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

JOIN US AS WE DRIVE PORSCHE PERFORMANCE ON A WHOLE NEW LEVEL IN THE 918 SPYDER... PAT GOSS MAKES SURE THAT WE'RE ALL KEEPING OUR COOL... BRIAN ROBINSON TAKES HIS TWO WHEELIN' EDUCATION OFF ROAD... AND WE'LL PUT FOUR WHEELS BACK ON PAVEMENT WITH THE ACURA ILX...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION >> ANNOUNCER: MOTORWEEK, TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE BROUGHT TO YOU BY... PHYLLIS IS HEADING TO A SCIENCE CONFERENCE.

SO, SHE'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES RIGHT NOW.

IF SHE WERE, ALL SHE'D NEED TO KNOW IS TIRERACK.COM.

BUT PHYLLIS IS THINKING...

UH, I'M NOT REALLY SURE.

BUT IT'S PROBABLY IMPORTANT.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF BRANDS, PRICES, AND SPECIFICATIONS.

ROCKAUTO.COM, ALL THE PARTS YOUR CAR WILL EVER NEED.

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: REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT THERE ARE MORE PORSCHE THAN EVER, DON'T THINK FOR A MINUTE THAT THE BRAND HAS LOST ITS PASSION FOR PURE HIGH PERFORMANCE.

AND CLEARLY THAT'S WHAT THE 918 SPYDER IS ALL ABOUT.

YES, AFTER WHAT SEEMS LIKE FOREVER, IT'S FINALLY HERE.

SO, DON'T BLINK, YOU MIGHT MISS IT!

THE 2015 PORSCHE 918 SPYDER TO NOT ONLY DELIVER UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE FOR A STREET CAR, BUT TO DO SO WITH MINIMUM FOSSIL FUEL CONSUMPTION; ALL WITHOUT LEAVING EVERY DAY PRACTICALITY AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT.

TO ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK, PORSCHE EMPLOYED THE SAME PLUG-IN HYBRID APPROACH AS OTHER MODERN PERFORMANCE MARVELS LIKE LAFERRARI AND THE MCLAREN P1, BUT WITH THE BRAND'S UNIQUE FORMULA OF COURSE.

IT STARTS WITH A NATURALLY ASPIRATED 608 HORSEPOWER, MID-MOUNTED, 4.6 LITER V8 ENGINE THAT YOU CAN BARELY CATCH A GLIMPSE OF.

EXHAUST PIPES POINT DIRECTLY AND LESS HEAT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

FROM THERE, IT ADDS A 156 HORSEPOWER BOOST FROM A 115 KW ELECTRIC MOTOR.

TOGETHER, THEY SEND POWER TO THE REAR WHEELS THROUGH A HEAVILY REVISED 7-SPEED PDK TRANSMISSION.

NOW, IF THAT WEREN'T ENOUGH, UP FRONT THERE'S ANOTHER 95 KW ELECTRIC MOTOR THAT SENDS AN ADDITIONAL 129 HORSEPOWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS.

ALL TOLD, THERE'S 887 HORSEPOWER AND 944 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE WAITING TO BE UNLEASHED AT ANY THE THREE POWER SOURCES CAN BE USED IN A VARIETY OF CONFIGURATIONS DETERMINED BY WHICH DRIVING MODE IS DIALED IN.

THERE'S EVERYTHING FROM HOT LAP'S ALL FULL-ON ALL WHEEL DRIVE INSANITY FOR HITTING 60 IN 2.5 SECONDS, TO E-POWER MODE, A LOW MOUNTED 6.8 KWH LITHIUM-ION BATTERY TO GET YOU 19 MILES OF GAS FREE, AND VIRTUALLY SILENT DRIVING AT UP TO 93 MILES-PER-HOUR.

OF COURSE EVERYTHING IS BUILT IN AND AROUND A CARBON FIBER CHASSIS, WITH CURB WEIGHT JUST SHY OF 3,700-POUNDS.

OTHER TECHNO TRIVETS INCLUDE REAR AXLE STEERING AND ACTIVE AERO.

