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

JOIN US, AND SEE WHAT BMW HAS DIALED IN TO THE NEW M3 AND M4.

THEN WE'LL HEAD TO GOSS' GARAGE, WHERE PAT HAS A WARNING ABOUT BARGAIN OIL FILTERS.

ZACH MASKELL PLUGS IN FOR HIS TRIP OVER THE EDGE.

AND WE'LL SEE IF A COMEBACK IS FOR REAL WITH THE MITSUBISHI MIRAGE.

SO, COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

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

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.

BUT PETE'S THINKING, "IT WOULD'VE BEEN NICE TO KNOW ABOUT THE MYNAH BIRD."

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

DIEHARD.

THE DIEHARD ADVANCED GOLD BATTERY.

DESIGNED TO HELP START YOUR CAR AND POWER THE EQUIPMENT IN IT.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.

>> JOHN: WHAT USED TO BE KNOWN AS THE M3 SEDAN AND M3 COUPE IS NOW JUST THE M3 AND M4.

BMW FEELS SAYING M3 SEDAN AND M4 COUPE IS JUST REDUNDANT.

MUCH LIKE EMPHASIZING PERFORMANCE WHEN TALKING ABOUT AN M, AS THE LETTER M HAS LONG SIGNIFIED SUPERIOR CAPABILITIES WHEN USED WITH A NUMBER AND PLACED ON A BMW PRODUCT.

LET'S HOPE NOTHING HAS CHANGED THERE!

HEADING TO ROAD AMERICA FOR SOME EARLY DRIVE TIME IN THE 2015 BMW M3 AND M4 SOUNDED LIKE A WONDERFUL IDEA!

UNFORTUNATELY THE WEATHER DIDN'T COOPERATE AND AFTER JUST A FEW LAPS, IT ALL TURNED INTO A RAIN SOAKED AFFAIR.

BUT THAT NEVER STOPS US, SO WE TOOK IT TO THE STREET TO GET OUR IMPRESSIONS.

AND WHILE THE COUPE HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR FAVORITE, THE NAME M3 HAS MORE CACHE WITH US, SO WE SPENT MOST OF OUR TIME IN THAT, 4-DOORS AND ALL.

BIMMERPHILES WILL BE HAPPY TO NOTE THAT IT'S A TWIN TURBO-CHARGED 3.0-LITER I6 UNDER THE HOOD IN BOTH OF THESE RIDES, NOT A V8; AND THAT BOTH HORSEPOWER AND TORQUE ARE UP.

HORSEPOWER HAS RISEN JUST 11, NOW AT 425; BUT TORQUE SEES A HEALTHIER INCREASE OF ALMOST 40 PERCENT TO 406 POUND-FEET.

THE ENGINE FEELS SERIOUSLY STRONG, WITH BUNCHES OF LOW-END TORQUE, MINIMAL TURBO LAG, AND BRUTAL APPLICATION OF ACCELERATION, CARRYING THE POWER ALL THE WAY UP TO ITS 7,600 RPM RED LINE.

AN ALL-NEW, LIGHTER 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS STANDARD, BUT IT'S THE OPTIONAL 7-SPEED M-DCT AUTO THAT'S THE FASTEST TO 60 IN 3.9 SECONDS.

THOUGH IT WILL COST YOU A HEFTY ALMOST 3 GRAND EXTRA.

BOTH COME WITH DOWNSHIFT REV MATCHING.

WHEN PUSHED HARD, THE DCT IS FAST AND FIRM WITH SHIFTS, BUT CAN ALSO BE SMOOTH AND FRIENDLY WHEN YOU'RE MOVING ALONG AT DAILY DRIVER PACE.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF ELECTRONICS AND HARDWARE PIECES HELPING YOU DEPLOY ALL OF THAT POWER TO THE ROAD THROUGH THE REAR WHEELS, INCLUDING A CARBON FIBER DRIVESHAFT AND AN ACTIVE M DIFFERENTIAL.

AFTER PACKING ON THE POUNDS FOR THE LAST FEW GENERATIONS, THIS M3 SEES A WEIGHT REDUCTION WITH MORE CARBON FIBER AND ALUMINUM, AS WELL AS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF POUNDAGE TAKEN OUT OF THE POWERTRAIN.

