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

JOIN US AS WE SEE IF OUR COUPE DE JOUR, THE CADILLAC ATS COUPE CAN MAN HANDLE OUR FAVORITE ROAD COURSE!

THEN WE'LL BRACE FOR IMPACT DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE.

OUR DAREDEVIL ZACH MASKELL TAKES GRAVITY RACING OVER THE EDGE.

AND WE'LL SEE IF FORM AND FUNCTION CAN BOTH PLAY NICE IN THE BMW X4.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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

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>> JOHN: NO MATTER HOW GREAT OF A SPORT SEDAN YOU MAKE, IF YOU WANT TO BE CONSIDERED A LEGITIMATE RIVAL TO THE EUROPEAN LUXURY PERFORMANCE BRANDS, YOU HAVE TO ALSO OFFER THAT SAME HEADY PERFORMANCE IN 2-DOORS AS WELL.

SO, FIRST IT WAS THE CADILLAC ATS SEDAN, AND NOW IT'S THIS ATS COUPE, AT A TRACK WHERE WE'LL SEE IF LESS IS STILL MORE!

NOT ONLY DOES THIS PARTICULAR 2015 CADILLAC ATS COUPE HAVE 2 FEWER DOORS THAN THE ATS SEDAN, BUT IT ALSO HAS 2 LESS CYLINDERS THAN THE V6 ATS COUPE THAT WE TESTED A FEW MONTHS BACK.

WE KNEW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT CADDY'S 2.0 LITER TURBO WOULD BE PERFECT FOR HOT LAPS AROUND ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY.

TWO YEARS AGO WE WERE WHIPPING AN ATS SEDAN WITH THAT VERY SAME ENGINE AROUND THESE VERY SAME CORNERS WITH DELIGHT.

AND WHAT WE SAID ABOUT THAT ATS, PRETTY MUCH APPLIES TO THIS ATS AS WELL.

STARTING WITH THAT 2.0 LITER TURBO I4, IT STILL BOASTS SOME OF THE BIGGEST NUMBERS IN THE SEGMENT: 272 HORSEPOWER AND 295 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

AND JUST AS IN THE SEDAN, IT'S THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN ROW YOUR OWN, WITH A FAIRLY CLOSE RATIO 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

IN ADDITION TO THOSE ELEVATED POWER NUMBERS, THERE ARE SOME DEFLATED NUMBERS WHEN IT COMES TO HEFT, WITH A CURB WEIGHT OF JUST OVER 3,400 POUNDS.

LESS BULK AND MORE POWER THAN THE COMPETITION SOUNDS LIKE A RECIPE FOR TRACK STARDOM.

AND INDEED THE ATS COUPE HAS AN AGILE, TOSSABLE FEEL TO IT THAT IS EASY TO LOVE AND PROVIDED MORE ENTERTAINMENT THAN EVEN WE EXPECTED.

WE ALSO FOUND IT TOTALLY REFRESHING TO HAVE A CAR THAT YOU CAN PUSH TO ITS LIMITS, AND HAVE LOTS OF FUN WITH, WITHOUT FEAR OF GETTING TOO FAR OVER YOUR HEAD, AS THE IMPECCABLY BALANCED CHASSIS IS MORE THAN CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE POWER.

STABILITRAK IS THERE IF YOU NEED IT, AND IN COMPETITIVE MODE IT ALLOWS YOU TO DRIVE VERY HARD WITHOUT IT STEPPING IN AND KILLING THE FUN FACTOR.

THE ATS REAR WHEEL DRIVE ARCHITECTURE, WITH 5-LINK INDEPENDENT REAR AND MULTI-LINK MACPHERSON STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION, IS A REAL GEM.

THE STANDARD BREMBO BRAKES WORKED GREAT FOR THE FIRST FEW SESSIONS, BUT AS THE LAPS PILED UP, SO DID THE FADE AND SOFT PEDAL FEEL.

NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE MANUAL SHIFTER, HOWEVER, VERY MECHANICAL IN FEEL; EASY TO BE FAST WITH.

