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

JOIN US AS WE GRAB AN EXCITING ROEBLING ROAD TRACK DAY WITH THE ALL NEW BMW M4.

DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE, PAT WANTS TO SPARE US SOME TROUBLE.

FYI'S YOLANDA VAZQUEZ HAS A WHOLE NEW LOOK AT THE NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM.

AND WE'LL GET DOWN TO WORK ON OUR REVIEW OF THE ALUMINUM-BODIED FORD F-150.

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 BOB.

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>> JOHN: WE'VE DRIVEN OUR FAIR SHARE OF BMW M CARS OVER THE YEARS, AND THE M3 HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR FAVORITE.

BUT NOW, THAT THE M3 IS A SEDAN ONLY, AND THERE'S A NEW M4 COUPE, DO WE HAVE A NEW FAVORITE?

WELL, OUR FIRST ATTEMPT TO FIND OUT WAS INTERRUPTED BY SOME RAINY WEATHER.

SO, HERE WE ARE FOR TAKE TWO, AND IT LOOKS LIKE SKIES ARE BLUE, AND THE ROAD IS CLEAR.

WHETHER YOU CONSIDER THIS CAR, THE 2015 BMW M4 OR "THE ARTIST FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE M3 COUPE," DOESN'T REALLY MATTER AS ANYTIME YOU GET A CHANCE TO DRIVE EITHER, IT'S A SPECIAL OCCASION.

IF SAID DRIVING TIME HAPPENS TO BE AT A CHALLENGING RACE TRACK, LIKE ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY NEAR SAVANNAH, ALL THE BETTER.

BY NOW, THE NEW M4'S MECHANICAL HARDWARE IS FAMILIAR; NO MORE V8, IT'S ALL TWIN-TURBO INLINE-6 UNDER THE HOOD NOW.

WITH 3.0 LITERS OF DISPLACEMENT, IT PUMPS OUT 425 HORSEPOWER AND 406 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE TO THE REAR WHEELS THROUGH A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION OR OUR CAR'S 7-SPEED M-DCT.

A CARBON FIBER REINFORCED PLASTIC DRIVE SHAFT AND AN ACTIVE-M REAR DIFFERENTIAL COMPLETE THE TRANSFER OF POWER.

PUTTING ALL OF IT TO WORK AND GOING FULL DONKEY KONG ON THE FRONT STRAIGHT, WITH THE DCT'S LAUNCH MODE ENGAGED, WE HIT 60 IN JUST 4.1 SECONDS; FOLLOWED BY A 12.1 SECOND TRIP TO THE END OF A QUARTER AT 118 MILES-PER-HOUR.

POWER COMES ON IN A HURRY, AND IS RELENTLESSLY DELIVERED THROUGHOUT THE VOYAGE, ALONG WITH AUTOMATIC SHIFTS THAT ARE BRUTAL IN A GOOD WAY.

INDEED, TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS WERE LIMITED TO THE LACK OF A PROPER PARK POSITION FOR THE SHIFTER.

AS SOME OF OUR STAFFERS COULDN'T GET USED TO JUST LEAVING IT IN GEAR, SHUTTING IT DOWN, AND WAITING FOR PARK TO ENGAGE AUTOMATICALLY.

THIS M4, WHICH OF COURSE SHARES IT'S CHASSIS WITH THE NOW SEDAN ONLY M3, IS THE FIRST GENERATION TO SHED WEIGHT OFF OF THE PREVIOUS GEN., NOW COMING IN AT 3,585 POUNDS.

HITTING THE ROAD COURSE, THE M4 QUICKLY REVEALS ITSELF AS ONE SERIOUS PIECE OF MACHINERY, AS IT CAN BE ROUGH AND ALMOST ABUSIVE AT TIMES; FEELING EVEN MORE BRED FOR THE TRACK THAN PREVIOUS M'S.

BUT THAT "50-SHADES-OF-GREYNESS" PAYS SOME SERIOUS DIVIDENDS IN "GRIP AND GRIN" FACTOR THROUGH CORNERS, AND LOADS OF POWER ON DEMAND FOR LAUNCHING OUT OF THEM.

THERE'S A NICE, HEAVY FEEL TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ACTIVE REAR DIFF ALLOWS YOU TO PLANT PURE MUSCLE INTO THE TARMAC.

