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

>> JOIN US, AS WE RIDE THE 6TH GENERATION OF THE ORIGINAL PONY CAR, THE ALL-NEW FORD MUSTANG!

PAT GOSS HAS SUPPORT FOR CHANGING STRUTS DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE.

AUTO WORLD SHOWS HOW LONG HAUL BIG RIGS GO EEN.

THEN LEXUS SHARPENS UP ITS IMAGE WITH THE RC SPORT COUPE.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

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

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... >> KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT HIS TIRES RIGHT NOW.

IF HE WERE, TIRERACK.COM COULD HELP HIM FIND THE RIGHT TIRES.

BUT KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.

KENNY'S THINKING, "OH MAN.

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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: 50 YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE THE FORD MUSTANG ENTERED THE CORRAL, CREATING THE ICONIC PONY CAR SEGMENT.

WHILE A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN, THE MUSTANG REALLY HASN'T CHANGED THAT MUCH AT ALL.

BUT AS FORD LAUNCHES THE ALL-NEW, 2015, 6TH GENERATION MUSTANG, IT DOES SO WITH SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES EVER.

SO, SADDLE UP, AS THE LEGEND OF MUSTANG CONTINUES ANEW.

THE 2015 FORD MUSTANG IS ARRIVING AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME.

CAR SALES ARE BACK UP TO PRE-RECESSION LEVELS, AND THE ORIGINAL PONY CAR HAS BEEN FACING SOME THE TOUGHEST COMPETITION EVER FROM THE RE-LAUNCHED CHEVROLET CAMARO AND DODGE CHALLENGER.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, THIS WILL BE THE FIRST MUSTANG WITH TRUE INTERNATIONAL SALES INTENTIONS.

POWERING THIS MISSION ARE 3 ENGINES, EACH WITH MORE THAN 300-HORSEPOWER.

THE 5.0-LITER V8 IS BACK OF COURSE, NOW WITH MORE MUSCLE, 435-HORSEPOWER, THANKS TO TWEAKED CYLINDER HEADS AND INTAKE.

THE 3.7-LITER V6 ALSO RETURNS; WITH ITS INTAKE REDESIGNED, DUE TO A LOWER HOOD.

RESULTING IN A LOSS OF HORSEPOWER, NOW AT 300 EVEN.

BETWEEN THE TWO, AT 310-HORSEPOWER, IS A NEW 2.3-LITER ECOBOOST TURBO I4 WITH 320 POUND FEET OF TORQUE.

IT'S NOT THE FIRST TURBO-4 UNDER A MUSTANG HOOD, THAT WOULD BE THE SVO OF '84 TO '86, BUT IT IS THE FIRST FORD TO USE A TWIN-SCROLL UNIT.

TRANSMISSIONS HANG WITH TRADITION, A 6-SPEED MANUAL, OR 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC FOR ALL ENGINES.

STYLING, ALWAYS A MUSTANG FAN HOT BUTTON, IS LESS ALTERED THAN ORIGINALLY FEARED.

RETRO-REINVENTED, THE MUSTANG 6.0 IS LOWER, WIDER, AND EVEN WITH A FAMILIAR LONG HOOD PROFILE, FAR MORE AGGRESSIVE.

WHEELBASE STAYS AT 107.1-INCHES AND OVERALL LENGTH IS SHORTENED BY 2/10THS OF AN INCH.

THE BLUNT NOSE AND HALLMARK GRILLE OPENING ARE TWEAKED TO FIT THE REST OF THE FORD BRAND.

THERE'S NEW HID HEADLIGHTS, AND A FRESH TAKE ON LED SIGNATURE LIGHTING.

THERE'S CLEARLY MORE OF A FASTBACK SHAPE TOWARDS THE BACK END, AND THE NEW REAR FASCIA IS "EURO DIFFUSER" IN DESIGN.

THE GLOSSY TAIL LIGHT PANEL FEATURES UPDATED HORSES FOR 4 AND 6 CYLINDERS, AND A GT BADGE FOR V8'S.

THE 3-BAR TAIL LIGHTS RETURN, BUT LOOK MORE 3-DIMENSIONAL.

TURN SIGNALS ARE STILL SEQUENTIAL.

17-INCH WHEELS ARE STANDARD, GTS GET 18'S; 19'S ARE OPTIONAL ON ANY.