A 6-SPEED MANUAL M3 NOW COMES IN AT 3,540 POUNDS, AND IS JUST A BIT NOSE HEAVY WITH NOT QUITE THE PERFECT 50/50 SPLIT.

EXTERIOR MODIFICATIONS INCLUDE A CARBON FER REINFORCED ROOF, AND THE USUAL AIR MANIPULATION FOR BOTH DOWNFORCE AND ADDITIONAL COOLING; THROUGH THE USE OF LARGER AIR INTAKES IN THE FRONT APRON, SCULPTED SIDE MIRRORS, AND A DECK LID SPOILER.

NEW ADDITIONS ARE A LARGER FRONT FENDER VENT AND 18 OR 19-INCH FORGED WHEELS.

AN EXPECTED POWER DOME HOOD ADDS SOME FRONT AGGRESSION, BUT THE CAR LOOKS ITS MEANEST FROM THE REAR; WHERE THE WIDE SURFACE IS FULL OF CUTS AND SHARP ANGLES, AND DOUBLE UP DUAL EXHAUST TIPS PROTRUDE MENACINGLY.

LIKEWISE INSIDE, THINGS ARE SPORTED UP WITH AN M STEERING WHEEL, GEARSHIFT LEVER, GAUGES, COLOR STITCHING, AND ALUMINUM, AND CARBON-FIBER TRIM WORK.

THE LAYOUT IS THE FAMILIAR BMW DRIVER-FOCUSED ARRANGEMENT WITH MATERIALS ALL VERY GOOD IN QUALITY.

M SPORT SEATS FEEL SNUG WITH THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF BOLSTERING.

REAR SEATS OFFER A GREAT AMOUNT OF SUPPORT, AND BACKS FOLD 60/40 TO EXPAND THE TRUNK'S 12.0 CUBIC-FEET OFPACE.

MUCH LIKE ITS LARGER M5/M6 SIBLINGS, SUSPENSION PIECES ARE MOSTLY ALUMINUM AND THE REAR SUB-FRAME IS NOW DIRECTLY BOLTED TO THE BODY.

OPTIONAL ADAPTIVE M SUSPENSION CAN FURTHER YOUR MISSION, WHETHER THAT'S FLATTER HANDLING OR COMFORTABLE HIGHWAY CRUISING, AS IT IS MORE COMFORTABLE IN COMFORT MODE, AND FAR SPORTIER IN SPORT+ MODE.

AS FOR THE COMMON BMW STEERING COMPLAINT, IT'S NOW ELECTROMECHANICAL HERE.

AND FEEL OR NO FEEL, IT'S HARD TO ARGUE WITH THE AMOUNT OF PRECISION THAT YOU CAN DIAL INTO THE ADAPTIVE SYSTEM.

THESE M'S GET UPGRADED BRAKES OF COURSE, AS WELL AS OPTIONAL CARBON CERAMIC DISCS.

YOU COULD CERTAINLY DO FINE WITHOUT THEM, BUT IF YOU PLAN ON HITTING SOME TRACK DAYS WITH THE CLUB, THEY ARE A WORTHY UPGRADE.

ALL OF THIS WORKS TOGETHER TO GIVE THE M3 AND M4 THE HIGH SPEED STABILITY OF A FULL SIZE CAR, AND THE FUN FACTOR OF A HOT HATCHBACK.

BUT LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IN OUR WORLD, THINGS HAVE ALSO GOTTEN MORE COMPLICATED AND LESS INTUITIVE.

AND IN TYPICAL M FASHION, THERE FEELS TO BE THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF POWER, AS IT NEVER OVERWHELMS THE CHASSIS.

WITH A NEW AUTO STOP/START SYSTEM, GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR AN M3 DCT ARE 17-CITY, 24-HIGHWAY, AND 19-COMBINED.

PRICING STARTS AT $62,950 FOR THE M3 AND $65,150 FOR THE NEW M4.

SAY WHAT YOU WANT ABOUT BMW AND THEIR RENAMING DEBACLE, THESE 2015 VERSIONS OF THE M3 AND M4 HAVE GAINED BOTH MORE PERFORMANCE AND MORE FRIENDLINESS; ALONG THE WAY FULLY ENCAPSULATING WHAT BMW DOES BEST.