M-DYNAMIC MODE OF STABILITY CONTROL PROMISES TO ALLOW FOR PLENTY OF FUN BEFORE ENGAGING, BUT IN REALITY IT HAS KIND OF AN ON/OFF INTERVENTION THAT SEEMS TO "PUSH-ME-PULL-YOU" THROUGH CORNERS.

WE WERE VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE M-DCT'S RESPONSE WHEN TRIGGERED MANUALLY, WHICH IS A GOOD THING AS WHEN LEFT IN AUTO, IT WAS RARELY ON THE SAME PAGE AS MOST OF OUR DRIVERS.

BRAKES WERE USED AND ABUSED FOR LAP AFTER LAP, BUT SHOWED ABSOLUTELY NO SIGN OF IT, WITH SOLID PEDAL FEEL THROUGHOUT AND NO FADE.

BUT AS GREAT AS THE ON-TRACK EXPERIENCE IS, THE M4 IS NO LONGER LEAPS AND BOUNDS AHEAD OF THE SEGMENT, AS RIVALS CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AND NEW CONTENDERS, LIKE THE LEXUS RC F, EMERGE.

AND WHEN IT'S NOT KICKING 100 PERCENT OF YOUR POSTERIOR AROUND A RACE TRACK, THE M4'S HOSTILE APPEARANCE, LOOKS WAY BADDER IN PERSON THAN EXPECTED.

THERE'S A VERY AGGRESSIVE LOOKING NOSE, WEIGHT SAVING CARBON FIBER ROOF, AND A SPOILER INTEGRATED INTO THE REAR DECK.

INSIDE, THINGS ARE SPORTIER IN BOTH APPEARANCE AND FEEL THAN EVER; PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF BOY RACERS WORLDWIDE.

WHICH MEANS THE M4 IS STILL NOT EVERYONE'S CUP OF TEA, MAYBE MORE ORANGE MOCHA FRAPPUCCINO, AS IT'S STILL NOT A GREAT DAILY DRIVER.

BUT THAT'S MOSTLY DUE TO THE SERIOUS NATURE OF OUR CAR'S M-DCT TRANSMISSION WHICH WE CONTINUE TO FIND HERKY-JERKY; ESPECIALLY FROM A STANDSTILL.

NOW, IF YOU ARE THE TYPE WHO WOULD RATHER DRIVE AN M4 AROUND IN ECO MODE, YOU'LL BE HAPPY TO KNOW THAT GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE NOW 17-CITY, 24-HIGHWAY, AND 19-COMBINED.

STILL, A WORSE THAN AVERAGE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 17.3 BARRELS OF OIL USED AND 7.6 TONS OF CO2 EMITTED YEARLY IS A REMINDER THAT THIS REMAINS A HIGH-PERFORMANCE CAR FIRST AND FOREMOST.

AS TO PRICING, IT STARTS AT $65,150.

BOTTOM LINE, REGARDLESS OF THE BMW NAME SHENANIGANS, THE 2015 M4 IS ONE SWEET, HIGH PERFORMING RIDE.

SO, IS IT OUR NEW FAVORITE?

WELL, IT'S HARD TO SAY, AS THE M3 STILL HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR COLLECTIVE HEARTS.

BUT ONE THING IS SURE, WE CERTAINLY DO LOVE IT!

AND MAYBE FROM HERE ON OUT, WHEN IT COMES TO BMW M CARS, WE'LL JUST HAVE TO BE 2-TIMERS.

IT'S BEEN 20 YEARS SINCE THE OPENING OF THE NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM, THE HOLY LAND FOR AMERICA'S PREMIERE SPORTS CAR.

AND WHILE IT'S BEEN IN THE NEWS RECENTLY FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN ITS PRIZED COLLECTION, OUR FYI REPORTER YOLANDA VAZQUEZ HAS FOUND THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE ANYONE IN BOWLING GREEN DOWN IN A HOLE.

>> YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: IT'S THE SINKHOLE SEEN AROUND THE WORLD AND ONE THAT MADE THE NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM AN INTERNET SENSATION.

>> WENDELL STRODE: IT WAS, UH, KIND OF A REAL INCIDENT FOR US.

IT SWALLOWED 8 CLASSIC CORVETTES.

