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF WEST VIRGINIA ASPHALT, THE STINGRAY PROVED TO BE A WILLING COMPANION TO LEARNING A NEW TRACK, AS THAT FRIENDLY NATURE THAT WE'VE ALWAYS PRAISED REMAINS.

THE TRACK IS TIGHT WITH NOT TOO MANY PLACES FOR THE 'VETTE TO REALLY STRETCH ITS LEGS, BUT IT STILL MADE EASY WORK OF IT.

THE STANDARD ACTIVE REV MATCH FEATURE THAT COMES WITH OUR CARS 7-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS CERTAINLY APPRECIATED FOR EASING OUR WAY INTO THE TRACK'S MANY CORNERS.

WITH THE DRIVER MODE SELECTOR SET TO TRACK, GETTING OFF OF THOSE CORNERS, THE LT1 6.2-LITER V8 MADE THE BRIEF STRETCHES BETWEEN THEM FEEL FAR SHORTER THAN THEY ARE.

IT'S REALLY AN INSANE AMOUNT OF POWER FOR A STOCK CORVETTE AND IT TRULY MAKES US DROOL IN ANTICIPATION FOR THE UPCOMING INSANITY THAT WILL BE THE NEXT Z06.

AS FOR THE OVERALL BALANCE OF THE CAR, IT FELT THAT WE WERE SITTING CLOSER TO THE FRONT WHEELS, WHICH IS ALWAYS A GOOD THING.

STEERING IS QUICK, TURN-IN IS SPOT-ON, AND WITH OUR CAR'S MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL, THERE'S ONLY MINIMAL BODY MOVEMENT.

OF COURSE WE ALSO NEEDED SOME FURTHER RESEARCH AT THE DRAG STRIP...

SO DOWN OUR HOME 75-80 DRAGWAY WE WENT, WITH THE QUARTER-MILE TAKING 12.8-SECONDS AT 116 MILES-PER-HOUR.

VERY COLD TRACK TEMPS DIDN'T HELP WHEN IT CAME TO GETTING A GOOD LAUNCH HOWEVER, BUT WE STILL SAW A 4.2-SECOND ROMP TO 60 AFTER GETTING THE REARS HEATED UP ENOUGH TO GRAB TRACTION.

IT'S AN ALL BUSINESS AFFAIR AS THIS 'VETTE PLIES IT'S TRADE WITH BIG POWER THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE REV BAND.

THE SHIFTER FEELS SLICK AND THROWS ARE SHORT.

IN OUR STANDARD BRAKE TEST, THE BREMBOS GOT THE JOB DONE FINE WITH STOPS AVERAGING A VERY SHORT 107 FEET FROM 60, WITH A TOTALLY FIRM PEDAL.

AND NOW THAT WE'VE GOTTEN ALL OF THE FUN STUFF OUT OF THE WAY, A QUICK REVIEW ON THE NEW STINGRAY'S FACTS AND FIGURES...

THE LATEST LT1 V8 CRANKS OUT A STANDARD 455-HORSEPOWER AND 460 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

ADDING THE PERFORMANCE EXHAUST OPTION BUMPS THOSE NUMBERS TO 460 AND 465.

A WORTHY UPGRADE INDEED.

THOUGH WHEN IT COMES TO BANG-FOR-YOUR-BUCK UPGRADES, NONE BEATS OUR CAR'S Z51 PERFORMANCE PACKAGE, WHICH ADDS A MORE TRACK-WORTHY SUSPENSION, DRY SUMP OILING FOR THE ENGINE, AN ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP REAR, BIGGER SLOTTED BRAKE ROTORS AND BLACK PAINTED BRAKE CALIPERS, PAINTED ALUMINUM 19 AND 20-INCH WHEELS, LOWER ASPECT RATIO TIRES, REVISED GEAR RATIOS, ADDITIONAL COOLING, AND AN AERO PACKAGE.

ALL OF THIS FOR JUST $2,800 BUCKS MORE!

