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

JOIN US FOR A FUTURISTIC TAKE ON THE CLASSIC ROADSTER WITH THE AUDI TT... PAT GOSS REMINDS WHY IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DETAILS... ZACK MASKELL DOES SOME TRUE EXPLORING FOR HIS LATEST TRIP OVER THE EDGE... AND WE'LL SEE IF THE 10TH GENERATION HONDA CIVIC CAN PUT IT BACK ON HIGH GROUND...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

ANNOUNCER: THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE BROUGHT TO YOU BY...

THIS IS PETE.

PETE'S HELPING HIS AUNT MOVE, SO HE'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.

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

BUT PETE'S THINKING, "IT WOULD'VE BEEN NICE TO KNOW ABOUT THE MYNAH BIRD."

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

John: NO DOUBT THE AUDI TT WAS A COOL LOOKING COUPE AND EVEN BETTER LOOKING ROADSTER RIGHT FROM THE GET GO BACK IN 1998.

STILL, IT DIDN'T REALLY OFFER THE SAME PERFORMANCE FEEL OF OTHER AUDI'S, LET ALONE RIVAL 2-SEATER'S.

ISSUES THAT EVEN A GEN 2 TT FAILED TO COMPLETELY RESOLVE.

SO NOW, ANOTHER REDESIGN HAS ARRIVED WITH MORE PROMISES OF CHANGE.

LET'S SEE IF THEY'VE BEEN FULFILLED.

THE 3RD GENERATION OF THE AUDI TT, THIS 2016 ROADSTER, ALONG WITH THE COUPE, DON'T LOOK ALL THAT DIFFERENT FROM THE ORIGINAL.

BUT, FORTUNATELY, IT HAS BEEN MACHO-ED UP A BIT.

AND THE FACT THAT IT'S NOW RIDING ON THE A4s MQB ARCHITECTURE MEANS WEIGHT IS TRIMMED OVER 100 POUNDS, HELPING THE FUN FACTOR GO WAY UP.

TOP OPERATION IS SMOOTH AND QUICK, AND THERE'S ONLY MODEST WIND BUFFETING AT SPEED.

THINK OF THE OPTIONAL HEAT VENTS IN THE SEATS AS TINY DRAGONS THAT BREATHE FIRE ON YOUR NECK FOR THOSE 50 DEGREE MORNINGS WHEN YOU CAN'T RESIST GOING TOPLESS.

THEY SAY THAT "FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT."

BUT SPOTTING VWs 2.0 LITER I4 TURBO UNDER THE HOOD GAVE US QUITE THE OPPOSITE REACTION, AS IT'S TRULY ONE OF OUR FAVORITE 4-BANGERS.

IT'S CURRENTLY DELIVERING 220 HORSEPOWER AND 258 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE HERE IN THE TT.

A 6-SPEED S TRONIC DCT IS THE LONE AVAILABLE TRANSMISSION, AND ALL TTs ARE EQUIPPED WITH QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE WHICH GETS UPDATED, BECOMING MORE FULLY INTEGRATED INTO AUDI'S DRIVE SELECT SYSTEM.

THERE'S A VERY SIMPLE LAYOUT TO THE INTERIOR, WITH NO BIG TOUCHSCREEN IN THE CENTER STACK.

RATHER, ALMOST ALL PERTINENT INFO IS DISPLAYED IN THE 12-INCH IP SCREEN.

THERE ARE SEEMINGLY ENDLESS CONFIGURATIONS, AND THE ABILITY TO BRING A NAVIGATION MAP, GOOGLE EARTH, AND EVEN THE BACKUP CAMERA UP FULL, FRONT AND CENTER, IS GREAT.

BUT PUSHING THE TT TO THE TOP OF MT.

CLEVEREST, IS AUDI'S HIDING OF THE CLIMATE CONTROLS AND EVEN HEATED SEAT CONTROLS IN THE ACTUAL VENTS THEMSELVES.

IT'S QUITE A REVOLUTIONARY INTERIOR AND HIGH-TECH MINIMALISM AT ITS FINEST.

MORE TRADITIONAL MINIMALISM DESCRIBES THE CARGO SPACE AT 7.5 CUBIC-FEET.

AS FOR HUMAN COMFORT, EVEN BIG AND TALL'S WILL FIND PLENTY OF ROOM, AND THE SEATS ARE VERY COZY.

BUT IT IS THE ADDED WOW FACTOR TO THE DRIVING THAT IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE FOR US.

