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

JOIN US, AND SEE IF THE CHEVROLET MALIBU MAKES THE JUMP FROM RENTAL CAR TO REAL CONTENDER... PAT GOSS HELPS US KEEP OUR EYES ON THE ROAD... FYI'S LAUREN MORRISON CHECKS INTO THE GEARHEAD MOTEL FOR A LITTLE CRUISIN' R&R... THEN WE'LL FIND OUT WHAT'S IN A NAME WITH THE RAM 1500 REBEL...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

ANNOUNCER: 35 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.

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.

JOHN DAVIS: HONESTLY, THE CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS NOT TRADITIONALLY BEEN OUR BEST CHOICE AMONG MIDSIZE FAMILY SEDANS.

MORE RENTAL CAR NECESSITY THAN SUBURBAN FAVORITE.

BUT THE LAST GEN MALIBU TOOK MAJOR STEPS TO COMPETE MORE DIRECTLY WITH CAMRY, ACCORD AND OTHERS.

NOW IT APPEARS THE ALL-NEW 2016 MALIBU HAS TURNED THOSE STEPS INTO LEAPS.

SO, LET'S SEE IF THIS CHEVY STALWART IS FINALLY A TRUE FAMILY CAR CONTENDER.

YES THE MALIBU HAS STRUGGLED, AND MAYBE EVEN BEEN CONSISTENTLY UNDERRATED, IN THE MIDSIZE SEDAN SEGMENT.

THAT'S WHY THE 2016 REDESIGN IS SUCH AN EYE OPENER.

FOR ONE THING, IT'S A LOT BIGGER, YET STILL LIGHTER BY ALMOST 300-LBS.

WHEELBASE IS NOW 111.4-INCHES, UP 3½; WHILE OVERALL LENGTH INCREASES BY ABOUT 2-INCHES.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES ARE AFOOT INSIDE.

IN FACT, IF YOU WERE ABLE TO HIDE THE CHEVROLET BADGES, IT WOULD BE HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT BRAND OF CAR IT IS.

IT DOESN'T LOOK AMERICAN, NONE OF THE SWITCHGEAR IS STOCK GM; AND IT CERTAINLY DOESN'T LOOK JAPANESE... APPEARS A BIT TOO SHOWY FOR EUROPEAN... KOREAN PERHAPS?

WELL THAT'S A GOOD COMPARISON, AS HYUNDAI AND KIA HAVE DONE A LOT OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS TO STEP THIS CLASS UP, AND IT LOOKS LIKE GM IS UP TO THE TASK TOO.

MATERIALS IMPROVE BY A LONG STRIDE; THERE ARE MORE SOFT ONES, EVEN IF IT'S STILL NOT A CONSISTENT FEEL THROUGHOUT, THERE ARE DIFFERENT SURFACES IN HIGH WEAR AREAS.

IT'S A GOOD IDEA, BUT IT COULD BE EXECUTED A LITTLE BETTER.

AND WHILE IT MAY STILL NOT MATCH A HONDA-LEVEL OF REFINEMENT, THE LAYOUT AND ERGONOMICS ARE EXCELLENT; AS THEY'VE DONE A GOOD JOB OF LEAVING PROPER BUTTONS FOR THE BASICS, AND USING TOUCHSCREEN CONTROLS FOR SECONDARY FUNCTIONS.

THERE'S EVEN GREAT SEAT COMFORT, PERHAPS THE BEST WE'VE FELT FROM GM IN RECENT MEMORY.

AND THEY SHOULD NO LONGER HEAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT REAR SEAT LEGROOM, AS WITH ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL WHEELBASE, IT'S UP BY ABOUT AN INCH AND A HALF; THOUGH IT FEELS LIKE EVEN MORE.

ON THE MINUS SIDE, ALL OF THE REARRANGING HAS CAUSED BOTH TRUNK SPACE AND FUEL CAPACITY TO SUFFER.

TOP DRAWER PREMIER TRIM FULFILLS ALL THE LUXURY FEATURE WANTS YOU COULD HAVE IN A FAMILY CAR; WHILE AVAILABLE DRIVER CONFIDENCE PACKAGES ADD THE LATEST SAFETY FEATURES INCLUDING AUTOMATIC BRAKING.