IT'S THE PERFORMANCE BARGAIN OF THE YEAR.

AND OF COURSE WE CAN'T GET OUT OF HERE WITHOUT SPENDING A LITTLE TIME DISCUSSING THE EYE CATCHING EXTERIOR DESIGN OF THE NEW STINGRAY, AND THERE'S A LOT MORE TO IT THAN JUST THE NON-ROUND TAILLIGHTS.

THE AGGRESSIVE STYLING CERTAINLY GRABS EVERYONE'S ATTENTION.

IT'S FULL OF PURPOSEFUL LINES AND VENTS, LIKE A REAL BULLY THAT WOULD LIKELY BE PICKING ON JUST ABOUT EVERY EUROPEAN EXOTIC ON THE PLAYGROUND.

THERE ARE COMPOSITE BODY PANELS OF COURSE, BUT ALSO CARBON FIBER FOR THE HOOD AND REMOVABLE ROOF PANEL, AND THE FRAME IS ALL ALUMINUM.

THE INTERIOR HAS SEEN TRANSFORMATION AS WELL, WITH BETTER MATERIALS; INCLUDING REAL CARBON FIBER AND ALUMINUM TRIM, MORE TECHNOLOGY FEATURES LIKE A SPLENDID RECONFIGURABLE GAUGE DISPLAY, AND BETTER SEATING.

THOUGH ON THAT POINT, THE EUROPEANS MAY STILL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE IMPRESSIVE FOR SUCH A CAR; 17-CITY, 29-HIGHWAY, AND 21-COMBINED.

THOUGH WE DIDN'T QUITE SEE THE HIGH NUMBERS SOME ARE CLAIMING, WE AVERAGED A QUITE GOOD 26.4 MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM.

THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS AVERAGE FOR ALL VEHICLES AT 15.7-BARRELS OF OIL USED ANNUALLY, AND 7.0-TONS OF CO2 EMITTED.

STINGRAY PRICES START AT $51,995.

Z51 AT $54,795.

NEED WE SAY MORE?

SO WITH OUR RESEARCH COMPLETE, WE HAVE DETERMINED EXACTLY WHAT THE 2014 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY IS MADE OF... HIGH TECH SUBSTANCES, HONEST QUALITY, AND LOFTY PERFORMANCE, ALL BREWED UP IN GM'S SIMMERING CAULDRON OF MOLTEN AWESOMENESS.

WE HATED TO SEE IT LEAVE, BUT WE LOVED TO WATCH IT GO!

TRADITIONAL OFFICE PERKS, LIKE FREE COFFEE AND CASUAL FRIDAY'S, HAS GIVEN WAY TO HEALTH FOOD, FLEX-TIME, AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS IN TODAY'S MOST PROGRESSIVE COMPANIES.

BUT THE NEWEST TREND IN OFFICE BENNIES IS GETTING MORE AND MORE WORKERS CHARGED UP ABOUT MAKING THAT MORNING COMMUTE.

ABOUT HALF OF THE PASSENGER CARS IN THE U.S. HAVE ACCESS TO AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET WHERE THEY PARK OVERNIGHT.

MEANING, THE BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE RECHARGING IS IN PLACE.

BUT DURING THE DAY, WHEN THOSE SAME CARS HANG OUT AT WORK OR SCHOOL, EV CHARGING CAN BE A HIT-OR-MISS PROPOSITION; AS POWER OUTLETS HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY BEEN FOUND IN THESE LOCATIONS.

TO HELP REMEDY THIS, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY HAS CREATED THE WORKPLACE CHARGING CHALLENGE.

THIS PROGRAM CALLS FOR FORWARD LOOKING COMPANIES TO ASSESS THE CHARGING NEEDS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES, COMMIT TO PROVIDING CHARGING ACCESS AT ONE OR MORE MAJOR WORKSITES, AND ALSO TO SHARE THEIR PROGRESS AND BEST PRACTICES TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO FOLLOW SUIT.

