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

JOIN US AS WE TRY TO TAME OUR FAVORITE ROAD COURSE IN THE AWESOME PORSCHE 911 TURBO... PAT GOSS OFFERS UP A FLOOD OF NEED TO KNOW ADVICE DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE... WE'LL DRIVE MORE AND SAVE MORE WITH THE LATEST FUEL SAVING HI-TECH... AND WE'LL SEE IF THE ALL-NEW NISSAN ROGUE IS READY TO PLAY NICE.

>> John: SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

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

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... >> Man: AHH!

OHH.

AHH.

>> Monk: YOU MAY ASK ONE QUESTION.

>> Man: [HEAVY SIGH] WHICH TIRE CATEGORY SHOULD I CHOOSE TO GET THE MOST COMFORTABLE RIDE?

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

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.

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MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.

>> John: 2014 MARKS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PORSCHE 911.

AND DESPITE BEING A PENTAGENARIAN, THE 911 SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN.

IN FACT, NOW THAT A NEW TURBO 991 HAS ARRIVED, IT'S MOVING ALONG QUICKER THAN EVER.

SO COME ALONG AS WE HIT OUR FAVORITE ROAD COURSE, SAVANNAH'S ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY, TO FIND OUT JUST HOW MUCH QUICKER AND BETTER THE NEW 911 TURBO REALLY IS!

WHILE WE ARE ALWAYS PUMPED TO DRIVE A NEW PORSCHE, JUST AS A RACE TEAMS BEGIN THINKING ABOUT THEIR NEXT RACE AS SOON AS THE CHECKERED FLAG DROPS, WE BEGIN DREAMING ABOUT THE NEXT PORSCHE WE GET TO DRIVE AS SOON AS WE HOP OUT OF ONE.

SO NO SOONER DID WE PULL OUR 911 C4S INTO PIT LANE AT ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY LAST YEAR, WE BEGAN THINKING ABOUT THIS CAR, THE 2014 PORSCHE 911 TURBO S. TURBO NUMBERS ARE 520-HORSEPOWER AND 487 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THE TURBO S HIKES THOSE TO 560 AND 516, WITH UP TO 553 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE AVAILABLE AT FULL THROTTLE, WITH OVERBOOST AS PART OF THE SPORT CHRONO PACKAGE.

IF THERE'S ONE CONSTANT IN OUR SOCIETY, IT'S NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU GIVE, PEOPLE ALWAYS SEEM TO WANT MORE, AND THE NEW TURBO DELIVERS.

HOW MUCH MORE?

WELL, THE TURBO S IS THE QUICKEST ROAD-GOING PRODUCTION PORSCHE EVER.

ON ROEBLING'S FRONT STRAIGHT, WE MANAGED TO HIT 60 IN 2.9 SECONDS, WITH THE QUARTER MILE PASS TAKING 10.8 AT 129 MILES-PER-HOUR.

AND AS GREAT AS THAT IS, THE REAL REASON YOU SHOULD WANT A TURBO IS FOR THE HANDLING.

IT'S ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE OF COURSE, AND THE CURRENT SYSTEM IS AN EVOLUTION OF THE TORQUE VECTORING SETUP WITH AN ADDED ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC CONTROL FOR THE MULTI-PLATE COUPLING THAT ENABLES MORE POWER TO BE DELIVERED TO THE FRONT AXLE FASTER.

IN ADDITION, THE TURBO GAINS REAR WHEEL STEER.

WITH AN ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTUATOR FOR EACH BACK WHEEL, THE SYSTEM PROVIDES VARYING DEGREES OF STEERING TO BOTH TIGHTEN TURNS AND INCREASE HIGH SPEED STABILITY.

BUT EVEN WITH ELECTRONICS MANAGING JUST ABOUT EVERY ASPECT OF THE CHASSIS, THE DRIVE EXPERIENCE IS ABOUT AS INTUITIVE AND EASY AS IT CAN BE.

