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

JOIN US AS WE FIND OUT IF THE NEW CAYMAN S IS THE NEW QUINTESSENTIAL PORSCHE SPORTS CAR.

PAT GOSS ADDS COLOR TO OUR CLASSIC CADDY RESTORATION PROJECT.

YOLANDA VAZQUEZ GOES UP CLOSE WITH HOW WE WATCH OUR FAVORITE SPORTS.

AND WE'LL FIND OUT IF NISSAN'S FIVE-DOOR VERSA NOTE PLAYS THE RIGHT TUNE FOR SMALL CAR BUYERS.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

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DIEHARD.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM John Davis: IT WAS HARD NOT TO BE IMPRESSED WITH THE THIRD GENERATION PORSCHE BOXSTER ROADSTER WHEN WE FIRST GOT OUR HANDS ON IT LAST YEAR.

BUT WHAT EXCITED US ABOUT IT MOST WAS THAT WE KNEW A HARDTOP VARIANT WOULD NOT BE FAR BEHIND.

WELL, IT'S HERE, AN ALL NEW PORSCHE CAYMAN.

EVER SINCE THE FIRST CAYMAN BOWED FOR 2006, IT'S BEEN ON A MISSION TO REPLACE THE 911 AS THE QUINTESSENTIAL, FUN TO DRIVE PORSCHE HARDTOP.

HAS THAT MISSION FINALLY BEEN ACCOMPLISHED?

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE 2014 PORSCHE CAYMAN IS THE 3RD ITERATION OF PORSCHE'S SMALLEST SPORTS COUPE.

WE'RE NOT SURE WHERE THE YEARS HAVE GONE, BUT THEY'VE SURE BEEN KIND TO THE CAYMAN.

WITH AGE, IT'S LOOKING MORE AND MORE LIKE THE 911, AND BENEFITS GREATLY FROM ALL THE RECENT UPGRADES THE 911 HAS RECEIVED, INCLUDING ELECTRO-MECHANICAL POWER STEERING.

PORSCHE ENGINEERS MANAGED TO MAKE THE NEW CAYMAN BOTH BIGGER AND LIGHTER AT THE SAME TIME; AND NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT'S ONE GREAT LOOKING CAR.

THE UPGRADED CAYMAN S IMPROVES ON THAT WITH BIGGER 19 OR 20-INCH WHEELS, AND SOME GREAT SOUND COMING FROM THE CENTER-MOUNTED DUAL EXHAUST.

ALL OF THAT NOISE COMES FROM THE BOXSTER S's 3.4-LITER FLAT-6 MOUNTED MID-SHIP, JUST AS BEFORE.

HORSEPOWER IS UP OVER THE LAST CAYMAN S BY 5 TO 325.

BASE CAYMAN MODELS SHARE THE BASE BOXSTER'S 2.7-LITER THAT GETS A BIGGER INCREASE OVER LAST GEN TO 275-HORSEPOWER.

FOR MANAGING THAT POWER AS IT HEADS TO THE REAR WHEELS, PORSCHE'S PDK IS WHAT MOST FOLKS WILL OPT FOR, AND IT WORKS SO WELL THAT IT'S HARD TO MAKE AN ARGUMENT FOR THE 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION; THOUGH WE ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH, AND IT'S NICE TO FEEL IN CONTROL OF SOMETHING THESE DAYS.

THE CAYMAN, MUCH LIKE THE LATEST BOXSTER, IS ONE CAR THAT HASN'T DIALED OUT ALL OF THE DRIVER INVOLVEMENT IN THE NAME OF PROGRESS.

IT FEELS MORE LIKE A TRADITIONAL 911 THAN THE NEW 911, AND CAN EVEN GET A LITTLE TAIL HAPPY, ALLOWING YOU TO STEER IT WITH YOUR RIGHT FOOT.

BUT IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE A LIGHTWEIGHT; RATHER LIKE IT CAN HANDLE WHATEVER YOU THROW AT IT AND MORE.

0 TO 60 SPRINTS TAKE JUST 4.7-SECONDS FOR THE MANUAL, ABOUT A HALF SECOND BEHIND THE PDK, WITH FULL QUARTER-MILE BLASTS IN AS LITTLE AS 12.9-SECONDS AT 106 MILES-PER-HOUR.