THOUGH JUST AS IN THE ATS SEDAN, IT TOOK US A FEW LAPS TO FIND OUR SHIFT POINTS, AS THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO ENGINE SOUND IN THE CABIN AND A VERY SOFT REV LIMITER MAKES THINGS CHALLENGING.

SO, HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO THE BENCHMARK BMW 4 SERIES COUPE?

WELL WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE PERFORMANCE IS THERE, YET IT STILL LACKS SOME OF THE VISCERAL FEEL OF A BIMMER.

THIS ATS IS A PERFORMANCE CAR IN DRIVE, BUT A LUXURY CAR IN PERSONALITY.

BUT WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT STILL AN EVOLVING MARKET FOR CADILLAC AND THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME TO REALLY DIAL IT IN.

THOUGH TRUTH BE TOLD MOST OF THEIR BUYERS WILL FIND IT PERFECT JUST THE WAY IT IS.

OVERALL, COMPARED TO OUR SEDAN'S TRACK TIME HERE, THE ATS COUPE STILL FELT BETTER IN JUST ABOUT EVERY WAY; UPPING OUR ANTICIPATION OF GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF AN ATS-V.

STILL, HAVING SAID ALL THAT; IT'S DOUBTFUL THAT TOO MANY ATS COUPES WILL BE SEEING TRACK TIME.

AND THAT'S JUST FINE, AS IT IS A VERY WILLING DANCE PARTNER ON FAMILIAR BACK ROADS AS WELL; PROVIDING PLENTY OF THAT EXPECTED CADDY COMFORT THAT ENCOURAGES YOU TO GO FIND SOME NEW ONES.

ON STRAIGHT ONES, THE ATS COUPE PERFORMS EQUALLY AS STIRRING.

POWER IS A LITTLE SOFT OFF THE LINE, BUT BUILDS QUICKLY AND IN 6.0 SECONDS FLAT WE ZIPPED TO 60 MILES-PER-HOUR.

TWO 10THS FASTER THAN THE SEDAN MANAGED HERE.

14.3 SECONDS IS WHAT IT TOOK US TO TRAVEL A QUARTER MILE'S WORTH OF GEORGIA ASPHALT WITH A SPEED OF 100 MILES-PER-HOUR.

AND NO MATTER HOW HASTILY OR LAZILY YOU'RE CRUISING, YOU WON'T BE LACKING FOR LUXURY IN THE DRIVER'S PERCH OF THE ATS COUPE.

THERE'S A EURO SPEC LEVEL OF REFINEMENT TO THE CABIN, ALONG WI HIGH TECH ELEMENTS LIKE CADILLAC'S NOW FAMILIAR, IF STILL CONTROVERSIAL CUE INTERFACE.

THINGS OUTSIDE ARE FAMILIAR TOO, BUT NOT AS RADICAL AS SOME OTHER STEEDS IN THE CADDY STABLE.

THE STANCE IS AN AGGRESSIVE ONE, ESPECIALLY AT THE REAR, BUT MOST BODY PANELS FLOW MORE THAN CURVE THEIR WAY FROM FRONT TO BACK.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR OUR TURBO 4 MANUAL COMBO ARE 19-CITY, 30-HIGHWAY, AND 23-COMBINED.

SO, THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS AN AVERAGE ONE, WITH ANNUAL OIL USE OF 14.3 BARRELS AND CO2 EMISSIONS OF 6.4 TONS.

GETTING YOUR KICKS IN AN ATS COUPE WILL REQUIRE SPENDING AT LEAST $38,990.

A TRACK READY PREMIUM MODEL WILL PUT YOU CLOSER TO $50,000.

ALL WHEEL DRIVE IS AVAILABLE IN BOTH 4 AND 6-CYLINDER ATS COUPES.

SO, TO ANSWER OUR CLICHÉ QUESTION, OF COURSE LESS IS MORE, AND JUST LIKE MOST THINGS MOMS SAY, LIKE "LIFE ISN'T FAIR" AND "YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER" ALWAYS RING TRUE.