BREMBO BRAKES COME WITH GT OR ECOBOOST PERFORMANCE PACKAGES.

A CLASSIC APPEARANCE CONTINUES INSIDE TOO, WITH THE DUAL HUMP DASH.

BUT, GAUGES, THE CENTER STACK, AND ELECTRONIC AIDS ARE MUCH MORE IN THE NOW.

YOU'LL ALSO FIND BETTER MATERIALS, MORE KNEE SPACE THANKS TO A SLIMMER LOWER DASH, A PASSENGER'S SIDE KNEE AIRBAG, AND THERE'S EVEN MORE ROOM IN THE GLOVE BOX.

TOGGLE SWITCHES AND A START BUTTON HAVE BEEN BROUGHT INTO THE MIX, AND CUP HOLDERS HAVE BEEN SHIFTED OVER PROVIDING FREER ACCESS TO THE SHIFTER.

EVEN BASE MODELS GET KEYLESS ENTRY AND A BACK-UP CAMERA.

SELECTABLE DRIVE MODES ARE NEW, ADJUSTING STEERING EFFORT, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION RESPONSE, AS WELL AS STABILITY CONTROL INTERVENTION FOR NORMAL, SNOW/WET, SPORT, AND TRACK CONDITIONS.

AND OF COURSE THERE ARE TRACK APPS, ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THE GAUGE PANEL INFORMATION SCREEN, AS IS LAUNCH CONTROL.

THE STEERING WHEEL IS SMALLER IN DIAMETER, BUT GETS LOTS OF NEW SWITCHGEAR ADDED TO IT.

THE TRUNK OPENING IS LARGER, AND THE AMOUNT OF SPACE BEHIND IT HAS GROWN A TINY BIT, NOW AT 13.5 CUBIC FEET.

NOSTALGIA ASIDE, WE FOUND THE NEW-GEN 'STANG IS NOW MUCH MORE ABOUT DRIVING WITH THE MUCH ANTICIPATED INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION NOW STANDARD ON ALL MODELS.

YOU DON'T REALLY NOTICE IT IN SEDATE DAILY DRIVING, HOWEVER.

BUT, DIVE DEEP INTO A CORNER, START FEEDING IN SOME POWER, AND THE CAR HUNKERS DOWN, PROPELLING YOU OUT LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

SHOULD YOU ENCOUNTER A BUMP MID-WAY THROUGH THAT CORNER, IT BECOMES EVEN MORE OBVIOUS; AS THE REAR END IS A WHOLE LOT LESS BUSY, HAPPY TO FOLLOW LINE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO OVERTAKE YOU EVERY CHANCE IT GETS.

SUCH A BIG CHANGE OUT BACK FORCED FORD TO EXTENSIVELY REWORK THE FRONT SUSPENSION AS WELL.

THAT'S A WIN-WIN TOO.

AS FOR HOW THE MUSTANG FEELS WITH 4-CYLINDER POWER: IT FEELS JUST FINE.

THERE'S GOOD RESPONSE, GREAT MID-RANGE TORQUE, AND EVEN SOME RESPECTABLE SOUND, THOUGH NOT AT FULL SONG.

NOTHING SOUNDS LIKE A V8 OF COURSE AND THE GT IS STILL WHERE IT'S AT IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR MUSTANG BRAGGING RIGHTS.

MANUAL 0 TO 60 NUDGES 4 AND A HALF SECONDS.

DRAG RACERS, OR THE BURNOUT CHALLENGED, WILL ALSO BE HAPPY TO HEAR THAT ALL GT'S COME STANDARD WITH A LINE LOCK.

MUSTANG BASE PRICES ARE UP SLIGHTLY; $24,425 FOR THE V6.

THAT'S STILL LESS THAN A BASE CAMARO OR CHALLENGER.

ECOBOOST I4 IS JUST ABOVE THAT AT $25,995, WHILE V8 GTS START AT $32,925.

WE THINK THE 2015 FORD MUSTANG, WHILE A LITTLE LESS NOSTALGIC, IS MUCH FARTHER REACHING, EVEN WITHOUT ITS INTERNATIONAL SALES INTENTIONS.

IT IS CLEARLY A MUCH BETTER SPORTY COUPE THAN EVER BEFORE, AND NOT JUST IN THE MARGINS.