THE INTERIOR LAYOUT SHOWS HINTS OF FAMILIARITY, BUT IS MOSTLY ITS OWN UNIQUE ANIMAL.

THE SEATING POSITION IS BUSINESS LIKE, WITH PLENTY OF BOTH SUPPORT AND COMFORT.

TO THE SIDE, THERE'S A RISING CENTER CONSOLE WITH A VERY COMPREHENSIVE TABLET STYLE TOUCH PANEL, WITH LARGE NAV SCREEN JUST ABOVE.

GAUGES NESTLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN DIRECTLY BEHIND THE CONTROL INTENSIVE 3-SPOKE STEERING WHEEL.

DRIVEN AT STREET LEGAL SPEEDS, THE 918 IS DOCILE AND NOT HIGH STRUNG LIKE THE MCLAREN P1.

THE THROTTLE IS VERY PROGRESSIVE, SO YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU'RE DOING A LEMANS START EVERY TIME YOU PULL AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN.

THERE'S PLENTY OF WEIRD SPACECRAFT TYPE NOISES, UNTIL YOU GET ON THE GAS HARD, WHEN IT'S ALL ENGINE NOISE WITH THOSE EXPOSED EXHAUST TIPS NOT THAT FAR FROM THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD.

UNLESS YOU'RE ON A RACE TRACK, LEAVING THE PDK IN AUTO WORKS JUST FINE, BUT THERE'S SO MUCH TORQUE AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME, THAT GEAR SELECTION BECOMES ALMOST IRRELEVANT.

FULL POWER ACCELERATION IS METEORIC, WITH NO SIGNS OF EVER LETTING UP UNTIL YOU'RE WELL INTO TRIPLE DIGITS.

AND OF COURSE RACE SPEC.

BRAKES ARE ON TAP TO BRING YOU DOWN FROM SPEED IN NO TIME AT ALL.

DESPITE THE DIRECT MOUNTING OF THE DOUBLE WISHBONE FRONT AND MULTI LINK REAR SUSPENSION TO THE CARBON FIBER TUB, RIDE QUALITY IS NOT ALL THAT DIFFERENT FROM A 911 ON ALL BUT THE ROUGHEST OF ROADS, THANKS TO PORSCHE'S ACTIVE SUSPENSION MANAGEMENT.

ALL IN ALL IT'S A PRETTY DARN INCREDIBLE CAR, WITH NOTHING REALLY NOT TO LIKE ABOUT IT.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THE LOOKS, OTHER THAN THEY'RE 100 PERCENT CLASSIC PORSCHE RACE CAR, BUT WITH ENOUGH STYLE AND MODERN TOUCHES TO NOT LOOK TIMEWORN OR FORCED RETRO.

THE 2-PIECE TARGA STYLE ROOF IS REMOVABLE AND PORSCHE WAS THOUGHTFUL ENOUGH TO PROVIDE A PLACE TO STORE THEM, ALONG WITH A TOKEN 3.7 CUBIC-FEET OF CARGO UP FRONT.

THERE'S ADDITIONAL SPACE IN THE GARMENT BAGS BEHIND THE SEAT.

BEING A HYBRID, THERE'S NO GAS GUZZLER TAX, AS THE 918 GETS AN OVERALL GOVERNMENT COMBINED RATING OF 22, AND AN MPGE RATING OF 67-COMBINED.

WITH LAFERRARI AND THE P1 HAVING PRICE TAGS WELL OVER 7-FIGURES, THE 918 SPYDER'S BASE PRICE OF $847,975 SEEMS LIKE A RELATIVE BARGAIN.

STILL, DON'T EXPECT TO SEE TOO MANY 918'S AROUND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ANY TIME SOON.

THE 2015 PORSCHE 918 SPYDER MANAGES TO CAPTURE EVERYTHING THAT PORSCHE DOES BEST IN ONE HIGH TECH, MISSILE LIKE PROJECTILE OF A CAR.

