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

JOIN US AS WE PUT BMW'S SMALLEST SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLE TO THE TEST... PAT GOSS ON WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE THAT LONG DISTANCE RIDE... LAUREN MORRISON PLUGS INTO THE LATEST CAR-SHARING CRAZE... AND WE'LL SEE WHAT A HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE DOES TO OUR TIME IN THE SHELBY GT350 R MUSTANG...

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... TIRERACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.

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

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John: THE BMW X1 WAS A TRUE, EARLY ENTRY INTO THE SUBCOMPACT LUXURY CROSSOVER SEGMENT.

BUT AS IS OFTEN THE CASE, THOSE THAT QUICKLY FOLLOW ARE ABLE TO USE YOUR BLUEPRINT AND IMPROVE UPON IT.

THUS, A NEW X1 HAS NOW BEEN UNLEASHED ON THE ENTRY-LEVEL LUXURY LOVING STREETS OF UPSCALE SUBURBIA.

BUT THERE'S MORE NEW HERE THAN MEETS THE EYE.

* THE 2016 BMW X1 MAY NOT LOOK ALL THAT UNIQUE FROM ITS PREDECESSOR, BUT IT IS INDEED VASTLY DIFFERENT, RIDING ON ALL-NEW ARCHITECTURE, AND A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE BASED ONE AT THAT.

SURELY, BLASPHEMY TO THE BMW FAITHFUL.

IT'S ALL ABOUT BABY STEPS, FOLKS.

BMW HAS ALREADY GOTTEN YOU ADDICTED TO THEIR SUVS, AND NOW THEY SLIP IN THE FRONT-DRIVE ARCHITECTURE.

IT DOESN'T TAKE A GENIUS TO FIGURE OUT THE REASONS FOR THAT CHANGE; TO DRIVE COSTS DOWN THANKS TO PLATFORM SHARING WITH MINI, WHILE BRINGING INTERIOR SPACE UP.

AND THERE IS INDEED MORE ROOM, ESPECIALLY IN THE BACK SEAT, BUT DON'T EXPECT MIDSIZE SPACE HERE, IT STILL FEELS SMALLISH.

THERE'S ALSO A BIT MORE CARGO SPACE, CLIMBING FROM 25.0 TO 27.1 CUBIC-FEET; ACCESSED BY A STANDARD POWER LIFT GATE.

HANDS FREE OPERATION IS AN OPTION MAKING THE X1 A MUCH MORE PRACTICAL VEHICLE.

AND WE DO LIKE OUR PRACTICALITY, AS DOES BMW; GIVING US FUNCTIONALITY PLUSSES LIKE THE 40/20/40 SPLIT-FOLDING REAR SEATS THAT SLIDE AND RECLINE; AS WELL AS FOLD ALMOST FULLY FLAT TO EXPAND THE SPACE TO 58.7 CUBIC-FEET.

NOW, ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL SPACE WASN'T REALLY A NECESSITY, BUT IT IS MUCH APPRECIATED, MAKING THE X1 ONE OF THE ROOMIEST IN ITS CLASS; NOW JUST ABOUT THE PERFECT SIZE FOR FAMILIES EITHER STARTING OUT OR NEARING THE EMPTY NESTER PHASE.

STILL, THE X1 RETAINS THAT INTIMATE FEEL THAT WE LOVE IN A BMW, BEING SURROUNDED BY A LUXURY-CLAD, COMPETENTLY SPORTY VEHICLE.

AND NOT ONLY ARE ALL MATERIALS INSIDE IMPROVED, BUT EVERYTHING SEEMS MORE UPSCALE IN OPERATION.

WELL, EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE FRONT SEATS, THAT IS.

THEY ARE SMALL, NARROW, AND UNCOMFORTABLE ALMOST TO THE POINT OF BEING A DEAL BREAKER.

AND YOU DEFINITELY WANT TO THINK TWICE ABOUT SEATS THIS LIGHT IN COLOR IF KIDS ARE IN YOUR FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

THE X1 IS INITIALLY AVAILABLE ONLY IN A SINGLE XDRIVE28I MODEL.

SO, DESPITE A FRONT-DRIVE TYPE CHASSIS, IT COMES STANDARD WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

AS DOES AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 18 INCH WHEELS.