THIS CAR IMPRESSES YOU AT THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS LEVEL MUCH MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.

ANY ROUGH EDGES THAT WERE PRESENT IN PREVIOUS TTs ARE LONG GONE.

THE S TRONIC GEARBOX WORKS ALMOST PERFECTLY IN FULL AUTO, AND THERE'S MANUAL CONTROL WHEN YOU WANT IT.

CHANGING THE DRIVE MODES BRINGS A VERY NOTICEABLE CHANGE TO THE TT'S CHARACTER.

IN DYNAMIC MODE THE CAR IS VERY RESPONSIVE WITH FIRMER SUSPENSION SETTINGS, AND MORE RESPONSIVE SHIFTS.

AUTO MODE IS A GOOD COMPROMISE FOR DAILY USE, REACTING TO YOUR DRIVING STYLE; SAVE COMFORT MODE FOR THE INTERSTATES.

REGARDLESS OF DRIVE MODE, OFF THE LINE, QUATTRO ENSURES A SPEEDY LAUNCH, BUT THE CAR NEVER FEELS PARTICULARLY POWERFUL.

STILL, WE HIT 60 IN A SWIFT 5.4 SECONDS AND CLEARED THE QUARTER MILE IN 13.9 AT 99 MILES PER HOUR.

IN SIMILAR FASHION, THROUGH THE CONES, IT FEELS MORE LIKE AN ENTERTAINING DIVERSION, THAN AN OUTRIGHT PERFORMANCE CAR.

THOUGH IT'S NOTICEABLY STIFFER THAN BEFORE AND TRANSITIONS VERY QUICKLY WITH ONLY A HINT OF BODY ROLL.

STEERING IS NOW SPORTS CAR DIRECT AND PRECISE; FEEL IS LIGHT, BUT PRETTY DECENT COMPARED TO WHAT WE GET THESE DAYS.

STOPPING FROM 60 TOOK A TIDY, YES SPORTS CAR LIKE... 111 FEET.

GOOD OVERALL, BUT A FIRMER PEDAL WOULD MAKE IT PERFECT.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS COME IN AT 23-CITY, 30-HIGHWAY, AND 26-COMBINED.

SO OUR 29.1 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR AVERAGE WAS ALSO QUITE GOOD.

AS IS THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE WITH 12.7 BARRELS OF OIL BEING USED YEARLY WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 5.6 TONS.

IF THERE'S A NEGATIVE, IT'S THAT TT ROADSTER PRICING STARTS AT $47,325.

THAT'S A HEALTHY 3-GRAND INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR, AND OF COURSE YOU CAN STILL GET A COUPE FOR $43,825.

ALL TOLD, OUR OPEN AIR 2016 AUDI TT FELT EXACTLY LIKE WHAT IT IS, A HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED, LUXURIOUSLY APPOINTED SPORTS CAR.

THINK GOLF ROADSTER WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS.

AND THAT'S NOT A PUT DOWN AT ALL AS THE GOLF IS ONE OF OUR ALL-TIME FAVORITES CARS PERIOD.

THOSE SEEKING HARDCORE PERFORMANCE WILL STILL FIND PROMISES PARTIALLY UNFULFILLED.

STILL, THIS CAR SHOWS IT HAS POTENTIAL TO GO MUCH FURTHER AND THE INNOVATIVE INTERIOR IS JUST ICING ON THE CAKE.

SO WHILE YOU DON'T NEED TO SPEND NEARLY 50 G'S FOR TOP DOWN DRIVING THRILLS, WITH THE MARK 3 TT, YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, THE HOME OF FLEET OPERATIONS FOR AT&T.

IN 2009 THE TELECOM GIANT PLEDGED TO ADD 15,000 ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES IN 10 YEARS.

IN MARCH OF 2014 A MILESTONE WAS REACHED WHEN THE 8,000TH COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLE ARRIVED.

THEIR CNG FLEET RANGES FROM FUEL TRANSFER TRUCKS TO SERVICE TECH VANS.

MOST FUELING IS DONE AT PUBLIC ACCESS CNG STATIONS TO SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY AND ENCOURAGE USE.

AT&T NOW HAS OVER 10,000 VARIOUS ALT-FUEL VEHICLES, LIKE GASOLINE-ELECTRIC HYBRIDS, EXTENDED-RANGE ELECTRICS, AND PURE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

Katie Dugan: WE SEE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS AS BEING A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

IT'S A FUEL THAT WE CAN USE TODAY THAT'S CLEANER, THAT'S CHEAPER, AND THAT'S DOMESTIC, AND THAT'S AVAILABLE.