THE MANUAL SHIFTER IS QUICK, BUT MAKE SURE YOU GET THE CLUTCH PUSHED IN ALL THE WAY, AS IT DOESN'T LIKE TO BE HURRIED, AND OVERALL OPERATION ISN'T AS SMOOTH AS PORSCHE GEARBOXES OF OLD.

BRAKES ARE FULLY PORSCHE SPEC, WHICH MEANS THEY ARE ALL BUSINESS, TAKING A SCANT 106-FEET TO STOP FROM 60.

THE CAYMAN FEELS JUST AS AT HOME ON A STREET AS ON THE TRACK.

AROUND EVERY DAY BENDS, OWNERS WILL BE REWARDED WITH A LIGHT ON ITS FEET DRIVING EXPERIENCE.

EVERYTHING'S GREAT!

THE WHEEL FALLS RIGHT TO HAND, THE CAR IS NICE AND DOCILE, YET AGILE TO THE EXTREME, AND IT EVEN SOUNDS FABULOUS.

BEST OF ALL, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE FLOGGING IT AROUND AT JAIL TIME SPEEDS TO HAVE A BLAST BEHIND THE WHEEL.

TAKE NOTE, THE RIDE IS ON THE FIRM SIDE, BUT STILL COMFORTABLE ENOUGH.

THE SPORT CHRONO PACK'S SPORT PLUS MODE CHANGES THROTTLE MAPPING AND STIFFENS SHOCK DAMPING TO THE EXTENT THAT ITS BEST LEFT FOR TRACK WORK.

OUR CAR'S ADAPTIVE SPORT SEATS PLUS WERE SPORTS CAR PERFECT, WITH GOOD COMFORT AND GRAB YOU JUST RIGHT WHEN YOU START DRIVING HARD.

AND WE DO LOVE THE CONTROL HEAVY PANAMERA-INSPIRED LAYOUT OF THE INTERIOR MORE AND MORE WITH EVERY NEW PORSCHE MODEL.

NO CUMBERSOME CENTRAL CONTROLLER, JUST A LOGICAL ARRAY OF BUTTONS THAT DO WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.

WE FIND IT ODD THAT PORSCHE HASN'T GONE KEYLESS WITH THE CAYMAN, EVEN MORE CURIOUS SINCE THEY DID DO AWAY WITH THE HAND BRAKE.

THE PUSH-PULL ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE IS INFURIATING AND IT MAKES US FEEL LIKE WE'RE DRIVING A SUBARU.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE COMMENDABLE FOR SUCH A HIGH PERFORMING CAR; 20-CITY, 28-HIGHWAY, AND 23-COMBINED IN THE MANUAL CAYMAN S. WHILE NOT THE BIGGEST PERFORMANCE BARGAIN ON THE MARKET, THE FACT THAT YOU CAN GET THIS MUCH PORSCHE SPORTS CAR FOR $53,550 IS STILL PRETTY AMAZING.

THE S A BIT LESS SO, STARTING AT $64,750.

REGARDLESS, CHOOSE WISELY WITH OPTIONS, AS YOU CAN GET INTO 911 TERRITORY VERY QUICKLY.

THE 2014 PORSCHE CAYMAN DEFINITELY DELIVERS MORE... MORE POWER, MORE ROOM, IMPROVED HANDLING, AND EVEN MORE COMFORT.

BUT SOMEHOW WITH ALL OF THAT, IT MANAGES TO STAY MOST TRUE TO THE PORSCHE ETHOS OF PERFORMANCE FIRST.

IN FACT, WE THINK IT HAS FINALLY SUPPLANTED THE 911 AS THE QUINTESSENTIAL PORSCHE, AND WE WOULD DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING TO OWN ONE.

THE PROCESS OF CREATING TELEVISION HAS CHANGED A LOT OVER 33 YEARS OF MOTORWEEK, AND WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR NEW WAYS TO MAKE OUR CAR REVIEWS AND FEATURES MORE VISUALLY EXCITING.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO MIXING EXCITING VIEWS AND CARS, YOLANDA VAZQUEZ HAS FOUND THE PIONEERS THAT PUT MILLIONS OF TV RACING FANS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT.