PLENTY OF ADD-ONS LIKE HEAD UP DISPLAY AND ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES ARE AVAILABLE.

THOUGH I6 POWER IS OFFERED NO MORE; ONLY A 2.0 LITER TURBO I4.

STILL, 228 HORSEPOWER AND 258 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE EASILY PUTS IT AMONG CLASS BEST.

WE TRIED TO MAKE IT SWEAT, BUT IT RESPONDED BY CONTINUOUSLY DELIVERING SMOOTH AND BUZZ-FREE TRIPS TO 60 IN 6.3 SECONDS.

IT'S QUITE TORQUEY OFF THE LINE, WITH SOME FRONT WHEEL SPIN BEFORE THE REARS KICK IN TO COMPENSATE.

GEAR CHANGES WERE QUICK AND FIRM, ACCOMPANIED BY A NICE EXHAUST RASP THROUGHOUT THE 14.8 SECOND QUARTER MILE RUN, WHICH WE COMPLETED AT 94 MILES PER HOUR.

EVEN WITH THE SHIFT TO A FRONT-DRIVE CHASSIS, HANDLING REMAINS VERY REAR-DRIVE BMW LIKE.

THAT'S NOT A BIG SURPRISE, SINCE THIS PLATFORM ALREADY DEALS OUT PLENTY OF FUN IN THE MINI COOPER.

AND WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE STANDARD, IT'S ALMOST A GUARANTEE THAT MOST BUYERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TELL THE SWITCH IN CHASSIS DESIGN.

THOUGH WE CERTAINLY COULD SENSE SOME ADDITIONAL UNDERSTEER; BODY ROLL WAS KEPT WELL IN CHECK.

111 FOOT AVERAGE STOPS FROM 60 IS CERTAINLY NOT BAD EITHER, BUT BRAKING PERFORMANCE WAS NOT QUITE UP TO THE PAR WE HAD IN MIND.

STOPS WERE INCONSISTENT AND THE PEDAL FELT SOFT WITH A FAIR AMOUNT OF TRAVEL.

THE X1 DOES APPEAR MORE SUVISH THAN BEFORE, AND MUCH BETTER LOOKING OVERALL.

BUT LIKE MOST OF THE EUROPEAN CROSSOVER ENTRIES IN THIS SEGMENT, STILL A LITTLE TOO WAGONY FOR OUR TASTES.

MOST EVERY DIMENSION HAS INCREASED, EXCEPT FOR LENGTH; MINUS-1 OVERALL, WHILE THE WHEELBASE SHRINKS BY 3.5 INCHES TO 105.1.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 22-CITY, 32-HIGHWAY, AND 26-COMBINED.

OUR AVERAGE WAS JUST 24.8 MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM.

STILL, THAT MAKES FOR A BETTER THAN AVERA ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 12.7 BARRELS OF ANNUAL OIL USE WITH 5.7 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS.

X1 BASE PRICING IS A REASONABLE $35,795, BUT YOU CAN EASILY TACK ON ANOTHER 10 GRAND IN OPTIONAL PACKAGES.

ODDLY ENOUGH, GOING AGAINST JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING BMW STANDS FOR, HAS MADE THE 2016 BMW X1 ONE OF OUR FAVORITE BMWs; ESPECIALLY IF YOU LOOK AT IT AS A SPORTY 5-DOOR, NOT AS AN ENTRY-LEVEL CROSSOVER.

IT MAY NOT BE THE MOST CAPABLE OR COMFORTABLE MINI-UTE ON THE MARKET, BUT AS YOU CAN EXPECT, IT'S ONE OF THE MOST FUN.

BMW HAS ADDRESSED ANYTHING WE DIDN'T LIKE BEFORE, AS WELL AS TAKEN ALMOST EVERYTHING THAT WE DID LIKE ABOUT THE PREVIOUS GEN X1 AND MADE IT BETTER.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, GIVEN US MORE OF IT.

THERE IS A LOT OF BUZZ ABOUT CAR-SHARING, ESPECIALLY IN BIGGER CITIES WHERE OWNING YOUR OWN CAR CAN BE CRAZY EXPENSIVE.

BUT LEAVE IT TO THE EUROPEANS TO BLEND THAT TREND WITH THE DESIRE TO DRIVE ALL-ELECTRIC.