SO PUTTING ALL THOSE BENEFITS TOGETHER REALLY HELPS IT MAKE A STRONG CASE FOR US TO USE CNG IN OUR FLEET.

John: AS A NATIONAL CLEAN FLEETS PARTNER, AT&T WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE ST. LOUIS CLEAN CITIES COALITION, SETTING A GREAT EXAMPLE AS A GLOBAL COMPANY COMMITTED TO ALTERNATIVE FUELS.

NOT A SOUL AT MOTORWEEK WOULD EVER TURN DOWN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A TRUE DRIVING ADVENTURE.

SO WHEN OUR OVER THE EDGE GUY ZACH MASKELL GOT THE CALL, HE JUMPED ON A JET AND HEADED WEST TO EXPLORE ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON EARTH.

Zach Maskell: ROAMING UNKNOWN TERRITORY IS WHAT I'D PREFER TO DO EVERY SINGLE DAY.

PERHAPS IT'S A CHILDISH DREAM, TO CONTINUE EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN, AND STOP MY BRAIN FROM WONDERING SO MUCH.

BUT I'LL NEVER STOP, AND I DON'T THINK ONE AMERICAN AUTO MAKER WILL EITHER.

CELEBRATING DECADES OF HELPING FAMILIES DO JUST THAT... WE JOINED FORD ON THEIR PLATINUM ADVENTURE TOUR.

WE'RE AT THE COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

RIGHT NOW, I'M STANDING ON TOP OF THE BEST-SELLING SUV IN THE CLASS FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS.

THAT'S RIGHT, THIS IS THE FORD EXPLORER.

THIS IS THE 6TH GENERATION AND THEY'VE INVITED US ON PART OF THEIR 2,800 MILE LONG TRIP TO CHECK IT OUT AND SEE HOW IT DOES.

THE EXPLORER STILL EXISTS FOR ONE REASON.

FAMILIES KEEP BUYING THEM!!

FORD HAS SOLD OVER 7 MILLION OF THESE SUVs.

HOW MANY ADVENTURES DOES THAT TALLY TO?

WELL, YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE...

BUT I'D SAY, A TRUCK LOAD OF EM'.

Omar Odeh: A MAJORITY OF THE CUSTOMERS THAT ARE BUYING THE NEW EXPLORER ARE FAMILY ADVENTURERS CUSTOMERS.

CUSTOMERS THAT WANT TO BUY THIS VEHICLE FOR ITS CAPABILITY, ON ROAD, OFF-ROAD, AS WELL AS THE SPACIOUSNESS IN THE VEHICLE.

BEING ABLE TO CARRY 7-PASSENGERS AND BEING ABLE TO DO ALL THESE WEEKEND ACTIVITIES THEY WANT TO DO.

Zach: THEY SAY "IT'S FOR THE ADVENTURE SEEKING FAMILY."

BUT I SAY "IT DOES JUST FINE FOR THE ADVENTURE SEEKING PERSON."

FORD BROUGHT US ABOUT 250 MILES WEST OF CAPITAL CITY, DENVER, TO GRAND JUNCTION.

AMONG MANY STOPS... WE'LL BE MAKING OUR WAY FROM HERE, TO MONTROSE.

THEN CRUISE THE "MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY" JUST PAST OURAY... AND EVENTUALLY AND HOPEFULLY, END UP IN DURANGO.

HERE WE ARE NOW JUST EAST OF MONTROSE.

IT'S THE BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON.

WE CAME DOWN SOME 16% GRADES TO MAKE IT TO THIS HERE RESTING POINT.

LEGEND HAS IT THAT IT GOT ITS NAME BECAUSE CERTAIN POINTS OF THIS CANYON ARE SO NARROW THE SUNLIGHT WILL NEVER REACH THE BOTTOM.

THERE'S NO EASY WAY IN OR OUT OF HERE.

TO FIND YOURSELF AT THE BOTTOM OF A CANYON, YOU'RE GOING DOWN SOME STEEP STUFF.

AS SPORTY AS THE VEHICLE IS...

IT'S STILL A TWO AND A HALF TON SUV.

THAT BEING SAID THOUGH, IT HANDLED THE SWITCHBACK TURNS NO PROBLEM, WHILE GIVING US PLENTY OF LEG ROOM.

I'M REALLY ENJOYING DRIVING THIS NEW PLATINUM EDITION EXPLORER.

