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

JOIN US AND SEE WHAT A HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE DOES TO OUR TIME IN THE SHELBY GT350R MUSTANG... PAT GOSS ON WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE THAT LONG DISTANCE RIDE... LAUREN MORRISON PLUGS IN TO THE LATEST CAR-SHARING CRAZE... THEN WE'LL GRAB THE DRIVER'S SEAT IN THE LAP OF LUXURY BMW 7-SERIES...

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... "IT'S GOT 430 FOOT UNITS OF BEAST!"

TIRERACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.

THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE...

"OOPS."

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: 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.

TRUEO 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!"

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.

* 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 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.

THE TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN AROUND FOR ROUGHLY 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 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, WHICH IS WHERE IT WINDS UP ANYWAY'S.

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 CLOTHES.

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: SPRING IS FULLY IN BLOOM HERE IN THE MID-ATLANTIC, AND OUR 2016 HONDA PILOT 3-ROW CROSSOVER HAS BEEN A WELCOME COMPANION FOR SPRING CLEANING AND CHECKING THINGS OFF THE HONEY-DO LIST.

CARGO SPACE INSIDE MAXES OUT AT 109 CUBIC-FEET.

THAT'S MORE THAN MOST FULL-SIZE UTEs, SHORT OF JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR A MINIVAN.

WE'VE PUT 6,000 MILES ON THE PILOT, AVERAGING A REASONABLE 22.3 MILES PER GALLON.

AND THE ONLY CONUNDRUM SO FAR, IS WHY THERE'S AN OVERLY COMPLICATED, SLOW TO RESPOND ELECTRONIC SHIFTER; WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THERE'S AN OLD SCHOOL, FLOOR SPACE ROBBING, FOOT OPERATED PARKING BRAKE, WHEN EVEN THE NEW CIVIC COMES STANDARD WITH AN ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE.

THAT QUIBBLE ASIDE, THE PILOT IS A GREAT LONG DISTANCE CRUISER.

AND AS THE WEATHER CONTINUES TO WARM, WE'RE GUESSING THIS CROSSOVER WILL BE A POPULAR CHOICE FOR STAFF VACATIONS.

WE'LL KEEP YOU POSTED.

OUR LONG-TERM 2015 NISSAN MURANO 2-ROW CROSSOVER HAS ALREADY DONE ITS FAIR SHARE OF VACATIONING, AS IT HAS BEEN WITH US FOR 11 MONTHS AND 22,000 MILES.

AND DESPITE PERFORMING MOSTLY COMMUTING DUTIES OF LATE, MILEAGE FROM ITS 260 HORSEPOWER 3.5 LITER V6, HAS STEADIED AT 23.4 MILES PER GALLON.

ALL OF OUR DRIVERS, AND ANY PASSENGERS WE'VE PICKED UP ALONG THE WAY, AGREE THAT IT'S AS COMFORTABLE AS A CLOUD, AND ALL LOVE THE GOOD LOOKING, FUNCTIONAL INTERIOR.

TWO ANNOYANCES HAVE BEGUN TO WEAR US DOWN A LITTLE, HOWEVER.

THE FIRST BEING THE SEEMINGLY LONG TIME IT TAKES FOR THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM TO COME FULLY ON-LINE AT START UP.

WHICH MEANS IF THE PRIOR DRIVER LEAVES THE RADIO ON SOMETHING EAR SPLITTING, YOU HAVE TO MUTE IT UNTIL IT LETS YOU CHANGE THE STATION.

SECOND, IT'S ALSO SLOW ON UNLOCKING THE DOORS WHEN YOU SHUT IT OFF, AGAIN REQUIRING A LITTLE PATIENCE.

BUT REALLY, WE'RE NEVER IN THAT MUCH OF A HURRY TO GET OUT OF THIS STYLISH "DO-IT-ALL" NISSAN ANYWAY.

IT'S THE KIA SORENTO AND MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT ON OUR NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD REST UPDATE!

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

Yolanda Vazquez: FEW CARS MEAN MORE TO A BRAND THAN THE ACURA NSX.

AN ICON SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION IN 1990, THE NSX HAS ALWAYS REPRESENTED THE PINNACLE OF ENGINEERING FOR HONDA.

AND THAT'S NEVER BEEN TRUER THAN FOR THE ALL-NEW 2017 MODEL.

ALONG WITH A CHANCE TO FULLY EXPERIENCE IT ON THE TRACK, MOTORWEEK GOT A GUIDED TOUR OF ACURA'S PERFORMANCE MANUFACTURING CENTER IN MARYSVILLE, OHIO TO SEE JUST HOW THIS SUPERCAR COMES TOGETHER.

AMERICAN MADE FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE CARS ARE ANYTHING BUT MASS PRODUCED.

THE PERFORMANCE MANUFACTURING CENTER OR PMC, HANDLES THE ENTIRE BUILD PROCESS OF THE NEW NSX.