FOR ONLINE SHOE AND CLOTHING RETAILER ZAPPOS.COM, THIS INITIATIVE FIT RIGHT IN TO THEIR PLANS FOR A JUST- COMPLETED, STATE OF THE ART HEADQUARTERS IN LAS VEGAS.

THIS ULTRA-COOL OFFICE SPACE, COMPLETE WITH ROOFTOP LOUNGE AND COFFEE BAR, EFFICIENT OPEN-PLAN WORK AREAS, AND FREE BOUNCY BALLS IN THE COURTYARD, IS ACTUALLY RE-IMAGINED AND RECYCLED FROM THE FORMER LAS VEGAS CITY HALL AND JAIL.

THE CENTRAL URBAN LOCATION ENCOURAGES MANY EMPLOYEES TO STROLL OR ROLL TO WORK, AND ADDING EV CHARGERS TO THE MIX WAS A NATURAL FIT.

>> Brad Tomm: AT ZAPPOS, IT'S PART OF OUR CULTURE TO BUILD EV CHARGING STATIONS, WHICH IS A GOOD FIT FOR HOW OUR EMPLOYEES GET TO WORK, EITHER BY COMMUTING, CARPOOLING, ON THEIR BIKE, OR DRIVING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE.

HOPEFULLY, SOMEDAY, ALL OF THE VEHICLES WILL BE ELECTRIC.

>> John: ZAPPOS ONLY HAS A FEW USERS FOR THEIR EV CHARGERS AT THE MOMENT.

BUT AS THE SAYING GOES...

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME.

AND NOWHERE IS THAT BEING PROVEN MORE CONVINCINGLY THAN IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

COCA-COLA IS ALREADY KNOWN AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER FOR THEIR USE OF HYBRID-ELECTRIC DELIVERY TRUCKS IN THE FIELD, AND AT THEIR HOME BASE IN DOWNTOWN ATLANTA, A MAKEOVER IS UNDERWAY TO MAKE THIS COMPLEX A LEED-CERTIFIED GREEN URBAN OASIS.

BUT AS PROGRESSIVE AS THEY ARE, EVEN COKE IS SURPRISED AT HOW QUICKLY THEIR EMPLOYEES ARE EMBRACING THE EV COMMUTING CHOICE.

>> Julie Seitz: WE STARTED VERY SMALL.

WE STARTED WITH A HANDFUL OF CHARGERS, AND WE ONLY HAD ABOUT FOUR CARS HERE AT OUR WORLD HEADQUARTERS.

AND IN JUST AN 18-MONTH PERIOD, WE'RE UP TO ALMOST 80 CARS, AND THEY'RE GROWING AT A RATE OF ABOUT ONE OR TWO A WEEK.

NOW, CHARGING STATIONS, IT'S KIND OF HARD TO PUT THEM IN QUITE AS FAST AS ONE OR TWO A WEEK, AND SO WE'RE KIND OF SEEING HOW THIS GOES.

BUT WE'RE UP TO ABOUT 26 CHARGERS, AND WE'VE CREATED A LITTLE COMMUNITY OF THESE ELECTRIC CAR OWNERS, AND THEY'VE DECIDED ON THEIR OWN, THEY'RE GOING TO SHARE THE CHARGING STATIONS MORNING AND NIGHT.

>> John: NISSAN, MAKER OF THE POPULAR LEAF ALL-ELECTRIC CAR, HAS INSTALLED EV CHARGERS ON-SITE AT THEIR NORTH AMERICAN HEADQUARTERS IN TENNESSEE, AND MADE THEM AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES, AND TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL.

THEY RECENTLY DOCUMENTED A "DAY IN THE LIFE" OF THIS HARDWORKING APPLIANCE AND FOUND AN INTERESTING MIX OF USERS.

>> YOU SEE THEM EVERYWHERE.

YOU SEE THEM AT THE LIBRARY.

YOU SEE THEM AT THE WHOLE FOODS.

I'D LOVE TO HAVE ONE AT COSTCO.