AND THAT PROGRESSION WILL ENSURE THAT THE MUSTANG LEGEND WILL NOT ONLY LIVE ON, BUT CONTINUE TO LEAD.

HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS: THEY'RE THE BACKBONE OF OUR NATION'S COMMERCE SYSTEM.

BIG RIGS TRANSPORT AROUND 70% OF THE GOODS AND MATERIALS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THE BAD NEWS IS THEY CONSUME ABOUT 20% OF OUR TRANSPORTATION FUEL EVEN THOUGH THEY MAKE UP LESS THAN 5% OF THE TRAFFIC ON U.S.

HIGHWAYS.

THE NEED TO IMPROVE TRUCK EFFICIENCY IS CRUCIAL, AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY HAS COME UP WITH A SUPER ANSWER!

IT'S KNOWN AS THE SUPERTRUCK PROGRAM, AND ITS GOAL IS FOR TRUCK MAKERS TO SHOW A 50% IMPROVEMENT IN FREIGHT EFFICIENCY, OR TON-MILES PER GALLON, FOR A CLASS 8 TRACTOR-TRAILER, AND ALSO TO ACHIEVE 50% THERMAL EFFICIENCY IN THE ENGINE BASICALLY, TO HAUL MORE STUFF WITH LESS FUEL BY THE YEAR 2015.

THE PROGRAM STARTED IN 2010 WITH 4 DOE GRANTS, TOTALING 138 MILLION DOLLARS, TO DAIMLER, VOLVO, NAVISTAR, ENGINE MAKER CUMMINS, AND THEIR PARTNER PETERBILT.

EACH SUPERTRUCK "TEAM" HAS MATCHED THESE FUNDS WITH AN EQUAL INVESTMENT OF THEIR OWN AND THE RESULT HAS BEEN A SUPER-CHARGED R&D EFFORT THAT IS ALREADY PAYING DIVIDENDS.

NOT SURPRISINGLY, ALL OF THE MANUFACTURERS ARE TAKING A HOLISTIC APPROACH, SEEKING INCREMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS IN MANY AREAS, RATHER THAN TRYING TO FIND ONE "MAGIC BULLET."

>> PASCAL AMAR: WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO EXPLORE MORE AREAS THAN WE WOULD TYPICALLY.

IT GIVES US THE ABILITY TO DO MORE TESTING, MORE ANALYSIS, AND MORE CALCULATIONS.

I THINK THE KEY WITH THIS PROGRAM IS IT FORCES US TO LOOK AT THE COMPLETE PICTURE, THE COMPLETE VEHICLE.

NOT JUST THE POWERTRAIN AND NOT JUST THE CAB EXTERIOR.

SO, IT REALLY ALLOWS US TO IDENTIFY SYNERGIES THAT WE MIGHT HAVE MISSED OTHERWISE.

>> JOHN: THE MOST OBVIOUS IMPROVEMENTS ON EACH TRUCK ARE THE AERODYNAMIC AIDS.

EXTENSIVE WIND TUNNEL TESTING HAS FOUND WAYS TO MAKE THE BIG BOX LESS BOXY, MINIMIZE BODY GAPS, AND IMPROVE AIRFLOW AROUND THE RIG.

ALL 4 GROUPS HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS.

SOME HAVE MET OR EXCEEDED THE PROJECT GOALS ALREADY AND SOME OF THE GREEN TECH DEVELOPED IN THE SUPERTRUCK PROGRAM IS ALREADY MAKING ITS WAY INTO PRODUCTION TRUCKS.

SOME OF THE DESIGN SKETCHES LOOK DOWNRIGHT SCI-FI, BUT MAY BECOME REALITY SOONER THAN YOU THINK!

>> PASCAL AMAR: ONE OF THE FIRST TANGIBLE DELIVERIES OF THE PROGRAM IS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO LEVERAGE SOME KNOWLEDGE WE GAINED FROM EARLY AERODYNAMIC TESTING OF THE SUPERTRUCK TEST MULE WE USED.

WE'RE APPLYING SOME OF THE FINDINGS TO CHASSIS FAIRINGS, FRONT BUMPER, AND ROOF DEFLECTOR.

THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE ON OUR MODEL YEAR 2016 VN HIGHWAY TRUCKS.

