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

JOIN US, AND SEE IF THE MERCEDES-BENZ GLA IS READY TO RUMBLE IN THE LUXO COMPACT CROSSOVER JUNGLE.

PAT GOSS HELPS US FIND THE PERFECT FIT IN TIRES.

FYI'S YOLANDA VAZQUEZ REPORTS ON KEEPING TEENS SAFE BEHIND THE WHEEL.

AND WE'LL SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF BIG TIME IN THE CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION >> 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.

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: WITH ALL OF THE COMPACT LUXURY CROSSOVERS WE'VE TESTED LATELY, YOU'D THINK WE'VE DRIVEN THEM ALL.

WELL NOT QUITE YET.

THERE'S BEEN ONE GLARING OMISSION FROM OUR TEST REGIME, NOW ADDRESSED BY THE MERCEDES-BENZ GLA.

SO, LET'S GET ROLLING AND FILL IN THE BLANKS.

THE 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA MAY HAVE ARRIVED LATE TO THE COMPACT LUXURY CROSSOVER PARTY, BUT EVERYONE WILL CERTAINLY NOTICE IT'S NOW HERE.

IT'S BASED ON MERCEDES' ENTRY-LEVEL FRONT AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE CLA SEDAN, AND THOUGH WHEELBASE IS THE SAME AT 106.3-INCHES, OVERALL LENGTH IS ACTUALLY LESS.

YET EVEN WITH THOSE COMPACT DIMENSIONS, IT STILL FEELS VERY MERCEDES-BENZ-LIKE, WHICH IS WHERE MANY FELT THE CLA ACTUALLY FELL SHORT.

POWER IS VERY CLA HOWEVER, WITH THE GLA250 SPORTING A DIRECT-INJECTED 2.0-LITER TURBO CHARGED I4 WITH 208 HORSEPOWER AND A HEALTHY 258 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

A SMOOTH-SHIFTING FRONT DRIVE 7-SPEED DCT HANDLES TRANSMISSION DUTIES, WITH 4MATIC ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE AVAILABLE.

WHILE THE INTERIOR HAS THE APPEARANCE OF BEING A NICE STEP UP FROM THE CLA, THE FRONT SEAT BOTTOMS ARE STILL UNCOMFORTABLY FLAT.

THERE'S MORE REAR SEAT HEADROOM THAN IN THE CLA OF COURSE, BUT LEGROOM IS STILL TIGHT; AND WITH HIGH SILLS AND SMALL DOOR OPENINGS, INGRESS REMAINS LESS THAN IDEAL.

CARGO SPACE SEES A NICE INCREASE TO 17.2 CUBIC-FEET BEHIND THE REAR SEATS, 43.6 WITH THE SEATBACKS FOLDED.

THE GLA250 PROVED TO A LOT OF FUN TO DRIVE, BUT IF ASSAULTING CORNERS AND BATTERING APEXES IS MORE YOUR THING; THE GLA45 AMG IS DOWNRIGHT NAUGHTY AND READY TO GET YOU INTO ALL SORTS OF TROUBLE.

PRIMED FOR MISCONDUCT IS THE SAME 2.0-LITER I4 ENGINE, ONLY IT'S DONE SOME HARD TIME OVER AT THE AMG SHOP, WHERE IT CAME OUT BEEFED UP.

POWER JUMPS TO 355 HORSEPOWER AND 332 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

ITS CRIMES OF AGGRESSION START WITH A 0-60 OF JUST 4.9-SECONDS.

THAT'S JUST A HAIR SLOWER THAN THE MORE POWERFUL PORSCHE MACAN TURBO.

EVEN WITH RACE START ENGAGED, THE GLA SLIGHTLY HESITATES OFF THE LINE.

BUT, ONCE YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY, THE POWER COMES ON IN A HURRY.

SHIFTS FROM THE DCT ARE ALMOST INSTANTANEOUS WITH PLENTY OF TICKED OFF SNARL FROM THE AMG SPORT EXHAUST, AS YOU COMPLETE THE QUARTER MILE IN 13.6-SECONDS AT 107 MILES-PER-HOUR.

THE SUSPENSION GETS A TOTAL AMG REHAB TOO, WITH STIFFENED COMPONENTS, FIRMER SPRINGS AND SHOCKS, AND UPDATES TO BOTH THE STEERING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE.