IT'S A TRULY REMARKABLE MACHINE THAT DOES EVERYTHING AT A HIGH LEVEL EFFORTLESSLY AND WITHOUT COMPROMISE.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT HAS SET THE STANDARD FOR WHAT AN ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE EXOTIC CAN BE, AND WHAT PORSCHE WILL BE DELIVERING IN THE YEARS TO COME.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO LANCASTER, IS TRANSFORMED INTO A VALUABLE RESOURCE.

THE LANCASTER COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAS TWO WASTE-TO-ENERGY FACILITIES THAT CAN POWER UP TO 45,000 HOMES AND BUSINESSES.

PLUS THEIR TRANSFER STATION USES 2,000 SOLAR PANELS TO HELP POWER THE COMPLEX.

LAST YEAR, THEY ADDED 14 NEW COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS TRANSFER TRUCKS AND TWO CNG ASH TRUCKS THAT USE TIME-FILL POSTS TO FUEL UP OVERNIGHT.

IN THE FIRST YEAR FUEL COSTS ARE DOWN BY $200,000.

>> ROBERT ZORBAUGH: IT'S MUCH AH, LESS COSTLY THAN DIESEL FUEL AND WORKED WELL.

A LOT OF NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION OCCURRING SO IT'S A GREAT FIT FOR OUR OPERATIONS.

>> JOHN: LANCASTER ALSO HAS A FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC AND HONDA CIVIC NGV IN THEIR ALT-FUEL FLEET.

THE TRANSFER TRUCKS SERVE AS ROLLING BILLBOARDS, REMINDING PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENTS THAT CLEANER TECHNOLOGIES ARE THE KEYSTONE TO CLEANER COMMUNITIES.

ALL OF US HERE AT MOTORWEEK HAVE BEEN THROUGH PLENTY OF DRIVING SCHOOLS.

BECAUSE AS THE SAYING GOES, IF YOU'RE NOT GETTING BETTER, YOU'RE GETTING WORSE.

SO, WITH THAT CONSTANT STATE OF IMPROVEMENT MINDSET, OUR TWO-WHEELIN' BRIAN ROBINSON HEADS WAY OFF TO SCHOOL.

>> BRIAN ROBINSON: WITH THE SUV'S OF MOTORCYCLES, BECOMING MORE AND MORE POPULAR, IT STANDS TO REASON THAT MORE RIDERS ARE GETTING OFF THE PAVEMENT TO EXPLORE ROADS AND TRAILS EVEN LESS TRAVELED.

WELL, IF YOU'RE LIKE MANY RIDERS, WHO HAVEN'T HIT THE TRAIL IN EARNEST SINCE BOYHOOD DIRT BIKE DAYS, IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO GET SOME TRAINING BEFORE YOU SET OUT ON THAT JOURNEY.

AND SO, WE'RE HERE AT THE BMW PERFORMANCE CENTER IN GREER, SOUTH CAROLINA, TWO DAY OFF-ROAD COURSE.

PREPARE TO HAVE FUN.

PREPARE TO GET DIRTY.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, PREPARE TO LEARN SOMETHING.

AND YOU WILL DEFINITELY LEARN SOMETHING, REGARDLESS OF YOUR TWO WHEELED EXPERIENCE.

>> NOT BAD BUT I WANT TO SEE YOU LOWER.

>> BRIAN: UNLIKE MOST DRIVING AND RIDING SCHOOLS, YOU WON'T SPEND TOO MUCH OF YOUR DAYS SITTING IN A CLASSROOM.

RATHER, YOU'LL BE OUT ON THE COURSE, GETTING INSTRUCTION AND DEMONSTRATIONS.

FOLLOWED BY HANDS ON THE GRIPS, FEET ON THE PEGS EXPERIENCE, TO PUT WHAT YOU'VE JUST BEEN TAUGHT INTO ACTION.

THIS IS NOT A RACING SCHOOL, AND YOU WON'T BE HITTING TRIPLE JUMPS OR RIDING WHEELIE'S.

YOU'LL BE LEARNING REAL WORLD SKILLS THAT WILL HELP YOU TACKLE WHATEVER MAY COME ACROSS YOUR PATH ON YOUR BACK ROAD TRAVELS.