Yolanda: EVER WONDER HOW A COOL GYRO-CAM SHOT COMES TO LIFE?

MOST OF US PROBABLY DON'T THINK TWICE ABOUT CLEVER CAMERA ANGLES WHEN WATCHING A CAR RACE.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF BEHIND THE SCENES WORK THAT HAPPENS TO MAKE SURE EACH SHOT GOES OFF WITHOUT A HITCH.

Peter Larsson: ON A NORMAL TRACK, YOU CAN COME IN TWO OR THREE DAYS BEFOREHAND AND LAY ALL THE FIBER.

SO WE HAVE A BIG CREW THAT COME IN, THEY WORK VERY LATE THAT NIGHT.

Yolanda: PETER LARSSON KNOWS THE SETUP LIKE THE BACK OF HIS HAND.

AS GENERAL MANAGER OF BROADCAST SPORTS INC.

IN HANOVER, MARYLAND, HE'S BEEN WORKING WITH IN-CAR CAMERAS FOR AUTO RACING SINCE THE EARLY '80s.

Peter: BACK THEN, THE TECHNOLOGY HAD JUST GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE EQUIPMENT COULD FIT INTO A RACECAR.

Yolanda: NOW THE CAMERAS ARE MOUNTED INTO THE CARS THEMSELVES.

WE WERE ON-HAND AS THIS RACECAR WAS PREPPED FOR THE BALTIMORE GRAND PRIX.

IT HAD THREE BARELY DISCERNIBLE HD CAMERAS ONBOARD: A REMOTELY CONTROLLED 360 DEGREE CAMERA ON TOP, A SECOND ONE BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR, AND A THIRD KNOWN AS A REAR WING CAMERA.

AND YES, THEY'RE ALL DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND THE RIGORS OF TRACK RACING.

Andy Uhling: IT'S A VERY TOUGH ENVIRONMENT THAT THE CAMERAS HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

Yolanda: ANDY UHLING IS THE ENGINEERING MANAGER AT BSI.

HE AND HIS STAFF DESIGN ALL OF THE MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT, CAMERAS, AND PARTS NEEDED FOR A BIG RACE.

Andy: WE DO A VERY SPECIALIZED THING, SO YOU CAN'T BUY A LOT OF WHAT WE NEED OFF THE SHELF.

Yolanda: FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ALUMINUM TRANSMITTER RECEIVER THAT WAS DESIGNED IN-HOUSE, IS NOW GOING THROUGH AN AUTOMATED MILLING MACHINE AT BSI.

THEY'LL MASS PRODUCE THEM FOR THEIR CLIENTS.

Peter: WE'RE INVESTED IN C&C MILLS AND LATHES TO BUILD ALL OF THE MECHANICAL HARDWARE THAT WE NEED.

BACK IN THE OLD DAYS, OUR PRODUCTION RUNS USED TO BE THREE.

NOW WE DO 100 OF EACH PIECE.

Yolanda: AND THEIR CAMERA SHOP IS JUST AS BUSY WITH TECHNICIANS MAKING REPAIRS AND ASSESSING EACH CAMERA'S MOTOR FUNCTIONS AFTER A WEEKEND'S RACE.

Peter Larsson: THEY COME IN SUNDAY NIGHT, FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING, AND THE GUYS HERE STRIP THEM DOWN, CLEAN THEM UP, REPAIR ANY DAMAGE THAT'S DONE TO THEM, AND GET THEM READY TO GO OUT THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND.

Yolanda: MECHANICAL ENGINEER MIKE SARTIN, WHO WORKS ON THE NASCAR SERIES, SAYS CARS WITHOUT CAMERAS MUST CARRY A DUMMY WEIGHT; THIS HELPS LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD.

HE THINKS THE FUTURE OF IN CAR CAMERA TECHNOLOGY IS WIDE OPEN.

Mike Sartin: AS OUR EQUIPMENT GETS SMALLER, AS IT GETS LIGHTER, AND WE CAN INTEGRATE IT INTO MORE PLACES SO YOU'LL BE ABLE TO GET THOSE SHOTS THAT YOU WOULDN'T EVER THINK THAT YOU'D BE ABLE TO GET.