ATTACKING THE CONES, THIS COMPACT UTE FELT LOCKED IN; MUCH MORE LIKE A HOT HATCH THAN LOWERED CROSSOVER.

IT FEELS TINY THROUGH HERE WITH JUST A TOUCH OF UNDERSTEER FROM THE STANDARD 4MATIC ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE.

AND, THANKS TO THE AMG PERFORMANCE BRAKES, COMING TO A FULL STOP TAKES JUST 111-FEET FROM 60.

THE FOLKS AT AMG HAD THEY'RE WAY WITH STYLING TOO, APPLYING A FAR MORE AGGRESSIVE LOOK WITH UNIQUE FRONT FASCIA AND SPLITTER.

THE GRILLE GETS A TWIN-BLADE MATTE TITANIUM GRAY TREATMENT, AS WELL AS A NEW INSERT AMG LOGO THAT WILL BE SEEN ON ALL FUTURE AMG MODELS.

19-INCH WHEELS ARE STANDARD ON AMG'S, BUT OF COURSE THERE ARE UPGRADES, INCLUDING THESE BLACK 20-INCH 10-SPOKERS.

THE REAR ALSO LOOKS WIDE, LOW AND EQUALLY AGGRESSIVE.

THE NIGHT STYLING PACKAGE ADDS GLOSS BLACK TRIM ALL AROUND, ALONG WITH BLACK CHROME TAIL PIPES.

ALL-IN-ALL IT DOES LOOK MORE LIKE A TOUGH LITTLE HATCHBACK THAN AN SUV; WHICH IS COOL UNTIL YOU REALIZE THAT MOST HATCHBACKS ACTUALLY HAVE MORE SPACE INSIDE.

THE GLA45 AMG IS ALSO QUITE AGGRESSIVE OFF THE TRACK.

THE HARSH RIDE AND BURBLE-Y/DRONE-Y EXHAUST NOTE HAD MOST OF OUR STAFF GRATEFUL FOR A ONE NIGHT STINT BEHIND THE WHEEL AND NOT A LIFETIME SENTENCE.

AMG INTERIOR ELEMENTS INCLUDE A PERFORMANCE STEERING WHEEL, SPORT SEATS, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WITH RACETIMER, CARBON FIBER AND BRUSHED ALUMINUM TRIM, CONSOLE-MOUNTED AMG SHIFTER, AND MB-TEX ON THE DASH WITH EXPOSED STITCHING.

BOTH NAVIGATION AND REARVIEW CAMERA ARE AVAILABLE WITH THE MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE, AND MOST OF BENZ'S HIGH END SAFETY FEATURES ARE OBTAINABLE AS WELL.

WE CAN APPRECIATE THAT THE INFORMATION ON THE 7.0-INCH HIGH-RES.

LCD DISPLAY IS CLOSER TO THE DRIVER'S EYES THAN MOST, BUT ITS DASH TOP INTEGRATION MAKES IT APPEAR AFTERMARKET THAN FACTORY.

INPUTS ARE MADE WITH A COMMAND CONTROLLER LOCATED ON THE CENTER CONSOLE.

WHILE NOT ON ANYONE'S MOST EFFICIENT LIST, AN ECO STOP/START SYSTEM KEEPS THINGS REASONABLE.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR THE GLA250 ARE 24-CITY, 32-HIGHWAY, AND 27-COMBINED.

OUR TEST SAW 27.6 ON PREMIUM.

THE GLA45 AMG RATES SLIGHTLY WORSE AT 23-CITY, 29-HIGHWAY, AND 25-COMBINED, WITH 26.1 ON OUR MIXED LOOP.

STILL, THE 250'S ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS BETTER THAN AVERAGE, WITH 12.2-BARRELS OF OIL CONSUMED YEARLY AND CO2 EMISSIONS OF 5.4-TONS.

PRICING BEGINS WITH A FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE GLA250 AT $32,225; ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE ADDS 2-GRAND MORE.

THE GLA45 AMG STICKERS FOR $49,225.

WHILE WAY MORE THAN A ROOMIER HOT HATCH LIKE THE VOLKSWAGEN GTI, ITS WAY LESS THAN WHAT PORSCHE WANTS FOR THE MACAN.