THE FACT THAT THERE'S THE INFRASTRUCTURE HERE IN NASHVILLE IS ABSOLUTELY -- MAKES IT EASY.

YOU SEE THEM ALL OVER THE PLACE.

>> John: DOZENS OF OTHER U.S. COMPANIES HAVE ALREADY TAKEN UP THE WORKPLACE CHARGING CHALLENGE ON THEIR OWN OR THROUGH THIS D.O.E.

INITIATIVE.

AND WITH RESULTS AS PROMISING AS THESE, IT LOOKS LIKE THE EV INFRASTRUCTURE PUZZLE WILL SOON BE SOLVED FOR GOOD.

EVEN THOUGH THE WEATHER'S COOL, THINGS ARE HEATING UP OVER AT GOSS' GARAGE.

SO LET'S HEAD ON OVER AND SEE WHAT PAT HAS FOR US THIS WEEK!

>> Pat Goss: AS CARS HAVE BECOME MORE COMPLICATED, SO HAVE THE MEANS TO TEST THEM.

SEE, IT CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT TO TEST A LOT OF THINGS ON AN AUTOMOBILE; SO WHAT WE'RE RELYING ON MORE THAN EVER ARE HEAT SIGNATURES UNDER THE HOOD OR JUST ABOUT ANY PLACE ON THE CAR.

ONE OF THE MOST BASIC ONES COMES FROM AN INFRARED THERMOMETER, SUCH AS WE HAVE HERE.

THIS, YOU SIMPLY SQUEEZE IT, YOU AIM THE LITTLE RED LASER DOT AT WHAT YOU WANT TO CHECK THE TEMPERATURE ON, AND IT DISPLAYS THE TEMPERATURE RIGHT ON THE SCREEN OF THE THERMOMETER.

WORKS GOOD FOR A LOT OF THINGS.

WE ESPECIALLY LIKE IT FOR CHECKING FOR A DEAD CYLINDER, A CYLINDER THAT'S NOT FIRING.

IF THE ENGINE'S RUNNING REAL ROUGH, OR A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND ALL THAT -- WELL, WE CAN AIM THIS AT EACH ONE OF THE EXHAUST PORTS WHERE THE EXHAUST COMES OUT OF THE HEAD; THE COLD ONE IS THE DEAD CYLINDER.

AND THAT'S WHERE WE BEGIN OUR SPECIFIC TESTING.

BUT WE CAN GO A LOT FURTHER.

THIS IS A THERMAL IMAGER.

THESE CAME FROM FLUKE, AND THEY'RE ACTUALLY PRETTY CLEVER.

WHAT THEY DO IS THEY TAKE A PICTURE OF THE THING THAT YOU WANT TO CHECK, AND THE PICTURE COMES OUT IN VARYING COLORS.

THE VARIANCE IN COLOR TELLS YOU THE TEMPERATURE OF THAT PARTICULAR DEVICE.

SO, YOU LOOK AT WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO CHECK THE TEMPERATURE OF AND YOU GET THE PICTURE.

AND BY KNOWING WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT, AS FAR AS THE COLORS ARE CONCERNED, YOU CAN TELL WHERE A PARTICULAR PROBLEM IS.

WE FOUND THIS VERY BENEFICIAL FOR FINDING HIGH RESISTANCE IN ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AROUND FUSES IN FUSE PANELS, BECAUSE THE FUSE WILL SHOW HOTTER THAN THE ONES AROUND IT.

SO IT'S VERY CLEVER.

IT WORKS VERY WELL, AND IT CAN BE USED FOR ALL SORTS OF THINGS -- ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY, BUT ALSO AIR CONDITIONING, COOLING SYSTEMS, AIR LEAKS, LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

THEY COME IN A VARIETY OF SIZES AND SHAPES, AND PRICES, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE SHOP MAY NEED.

SO IF YOU HAVE A DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, YOU MIGHT WANT TO ASK YOUR TECHNICIAN IF THEY HAVE A THERMAL IMAGER.