Yolanda: WITH A STAFF OF OVER 150 PEOPLE, AND A TRAVEL SCHEDULE THAT KEEPS THEM BUSY YEAR-ROUND, BSI'S 55,000 SQUARE-FOOT HEADQUARTERS IS LIKE A MINI COMMAND CENTER WITH 13 MOBILE UNITS.

THEY'VE COVERED EVERY MAJOR SPORTING EVENT OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS USING THE LATEST IN CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY.

WHEN THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO TAKE THEIR MOBILE UNITS OUT ON THE ROAD, THEY HAVE SOMETHING CALLED "BSI IN A BOX."

THAT'S WHERE THEY TAKE ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT FROM THE MOBILE UNIT AND PLACE IT IN BOXES, SEVERAL OF THEM, PACK IT UP, SHIP IT OUT, AND IT'S SHOCK MOUNTED SO THAT NOTHING GETS DESTROYED.

AND IF YOU TAKE A LOOK OVER HERE, YOU'LL SEE A SLEW OF EQUIPMENT.

THAT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE GETTING READY FOR A BIG EVENT.

Peter: WE'RE VERY LUCKY THAT WE PICKED UP A CONTRACT WITH THE WINTER OLYMPICS IN SOCHI.

BECAUSE IT'S IN RUSSIA, ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT HAS TO BE SHIPPED MONTHS BEFORE THE ACTUAL EVENT.

Yolanda: LARSSON BELIEVES THE SKY'S THE LIMIT WHEN IT COMES TO THE FUTURE OF ONBOARD CAMERA TECHNOLOGY.

BSI HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THIS INNOVATIVE INDUSTRY, AND WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE VIEWERS THEIR BEST SHOT FROM ANY AND EVERY ANGLE IMAGINABLE.

John: RESTORING AN OLD CAR IS OFTEN MORE WORK THAN YOU BARGAIN FOR.

SO HERE'S OUR PAT GOSS WITH SOME COLORFUL TIPS.

Pat: WHEN WE LAST SAW OUR CADILLAC CONVERTIBLE, IT WAS IN PRIMER AND LOOKING LIKE IT WAS READY FOR PAINT.

BUT THAT ISN'T ENTIRELY THE CASE.

AND WITH US AGAIN IS PETE FROM CLASSIC CAR SHOP.

PETE, WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE SINCE WE LAST SAW THE CAR?

Pete: WELL, THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN, IT WAS IN THE FIRST COAT OF PRIMER.

BASICALLY, FROM THAT STAGE, THERE'S STILL A LOT MORE PREPARATION THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO COMPLETE THE CAR.

AND THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF THE CAR OWNERS, THEY SHORTCHANGE WHEN THEY'RE DOING THE JOB, ON THE SIDE, IN THEIR HOUSE, AS OPPOSED TO TAKING IT TO A PROFESSIONAL.

THE CAR THEN NEEDS TO BE SANDED BY HAND WITH A BLOCK.

BLOCKS ARE LIKE THIS.

THEY COME IN VARIABLE LENGTHS AND SIZES AND SHAPES DEPENDING ON THE CONTOURS OF THE BODY OF THE CAR.

WE THEN, AFTER WE SAND THE ENTIRE CAR, WE PRIME THE CAR AGAIN WITH A FILLER-PRIMER.

Pat: ALRIGHT.

NOW, ONE OF THE THINGS, LIKE LITTLE POCKMARKS AND SO ON, DO-IT-YOURSELFERS USUALLY SHORTCHANGE THEMSELVES.

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

Pete: WELL, A LOT OF TIMES WHAT THEY'LL DO IS THEY'LL JUST TAKE A LITTLE SANDER AND THEY'LL SAND A LITTLE BULLS EYE OUT AND THEY THINK IT LOOKS REAL SMOOTH, AND THEY SPRAY A LITTLE PRIMER ON IT, AND THEN, WHEN THE CAR GETS PAINTED, THAT IMPERFECTION IS STILL STANDING OUT THERE LOOKING AT THEM.

Pat: IT LOOKS LIKE A BULLS EYE THEN.