OVERALL WE LIKE THE 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA BETTER THAN ITS CLA SEDAN INSPIRATION.

IT'S LARGER INSIDE AND DRIVES WITH MORE OF THE SUPER SOLID FEEL ONE EXPECTS FROM THE BRAND.

BUT, TAKEN TOGETHER, THE GLA AND CLA PRESENT A YOUNG, STYLISH, AND AGGRESSIVE LINEUP OF NEW CHOICES.

JUST LIKE THE CONSUMERS THEY HOPE WILL BUY THEM.

FOR MORE MOTORWEEK ROAD TESTS AND COMPLETE EPISODES VISIT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

EVERY PARENT WITH TEENAGERS GRAPPLES WITH THE ISSUE OF "THAT FIRST CAR."

AUTOMOTIVE EXPERTS ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO COME UP WITH CAR CHOICES THAT NOT ONLY FIT A FAMILY'S BUDGET, BUT ALSO INCLUDE MODERN SAFETY FEATURES THAT COULD HELP SAVE YOUNG LIVES.

SO WE ASKED OUR FYI REPORTER YOLANDA VAZQUEZ WHO SHE WOULD TURN TO IN MAKING THIS ALL IMPORTANT CHOICE.

>> YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: MIKE WILLIAMS IS PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT HIS TEENAGE SON TERRANCE IS READY TO HIT THE ROAD ON HIS OWN.

>> MIKE WILLIAMS: HE'S DRIVEN WITH ME QUITE A BIT OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, SO, I THINK HE HAS A PRETTY GOOD HANDLE ON IT.

>> YOLANDA: HE AND HIS WIFE, TRACIE, ARE LOOKING TO BUY HIM A USED VEHICLE.

THEY WANT SOMETHING AFFORDABLE WITH GOOD SAFETY FEATURES.

>> TRACIE WHEELER-WILLIAMS: A WELL-MADE CAR THAT PROTECTS HIM.

SO THAT IF HE GETS IN AN ACCIDENT, HE CAN LIVE.

AND HE CAN WALK AWAY WITH MINOR INJURIES, IF AT ALL.

>> MIKE: YOU WANT TO GET SOMETHING THAT THEY WILL LIKE.

THAT'S KIND OF HARD BECAUSE THEY WOULD WANT, PROBABLY A SPORTS CAR OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT; A JEEP.

BUT WE HAD TO KEEP IN MIND THAT WE WANT THEM TO BE SAFE FIRST AND FOREMOST.

>> YOLANDA: LIKE ANY PARENT LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT VEHICLE CAN BE A CHALLENGING TASK.

THAT'S WHY THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY HAS COMPILED THEIR FIRST EVER LIST OF RECOMMENDED VEHICLES FOR TEEN DRIVERS.

>> ANNE MCCARTT: WE WANTED TO TRY AND TAKE SOME OF THE WORK OUT, FOR PARENTS TO TRY TO HELP THEM BUY A VEHICLE THAT THEY COULD AFFORD, BUT THAT HAD THE SAFETY FEATURES WE CONSIDERED THE MOST IMPORTANT.

>> YOLANDA: ANNE MCCARTT IS THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF RESEARCH AT IIHS.

USING INFORMATION FROM A NATIONAL SURVEY OF PARENTS, THE INSTITUTE PUT TOGETHER TWO SEPARATE LISTS.

ONE WITH RECOMMENDED VEHICLES UNDER $20,000; A SECOND WITH VEHICLES UNDER $10,000.

ALL ARE MODEL YEAR 2005 OR LATER, AND REPRESENT A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF VEHICLES; FROM A VOLVO XC90, TO A FORD ESCAPE.

>> ANNE: THE LISTS HAVE A LOT OF SIMILARITIES... >> YOLANDA: MCCARTT SAYS BOTH EXCLUDE VEHICLES WITH HIGH HORSEPOWER, AS SPEEDING IS A FACTOR IN 35% OF FATAL CRASHING INVOLVING TEENS.

THEY ALSO RECOMMEND PURCHASING A BIGGER, HEAVIER VEHICLE, LIKE A BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET MALIBU, OR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER.

ANOTHER KEY CRITERIA IS ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL.

THE INSTITUTE SAYS IT'S A MUST.