IT'S GOT QUILTED LOOKING DOOR INSERTS, IT'S GOT LEATHER WRAPPED ARMS RESTS.

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, FORD DID AWAY WITH THE BLUE OVAL IN THE MIDDLE.

WHAT THEY DID WAS REPLACED THAT WITH BRUSHED ALUMINUM, SO IT MATCHES THE INTERIOR A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

DEFINITELY A GOOD MOVE FORD.

ALSO, I'M A BIG FAN OF THE MASSAGING SEATS.

I FORGOT TO MENTION, THEY HOOKED US UP WITH THE TOP OF THE LINE FULLY EQUIPPED PLATINUM VERSION.

THE 3.5 LITER ECOBOOST V6 SHELLS OUT 365 HORSEPOWER.

EVEN WITH THE HIGH ELEVATION; THE POWER WAS PLENTIFUL AND COMFORTABLY GOT US TO ONE OF THE LOUDEST SPOTS.

AKA, THE OURAY FAULT.

THERE'S A BIG WATERFALL RIGHT THERE.

I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU IT'S DEAFENING BUT IT'S PRETTY LOUD.

BASICALLY, MILLIONS OF YEARS AGO THERE WAS A BIG CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EARTH.

IT CAME UP AND CREATED THIS BEAUTIFUL SCENERY.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE HEIGHTS, I DON'T RECOMMEND TREKKING OUT HERE.

BUT THE STUNNINGLY VAST LANDSCAPE COULD MAKE UP FOR THAT.

THERE'S OVER 300 TRAILS, MAKING THIS A PARADISE FOR OFF-ROADERS.

ALTHOUGH TELLURIDE IS ONLY 10 MILES AWAY, THE SEVERE TERRAIN MAKES THE DRIVE ABOUT 50 MILES!

U.S. ROUTE 550, BETWEEN OURAY AND SILVERTON IS KNOWN AS "THE MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY."

ITS ROCKY CLIFFS ARE DAUNTING, BUT I DO KNOW THIS IS A LOT LESS STRESSFUL THAN THE MINERS HAD IT IN WOODEN BUGGIES BACK IN THE DAY.

Omar: SO WE KNEW THAT CUSTOMERS WANTED SOMETHING MORE.

AND THAT'S WHAT PLATINUM REALLY DELIVERS.

THE BEST OF LIMITED, THE BEST OF SPORT.

ALL IN ONE.

Zach: YOU MAY NOT SEE THE CURRENT EXPLORER AS AN EXTREME OFF-ROADER.

BUT IF YOU CLAIM 4X4, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE IT A GO.

AND YES, THE FORD EXPLORER IS A WELL SUITED COMPANION SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO TAKE THE PATH LESS TRAVELED.

* John: AS THE ORIGINAL QUATTRO DEMONSTRATED, ALL-WHEEL DRIVE HAS ADVANTAGES BESIDES JUST GETTING YOU THROUGH THE SLIPPERY STUFF.

THERE'S NO POWER WASTED ON WHEEL SPIN WHEN YOU PUT THE PEDAL DOWN.

THAT WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE, THOUGH, ON A CAR THAT HAS TWICE AS MUCH HORSEPOWER.

REGARDLESS, PEOPLE WHO GET A KICK OUT OF MAKING TIRES SQUEAL WILL JUST HAVE TO LOOK ELSEWHERE.

THE AUDI COUPE QUATTRO GOES FROM 0-60 IN 8.7 SECONDS... MORE THAN ANYONE, PAT GOSS KNOWS THAT CAR CARE IS ALL IN THE DETAILS.

SO, LET'S STOP BY HIS GARAGE, FOR A LOOK SEE.

Pat Goss: A CLEAN, GOOD LOOKING CAR... WELL, IT PRESERVES THE VALUE OF THE CAR, MAKES THE PAINT LAST LONGER, AND IT MAKES YOU FEEL A LOT BETTER ABOUT THE CAR.

BUT HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT DETAILING YOUR OWN CAR?

WELL, WE HAVE STUART SMITH, WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL DETAILER, HERE WITH US.

STUART, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE WAY YOU GO ABOUT DOING A CAR.

Stuart Smith: WELL, AS EVERYBODY KNOWS, WHETHER YOU HAVE A CLASSIC CAR OR YOUR EVERYDAY DRIVER, WE LIKE TO KEEP THEM CLEAN.

SO, WE HAVE A WIDE VARIETY OF TOOLS THAT WE USE.

WE HAVE OUR BUCKET, OF COURSE.