AMAZINGLY ENOUGH, PORSCHE HAS SUCCEEDED IN NOT ENTIRELY DIALING OUT ALL OF THE DRIVING ENJOYMENT.

BUT IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR HAIRBALLED, REAR END OUT KICKS, YOU MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT A FEW MORE MONTHS FOR THE GT3.

THIS CAR HAS PHENOMENAL GRIP.

THE HARDER YOU PUSH IT THROUGH CORNERS, THE MORE IT EGGS YOU ON.

ACTIVE ROLL COMPENSATION KEEPS THINGS FLAT NO MATTER THE SPEED, AND THE STABILITY AND OVERALL MANNER THROUGH HIGH SPEED SWEEPERS IS INCREDIBLE.

ROEBLING ALSO HAS A FEW TIGHT CORNERS, AND WHEN COMING OFF OF THEM, DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH THROTTLE YOU WERE ABLE TO MAINTAIN, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE SOME TURBO LAG GOING FULL OFF TO FULL ON.

WE LIKE BIG BRAKES, AND WE CANNOT LIE, THE TURBO'S STANDARD CERAMIC BRAKES ARE EYE-POPPING EFFECTIVE.

AS FOR TRANSMISSION, THE TURBO IS PDK ONLY, AND WHILE PURISTS WILL SURELY CRY FOR A MANUAL, WE'RE BEYOND THAT.

THE PDK'S SHIFTS ARE INCREDIBLY QUICK, AND IT MAKES STREET DRIVING IN EVERY DAY TRAFFIC THAT MUCH MORE LIVABLE.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT YOU'D NEED TO ARTIFICIALLY PUMP EXHAUST SOUND INTO THE 911 TO GET THE FULL EXPERIENCE.

MORE SO, WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT WE'D ENJOY IT SO MUCH!

VISUALLY, ALL THE USUAL TURBO CUES ARE HERE; WIDER HIPS, ENLARGED AIR INTAKES, AND SERIOUS 20-INCH WHEELS.

WHILE NEW ACTIVE AIR ELEMENTS LIKE AN EXTENDING FRONT SPOILER AND A SLOTTED REAR WING TAKE DOWNFORCE TO NEW LEVELS.

FULL LED HEADLIGHTS PROVIDE BRIGHT-AS-DAY NIGHTTIME ILLUMINATION ON THE TURBO S. THERE'S PLENTY FOR THE TACTILE SENSES TO ENJOY INSIDE AS WELL; FROM THE TWO-TONE LEATHER TREATMENT THROUGHOUT, TO THE TURBO SPECIFIC GAUGE PACKAGE.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMRATINGS ARE ALSO IMPROVED TO 17-CITY, 24-HIGHWAY, AND 20-COMBINED.

THAT ALSO IMPROVES THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE TO 16.5-BARRELS OF OIL AND 7.4 TONS OF CO2 EMITTED ANNUALLY.

AS FOR PRICING, DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

WHILE EVERY RED-BLOODED DRIVER SHOULD WANT A TURBO, YOU EITHER CAN AFFORD ONE OR YOU CAN'T.

STICKER SHOCK STARTS AT $149,250.

TURBO S AT $181,950.

IT IS TRULY INSANE THAT PORSCHE HAS TAKEN THE REAR ENGINE PLATFORM TO THIS LEVEL.

THE 2014 PORSCHE 911 TURBO SIMPLY EXCEEDS ALL RATIONAL EXPECTATIONS.

CAN YOU HAVE TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?

AS FAR AS WE'RE CONCERNED, NEVER.

AND YOU CAN BE ASSURED THAT PORSCHE ENGINEERS ARE ALREADY WORKING ON DELIVERING EVEN MORE FOR THE NEXT ONE.

AND YES, WE ARE ALREADY THINKING ABOUT DRIVING IT!

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO CENTRAL FLORIDA, ERE TOURISTS ARE "CHARGED UP" OVER THE "DRIVE ELECTRIC ORLANDO" RENTAL CAR PROGRAM.