LIKE, RIDING IN GRAVEL, SAND, AND MUD; THROUGH DITCHES, AND OVER HILLS BOTH BIG, AND SMALL.

AS WELL AS ALL THE PROPER BRAKING, STEERING, AND BALANCING TECHNIQUES TO HELP YOU GET THROUGH IT ALL.

AND YOU'LL EVEN LEARN RECOVERY TECHNIQUES FOR WHEN THINGS GO WRONG.

>> HARALD SCHMIDT: MANY OF OUR AH, GS RIDERS, AH, STICK MAINLY TO THE ROAD.

HOWEVER, AFTER TRAINING THE WAY ENCOURAGED TO TAKE THESE WONDERFUL MOTORCYCLES OFF-ROAD, AND EXPERIENCE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT RIDING STYLE.

>> BRIAN: THE FIRST THINK YOU'LL HAVE TO DO, WILL BE UNLEARN YEARS OF STREET RIDING HABITS.

BUT, SINCE BMW HAS MORE ADVENTURE BIKES ON THE ROAD THAN ANY OTHER MANUFACTURER; THEY TAKE THIS INSTRUCTION VERY SERIOUSLY.

>> ...THE WAIST BACK, FEEL IT IN THE LEGS SO YOU CAN RESPOND TO WHATEVER FEEL UP FRONT... >> SCHMIDT: ALL OF THE INSTRUCTORS HERE ARE VERY WELL SELECTED INDIVIDUALS WITH A TREMENDOUS MOTORCYCLE BACKGROUND.

THEY ARE ENTHUSIASTS ALL THE WAY.

WE MAKE VERY MUCH SURE THAT ALL THE INSTRUCTORS ARE INFORMED ON THE PRODUCT AND ANSWER JUST ABOUT ANY QUESTION THERE IS IN REGARDS TO THE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE... >> BRIAN: YOU CAN RIDE YOUR OWN MOTORCYCLE IF YOU CHOOSE, AS LONG AS IT'S A BMW.

BUT A BETTER OPTION IS TO RENT ONE RIGHT AT THE FACILITY, SO YOU CAN FOCUS ON YOUR RIDING, INSTEAD OF WORRYING ABOUT BANGING UP YOUR BIKE.

ART GEORGE DID JUST THAT, AFTER RIDING UP FROM ATLANTA.

>> ART GEORGE: SO, I HAVE A BMW ENDURO MOTORCYCLE.

I'VE NEVER DONE OFF-ROADING AND I ALWAYS WANTED TO IT'S BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE; IT'S PERFECT FOR THIS.ATHER.

SO, YOU GET A LOT OF MUD.

>> BRIAN: THE SCHOOL IS LOCATED RIGHT NEAR THE GREENVILLE/ SPARTANBURG AIRPORT, SO IT'S EASY TO GET TO.

AND OF COURSE THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF AUTOMOBILE DRIVING CLASSES AS WELL AS STREET RIDING CLASSES TO CHOOSE FROM HERE AS WELL.

THE TWO DAY OFF ROAD SCHOOL WILL COST YOU $1,590 WITH A BIKE REGARDLESS OF WHAT GRAND ADVENTURE YOU HAVE PLANNED, THE ULTIMATE GOALS ARE TO HAVE FUN AND ARRIVE BACK HOME SAFELY.

TAKING AN OFF-ROAD CLASS LIKE THIS, WILL CERTAINLY HELP YOU ACHIEVE BOTH THOSE GOALS.

>> JOHN: WHEN THINGS GET HEATED IN GOSS' GARAGE, PAT'S ALWAYS AROUND TO HELP KEEP US COOL.

>> PAT GOSS: SURPRISINGLY, OF THE MOST NEGLECTED PARTS OF THE AVERAGE CAR IS THE COOLING SYSTEM.

SEEMS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK AT IT AS, "OUT OF SIGHT; OUT OF MIND."

THEY DON'T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO IT.