THE 2015 CADILLAC ATS COUPE, AND PARTICULARLY IN TRACK WEAPON 2.0 LITER FORM, KNOWS EXACTLY HOW TO BEHAVE ON BOTH ROAD, AND TRACK, AND IS MAKING THE THINGS UNFAIR FOR THE REST OF THE SPORTS COUPE COMPETITION.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, A CITY SINGING THE PRAISES OF COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS.

FROM STREET SWEEPERS, TO REFUSE TRUCKS, TO HEAVY DUTY PICKUPS, THE CITY'S ALT-FUEL FLEET NOW NUMBERS ABOUT 40.

INTRODUCED IN 2011, CNG'S ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS HAVE BEEN BOLSTERED BY A BIG REDUCTION IN MAINTENANCE ALONG WITH FUEL COST SAVINGS OF $50,000 A YEAR.

THE GRANITE STATE CLEAN CITIES COALITION AND THE NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES HELPED IDENTIFY OVER 1.1 MILLION FEDERAL DOLLARS TO HELP FUND THE CNG VEHICLES.

THEIR REFUELING DEPOT THE STATE'S FIRST PUBLIC ACCESS CNG STATION WAS BUILT THROUGH A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH ALTERNATIVE VEHICLE SERVICE GROUP.

>> DONNALEE LOZEAU: IT'S REALLY BEEN VERY EXCITING FOR US TO BE FIRST ONE IN NEW ENGLAND TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND DO IT TO THE DEGREE WE HAVE.

HEADING IN THIS DIRECTION HAS REALLY BEEN GREAT FOR OUR CITY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO EXPANDING IT EVEN MORE.

>> JOHN: NASHUA'S TRANSIT BUSES RUN PRIMARILY ON B20 BIODIESEL, BUT THEY NOW HAVE ONE CNG TRANSIT BUS IN OPERATION AS WELL.

THIS IS ONE NEW HAMPSHIRE CITY THAT IS LEADING BY THE CNG EXAMPLE.

"THE MOST FUN IS USUALLY HAD ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF SANITY, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN BRILLIANCE AND MAYHEM."

WELL, THAT'S QUITE A MOTTO.

AND IT FITS A VERY SPECIAL GROUP OF RACERS THAT MAKE CHEAP THRILLS THEIR PRIORITY.

WELL, OUR OVER THE EDGE GUY ZACH MASKELL NATURALLY SIGNED UP, READY TO GO DOWNHILL RACING, WITH GRAVITY AS HIS COPILOT.

>> ZACH MASKELL: IT'S NOT EXACTLY MOTOR WEEK THIS GO-ROUND.

A GROUP CALLED "THE DOWNHILL MISFITS" IS USING GRAVITY TO REACH HIGH SPEEDS.

DAREDEVILS WHOSE AGES RANGE FROM THEIR 20'S TO 60'S, RACE SOAPBOX CARS ONCE A MONTH AROUND CENTRAL MARYLAND BACK ROADS.

>> FRAN HONEYWELL: A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK AT WHAT WE DO AND THEIR FIRST REACTION IS "OH, THAT LOOKS LIKE SO MUCH FUN."

AND IT'S REALLY NOT FUN, IT'S TERRIFYING.

>> ZACH: THESE ARE NOT YOUR PAMPERED, FRAGILE, DOWNHILL DERBY CARS.

THESE ARE WELDED METAL FRAMES, PREPARED FOR TOP SPEED RUNS, AND SERIOUS CRASHES.

FRED SCHROEDER KNOWS ALL TOO WELL, THE DANGERS THAT COME WITH HITTING 70+ MILES PER HOUR.

>> FRED SCHROEDER: I VIVIDLY REMEMBER SOME EVENT HAPPENING AND SAYING TO MYSELF "I'M NOT GOING TO RECOVER FROM THAT."

>> ZACH: FRED MADE CONTACT WITH ANOTHER CAR, THEN HIT A TREE, GOING FROM 60 TO A DEAD STOP IN UNDER ONE SECOND.

>> FRED: SHATTERED MY TIBIA, FIBIA (FIBULA), AND LOWER KNEE.

>> ZACH: THANKFULLY, ANOTHER MEMBER, WHO'S ALSO A PARAMEDIC WAS IN THEIR TRAILING SAFETY CAR AND WAS ABLE TO RENDER IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE.