IT SMOOTHS THE WAY FOR ORLANDO'S 57 MILLION ANNUAL VISITORS TO RENT A PLUG-IN ELECTRIC CAR LIKE THIS NISSAN LEAF.

THERE ARE OVER 300 CHARGING STATIONS AT HOTELS AND MAJOR VENUES, LIKE THE ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER.

RENTERS ENJOY FREE CHARGING, FREE PARKING, AND FREE IN-CAR NAVIGATION THAT LISTS NEARBY CHARGING STATIONS.

THE JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN RENTAL CAR AGENCIES LIKE PIONEERING ENTERPRISE, AND AREA HOTELS HOPES TO ATTRACT VISITORS WHO ARE KEEN ON ECOTOURISM.

>> Carson Chandler: THERE'S A LOT OF RESEARCH THAT'S BEING DONE RIGHT NOW ON CONSUMERS WHO ARE MAKING ECO-FRIENDLY CHOICES.

THIS IS ONE CHOICE, AGAIN, THAT DIFFERENTIATES ORLANDO -- ALLOWS ORLANDO TO OFFER SOMETHING THAT'S UNIQUE, SOMETHING DIFFERENT, SOMETHING THAT NO OTHER DESTINATION HAS.

>> John: DRIVE ELECTRIC ORLANDO IS ALSO WORKING WITH ATTRACTIONS LIKE SEA WORLD TO ADD CHARGING STATIONS.

SO, PULL UP AND PLUG IN THE NEXT TIME YOU MAKE THIS SUNNY FLORIDA STOP.

>> John: FOR YEARS, GAS POWERED GOLF CARTS HAVE USED START/STOP SYSTEMS TO AVOID IDLING.

NOW THIS, AND A HOST OF OTHER FUEL-SAVING TECHNOLOGIES, ARE BEING USED TO GIVE GAS CAR ENGINES A CHANCE TO KEEP PACE WITH FUEL-STINGY HYBRIDS AND CLEAN DIESELS.

NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE WHAT THE CAR OF THE DISTANT FUTURE WILL LOOK LIKE, OR WHAT WILL BE ITS DOMINANT FUEL OR TYPE OF POWER, BUT CLEARLY, PLUG-IN ELECTRIC-DRIVE IS THE CURRENT KING OF CLEAN MOTORING.

AS BATTERY TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES, MORE AND MORE CARMAKERS ARE LIKELY TO MAKE THE JUMP TO ADVANCED HYBRIDS AND PURE EVs.

BUT, AS FOR TODAY, CHOICES AMONG PLUG-IN MODELS REMAINS LIMITED WITH HIGH PURCHASE PRICE BEING AN OBSTACLE TO WIDER ACCEPTANCE.

FEWER STILL ARE CARS AND TRUCKS OFFERING CLEAN DIESEL POWER, ALTHOUGH THAT NUMBER IS GROWING.

FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF VEHICLES WILL STILL BE POWERED BY GASOLINE ENGINES, INCLUDING TRADITIONAL HYBRIDS.

SO, THE PRESSURE TO DELIVER MORE FUEL EFFICIENCY WITHOUT COMPROMISING PERFORMANCE OR CONVENIENCE HAS LED CARMAKERS TO DEVELOP SOME AMAZING GAS-ENGINE BASED TECHNOLOGIES IN RECENT YEARS.

TERMS LIKE MAZDA SKYACTIV AND HONDA EARTH DREAMS MAY SOUND LIKE MARKETING SLOGANS, BUT THEY REPRESENT A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO MAXIMIZING MPG THAT MAY INCLUDE TURBOCHARGING AND ENGINE DOWNSIZING, DIRECT GAS INJECTION, VARIABLE VALVE TIMING, REDUCING INTERNAL FRICTION, ADVANCED TRANSMISSIONS, ELECTRIC POWER STEERING AND HVAC SYSTEMS, REDUCING WEIGHT, AND UNDERCAR AERODYNAMICS.

EACH BIT OF TECHNOLOGY MAY RETURN ONLY A FEW TENTHS OF A MILE PER GALLON IMPROVEMENT, BUT WHEN USED TOGETHER, THEY CAN DELIVER IMPRESSIVE GAINS.