AND NOW, THAT MIX HAS ARRIVED HERE.

TO CHECK IT OUT, OUR FYI REPORTER LAUREN MORRISON WENT TO A MID-WEST CITY THAT'S BEST KNOWN FOR THE CALL... "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES!"

Lauren Morrison: THERE'S A NEW CAR MAKING THE ROUNDS IN INDIANAPOLIS THESE DAYS, AND ITS NAME IS "BLUEINDY."

Lance Boehmer: "BLUEINDY IS THE NATION'S LARGEST ALL ELECTRIC VEHICLE SHARING SERVICE."

Lauren: THE IDEA IS SIMPLE, NEED A CAR?

CHECK ONE OUT FROM ANY ONE OF THE MANY STATIONS SCATTERED ACROSS THE CITY.

Boehmer: ESSENTIALLY IT'S HELPING YOU GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B IN A VEHICLE.

Lauren: THE CHARGED UP CONCEPT COMES FROM THE CITY OF LIGHT.

Boehmer: AND THE BOLLORE COMPANY STARTED A CAR SHARING ORGANIZATION CALLED "AUTOLIB IN PARIS."

Lauren: BUT, WHEN I HEARD THE ALL-ELECTRIC FLEET WAS UP AND DRIVING IN AMERICA, I KNEW, I HAD TO TRY IT MYSELF.

FIRST OFF, THE ACTUAL CAR, WHICH WAS CREATED ESPECIALLY FOR THE BOLLORE COMPANY.

Ed Searcy: THE DESIGNER IS PININFARINA, THAT'S THE SAME DESIGNER FOR FERRARI.

Lauren: THE BLUECARS ARE POWERED BY THIS, A 600 POUND LITHIUM METAL POLYMER BATTERY, WHICH IS UNIQUE TO BLUEINDY'S PARENT COMPANY.

Searcy: THE BATTERY IS A PROPRIETARY TO BLUEINDY.

UM, TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN AROUND FOR ROUGHLY ABOUT 20 YEARS.

Lauren: TO CHECK OUT ONE OF THESE BLUE CARS, YOU DO HAVE TO HAVE A MEMBERSHIP, WHICH YOU CAN GET ONE OF TWO WAYS.

THE FIRST, YOU CAN REGISTER ONLINE AT HOME AND RECEIVE YOUR BLUEINDY MEMBERSHIP CARD IN THE MAIL.

THE SECOND WAY IS JUST BY WALKING UP TO ONE OF THESE KIOSK SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

ONCE YOU'VE GOT YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD, ALL THAT'S LEFT IS RESERVING YOUR BLUECAR.

Boehmer: YOU CAN ACTUALLY RESERVE A VEHICLE IN OUR APP, OR AT A RESERVATION KIOSK, WHICH WE HAVE AT EVERY SINGLE STATION.

Lauren: FEES START AT $8 FOR A SPUR OF THE MOMENT 20 MINUTE DRIVE, WITH DISCOUNTED WEEKLY, MONTHLY, AND YEARLY PLANS.

TO UNLOCK THE CAR, JUST SWIPE YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD, THEN UNHOOK THE CAR FROM THE CHARGER, AND YOU'RE GOOD TO GO.

Computer Voice: HELLO, AND WELCOME TO YOUR BLUECAR... Lauren: ALRIGHT, LET'S SEE HOW SHE DRIVES.

THE BLUECARS HAVE ABOUT A 120 MILE RANGE ON A FULL CHARGE.

WE DROVE OURS THROUGHOUT THE CITY WITH NO PROBLEMS.

THE BLUECAR IS EASY TO DRIVE THROUGH SLOW CITY TRAFFIC, BUT IT'S ALSO GOT THE SPEED TO PICK UP AND HEAD TO THE HIGHWAY.

THE CARS TOP OUT AT ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR, SO IT WON'T HAVE YOU WINNING THE INDY 500, BUT.... Searcy: SEVENTY, IT'S FAST ENOUGH TO GET YOU A TICKET.

Lauren: NOW, TO THE INSIDE OF THIS 4-SEATER... Searcy: WE'VE ACTUALLY GOT A GUY THAT'S A 6'3, 6'4.

HE DRIVES THEM OFTEN.