>> YOLANDA: MORE THAN 9 MONTHS LATER THE 45 FOOT WIDE HOLE LOCATED IN THE MUSEUM'S SKYDOME IS STILL THERE ALONG WITH A HANDFUL OF MANGLED CARS.

>> JASON KIRSCH: I HAD HEARD ABOUT IT ON THE NEWS.

BUT JUST TO SEE IT, AND SEE EVERYTHING AROUND YOU, YOU KNOW, THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CARS, UNFORTUNATELY.

IT'S SAD... AMAZING, BUT SAD.

>> CHAD PLATT: LAST TIME I REMEMBER THE CARS, OF COURSE THEY WERE ALL ON DISPLAY.

YOU COULD WALK AROUND AND SEE THEM.

OF COURSE, NOW THEY'RE ALL DESTROYED.

AND YEAH, IT'S KIND OF DISAPPOINTING.

>> YOLANDA: RETRIEVING THE VEHICLES WAS A PAINSTAKING PROCESS.

SOME LIKE THIS 2009 ZR1 PROTOTYPE KNOWN AS "THE BLUE DEVIL" STARTED RIGHT UP.

OTHERS SUFFERED A MORE DEVASTATING FATE.

THE MUSEUM, WITH HELP FROM GENERAL MOTORS, WILL RESTORE 3 OF THE 8 DAMAGED CARS AND FILL THE GAPING HOLE.

THE OTHERS WILL BE PART OF A PERMANENT EXHIBIT.

>> WENDELL STRODE: WE HAVE FACED ADVERSITY BEFORE, AND WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO OVERCOME.

AND WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW IT WAS GOING TO WORK OUT.

>> YOLANDA: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WENDELL STRODE SAYS "THE SINKHOLE HAS BEEN A BLESSING IN DISGUISE."

THE MUSEUM HAS SEEN A 60 PERCENT INCREASE IN ATTENDANCE OVER LAST YEAR.

>> JEFF HILL: EVERYBODY'S HEARD ABOUT THE CORVETTE MUSEUM.

YEAH...

SO, IT WAS ON OUR BUCKET LIST.

THIS AND THE BOURBON TRAIL.

>> CONDA SLICK: I REALLY LOVE IT.

IT'S VERY INFORMATIVE, MORE THAN OTHER MUSEUMS I'VE BEEN TO.

>> YOLANDA: AND THERE'S A LOT TO SEE AND DO FOR BOTH KIDS AND ADULTS.

THE MUSEUM, LOCATED NEAR THE CORVETTE ASSEMBLY PLANT, CAPTURES THE COMPLETE CULTURE OF AMERICA'S MOST BELOVED SPORTS CAR.

>> MANDY KIRSCH: I LEARNED A LOT JUST FROM THE BUILD TO THE OWNERSHIP OF IT.

YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER AND CELEBRATE THE CAR.

IT'S PRETTY COOL.

>> YOLANDA: THE CORVETTE DEBUTED IN 1953 AT THE NEW YORK MOTORAMA SHOW.

IT WAS NAMED AFTER A BRITISH NAVY CLASS OF FAST PURSUIT SHIPS.

VISITORS WILL ALSO LEARN ABOUT ZORA ARKUS-DUNTOV, BETTER KNOWN AS THE GODFATHER OF CORVETTE.

HIS ASHES ARE ENTOMBED AT THE MUSEUM ALONG WITH HIS FULLY LOADED, 1974 CORVETTE STINGRAY.

>> STRODE: ZORA TOLD THEM, "IF YOU WANT A SPORTS CAR, IT'S GOT TO HAVE SOME HORSEPOWER IN IT.

OF COURSE THEY HIRED HIM TO BE THE FIRST CORVETTE CHIEF ENGINEER.

>> YOLANDA: STRODE SAYS "THE MUSEUM PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE VETTE'S 60 YEAR HISTORY FROM THE FIRST ONE BUILT IN 1953 TO THEIR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN AUTO RACING."

DID YOU KNOW THAT INSTEAD OF GOING TO A DEALERSHIP, YOU CAN PICK UP YOUR BRAND NEW CORVETTE AT THE MUSEUM?

FOR AN ADDITIONAL FEE, THEY'LL DO A PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION, DETAIL YOUR CAR.

AND THEN BRING IT OUT TO CORVETTE BLVD FOR EVERYONE TO SEE.