BUT IN REALITY, YOU SHOULD BE CHECKING THE COOLANT IN THE COOLING SYSTEM AT LEAST ONCE EVERY YEAR.

NOW, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAYS THE OWNER'S MANUAL MAY SAY THAT THE COOLANT IS DESIGNED TO LAST UP TO 5 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT WILL.

SO, BE PROACTIVE AND CHECK IT BEFORE IT DOES DAMAGE.

ONE THING YOU CAN DO IS USE A SIMPLE HYDROMETER LIKE THIS; DRAWS SOME COOLANT UP INSIDE, AND TELLS YOU THE FREEZE PROTECTION.

IT ALSO TELLS YOU IF THE COOLANT IS STILL CLEAR AND THE PROPER COLOR.

BUT A BETTER WAY TO DO IT IS RIGHT HERE.

THESE ARE COOLANT TEST STRIPS.

YOU DIP THESE INTO THE COOLANT, THEN THE LITTLE PADS ON THEM CHANGE COLOR, AND YOU COMPARE THAT COLOR WITH THE COLORS ON THE SIDE OF THE BOTTLE, AND IT TELLS YOU WHETHER THE COOLANT IS GOOD OR BAD.

NOW, ANOTHER TEST, AND THIS ONE IS A LITTLE SOPHISTICATED, BUT YOU NEED A SIMPLE VOLT METER YOU SET IT ON DC VOLTS.

YOU CONNECT THE NEGATIVE CABLE TO THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL OF THE BATTERY.

THEN WITH THE RADIATOR CAP OFF AND THE CAR RUNNING AT ABOUT 2,000 RPM, YOU DIP THE RED PROBE INTO THE COOLANT, LIKE SO, AND YOU GET A READING ON HERE.

THAT READING SHOULD BE LESS THAN 4/10 OF ONE VOLT.

IF IT EXCEEDS 4/10 OF ONE VOLT, THE COOLANT NEEDS TO COME OUT, THE SYSTEM FLUSHED, AND IF THAT DOESN'T TAKE CARE OF IT, THEN YOU NEED TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THE CAR.

ALSO, THE COOLANT THAT YOU PUT INTO IT?

WELL, ONE SIZE DOESN'T NECESSARILY FIT ALL.

SO, YOU WANT TO LOOK IN YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL.

THERE SHOULD BE A NUMBER, A QUALIFICATION NUMBER OR AN ASTM NUMBER; MAKE SURE THAT, THAT NUMBER APPEARS ON THE CONTAINER OF THE COOLANT THAT YOU'RE BUYING.

ALWAYS USE DISTILLED WATER.

YOU MIX THE COOLANT AND THE WATER, 50/50, OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, THEN YOU PUT THE MIX INTO THE CAR.

YOU NEVER PUT JUST PLAIN WATER AND PLAIN COOLANT, BECAUSE THAT CAN UPSET THE BALANCE IN THE SYSTEM.

TAKE CARE OF THAT, AND YOU'LL NEVER HAVE ANY COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS.

WE HOPE.

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

>> JOHN: ROLLIN' IN OUR 5.0, THE KIA EDITION, IN OUR CLASSY K900; EXPERIENCE.

WITH EQUAL AMOUNTS OF V8 POWER AND A+ POSH BEING DELIVERED FROM THIS KING OF KIA'S.

THE ODOMETER NOW READS 23,000 MILES, AND MILEAGE FROM THAT 5.0 LITER WITH 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC, HAS CREPT UP A BIT TO 19.9 MILES-PER-GALLON OF PREMIUM.

AND ROSES HOWEVER, AS WE'VE HAD SOME GLITCHES WITH THE RADIO QUITTING TEMPORARILY, AND AT TIMES, WITH A HYPER SENSITIVE BLIND SPOT MONITOR.

BOTH OF WHICH SEEM TO HAVE MITIGATED THEMSELVES BEFORE A TRIP TO THE DEALER WAS NECESSARY.