IT HELPS REDUCE THE RISK OF ROLLOVER CRASHES, AND COMES STANDARD ON VEHICLES 2012 AND LATER.

>> ANNE: ONE THING WE LEARNED IN OUR SURVEY IS THAT A LOT OF PARENTS DON'T SEEM TO BE FAMILIAR WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL.

AND IT'S A LIFESAVING TECHNOLOGY.

>> YOLANDA: CHECK OUT THIS DEMO OF AN OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE MANEUVER: THE CAR WITH E HANDLES THE ROAD MUCH BETTER THAN THE CAR WITHOUT IT.

AND WHENEVER POSSIBLE, CHOOSE A VEHICLE THAT HAS BEST GOVERNMENT SAFETY RATINGS.

>> ANNE: I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT PARENTS AND TEENS CAN BOTH FIND A VEHICLE THAT THEY'LL BE HAPPY WITH.

BUT PARENTS SHOULD STICK TO THEIR GUNS.

YOU WANT YOUR TEENS TO BE HAPPY, BUT YOU WANT THEM TO BE SAFE.

>> YOLANDA: AS FOR THE WILLIAMS FAMILY, TERRANCE HOPES HIS PARENTS DO RIGHT BY HIM.

>> TERRANCE WHEELER-WILLIAMS: I DON'T WANT NOTHING, TOO CRAPPY.

>> YOLANDA: BUT HE'LL HAVE TO WAIT A WHILE.

CARS AREN'T ALLOWED ON CAMPUS FRESHMAN YEAR.

HIS PARENTS WILL CONTINUE THEIR SEARCH FOR A VEHICLE THAT'S BOTH SAFE AND BUDGET FRIENDLY.

>> MIKE: SO WHEN HE COMES HOME ON BREAKS OR WHATEVER, HE'LL HAVE IT HERE AT HIS DISPOSAL.

PLUS IT'S AN EXTRA CAR FOR ME TO DRIVE.

>> JOHN: LET'S WHEEL IT ON DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE, WHERE PAT HAS SOME FITTING ADVICE FOR US!

>> PAT: SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS ON ANY CAR ARE ITS TIRES.

AFTER ALL, THE TIRES ARE THE ONLY PART THAT ACTUALLY TOUCHES THE ROAD.

AND HERE TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS WE HAVE TIRE EXPERT MATT EDMONDS.

MATT, WELCOME TO GOSS' GARAGE.

>> MATT: GREAT TO BE HERE, PAT.

>> PAT: ALRIGHT, NOW YOU HAVE SHOES AND TIRES.

TELL US ABOUT THEM.

>> MATT: WELL, I'LL TELL YOU WE CHANGE OUR SHOES TO GET THE MOST OUT OF OURSELVES FOR OUR PERSONAL PERFORMANCE, WHICH EQUATES TO SAFETY DEPENDING ON THE CONDITIONS WE'RE IN OR THE ACTIVITY THAT WE'RE DOING.

IT'S VERY SIMILAR WITH YOUR TIRES.

>> PAT: OKAY.

UH.

SO, YOU'RE SAYING THAT WE SHOULD BE CHANGING TIRES PERIODICALLY?

>> MATT: WELL, YOU KNOW, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE, IF YOU'VE GOT WINTER CONDITIONS TO DEAL WITH, DEDICATED WINTER TIRES, LIKE BOOTS THAT WE PUT ON IN SNOW AND ICE CONDITIONS; VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

YOU KNOW IF YOU LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE TEMPERATURES GET DOWN, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH SNOW AND ICE, ALL-SEASON TIRES: GOOD IN EVERYTHING, NOT GREAT AT ANYTHING.

LIKE THE SHOES THAT YOU MIGHT WEAR EVERY SINGLE DAY OUT THE YEAR.

IF YOU WANT TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE IN DRY CONDITIONS, AND ACTUALLY IN WET CONDITIONS, AN ATHLETIC TIRE, VERY MUCH LIKE AN ATHLETIC SHOE, IF YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING VERY PHYSICAL.

>> PAT: ALRIGHT.

AND THAT'S A SUMMER TIRE.

>> MATT: THIS IS A SUMMER TIRE, OR A 3 SEASON TIRE.

NOW, FOR SOME PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE TEMPERATURES REALLY DON'T GET COLD, THIS IS A TIRE THAT THEY CAN USE YEAR ROUND.