Lauren: IN TERMS OF THE BACK SEAT, IT'S REALLY NOT ALL THAT BAD.

FOR A SMALL CAR, NO COMPLAINTS.

IT KINDA REMINDS ME OF A HONDA CIVIC.

THE ALL-ELECTRIC ASPECT OF BLUEINDY HAS THE CITY GOING GREEN.

Boehmer: ONE THING WE DO IS WE ELIMINATE VEHICLES FROM THE ROADS.

TAILPIPE EMISSIONS ARE THE NUMBER ONE POLLUTANT IN THE CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS...

SO, WHAT WE'RE DOING IS, WE'RE CLEANING THE AIR BY ELIMINATING ALL THOSE TAILPIPE EMISSIONS, AND BY PULLING PERSONAL VEHICLES OFF OF THE STREET, AND BY PROVIDING CLEANER OPTIONS.

Lauren: ONCE YOU'RE DONE WITH YOUR DRIVE, YOU JUST PULL INTO A SPOT AT ANY BLUEINDY STATION.

Boehmer: YOU CAN DRIVE FROM ANY SPOT, AND YOU CAN TAKE IT TO ANOTHER BLUEINDY CHARGING STATION.

Lauren: PARK THE CAR, PLUG IT BACK IN, LOCK THE DOOR, AND YOU'RE DONE!

WITH PLANS IN THE WORKS TO HAVE 500 BLUECAR'S IN THEIR FLEET BY THE END OF 2016, PRETTY SOON, INDY CARS WON'T BE THE ONLY VEHICLE, INDIANAPOLIS IS KNOWN FOR!

John: IF ANYONE KNOWS THE OPEN ROAD, IT'S PAT GOSS, SO HERE HE IS WITH A FEW TWO-WHEELIN' TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP... Pat Goss: MOST EVERYONE LIKES A ROAD TRIP, WHETHER IT'S ON A MOTORCYCLE OR IN A CAR, OR WHATEVER.

BUT, THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO HAVE ALONG WITH YOU, SO THAT, THAT TRIP CAN BE SAFE.

AND WE HAVE LYNDON ABEL FROM ROMMEL HARLEY-DAVIDSON TO TELL US SOME THINGS ABOUT BIKES, AND A LITTLE CROSS OVER FOR CARS.

Lyndon Abel: SURE!

SO GREAT TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A SAFETY, OR A TOOL KIT BEFORE YOU TAKE OFF ON A ROAD TRIP.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A VERY INEXPENSIVE TOOL KIT.

IT'S A GREAT STARTING POINT.

I WOULD RECOMMEND CUSTOMIZING THAT BASED ON YOUR VEHICLE AND PERHAPS TO AN EXTENT, YOUR SKILL LEVEL.

ALTHOUGH, THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS CAN HELP TOO.

Pat: LIKE WHAT YOU'VE DONE HERE.

Lyndon: RIGHT, THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF MY PERSONAL TOOL KIT WHICH HAS BEEN EXPANDED OVER THE YEARS BASED ON THE BIKES THAT I HAVE.

Pat: ALRIGHT.

NOW, ONE THING THAT'S ALWAYS A NUISANCE IS A FLAT TIRE, SO HERE WE HAVE A PUMP.

Lyndon: YEAH, THIS IS REALLY GREAT.

I MEAN, EVEN JUST SETTING YOUR TIRE PRESSURE CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT ON A LONG ROAD TRIP...

THIS THING IS VERY COMPACT, PLUGS INTO THE PIGTAIL THAT MOST OF US HAVE FOR CHARGERS ON OUR MOTORCYCLES, AND WILL REINFLATE YOUR TIRES VERY QUICKLY.

Pat: OKAY, AND THAT WOULD WORK ON A CAR, TOO.

Lyndon: ABSOLUTELY.

Pat: ALRIGHT, RUBBER GLOVES... Lyndon: THIS IS HANDY; YOU'RE WORKING ON YOUR BIKE, YOU DON'T WANT TO PUT THINGS BACK TOGETHER AND BE A MESS AFTERWARDS.

YOU CAN HAVE CLEAN HANDS.

Pat: CLEVER IDEA THAT YOU HAD HERE.