NOW, AT THAT POINT, IT'S READY FOR PAINT, WHAT HAPPENS?

Pete: BASICALLY, THEN THE CAR GETS SANDED AGAIN, BY HAND OR BY MACHINE, AND THEN THE CAR GOES INTO THE SPRAY BOOTH AND GETS SPRAYED.

ON THIS CAR WE USED A WATERBORNE BASE COAT CLEAR COAT SYSTEM.

Pat: ALRIGHT.

NOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR, WATERBORNE IS SIMPLY THAT THE PAINT IS WATER-BASED.

Pete: CORRECT.

Pat: YEAH.

OK. NOW, YOU CHANGED COLOR.

Pete: YES, WE DID A COMPLETE COLOR CHANGE ON THIS CAR, BUT WE DID WHAT WE CALL THE "USED CAR SPECIAL," BECAUSE THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON A BUDGET, WE DID A REAL NICE EXTERIOR FINISH ON IT, BUT HE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO REMOVE ALL OF THE PANELS ON THE CAR, ALL OF THE UPHOLSTERY, THE DASHBOARD, TO SAND AND PREP THE ENTIRE CAR IN THE DOOR JAMS.

Pat: SO, A TRUE COLOR CHANGE IS VERY EXPENSIVE.

Pete: IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE.

IT'S BECAUSE IT'S SO COSTLY, TIME CONSUMING JOB.

SO WE JUST BASICALLY SCUFFED AND SHOT THE ENTIRE JAMS AND PAINTED THE CAR WITH THE CAR IN A COMPLETE FASHION.

Pat: AND UNLESS YOU'RE DOING A SHOW CAR, THAT'S PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE.

Pete: YES, ESPECIALLY ON THIS VEHICLE.

THE CAR IS A DRIVER AND THE GUY'S NOT GOING TO SHOW IT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

Pat: OK. PETE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND WE'LL KEEP YOU POSTED AS WE PROGRESS WITH OUR CADILLAC RESTORATION.

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

WHILE INDIANAPOLIS AND DAYTONA MAY GET A LOT OF THE FANFARE WHEN IT COMES TO AMERICAN RACE TRACKS, THERE ARE MANY HISTORIC TRACKS IN THIS COUNTRY WITH STORIES TO TELL, AND MICHAEL ARGETSINGER CELEBRATES ONE OF OUR FAVORITE CIRCUITS IN HIS BOOK, "FORMULA ONE AT WATKINS GLEN."

THROUGHOUT ITS PHOTO-FILLED 160-PAGES IS A RACE BY RACE ACCOUNT OF THE 20-YEARS THAT WATKINS GLEN HOSTED THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX.

MICHAEL TRULY HAS AN INSIDER'S PERSPECTIVE, AS IT WAS HIS FATHER, CAMERON ARGETSINGER, WHO FIRST BROUGHT SPORTS CAR RACING TO WATKINS GLEN IN 1948, AND FORMULA ONE RACING IN 1961, MAKING THIS BOOK A TRUE MUST-READ FOR ANY FAN OF WORLD CLASS AUTO RACING IN AMERICA.

IT'S TIME NOW FOR A QUICK SPIN AND MORE FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS!

THE HONDA ACCORD HAS LONG BEEN A FAVORITE FOR FAMILIES LOOKING FOR A COMFORTABLE, SAFE, RELIABLE, YET REASONABLY PRICED MID-SIZE SEDAN.

NOW THEY CAN ADD ULTRA-FUEL EFFICIENT TO THAT MIX WITH THE 2014 ACCORD HYBRID.

NO, THIS IS NOT A REHASH OF THE DISAPPOINTING V6 ACCORD HYBRID WE TESTED FOR 2005.

THE 2014 ACCORD HYBRID USES AN ENTIRELY NEW HYBRID SYSTEM THAT HAS EARNED CLASS BEST FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS OF 50 CITY, 45 HIGHWAY, AND 47 COMBINED.

WHY THAT'S PRIUS TERRITORY!

IN OPERATION, HOWEVER, IT IS MORE LIKE THE CHEVROLET VOLT.