OUR 3-ROW MAZDA CX-9 CROSSOVER IS ONE OF THE MORE UNDERRATED VEHICLES IN OUR FLEET RIGHT NOW; LOGGED NEARLY 11,000 MILES.

SO, IT'S NOT GOING UNNOTICED!

FUEL ECONOMY HAS RISEN, TO 18.7 MILES PER GALLON.

A 3.7 LITER V6 WITH A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE.

SOME COMMENT ON THE DATED LOOK AND FEEL OF THE CX-9, BUT ALL LOVE THE SPORTY, ALMOST NIMBLE DRIVE OF THIS BIG BRUISER, AND LOADS OF CARGO ROOM.

SO, AS WITH MOST THINGS IN LIFE, IT'S A GIVE AND TAKE WE'RE WILLING TO ACCEPT.

A CROSSOVER WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SPENDING A LOT OF SEAT TIME IN IS THIS NISSAN MURANO, OUR DRIVER'S CHOICE PICK WE'LL SEE HOW IT FAIRS OVER THE NEXT YEAR.

BUT FIRST, WE'LL FOCUS ON OUR MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD REST UPDATE!

YOLANDA VAZQUEZ HAS SOME TIMELY MOTORNEWS TO SHARE, SO LET'S HEAD INSIDE FOR AN UPDATE.

>> YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: CHINA IS BY FAR THE WORLD'S LARGEST CAR MARKET.

SO, TO FEED THEIR GROWING AUTOMOTIVE APPETITE, THERE WERE PLENTY OF NEW FACES AT THE 2015 SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW.

THE CADILLAC CT6 CONTINUES ITS BUT WITH A PLUG-IN HYBRID RATED AT 335 HORSEPOWER WITH A 37 MILE ALL ELECTRIC RANGE.

BMW SHOWED OFF THEIR PRODUCTION PLUG-IN HYBRID X5 SUV.

TOTAL SYSTEM HORSEPOWER IS 313, WITH STANDARD ALL WHEEL DRIVE.

BUICK, CHINA'S BESTSELLING BRAND, ROLLED OUT AN ALL NEW VERANO SEDAN.

THE AVENIR INSPIRED COMPACT ARRIVES STATESIDE NEXT YEAR.

FORD BROUGHT A REFRESHED FORD TAURUS, COMPLETE WITH A STRETCHED WHEELBASE, IN HOPES OF IMPROVING THE BRAND'S PREMIUM STATUS.

MERCEDES-BENZ HOPPED ON THE SMALL CROSSOVER BANDWAGON WITH THIS CONCEPT GLC COUPE, SOON TO BE A RIVAL OF THE BMW X4.

VOLKSWAGEN TAKES ANOTHER SHOT AT BIG LUXURY WITH THE C COUPE GTE.

THIS PLUG-IN HYBRID CONCEPT COULD LEND ITS STYLING TO A NEW CC.

CHEVROLET SHOWED OFF THE FNR, AN AUTONOMOUS DRIVING PROTOTYPE MEANT TO APPEAL TO ENTHUSIASTS AND HOPEFUL TIME TRAVELERS.

ALTHOUGH WE'D LIKE TO TRAVEL ANYTIME IN THIS SPORT SERIES MCLAREN 540C COUPE.

OR TAKE THE FAMILY ALONG IN HONDA'S CONCEPT D CROSSOVER; FLAGSHIP.

BUT, THAT'S THE CHECKERED FLAG FOR US AND FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

>> JOHN: MAKING ENTRY LEVEL LUXURY APPEALING, RATHER THAN JUST ACCEPTABLE IS TOUGH.

WHEN THE ACURA ILX ARRIVED FOR 2013, EVEN WE HAD A HARD TIME NOT DWELLING TOO MUCH ON ITS CIVIC MINDED ORIGINS.

FORTUNATELY FOR ACURA, THE ILX DID APPEAL TO BUYERS; MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO THAT HOLY GRAIL OF DEMOGRAPHICS, ELUSIVE YOUNGER BUYERS.

SO, LET'S SEE IF THAT GROUP MIGHT FIND A NEW ILX EVEN MORE APPEALING.