THE NOW 4-DOOR M3, AND ITS RENAMED 2-DOOR STABLE MATE, THE M4, CONTINUE TO BE TO US THE ULTIMATE, ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINES.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO CALIFORNIA'S GILROY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A FIRST OF ITS KIND "ZERO EMISSIONS SQUARED" SCHOOL BUS PROJECT.

USING A TEAM OF COMPANIES INCLUDING ADOMANI ELECTRIC, THEY CONVERTED A DIESEL SCHOOL BUS TO ELECTRIC POWER WHERE SOLAR PANELS WILL BE USED TO HELP CHARGE IT UP.

WITH A PAYBACK OF ONLY 6 YEARS, THIS APPROACH COULD CUT OPERATING COSTS FOR SCHOOL BUS FLEETS NATIONWIDE.

>> BOB GARZEE: THAT BUS THAT WE'RE RIDING ON IS EQUIVALENT TO 57 TO 84 MOTHERS, OR FATHERS, DRIVING AND TAKING THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING AND PICKING THEM UP AT NIGHT.

>> JOHN: THE SILICON VALLEY CLEAN CITIES COALITION HAS ALSO PLACED 57 THINK EV CARS IN BAY AREA CITIES.

THEY WERE A GOLD SPONSOR OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST GATHERING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES WHERE 507 EV'S PARADED DOWN THE STREETS OF CUPERTINO CALIFORNIA TO SET A GUINNESS WORLD RECORD.

NOW THAT'S ELECTRIFYING.

FOR MORE MOTORWEEK ROAD TESTS AS WELL AS COMPLETE EPISODES GO TO PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

NOW, MOST CONSUMERS UNDERSTAND THAT ELECTRIC VEHICLES REDUCE THE USE OF PETROLEUM AND IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT.

BUT, THEY DON'T ALWAYS UNDERSTAND THE PERFORMANCE ADVANTAGES OF DRIVING PURE ELECTRIC.

WELL, OUR ZACH MASKELL HAS CAUGHT UP WITH A GROUP OF ENTHUSIASTS WHO HAVE TAKEN THEIR LIGHTNING FAST EV'S OVER THE EDGE.

>> ZACH MASKELL: WHEN YOU HEAR "DRAG RACING," THIS PROBABLY COMES TO MIND.

NITRO METHANE BREATHING MONSTERS WITH THOUSANDS OF HORSEPOWER.

WITH THAT BRINGS FIRE, NOISE, AND PLEASANT SMELLS.

NOW PICTURE THIS... NO EAR PLUGS, LESS CARCINOGENS IN THE AIR.

JUST TIRE SQUEAL AND SOME GEAR SOUND.

EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS, LIKE THE POWER OUT OF THIS MIATA, COMPLIMENTS OF LONESTAR EV RACING TEAM OUT OF HOUSTON.

COULD IT BE 1.21 GIGAWATTS THAT POWER THIS THING?

>> ADAM CLARK: NO, NO IT'S NOT.

IT'S ACTUALLY 700 KILOWATTS WHICH IS ABOUT 800 HORSEPOWER.

AND THAT'S ABOUT THE SAME AS A BLOWN BIG BLOCK V8.

>> ZACH: YOU'RE LOOKING AT A BATTERY POWERED VOLKSWAGEN BUS, THE FIRST NISSAN LEAF EVER SOLD IN TEXAS, AND "ASSAULT AND BATTERY."

ONE OF THE QUICKEST MIATA'S YOU WILL EVER SEE.

IT'S GUILTY AS CHARGED.

PUTTING A SERIOUS BEAT DOWN ON MOST CHALLENGERS.

IT DRINKS NO GASOLINE.

AS IT'S POWERED BY 120 LITHIUM IRON PHOSPHATE BATTERIES, LIKE THE ONES IN MANY POWER TOOLS.

SO, THIS CONVERSION CAR IS REALLY NOT THAT MUCH DIFFERENT FROM THE WHOLE SET UP THAT ORIGINALLY CAME IN THE MIATA.