GAUGES ARE FINE AND CLEAR, AND WILL MAKE CONVERT BUYERS FEEL AT EASE.

THERE ARE 3 ENGINE CHOICES, WITH ALL GETTING SOME TYPE OF ASSIST.

A 1.5-LITER TURBO I4 POWERS BASE MODELS, AND IT'S 160-HORSEPOWER AND 184 LB-FT. OF TORQUE WILL PROBABLY BE ADEQUATE FOR MOST.

IT'S ATTACHED IS A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

NEXT UP, IS A 2.0-LITER TURBO-4 WITH 250-HORSEPOWER AND 258 LB-FT. OF TORQUE; AND IT GETS A NEW 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

FINALLY, A HYBRID RETURNS TO THE LINEUP BUT THIS TIME IT'S A FULL-HYBRID, BASED AROUND A 1.8-LITER I4 RATED AT 47 MPG COMBINED!

WITH BOTH HARD AND SOFTWARE FROM THE NEW VOLT, AND 182 HORSEPOWER, IT IS EQUALLY WELL SORTED, AND SMOOTH.

WE SPENT MOST OF OUR TIME IN THE 2.0T, AND IT'S A HECK OF AN ENGINE.

PLENTY OF GUTS OFF THE LINE, SHARP THROTTLE RESPONSE, AND GREAT TORQUE RANGE FOR A 4.

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ARE SEAMLESS WITH PROGRAMMING AMONG THE BEST WE'VE DRIVEN IN AN 8-SPEED YET.

ALTOGETHER, THE NEW MALIBU IS EXTREMELY QUIET, WITH VIRTUALLY ALL ENGINE AND WIND NOISE ELIMINATED; THE ONLY REAL INTRUSION AT THIS POINT IS A BIT TOO MUCH TIRE NOISE ON CONCRETE.

HANDLING IS JUST FINE, BETTER THAN MOST, AS THE CHASSIS FEELS VERY SOLID; BOTH SUSPENSION AND BODY RIGIDITY ARE GREATLY IMPROVED, AND WE FOUND IT MORE RESPONSIVE THAN EXPECTED.

GM CLEARLY FOCUSED EFFORTS ON IMPROVING RIDE AND HANDLING, AND IT SHOWS; EVEN THE ELECTRIC STEERING HAS DECENT WEIGHT, ALTHOUGH ALSO THE TYPICAL NUMB FEEL.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE UP ACROSS THE BOARD; WITH THE 2.0-LITER'S COMING IN AT 22-CITY, 33-HIGHWAY, AND 26-COMBINED... ...FOR A GOOD ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 12.7-BARRELS OF OIL CONSUMPTION AND 5.6 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS YEARLY.

AS FOR THE ALL-IMPORTANT PRICING, MALIBU'S START AT A MODEST $22,500, WITH PREMIER TRIM COMING IN AT $31,795.

WITH THE GROWING POPULARITY OF SUVS AS FAMILY MAINSTAYS, THE FOUR-DOOR SEDAN MARKET CONTINUES TO SHRINK.

YET, IT IS STILL LARGE, AND WITH LOTS OF ENTRIES, MAKING IT A TRUE BUYER'S MARKET.

THE 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS NOW JUMPED INTO THE SWEET SPOT OF THAT FRAY.

THE TURBO-4 GIVES IT A SPORTIER FEEL OVER A TRADITIONAL V6, AND COMFORT IS TOP NOTCH.

PLUS, THE HYBRID GIVES THE MOST FUEL CONSCIENCE A SERIOUS NEW CHOICE.

WHILE NO CAR DESIGN IS PERFECT, OVERALL, THIS MALIBU MAKEOVER HAS US VERY IMPRESSED.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO HENDERSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, WHERE CNG POWERED VEHICLES ARE SO POPULAR, THEY'VE ALREADY EXPANDED THEIR FILLING STATION!

THE COUNTY STATION WAS COMPLETED IN 2011 AND IS OPEN TO BOTH GOVERNMENT FLEET VEHICLES AND THE PUBLIC.

WITH SOME MUCH ACTIVITY THE COUNTY SOUGHT GRANTS THROUGH THE LAND OF SKY CLEAN VEHICLES COALITION TO ADD VEHICLES AND ADDITIONAL CNG STORAGE SPHERES TO KEEP UP!