AND IF THEY DO -- WELL, THAT MAY BE THE ANSWER TO YOUR PROBLEM WITHOUT SPENDING A TON OF MONEY.

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

>> John: AMERICANS LOVE THEIR PICKUP TRUCK TRUCKS, AND NO WONDER.

OUR 2013 RAM 1500 SLT QUAD CAB 4X4 IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF A MODERN EXTENDED CAB FULL-SIZE PICKUP.

IT HAS FOUR CAR-LIKE DOORS WITH A TIGHT REAR SEAT THAT IS STILL ADEQUATE FOR GROWING TEENS.

PLUS, THAT SEAT FOLDS TO DELIVER A FLAT LOAD FLOOR, AND YOU STILL HAVE A 6'4" CARGO BOX.

OH, AND ORDER OUR TRUCK'S RAM BOX SYSTEM AND YOU ADD TWO LOCKABLE SIDE SADDLE STORAGE BINS.

NO OTHER VEHICLE TYPE CAN BEAT THIS KIND OF VERSATILITY.

WHILE OUR RAM IS STILL A FAIRLY THIRSTY BEAST, WITH THE PENTASTAR V6 AND 8-SPEED ZF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, IT IS AMONG THE LEAST THIRSTY OF ITS TYPE.

WE'RE AVERAGING 19.3 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR.

WE'VE SEEN ONLY TWO QUALITY ISSUES: THE UCONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM CONTINUES TO FREEZE UP ONCE IN A WHILE.

A RESTART CLEARS IT UP.

AND THE CENTER DASH STORAGE DRAWER STICKS.

AND THAT'S OUR RAM'S STORY AFTER 7 MONTHS AND 12,000 MILES.

WHILE OUR RAM IS 4-WHEEL-DRIVE, OUR 2014 ACURA RLX IS FRONT- WHEEL DRIVE.

SO WE THOUGHT WE MIGHT HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH LATE WINTER SNOWS.

BUT WE DIDN'T.

WITH A VERY EFFECTIVE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, IT CHARGED RIGHT UP SNOWY HILLS.

ALTHOUGH IF WE BOUGHT ONE, WE'D GO FOR THE RLX HYBRID WITH SUPER HANDLING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

STILL, OUR RLX ADVANCE MATCHES ITS CAPABILITIES WITH AN EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE, BUT NOT OVER THE TOP, LUXURIOUS INTERIOR.

IT'S ALSO HEAVY ON ELECTRONICS AND HAS KEPT US WELL ENTERTAINED, INFORMED, AND PROTECTED, OVER 4 MONTHS AND 12,500 MILES.

WE'RE ALSO PRETTY IMPRESSED WITH 25 MILE PER GALLON FUEL ECONOMY.

BUT IT DOES REQUIRE PREMIUM GAS.

TO FEED ITS VERY ENERGETIC 310-HORSEPOWER 3.5-LITER V6.

THE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC SHIFTS QUICKLY AND EASILY.

THE RIDE IS EURO FIRM, AS IS THE HANDLING.

IN SUM, THE ACURA RLX CUTS UP A ROAD NICELY ANYWAY YOU SLICE IT.

WE'LL FLIP THROUGH THE LOG BOOKS OF OUR NISSAN VERSA NOTE, AND THIS TOYOTA RAV4, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

THERE HAVE BEEN NO SHORTAGE OF BOOKS ABOUT STEVE MCQUEEN THAT TAKE UP RESIDENCE ON OUR SHELVES.

BUT NONE QUITE LIKE THIS ONE.

INSTEAD OF THE USUAL STORIES OF HIS RACING EXPLOITS OR PICTURES OF HIS CAR AND MOTORCYCLE COLLECTIONS, "STEVE MCQUEEN: THE LAST MILE REVISITED" TAKES A LOOK AT THE LAST FEW YEARS OF HIS LIFE AS HE WAS WINDING DOWN HIS ACTING CAREER, STUBBORNLY FIGHTING ILLNESS, AND FOUND REAL JOY WITH HIS THIRD WIFE, THE AUTHOR OF THIS BOOK, BARBARA MCQUEEN.