THE 2010 MAZDA3 2.5, FOR INSTANCE, CARRIED FUEL ECONOMY ESTIMATES OF 22 CITY AND 29 HIGHWAY.

NOT BAD.

BUT THE 2014 SKYACTIV VERSION UPS THAT TO 28 AND 38, WHILE ALSO PACKING 17 MORE HORSEPOWER AND A ONE SECOND QUICKER ZERO TO 60 TIME.

ZOOM-ZOOM, INDEED!

EVERY ENGINE HAS A "SWEET SPOT", OR AN RPM RANGE THAT ALLOWS IT TO OPERATE AT PEAK EFFICIENCY.

THAT'S WHERE THE TRANSMISSION COMES IN TO PLAY.

BELT-DRIVE CVT, OR CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONS, MATCH THE EXACT GEAR RATIO NEEDED FOR ANY SITUATION, DELIVERING A SUPER SMOOTH, IF SOMEWHAT UNFAMILIAR DRIVING EXPERIENCE WITH IMPRESSIVE FUEL ECONOMY.

TO PROVIDE EVEN MORE OPTIONS, DESIGNERS OF TRADITIONAL TRANNIES ARE FOLLOWING THE LEAD OF TRUCKERS BY GROWING GEARS FROM 4, 5, AND 6, TO AN UNPRECEDENTED 8, 9, AND 10 FORWARD RATIOS.

OFTEN WITH TWO OVERDRIVE RATIOS, THESE NEW AUTOMATICS ALLOW AN ENGINE TO CRUISE ALONG WITH LOW EFFORT, THUS AGAIN BOOSTING FUEL ECONOMY.

THE NEW JEEP CHEROKEE WITH ITS 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC RATES 22 MILES PER GALLON CITY, AND 31 ON THE HIGHWAY, A NICE JUMP OVER THE 21/28 RATING OF THE SMALLER JEEP COMPASS WITH ITS 6-SPEED.

AERODYNAMICS HAVE LONG PLAYED A ROLE IN VEHICLE EFFICIENCY.

BUT WHILE MOST ATTENTION IN THE PAST WAS ON THE BODY, MORE AND MORE VEHICLES ARE NOW ADDING FULL UNDERBODY TRAYS.

THAT, PLUS EVEN MORE WIND SCULPTING BODYWORK, AND THE LATEST TRICK -- ACTIVE FRONT GRILL SHUTTERS THAT SHUT OFF EXCESS DRAG-INDUCING AIRFLOW THROUGH THE RADIATOR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ALL ARE BOOSTING FUEL ECONOMY.

AND FINALLY, IT SEEMS THOSE GOLF CARTS HAD IT RIGHT ALL ALONG.

MAKE NOTE OF THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOUR CAR SPENDS IDLING IN A GIVEN DAY, AND HOW MUCH FUEL IS WASTED JUST SITTING STILL.

MORE AND MORE CARMAKERS ARE ADDING AUTOMATIC STOP/START TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY IDLING AND SAVE GAS.

WHEN THE CAR REACHES A COMPLETE STOP, EVEN MOMENTARILY, THE ENGINE COMPUTER CUTS SPARK AND FUEL.

ONCE THE DRIVER LIFTS OFF THE BRAKE OR ENGAGES THE CLUTCH, THE ENGINE FIRES UP INSTANTLY AND OFF YOU GO.

THE GASOLINE ENGINE MAY ONE DAY BE REPLACED BY SOME YET-TO-BE-DISCOVERED CLEAN, RENEWABLE FUEL, BUT THANKS TO INNOVATIVE USES OF BOTH NEW AND OLD TECHNOLOGIES, IT'S CLEANING UP ITS ACT IN THE MEANTIME.

>> John: LET'S HEAD OVER TO GOSS'S GARAGE, WHERE PAT HAS A FLOOD OF ADVICE ABOUT CARS THAT COULD LEAVE YOU ALL WET.