>> ADAM: THAT'S RIGHT.

SO, WE STILL HAVE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE REAR END.

STILL REAR WHEEL DRIVE JUST LIKE THE ORIGINAL MIATA.

WE JUST TOOK OUT THE GASOLINE ENGINE AND PUT IN AN ELECTRIC MOTOR.

SO IN THIS PARTICULAR SET UP WE HAVE 2 ELECTRIC MOTORS UNDERNEATH AND 2 CONTROLLERS HERE ON TOP.

ONE CONTROLLER FOR EACH MOTOR.

>> ZACH: THE BEST PART ABOUT ALL THIS, THE TORQUE IS INSTANT.

THE MOTORS DON'T HAVE TO BUILD UP RPM'S LIKE IN A GAS CAR.

THERE IS 1500 POUND-FEET TO THE GROUND, THE MOMENT THE PEDAL IS PRESSED.

A COUPLE OF TIMES A MONTH, THESE GUYS GET TOGETHER AND HIT THE TRACK.

THEY'VE BEEN BIG PLAYERS IN THE SPORT FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS.

IT STARTED WHEN TEAM MEMBER JOHN METRIC FIRST SAW AN ALL-ELECTRIC SNOWMOBILE IN CANADA.

FROM THERE AN OBSESSION STARTED WHICH LEAD TO THE MIATA, WHOSE LIFE BEGUN WITH THE TEAM AS A ROLLING TUBE CHASSIS.

IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE STREET LEGAL IF IT HAD A COUPLE PARTS LIKE WINDSHIELD WIPERS.

>> ADAM: THERE'S US AND THEN THERE'S DOZENS OF OTHERS LIKE US.

WE'RE JUST SMALL SHOPS TRYING TO BUILD FAST CARS AND HAVING FUN WITH IT.

>> ZACH: THE TEAM ALSO PRODUCES RACE CAR PARTS FOR FELLOW EV'ERS.

SELLING MAINLY BATTERY SUPPLIES AND TRANSMISSION PARTS.

ADAM IS PART OF THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC DRAG RACING ASSOCIATION, OR NEDRA.

THIS INCLUDES AMP HEADS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WITH 50 COMPETITIVE RACE TEAMS.

THEIR PRESIDENT, JOHN METRIC, PILOTS THE SILENT BUT DEADLY MAZDA.

JOHN, AH, YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN SHATTERING RECORDS.

WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THIS THING.

WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON REMARK YOU GET?

>> JOHN METRIC: MOST PEOPLE'S MOUTHS JUST DROP OPEN AND THEY CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT THEY JUST SAW.

I MEAN WE ARE GOING UP AGAINST ALL THE STREET LEGAL CARS AND SOME DRAGSTERS, AND SOME RAIL DRAGSTERS, AND WE'RE KEEPING UP WITH THEM.

>> ZACH: YOU HAVE TO DO THE SAME AMOUNT OF TINKERING WITH THIS THING AS YOU WOULD ANY OTHER RACECAR RIGHT?

>> JOHN METRIC: I WOULD DISAGREE.

I AM SHOCKED AT HOW LITTLE I HAVE TO DO TO THE CAR AFTER IT'S SET UP.

>> ZACH: BUT, INSTEAD OF SHELLING OUT ABOUT $100 IN RACING GAS, IT COSTS JOHN AND COMPANY ABOUT $1 TO REFUEL.

BUT DOES IT DO DONUTS?

YES, YES IT DOES.

A QUARTER MILE IN 8.9 SECONDS.

NOT EVEN THE FASTEST SUPERCAR DOES THAT.

THIS HAS GOT TO BE ONE EXPENSIVE WEAPON RIGHT?

JOHN SAYS $15,000 WILL GET YOU A FAST CAR.

AND $30,000 WILL HAVE YOU BREAKING RECORDS.

WE HEADED OUT TO ROYAL PURPLE RACEWAY OUTSIDE HOUSTON, TO BLAST OFF.

WE'RE ABOUT TO DO 0-60 IN 1 AND A HALF SECONDS.

THIS IS THE FASTEST EV EXTREME STREET DOOR SLAMMER IN THE WORLD.