IT STARTS WITH THE CAR'S MOSTLY ALUMINUM SPACE FRAME, WHERE EIGHT WELD ROBOTS APPLY OVER 800 DIFFERENT WELDS AT VARIOUS POINTS.

SUSPENSION AND POWERTRAIN MOUNTING POINTS ARE THEN INSTALLED, WHICH ALSO ACT AS PART OF THE VEHICLE'S CRASH STRUCTURE.

FROM THERE, THE NEWLY ASSEMBLED FRAME UNDERGOES A QUALITY CONFIRMATION INSPECTION, TO ENSURE MEASUREMENT AND BUILD SPECIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MET.

IT'S THEN BATHED IN A CORROSION RESISTANT PAINT PRIMER BEFORE BEING MOUNTED TO A ROTISSERIE STYLE RIG WHERE SEALER IS APPLIED THROUGHOUT THE FRAME.

FRAME AND BODY PANELS GET PAINTED IN HOUSE, TOO, ON A CONVEYOR BELT THAT ALLOWS FOR BOTH ROBOTIC, AND BY-HAND PRIMER, AND PAINT APPLICATION.

ONCE THE FRAME IS FULLY PREPPED, ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS LIKE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, SUSPENSION, AND ELECTRIC MOTORS ARE MOUNTED.

WHEELS AND BRAKES, DASHBOARDS, SEATS, WINDSHIELDS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE ARE THEN INSTALLED BY TECHNICIANS, AND EVERY BOLT IS CHECKED FOR PROPER TORQUE.

ONCE ALL BODY PANELS ARE INSTALLED, THE CAR UNDERGOES WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND BRAKE CALIBRATION BEFORE A RUN ON THE DYNO.

FINAL STEPS INCLUDE A VISUAL INSPECTION, AND "ROAD-WORTHINESS TEST" TO SIMULATE REAL WORLD ROAD CONDITIONS.

WITH PLANS TO BUILD ONLY 800 CARS FOR U.S.

SALES THIS YEAR, ACURA IS KEEPING PRODUCTION NUMBERS LOW, TO ENSURE BUILD QUALITY AND EXCLUSIVITY REMAIN HIGH.

AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

John: THESE DAYS, FLAGSHIP VEHICLES COME IN MANY SHAPES AND SIZES.

IT'S ALL VERY BRAND DEPENDENT.

NOW, FOR MOST GERMAN MARQUES, THE TOP DOG IS A BIG, LUXURIOUS, FEATURE-PACKED SEDAN, LIKE BMWs 7-SERIES.

NOW, THIS CAR IS A SHOWCASE OF WHAT BMW IS CAPABLE OF, AND IT'S PRICED ACCORDINGLY.

IT'S SOMETHING FOR US, AND RIVALS, TO ASPIRE TO.

SO LET'S FIND OUT IF BMWs LATEST LUXURY LINER IS WORTHY OF ITS LOFTY PERCH.

* THE FIRST THING WE NOTICED ABOUT THIS 2016 BMW 750I XDRIVE IS THE SHEER SIZE OF IT, OVER 17-FEET LONG.

THAT'S ABOUT AN INCH LONGER THAN LAST GEN'S LONG WHEELBASE MODEL, NOW, ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME SIZE AS A MERCEDES-BENZ/S-CLASS.

AND THOUGH, L IS NO LONGER PART OF THE NAME HERE, IT'S THE SAME SIZE AS THE EUROPEAN LONG-WHEELBASE MODEL.

CONFUSED?

WELL DON'T BE.

JUST REMEMBER IT'S THE BIGGEST BMW SEDAN YET!

BUT, BMW ENGINEERS ALSO DID WHAT THEY COULD TO KEEP THE 6TH GEN 7-SERIES' WEIGHT AT BAY; EMPLOYING SUCH MEASURES AS CARBON FIBER REINFORCED PLASTICS FOR THE PASSENGER CELL.

BUT MASS IS MASS, AND HERE, THERE'S 4,610 POUNDS OF IT, BUT THAT'S STILL OVER A 100 POUNDS LESS THAN LAST YEAR.

AND THE 4.4 LITER TWIN-TURBO V8 IN OUR 750I XDRIVE HAD NO PROBLEM DEALING WITH IT, EVEN WITH ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE.

HORSEPOWER IS 445; TORQUE, A MORE THAN HEALTHY 480 POUND-FEET; ALL WITH AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC STANDARD.

A 320 HORSEPOWER I-6 FITS IN THE 740I, WHICH IS REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE ONLY.

A SNOW COVERED TRACK KEPT US FROM GETTING 0-60 NUMBERS, BUT BMW CLAIMS IT TAKES JUST 4.3 SECONDS FOR THE 750, AND WE DON'T DOUBT IT.

BUT PEDAL DOWN, IT'S MOSTLY QUIET BEHIND THE WHEEL.

STILL, WHEN IT DOES MAKE SOUNDS, THEY'RE FABULOUS.