AND WHAT YOU'RE HOLDING THERE IS CALLED A "GRIT GUARD."

IT HELPS TO KEEP THE DIRT DOWN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAIL, RATHER THAN AGITATE IT AROUND.

WE HAVE OUR CAR SOAP, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH DISH SOAP.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU USE A SOAP THAT'S DESIGNED FOR THE CAR.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE A MICROFIBER TYPE SPONGE HERE.

WHICH I USE FOR THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR.

AND THEN, WE ALSO HAVE A SPONGE THAT I RECOMMEND ONLY FOR USING ON THINGS LIKE THE WHEELS AND THE TIRES, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO TRAP DIRT IN HERE AND GET IT ON THE FINISH OF THE CAR.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE USE TO BASICALLY WASH THE CAR.

Pat: OKAY, WE GET IT WASHED AND NOW WE NEED TO DRY IT.

AND OF COURSE WE HAVE THE TRADITIONAL WAY TO DO IT HERE.

Stuart: RIGHT.

Pat: WITH A CHAMOIS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THESE?

Stuart: I'M NOT A FAN OF THE WATER BLADE.

ESSENTIALLY BECAUSE IT TENDS TO SOMETIMES PICK UP A LITTLE DIRT AND DRAG IT ACROSS THE PAINT OF THE CAR.

I LIKE TO USE YOUR EVERYDAY AVERAGE LEAF BLOWER.

YOU CAN DRY THE CAR OFF; IT GETS ALL THE WATER OUT OF THE CRACKS AND CREVICES OF THE CAR.

IT DOES A GREAT JOB.

Pat: PROVEN FOR MANY YEARS.

EVERY CARWASH DOES IT THAT WAY.

Stuart: EXACTLY.

Pat: ALRIGHT, SO WE'VE GOT IT CLEANED.

WE'VE GOT IT DRIED.

NOW, WE NEED TO MAKE THE PAINT LOOK BETTER.

WHAT DO YOU DO THERE?

Stuart: EXACTLY.

BEFORE YOU ACTUALLY APPLY WAX TO THE PAINT, YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO USE... WE HAVE TWO PRODUCTS HERE.

WE HAVE THIS MITT, WHICH ESSENTIALLY IS USED WITH THIS LUBRICATING SPRAY, THIS DETAILER SPRAY, TO GET ALL THE DEFECTS OFF THE PAINT OF THE CAR.

THAT'S GOOD FOR YOUR AVERAGE PERSON TO USE.

WE ALSO HAVE A CLAY BAR HERE.

WHICH IT COMES LOOKING SOMETHING LIKE THIS, WHICH ALSO HAS A DETAILING SPRAY?

I LIKE TO CUT IT INTO THIRDS, BECAUSE THAT WAY, IF YOU DO DROP THIS ON THE GROUND WHILE YOU'RE USING IT, YOU HAVE TO THROW IT AWAY BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO SCRATCH THE PAINT OF THE CAR.

SO WE'VE NOW PREPPED THE PAINT.

AND NOW WE MOVE ONTO ESSENTIALLY THE WAX.

I ALWAYS RECOMMEND, WHATEVER WAX YOU USE, STICK TO ONE KIND.

WE HAVE MANY WAYS TO APPLY IT.

WE HAVE AN APPLICATOR LIKE THIS, WHERE YOU PUT IT ON AND GO ACROSS THE CAR.

AND FOR MYSELF, IT SAVES TIME AND SAVES EFFORT, I USE AN ORBITAL BUFFER TO APPLY THE WAX TO THE CAR.

Pat: OKAY, SO NOW WE'VE GOT THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR LOOKING REALLY GOOD.

BUT NOW COMES TIME TO ACTUALLY DETAIL IT.

Stuart: EXACTLY.

DETAILING THE CAR IS USUALLY THE PART THAT TAKES THE MOST TIME.

WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE USE.

WE HAVE LITTLE BRUSHES OF ALL DIFFERENT TYPES AND SORTS.

AND OF COURSE TO GET INTO THOSE LITTLE CRACKS AND CREVICES, A Q-TIP IS ALWAYS A GREAT WAY TO GO.

IT'S EASY.

YOU CAN USE AS MANY AS YOU WANT.

AND WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH THEM, YOU JUST THROW THEM OUT AND GET RID OF THEM.

Pat: ONE THING TO WARN PEOPLE ABOUT IS, LOTS OF FOLKS LIKE TO, INSTEAD OF A DETAILING BRUSH, THEY TAKE AN OLD TOOTHBRUSH.