WHILE THE 2016 ACURA ILX IS NOT REFRESHING GOES, THIS ONE IS QUITE THOROUGH.

ITS NOW ASSEMBLED IN HONDA'S MARYSVILLE, OHIO PLANT RIGHT ALONGSIDE THE RECENTLY INTRODUCED MID-SIZE TLX.

AND, MUCH LIKE IT, THE COMPACT ILX TAKES THE MAJORITY OF ITS DESIGN CUES FROM ACURA'S FLAGSHIP RLX, YET ALSO ADDS ENOUGH SPORTY ELEMENTS TO KEEP THOSE TWENTY AND THIRTY SOMETHING'S INTERESTED.

SO, UNDERSTANDABLY ACURA'S JEWEL EYE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOW STANDARD, AS WELL AS AN AGGRESSIVE LOOKING FRONT FASCIA WITH LARGE AIR INTAKES DOWN BELOW.

ILX WHEELBASE IS UNCHANGED AT 105.1 INCHES, AS ARE MOST EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS, SAVE FOR OVERALL LENGTH WHICH GROWS BY ALMOST 3-INCHES.

A-SPEC TRIM ADDS A REAR SPOILER, SWEET LOOKING 10-SPOKE, 18-INCH MACHINED FINISHED ALLOY WHEELS WITH 225/40 TIRES, FOG LIGHTS, AND SOME TACKED ON ROCKER TRIM.

INSIDE, IT AUGMENTS THE SEATS WITH LUXE SUEDE COVERINGS, AND ADDS SPORT PEDALS TO WHAT HAS BECOME A VERY ROOMY AND INCREASINGLY PREMIUM FEELING INTERIOR.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE ADOPTING THE FAMILIAR HONDA/ACURA DUAL SCREEN CENTER STACK, AND MAKING A MULTITUDE OF ADDITIONAL ACURAWATCH RADAR AND CAMERA BASED SAFETY SYSTEMS, LIKE COLLISION MITIGATION AND LANE KEEPING, AVAILABLE.

PUSH BUTTON IGNITION AND A MULTI VIEW REAR CAMERA ARE STANDARD.

THE TECH PLUS PACKAGE ADDS NAVIGATION WITH ACURALINK, AS WELL AS A COLOR MULTI INFORMATIONAL DISPLAY IN THE SPORTY LOOKING GAUGE PANEL AND 415 WATT ELS PREMIUM AUDIO WITH 10-SPEAKERS.

THE FRONT SEATING AREA IS INDEED SPACIOUS, AND SURPRISINGLY LUXURIOUS IN FEEL; VERY REMINISCENT OF THE TLX AND RLX.

THE SEATS ARE QUITE COMFORTABLE IN BACK AS WELL.

BUT HEAD AND KNEE ROOM ARE BOTH INSUFFICIENT FOR FULL-SIZE ADULTS.

CARGO SPACE IS UNCHANGED AT 12.3 CUBIC-FEET, AND THE AREA IS WELL FINISHED.

A FOLDING REAR SEATBACK IS STANDARD, BUT IT'S A SINGLE PIECE, NOT SPLIT, AND THE ONLY RELEASE IS LOCATED INSIDE THE TRUNK.

IT'S PROBABLY THE ONLY REMAINING REAL REMINDER OF THIS RIDE'S ECONOMY CAR ROOTS.

PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THE SHORTER ATTENTION SPAN OF ALL OF THOSE YOUNGER BUYERS, ENGINE OPTIONS HAVE BEEN SIMPLIFIED, WITH NOW JUST A 2.4 LITER I4 AVAILABLE.

THE DIRECT INJECTED PIECE OUTPUTS 201 HORSEPOWER AND 180 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

AND AT LEAST FOR NOW, THE ILX HYBRID.

ATTACHED TO THE 2.4 IS AN 8-SPEED DCT, BUT UNLIKE MOST DUAL CLUTCH UNITS; THERE'S A SLUSHBOX STYLE TORQUE CONVERTER TO MAINTAIN THE FEEL OF A TRADITIONAL AUTOMATIC, PARTICULARLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP.