RACHEL KIPAR: "THERE SEEMS TO BE A MUCH BIGGER PUSH IN OUR COUNTY, AND WITHIN OUR REGION LARGELY, TO MOVE TOWARDS VERY GREEN AND FUEL EFFICIENT VEHICLES."

JOHN DAVIS: THERE ARE 13 CLEAN FUEL VEHICLES IN THE COUNTY'S FLEET INCLUDING THIS HEAVY DUTY PICKUP.

YOU'LL ALSO FIND CNG POWERED TRANSIT BUSES MAKING THEIR WAY AROUND.

LAST YEAR ALONE, THE COUNTY USED 28,000 GALLONS OF CNG INSTEAD OF DIESEL, AND DISPLACED 88 TONS OF GREENHOUSE GASES, CLOSING THE DOOR ON A VERY CLEAN YEAR!

JOHN DAVIS: YOU'LL FIND SOME OF THE BEST DRIVING ROADS ANYWHERE ALONG THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY IN NORTH CAROLINA.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU STILL WANT A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN PULL IN AND KICK BACK.

WELL OUR FYI REPORTER LAUREN MORRISON FOUND THE SPOT WHERE GEARHEAD'S GO TO RELAX.

LAUREN MORRISON: NESTLED IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS... MARY FOX: "...5 MILES FROM THE BLUE RIDGE..." LM: IN BETWEEN SOME OF THE BEST CRUISING ROADS IN THE COUNTRY... MARY FOX: "...FEW MINUTES, TO THE TAIL OF THE DRAGON... FEW MINUTES FROM CHEROHALA SKYWAY..." LM : " SITS THE GEARHEAD INN.

MARY FOX : "THEY DRIVE BY AND OUR NAME CATCHES THEIR EYE.

IF THEY'RE GEARHEAD'S, THEY KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS."

LM : "AND WHAT'S THE GEARHEAD INN WITHOUT A COUPLE OF GEARHEAD'S HANGING AROUND WITH THEIR CARS, LIKE THIS 1939 CHEVY."

IT WAS RIDING THESE ROADS THAT MARY FOX AND JIM SEARS CAME UP WITH THE CONCEPT.

MARY FOX : "WE WERE UP HERE ON VACATION, RIDING THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, WHICH I LOVE, AND SAW THESE BEAUTIFUL OLD MUSCLE CARS, AND IN TALKING, WHILE WE WERE RIDING, CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA, WHICH DEVELOPED OVER THE COURSE OF THE EVENING INTO THE GEARHEAD INN... 9 MONTHS FROM THE DAY, FROM THE TIME WE HAD THE IDEA, WE WERE HERE."

LM : THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL THEY TYPICALLY PAY TO THEIR CARS... JIM SEARS : "IT'S BEEN A LITTLE WHILE, WE HAVE PRIORITIES OUT THERE."

LM : NOW GOES TO TRANSFORMING EACH ONE OF THE INN'S 23 ROOMS INTO A MOMENT IN THE MUSCLE CAR ERA.

JIM SEARS : "I MAKE THE EMBLEMS, MAKE THINGS FOR THE ROOMS."

MARY FOX : "WE ENDED UP BUYING OLD POSTER OF ADS FROM MAGAZINES FROM THAT ERA, PICTURES OF CARS FROM THAT ERA.

WHATEVER WE COULD FIND.

WE HAD NOTHING."

LM : ROADRUNNER, MUSTANG, GTO...AND OF COURSE THE EVER POPULAR CORVETTE... EACH ROOM SHOWCASES SOME AMERICAN MUSCLE... OR MOTORCYCLE.

MARY FOX : "AFTER WE GOT HERE, WE DISCOVERED THAT NOT ONLY DO THE MUSCLE CARS LOVE THESE ROADS, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF MOTORCYCLES."

LM : YOU'LL FIND A SPACE TO PARK YOUR INDIAN OR YOUR HARLEY, WHICH COMES IN TOP SPOT.

MARY FOX : "HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS OUR SINGLE MOST REQUESTED."

LM : "MUCH LIKE THE OLDER CARS YOU'LL SEE IN THE PARKING LOT, WHEN YOU STEP INTO A ROOM, IT'S LIKE STEPPING BACK IN TIME.