AND THAT'S DEADLY ON SOME OF THESE NEW FINISHES.

Stuart: EXACTLY.

SOME OF THE NEW FINISHES, THE CLEAR COAT IS VERY SOFT.

AND SOME OF THE BRISTLES ON THESE TOOTHBRUSHES ARE QUITE HARD.

AND YES, IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL, YOU WILL SCRATCH THE FINISH OF THE CAR.

Pat: GOTTA BE CAREFUL.

Stuart: EXACTLY.

Pat: PRIMARILY, USE THE PARTS, THE TOOLS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO DO THE JOB.

Stuart: EXACTLY.

YES.

Pat: STUART, THANK YOU.

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

John: WE'VE BEEN TRAVELING QUITE A BIT, SO HERE ARE OUR LATEST QUICKSPINS FROM OUT ON THE ROAD!

THE KIA OPTIMA IS MAINSTREAM MID-SIZE FAMILY SEDAN THAT'S SEEN A RAPID UPTICK IN PREMIUM STATUS FEATURES AND APPEAL.

EACH OPTIMA WE'VE TESTED MANAGED TO IMPROVE UPON AND GREATLY OUTSHINE THE PREVIOUS ONE.

AND 2016 CONTINUES THAT TREND.

PERHAPS NOT AS RADICALLY RESTYLED AS SOME MIGHT HOPE, THE REDESIGNED OPTIMA LOOKS LIKE MORE OF A BETTER REALIZED VERSION OF THE SAME EXTERIOR DESIGN LANGUAGE, RATHER THAN A TOTALLY NEW VEHICLE.

INSIDE SEES MORE DRAMATIC CHANGES, NOW LARGER, THANKS TO AN INCREASE IN WIDTH AND WHEELBASE, JUST LIKE ITS HYUNDAI SONATA CHASSIS MATE.

MATERIAL QUALITY IS A STEP ABOVE SONATA AS NEW SEATS GIVE ALL DAY COMFORT AND SUPPORT.

DASH AND CENTER CONSOLE DESIGNS ALSO ADD ROOM TO BREATHE, AS THINGS ARE LESS CLUTTERED.

BETTER REAR SEAT LEGROOM MAKES IT A LEGITIMATE ROAD TRIP CAR FOR A FAMILY OF FIVE.

RETURNING ARE THE 2.4 LITER I4, RATING 185 HORSEPOWER, AND IN TOP SX AND SXL TRIMS, THE 2.0 LITER TURBO I4, RATING 245 HORSEPOWER.

THAT NUMBER IS DOWN, 29, THOUGH LOW END TORQUE HAS IMPROVED, AND YOU GET A GREAT FLAT-BOTTOM, SPORT STEERING WHEEL, WITH IT.

NEW IS THE 178 HORSEPOWER 1.6 LITER TURBO I4, AND ITS 7-SPEED DUAL CLUTCH COMPANION.

IT'S A FUEL ECONOMY MINDED PAIR, SO DON'T EXPECT TOO MUCH OOMPH.

Patrick Lucas: SO WHERE THE PREVIOUS GENERATION LEFT OFF, THIS ALL NEW OPTIMA IS PICKING UP RIGHT THERE AND JUST RUNNING AWAY WITH IT, IT'S REALLY COMFORTABLE.

IT'S REALLY QUIET AS YOU CAN TELL.

THERE'S NOT A LOT OF WIND OR ROAD NOISE COMING IN.

SUSPENSION SOAKS UP BUMPS NICELY, BUT IT DOES RETAIN THAT HINT OF SPORTINESS THAT YOU'D WANT.

John: ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 KIA OPTIMA STARTS AROUND $23,000.

WITH ROOM TO BREATHE, THE MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SAW A NOTICEABLE STEP UP IN JUST ABOUT EVERY CATEGORY WHEN THE CLA TOOK OVER THE BRAND'S ENTRY LEVEL CAR.

UP NEXT WAS THE GLARING DISPARITY BETWEEN THE BUDGET MINDED C300, AND THE BUDGET BREAKING AMG C63.

SO, THAT BRINGS US TO OUR QUICKSPIN IN THE 2016 C450 AMG.

REPLACING THE C400, IT HITS THE PROVERBIAL SWEET SPOT BETWEEN THE C-CLASS EXTREMES.

362 HORSEPOWER IS SENT FROM A 3.0 LITER BITURBO V6 THROUGH A 7-SPEED AUTO.

AMG GOODIES INCLUDE PERFORMANCE TUNED 4MATIC ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, ADAPTIVE SPORT SUSPENSION, PERFORMANCE BRAKING, AND A SPORT EXHAUST SYSTEM.