>> PAT: OKAY, NOW WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE?

>> MATT: WELL, I'LL TELL YOU, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TIRES, THE CARCASS, AND THE INTERIOR OF THE TIRES IS VERY, VERY SIMILAR.

THE BIG DIFFERENCE COMES IN THE ACTUAL TREAD PATTERN, AS WE CAN SEE HERE, BUT ALSO IN THE TREAD COMPOUND.

THE BLACK MAGIC.

YOU KNOW, THE SUMMER TIRE, MADE TO REALLY ENDURE IN HOT CONDITIONS, UH, BE A TIRE THAT'S GOING TO HOLD UP, GIVE YOU THAT EXTRA GRIP YOU NEED.

ALL-SEASON TIRE BEING ABLE TO REALLY BE THE JACK OF ALL TRADES AND MASTER OF NONE ESSENTIALLY.

SO GOOD IN EVERYTHING, NOT GREAT IN ANYTHING.

A COMPOUND THAT'S GOING TO STAY RELATIVELY PLIABLE.

THIS WINTER TIRE HAS BEEN REALLY DEVELOPED THOUGH, AND TUNED TO WORK IN WINTER CONDITIONS.

THE COMPOUND IS GOING TO STAY SOFT, PLIABLE, AND REALLY GIVE YOU THE ULTIMATE IN GRIP WHEN TEMPERATURES GET VERY, VERY COLD.

>> PAT: OKAY, SO THIS ONE FOR EVERYTHING, THIS ONE FOR PERFORMANCE IN WARM WEATHER, AND THIS FOR WINTER CONDITIONS.

>> MATT: ABSOLUTELY.

AND THIS ONE WILL ACTUALLY WORK EXTREMELY WELL IN WET CONDITIONS, WHICH IS A SURPRISE TO MOST PEOPLE.

THAT'S WHY, PEOPLE WHO LIVE DOWN SOUTH, WHERE YOU MAY NOT HAVE TEMPERATURES THAT DROP INTO THE 40'S VERY OFTEN, A TIRE THAT'S A GREAT TIRE ALL YEAR ROUND FOR YOU.

>> PAT: OKAY MATT, THANK YOU.

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

>> JOHN: WITH JUST 2,340 MILES ADDED TO THE ODOMETER, WE'RE STILL IN THE HONEYMOON PHASE WITH OUR 2015 VOLKSWAGEN GTI.

SO NATURALLY, WE'RE STILL IN LOVE WITH JUST HOW FUN AND EASY IT IS TO DRIVE.

EVEN A QUICK TRIP TO LUNCH CAN BE ENTERTAINING.

MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, OUR STAFFERS KEEP IT IN SPORT MODE, WHICH TIGHTENS STEERING NICELY.

BUT LIKE ANY RELATIONSHIP, WE'RE DISCOVERING A FEW FLAWS AS WELL.

NOTHING THAT'S A DEAL BREAKER, JUST MINOR ANNOYANCES.

SOME WITH LONGER LEGS ARE GETTING BRUISED KNEES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN PROTRUDING TOO FAR INTO THE DRIVER KNEE AREA.

AND THE REQUIREMENT FOR PREMIUM FUEL HAS FOOLED A FEW OF US, WHO'VE PUT IN REGULAR GRADE, AND NOTICED SOME ENGINE SPUTTERING AND DELAYED THROTTLE RESPONSE AS A RESULT.

FUEL ECONOMY GETS NO COMPLAINTS FROM US AT ALL, AS WE'RE AVERAGING JUST OVER 35 MILES PER GALLON AFTER SOME LONG HIGHWAY COMMUTES AND WORK-RELATED ROAD TRIPS.

WE DON'T EXPECT THE NUMBERS TO STAY THIS HIGH FROM THE 210 HORSEPOWER TURBO I4 AND 6 SPEED DSG TRANSMISSION, THOUGH, ESPECIALLY AS FALL TURNS INTO WINTER.

AND AS WE WELCOME THAT NEW SEASON, WE ALSO WELCOME A NEW VEHICLE TO OUR LONG TERM FLEET: THIS 2014 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT.

IT SPORTS A 2.0 LITER 4 CYLINDER, CVT, AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, WHICH THEY CALL "ALL WHEEL CONTROL."