THE HYBRID USES A NEW 2.0 LITER ATKINSON CYCLE 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE MOTOR/GENERATOR COMBO TO POWER A 124 KILOWATT ELECTRIC DRIVE MOTOR, AND CHARGE A SMALL LITHIUM ION BATTERY IN THE TRUNK.

THE HYBRID HAS THREE DRIVING MODES: EV, FOR SHORT DISTANCE BATTERY ONLY OPERATION.

HYBRID, WHERE THE GAS ENGINE GENERATES POWER FOR THE ELECTRIC DRIVE MOTOR WHICH ALONE TURNS THE FRONT WHEELS.

AND ENGINE MODE, WHERE THE GAS ENGINE ALONE DRIVES THE SINGLE SPEED TRANSMISSION FOR HIGHER SPEED EFFICIENCY.

Ben Davis: THE ACCORD HYBRID IS SO REFINED THAT WHEN YOU'RE SWITCHING BETWEEN MODES IT'S VIRTUALLY UNDETECTABLE.

ASIDE FROM SOME LOW, UNIQUE NOISES AT LOW SPEEDS.

I LIKE TO DRIVE MORE ON THE SPORTY SIDE OF CASUAL.

I LIKE TO GET TO MY SPEED QUICKLY.

AND ON THE HIGHWAY, I PREFER TO BE IN A QUICK PACE OF THINGS.

THAT BEING SAID, I STILL AVERAGED 46 MILES TO THE GALLON.

John: YOU CAN ORDER THE 2014 HONDA ACCORD HYBRID NOW STARTING AT $30,000.

AN ACCORD PLUG-IN HYBRID IS AVAILABLE IN CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK FOR ABOUT $10 GRAND MORE.

THE SUCCESS OF MAZDA'S KODO DESIGN PROVED TO BE A SHOT IN THE ARM FOR BOTH THE BRAND AND THE NEWEST MID-SIZE MAZDA6.

AND NOW THAT SAME STYLE IS TRANSLATING TO THE SMALLER PROPORTIONS OF THE MAZDA3.

AND FOR US, IT WORKS.

THE LONG SLOPING HOOD AND SHARP ACCENTS ADD PRESENCE, AND A STANDOUT LOOK WITHIN THE SMALL CAR SEGMENT.

THE INTERIOR SEES THE FIRST APPLICATION OF MAZDA CONNECT, A NEW INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM WITH EASIER TO NAVIGATE MENUS.

POWER IS FROM A PAIR OF SKY-ACTIV FOUR CYLINDERS; A 2.0-LITER WITH 155 HORSEPOWER OR A 2.5 RATED AT 184.

THE MAZDA 3 FEATURES I-ELOOP: A NEW REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM TO POWER ONBOARD ELECTRONICS.

AND AN AUTOMATED LOW-SPEED BRAKING SYSTEM DUBBED SMART CITY BRAKE SUPPORT.

STARTING AROUND $18,000, THE 2014 MAZDA3 IS AVAILABLE IN SEDAN AND FIVE DOOR HATCHBACK, AND IT'S ON SALE NOW.

THE RANGE ROVER HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE "BIG DADDY" OF LUXURY SUVs, OFFERING UNPARALLELED REFINEMENT AND ALL-TERRAIN PROWESS.

THE SLIGHTLY SMALLER RANGE ROVER SPORT, THOUGH, IS NO SLOUCH, AND HAS ITSELF BEEN A WORTHY BRAND STANDOUT.

AND FOR 2014, IT'S SHEDDING WEIGHT BIG TIME.

AN ALL-ALUMINUM CHASSIS DROPS OVERALL WEIGHT BY MORE THAN 900 POUNDS, ENHANCING ON-ROAD CORNERING RESPONSE, WHILE TAMING OFF-ROAD BODY MOTIONS.

THERE'S A NEW BASE ENGINE, A 3.0 LITER SUPERCHARGED V6 RATED AT 340 HORSEPOWER, AND WE THINK IT DELIVERS PLENTY OF POWER.

A 510 HORSEPOWER 5.0 LITER SUPERCHARGED V8 IS STILL AVAILABLE, BOTH WITH AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

INTERIOR QUALITY IS TOP NOTCH, AND MODESTLY REDESIGNED FOR THE NEW GENERATION.