>> JOHN: DRIVETRAIN SOLUTIONS BEING TESTED INCLUDE HYBRID ELECTRIC DRIVE, WASTE HEAT RECOVERY, ENGINE DOWNSIZING, AUTOMATED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND IMPROVED DIESEL AFTER-TREATMENT, TO NAME JUST A FEW.

TO DATE, ONLY THE PETERBILT/CUMMINS TEAM HAS A FULLY FUNCTIONING SUPERTRUCK DEMONSTRATION VEHICLE, WHICH HAS ACHIEVED 10.7 MILES PER GALLON, OR ALMOST DOUBLE WHAT THE AVERAGE RIG GETS TODAY.

SUPERTRUCK TECHNOLOGIES CAN SAVE NEARLY 6 BILLION BARRELS OF OIL BY 2050.

TO THE AVERAGE TRUCK OWNER, THAT COULD ADD UP TO $35,000 A YEAR IN FUEL SAVINGS!

AND AS WITH ANY NEW TECHNOLOGY, COST TO THE END-USER IS AN ISSUE, AND NO GROUP OF VEHICLE OWNERS IS MORE AWARE OF THE BOTTOM LINE THAN THE THOUSANDS OF BIG RIG OWNER-OPERATORS WHO CALL OUR HIGHWAYS HOME.

>> WAYNE ECKERLE: WELL, WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS, WE HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE TECHNOLOGY, AND DELIVER TECHNOLOGY THAT HITS OUR CUSTOMERS PAYBACK PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS.

SO, WE LOOK AT THE DRIVE CYCLE, HOW MUCH FUEL THEY BURN, SO AS WE PUT ON TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE FUEL CONSUMPTION, IT HAS TO REDUCE FUEL ENOUGH SO THAT YOU CAN PAY OFF THE TECHNOLOGY IN 18 MONTHS, AND FOR THE REST OF THE TIME THAT THEY HAVE THE TRUCK THEY'RE ACTUALLY SAVING MONEY.

THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR OUR ENERGY PROBLEMS WILL TAKE A HOLISTIC APPROACH LIKE THAT OF THE SUPERSTRUCK PROGRAM.

LOOKING TO IMPROVE EVERY PART OF THE VEHICLE RATHER THAN RELYING ON A SINGLE CLEAN FUEL OR ENGINE TECHNOLOGY.

THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF THESE FORWARD THINKING INDUSTRY PARTNERS OUR BIG RIGS OF THE FUTURE SHOULD BE SUPER INDEED.

NOW LET'S HEAD DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE AND GO UNDER THE SKIN FOR PAT'S LATEST TIPS.

>> PAT GOSS: GAS CHARGED STRUTS: THEY'RE IN A LOT OF PLACES ON TODAY'S CARS.

THEY MAY HOLD UP THE TRUNK OR THE HATCH OR THE HOOD; MAYBE EVEN OTHER THINGS ON TRUCKS AND SO ON.

BUT THE BIG THING IS THAT THESE DO NOT LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR IN MOST CASES.

THEY'RE GAS CHARGED; AND OVER TIME THE GAS LEAKS OUT OF THEM.

THAT'S OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS.

BUT THAT'S NOT A BIG DEAL.

BECAUSE FOR MOST CARS, YOU CAN GO DOWN TO THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE, AND BY USING THE MEASUREMENT FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER, AND THE TYPE OF FASTENER, WELL YOU CAN BUY A REPLACEMENT SET.

AND THEY'RE RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE.

NOW THIS APPLIES TO MOST CARS.

AND WHAT YOU WIND UP WITH, IS IN A MATTER OF MINUTES AND A FEW BUCKS, YOU'VE REPAIRED THE STRUTS ON YOUR CAR.

NOW SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE IF YOU WORK UNDER THE HOOD ON A CAR THAT USES A STRUT TO SUPPORT IT: AND THAT IS THIS LITTLE CLAMP THAT WE GET FROM SNAP-ON TOOLS.

IT CLAMPS AROUND THE SHAFT OF THE STRUT, KEEPS IT FROM COMING DOWN, AND CLUNKING YOU IN THE HEAD.

ALRIGHT.

CLOSING A HOOD, MOST PEOPLE DO IT WRONG.