>> Pat: WITH ALL THIS CRAZY WEATHER WE'VE BEEN HAVING, THERE ARE TONS OF FLOOD DAMAGED CARS ON THE MARKET.

AND TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS, WE HAVE CHRIS BASSO FROM CARFAX.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, CHRIS.

>> Chris: THANKS, PAT.

>> Pat: ALRIGHT.

HOW MANY FLOOD DAMAGED CARS DO YOU KNOW OF AT THIS POINT?

>> Chris: THERE'S OVER 200,000 FLOOD CARS THAT ARE ON THE ROAD ACROSS THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO WIND UP WITH ONE OF THESE CARS IN YOUR DRIVEWAY WITHOUT YOU KNOWING.

YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN BECAUSE THESE FLOOD CARS, LITERALLY ROT FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

>> Pat: YEAH, BUT YOU SAY NOT KNOWING.

MOST EVERYBODY THAT GOES OUT AND LOOKS AT A CAR SAYS, "OH, I COULD TELL IF IT'S BEEN IN A FLOOD," AND THAT'S NOT REALLY TRUE.

>> Chris: IT'S NOT, AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH FLOOD CARS.

THEY SHOW LITTLE SIGNS OF PHYSICAL DAMAGE, WHICH MAKES IT EASY FOR CONMEN TO CLEAN THEM UP, MOVE AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND RESELL THEM.

THIS CAR, WE RESCUED FROM NEW YORK IN HURRICANE SANDY, AND IN LESS THAN HALF A DAY, WE MADE THIS WATERLOGGED WRECK LOOK LIKE ANY OTHER USED CAR ON THE ROAD.

>> Pat: YEAH, IF YOU LOOK UNDER THE HOOD, NORMAL PLACES THAT PEOPLE LOOK, AND THEN LOOK UNDER THE HOOD OF MINE, YOU COULDN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE.

>> Chris: NO, YOU CAN'T, AND THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO START WITH A CARFAX REPORT AND LOOK FOR REPORTED FLOOD DAMAGE IN THE REPORT.

BUT YOU SHOULD ALSO TAKE THAT NEXT STEP AND GET IT INSPECTED BY A QUALIFIED, TRUSTED MECHANIC.

>> Pat: OKAY.

TECHNICIAN'S GOING TO RAISE IT UP IN THE AIR BECAUSE THAT'S ONE OF THE CRITICAL PARTS.

SO, LET'S RAISE YOUR CAR UP IN THE AIR AND TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT IT.

>> Chris: SOUNDS GREAT.

>> Pat: CHRIS, NOW THAT WE HAVE THE CAR UP IN THE AIR, IT'S TIME TO START LOOKING FOR THINGS THAT MIGHT INDICATE FLOOD DAMAGE.

IN MY SHOP, WHEN WE'RE CHECKING A CAR LIKE THIS, WE START LOOKING UP ABOVE THINGS, AND IN BETWEEN PIECES OF METAL WHERE THERE ARE CRACKS AND SO ON THAT DEBRIS CAN COLLECT IN.

AND THAT GIVES YOU A PRETTY GOOD IDEA.

>> Chris: YEAH, THESE CARS LOOK GREAT ON THE SURFACE, BUT IT'S NOT UNTIL YOU GET UP INSIDE AND REALLY CHECK FOR SIGNS OF FLOOD DAMAGE CAN YOU TELL THAT THE CAR WAS ONCE UNDER WATER.

THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO CONSULT THE EXPERTS, LIKE CARFAX, AND YOUR MECHANIC, TO SPOT THE SIGNS OF FLOOD DAMAGE THAT MAY NOT BE AS OBVIOUS TO THE UNTRAINED EYE.

>> Pat: GOTCHYA.

THANK YOU.

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

>> John: TIME NOW TO GO ON MORE QUICK SPINS AND DELIVER OUR FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS!

IF YOU'VE BEEN KEEPING TRACK AT HOME, BMW HAS INTRODUCED QUITE A FEW NEW MODELS INTO THEIR EVEREXPANDING LINEUP.