YOU'LL NOTICE A LOT OF THIS FURNITURE IS FROM THE 60'S... AND THAT'S NO MISTAKE."

MARY FOX : "WE FOUND AN OLD PLACE IN ATLANTA THAT HAD 60'S FURNITURE FROM MOTELS AND WENT DOWN WITH OUR TRUCK AND TRAILER AND PURCHASED A BUNCH OF THE COOL OLD STUFF IN THE BACK OF THE WAREHOUSE."

LM : EACH ROOM WILL HAVE YOU DREAMING OF YEARS GONE BY... OR THAT DREAM CAR..." FOR ME?

BUT BACK TO REALITY...

WHICH SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE...

I MEAN, WHAT KIND OF PLACE 'ENCOURAGES' BURNOUTS?

YES, THAT WAS ME WHIPPING AROUND IN THE FRONT SEAT OF THE 65 COBRA REPLICA THAT JIM IS WORKING ON... JIM SEARS : "WE HAVE A LOT OF FUN WITH IT, THAT'S FOR SURE."

LM : BUT IT'S NOT JUST THE ROOMS THEY'RE SELLING, BUT THE GEARHEAD LIFESTYLE.

MARY FOX : "PEOPLE HAVE MADE FRIENDS HERE WITH OTHER PEOPLE OF A LIKE MIND, WHICH WE FIND HEARTWARMING."

LM : WITH CRUISING AND CAR SHOWS LIKE THIS ONE THAT WAS HAPPENING WHILE WE WERE IN TOWN, CUSTOMERS AREN'T HARD TO COME BY.

WOULD YOU SAY YOU'RE A GEARHEAD... LOVE CARS?

"HAHAHA, OH YEAH!"

OWNER : "I'M A REAL GEARHEAD.

HAVE BEEN SINCE I WAS A YOUNG BOY."

LM : WHETHER YOU'RE ALL ABOUT THE AMX, OR CRAZY FOR THE 'CUDA, PUMP THOSE BRAKES AND PULL ON IN, BECAUSE GEARHEADS GATHER HERE.

JOHN DAVIS: "...ONLY ON THE FRONT HOOD, AND REAR DECK LID, DID WE FIND ANY NOTICE OF THE 98'S TRUE NATURE.

AND SURPRISE OF SURPRISES, VERY LITTLE BLACK SMOKE APPEARS WHEN YOU FIRST CRANK THE ENGINE.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THAT CLATTER YOU HEAR SURELY SAYS "DIESEL".

OPEN THE HOOD, AND THE CLATTER GROWS LOUDER.

THIS LOOKS LIKE PRE EMISSION LAW DAYS.

FEW HOSES, NO VACUUM PUMP.

THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S A DIESEL, AND THE RULES FOR THEM ARE NOT YET THAT STRINGENT.

THE END RESULT: EPA MILEAGE ESTIMATES OF 22 MPG CITY AND 33 HIGHWAY.

AND THAT'S NEARLY THE RANGE WE EXPERIENCED, WITH A TEST AVERAGE OF 28 MILES PER GALLON.

WHO WOULD'VE THOUGHT THAT A TWO TON BOX COULD DO THAT?

JOHN DAVIS: YOU SHOULD ALWAYS KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD.

BUT AFTER ALL, WE ARE ONLY HUMAN.

SO PAT GOSS HAS FOUND A HIGH TECH SOLUTION TO HELP US ALL BE ON THE LOOKOUT.

PAT GOSS: MANY NEWER CARS HAVE CRASH AVOIDANCE SYSTEMS.

NOW, SUPPOSE YOU WANT ONE OF THOSE SYSTEMS, BUT YOUR CAR DOESN'T HAVE IT.

DO YOU HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR IN ORDER TO GET IT?

WELL MAYBE NOT... WE HAVE MARK MEDAWAR, FROM MOBILEYE, TO EXPLAIN THEIR SYSTEM TO US.

MARK, WELCOME TO GOSS' GARAGE.

MARK MEDAWAR: THANKS FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY, PAT.

PAT : ALRIGHT, WHADDA GOT HERE?

MARK : WELL, LET ME TELL YOU LITTLE BIT ABOUT MOBILEYE.

MOBILEYE IS THE LEADER IN COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEMS.