PROVING THAT BATTERY PACKS ARE NO SLOUCH ON ANY KIND OF PAVEMENT.

AND, WATCHING JOHN SHOULD CONVINCE EVEN GASOLINE DIEHARDS THAT GOING FOR AN ALL-ELECTRIC DRIVE DON'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO LEAVE HIGH PERFORMANCE BEHIND.

>> JOHN: PAT GOSS KNOWS A LOT ABOUT CARS.

AND THIS TIME HE'S FILTERING OUT ONLY THE BEST FOR US DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE.

>> PAT GOSS: YOU KNOW MODERN ENGINES ARE VERY SOPHISTICATED, AND THAT MEANS THAT THE PARTS THAT YOU PUT ON THEM FOR SERVICING THEM AND SO ON; IT BETTER BE THE RIGHT QUALITY.

NOW, NOWHERE IS THIS MORE IMPORTANT THAN IN THE OIL FILTER.

YOU MAY THINK THAT YOU'RE SAVING A FEW BUCKS BUYING A NO NAME, REALLY CHEAP OIL FILTER, BUT THAT MAY WIND UP BITING YOU IN THE LONG RUN.

YOU SEE, MODERN ENGINES, THEY ALL USE TIMING CHAINS INSTEAD OF TIMING BELTS.

AND TIMING CHAINS, WELL THEY NEED TO BE BATHED IN OIL ALL THE TIME.

NOW, HOW DOES THIS RELATE BACK TO AN OIL FILTER?

WELL, HERE WE HAVE A TIMING CHAIN GUIDE THAT WE'VE SET UP HERE.

AND THIS WOULD HAVE A HYDRAULIC TENSIONER THAT WOULD PUSH AGAINST IT TO KEEP THE TIMING CHAIN TIGHT.

ADDITIONALLY, THE TENSIONER, WHICH WORKS OFF OF OIL PRESSURE, HAS A LITTLE, TEENY HOLE IN THE END OF IT.

SO, IT FEEDS OIL THROUGH THAT HOLE INTO THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE GUIDE, TO KEEP THEM LUBRICATED.

WELL, THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE DECIDED TO BUY A NO NAME OIL FILTER, AND HE PUT IT ON THE VEHICLE; THE FILTER CAME APART.

NOW, THAT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE MUCH OF A HOLE.

BUT IT ISN'T THE HOLE THAT WE'RE REALLY CONCERNED WITH.

IT'S THE MATERIAL THAT CAME OUT OF THE HOLE.

THAT MATERIAL FED THROUGH THE SYSTEM, BLOCKED THIS HOLE HERE IN THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, AND THAT CAUSED THE TIMING CHAINS TO FAIL.

BIG DEAL, LOT OF MONEY.

ALRIGHT, SO THAT'S ONE REASON WHY YOU BUY A QUALITY OIL FILTER.

ANOTHER IS RIGHT HERE.

THIS IS A CHECK VALVE.

NOW THESE CHECK VALVES, WELL, THEY SERVE DIFFERENT PURPOSES.

BUT THE PRIMARY ONE IS TO KEEP THE OIL FROM DRAINING OUT OF THE OIL FILTER, WHILE THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING.

YOU SEE, IF THE OIL DRAINS OUT OF THE OIL FILTER, THE OIL PUMP HAS TO PUMP THE FILTER FULL OF OIL, AND THEN THROUGH THE SYSTEM BEFORE ANY OF THESE MOVING PARTS GET LUBRICATED.

SO, A FAILURE TO HAVE A GOOD CHECK VALVE?

WELL OVER TIME, THAT COULD SERIOUSLY DAMAGE THE ENGINE.

PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE, AND GETS BETTER PROTECTION IN THE LONG RUN.

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

>> JOHN: NOW, LET'S SHIFT BACK INTO GEAR, WITH MORE QUICK SPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS!

IF YOU'RE A MAN WITH A PLAN, THEN YOU'RE PROBABLY A FAN OF THE VAN.

AND NO DOUBT THE MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER IS ON YOUR RADAR.