VERYL AND SUE CRUTCHER ARE THE NEW OWNERS OF A 2015 VELOCITY YELLOW CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE.

THEY DROVE FROM ILLINOIS TO PICK IT UP.

>> SUE CRUTCHER: THIS IS THE FIRST CORVETTE WE'VE EVER OWNED.

SO, IT'S AN EXPERIENCE FOR ALL OF US.

>> YOLANDA: AND IF YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO DRIVE OFF IN YOUR DREAM CAR, MAYBE YOU CAN ATTEND ONE OF THEIR HIGH PERFORMANCE DRIVER'S TRAINING COURSES AT THE NEW NCM MOTORSPORTS PARK.

>> MITCH WRIGHT: WE'VE ALREADY PROVEN TO BE A REALLY NICE ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THE AREA.

>> YOLANDA: GENERAL MANAGER MITCH WRIGHT SAYS THEY'VE HOSTED SEVERAL EVENTS SINCE THEIR OPENING LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

>> WRIGHT: WELL, IT'S NOT ONLY CORVETTE CLUBS.

YOU KNOW, WE HAD BLUEGRASS BMW CLUB WAS OUR FIRST PAID CLIENT.

SO, IT'S NOT CORVETTE EXCLUSIVE BY ANY MEANS.

WE'RE OPEN TO ALL MAKES, MODELS, MARQUES, IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER.

>> YOLANDA: SO, THE NEXT TIME YOU'RE IN BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY, MAKE A PIT STOP AT THE NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM.

YOU'LL LEARN A LOT, SEE HISTORY IN THE MAKING AND LEAVE, LIKE ME, RIDING IN STYLE!

>> JOHN: WHEN YOU'RE OUT ON THE ROAD, YOU ALWAYS NEED TO PREPARE FOR ANYTHING.

SO, LET'S SEE WHAT ADVICE PAT GOSS HAS FOR US THIS WEEK!

>> PAT GOSS: WHEN WE THINK ABOUT NEWER CARS, WE THINK ABOUT ALL THE TECHNOLOGY THAT GOES INTO THEM.

BUT WE RARELY THINK ABOUT THE BASIC THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED.

TAKE THE LOWLY SPARE TIRE FOR INSTANCE.

WHICH IN MANY CARS, DOESN'T EVEN EXIST ANYMORE.

WELL, TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS HERE, WE HAVE TOM TAYLOR, WHO IS AN ONLINE PARTS SUPPLIER.

TOM, WELCOME TO GOSS' GARAGE.

>> TOM TAYLOR: THANKS PAT.

>> PAT: ALRIGHT, SO WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TRENDS THAT YOU'RE SEEING THESE DAYS?

>> TOM: WELL, LIKE YOU SAID, SOME NEW CARS DON'T HAVE A SPARE TIRE AT ALL.

FOR EXAMPLE THIS FIAT HAS A SIMPLE AIR COMPRESSOR, AND A SEALANT SYSTEM THAT PUMPS SEALANT INTO THE FLAT TIRE, AND HOPEFULLY SEALS IT UP.

SIMILAR TO THE SEALANT YOU MIGHT FIND AT A RETAIL STORE.

>> PAT: OKAY NOW, THERE'S CERTAINLY A PLACE FOR THESE SEALANTS IN AN EMERGENCY.

BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CAN SAYS IT'S "SENSOR SAFE" BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO USE IT IN A LATE MODEL CAR.

IF IT DOESN'T SAY "SENSOR SAFE," DON'T USE IT.

>> TOM: RIGHT.

YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO DAMAGE A $50 SENSOR WITH THAT STUFF.

>> PAT: OKAY NOW, ONE OF THE THINGS WE SEE A LOT IN THE REPAIR SHOP: SOMEBODY GOES OUT, AND BUYS A USED CAR, AND THEY DON'T CHECK WHAT'S IN THE TRUNK.

WE CHECK IT OUT FOR THEM AND THERE'S NO JACK, OR ANY OF THE TOOLS, OR ANYTHING.

WHAT CAN YOU HELP THEM WITH THERE?

>> TOM: WELL, IF YOU FIND A SITUATION LIKE THAT, OR YOUR CAR DOESN'T COME WITH A SPARE, YOU CAN BUILD YOUR OWN SYSTEM.