MOST OF OUR DRIVERS HAD GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THE TRANS, AND THE OVERALL SURPRISINGLY SPORTY DRIVING EXPERIENCE AS WELL; THOUGH LIKE MANY 8-SPEEDS, IT CAN AT TIMES BE IN A HURRY TO FIND HIGHER GEARS.

OF COURSE YOU CAN LEARN A LOT MORE ABOUT A CAR ON THE TRACK, AND HERE WE WERE EQUALLY IMPRESSED WITH HOW NICELY THE ILX HANDLED OUR SLALOM TEST.

ACCURATE TURN-INS WITHOUT A PEEP OF UNDERSTEER, AND A WELL BALANCED CHASSIS HAD US SCOOTING THROUGH THE CONES WITH EASE.

THE BODY STRUCTURE HAS BEEN STIFFENED, AND THE MACPHERSON STRUT FRONT, MULTI LINK REAR SUSPENSION RETUNED.

BUT THERE'S NOT REALLY ENOUGH POWER TO GET YOU INTO TOO MUCH TROUBLE, AS WE FOUND OUT WHEN DOING STRAIGHT LINE RUNS.

IT TOOK US A LEISURELY FOR A SPORTY SEDAN 7.1 SECONDS TO HIT 60, AND 14.7 TO FINISH OUT THE QUARTER AT 93 MILES-PER-HOUR.

AT LAUNCH, AND NOT A LOT OF GRUNT EITHER.

BUT THE ENGINE DOES REV QUICKLY, AND LIKE MOST 4'S PULLS STRONGEST IN THE UPPER REV RANGES.

SHIFTS WERE QUICK AND FIRM.

BRAKING FROM 60 AVERAGED A GOOD 121 FEET.

STABILITY WAS EXCELLENT AND FADE MINIMAL.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 25-CITY, 36-HIGHWAY, AND 29-COMBINED.

WE AVERAGED A VERY GOOD 31.6 MILES-PER-GALLON ON PREMIUM FUEL.

SO, THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS MUCH BETTER THAN AVERAGE WITH 11.4 BARRELS OF OIL INGESTED YEARLY, WHILE EXPELLING 5.0 TONS OF CO2.

PRICING FOR THE ILX STARTS AT A VERY SENSIBLE $28,820.

AND EVEN THE TOP LINE A-SPECS STARTS AT JUST $35,810.

THE MORE SUCCESSFUL YOU BECOME, THE HARDER IT IS TO BECOME MORE SUCCESSFUL.

BUT WE THINK ACURA IS CERTAINLY HEADING IN A GREAT DIRECTION NOW.

AND INJECTING THE 2016 ACURA ILX WITH BOTH MORE PERFORMANCE AND MORE PRESTIGE WILL ENSURE THAT IT NOT ONLY STAYS APPEALING TO THOSE HIP, YOUNG TRENDSETTER'S, BUT IT WILL BECOME A WHOLE LOT MORE APPEALING TO A BROADER SPECTRUM OF SPORT LUXURY SEDAN BUYERS.

WELL, THAT'S OUR SHOW, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT!

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 REMIND OURSELVES WHAT MAKES THE AUDI R8 SO TERRIFIC.

THEN CHART WHAT'S NEW WITH THE HONDA CR-V. PAT GOSS SHOWS US HOW NOT TO MURDER YOUR ENGINE.

FYI'S YOLANDA VAZQUEZ MEETS THE CAPED CRUSADER.

PLUS, MORE QUICKSPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS.

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... PHYLLIS IS HEADING TO A SCIENCE CONFERENCE.

SO, SHE'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES RIGHT NOW.

IF SHE WERE, ALL SHE'D NEED TO KNOW IS TIRERACK.COM.

BUT PHYLLIS IS THINKING...

UH, I'M NOT REALLY SURE.

BUT IT'S PROBABLY IMPORTANT.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF BRANDS, PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

ROCKAUTO.COM, ALL THE PARTS YOUR CAR WILL EVER NEED.

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.

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