FULL OF INTIMATE PICTURES AND HEARTWARMING STORIES.

THIS BOOK IS A REAL MUST-READ FOR FANS OF THE ORIGINAL "KING OF COOL."

NOW LET'S DUCK INSIDE TO YOLANDA VAZQUEZ AND ALL THE LATEST MOTORNEWS.

>> Yolanda: SOUTH KOREAN-BASED HANKOOK TIRE MAY BE WELL-KNOWN IN MOTORSPORTS, BUT THEY'RE FAR FROM A HOUSEHOLD NAME IN THE CONVENTIONAL CAR WORLD.

WELL, THAT'S ABOUT TO CHANGE, AS THE COMPANY RECENTLY INVITED US TO BURN SOME RUBBER, AND CHECK OUT THEIR LATEST LINEUP.

HANKOOK'S BIG NEWS INCLUDES A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH BMW AND MERCEDES-BENZ.

THE COMPANY WILL JOIN BOTH AUTOMAKERS AS AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRE SUPPLIER.

THEIR NEWEST LINE OF VENTUS TIRES WILL BE THE DEFAULT TIRES IN CERTAIN EUROPEAN AND WORLD MARKETS ON SIGNATURE MODELS LIKE THE MERCEDES' E AND S-CLASS SEDANS, ALONG WITH BMW'S 5 SERIES AND X5.

AND THROUGH TWO DAYS OF WET AND DRY TRACK TESTING, WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT SEVERAL OF THESE CARS -- AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THEIR TIRES -- THROUGH SOME FAIRLY ROUGH CONDITIONS AND HIGH SPEEDS.

WE WERE PLEASED TO FIND THEY WERE VERY ADEPT AT HANDLING THE ROADS.

THE EVENT ALSO INCLUDED SOME PASSENGER-SEAT TIME IN A RACE-SPEC MERCEDES-BENZ C63 AMG DTM CAR.

IT WAS ALL IN THE NAME OF RAISING AWARENESS FOR THE BRAND.

DESPITE THEIR LONG HISTORY IN THE BUSINESS AND MOTORSPORTS SUCCESS, HANKOOK HAS ONLY RECENTLY BEEN MAKING STRIDES IN THE LIGHT DUTY RETAIL MARKET.

THEIR HOPE IS TO BECOME A GLOBAL SUPPLIER FOR PASSENGER CARS, TRUCKS, AND SUVS.

A KOREAN COMPANY THAT'S NOT WILLING TO "TREAD LIGHTLY" ON BUILDING UP THEIR BRAND ONE TIRE AT A TIME.

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

>> John: HONDA'S AMERICAN HERITAGE OF SELLING SMALL, ROOMY, FUEL EFFICIENT CARS, THAT LAST FOR ALMOST FOREVER, IS WELL-KNOWN.

RIGHT FROM THE FIRST CIVIC 40 YEARS AGO, HONDA'S SUBCOMPACT AND COMPACT CARS HAVE ALWAYS PROVIDED MORE IN LESS.

BUT, TODAY, IT'S THE HONDA FIT THAT CARRIES THE BANNER OF MAXIMIZING EVERYTHING BUT ITS SHADOW.

AND WHILE THE ALL-NEW 3RD GENERATION FIT HAS CHANGED QUITE A BIT, LET'S SEE IF IT'S MORE "FIT" THAN EVER.

WE'VE ALWAYS CONSIDERED THE HONDA FIT TO BE A SMALL CAR THAT THOUGHT OUTSIDE THE TRADITIONAL SUBCOMPACT BOX.

ITS FIVE-DOOR SHELL SURROUNDS AN UNUSUALLY AIRY INTERIOR THAT HAS PROVEN TO BE AS VERSATILE AS A SMALL UTILITY.

PLUS, DRIVING THE FIT WAS NOT ONLY ECONOMICAL BUT FUN.