YOU CAN GET A JACK, A LUG WRENCH, MAYBE A STURDY PLATFORM TO SIT THE JACK ON, AND START YOUR SYSTEM.

AND THEN YOU CAN GET A WHEEL THAT'S THE SAME SIZE AS THE ORIGINAL WHEELS ON YOUR CAR; A SIMPLE STEEL WHEEL, OR A WHEEL THAT ACTUALLY MATCHES THE ALUMINUM OR FANCIER WHEELS OF YOUR CAR.

>> PAT: OKAY NOW, EITHER WAY YOU GO ABOUT THIS, IF YOU JUST NEED THE JACK AND LUG WRENCH AND SO ON, THAT'S REALLY INEXPENSIVE, ISN'T IT?

>> TOM: YEAH THAT'S $30, $50.

TO BUILD A WHOLE SPARE TIRE SYSTEM CAN BE $100-$500, DEPENDING ON WHAT KIND OF TIRE YOU HAVE AND WHAT KIND OF...

IF YOU'RE USING A STEEL WHEEL OR A WHEEL THAT MATCHES YOUR OTHERS.

>> PAT: OKAY, WELL MOST CARS THESE DAYS HAVE THIS ARRANGEMENT RIGHT HERE: THIS IS A TEMPORARY SPARE.

ANY TIPS?

>> TOM: WELL, THEY DO WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.

THEY'VE BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME.

JUST BE SURE TO READ THOSE WARNING LABELS.

>> PAT: OKAY, WELL THE WARNING LABELS TALK ABOUT SPEED AND DISTANCE AND MOST PEOPLE SEEM TO THINK THAT, THAT ONLY APPLIES TO THE RUBBER TIRE, BUT IN REALITY THERE ARE PROBLEMS THAT CAN HAPPEN TO THE MECHANICAL PARTS OF THE CAR, IF YOU EXCEED THOSE LIMITS.

>> TOM: RIGHT, THE SPARE MAY BE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DIAMETER THAN THE OTHER WHEELS, SO IF YOU HAVE TO GO TOO FAST OR TOO LONG, YOU CAN DAMAGE THE AXLE OR THE TRANSMISSION; COULD BE VERY COSTLY.

>> PAT: NOT A SMART MOVE.

TOM, THANK YOU.

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

>> JOHN: WE'VE BEEN OUT ON A FEW QUICK SPINS.

SO, LET'S SEE HOW THEY WENT.

"TAKE THE GTI AND MAKE IT BETTER!"

WELL, THAT'S NO EASY TASK, BUT VOLKSWAGEN HAS DONE JUST THAT FOR AS LONG AS THE "R" VARIANTS OF THE GOLF HAVE EXISTED.

2012 WAS WHEN THE U.S. GOT ITS FIRST TASTE OF THE ALL OUT GOLF R, BUT NOW THERE'S A NEW GENERATION OF GOLF AND GTI, AND WITH THEM, A NEW GOLF R!

IT TAKES THE GTI'S 2.0 LITER TURBO 4, AND THROUGH LOTS OF FINE TUNING, CRANKS HORSEPOWER UP TO 292.

IT ALSO GETS ALL WHEEL DRIVE, THROUGH VW'S 4MOTION SYSTEM AND A HALDEX CENTER DIFF, SENDING UP TO 50 PERCENT OF THE TORQUE TO THE REAR AXLE.

THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN RETUNED AND TIGHTENED, FRONT AND REAR.

AND THE OPTIONAL DYNAMIC CHASSIS CONTROL OFFERS ADAPTIVE DAMPING.

SO, THE GOLF R IS CLEARLY A MORE SERIOUS CAR THAN THE GTI, BUT IS IT BETTER?

>> GREG CAROLOSS: THE THING I LIKE ABOUT THE GOLF R IS THAT IT'S A VERY LIVABLE CAR, MUCH LIKE THE GTI.

THEY'RE THE SAME IN THAT WAY.

THE DIFFERENCE BEING, THAT THE GOLF R TAKES IT UP A NOTCH.

IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE, THIS IS CERTAINLY THE ONE YOU WANT.

BUT YOU CAN ALSO TONE IT DOWN A BIT.

THE PROBLEM WITH THAT BEING, IS THIS CAR WANTS YOU TO DRIVE FAST.