ALTHOUGH OUR RECENT SPRINTER TEST COVERED 2014'S MAJOR UPDATES, FOR 2015 THERE ARE MORE, STARTING WITH THE FIRST TIME AMERICAN AVAILABILITY OF 4-WHEEL DRIVE.

PAIRED WITH THE 3.0 LITER BLUETEC DIESEL V6, A SINGLE SPEED SYSTEM ADDS 4-CORNER TRACTION WITH A 35:65 TORQUE SPLIT FRONT TO REAR.

THE BODY IS RAISED 4.3 INCHES IN FRONT, AND 3.1 INCHES IN THE REAR, TO HANDLE STEEPER SLOPES.

THE SYSTEM CAN ALSO BE SWITCHED ON OR OFF WITH ONE TOUCH.

A FURTHER OPTION IS A LOW RANGE GEAR FOR CRAWLING UP STEEPER ROADS AND THROUGH DEEPER MUD AND SNOW.

IT'S NOT EXACTLY "TRAIL RATED", BUT WHEN COMBINED WITH TRACTION CONTROL, WE FOUND THE 4X4 MORE THAN CAPABLE FOR MOST SITUATIONS.

CROSSWIND ASSIST, ADDED IN '14, IS STANDARD, AND COUNTER ACTS GUSTS BY APPLYING THE BRAKES TO THE WHEELS OF THE EFFECTED SIDE, HELPING KEEP THE SPRINTER IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT SPEED.

A LOW FRICTION REAR AXLE BOOST FUEL ECONOMY MAKING ONE OF THE BEST CARGO VANS EVEN BETTER.

>> ZACH: FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE SPRINTER, I THINK, SCHOOL BUS.

BUT THEN I GET INSIDE OF IT, AND I DRIVE IT, AND IT FEELS LIKE A MIDSIZE SUV.

THIS THING WILL SURPRISE ANYBODY.

>> JOHN: ON SALE IN EARLY 2015, THE 4X4 SYSTEM WILL ADD ABOUT $6,500 TO THE PRICE OF MOST V6 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTERS.

MUCH LIKE THE MINI COOPER, THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE SEEMS TO BLEND JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF OLD SCHOOL APPEAL WITH CONTEMPORARY STYLING.

NOW ADD IN SOME ATTITUDE, AND YOU HAVE THE BEETLE R-LINE.

REPLACING WHAT USED TO BE THE BEETLE TURBO, THE R-LINE PACKS EXTRAS THAT ARE MORE AESTHETIC, MAKING THE LOOK MORE ATHLETIC.

FRONT AND REAR BUMPER TREATMENTS, AND R-LINE BADGING GIVE IT A MORE SUBSTANTIAL PRESENCE, AND RED BRAKE CALIPERS ALWAYS SCREAM "SPORT."

INSIDE, THE R-LINE PACKAGE ADDS THE FAMILIAR 3 DASH MOUNTED GAUGES ALSO SEEN IN THE BEETLE TDI, AND SPORTS FAUX CARBON FIBER AND METALLIC ACCENTS THROUGHOUT.

AT THE HEART, AND UNDER THE HOOD, IS A 2.0 LITER TURBO 4 PUTTING OUT 210 HORSEPOWER, AND IS MATED TO THE FAMILIAR 6 SPEED DSG DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION.

POWER FELT JUST FINE, AND THOUGH THE R-LINE IS NO STREET RACER, IT CERTAINLY HAS ENOUGH GUSTO TO KEEP UP WITH THE CROWD.

THOUGH THE BEETLE'S SOMEWHAT BLOATED SHAPE DOESN'T EXACTLY "SCREAM" HIGH SPEED MANEUVERS, THE R-LINE DOES TIGHTEN ITS ALREADY CAPABLE CHASSIS UP NICELY, WITH A THICKER FRONT ANTI-ROLL BAR, AND SLIGHTLY BIGGER FRONT BRAKE DISCS THAN A STANDARD BEETLE.

ANOTHER R-LINE EXCLUSIVE IS THE XDS ELECTRONIC FRONT DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM, WHICH APPLIES BRAKING FORCE TO SLIPPING WHEELS.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE R-LINE STARTS AROUND $26,000.

AND WE'LL HEAD OUT ON MORE QUICK SPINS, SOON!