AN ATTRIBUTE MOST RIVALS LACK.

WELL, THAT FORMULA IS MORE THAN INTACT WITH THE ALL-NEW THIRD GENERATION FIT IN FACT, WE'LL SAY THE 2015 FIT ACTUALLY EXPANDS ON ITSELF.

THAT "MORENESS" STARTS WITH ADDITIONAL POWER.

THERE'S STILL A 1.5-LITER I4 IN PLACE, BUT IT'S A NEW DIRECT INJECTED MILL WITH 130 HORSEPOWER, 13 MORE THAN BEFORE.

TORQUE IS CRANKED UP 8 TO 114 POUND-FEET.

IT JOINS THE HONDA "EARTH DREAMS" LINEUP WITH UPDATED TRANSMISSIONS.

THE STANDARD MANUAL IS NOW A 6-SPEED AND THE AUTOMATIC IS NOW A CVT.

THAT DREAM IS REALIZED IN BETTER FUEL ECONOMY AT 33-CITY, 41-HIGHWAY, AND 36-COMBINED FOR THE CVT, TOPS FOR ITS INTERIOR SIZE.

THIS HATCHBACK'S EXTERIOR THEME REMAINS THE SAME, BUT THE SHAPE HAS BEEN HIT HEAVILY WITH A BUFFER.

IT'S SMOOTHER, WITH MORE SCULPTING TO THE UP-SWEEPING BODYSIDES, GIVING AN OVERALL SLEEKER, MORE DYNAMIC LOOK.

AS FOR ITS SHADOW, THERE'S MORE WHEELBASE AND WIDTH, BUT OVERALL LENGTH IS ACTUALLY LESS BY AN INCH AND A HALF.

THE REAR NOW SPORTS A THICK, FULL WIDTH CHROME STRIP CONNECTING THE LED TAIL LIGHTS; WITH RED REFLECTORS UP BOTH SIDES OF THE BACK GLASS TO A HATCH-TOP SPOILER.

A VERY AGGRESSIVE LOOKING REAR BUMPER LIES BELOW.

STANDARD ARE 15-INCH WHEELS; EX RIDING ON 16s.

WHILE THAT'S UNCHANGED, THE FIT'S "MORE FUN-TO-DRIVE THAN IT SHOULD BE" QUOTIENT ACTUALLY GROWS.

THE UNIBODY ADDS RIGIDITY, AND WHILE THE BASIC FRONT STRUT AND REAR TRAILING ARM SUSPENSION DESIGN REMAINS, IT HAS BEEN TOTALLY REWORKED WITH UPDATED COMPONENTS AND GEOMETRY.

ALONG WITH MORE PRECISE HANDLING, RIDE COMFORT ALSO TAKES A TURN FOR THE BETTER.

HONDA CLAIMS A BIG IMPROVEMENT IN OVERALL DRIVING REFINEMENT, AND AFTER OUR INITIAL DRIVE AT HONDA'S PRESS LAUNCH IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, WE CONCUR.

EXCEPT FOR MAYBE THE NEW CVT TRANSMISSION.

UNLIKE THE CVT IN THE ACCORD, WHICH OPERATES PRETTY QUIETLY, IN THE FIT, IS JUST MAKES FOR A LOT "MORE" NOISE AS YOU MOVE UP TO SPEED.

ON THE OTHER HAND, WE FOUND THE 6-SPEED MANUAL A GREAT IMPROVEMENT, WITH SHORT THROWS AND A SPORTY FEEL.

BUT THE BIGGEST UPTICK IN THE NEW FIT IS THE ADDITIONAL INTERIOR ROOM.

WHILE YOU DO GET A SENSE OF IT UP FRONT, IT'S REALLY APPARENT IN THE REAR.

A 1.2-INCH GAIN IN WHEELBASE EXPANDS TO OVER 4-INCHES MORE LEGROOM, WITH ADDITIONAL HEADROOM.

YOU HAVE TO SIT IN IT TO BELIEVE IT.