Lyndon: SAVE THE END OF YOUR ELECTRICAL TAPE, AND IT FLATTENS DOWN, AND GIVES A NICE LENGTH OF ELECTRICAL TAPE WITHOUT MAKING A MESS IN YOUR TOOLKIT OR TAKING UP A LOT OF SPACE.

Pat: ALRIGHT, LIGHTS.

Lyndon: ALWAYS WANT TO HAVE A FLASHLIGHT, EVEN IF IT'S LIGHT OUTSIDE.

WHEN YOU'RE GETTING INTO THE NOOKS AND CRANNIES OF WHERE YOU'RE WORKING, IT'S GOOD TO PUT SOME EXTRA LIGHT IN THE RIGHT SPACE.

Pat: AND HERE'S ONE OF MY FAVORITES... Lyndon: YEAH, FUSES.

SO DON'T JUST BUY A BIG SACK OF FUSES.

FIGURE OUT WHICH FUSES YOUR VEHICLE USES AND BRING THE MOST COMMON ONES ALONG.

SOMETIMES, THERE'S EVEN SPACE IN THE FUSE BOX FOR SPARES.

Pat: I'VE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT GO OUT TO THESE STORES AND BUY THIS BIG KIT, AND IT DOESN'T HAVE A SINGLE FUSE THAT'LL FIT THEIR VEHICLE.

Lyndon: [LAUGHS] THAT'S HANDY.

Pat: OH YEAH!

AND THIS?

Lyndon: THIS IS A KICKSTAND PUCK.

SO, HARLEY'S HAVE A PRETTY GOOD PLATFORM, BUT UM, SOMETIMES IF YOU'RE ON SOFT GROUND OR EVEN REALLY FRESH BLACKTOP THAT WILL SORT OF SINK IN.

THIS GIVES YOU A NICER, SAFER PLATFORM.

Pat: ALRIGHT, YOU'VE GOT A QUART OF OIL, THERE.

Lyndon: IF YOU'RE GOING TO BRING SOME OIL, THAT CAN BE VERY HANDY, UM, BUT IF YOU BRING SOME OIL, BRING SOME OF THESE PAPER FUNNELS.

THESE ARE TERRIFIC.

THEY FOLD UP, TO TAKE UP LITERALLY NO SPACE AT ALL, BUT OPEN UP AND ALLOW YOU TO PUT THE OIL WHERE IT BELONGS.

INSTEAD OF ALL OVER THE MOTOR, WHERE IT ENDS UP OTHERWISE.

Pat: GIANT MESS.

ALRIGHT, A BULB.

Lyndon: SPARE BRAKE LIGHT BULB, I THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT.

SPARE BULBS IN GENERAL ARE NICE, BUT BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OBVIOUSLY THE MOST CRITICAL.

Pat: AND PAPER TOWEL, REGULAR WIPES.

Lyndon: YEAH, SOMETHING TO CLEAN UP WITH, I THINK IS GREAT.

AND THEN, A PLASTIC BAG I THINK IS A NICE THING TO BRING ALONG.

SO, YOU CAN TAKE YOUR DIRTY STUFF AND PUT IT IN THERE.

IT'S NOT MUCKING UP YOUR CLOTHING.

Pat: AND HAVE A SAFE TRIP.

Lyndon: ABSOLUTELY.

Pat: THANKS, LYNDON.

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

John: SUMMER'S HERE, AND THE LIVIN' SURE IS EASY WITH OUR 2016 HONDA PILOT.

YOU COULDN'T ASK FOR A BETTER FAMILY VACATION VESSEL, AND THIS 3-ROW CROSSOVER HAS BEEN BUSY DOING JUST THAT, HITTING THE R&R SPOTS UP AND DOWN THE EAST COAST.

ITS BIGGER SIZE, AND INCREASED INTERIOR SPACE OVER THE PREVIOUS PILOT ARE MUCH LOVED; THOUGH IT STILL FEELS, AND HANDLES LIKE A MIDSIZE CAR.

MILEAGE SO FAR, FROM THE 3.5 LITER V6 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC COMBO PLATTER IS GOOD AT 22.7 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR.

THE NEW NAVIGATION SYSTEM LOOKS GREAT AND WORKS WELL, DESPITE SOME STAFF MEMBERS NOT BEING FANS OF THE TOUCHSCREEN ONLY CONTROLS.