IT'S BEEN HARD TO KEEP UP WITH THE MITSUBISHI BRAND.

FIRST THEY WERE GOING ALL ELECTRIC, THEN THEY WERE GOING ALL SUV, AND THEN IT EVEN LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE GOING AWAY!

BUT NOW THEY'RE BACK, OR ACTUALLY STILL HERE, AND FOLLOWING UP ON THE WELL DONE OUTLANDER WITH AN ALL-NEW MIRAGE.

THE MITSUBISHI MIRAGE WAS TECHNICALLY ALL-NEW FOR 2014, BUT WE ADMIT TO DRAGGING OUR HEELS INTO DOING A COMPLETE TEST.

WE'LL WE'VE NOW CORRECTED THAT OVERSIGHT, AND WE'RE GLAD WE DID.

THIS 2015 MODEL IS IDENTICAL TO THE '14 EXCEPT FOR A MINOR CHANGE ON INTERIOR FABRICS.

WHAT HASN'T CHANGED IS THE DIFFICULTY OF ANY NEW SUB-COMPACT CAR BEING A TRUE STANDOUT IN ITS SEGMENT.

BUT, AN UNUSUAL 3-CYLINDER ENGINE, AND GREAT NON-HYBRID FUEL ECONOMY CERTAINLY HELPS THE MIRAGE.

THAT INLINE-3 DISPLACES ALL OF 1.2-LITERS WITH EQUALLY MODEST OUTPUT NUMBERS OF 74 HORSEPOWER AND 74 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

YES, WE'VE TESTED MOTORCYCLES WITH BIGGER MOTORS, AND THE BATTERY ALMOST TAKES UP MORE SPACE UNDER THE HOOD.

BUT, IT'S ACTUALLY LESS BUZZY THAN MANY I4'S, AND OTHER THAN A ROUGH IDLE, IT'S A QUITE ABLE POWER PROVIDER EXCEPT ON STEEP HILLS.

TRANSMISSION IS EITHER THE STANDARD 5-SPEED MANUAL OR THIS CAR'S OPTIONAL CVT.

WE FOUND IT NO MORE OBJECTIONABLE OTHER WHINEY CVT'S.

PRIOR TO THE '14 REDESIGN, THE MIRAGE NAME HAD BEEN OUT OF MITSUBISHI'S U.S.

LINEUP SINCE THE '91 MODEL YEAR.

AND THIS ONE LOOKS LIKE IT COULD HAVE BEEN SOLD THEN AS WELL.

THIS PARTICULAR 5-DOOR HATCHBACK DESIGN IS NOT EXACTLY OVERLY CONTEMPORARY.

MAYBE THAT'S WHY MITSU CHOSE TO SEND OUT A PRESS CAR IN HEAD TURNING PLASMA PURPLE.

NOW, IT'S NOT TOO OFTEN THESE DAYS THAT A BRAND CLAIMS THEIR CAR IS NOT ABOUT LUXURY OR HANDLING.

WELL, WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THEIR HONESTY.

STILL, FOR BASIC FUNCTIONALITY, THERE'S NOTHING ON THE INTERIOR TO REALLY COMPLAIN ABOUT.

AS ONE OF THE LEAST EXPENSIVE CARS YOU CAN BUY, WE EXPECT MATERIALS TO BE YEOMAN.

BUT, THESE SEEM RUGGED ENOUGH AND FIT AND FINISH ALSO PASS THAT TEST.

THE ONLY NOTABLE BLEMISHES WERE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG FITMENT AND A FLIMSY CARGO AREA MAT.

THE MIRAGE IS THE FIRST MASS PRODUCED CAR IMPORTED FROM THAILAND AND IT CERTAINLY COMPARES WELL TO EARLY HYUNDAI'S FROM KOREA.

THERE'S PLENTY OF PEOPLE ROOM FOR GETTING IN AND OUT, AND WHILE FRONT SEATS ARE FLAT, WE FOUND THEM PRETTY COMFY, THOUGH WE'D LIKE A CENTER ARMREST.

THE BASE 140-WATT 4-SPEAKER STEREO SOUNDS DECENT, AND SURPRISE, AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL IS STANDARD.