THAT'S CHRIS, EVERYONE IN HIS HOUSE RACES GRAVITY CARS.

HIS WIFE HAS ACTUALLY BUMPED INTO HIM, FORCING HIM OFF THE ROAD MORE THAN ONCE, RUINING HIS CHANCES OF A WIN.

>> REBECCA SASS-CREWS: IT'S A VERY FAMILY FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE.

IT'S LIKE ONE BIG HAPPY, KIND OF SCREWED UP FAMILY IN ITS OWN WAY.

>> ZACH: THE MARYLAND INDEPENDENT SOAPBOX FEDERATION AND INCLINE TRAILS SOCIETY OR MISFITS, USED TO BE AN ILLEGAL ACTIVITY.

THAT'S WHAT STARTED EVERYONE'S RACER NAME LIKE "SHARK BONE" AND "TIN MAN."

MANY OF THE CARS THEY DRIVE ARE BUILT AT FRAN'S HOUSE, NEXT TO HIS PORSCHE 911 AND AUSTIN-HEALY SPRITE.

THESE THINGS ARE ALMOST SCARY.

FOR ME, THAT MEANS THERE'S A LOT MORE RISK INVOLVED.

AND THAT MEANS, THERE'S MORE FUN!

SO, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO TODAY IS GET ME FITTED IN THIS KART RIGHT HERE, AND SEE IF I CAN'T MAKE MY WAY THROUGH THE EAST COAST CHALLENGE.

DRIVERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY MAKE THE TRIP TO THE MOUNTAINS OF PENNSYLVANIA, HUNGRY FOR THE ECC TROPHY.

I'M RUNNING AGAINST NOVICE DRIVERS AND NEEDED TO SEE WHAT I WAS DEALING WITH.

WE HEADED OVER TO FRED'S HOUSE, WHERE THE GROUP HAS COOKOUTS AND RACES ON HIS BACKYARD TRACK.

I FOUND ALL THE CARS HAVE A 5 POINT HARNESS AND ROLL BARS.

EVEN ARM RESTRAINTS ARE RECOMMENDED.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IF THINGS GET OUT OF SHAPE THAT YOUR ARMS WON'T BE FLAILING AROUND.

>> ZACH: I FEEL LIKE I'M IN MY OWN LOONY BIN.

(LAUGHS) IT'S FUNNY I SAY THAT BECAUSE THEIR ONLINE FORUMS ARE CALLED "THE ASYLUM!"

ALRIGHT!

IT'S TIME FOR THE BUNNY HILL.

LET'S GIVE HER A SHOT.

A FEW POINTERS LATER, AND I WAS OFF.

THIS IS QUITE THE ROUGH RIDE.

BUT IT'S GOOD BECAUSE YOU CAN FEEL EVERYTHING IN THE ROAD.

YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE CAR'S GOING TO DO AND WHEN.

BEFORE I KNEW IT, IT WAS THE WEEKEND AT 5 AM AND TIME TO ROCK.

I CHECKED OUT THE HILL BEFORE TAKE-OFF.

WOOEEE!

THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE CRAZY DAY.

THERE'S 4 DIFFERENT CLASSES IN THE LINEUP, THE FASTEST BEING THESE SUPER CARS.

THEY HIT SPEEDS OVER 80 MILES PER HOUR.

WITH THE COPS ON OUR SIDE, WE SHUT DOWN 6 ROADS AND I RACED IN 5 OF THEM.

I FELT PETRIFIED, YET WEIGHTLESS, WHIZZING PAST TREES AT AN INFANT'S EYE LEVEL.

"THAT SPEED LIMIT SIGN SAYS 40.

WE ARE DEFINITELY DOING MORE THAN 40!!

SHE ALMOST WRECKED!!

WOO-HOO!!"

COMING FROM SOMEONE WHO'S RACED AROUND TRACKS LIKE TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY WITH 800 HORSEPOWER UNDER THE HOOD, THIS IS HARD TO ARGUE.