WE MAKE A PRODUCT FOR THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY; IN FACT ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS USE OUR PRODUCT.

AND THEN WE ALSO MAKE AN AFTERMARKET PRODUCT THAT CAN BE RETROFITTED INTO ANY VEHICLE.

PAT : OK, NOW WHEN YOU SAY ANY VEHICLE...OLD, NEW, DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?

MARK : OLD, NEW DOESN'T MAKE A BIT OF DIFFERENCE.

PAT : OK, NOW WHAT DOES THIS OFFER US?

MARK : IT INSTALLS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, ATTACHES TO THE WINDSHIELD UP NEAR THE REARVIEW MIRROR.

AND IT ACTUALLY LOOKS OUT USING IT'S VISION SENSOR UNIT TO DO ROAD SCENE INTERPRETATION.

SO IN OTHER WORDS, WE CAN DO THINGS LIKE IDENTIFY BICYCLISTS, PEDESTRIANS THAT MIGHT BE CROSSING THE STREET.

WE CAN DO COOL THINGS LIKE IDENTIFY LANE MARKINGS.

WE CAN ALSO PROVIDE YOU AN ALERT FOR AN IMPENDING FORWARD COLLISION.

AND ALSO LET YOU KNOW IF YOU'RE APPROACHING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF YOU TOO CLOSELY.

WE'VE TOLD AND TAUGHT THE SYSTEM HOW TO RECOGNIZE HUMAN BODY PARTS AND HOW TO RECOGNIZE BICYCLISTS.

PAT : MARK, NOW YOU MENTIONED THAT MOBILEYE READS LANE MARKINGS.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

MARK : THAT'S CORRECT.

SO WHAT WE DO IS WE IDENTIFY ROAD EDGES.

WE IDENTIFY LANE MARKINGS.

THEY CAN BE YELLOW LINES, WHITE LINES, BOTS, DOTS... YOU NAME IT, WE IDENTIFY IT.

AND THEN WHAT WE'RE DOING IS, 15 TIMES A SECOND, WE'RE MEASURING THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE EDGE OF THE TIRE AND THAT LANE MARKING OR ROAD EDGE, AND WE'LL GIVE YOU CAN ALERT IF YOU'RE STARTING TO DRIFT OUT OF YOUR DRIVING LANE, AND YOU'RE NOT USING YOUR TURN SIGNAL.

PAT : ALRIGHT, NOW THE CAR AHEAD OF ME HAS STOPPED.

WHAT GOES ON HERE?

MARK: WELL, THE MOBILEYE SYSTEM IDENTIFIES THE VEHICLE FIRST, AND THEN WHAT IT DOES... AND THINK ABOUT HOW THE HUMAN EYE AND THE HUMAN BRAIN WORKS; AS WE APPROACH SOMETHING, THAT VEHICLE OR THAT PERSON STARTS TO GET LARGER.

WE USE THAT SAME TYPE OF VISION SYSTEM TO ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CAR IS GETTING CLOSER, THE OBJECT IS GETTING LARGER, AND WE GIVE YOU AN ALERT AT A CERTAIN POINT, TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM TO STOP BEFORE AN IMPENDING COLLISION.

PAT: I LIKE THAT.

NOW ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IT DOESN'T DO: IT DOESN'T STOP THE CAR.

MARK: IT WILL NOT STOP THE CAR.

THE SYSTEM WILL GIVE YOU WHAT WE CALL PASSIVE ALERTS.

AUDIBLE, VISUAL, AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE HARD OF HEARING, AND CAN EVEN DO A NICE LITTLE SEAT VIBRATOR, AND VIBRATE THE SEAT FOR YOU TO ALERT YOU TO AN IMPENDING CRASH.

PAT: DO IT YOURSELF INSTALLATION, OR NOT RECOMMENDED?

MARK : IT'S NOT RECOMMENDED.

WE PREFER THAT YOU HAVE IT PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED.

THE MOBILEYE SYSTEM IS BASICALLY A ONE SIZE FITS ALL SYSTEM ON ALL SIZE VEHICLES.

AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS WE NEED TO TELL THE SYSTEM HOW BIG THE VEHICLE IS THAT IT'S BEING INSTALLED IN.

AND WE DO THAT USING A SETUP WIZARD USING A COMPUTER THAT CONNECTS THROUGH A CONNECTION HERE ON THE MOBILEYE SYSTEM.