IT ISN'T QUITE THE CALCULATED MADNESS OF THE C63, BUT IT'S PRETTY DARN CLOSE, AND WON'T BREAK THE BANK NEARLY AS MUCH.

IT ALSO WON'T BREAK YOUR NECK.

THOUGH IT'S CLEARLY A SPORT MODEL, WHAT WITH THE HIGH BOLSTERED SPORT SEATS, THE CLASSIC MERCEDES-BENZ NOD TOWARDS LUXURY ISN'T TOTALLY FORGOTTEN.

SOFT TOUCH MATERIALS, AND LOTS OF FINE STITCHING REMAIN THE MOTIF INSIDE.

OUR DRIVE THROUGH THE BACKROADS OF EASTERN TENNESSEE MADE A CASE FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE MERCEDES-BENZ COIN: LUXURY AND PERFORMANCE.

THEY'RE BOTH HERE IN THE C450, AND BOTH CAN BE DIALED IN OR OUT TO A SURPRISING DEGREE.

WHETHER YOU'RE MAKING A GETAWAY, OR JUST TRYING TO GET TO WORK, THIS CAR DOES A GREAT JOB ACCOMMODATING YOUR NEEDS.

SHOULD YOU FEEL THE NEED TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C450 AMG, IT'LL COST YOU AROUND $53,000.

AND IT'S ON SALE NOW.

WE'LL GRAB MORE QUICKSPINS, SOON!

LIKE THE AUTO INDUSTRY ITSELF, IT'S BEEN QUITE A ROLLER COASTER OF LATE FOR THE HONDA CIVIC.

AFTER ITS 2011 REDESIGN WAS MET WITH MUCH DISDAIN BY PROFESSIONAL CAR TESTERS, IT WAS HASTILY RE-DONE JUST A YEAR LATER.

BUT, THERE WAS ONLY SO MUCH THEY COULD DO.

IT WOULD TAKE A FULL REENGINEERING TO RETURN THE CIVIC BACK TO ITS ACCUSTOMED PEDESTAL.

WELL, NOW IT'S ARRIVED, THE 10TH GENERATION HONDA CIVIC.

SO, LET'S SEE IF IT STILL DESERVES ITS PERCH.

REDESIGNING THE HONDA CIVIC IS SURELY A TIGHTROPE ACT THAT EVEN THE FLYING WALLENDAS WOULD THINK TWICE ABOUT.

ON ONE HAND, PEOPLE HAVE EXTREMELY HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT A CIVIC IS AND SHOULD BE, AND ON THE OTHER HAND PEOPLE WANT TO SEE LOTS OF IMPROVEMENTS THAT MAKE UPGRADING WORTH IT.

AND MUCH LIKE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HIGH WIRE ACT, GETTING IT WRONG WOULD BE A REAL DISASTER.

SO, HONDA'S GOAL FOR THE 2016 CIVIC; LIKE ANY STUNT PERFORMER WILL TELL YOU, IS TO DO ALL OF THE PREP WORK POSSIBLE, LEAVING NOTHING TO CHANCE.

FOR HONDA, THAT MEANS MAKING IT BETTER IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY.

STARTING IT OFF, THERE'S SOME EXCITING NEWS UNDER THE HOOD FOR A CHANGE, TWO NEW 4-CYLINDER ENGINES.

A 158 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER, AND A 174 HORSEPOWER 1.5 LITER TURBO THAT SPINS UP 162 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THE TINY TURBO IS THE MORE INTRIGUING OF THE TWO, AND THE ONE WE SPENT THE MOST TIME WITH ON OUR FIRST DRIVE OPPORTUNITY JUST OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK CITY.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT LAGGY WITH POWER DELIVERY, CLEARLY FEELING MORE ENTRY LEVEL THAN SPORTY.

BUT S MODE TIGHTENS THINGS UP, THOUGH NOT SO MUCH THAT YOU CAN'T LEAVE IT IN THERE ALL OF THE TIME, WHICH WE EVENTUALLY DID.

THE CVT TRANSMISSION ATTACHED TO IT DOES THE BEST JOB YET OF ACTING LIKE A REAL AUTOMATIC, UNLESS YOU'RE KEEPING IT PINNED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS A LA HIGHWAY ON RAMPS.