>> BARRY FITZGERALD: THIS IS THE ULTIMATE EXTREME FEELING OF GOING FAST, IN MY OPINION.

>> ZACH: THE WINNERS GOT SOME HUMOROUS TROPHIES.

AND I PLACED 7TH OUT OF 10.

NOT BAD, CONSIDERING THE CAR I USED HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN CRASHED MORE TIMES THAN MY COMPUTER.

DESPITE THE COMPETITIVE NATURE, IT'S ALL ABOUT A GOOD TIME SOMETHING THIS GROUP HAS PERFECTED.

>> JOHN: ADVICE FROM PAT GOSS ALWAYS MAKES A GREAT IMPACT, SO LET'S SEE HOW HE MAKES HIS MARK THIS WEEK!

>> PAT GOSS: AHHH, YES.

I'M SURE YOU'VE ALL SEEN THAT.

A TECHNICIAN PUTTING THE WHEELS BACK ON YOUR CAR USING AN AIR IMPACT WRENCH.

WELL, THAT IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT.

YOU SEE, THESE AIR IMPACT WRENCHES HAVE GROWN IN POWER OVER THE YEARS.

BACK IN THE DAY, MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, IF THEY PRODUCED 150 FOOT-POUNDS, IT WAS A POWERFUL WRENCH.

WELL TODAY, SOME OF THESE ARE 12 OR 1300 FOOT-POUNDS, AND THE AVERAGE IS 8 TO 900 FOOT-POUNDS OF TORQUE.

NOW WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, AND REALIZE THAT THE AVERAGE TORQUE REQUIRED ON A LUG NUT, TO HOLD THE WHEEL ON, IS 80 TO 90 FOOT-POUNDS, WELL YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW OVER TIGHTENED SOME OF THESE LUG NUTS ARE.

NOW, THAT'S A PROBLEM BECAUSE IT ALMOST GUARANTEES WARPED BRAKE ROTORS.

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT SUPPOSE YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE, AND YOU'VE GOT ONE THAT'S TIGHTENED DOWN TO 5 OR 600 FOOT-POUNDS OF TORQUE.

WELL, THE TOOLS THAT ARE IN THE CAR, OR THE TOOLS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE EVEN PUT IN THE CAR ARE NOT GOING TO BE CAPABLE OF LOOSENING THOSE LUG NUTS.

SO, YOU'RE STRANDED BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET THE WHEEL OFF WITH THE FLAT TIRE ON IT.

NOW, WHAT'S THE PROPER WAY?

THE PROPER WAY IS TO USE A TORQUE WRENCH.

TORQUE WRENCHES LIMIT WHAT TORQUE GOES ONTO THE BOLTS.

HOW TIGHT THEY ARE.

AND THEY SHOULD BE USED ON JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING, ON EVERY REPAIR.

NOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT WHEN THESE ELECTRIC IMPACT WRENCHES CAME OUT, THAT, THAT WAS GOING TO BE THE ANSWER.

WELL, IT WAS FOR A WHILE.

BUT NOW, THESE ARE UP TO OVER 400 FOOT-POUNDS OF TORQUE IN SOME CASES.

SO, THAT'S 4 TIMES THE AMOUNT OF TORQUE THAT IS NEEDED FOR THE WHEELS, AND MOST OTHER THINGS ON AN AUTOMOBILE.

AGAIN, BACK TO THE TORQUE WRENCH.

NOW, ACDELCO HAS REVERSED THIS TREND TO MORE POWERFUL AND MORE POWERFUL TOOLS.

THIS IS AN AIR RATCHET.

AND ITS CLAIM TO FAME IS THAT IT'S LIMITED TO 65 FOOT-POUNDS OF TORQUE.

SO, THAT MEANS THAT WHEN YOU'RE TAKING SOMETHING LOOSE, IF IT BINDS UP, IT DOESN'T BREAK THE BOLT LIKE A 2 OR 300 FOOT-POUND TORQUE RATCHET WOULD DO.

SO, IT HELPS MAKE YOU A BETTER TECHNICIAN.

SO, REMEMBER THAT MOST EVERYTHING ON AN AUTOMOBILE HAS A SPECIFIED AMOUNT OF TORQUE.