CARGO SPACE ITSELF RATES 17.2 CUBIC-FEET, WHICH EXPANDS TO 47.0 CUBIC-FEET WITH THE STANDARD SPLIT-FOLDING REAR SEAT BACKS LOWERED.

WE'VE ALREADY NOTED THE MIRAGE DOES NOT CLAIM TO BE A "DRIVER'S CAR."

BUT, FOR AROUND TOWN USE IT GETS THE JOB DONE QUITE WELL, AND JUST MAY BE ONE OF THE BEST RIDING CARS IN THE SEGMENT.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT PLUSH RIDE TURNS AGAINST YOU IN SHARP MANEUVERS, LIKE OUR CONE COURSE.

STILL, THE MIRAGE MOSTLY DOES WHAT YOU WANT IT TO, JUST WITH SOME TWITCHING AND WAGGING.

STEERING IS SLOW AND MUSHY.

BUT, THERE'S NOT AS MUCH BODY ROLL AS EXPECTED EVEN WITH PLENTY OF TIRE ROLLOVER AND UNDERSTEER.

ACCELERATION IS ALSO LESS THAN THRILLING, BUT AGAIN ADEQUATE FOR AN URBAN MISSION, WITH AN 11.7 SECOND 0-60 STROLL AND AN 18.8 SECOND SAUNTER DOWN THE QUARTER MILE ENDING AT ALL OF 75 MILES-PER-HOUR.

THE CVT EVEN AT FULL THROTTLE DOESN'T INDUCE NEAR AS MUCH BUZZY ENGINE NOISE AS SOME RIVALS, AND THE EXHAUST NOTE HAS A PLEASING HINT OF SPORTINESS TO IT.

BUT, SLAM ON THE BRAKES AT 60 AND YOU ARE REMINDED OF THE BARGAIN NATURE OF THINGS.

STOPS ARE SKITTISH, WITH A FAIR AMOUNT OF CORRECTION NEEDED TO KEEP THINGS STRAIGHT.

AT 128 FEET, STOPS FROM 60 RATE OKAY BUT THEY SHOULD BE SHORTER FOR SUCH A SMALL CAR.

THE BIGGEST SELLING POINT OF THE MIRAGE WILL BE ITS GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS OF 37-CITY, 44-HIGHWAY, AND 40-COMBINED.

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO WORK TOO HARD TO BEAT ALL THAT, WITH A TEST AVERAGE OF 44.5 MILES-PER-GALLON OF REGULAR.

SO, THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS EXCELLENT, WITH USAGE OF JUST 8.2-BARRELS OF OIL A YEAR AND EMISSIONS OF 3.7 TONS OF CO2.

NOW AS FOR THE STINGINESS, A BASE MIRAGE IS JUST $13,790.

THAT'S JUST A FEW DOLLARS MORE THAN THE CHEVROLET SPARK AND WELL BELOW ANY HYUNDAI OR KIA.

A BETTER EQUIPPED ES AUTOMATIC IS $16,190.

NOW, AT THAT PRICE COMPETITION IS MUCH STIFFER.

THE 2015 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE IS A BIT OF A THROWBACK TO A SIMPLER TIME WHEN SMALL CARS WERE BOUGHT PURELY ON PRICE AS BASIC TRANSPORTATION.

MITSUBISHI REALIZES THAT THEY ARE FACING AN UPHILL BATTLE.

BUT BRINGING THE MIRAGE TO MARKET WITH A GREAT RIDE, ACCEPTABLE BUILD QUALITY, AND RESPECTABLE COMFORT FOR A CITY CAR, IS A SOUND PLAN.

WELL, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW!

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

AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME... FOR SOME FIRST CLASS CRUISING IN THE BENTLEY FLYING SPUR V8.

THEN TEST THE SAME 8 IN SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE SERIOUS, THE AUDI RS7.

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.

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.

BUT PETE'S THINKING, "IT WOULD'VE BEEN NICE TO KNOW ABOUT THE MYNAH BIRD."

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

DIEHARD.

THE DIEHARD ADVANCED GOLD BATTERY.

DESIGNED TO HELP START YOUR CAR AND POWER THE EQUIPMENT IN IT.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.