A 3RD ROW SEATING OPTION IS NEW, AS WELL, THOUGH IT'S A VERY TIGHT FIT.

OFF-ROAD CAPABILITIES COME FROM PERMANENT FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE, LAND ROVER'S LATEST TERRAIN RESPONSE 2 SYSTEM, ADJUSTABLE AIR SUSPENSION, AND A NEW ELECTRIC POWER STEERING.

AVAILABLE NOW, THE 2014 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT BEGINS AROUND $65,000.

AND WE'LL BE BACK TO TAKE A FEW MORE QUICK SPINS, SOON!

THE NISSAN VERSA HAS PROVEN TO BE A POPULAR SUBCOMPACT WITH BUDGET MINDED FOLKS LOOKING FOR ROOMY, ECONOMICAL, AND HIGHLY RELIABLE, IF STILL QUITE BASIC TRANSPORTATION.

THAT'S ESPECIALLY TRUE OF THE MOST VERSATILE HATCHBACK BODY STYLE.

WELL, NOW THAT 5-DOOR VERSA IS NOT ONLY ALL NEW BUT SEEKS TO STAND OUT FROM THE VERSA SEDAN BY ADDING "NOTE" TO ITS NAMEPLATE.

SO LET'S SEE IF THIS "NOTE" STRIKES THE RIGHT CHORD.

THE 2014 NISSAN VERSA NOTE MAY BE A NEW TUNE FOR NISSAN, BUT IT'S STILL A VERSA.

SO IT REMAINS IN THE SAME ENTRY-LEVEL GENRE AS BEFORE, AS IT STAYS BASED ON NISSAN'S GLOBAL "V" PLATFORM JUST LIKE THE VERSA SEDAN.

EXTERIOR LENGTH IS ACTUALLY LESS THAN THE SEDAN HOWEVER, AT 163 INCHES DUE TO ITS SHORTER OVERHANGS, BUT WHEELBASE IS THE SAME AT A LONG 102.4-INCHES.

THAT TRANSLATES INTO CLASS LEADING REAR LEG ROOM SO YOU CAN TAKE THE BAND ALONG WHEN YOU HIT THE ROAD.

THE NOTE DOES HAVE A SMOOTHER BODY THAN THE OUTGOING VERSA HATCHBACK, THOUGH WE STILL WOULDN'T CALL IT HANDSOME.

BUT THIS IS A PURPOSEFUL DESIGN THAT PRIORITIZES SPACE OVER BEAUTY.

THOUGH SOMEWHAT MUTED IN OUR ALPINE WHITE EDITION, THE SOFTER STYLING ALLOWS THE NOTE TO ACCOMPLISH TWO GOOD THINGS: BE MORE AERODYNAMICALLY EFFICIENT, AND BRING A UNIQUE LOOK TO SUBCOMPACTS.

NISSAN'S FIRST APPLICATION OF ACTIVE GRILLE SHUTTERS AND AERO FLARES ON THE TAIL LIGHTS ALSO SERVE THE CAUSE.

THE ENGINE IS THE SAME AS THE VERSA SEDAN, A 1.6-LITER I4 THAT GENERATES A MEAGER 109-HORSEPOWER AND 107 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

BUT IT FEELS SLIGHTLY PEPPIER THAN THE NUMBERS INDICATE, MOSTLY DUE TO A RETUNED CVT TRANSMISSION.

THERE IS NEW SUB-PLANETARY GEAR WHICH ALLOWS FOR A BROADER RANGE OF EFFECTIVE RATIOS.

BUT LIKE MOST CVTs, THE ENGINE GETS PRETTY NOISY.

IN FACT, THE NOTE IS OVERALL A LITTLE NOISY FOR OUR TASTES.

A 5-SPEED MANUAL IS ALSO AVAILABLE, BUT ONLY ON THE BASE S MODEL.

AND IT'S HARD TO ARGUE WITH THE CVT COMBO THAT GETS GREAT GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS OF 31-CITY, 40-HIGHWAY, AND 35-COMBINED.

WE MANAGED A SLIGHTLY DISAPPOINTING 33.6 MILES-PER-GALLON OF REGULAR IN OUR MILEAGE TEST.

THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS VERY GOOD; JUST 9.4-BARRELS OF OIL CONSUMED AND 4.2 TONS OF CO2 EXHALED.

RIDE QUALITY WAS SURPRISINGLY GOOD, AND MOST OF OUR TESTERS FOUND THE SEATS PLENTY COMFORTABLE.

ONE THING ALL COULD AGREE ON, THIS NOTE NEEDS TO BE "TUNED" WITH A BIT MORE POWER.

WHILE NOT A PURE HANDLER LIKE THE VOLKSWAGEN GOLF OR THE CHEVROLET SONIC, THE NOTE IS IMPRESSIVELY NIMBLE.

THE ELECTRIC POWER-ASSISTED STEERING FEELS EXCELLENT, AND THE TIRES PROVIDED GOOD GRIP, HELPING US EASILY SCOOT THROUGH THE CONES AND TRAFFIC WITH CONFIDENCE.

THERE'S NOT MUCH GOING ON OFF THE LINE, HOWEVER, WITH A SLOW LUMBER TO 60 OF 10.1 SECONDS AND THE LENGTHY TREK TO THE END OF THE QUARTER MILE TOOK US 17.6-SECONDS AT 83 MILES-PER-HOUR.

SLAM ON THE BRAKES AT 60 MILES-PER-HOUR, HOWEVER, AND YOU'LL FIND THE PENDULUM SWINGS BACK POSITIVE WITH MINIMUM FADE, GOOD FEEL, AND AN AVERAGE STOPPING DISTANCE OF ONLY 125-FEET.

NOT BAD FOR A CAR STILL SPORTING DRUMS IN THE REAR.

NOW, ONTO THE INTERIOR, WHERE IN ADDITION TO A LOT OF ROOM YOU'LL FIND A VERY LOGICAL CONTROL LAYOUT.

MOST MATERIALS ARE OF DECENT QUALITY -- THE EASILY SCRATCHED HARD PLASTIC DOOR PANELS IN THE REAR THE ONLY GLARING OFFENDERS.

AS MENTIONED, REAR SEAT ROOM IS MORE THAN GENEROUS, AND THERE'S SPACE FOR 18.8 CUBIC-FEET OF CARGO BEHIND.

WITH THE SEATS FOLDED, SPACE EXPANDS TO 38.3 CUBIC-FT. GAUGES ARE FAIRLY PLAIN, BUT WITH SV TRIM THERE'S A LOT OF CONTENT, INCLUDING BLUETOOTH AND REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY.

ADDING THE SL TECH PACKAGE IS WHERE THINGS REALLY GET INTERESTING AS YOU GET NISSANCONNECT WITH GOOGLE APPS AND NISSAN'S AROUND VIEW BACKUP MONITOR.

EVEN THOUGH THE SCREEN SIZE IS SMALL, IT'S CLEAR ENOUGH TO PROVIDE USEFUL DETAIL.

PRICING IS CERTAINLY A STAND OUT IN THE SEGMENT, STARTING AT JUST $14,780.

EVEN THE TOP TRIM SV STARTS AT JUST $16,780.

THE 2014 NISSAN VERSA NOTE MAY NOT BE THE MOST FUN CAR IN THE SEGMENT, BUT IT IS ONE THAT'S VERY VERSATILE, PRACTICAL, AND FUEL EFFICIENT.

YOU KNOW, STUFF THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO MOST SUBCOMPACT CAR BUYERS.

SO, THIS "CHEAP, BUT NOT CHEAP FEELING" TUNE MAY NOT BE VERY EXCITING, BUT WE THINK IT'S ONE THAT A LOT OF FRUGAL FOLKS WILL ROCK OUT TO IN THEIR NEW VERSA NOTE.

WELL, I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AGAIN SOON FOR MORE MOTORWEEK, AS WE HYPER-MILE A DYNAMIC DIESEL DUO: THE CHEVROLET CRUZE DIESEL, ALONG WITH THE MERCEDES-BENZ GLK250 BLUETEC.

PAT GOSS SHOWS US HOW TO KEEP THINGS COOL AND CLEAN.

THEN MOTORNEWS AND A LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

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.

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