THE FIT'S SIGNATURE, MULTI- FOLDING MAGIC SEAT REMAINS.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF OUR FAVORITE FIT FEATURES, ALLOWING FOR SOME UNIQUE STORAGE AND SEATING OPTIONS.

BUT SOMETHING HAD TO GIVE.

THE ADDED LEGROOM DOES CUT CARGO SPACE BY 20% TO 16.6 CUBIC FEET WHEN ALL SEATS ARE FILLED.

STILL, SEATS FLAT, FIT'S MAX CARGO ROOM OF 52.7 IS HARD TO BEAT WITH ANYTHING THAT'S NOT A CROSSOVER.

A 3-DIAL GAUGE SETUP CARRIES OVER, TOO, BUT THE CENTER SPEEDOMETER IS LARGER AND ALL INFORMATION IS PRESENTED MORE CLEARLY.

THOUGH THE INTERIOR PRESENTATION IS STILL MONOCHROMATIC AND NOT OVERLY INVITING, THERE'S PLENTY MORE WHEN IT COMES TO STANDARD FEATURES, WITH A MULTI-VIEW BACK-UP CAMERA AND BLUETOOTH INCLUDED.

AND DEFINITELY MORE LUXURY AND SAFETY OPTIONS WITH LANEWATCH, 7-INCH DISPLAY AUDIO AND PUSH-BUTTON START ALL AVAILABLE.

YOU CAN EVEN GET YOUR NEW FIT WITH LEATHER!

HONDALINK ALLOWS FOR EVEN MORE SMART-PHONE INTEGRATION, AND YOU DO IT MORE SEAMLESSLY.

iPHONE USERS CAN EVEN TALK TO SIRI.

BUT WE'LL NEED A LITTLE MORE TIME WITH IT JUST TO SEE HOW MUCH BETTER IT TRULY IS.

AS BEFORE, ANALOG CONTROLS ARE LARGE, LOGICALLY PLACED, AND EASY TO USE.

MUCH WAS PUBLICIZED ABOUT THE PREVIOUS GENERATION FIT'S "POOR" IIHS SCORE DUE TO THE NEW SMALL OVERLAP FRONTAL CRASH TEST.

WELL, HONDA TOOK THAT AS SERIOUSLY AS POTENTIAL BUYERS AND EXPECTS THIS FIT'S NEW ACE BODY STRUCTURE WITH ADDITIONAL HIGH STRENGTH STEEL TO "ACE" THAT TEST WITHOUT A PROBLEM.

HONDA HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN THE NEW FIT, BRINGING ASSEMBLY TO NORTH AMERICA AT A BRAND NEW PLANT IN MEXICO.

BUT EVEN WITH THAT EXPENDITURE, THEY'VE CONTAINED BASE PRICES.

IT'S BARELY INCREASED TO $16,355 FOR A MANUAL.

THE TOP-LINE EX-L NAVI GOES FOR $21,630.

THE 2015 HONDA FIT IS INDEED MORE "FIT," AND WILL TRULY "FIT" INTO MANY MORE LIFESTYLES.

IT PROVIDES GREAT VERSATILITY AND PRACTICALITY, ALONG WITH A SURPRISING SPLASH OF FUN, AND NOW EVEN MORE SO.

AND ASIDE FROM THAT LOUD CVT, THE 2015 HONDA FIT HAS THE "FIT"TING FORMULA FOR EVEN MORE SUCCESS.

WELL, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW.

AND FOR MORE MOTORWEEK, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST AND COMPLETE EPISODES AT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME AND FIND OUT IF THE NEW CHRYSLER 200 DOES DETROIT PROUD.

THEN WE'LL CHECK OUT CHEVROLET AND GMC'S NEW FULL SIZED SUVs.

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...

THIS IS PETE.

PETE'S HELPING HIS AUNT MOVE, SO HE'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.

IF HE WERE, TIRERACK.COM COULD HELP HIM FIND THE RIGHT TIRES.

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