ON THE HIGHWAY IT FEELS DREAMY TOO, NEITHER PLUSH NOR FIRM, YET SOMEHOW FANTASTICALLY SOAKING UP WHATEVER IMPERFECTIONS YOU STUMBLE ACROSS LIKE A SUPER STABLE SPONGE.

VISIBILITY IS GREAT ALL AROUND.

FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE, BE SURE TO PUT IT IN SPORT MODE TO GET A LITTLE MORE FEEDBACK OUT OF IT, AND A MORE DYNAMIC CHARACTER THAN ANY PREVIOUS 7-SERIES.

AND WHILE, IT MAY GO AGAINST EVERYTHING WE AND BMW BOTH STAND FOR, TAKE SOME TIME TO ENJOY THE BACK SEAT IF YOU CAN.

IT'S SUPER-ROOMY, WITH A PAIR OF AVAILABLE SCREENS AND A CONTROL TABLET TO KEEP EVEN THE NON-IDLE RICH, AND THEIR KIDS, WELL PAMPERED FOR MILES.

THE OPTIONAL DISPLAY KEY, IS LIKE CARRYING AN OLD FLIP PHONE IN YOUR POCKET AND PROBABLY DOES A WHOLE LOT MORE.

IT'S WORTH THE PRICE, FOR THE WOW FACTOR ALONE.

JUST MAKE SURE YOU PUT IT IN THE CHARGING BIN ONCE IN A WHILE.

UP FRONT, BETWEEN THE LATEST IDRIVE UPDATES, THE ACTUAL BUTTONS, AND EVEN NEW GESTURE CONTROL, EVERYTHING WORKS EXTREMELY COMPETENTLY.

THIS BIG CAR ALSO HAS BIG STORAGE TOO, WITH 18.2 CUBIC-FEET OF CARGO SPACE BEHIND THE HANDS-FREE OPERATED TRUNK LID.

DOES THE UNINSPIRED EXTERIOR DESIGN BLEND IN TOO MUCH?

YES.

IT IS PERHAPS TOO CONSERVATIVE.

BUT, THAT'S THE MARKET FOR TOP LEVEL SEDANS.

THE AVAILABLE M SPORT PACKAGE STANDS OUT A BIT, WITH 20-INCH WHEELS... AERO KIT... BLACK TRIM... AND SPORT EXHAUST SYSTEM... OR, GO THE FACTORY BACKED TUNER ROUTE WITH THE NOW 600 HORSEPOWER ALPINA B7.

WHILE, ANOTHER OPTIONAL SYSTEM, DRIVER ASSISTANCE PLUS, GIVES THE 750 BORDERLINE AUTONOMOUS DRIVING.

IT WORKS IMPRESSIVELY WELL, PICKING UP NEARBY CARS QUICKLY, KEEPING YOU IN YOUR LANE.

AND IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING WORKED GREAT EVERY TIME; IF VERY ABRUPTLY, WAITING UNTIL THE ABSOLUTE LAST SECOND TO FULLY BRAKE.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 16-CITY, 25-HIGHWAY, AND 19-COMBINED.

WE AVERAGED A GOOD 20.8 LUXURIOUS MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM.

PRICING, AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT FOR A FLAGSHIP, IS ABOVE AVERAGE.

BUT, NOT AS MUCH AS YOU'D THINK.

THE 740I STARTS AT $82,295.

OUR 750I AT $95,395.

THOUGH, IF THE 4-DOOR "7" FITS YOUR STATUS, YOU'D BE BEST SERVED TO GO ALL-IN ON FACTORY OPTIONS FOR THE BEST WOW FACTOR.

THAT GUILTY PLEASURE STICKERS FOR $128,445.

OBVIOUSLY, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING 6-FIGURES, IT'S HARD TO CALL ANY CAR A BARGAIN.

BUT, THIS CAR HAS A LOT OF PURE PERFORMANCE TO GO ALONG WITH ITS TECH HEAVY, PRIMO LUXURY CACHET.

AND MUCH MORE THAN MOST OF ITS COMPETITION.

SO, WHILE AT FIRST SIGHT THE 2016 BMW 750I XDRIVE MAY NOT SPIKE YOUR EXCITEMENT METER AS MUCH AS SOME LESSER BAVARIAN MOTOR'S MODELS, SPENDING TIME WITH IT, REVEALS A CAR THAT IS SO GOOD...

SO SOPHISTICATED... AND SO FUNCTIONAL... THAT IT MAKES TOTAL SENSE...

YET, CONFOUNDS AT THE SAME TIME... MAKING THIS FLAG BEARER ONE OF THE MOST GENUINELY DESIRABLE CARS WE'VE EVER DRIVEN... 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, FOR MORE HOT LAPS, THIS TIME AROUND IN THE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS.

THEN, TO GET YOU TO THE TRACK IN STYLE, IT'S THE LINCOLN MKX.

TILL 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... "IT'S GOT 430 FOOT UNITS OF BEAST!"

TIRERACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.

THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE...

"OOPS."

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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