IT WANTS YOU TO DRIVE HARD.

SO, DRIVING THIS CAR CONSERVATIVELY WILL CERTAINLY BE A TASK.

>> JOHN: SO, THE SHORT ANSWER IS, YES IT IS BETTER!

AND IT ALSO LOOKS BETTER TOO, WITH EXTENDED SIDE SKIRTS, UNIQUE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS, R LOGOS GALORE, AND QUAD EXHAUST TIPS.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R STICKERS AROUND $37,000 WITH THE 6 SPEED DSG DUAL CLUTCH.

THE 6 SPEED MANUAL WILL FOLLOW.

FEW BRANDS RIVAL LAND ROVER'S CAPABILITIES, AND AS SUCH, THEIR PRODUCTS ARE HELD TO HIGH STANDARDS.

WE TREKKED TO ICELAND FOR THIS QUICK SPIN IN THE 2015 DISCOVERY SPORT TO SEE IF THIS REPLACEMENT FOR THE LR2 COULD PROVE ITS WORTH.

LIKE MOST LAND ROVERS, IT'S A VEHICLE THAT WEARS MANY HATS.

TAKE IT OFF ROAD, AND THE 240 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER TURBO 4 STIRS UP ENOUGH POWER FOR A STEEP CLIMB, EVEN ON THE SLICK, OR TRUDGING THROUGH STREAMS.

8.3 INCHES OF GROUND CLEARANCE AND ACTIVE 4 WHEEL DRIVE ALLOW FOR NEARLY SEAMLESS TRANSITIONS, AIDED BY THE MODE SPECIFIC TERRAIN RESPONSE SYSTEM.

STEER BACK TO CIVILIZATION, AND THE 9 SPEED AUTOMATIC'S SHIFTS ARE SMOOTH, QUIET, AND NOT OVERLY BUSY.

AN OPTIONAL THIRD ROW MAKES SPACE FOR 7, AND IS HIGHLY CONFIGURABLE FOR CARGO.

THERE'S A HIGH LEVEL OF REFINEMENT TO THE INTERIOR; NOT QUITE LUXURY, BUT CERTAINLY MORE PREMIUM THAN MOST SUV'S.

A NEW INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR GREAT CONNECTIVITY.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2015 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT STARTS AT $38,000.

THE FAIRLY SLOW ARRIVAL OF 2016'S SPEEDS UP WITH A REFRESHED ACURA ILX.

GRABBING FEATURES FROM THE FLAGSHIP RLX, IT GETS A HEALTHY DOSE OF PREMIUM INJECTED TO ITS ENTRY SPORTS SEDAN IMAGE.

THE JEWEL EYE LED HEADLIGHTS FIND THEIR WAY IN, NOW AN ACURA SIGNATURE ON MOST MODELS.

THE TIDIER EXTERIOR ALSO TRANSLATES TO UNDER THE SHEET METAL.

THERE'S NOW ONLY ONE ENGINE OPTION: A 201 HORSEPOWER 2.4 LITER I4.

THAT'S THE SAME SIZE AS THE PREVIOUS GEN., BUT NOW WITH DIRECT INJECTION.

TORQUE IS UP 10, TO 180 POUND-FEET.

THE 2.0 LITER TURBO 4 IS NO MORE.

GONE ALSO IS THE MANUAL OPTION, AS WELL AS THE PREHISTORIC 5 SPEED AUTO.

THE SOLE TRANS NOW IS THE 8 SPEED DUAL CLUTCH AUTOMATIC SEEN IN THE TLX, AND IT'S A GREAT STEP FORWARD.

>> BEN DAVIS: IT REALLY NAILS THE DOWNSHIFTS, AND IT'S VERY INSPIRING.

IT SOUNDS A LITTLE TINNY THOUGH, BUT FOR A MID-CYCLE REFRESH, IT'S DEFINITELY PROOF POSITIVE THAT ACURA'S HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> JOHN: ADAPTING THE RLX AND TLX'S DUAL SCREEN CENTER STACK REDUCES BUTTON CLUTTER.

FEATURES LIKE BLIND SPOT MONITORING, LANE KEEP ASSIST, AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, ALSO ARRIVE.

TO DRIVE, THE ILX RETAINS A SPORTY 4-DOOR DNA AT ITS CORE.