SO, WE'LL SEE IF IT CAN CONTROL THE ROADS DURING THE COLD TO COME.

WE'LL CHECK IN ON OUR ACURA RLX SEDAN ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

IF YOU'RE A LONG TIME MOTORWEEK VIEWER, YOU KNOW THAT OVER THE YEARS WE'VE TESTED A LOT OF SLP PERFORMANCE CARS, AND IT ALL STARTED WITH THE FIREHAWK.

WE KNOW THAT MAC LOGAN IS A HUGE FAN OF THAT CAR, AND HE'S TURNED HIS PASSION INTO 200 PLUS PAGES, WITH THE BOOK SLP FIREHAWK FIERCEST OF THE FIREBIRDS.

IT'S NOT ONLY A COMPLETE HISTORY OF HOW THE FIREHAWK CAME TO BE, BUT YOU'LL GET TO KNOW THE FOLKS WHO MADE IT HAPPEN; AS WELL AS GET A COMPLETE LISTING OF EVERY YEAR OF FIREHAWK PRODUCTION, INCLUDING SALES NUMBERS.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF GREAT PICTURES, AND EVEN AN APPENDIX THAT LISTS WHICH SLP FIREHAWK'S HAVE BEEN FEATURED ON MOTORWEEK .

IF YOU SHARE MAC'S DEVOTION TO STREET LEGAL PERFORMANCE, WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU PICK UP ONE OF THE 1,000 AVAILABLE COPIES OF THIS VERY MUST READ.

TIME FOR A MOTOR NEWS UPDATE, SO LET'S HEAD INSIDE FOR THE LATEST!

>> YOLANDA: MINIVANS ARE THE LATEST ROUND OF VEHICLES TESTED BY THE IIHS IN THEIR SMALL OVERLAP FRONT CRASH TEST.

THOUGH THE SAMPLING WAS FEW, THE RESULTS ARE FAR-REACHING.

OF THE 4 VEHICLES CRASH TESTED BY THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY 3 RECEIVED POOR RATINGS: THE CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY, PLATFORM MATE DODGE CARAVAN, AND THE NISSAN QUEST.

THE 4TH, THE TOYOTA SIENNA, EARNED AN ACCEPTABLE RATING.

THE TEST IS CONDUCTED AT 40 MILES-PER-HOUR CRASHING A 25 PERCENT SECTION OF THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END INTO AN IMMOVABLE BARRIER.

THE POORLY RATED CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY AND NISSAN QUEST SAW SIGNIFICANT INTRUSION INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, STEERING COLUMN, AND PEDALS BEING FORCED INTO THE DRIVER'S LEGS, KNEES, AND FEET.

THE DAMAGE TO THE QUEST WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE FRONT SEAT HAD TO BE CUT OUT BEFORE REMOVING THE DUMMY.

THE SIENNA'S ACCEPTABLE RATING RESULTED FROM A MARGINAL STRUCTURAL SCORE, COMBINED WITH GOOD ONES FOR RESTRAINTS AND INJURY PREVENTION.

AND WITH A RATING OF GOOD, THE PREVIOUSLY TESTED HONDA ODYSSEY, STOOD AS THE BENCHMARK.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NEARLY ALL OF THE MINIVANS TESTED ARE NEARING THE END OF THEIR LIFE CYCLE, AND SHOULD SEE SIGNIFICANT OVERHAULS AND REDESIGNS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

AND YOU CAN BE SURE SAFETY WILL BE EVEN MORE OF A PRIORITY FOR THESE FAMILY HAULERS.

THOUGH THE LA AUTO SHOW HAS COME AND GONE, A LASTING HONOR FROM THE ANNUAL GATHERING IS THE GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR AWARD.

AND THIS YEAR'S WINNER WAS CERTAINLY AN UNCONVENTIONAL ONE.

THE BMW I3 WAS THIS YEAR'S TOP PICK.

WITH ITS CARBON-FIBER REINFORCED PLASTIC BODY, ELECTRIC POWERTRAIN, OPTIONAL GAS ENGINE RANGE EXTENDER, AND SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED INTERIOR MATERIALS, THE I3 STOOD OUT AS AN EXCEPTIONAL EXAMPLE OF EFFICIENT MOTORING.