AND THEIR LATEST IN THIS GAME OF NUMBERS IS THE 2 SERIES.

EFFECTIVELY, THE SMALL 1 SERIES COUPE REBORN, THE 2 ADDS A LITTLE TO LENGTH AND WHEELBASE, AND UPDATES STYLING APPROPRIATE FOR A NEW MODEL.

BOTH OUTSIDE AND IN, THOUGH, IT IS RIGHT IN STEP WITH OTHER RECENT BMW'S IN QUALITY, COMFORT, AND CLASS.

CURRENTLY, THE 2 SERIES COMES IN TWO MODELS: THE 228I, POWERED BY A 240 HORSEPOWER TURBO INLINE 4 CYLINDER; AND WHAT WE SPENT MOST OF OUR TIME IN AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY: THE M235I, POWERED BY A 320 HORSEPOWER TURBO INLINE 6.

YES, THAT M, AS IN BMW'S PERFORMANCE HOUSE.

THE M235 GETS M ADAPTIVE SPORT SUSPENSION AND VARIABLE SPORT STEERING, AS WELL AS M SPORT BRAKES.

THOUGH NOT A FULL ON M MODEL, THERE'S PLENTY OF CAR HERE TO TACKLE ALMOST ANY TRACK.

>> Greg Carloss: THIS CAR'S A SERIOUS MACHINE.

THERE'S REALLY NO OTHER WAY TO SAY IT.

WITH OVER 320 HORSEPOWER AND OVER 330 POUND FEET OF TORQUE, AND SUCH A LIGHT PACKAGE, I MEAN, IT JUST LENDS ITSELF TO SO MUCH FUN.

IT SOUNDS GREAT, AND ON THE ROAD COURSE, IT'S SO NIMBLE.

THE STEERING RESPONSE IS SO QUICK.

AND I'M JUST REALLY HAVING A BLAST IN THIS CAR.

>> John: STANDARD TRANSMISSION IS AN 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC WITH PADDLE SHIFTERS.

PURISTS CAN REJOICE HOWEVER, AS A SIX SPEED MANUAL IS A NO COST OPTION.

EITHER ROUTE, 0 TO 60 CLOCKS-IN AROUND FIVE SECONDS FOR THE M235I.

AVAILABLE NOW, THE 2014 BMW 228I STARTS AROUND $33,000.

THE M235I ADDS $10 GRAND WORTH OF UPGRADES, WHILE A FULL-ON M2 IS RUMORED TO BE IN THE BMW PIPELINE.

NEARLY UNRIVALED IN POSH, PERFORMANCE, AND PRESTIGE, LAND ROVER'S RANGE ROVER JUST MAY BE THE ULTIMATE UPPERCRUST SUV ON THE MARKET TODAY.

YET OUR LATEST QUICK SPIN HAD US KICKING BACK IN A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF COMFORT.

NEW FOR 2014 IS THE RANGE ROVER LONG WHEELBASE, ADDING SOME SEVEN INCHES OF REAR SEAT LEGROOM OVER THE STANDARD RANGE ROVER.

THE OPTIONAL INDIVIDUAL REAR CHAIRS AND CENTER CONSOLE NOTCH COMFORT UP TO PURE LUXURY SEDAN LEVELS.

BUT TAKING THINGS WAY UP IS THE ULTRA-EXCLUSIVE AUTOBIOGRAPHY BLACK EDITION.

CURRENTLY, ONLY 100 ARE TO BE SOLD HERE.

AND THOSE LUCKY FOLKS WILL FIND AN INTERIOR ADORNED WITH LEATHER JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE YOU COULD IMAGINE.

THERE'S ALSO FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER CLIMATE CONTROL, MASSAGE FUNCTION SEATING FOR ALL, ENTERTAINMENT SCREENS FOR REAR PASSENGERS, AND L.E.D.

MOOD LIGHTING.

ONE TRIP AROUND THE BLOCK AND YOU'LL BE HOOKED.