SEEMS LIKE THEY WANT TO GET UP HERE, AND GET A HAND ON EITHER SIDE OF IT, AND JUST PUSH MIGHTILY ON IT.

ESPECIALLY WHEN IT GETS DOWN CLOSE TO BEING CLOSED.

THAT'S A WRONG WAY TO DO IT.

WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO IS, GET IT DOWN ABOUT THIS HEIGHT, THEN RIGHT IN THE CENTER, WITH A COUPLE OF FINGERS, SLAM IT.

YOU SEE, THIS SOUNDS AGGRESSIVE, BUT ACTUALLY IT'S A LOT BETTER FOR THE HOOD AND FOR THE CAR ITSELF.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU GET ON IT AND LEAN ON IT, YOU'LL DENT THE HOOD RIGHT HERE WHERE YOUR HANDS ARE ON IT.

ESPECIALLY IF THE CAR HAS ALUMINUM OR HIGH STRENGTH STEEL IN THE HOOD.

ANOTHER THING THAT'S CHANGING ON CARS IS RIGHT HERE, WIPER BLADES.

FOREVER, THEY'VE BEEN DESIGNED LIKE THIS.

NOW THE PRESSURE IS APPLIED HERE BY THE ARM.

THAT PRESSURE IS TRANSMITTED TO THE BLADE AT EACH ONE OF THESE JUNCTURES.

THOSE ARE PRESSURE POINTS.

AND THAT MEANS THEY DON'T CLEAN EVENLY.

SO THE NEW DESIGN IS RIGHT HERE: THIS IS A BEAM TYPE BLADE.

THE SPRING IS INSIDE THE RUBBER.

SO, IT GIVES EVEN FORCE ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE BLADE.

ALSO IF YOU LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE THERE'S SNOW AND ICE, WELL THIS DOESN'T GET CLOGGED UP WITH ICE AND SNOW BUILT UP BETWEEN THE PIECES OF IT.

SO, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY WINTER WIPER BLADES.

SO OVERALL, THIS COSTS A BIT MORE MONEY, BUT IT IS A SAFETY DEVICE AND ISN'T IT WORTH A LITTLE MORE MONEY TO HAVE A SAFER CAR?

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

>> JOHN: IT'S BEEN ANOTHER BUSY WEEK OF DRIVING, AND WE'VE GOT THE QUICK SPINS TO PROVE IT!

THE SMALL TRUCK FAITHFUL CAN REJOICE, AS A MODERN MID-SIZED PICKUP DESIGN HAS FINALLY ARRIVED.

YES, THE RETURN OF THE CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON INJECTS A JOLT OF "NEW" INTO A SEGMENT THAT DESPERATELY NEEDS IT.

LAUNCH ENGINES ARE A 200 HORSEPOWER 2.5 LITER I-4, AND A 3.6 LITER 305 HORSEPOWER V6.

A TURBO DIESEL COMES NEXT YEAR.

A 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC IS STANDARD FOR MOST, THOUGH A MANUAL CAN BE HAD ON LOWER TRIMS.

WE FOUND BOTH GAS ENGINES TO BE QUITE CAPABLE, AS LONG AS YOUR EXPECTATIONS ARE REALISTIC.

>> GREG CARLOSS: THE POWER COMING FROM THE V6 IS ADEQUATE AND THE 4 CYLINDER IS ALSO OKAY, BUT YOU GOTTA REMEMBER: THESE ARE LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS.

THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE POWERHOUSES.

THE 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE A BIT OF A GEAR HUNTER; AN UNFORTUNATE SIDE EFFECT OF BETTER FUEL EFFICIENCY.

>> JOHN: FOLLOWING THE FULL-SIZE SILVERADO AND SIERRA, INNOVATIONS LIKE ACTIVE GRILLE SHUTTERS AND DIRECT INJECTION ARE PASSED ONTO COLORADO AND CANYON, AND A MAXIMUM TOW RATING OF 7000 POUNDS BACKS UP THAT BIGGER TRUCK MENTALITY.

MODERN GAUGES AND MYLINK/INTELLILINK SYSTEMS ALSO TRICKLE DOWN.

AVAILABLE NOW, THE 2015 CHEVROLET COLORADO STARTS AROUND $21,000, WITH THE BETTER EQUIPPED GMC CANYON ABOUT A GRAND MORE.