AND WE'RE MOSTLY GETTING USED TO THE GEAR SELECTOR, A FEW EVEN LIKE THE PUSH BUTTON SETUP.

ALL-IN-ALL, WE'RE CERTAINLY GLAD TO HAVE THE PILOT IN OUR FLEET...

ESPECIALLY NOW, THAT OUR 2016 KIA SORENTO IS LEAVING FOR GOOD.

JUST BACK FROM ONE FINAL ROAD TRIP, EVERYTHING WE'VE SAID ABOUT IT OVER THE LAST YEAR HAS BEEN CONFIRMED.

IT'S ONE FANTASTIC LONG DISTANCE CRUISER.

THE 240 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER TURBO I4 IS MORE THAN ADEQUATE FOR COMMUTING, BUT CAN GET OVERWHELMED WHEN FULLY LOADED.

AND YOU CERTAINLY CAN LOAD A LOT OF STUFF IN HERE, WITH 38.8 CUBIC-FEET OF CARGO SPACE BEFORE YOU FOLD SEATS.

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A FEW AWKWARD CLUNKS FROM THE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LATELY, BUT IT HAS DELIVERED DECENT FUEL ECONOMY; AVERAGING 22.7 MILES PER GALLON AFTER 33,250 VERY VARIED MILES.

WE WILL CERTAINLY MISS WHAT IS EASILY ONE OF KIA'S BEST EFFORTS YET.

BUT THE SORENTO'S DEPARTURE FREES UP A PARKING SPOT FOR ANOTHER KIA, A 2016 OPTIMA SEDAN.

AND ANOTHER NEW RIDE HAS ALSO ARRIVED, THIS 2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE DUNE.

LET'S SEE WHAT KIND OF FUN WE CAN KICK UP IN THIS TIME MACHINE.

WE'LL HAVE DETAILS ON THAT, AS WELL AS OUR MAZDA MX-5 MIATA, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD REST UPDATE!

NOW, WE TURN TO YOLANDA VAZQUEZ WITH ALL THE LATEST MOTORNEWS.

Yolanda Vazquez: THE CORPORATE AVERAGE FUEL ECONOMY STANDARDS, BETTER KNOWN AS "CAFE" HAVE BEEN IN PLACE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS.

BUT WITH THE RECENT SHAKEUPS IN GAS PRICES AND CONSUMER BUYING HABITS, BIG CHANGES ARE BREWING FOR AUTOMAKERS.

FIRST OFF, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WILL MORE THAN DOUBLE THE FINES, FROM A $5.50 RATE TO $14.00.

ON AUTOMAKERS WHO FAIL TO MEET UPCOMING CAFE STANDARDS.

A MANUFACTURER IS FINED FOR EACH ONE TENTH OF AN MPG UNDER THE STANDARD, MULTIPLIED BY THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES THEY SELL FOR THAT MODEL YEAR.

DO THE MATH, AND THAT'S A MUCH LARGER PENALTY FOR DELINQUENT AUTOMAKERS TO PAY.

THE SECOND BIT OF NEWS IS THAT THE EPA'S EVALUATION OF 54.5 MPG AS THE OVERALL CAFE TARGET WILL NOT BE ACHIEVED BY THE 2025 DEADLINE.

WITH LOWER GAS PRICES SPURRING CUSTOMERS' APPETITES FOR MORE TRUCKS AND SUVS, IT JUST ISN'T LIKELY TO HAPPEN.

THE EPA IS EXPECTED TO CALL FOR A MORE REALISTIC STANDARD OF AROUND 50 MPG, WHICH WOULD EQUATE TO A WINDOW STICKER COMBINED RATING OF ABOUT 36 MILES PER GALLON.

ONE COMPANY THAT'S NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE CAFE REQUIREMENTS IS TESLA, THOUGH THEY'VE HAD PLENTY OF THEIR OWN HEADACHES IN RECENT MONTHS.

THE COMPANY'S AUTOPILOT SYSTEM; A SEMI-AUTONOMOUS FEATURE THAT CAN TAKE OVER STEERING, BRAKING, ACCELERATION, AND EVEN PARKING HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN AT LEAST THREE RECENT ACCIDENTS, ONE OF THEM FATAL.