PAT: I SEE, OK. MARK THANK YOU!

MARK: THANK YOU!

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

JOHN DAVIS: NOW IT'S BACK IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT FOR MORE QUICKSPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS.

JOHN DAVIS: WE'VE SEEN JUST HOW WELL EFFORTS TO CHALLENGE HIGH PERFORMANCE SEDAN STALWARTS LIKE THE BMW M5 CAN GO RECENTLY... JUST LOOK AT THE LATEST CADILLAC CTS-V. NOW, LEXUS STORMS IN WITH A SIMILAR CONFIDENCE, SHOWCASING THE 2016 GS F. WE GRABBED A QUICKSPIN IN PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA TO DETERMINE THE RESULTS.

AND AT FIRST GLANCE, THE GS F CERTAINLY FITS THE BILL OF A HIGH PERFORMANCE SEDAN: STACKED QUAD EXHAUST TIPS, CARBON FIBER AERO ELEMENTS, SPORT WHEELS, AND MICHELIN PILOT SUPER SPORT TIRES.

MASSIVE BRAKE ROTORS, FRONT AND REAR, WEAR BREMBO CALIPERS, AND IT'S OVERALL LOW, WIDE STANCE IS QUITE MENACING.

IT CERTAINLY SOUNDS THE PART, TOO.

THE 467 HORSEPOWER 5.0 LITER NATURALLY ASPIRATED V8 FROM THE RC F FINDS IT'S WAY HERE, AND IT THROWS OUT GREAT POWER TO THE REAR WHEELS THROUGH THE 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC.

DELIVERY IS SMOOTH, AND WITH A STIFFER SUSPENSION AND AIDS LIKE TORQUE VECTORING, THE GS STAYS BALANCED AT SPEED.

AND SPEED IS THE KEY, AS LEXUS FULLY INTENDS FOR THE GS F TO SEE TRACK TIME.

PATRICK LUCAS: "MY TIME ON THE TRACK WITH THE GS F WAS LIMITED, BUT IT WAS ENOUGH TO SEE WHAT IT GETS RIGHT.

DESPITE THE SIZE, IT FEELS PRETTY NIMBLE AROUND QUICK TURNS.

AT FULL BLAST, THE SOUND AND POWER AND FEEL OF EVERYTHING...

IT INSPIRES CONFIDENCE.

IT DOESN'T QUITE HAVE THE RAW POWER OR REFINEMENT OF RIVALS, BUT IT'S PRETTY IMPRESSIVE ON IT'S OWN."

JOHN DAVIS: LEXUS INTERIORS ARE ALWAYS TOP NOTCH, AND THE GS F IS NO EXCEPTION.

AGGRESSIVELY BOLSTERED SEATS, AND UNIQUE COLOR TRIMS DO WELL TO SET THE F APART.

THE SACRIFICE TO COMFORT IS ONLY MINIMAL, THANKFULLY, AND IT'S STILL EVERYTHING WE LOVE IN TERMS OF MATERIAL QUALITY AND FIT AND FINISH.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 LEXUS GS F STICKERS AT JUST OVER $85,000.

MAYBE IT'S JUST US, BUT WE FEEL LIKE ALMOST EVERY VEHICLE COULD USE A LITTLE MORE ATTITUDE.

AND THAT'S WHAT THIS VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE DUNE IS ALL ABOUT.

A THROWBACK TO THE BAJA BUG, THE DUNE IS YET ANOTHER RETRO TRIM PACKAGE FOR THE NEW BEETLE, DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM THE ORIGINAL BEETLE'S HEYDAY.

SPECIAL WHEELS, FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS, GRILLE WORK, AND PAINT COLORS MAKE A STATEMENT RIGHT AWAY.

LOOK CLOSELY...VERY CLOSELY; AND YOU MIGHT NOTICE THE SLIGHTLY INCREASED RIDE HEIGHT AND TRACK WIDTH.

LED TAILLIGHTS DEBUT ON THE DUNE, FOR ALL BEETLE MODELS, WITH LED DRLS AND BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS AVAILABLE.

A FULLY REALIZED INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM COMES STANDARD NOW, ALLOWING FOR USE OF BOTH APPLE CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTO.