AND THE BIGGEST, AND BEST FRIEND THAT YOU CAN HAVE, IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO ANY WORK ON YOUR CAR, IS A TORQUE WRENCH.

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

>> JOHN: WE'RE APPROACHING 5,000 MILES IN OUR 2014 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT AND, 3 MONTHS IN, THINGS ARE ALL SYSTEMS GO!

MOST OF US HAVE GOTTEN OVER THE RATHER BASIC INTERIOR; FOCUSING MORE ON ITS GREAT UTILITY AS A SUPPORT VEHICLE.

AND WE'RE TREATING IT AS SUCH; HOLDING NOTHING BACK.

OTHER THAN A SMALL TEAR IN THE SEAT FABRIC, THOUGH, THINGS ARE HOLDING UP BETTER THAN EXPECTED.

FUEL ECONOMY CONTINUES TO BE ANOTHER BRIGHT SPOT, AS MANY STAFFERS ARE REPORTING GREAT NUMBERS ON ROAD TRIPS.

BUT THUS FAR, A COLD WINTER, MIXED WITH PLENTY OF DAILY COMMUTING, HAS OUR OFFICIAL COMBINED FUEL ECONOMY OF 24.4 MILES PER GALLON; BELOW THE ESTIMATED 26 COMBINED.

TRUE TO ITS SPORT NAME, THE OUTLANDER SPORT OFFERS A FAIRLY STIFF AND RUGGED RIDE.

A FEW SNOWY DRIVES SHOWED US SOME ALL WEATHER VERSATILITY, TOO, FROM THE 148 HORSEPOWER 2 LITER I4 AND CVT COMBO, PAIRED WITH MITSUBISHI'S FINE ALL WHEEL CONTROL SYSTEM.

THE GOOD NEWS KEEPS ROLLING FOR US, AS WE WELCOME THE CHRYSLER 200 TO OUR MOTORWEEK FLEET.

THIS ALL WHEEL DRIVE 200C PACKS A TON OF LUXURY FEATURES AND COMFORT INTO ITS CONTEMPORARY STYLING.

THE 295 HORSEPOWER V6 AND 9 SPEED AUTOMATIC ALSO KEEP IT AHEAD OF MOST RIVALS.

WE'LL GET A CLEARER PICTURE OF THE 200C IN THE COMING MONTHS.

THE KIA K900 AND VOLKSWAGEN GTI CHECK IN, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

WE'VE BEEN OUT ON A FEW QUICKSPINS, SO LET'S SEE HOW THEY WENT!

THE ALL NEW FORD GT STOLE THE SPOTLIGHT AT DETROIT'S RECENT NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW, AND REVVED UP PERFORMANCE FANS ALL OVER THE WORLD.

BUT HOW COULD THIS SUPERSTAR, CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF FORD'S 1-2-3 SWEEP AT THE 24 HOUR OF LE MANS, COME TO BE IN TOTAL SECRECY?

>> GAREN NICOGHOSIAN: SO, WE HAD A SMALL TEAM OF PEOPLE, DEDICATED TO THIS PROGRAM AND NOTHING ELSE.

AND WE WORKED IN THE CORNER OF A DESIGN CENTER, IN THE BASEMENT, WHERE WE HID AWAY AND DID THE CAR.

WE HAD A DIFFERENT PROCESS FOR THIS CAR AND THE IMPACT OF THE CAR TO COME OUT AT THE AUTO SHOWS WAS PRETTY IMPORTANT TO US.

>> JOHN: NOT SATISFIED WITH JUST PAYING TRIBUTE TO FORD'S RACING HERITAGE, THIS GT IS ALL ABOUT SETTING THE PACE FOR WHAT'S AHEAD.

>> JAMAL HAMEEDI: THERE'S SO MUCH TECHNOLOGY IN THIS ENGINE, AND REALLY THE CAR.

THE WHOLE CAR HAS BEEN AN EXERCISE IN FORWARD THINKING, AND REALIZING WHAT THE FUTURE IS.

>> JOHN: THE FUTURE, AT LEAST FOR FORD, IS ECOBOOST!