OTHER CONTENDERS INCLUDED THE AUDI A3 TDI, CHEVROLET IMPALA BI-FUEL, HONDA FIT, AND THE VOLKSWAGEN GOLF FAMILY.

AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTOR NEWS.

>> JOHN: OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS, THE GM, FORD, AND CHRYSLER MUSCLE CAR WARS HAVE HAD THEIR EBBS AND FLOWS.

BUT WITH THE CHALLENGER'S REBIRTH FOR 2008, THE CAMARO FOR 2010, AND AN ALL-NEW MUSTANG DAWNING, THE BATTLE IS AT A FEVER PITCH.

ALL PARTIES ARE LOBBING EVER MORE POTENT MISSILES ACROSS THE BORDER WITH INCREASING REGULARITY.

AND ONE OF THE LATEST, THE CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28, HAS GM SHOOTING FOR THE STARS.

WHEN THE ORIGINAL Z/28 PERFORMANCE PACKAGE BECAME AVAILABLE FOR THE 1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO, FEW PEOPLE HAD INTEREST IN TURNING THEIR CAMARO'S INTO TRACK READY PIECES, UNLESS THEY HAD SCCA RACING ON THEIR AGENDA.

THUS, THOSE ORIGINALS ARE EXTREMELY RARE AND DESIRABLE.

WELL, TIMES HAVE CHANGED, BUT NO LESS DESIRABLE WILL BE THIS ALL-NEW 2015 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28.

IN SIMILAR FASHION, MOST OF TODAY'S BUYERS WILL PROBABLY NOT HAVE RACING OR EVEN TRACK TIME IN MIND, BUT PEOPLE ARE MUCH SAVVIER TODAY ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO OWN THE MOST TRACK CAPABLE CAMARO EVER.

WE COULD FILL OUR TEST WITH ALL OF THE UPDATES THAT IT HAS RECEIVED; BUT BOTTOM LINE, IF IT'LL HELP IT GET AROUND THE TRACK FASTER, IT'S BEEN ADDRESSED.

STILL, HERE'S A PARTIAL RUNDOWN.

TOTAL REVAMPING OF SUSPENSION, CARBON CERAMIC BRAKES FROM BREMBO ADDED, AERO ELEMENTS OPTIMIZED, AND ADDITIONAL DOWNFORCE OBTAINED.

AND ALONG WITH THOSE ADDITIONS, SOME CIVILIZED INTERIOR FEATURES HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED TO SHAVE WEIGHT.

THE BACK SEAT IS LIGHTER BY 9 POUNDS WITH THE REMOVAL OF THE PASS THROUGH AND USING DIFFERENT SEAT FOAM.

SOUND DEADENING HAS BEEN REMOVED THROUGHOUT THE CAR, AS HAS THE CARPETING IN THE TRUNK; WHERE THE TIRE INFLATOR KIT HAS ALSO BEEN ELIMINATED, AND A SMALLER BATTERY INSTALLED.

GETTING RID OF AIR CONDITIONING AND ALL BUT ONE RADIO SPEAKER COMPLETES THE INTERIOR'S DIET.

IN ADDITION, THERE ARE NO HID HEADLIGHTS OR FOG LIGHTS AND THE BACK GLASS IS THINNER.

STILL, EVEN WITH THOSE EXTREME MEASURES, THE Z/28 IS ONLY 55 POUNDS LIGHTER THAN AN SS 1LE.

BUT, IT'S 300 POUNDS LESS THAN THE BIG BOY CAMARO ZL1.

NEED MORE?

HOW ABOUT 305-SERIES RUBBER.

OH, THAT'S UP FRONT, AS WELL AS IN BACK, ON 19-INCH WHEELS, MAKING FOR A CONTACT PATCH ABOUT AS BIG AS YOU CAN GET ON THE STREET.

PUMPING THE POWER IS GM'S NATURALLY ASPIRATED 7.0-LITER LS7 V8 WITH 505 HORSEPOWER AND 481 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, AND YOU HAVE NO PROBLEMS HEARING IT OUTSIDE AND INSIDE.

THE LS7 SENDS THAT POWER THROUGH A TREMEC TR6060 6-SPEED MANUAL, AND SPENT GASSES THROUGH AN ACTIVE 2-MODE EXHAUST WITH HIGH-FLOW CONVERTER.