NO POWERTRAIN CHANGES DEBUT ON THE DUNE; IT'S THE SAME 1.8 LITER TURBO I4 HERE, PUTTING OUT THE SAME 170 HORSEPOWER.

THE ONLY TRANSMISSION IS A SIX SPEED AUTOMATIC.

NOW YOU'D THINK WITH A NAME LIKE "DUNE" AND COLORS LIKE "SANDSTORM YELLOW" WE'D BE TACKLING SOME DESERT TERRAIN, BUT ALAS OUR QUICKSPIN TOOK US THROUGH SOME SNOWY HILLS AND DICEY CONDITIONS.

WE WEREN'T EXPECTING MUCH IN THE WAY OF OFF ROAD PROWESS, THOUGH, AS THE DUNE IS LITTLE MORE THAN A DRESSED UP BEETLE.

BUT IT SURE DOES LOOK COOL!

AVAILABLE NOW AS THE BEETLE DUNE COUPE, PRICES START AROUND $25,000.

A CONVERTIBLE ARRIVES LATER.

AND WE'LL SET OUT ON MORE QUICKSPIN'S, SOON!

JOHN DAVIS: WHETHER THEY SPEND THE MAJORITY OF THEIR TIME AT THE JOB SITE, CAMP SITE, OR JUST THE SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT, MOST PICKUP TRUCKS DON'T STAY STOCK FOR LONG.

BUYERS ARE USUALLY QUICK TO PERSONALIZE THEIR EQUIPMENT FOR THE TASKS THEY PERFORM MOST.

WELL IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT A RAM 1500, AND PLAN ON HEADING OFF ROAD, FCA JUST MADE IT A WHOLE LOT EASIER FOR YOU.

JOHN DAVIS: IT'S NO SECRET THAT RAM IS ON THE RISE IN THE PICKUP TRUCK WORLD.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, THEY ARE ABLE TO EXPAND THE LINEUP SOMEWHAT, WITH SPECIAL VARIATIONS, LIKE THIS 2016 RAM 1500 REBEL.

THIS TESTOSTERONE-INFUSED PICKUP MAY FALL SHORT OF BEING A TRUE PURPOSE-BUILT OFF ROAD RIG, BUT IT'S ALSO A LOT MORE THAN JUST AN UGLY FACE.

THE SERIOUS BEEF STARTS RIGHT UP FRONT, BELOW THAT NEW GRILLE THAT SURPRISINGLY REPLACES RAM'S TRADITIONAL CROSSHAIR THEME.

THERE YOU'LL FIND A TOUGHENED UP AND BLACKED OUT BUMPER WITH SKID PLATE, LED FOG LAMPS, AND HEFTY TOW HOOKS.

THERE'S ALSO A UNIQUE TWIN-SNORKEL HOOD, WHILE BOTH HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS ADD BLACK BEZELS.

THE BLACK TRIM CONTINUES AROUND THE LOWER BODY, WITH POWER WAGON-STYLE ARCHES OVER THE NEW 17-INCH ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS.

THE REAR ALSO UPGRADES TO A POWDER-COATED BUMPER WITH CUTOUTS FOR THE DUAL CHROME EXHAUST TIPS; WHILE ABOVE, THERE'S A NEW TAILGATE WITH STAMPED RAM LETTERING.

BOTH OF THE RAM 1500'S REGULAR GAS ENGINES ARE AVAILABLE, SO THIS IS NO RAPTOR RIVAL.

THE PENTASTAR V6 AND THE HEMI V8 ARE FITTED WITH AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

AND YOU CAN EVEN STICK WITH 2-WHEEL-DRIVE IN V8'S IF YOU'RE GOING FOR MORE OF A PRE-RUNNER THEME.

OVERALL TOWING AND HAULING CAPACITIES ARE UNAFFECTED, AND YOU CAN STILL ADD FEATURES LIKE RAM BOX; THOUGH THE REBEL IS CURRENTLY ONLY AVAILABLE IN CREW CAB CONFIGURATION WITH A 5½-FOOT BED.

OUR 4X4 TESTER, SPORTED THE 5.7-LITER HEMI V8 WITH 395-HORSEPOWER AND 410 LB-FT. OF TORQUE.