IT'S STILL A TIGHT, WELL COMPOSED RIDE, NOW IMPROVED THANKS TO SOME MORE MODERN TECHNOLOGY.

A TRICKLE DOWN OF FEATURES FROM ITS BIGGER SIBLINGS, ULTIMATELY BENEFIT THE ILX BY NOT MAKING IT NOT ONLY BETTER, BUT MORE IN LINE WITH REST OF THE BRAND.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 ACURA ILX STARTS AROUND $28,000.

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

WITH ALL OF THE HOOPLA MADE ABOUT THE ALL NEW 2015 FORD MUSTANG, YOU MIGHT THINK IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT LAUNCH OF THE YEAR FOR FORD, AND YOU'D BE WRONG.

THE BRAND SELLS MORE F-150'S IN 2 MONTHS THAN IT DOES MUSTANGS IN A YEAR!

NOT TO MENTION THE NEW F-150 BREAKS SOME SERIOUS GROUND FOR PICKUP TRUCKS.

SO, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE REVOLUTIONARY 2015 FORD F-150.

BY NOW YOU'VE HEARD THAT THE 2015 FORD F-150 IS NOT JUST ALL NEW IN DESIGN, BUT ALL NEW IN HOW IT'S MADE, AS THE FIRST PICKUP TRUCK WITH AN ALL ALUMINUM BODY.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, BESIDES THE FACT THAT MAGNETIC SIGNS WON'T STICK TO IT?

WELL, IT'S A HUGE GAMBLE FOR THE BLUE OVAL.

BUT THE ALLOY BODY HELPS SHAVE AS MUCH AS 700 POUNDS OFF THIS TRUCK'S WEIGHT.

ALSO, FORD IS NO STRANGER IN GAMBLING WITH THEIR TOP SELLER.

JUST A FEW YEARS AGO THEY PLACED A BIG BET THAT AMERICAN TRUCK BUYERS WOULD EMBRACE A TWIN-TURBO V6 IN A FULL-SIZE PICKUP.

THEY WON BIG ON THAT ONE, AND ARE NOW DOUBLING DOWN WITH AN EVEN SMALLER TWIN-TURBO 6, A 2.7 LITER, WITH 325 HORSEPOWER AND 375 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THAT ORIGINAL 365 HORSEPOWER ECOBOOST 3.5 LITER IS STILL HERE, AS ARE THE NORMALLY ASPIRATED 385 HORSEPOWER 5.0 LITER V8, AND A 283 HORSEPOWER 3.5 LITER V6.

THE NEW BOOSTED 2.7 FEELS SOLID, WITH NO NOTICEABLY TURBO LAG, AND WORKS WELL WITH THE 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

THE PAIR SEEMS TO DELIVER POWER IN A BRAINIAC FASHION MORE SO THAN WITH MACHO BRUTALITY, EVEN WHEN THE STANDARD AUTO STOP/START KICKS IN.

ANY RUTHLESSNESS IS RESERVED FOR THE BOLDER EXTERIOR DESIGN, WHICH DOESN'T RADIATE QUITE AS MUCH SPACE AGE MASCULINITY AS THE ATLAS CONCEPT, BUT IT'S PRETTY DARN CLOSE.

THE GRILLE IS LARGER, NATURALLY.

HI-TECH, CRYSTAL CLEAR LED HEADLIGHTS ARE AVAILABLE, YET THE OUTER LENSES HAVE A SOMEWHAT HAZY APPEARANCE.

ON PROFILE THE SIGNATURE DROP NOTCHED FRONT WINDOW CARRIES ON ABOVE FAIRLY TRADITIONAL SHEET METAL.

STILL, THINGS LOOK CLEANEST FROM THE REAR.

AS EXPECTED OPTIONS ABOUND.

WHILE SOME NEW ONES ARE MORE FOR IMPRESSING THE NEIGHBORS, MANY OFFER REAL WORLD USEFULNESS.

LIKE THE 360 DEGREE VIEW CAMERA WITH TRAILER HITCH POINTER, SEAMLESS SLIDING REAR WINDOW, SIDE KICK STEPS, BOX LINK CARGO MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, REMOTE TAILGATE OPENER, EASIER TO USE TAILGATE STEP, INTEGRATED LOADING RAMPS, ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, AND EVEN ACTIVE PARK ASSIST.