ON SALE SOON, THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY BLACK EDITION COSTS A STAGGERING $185,000, WHILE THE LONG WHEELBASE MODEL TIPS THE SCALE AT $106,000.

AND WE'LL GO ON MORE QUICK SPINS SOON!

AFTER WHAT HAS TO BE ONE OF THE LONGEST LIFE CYCLES FOR A COMPACT CROSSOVER, SIX MODEL YEARS, THE SECOND GENERATION OF THE NISSAN ROGUE HAS FINALLY ARRIVED FOR 2014.

BUT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH TAKING YOUR TIME IF THE RESULT IS WORTH THE WAIT.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU BRING SOMETHING UNEXPECTED TO THE PARTY.

IT MAY HAVE TAKEN AWHILE FOR THE 2ND GENERATION 2014 NISSAN ROGUE TO ARRIVE, BUT ITS ARRIVAL WILL NOT GO UNNOTICED BY THE REST OF THE COMPACT CROSSOVER SEGMENT AS NISSAN IS MAKING A SERIOUS ATTEMPT TO GRAB A MUCH BIGGER PIECE OF THE MARKET.

AND WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT IN ORDER FOR THAT GREEDY SALES GRAB TO TAKE PLACE, THE ROGUE WILL NEED TO STAND OUT MORE THAN BEFORE; SO NISSAN HAS BROUGHT ABOUT MUCH CHANGE.

THIS IS AN ALL NEW CHASSIS, ONE THAT WILL BE SOLD GLOBALLY; AND WHILE THE OVERALL LENGTH IS ACTUALLY DOWN AN INCH TO 182.3-INCHES, WHEELBASE, WIDTH, AND HEIGHT ARE ALL UP.

THE UPGRADED LOOKS FEATURE LOTS OF FLOWING LINES AND SUBSTANTIAL WHEEL ARCHES; ALL VERY REMINISCENT OF THE ROGUE'S BIG BROTHER PATHFINDER.

BUT THE ROGUE'S GRILLE, WITH ITS NARROWED U SHAPE, IS ALL ITS OWN.

AND THAT SLICK NEW SHAPE NOT ONLY LOOKS GREAT BUT CUTS THROUGH THE AIR BETTER AND WORKS WITH AN UPRATED CVT TRANSMISSION TO RAISE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS TO 25-CITY, 32-HIGHWAY, AND 28-COMBINED.

THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS ALSO VERY GOOD FOR A CROSSOVER AT 11.8-BARRELS OF ANNUAL OIL CONSUMPTION WITH YEARLY CO2 EMISSIONS OF 5.3-TONS.

AND WHILE FEW MAINSTREAM COMPACT CROSSOVERS DELIVER NOTABLE DRIVING ENJOYMENT, AND NONE PROVIDE EXTREME LEVELS OF COMFORT, THE ROGUE HAS ENOUGH OF BOTH TO KEEP YOUR COMMUTE ENJOYABLE AND VACATION TIME VERY PLEASANT.

ACTIVE TRACE CONTROL USES SELECTIVE BRAKING TO MITIGATE UNDERSTEER AND ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL GOES ONE STEP FURTHER BY USING BRAKES AND ENGINE TORQUE TO REDUCE BOTH VEHICLE VIBRATION AND BODY MOTION.

AND THERE WAS A DEFINITE ATTEMPT BY NISSAN TO GO MORE PREMIUM ON THE INSIDE, WITH VERY GOOD MATERIAL QUALITY, AS WELL AS MORE FEATURES LIKE NISSAN CONNECT.

BUT THE MOST UNEXPECTED SURPRISE BY FAR IS A NEW 3RD ROW OPTION FOR 7-PASSENGER SEATING.

ACCESS IS AIDED BY THE EZ FLEX SLIDING SECOND ROW.

BUT, AS ROGUE IS STILL A COMPACT, 3RD ROW SPACE IS EXPECTEDLY TIGHT, BEST FIT FOR SMALL CHILDREN.