AND EVEN THEN, IT'S FAIRLY QUIET.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS AREN'T OFFICIAL, BUT HONDA PUTS THE 1.5 LITER AT 31-CITY, 42-HIGHWAY, AND 35-COMBINED.

THE 2.0 LITER IS REMARKABLY SIMILAR AT 31-CITY, 41-HIGHWAY, AND 35-COMBINED WITH A CVT.

A 6-SPEED MANUAL IS ALSO AVAILABLE WITH THE 2.0 LITER.

COUPE AND FIRST TIME 5-DOOR HATCHBACK BODY STYLES WILL BE AVAILABLE, BUT SALES WILL START OFF WITH THE BREAD AND BUTTER 4-DOOR SEDAN.

IT'S STILL HIGHLY RECOGNIZABLE, BUT THE NEW CIVIC SEDAN HAS GOTTEN A LOT MORE STYLISH WITH A COUPE FLAVORED SILHOUETTE, EXAGGERATED FENDERS, AND VERY AGGRESSIVE LOOKING FACE WITH LED RUNNING LIGHTS.

WHEELBASE IS 1.2 INCHES LONGER THAN BEFORE AT 106.3, AND OVERALL LENGTH SEES A GAIN OF ALMOST 3-INCHES.

IT ALSO SITS LOWER AND WIDER.

OF COURSE THAT ADDS TO INTERIOR SPACE WHICH NOW FEELS MORE MID-SIZE THAN COMPACT.

THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM UP FRONT; WITH MORE THAN EXPECTED HIP, LEG, AND HEAD ROOM IN BACK, EVEN WHEN EQUIPPED WITH A SUNROOF.

TRUNK SPACE ALSO SEES A BIG BOOST TO 15.1 CUBIC-FEET.

SEAT COMFORT IS VERY GOOD AND THE LOW SEATING POSITION IS REMINISCENT OF '80s JAPANESE CARS.

SMALL A-PILLARS AND A BIG WINDSHIELD PROVIDES THE TYPICAL HONDA GREAT VISIBILITY, AIDED BY BIG SIDE MIRRORS AND A STANDARD BACKUP CAMERA.

THE DASH IS VERY LINEAR LOOKING WITHOUT MUCH TO BREAK UP THE FLOW.

BOTH FIT AND FINISH AND MATERIAL QUALITY ARE IMPRESSIVE.

THANKFULLY THE 2-TIERED GAUGE EXPERIMENT HAS COME TO AN END.

DESPITE OUR TURBOCHARGED CAR'S LAG TIME AT LAUNCH, WE WERE OFF TO A DECENT 0-60 TIME OF 7.5 SECONDS.

WITH BOTH THE LITTLE TURBO CRANKED AND CVT SCREAMING, THE QUARTER MILE PASSED IN A RESPECTABLE 15.7 SECONDS AT 93 MILES PER HOUR.

THROUGH THE CONES THERE IS A NOTICEABLY FIRMER FEEL, AND A LOT LESS UNDERSTEER THAN BEFORE.

THROW ON BEEFIER TIRES WITH ACTUAL GRIP, AND HONDA MIGHT REALLY HAVE SOMETHING HERE.

THE STEERING STIFFENS UP AS YOU GO, BUT IT'S A VERY ARTIFICIAL FEEL, NOT NECESSARILY A HELPFUL ONE.

CIVIC PRICING IS UP SLIGHTLY, BUT REMAINS UNDER 20 Gs, WITH A BASE, WELL EQUIPPED LX SEDAN STARTING AT $19,475.

TOP TOURING TRIM WITH THE TURBO AND HONDA SENSING ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE PACKAGE BEGINS AT $27,335.

DESPITE RECENT JOURNALISTIC PANS, THE CIVIC HAS REMAINED A COMPACT CAR SALES LEADER.

STILL, HONDA TOOK NO CHANCES THIS TIME AROUND, AND HAS UPDATED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE IN THE 2016 CIVIC.

LOOKS LIKE THE 10TH TIME IS A CHARM.

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

NOW, FOR MORE MOTORWEEK WHY NOT CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST AND COMPLETE EPISODES AT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME, AS WE PONY UP SOME SEAT TIME IN THE HOT NEW CHEVROLET CAMARO.

THEN WORK ON OUR LONG GAME IN THE VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN.

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...

THIS IS PETE.

PETE'S HELPING HIS AUNT MOVE, SO HE'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.

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

BUT PETE'S THINKING, "IT WOULD'VE BEEN NICE TO KNOW ABOUT THE MYNAH BIRD."

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

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

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