WE WERE IMPRESSED WITH THE MERCEDES-BENZ CLA COMPACT LUXURY SPORT SEDAN WHEN WE TESTED IT LAST YEAR.

ESPECIALLY THE 355 HORSEPOWER AMG VERSION.

WELL, NOW IT'S TIME FOR SOMETHING WITH ALL THE POWER, AND MORE UTILITY: THE 2015 GLA CROSSOVER.

SIMILARITIES ABOUND, AS THE GLA SHARES ITS CHASSIS WITH THE CLA.

BUT, DESPITE RIDING HIGHER WITH MORE BULK, IT RETAINS A VERY SPORTY EDGE.

>> BRIAN ROBERTS: YOU KNOW THE 250 IS A LOT OF FUN, JUST ZIPPING AROUND TOWN.

YOU KNOW IT'S A REAL SMOOTH HIGHWAY CRUISER.

IT ACTUALLY FEELS MORE NIMBLE THAN A CLA.

BUT IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT'S A LOT MORE AGGRESSIVE, AND YOU REALLY JUST WANT TO CARVE UP THOSE MOUNTAIN ROADS, THE PERFORMANCE ORIENTED AMG JUST MIGHT BE MORE SUITED TO YOUR NEEDS.

>> JOHN: BOTH THE GLA250 AND GLA45 AMG ARE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE 250 COMES LATER.

STANDARD POWER RATES 208 HORSEPOWER FROM THE 2.0 LITER TURBO 4, WITH THE AMG OVERHAULING THAT TO 355.

MORE REAR HEADROOM AND USEABLE REAR CARGO ROOM ARE DEFINITE SELLING POINTS, AND SHOULD ADD TO THE APPEAL FOR SMALL FAMILIES.

AVAILABLE NOW, THE 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA250 STARTS AROUND $34,000.

MINIVANS ARE NOT SEXY WE KNOW IT.

BUT THEY CAN BE GOOD LOOKING VEHICLES DESPITE THEIR STIGMA.

TAKE THIS 2015 KIA SEDONA.

THERE'S LOTS OF STRAIGHT LINES FOR SURE, BUT ALSO SHARP EDGES, AND KIA'S SIGNATURE TIGER NOSE GRILLE.

BUT MINIVAN SELLING POINTS ARE MOSTLY INSIDE.

AND THE SEDONA'S INTERIOR GETS NOTHING BUT PRAISE FROM US.

SWITCHGEAR IS KIA STANDARD FARE: PREMIUM BUT NOT ORNATE.

THIRD ROW SEATS FOLD INTO THE FLOOR, WHILE THE SECOND ROW, IN AN ANSWER TO CHRYSLER'S STOW-N-GO SYSTEM, FOLDS UPRIGHT AND SLIDES FORWARD TO ALSO DELIVER A TOTALLY FLAT LOAD FLOOR WITHOUT HAVING TO REMOVE HEAVY SEATS.

>> GREG: MOST PEOPLE DON'T BUY MINIVANS FOR THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE, BUT YOU DO HAVE TO DRIVE THEM OBVIOUSLY.

AND THE 2015 KIA SEDONA ACTUALLY OFFERS A VERY NICE UN-MINIVAN LIKE DRIVING EXPERIENCE.

IT DOESN'T FEEL SO TOP HEAVY LIKE OTHER ONES THAT I'VE DRIVEN.

AND IT ACTUALLY HAS 3 DIFFERENT DRIVING MODES; SOMETHING YOU DON'T NORMALLY FIND IN THIS CLASS.

SO THERE'S COMFORT, THERE'S ECO, AND THERE'S NORMAL MODES.

>> JOHN: A NEW ENGINE FOR SEDONA, THE 3.3 LITER V6 IS DOWN IN SIZE, BUT UP IN POWER AT 276 HORSEPOWER.

NEW TRIM LEVELS INCLUDE A TOP SX LIMITED WITH EXECUTIVE SECOND ROW SEATING, A 360 DEGREE CAMERA, AND SAFETY AIDS LIKE LANE DEPARTURE AND FORWARD COLLISION WARNING, AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2015 KIA SEDONA STARTS AROUND $27,000.

AND WE'LL BUCKLE UP FOR MORE QUICK SPINS, SOON!