THE GT GRABS ITS POWER FROM A TWIN-TURBO V6; RATING MORE THAN 600 HORSES.

THE GT'S STRIKING CARBON FIBER DESIGN IS AN EXTREME EXERCISE IN AERODYNAMICS AND LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION.

SO, HOW DOES IT DRIVE?

WELL, WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT A WHILE ON THAT, BUT IF IT DRIVES HALF AS AWESOME AS IT LOOKS, HISTORY JUST MIGHT REPEAT ITSELF.

BMW'S X6 SOUGHT TO BRING 4-DOOR COUPE LIKE STYLE INTO THE SUV MARKET.

AND WHILE IT HAS FOUND QUITE A FEW FANS OVER THE YEARS, MOST SUV BUYERS AREN'T NECESSARILY INTO SPENDING MORE MONEY FOR LESS PRACTICALITY.

STILL, BMW IS PUSHING THE TREND FURTHER WITH THE NEW X4.

SO, LET'S SEE IF SMALLER IS BETTER.

IT'S NO SECRET THAT THE MORE VEHICLES A MANUFACTURER CAN BUILD OFF A SINGLE PLATFORM, THE MORE COST EFFECTIVE THE ARCHITECTURE BECOMES.

IS THAT REASON ENOUGH TO TAKE THE FINE X3 SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLE, AND MAKE IT LESS USEFUL, AND CALL IT THE 2015 BMW X4?

WELL, ONLY BMW BEAN COUNTERS CAN FULLY ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

BUT WHEN THE ALTERATIONS PRODUCE A SPORTIER AND MORE STYLISH ALL WEATHER GROCERY GETTER, THAT'S EVEN MORE FUN TO DRIVE, THEN WE WARM UP TO IT FAST.

THE X4'S DRIVING DYNAMICS ARE INDEED IMPROVED OVER THE X3, WITH A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF SUSPENSION, AND STEERING HARDWARE, AND SOFTWARE.

IT'S CERTAINLY MORE ENJOYABLE THAN THE AVERAGE CROSSOVER, AND MORE ENTERTAINING THAN EVEN A FEW PURE SPORT SEDANS.

WHETHER ON THE WINDY BACK ROADS THAT WE ENJOY FREQUENTING OR HIGHWAY COMMUTING; IT FEELS VERY FLAT, STURDY, AND CAR LIKE, YET STILL INCREDIBLY SMOOTH.

AND UNLIKE MOST OF THE BMW SAV STABLE, OUR STAFF ACTUALLY ENJOYED LOOKING AT IT ALMOST AS MUCH AS DRIVING IT.

COMPARED TO THE X3, THE STYLING IS SMOOTHER, SURE, BUT ALSO FAR MORE MUSCULAR.

THE X4 SITS 1 AND A HALF INCHES LOWER, SPORTING A WIDER AND LOWER FRONT FASCIA WITH LARGER INTAKES, AND DONS MORE AGGRESSIVE SCULPTING OVER THE REAR WHEELS.

ADDING THE M SPORT PACKAGE TAKES IT FURTHER STILL WITH AERO ADD-ONS AND 19-INCH M DOUBLE SPOKE ALLOYS.

THE ROOF BEGINS ARCHING DOWN JUST BEHIND THE FRONT SEATS, LEADING TO A TALL, FLAT REAR, WITH MINIMAL BACK GLASS.

VISIBILITY IS COMPROMISED BY ALL OF THAT LOW HANGING METAL, BUT NOT NEARLY AS BAD AS YOU WOULD THINK, AND A BACK-UP CAMERA IS OPTIONAL.

IT NEEDS TO BE STANDARD.

ENGINE CHOICES ARE STANDARD BMW FARE, THE 240 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER TURBO 4 IN THE XDRIVE28I AND THE 300 HORSEPOWER 3.0 LITER TURBO I6 IN THE XDRIVE35I.

THE LATTER, ALSO WITH 300 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

A FAMILIAR ZF 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC CONTINUES TO EXPERTLY HANDLE TRANSMISSION DUTIES.