THESE INCIDENTS HAVE PROMPTED CALLS FOR TESLA TO DISABLE THE FEATURE UNTIL A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION CAN BE DONE AND FIX WHATEVER BUGS EXIST.

TESLA HAS SO FAR REFUSED.

CEO ELON MUSK SAYS, "THEY'RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH SUPPLIERS BOSCH AND MOBILEYE TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM."

LOTS OF BIG HEADLINES IN THE AUTOMOTIVE WORLD AND AS ALWAYS, WE'LL KEEP YOU UPDATED.

BUT FOR NOW, THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

John: JUST WHEN WE WERE BEMOANING THE FACT THAT OUR EARLY DRIVE TIME IN FORD'S SHELBY GT350R MUSTANG JUST WASN'T ENOUGH, WE REALIZED THAT OUR ANNUAL WINTER TESTING GIG AT SAVANNAH'S ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY WAS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

CALL IT A COINCIDENCE, OR JUST DUMB LUCK, WE'LL CALL IT PERFECT TIMING.

* AMONG THE HOST OF ICONIC MUSTANGS THAT HAVE HIT THE STREETS OVER THE YEARS, THE FORD SHELBY GT350R MUSTANG CERTAINLY HOLDS LEGENDARY STATUS.

AND THIS 2016 VERSION, THE MOST TRACK CAPABLE PRODUCTION MUSTANG EVER, IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T HEARD, MUST BE EXPERIENCED AT SPEED TO BE TRULY APPRECIATED.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR.

AND IT DOESN'T TAKE MANY LAPS AROUND THE TRACK TO DETERMINE THAT THIS CAR IS THE GENUINE ARTICLE, AND A THRILL RIDE LIKE NONE OTHER.

TRUE TO THE SHELBY HERITAGE, IT FEELS LIGHT, BALANCED, AND INCREDIBLY RESPONSIVE TO BOTH STEERING, AND THROTTLE INPUTS; CHARGING THROUGH CORNERS WITH A NO B.S.

APPROACH.

THERE'S AS MUCH THROTTLE-ON OVERSTEER AS YOU CARE TO CONJURE UP, BUT OTHERWISE THE CAR JUST HUNKERS DOWN AND RIPS AROUND.

THE SUSPENSION GETS A TOTAL REWORK FROM ITS MUSTANG GT BEGINNINGS.

STIFFER SPRINGS, BIGGER ANTI-ROLL BARS, NEW BUSHINGS AND BALL JOINTS; RESULTING IN A LOWER TRACK TUNED ALIGNMENT.

EVEN MAGNERIDE DAMPERS ARE STANDARD.

THERE ARE ALL ENCOMPASSING DRIVE MODES OF COURSE, BUT EVEN IN TRACK MODE, THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF AN ELECTRONIC SAFETY NET; THOUGH YOU HAVE TO GET YOURSELF REALLY OUT OF SHAPE BEFORE IT STEPS IN.

THE POWER NEVER SEEMS TO LET UP, AND THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE THE LAPDOG OF SATAN, WITH AN EXHAUST NOTE THAT'S NOT SO MUCH A V8 RUMBLE, BUT A STRESSED OUT SNARL THAT SHRIEKS, "GET OUT OF MY WAY!"

[ENGINE REVVING] BRAKES ARE TERRIFIC; HAULING US DOWN, LAP AFTER LAP WITH NO FADE, NO DRAMA.

THE GT350R COMES WITH A TREMEC TR 3160 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION ONLY, AND THE HIGH TAKE UP OF THE CLUTCH MAKES FOR SOME TRICKY LAUNCHING.

BUT THERE IS LAUNCH CONTROL TO HELP WITH POWER DELIVERY; TRANSPORTING US TO 60 IN 4.0 SECONDS FLAT.

THE ENGINE REVS LIKE CRAZY, BUILDING POWER THE WHOLE WAY TO A SKY-HIGH REDLINE OF 8,250 RPM.

AND THE FLAWLESS ACTION OF THE SHIFTER HELPED US MANAGE IT WELL ON OUR WAY TO A 12.3 SECOND QUARTER AT 119 MILES PER HOUR.

YOU'VE PROBABLY ALREADY HEARD THAT THE FLAT-PLANE CRANK ALUMINUM 5.2 LITER V8 IS THE MOST POWERFUL NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE FROM FORD YET.