THE REBEL'S HIGHER STANCE COMES BY WAY OF SIMPLY PUMPING UP THE AIR SUSPENSION BY AN ADDITIONAL INCH; WHICH NOT ONLY MAKES YOU INSTANTLY LOOK COOLER, BUT IT ALLOWS FOR PUTTING MORE RUBBER ON THE WHEELS, 33-INCH TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A/T'S TO BE EXACT.

BUT BILSTEIN SHOCKS ARE ALSO ADDED FRONT AND REAR, ALONG WITH A LESS-RIGID REAR STABILIZER BAR.

THE INSIDE ALSO GETS PLENTY OF UPGRADES, THOUGH HERE WE FOUND THEM MOSTLY GIMMICKY.

VIRTUALLY EVERY SURFACE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED, STARTING WITH THE VERY COMFORTABLE 2-TONE VINYL AND FABRIC SEATS THAT FEATURE AN EXACT MATCH OF THE TIRE'S TREAD PATTERN.

THERE ARE ALSO LOGOS, STITCHING, COLOR TRIM, AND FAUX CAST-IRON FINISHES THROUGHOUT.

ON THE FUNCTIONAL SIDE, USEFUL ALL-WEATHER RUBBER FLOOR MATS ARE ALSO INCLUDED.

WHICH WILL HELP MAKE THINGS EASIER TO CLEAN IF YOU VENTURE AS FAR OFF PAVEMENT AS WE DID.

WITH THE TRANSFER CASE "LOCKED AND LOW RANGED", WE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ALL 10.3-INCHES OF GROUND CLEARANCE, AND FOUND PLENTY OF TRACTION NO MATTER WHERE WE WENT.

AND ONCE BACK ON PAVEMENT WITH THE AIR SUSPENSION AT NORMAL RIDE HEIGHT, THERE'S NO HARSH-RIDE OR LOOSE STEERING PENALTIES TO PAY.

AND IF YOU HAPPEN TO GET CHALLENGED TO A DRAG RACE BY ONE OF YOUR TRUCK BUDDIES, YOU'LL BE WELL PREPARED; AS THE REBEL HEMI SPRINTS TO 60 IN 7.0-SECONDS; AND CLEARS THE 4-MILE IN 15.9 AT 91 MILES-PER-HOUR.

IT FEELS PLENTY STRONG OFF THE LINE, SOUNDS LOUD AND POWERFUL, AND SHIFTS MORE QUICKLY THAN YOU'RE EXPECTING.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WE COULD DETECT FROM A STANDARD RAM 1500, IS A BIT LESS HIGH SPEED STABILITY AT THE END OF THE TRACK; DUE TO THE TIRE'S HIGHER SIDE WALLS AND OFF ROAD TREAD PATTERN.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 15-CITY, 21-HIGHWAY, AND 17-COMBINED.

WE AVERAGED 16.3 MILES-PER-GALLON OF MIDGRADE.

THAT EQUATES TO A POOR ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 19.4-BARRELS OF OIL CONSUMPTION AND 8.7 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS YEARLY.

PRICING STARTS A BIT CONFUSINGLY, WITH A V8 4X2 REBEL AT $44,465.

V6 4X4S START AT $46,395.

BUT OF COURSE YOU'LL WANT THE 4-WHEEL-DRIVE HEMI, WHICH STARTS AT $48,045.

SO WHILE THE 2016 RAM 1500 REBEL DOES FALL SHORT OF SUPER-TRUCK ABILITIES, IT CERTAINLY IS MORE CAPABLE THAN WE WERE EXPECTING.

PLUS, EVERYONE CAN ADMIT IT LOOKS BAD TO THE BONE.

AND THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO KEEP THIS REBEL FIGHTING STRONG.

JOHN DAVIS: 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 RUN THROUGH OUR PICKS OF THE BEST CARS, TRUCKS, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN WITH OUR 2016 MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS.

PAT GOSS LENDS US A HELPING HAND.

ZACH MASKELL GETS AN OVER THE EDGE LESSON ON CLASSIC CAR INSURANCE.

PLUS A LONG TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

JOHN DAVIS: 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.

TO ORDER A DVD OF THIS PROGRAM, CALL 1-800-873-6154.

MOTORWEEK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY: ANNOUNCER: 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.

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 IT'S CONTENT.

BE MORE PBS