AND UNLIKE THE X3, NO SDRIVE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ONLY VARIANT IS AVAILABLE.

ALL X4'S COME WITH XDRIVE.

LIKE MOST LUXURY ITEMS THAT TRADE STATUS FOR PRACTICALITY, CARGO SPACE FALLS FROM 27.6 CUBIC-FEET IN THE X3, TO 17.7 IN THE X4.

THERE'S ALSO LESS LEG ROOM BOTH FRONT AND REAR.

THOUGH BMW'S AVAILABLE SMART OPENER, WHICH FOLLOWS FORD IN ALLOWING HANDS FREE POWER LIFT GATE OPERATION WITH A WAVE OF A FOOT, IS A WELCOME USEFUL ADDITION.

BUT ALL SHORTCOMINGS ARE FORGIVEN WHEN YOU MASH THE THROTTLE AND ROCKET TO 60 IN JUST 5.1 SECONDS.

NO TRACTION PROBLEMS WITH XDRIVE'S IMMEDIATE HOOK UP.

TORQUE ARRIVES IN A BIG HURRY AND STAYS PREVALENT THROUGHOUT THE REV BAND, SOUNDING GREAT THE WHOLE WAY.

SHIFTS ARE FAST AND FIRM WITH NO POWER DROP OFF; THE QUARTER MILE TAKES 13.7 SECONDS, FINISHING AT 100 MILES-PER-HOUR.

BRAKES ALSO DELIVERED IMPRESSIVE RESULTS, WITH A STOPPING DISTANCE OF JUST 111 FEET FROM 60, DESPITE A SOFT PEDDLE WITH LITTLE FEEL.

BUT LET'S GET BACK TO HANDLING.

AND WHAT WE FOUND TO BE GREAT ON THE STREET PROVED EVEN MORE SO ON THE TRACK.

WHILE GREAT HANDLING IS WHY WE LOVE BMW'S, EVEN THOSE THAT SEE THEM ONLY AS STATUS SYMBOLS WILL APPRECIATE THE SECURE RESPONSE THE BRAND PUTS INTO EVERY VEHICLE IT MAKES, X4 INCLUDED.

PLUS, DIAL IN SPORT+ MODE AND THIS 5-DOOR FEELS A LOT MORE LIKE A 3 SERIES SPORT SEDAN THAN ANY UTILITY.

THERE'S PLENTY OF CHASSIS STIFFNESS, LOTS OF AGILITY, VERY LITTLE BODY ROLL, AND LIGHT BUT PRECISE STEERING.

EVEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS WHERE MOST UTILITIES TURN TO MUSH, THE X4 IS QUICK TO DART IN AND OUT OF THE CONES; THOUGH TRACTION CONTROL WILL KICK IN MODERATELY IF YOU'RE TOO AGGRESSIVE.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS COME IN AT 19-CITY, 27-HIGHWAY, AND 22-COMBINED.

WE KEPT THE PACE DAILY DRIVER LIKE AND AVERAGED 24.1 MILES-PER-GALLON OF PREMIUM.

PRICES START AT $45,650 FOR THE XDRIVE28I AND $48,950 FOR THE XDRIVE35I.

THAT'S ALMOST 4-GRAND OVER AN X3.

SO, WHY WOULD ANYONE CHOSE AN X4 OVER AN X3?

IT COULD BE JUST FOR STYLE, OR JUST AN ALLERGY TO PRACTICALITY.

AS FOR US, WE'D CHOOSE IT BECAUSE OF HOW IT LOOKS AND DRIVES.

SO, IT'S MORE THAN JUST A MONEY GRAB FOR THE FRINGE SMALL LUXURY CROSSOVER BUYER.

THE FOLKS FROM BAVARIA PREFER HAULING THROUGH CORNERS RATHER THAN CUTTING THEM AND THAT'S CLEARLY THE CASE HERE.

THE 2015 BMW X4 IS A BETTER, MEANER X3.

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, AS WE'LL MAKE PURE TRACK WORK IN THE BMW M4.

THEN SEE IF THE NEW ALUMINUM F-150 WILL HELP FORD KEEP THE PICKUP CROWN.

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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