BUT JUST TO BE SURE, HERE ARE THE NUMBERS; 526 HORSEPOWER, 429 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THERE'S AN OIL COOLER TO HELP KEEP TEMPERATURES IN CHECK, AND COOLERS FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND 3.73 TORSEN LIMITED-SLIP REAR AS WELL.

NATURALLY, EVERYTHING IS ENSCONCED IN SOME BEASTLY BODY WORK, WITH PURPOSEFUL ADD-ONS THAT INCLUDE A VENTED HOOD AND FENDERS... SIDE SKIRTS... FRONT SPLITTER... REAR DIFFUSER... AND OF COURSE, A BIG CARBON FIBER WING...

SPEAKING OF CARBON FIBER, THIS CAR'S 19-INCH WHEELS ARE ALSO MADE OF THE STUFF; WRAPPED IN MICHELIN PILOT SPORT CUP 2 TIRES, 305/30 UP FRONT, AND 315/30 IN THE REAR.

IN ADDITION TO THOSE WHEELS, R MODELS GET RED BRAKE CALIPERS AND RED PIN STRIPING ADDED TO THE FRONT TO BACK RACING STRIPES.

INSIDE, SEATS ARE COMFORTABLE, WRAPPING YOU JUST RIGHT; AND RIDE QUALITY IS EASILY DOABLE FOR CRUISE NIGHT PROWLS, THOUGH IT STILL FEELS MORE LIKE A RACE CAR THAN A STREET CAR.

HERE IN THE R, SHAVING WEIGHT WAS A PRIORITY, COMING IN AT 3,655 POUNDS; ONLY 50 LESS THAN A 5.0 LITER GT, BUT 105 POUNDS LIGHTER THAN THE STANDARD GT350.

SO YOU HAVE TO DO WITHOUT A/C, A RADIO, REAR SEATS, TRUNK CARPETING, OR A BACKUP CAMERA.

UNLESS YOU FIND ANY OF THEM A REAL NECESSITY, IN WHICH CASE YOU CAN PAY TO HAVE THEM PUT BACK IN.

THE UNFORTUNATE ASPECT OF THIS GT350R IS THAT UNLIKE THE ORIGINAL '65 COMPETITION MODELS, THAT WERE PURCHASED SPECIFICALLY TO HIT THE TRACK FOR SCCA RACING; MOST OF THESE NEW ONES WILL END UP SITTING IN RICH DUDES' GARAGES.

WAY TOO BAD!

NOT THAT YOU NEED TO BE A HEDGE FUND MANAGER TO AFFORD ONE, AS THEY START WITH A STICKER OF $63,495.

AND IF YOUR HIGH PERFORMANCE WANTS ARE A LITTLE MORE SUBDUED, A BASE GT350 WITH THE SAME ENGINE HAS AN MSRP OF $49,995.

MIND YOU, DEALER MARKUPS ARE PUSHING BOTH PRICES TO NEAR AND OVER 6-DIGITS.

BUT HEY, THAT'S STILL WAY LESS THAN A RESTORED '65 ORIGINAL!

WE CAN'T IMAGINE 'OL SHEL BEING ANYTHING LESS THAN PLEASED WITH THIS PIECE OF AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE RUTHLESSNESS.

WE GAVE IT OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARD FOR A REASON.

THE 2016 FORD SHELBY GT350R MUSTANG IS EASILY OUR NEW FAVORITE 'STANG, AND THIS YEAR'S TOP AMERICAN PERFORMANCE CAR VALUE.

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, WHEN WE'LL SEE IF THE BIG Q7 IS REALLY AUDI'S GRANDEST SUV YET.

THEN, IT'S MORE HOT LAPS, THIS TIME ROUND IN THE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS.

PAT GOSS TAKES ON CARE ODDS AND ENDS.

WE MARVEL AT THE DRIVE CLEAN VISTA OF OUR NATIONAL PARKS.

PLUS MORE QUICK SPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS.

TILL THEN, I'M JOHN DAVIS.

WE'LL E 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... TIRERACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.

"OH, COME ON..." "HOT, HOT, HOT..." THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE... "JUST A BOTTLE OF WATER."

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.

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

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