WITH ALL OF THAT IN MIND, WE PUT IN SOME HOT LAP RESEARCH TIME AT GINGERMAN RACEWAY IN WESTERN MICHIGAN TO QUALIFY THE RESULTS.

WHICH ARE GRIP, GRIP, AND MORE GRIP?

IN CORNERS BOTH TIGHT AND SWEEPING, IT WAS EASY TO FIND THE CAR'S LIMITS, FEELING VERY MUCH RACE CAR LIKE.

BUT, EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN CLEARLY SENSE THEM, IT CAN ALSO BE EASY TO GO PAST THEM.

THE CHASSIS HOWEVER, IS ALMOST TELEPATHIC ON WHEN THOSE TRANSITIONS WILL TAKE PLACE, SO THINGS ARE EASY TO CONTROL, AND THE DAMPING SEEMS SPOT ON.

ON THE HARDWARE SIDE, THERE'S A TORSEN LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL AND DYNAMIC SUSPENSIONS SPOOL VALVE DAMPERS; ALONG WITH STIFFER SPRINGS AND BUSHINGS.

AS FOR THE SOFTWARE, GM'S PERFORMANCE TRACTION MANAGEMENT DELEGATE'S POWER DELIVERY AND ELECTRONIC ASSISTANCE; AND WITH 5-LEVELS TO CHOOSE FROM, MUCH LIKE MANY COMPANIES, THERE'S MORE LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT THAN MOST PEOPLE NEED.

WHEN WORKING THE TRANS BOTH INTO CORNERS AND DOWN THE STRAIGHT, THE SHIFTER FEELS BEEFY AND GEARS ARE EASILY SELECTED AT SPEED.

NOT MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THE BRAKES OTHER THAN THAT THEY ARE SIMPLY PHENOMENAL.

BELIEVE US WHEN WE SAY THAT IF YOU'VE EVER THOUGHT OF TURNING YOUR CAMARO INTO A TRACK CAR, THERE'S NO WAY YOU COULD DO IT THIS WELL OR THIS CHEAPLY BY YOURSELF.

NOW, IF YOU'RE THINKING OF BUYING THE Z/28 JUST TO LOOK COOLER AND IMPROVE YOUR POSEUR QUOTIENT, YOU'LL PROBABLY BE DISAPPOINTED AS ADDITIONS, THOUGH MANY ARE PRETTY SUBTLE.

WHILE IT'S NOT NEW, THE FRONT FASCIA IS ALTERED THANKS TO THE BLOCKED OFF OPENINGS, HOLLOWED OUT BOW TIE, AND FRONT SPLITTER.

THERE ARE UNDERSTATED AERO TREATMENTS DOWN THE SIDES AND AROUND WHEEL OPENINGS, AND FINALLY A WHICKER BILL ADDED TO THE REAR SPOILER.

PRICING IS NICE AND SIMPLE, $75,000, TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT, THOUGH THERE IS 1 OPTION PACKAGE AVAILABLE THAT ADDS THE AIR CONDITIONING BACK IN AS WELL AS 5 ORE SPEAKERS FOR THE RADIO.

SHAVING WEIGHT AND INCREASING PERFORMANCE IS ALWAYS A GOOD PLAY FOR THE TRACK, SO IT'S A NO-BRAINER THAT THE 2015 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28 IS A SERIOUS CONTENDER.

IT NOT ONLY DOES THE FABLED Z/28 NAME JUSTICE, BUT IT'S A MUCH BETTER CAR THAN THE BIG BOY ZL1; MUCH LIKE THE FRIENDLIER MUSTANG BOSS 302 IS MORE APPEALING TO US THAN THE SHELBY GT500.

WHEN IT COMES TO CAMARO'S.

THERE'S NONE BETTER THAN A Z/28.

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...

WHEN WE'LL TEST BMW'S LATEST M DUO: THE M3 AND M4.

THEN CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE MITSUBISHI MIRAGE.

PAT GOSS WARNS US AGAINST BARGAIN OIL FILTERS.

ZACH MASKELL PLUGS IN OVER THE EDGE.

THEN WE'LL TAKE A FEW QUICK SPINS, AND GET OUR IMPRESSIONS.

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... 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.

OH MAN.

OH MAN, OH MAN, OH MAN.

THIS IS AWESOME!

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.