EVEN WITH THE 3RD ROW IN PLACE, THERE'S 9.4 CUBIC-FEET OF LUGGAGE SPACE.

CAPACITY BEHIND THE SECOND ROW IS 32.0 CUBIC-FT. AND WITH BOTH ROWS FOLDED, THERE'S A MID-SIZE LIKE 70.0 CUBIC-FT. AND A TRICK DIVIDE-'N-HIDE CARGO MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HELPS YOU KEEP THINGS ORGANIZED.

WORKING OUR WAY FORWARD, NEW ZERO GRAVITY FRONT SEATS OFFER EXCELLENT COMFORT FOR DRIVES BOTH LONG AND SHORT.

BUT THE NEWNESS DOESN'T MAKE IT ALL THE WAY FORWARD HOWEVER, AS UNDER THE HOOD IS THE SAME QR25DE 2.5-LITER I4 AS BEFORE.

THERE ARE UPDATES IN THE NAME OF EFFICIENCY, BUT HORSEPOWER AND TORQUE ARE UNCHANGED AT 170 AND 175 LB-FT. AND THE USUAL EXCESSIVE ENGINE NOISE THAT ACCOMPANIES A CVT IS ON FULL DISPLAY AS YOU WORK YOUR WAY FROM A STOP LIGHT, OR IN OUR CASE, DOWN A DRAG STRIP.

POWER IS A TAD SOFT AT LAUNCH, BUT ONCE THOSE RPMs REACH THEIR STEADY PEAK, IT FEELS FAIRLY DECENT.

THE SIMULATED SHIFTS FEEL MORE LIKE BOUNCING OFF A REV LIMITER AND DON'T REALLY SEEM TO HELP TIMES.

0 TO 60 TAKES A LEISURELY 8.9-SECONDS, WITH A SLOW QUARTER MILE OF 16.9-SECONDS AT 83 MILES-PER-HOUR.

THE FULLY INDEPENDENT FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION WITH STABILIZER BARS AND TWIN TUBE SHOCKS PERFORMS ABOVE AVERAGE, PROVIDED YOU KEEP INPUTS SMOOTH THUS KEEPING THE AGGRESSIVE TRACTION CONTROL FROM ENGAGING.

EXCEPT FOR SOME PRETTY HARD NOSE DIVE, BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS ALSO GOOD, WITH STOPS AVERAGING 126-FEET.

SAFETY CONSCIOUS FAMILIES CAN OPT FOR ONE OF TWO PREMIUM PACKAGES TO ADD A BLIND SPOT WARNING SYSTEM, AS WELL AS LANE DEPARTURE WARNING, AND MOVING OBJECT DETECTION.

AS FOR PRICES, THEY SLOT IN NICELY AGAINST COMPACT CUV RIVALS, STARTING AT JUST $23,350.

TOP LEVEL SL TRIM BEGINS AT $28,930.

AND ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE CAN BE ADDED TO ANY ROGUE FOR $1,350 MORE.

WHILE IT WAS DEFINITELY LONG OVERDUE FOR A RE-DESIGN, IT LOOKS TO HAVE BEEN WORTH THE WAIT, AS THE 2014 NISSAN ROGUE APPEARS TO BE A MUCH MORE SERIOUS PLAYER IN THE SEGMENT.

THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR NISSAN, AND GOOD NEWS FOR BUYERS LOOKING FOR UNEXPECTED LARGESS IN A COMPACT CROSSOVER.

WELL, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW.

AND FOR MORE MOTORWEEK, WHY NOT CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST AND COMPLETE EPISODES AT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

AND JOIN US NEXT TIME FOR AN ALL OUT TRACK ASSAULT IN THE SRT VIPER TIME ATTACK.

THEN WE'LL HEAD ON DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN THE NEW TOYOTA HIGHLANDER.

PAT GOSS LIKES TO KEEP THINGS RUNNING SMOOTH.

WHILE YOLANDA VAZQUEZ LEAVES THE CIVILIAN LIFE BEHIND.

ALL THAT, PLUS A LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

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.

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