AND AS FOR MORE IMPORTANT PICKUP TRUCK PRACTICALITY, WEIGHING LESS ACTUALLY MEANS HAULING MORE, AS THE NEW F-150 NOW TOWS UP TO 12,200 POUNDS, OR CARRIES UP TO 3,300 POUNDS OF CARGO.

BOTH CLASS BEST.

BUT PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, NO MATTER WHICH ENGINE IS UNDER THE HOOD; FROM BEHIND THE WHEEL, THE TRUCK ITSELF STILL FEELS SUPER RUGGED AS THE FRAME REMAINS ALL STEEL.

YET, THIS SOLID TRUCK IS NOW MUCH FRIENDLIER TO DRIVE.

IT'S ALSO ROOMIER WITH 2-INCHES OF ADDED CAB WIDTH, AND THE A-PILLAR IS MUCH LESS INTRUSIVE THAN BEFORE, IMPROVING VISIBILITY.

STEERING IS NICE, TIGHT, AND RESPONSIVE WITH GOOD ON CENTER FEEL.

BRAKES ALSO HAVE A CAR LIKE, SMOOTH TOUCH TO THEM.

ALL OF WHICH SHOULD MAKE YOU LESS NERVOUS WHEN YOUR CAMRY DRIVING NEIGHBOR BORROWS YOUR TRUCK FOR A HOME DEPOT RUN.

SUSPENSION, BOTH THE FRONT DOUBLE WISHBONE COIL ON SHOCKS AND REAR LIVE AXLE LEAF SPRINGS, ARE THE SAME BASIC DESIGN AS BEFORE, BUT HAVE SOME ALUMINUM ADDED INTO THE MIX AS WELL.

AS BEFORE, THE FX4 OFF ROAD PACKAGE ADDS CAPABILITY TO 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODELS WITH AN ELECTRONIC LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL, UPGRADED SHOCKS, AND ADDITIONAL SKID PLATES.

WHILE THE INTERIOR DESIGN IS VERY EVOLUTIONARY, MATERIALS HAVE CERTAINLY TAKEN A TURN FOR THE BETTER, AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF BIG KNOBS AND BUTTONS.

AN AVAILABLE 8-INCH PRODUCTIVITY SCREEN IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TAKES INFO TO A NEW LEVEL, INCLUDING DETAILED TOWING AND OFF ROAD STATUS.

SEAT COMFORT IS GOOD UP FRONT, AND THERE IS MORE OF BOTH LEG AND HIP ROOM IN THE REAR.

WHILE THE NEW 2.7 LITER TURBO V6 WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE THE MOST FUEL EFFICIENT F-150 EVER, PERHAPS BY UP TO 20 PERCENT, WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT FOR GOVERNMENT RATINGS TO BE FINALIZED.

AS WITH ALL PICKUP TRUCKS, THE NUMBER OF TRIM LEVEL, WHEELBASE, CAB, AND BED CONFIGURATIONS IS NEARLY ENDLESS, AND BASE PRICES ARE UP ACROSS THE BOARD.

STARTING AT $26,615 FOR A REGULAR CAB XL, AND CLIMBING THROUGH XLT, LARIAT, AND KING RANCH SUPERCABS, UNTIL YOU REACH THE PLATINUM LEVEL SUPERCREW, AT A LOFTY $52,155.

WHILE CHEVROLET, AND INCREASINGLY RAM, HAVE BEEN CHIPPING AWAY AT F-150 DIEHARDS IN RECENT YEARS, FORD DIDN'T BECOME THE UNDISPUTED KING OF PICKUP TRUCKS BY PLAYING IT SAFE.

WITH THE LAUNCH OF THIS ALL NEW, ALUMINUM-BODIED, 2015 F-150; FORD HAS BROUGHT ABOUT A HOST OF CHANGES TO THE SEGMENT.

BUT WE CERTAINLY DON'T SEE ANY CHANGE WHEN IT COMES TO PICKUP TRUCK HIERARCHY, AS A NEW STANDARD HAS BEEN ACHIEVED.

WELL, THAT'S OUR 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 AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF THE NISSAN GT-R IN ITS NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, THE RACE TRACK.

THEN WE'LL SIZE UP THE LATEST MID-SIZE SEDANS AND PICK A WINNER.

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...

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