IF YOU'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THE LEXUS BRAND LATELY, YOU KNOW THAT THEY'RE ON AN ALL-OUT MISSION TO SHED THEIR SOFT, COMFY, PURE LUXURY IMAGE.

THAT'S STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS; IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S MINDS ABOUT A BRAND.

BUT THE NEW RC COUPE JUST MIGHT BE THE CAR THAT SPEEDS THAT CHANGE ALONG.

THE 2015 LEXUS RC MARKS THE BRAND'S REENTRY INTO THE SPORTY COUPE SEGMENT.

AND FROM THE LOOKS OF THIS CAR, THEY'RE NOT JUMPING BACK IN QUIETLY.

THE RC MAY NOT INSTANTLY STRIKE FEAR INTO THE HEARTS OF THE GERMAN MARQUES THAT DOMINATE THIS SEGMENT, BUT THEY WILL CERTAINLY KNOW LEXUS HAS JOINED THE PARTY.

THE RC'S COMPLIANT, YET VERY RIGID CHASSIS IS AN ALL-STAR FOR SURE.

IT'S NOT A NEW CHASSIS PER SE, BUT A MODIFIED COMBINATION OF 2 SEPARATE LEXUS PLATFORMS.

THE FRONT ARCHITECTURE AND SUSPENSION COMES FROM THE MID-SIZE GS, WHILE THE REAR COMES FROM THE COMPACT IS, WITH A LOT OF STRUCTURAL BRACING IN BETWEEN.

ENOUGH TO SATISFY A FAIRLY WIDE VARIETY OF TASTES.

TAKING A WALK THROUGH THE LINEUP, THINGS START WITH THE RC 350.

IT'S THE TAMEST MODEL WITH A 3.5-LITER V6 COMING DIRECTLY OVER FROM THE GS, OUTPUTTING THE SAME 306-HORSEPOWER AND 277 POUND FEET OF TORQUE.

TRANSMISSION IS ALSO THE SAME 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC, WITH STEERING WHEEL SHIFTERS, UNLESS YOU CHOOSE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE IN WHICH CASE YOU'LL LOSE 2 GEARS.

BUT, THE OUTSIDE IS ANYTHING BUT TAME.

WHILE IT MAY NOT BE THE MOST DYNAMIC LOOKING LEXUS OF ALL-TIME, IT'S PRETTY DARN CLOSE.

IT'S STILL LEXUS SMOOTH, BUT WITH PLENTY OF SHARP ANGLES AND BODY TUCKS TO DRUM UP SOME EXCITEMENT.

THE FRONT END SCREAMS AGGRESSION WITH A BIG-MOUTH GRILLE AND VERTICAL OPENINGS SLASHED INTO THE CORNERS.

18-INCH WHEELS ARE STANDARD, WITH SIGNIFICANT FENDER FLARES ABOVE THEM.

L-SHAPED LED REAR LIGHTING HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH CLEAR, JAGGED LENSES PROTRUDING OUT.

THE REAR BUMPER ALSO GETS SLASHED UP WITH SIMULATED CORNER VENTS.

INSIDE, THINGS ARE LESS OF A DEPARTURE.

THERE'S STILL LOTS OF LUXURY TO TOUCH AND PLENTY OF SERENITY TO BE HAD WHEN DRIVING.

LEXUS CALLS THIS A PURE 2+2 COUPE, SO REAR SPACE, ESPECIALLY LEG ROOM, IS LIMITED.

4-DIAL GAUGES SET A SPORTY TONE, WITH A SMALL CENTRAL TFT SCREEN PROVIDING PLENTY OF INFO.

10.4 CUBIC FEET OF SPACE HIDES IN THE TRUNK, AND USEFUL FOLDING REAR SEATBACKS ADD TO THAT.

NEITHER BACK-UP CAMERA NOR NAVIGATION ARE STANDARD, HOWEVER, BUT IF YOU DO UPGRADE, THERE'S A NEW REMOTE TOUCHPAD FOR INPUTS.

NEXT UP THE LINE IS THE RC 350 F SPORT AND THE ADDED CONTENT IS VERY HIGH.

FOR THE EXTERIOR, THERE ARE 19-INCH WHEELS, UNIQUE FRONT AND REAR FASCIA, AND FENDER BADGING.

INSIDE IT GETS EVEN BETTER WITH SUPPORTIVE SPORT SEATS, NEW SPORT PEDALS, LFA-INSPIRED GAUGES, BLACK HEADLINER, AND TASTEFUL SILVER TRIM.

WHILE THE SPORT'S ENGINE IS UNCHANGED, THERE ARE LOTS OF MECHANICAL UPGRADES.

LIKE ADAPTIVE VARIABLE SUSPENSION, HIGH-FRICTION BRAKE PADS, 4-WHEEL STEERING, AND THE ADDITIONAL SPORT+ DRIVING MODE.

WE SPENT MOST OF OUR DRIVE TIME IN THE F SPORT AND WERE VERY IMPRESSED WITH ITS LIGHT AND BALANCED FEEL.

AROUND THE TRACK AT THE MONTICELLO MOTOR CLUB, THINGS FELT SUPER-RIGID WITH VIRTUALLY NO FLEX.

THE REAR-STEER SPEEDS UP TURN-INS, AND THE CAR HAS AN ALMOST PORSCHE-LIKE COMPETENCY, WHERE YOU HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING YOU'RE HAVING THIS MUCH FUN IN A STRAIGHT-UP STREET CAR, LET ALONE A LEXUS.

AND YOU CAN DO SOME SERIOUS PUSHING WITHOUT FEELING LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO END UP IN SOME "EPIC FAIL" VIDEO ON YOU TUBE.

BUT, WHERE THIS TALE REALLY GETS INTERESTING IS IN THE TOP-OF-THE-LINE RC F. THIS CAR IS SERIOUS, WITH A 467-HORSEPOWER 5.0-LITER V8, AS WELL AS FULLY UPGRADED CHASSIS AND BRAKES.

IT'S A BEAST!

ON THE STREET, IT FEELS A LITTLE NOSE HEAVY, AND STEERING IS SLOWER, THOUGH YOU CAN DIAL IN MORE WITH SPORT AND SPORT+ SETTINGS, BUT WE FOUND IT ALMOST TOO AGGRESSIVE FOR EVERYDAY USE.

ON THE TRACK HOWEVER, IT COMES ALIVE WITH THE V8 GROWLING ON ACCELERATION, AND BARKING ON DOWNSHIFTS.

TRANSMISSION IS ALSO AN 8-SPEED, BUT IT'S DIFFERENT ENOUGH TO GET A SEPARATE INTERNAL NAME.

A TORSEN LIMITED-SLIP REAR IS STANDARD AND YOU CAN UPGRADE TO A TORQUE VECTORING REAR, WHICH INCLUDES "SET-IT-AND-FORGET-IT" PRESETS FOR STANDARD, SLALOM, AND TRACK.

THE TORQUE VECTORING REAR IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, AS IT ALLOWS YOU TO SERIOUSLY LATE BRAKE AND PERFORM DARE-DEVIL LATE TURN-INS WELL BEYOND YOUR SKILL SET.

ALL OF THAT, ALONG WITH HUGE 6-PISTON BREMBOS UP FRONT, MAKE THE RC F A LEGIT PLAYER IN THE RS, M, AND AMG GAME.

LEXUS CLAIMS 0-60 HAPPENS IN 4.4-SECONDS AND WE BELIEVE IT.

PRICES ARE COMPETITIVE TOO, STARTING AT $43,715 FOR THE RC 350, THE F SPORT COMES IN AT $47,700, AND THE BIG-DOG RC F GOES FOR $63,325.

WHILE THE LFA GOT THE PERFORMANCE-IMAGE BALL ROLLING FOR LEXUS, THINGS HAVE BEEN SLOW IN GAINING MOMENTUM.

BUT WE THINK THE 2015 RC IS A GAME CHANGER, AND JUST WHAT THE LEXUS MAKEOVER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR.

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... ... AND SEE HOW MUCH MAGIC THE BMW X4 CAN PERFORM.

THEN WE'LL PUMMEL THE PAVEMENT IN A PAIR OF SCREAMIN' CALLAWAYS.

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... KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT HIS TIRES RIGHT NOW.

IF HE WERE, TIRERACK.COM COULD HELP HIM FIND THE RIGHT TIRES.

BUT KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.

KENNY'S THINKING, OH MAN.

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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.

>> ANNOUNCER: THIS PROGRAM WAS PRODUCED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, WHICH IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.