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

JOIN US AND SEE IF OUR FAVORITE RACETRACK IS A PERFECT FIT FOR OUR FAVORITE ROADSTER, THE MAZDA MX-5... PAT GOSS PLUGS US IN TO HIS LATEST CAR CARE TIPS... BRIAN ROBINSON GOES TWO WHEELIN' ON THE KAWASAKI VULCAN S... AND THEN WE'LL PLAY PRETEND LIKE WE'RE RICH AND FAMOUS IN THE ROLLS-ROYCE WRAITH...

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 BOB.

BOB'S NOT THINKING ABOUT WHERE TO BUY HIS NEXT SET OF TIRES.

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

BUT BOB'S THINKING, "SHOULD I TELL HER ABOUT THAT THING IN HER TEETH?"

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: IT'S NO SECRET THAT WHETHER YOU CALL IT A MIATA OR AN MX-5, MAZDA'S PINT-SIZE ROADSTER PERFORMER HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF OUR FAVORITE RIDES.

WELL NOW, WE'RE HEADING TO ONE OF OUR FAVORITE RACE TRACKS, SAVANNAH'S ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY.

SO, IS THIS A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN, OR IS THIS TRACK TOO MUCH FOR MAZDA'S TINY TERROR?

* MAZDA'S MX-5 MIATA HAS ALWAYS PUNCHED ABOVE ITS WEIGHT WHEN IT COMES TO TRACK PERFORMANCE.

AND THIS BANTAMWEIGHT'S NIMBLE CHASSIS HAS BEEN ABLE TO AUGMENT THE TINY 4-CYLINDER POWERTRAIN ENOUGH TO BE A REAL HOOT TO DRIVE ON A ROAD COURSE.

THINGS ONLY GET BETTER FOR 2016 AS BOTH EXTREMES WERE APPROACHED.

LESS POWER, BUT ALSO LESS WEIGHT.

FOR SPECIFICS, ITS 2.0 LITER SKYACTIV-G I4 HAS 12 FEWER HORSES THAN BEFORE AT 155, BUT SPINS UP MORE TORQUE AT 148 POUND-FEET.

WEIGHT COMES IN AT 2,332 POUNDS, A DROP OF ABOUT 150.

OF COURSE, AS IN OUR EARLIER MX-5 STREET TEST, WE OPTED FOR CLUB SPEC., WHICH INCLUDES 17-INCH WHEELS, LIMITED SLIP DIFF, AND BILSTEIN SHOCKS WITH TOWER BRACING, TO GO ALONG WITH EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR TRIM UPDATES.

SO LET'S GET TO IT, AND THE HIGH SPEED ROEBLING SWEEPERS, TO SEE HOW THE "LITTLE MAZDA THAT CAN" DOES.

AND AT THE RISK OF BEING DISAPPOINTINGLY ANTI CLIMACTIC, THERE'S REALLY NOTHING NEW TO REPORT.

IT'S STILL A VERY FUN CAR TO DRIVE AT ITS LIMITS, WHICH ARE ACTUALLY ATTAINABLE FOR EVEN NOVICE DRIVERS.

IT STILL HAS ONE OF THE BEST STANDARD SHIFTERS ON THE PLANET TO GO ALONG WITH THE NOW 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION; PLEASE DON'T UPGRADE TO AN AUTOMATIC UNLESS IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO PREVENT A BREAKUP.

BUT AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT WITH A LOW HORSEPOWER CAR, IT'S ALL ABOUT KEEPING YOUR MOMENTUM UP THROUGH THE CORNERS, AS IT CAN FEEL A LITTLE GUTLESS COMING OUT OF THEM IF YOU'RE STARTING FROM IDLE.

SO THANKFULLY THAT'S AS EASY AS EVER TO DO, WITH VERY LINEAR POWER DELIVERY, THE NEAR PERFECT BALANCE THAT WE'VE COME TO EXPECT, AND A NEUTRAL CHASSIS THAT IS MORE THAN WILLING TO HOLD A LINE EVEN WHEN ROUGH PAVEMENT GETS THROWN INTO THE MIX.

TRYING TO MAINTAIN THAT MOMENTUM MEANS YOU'RE NOT SO MUCH BRAKING HARD GOING INTO CORNERS, JUST SCRUBBING OFF ENOUGH SPEED TO GET THROUGH THEM, AND THE UPGRADED BREMBO'S ON OUR TEST CAR PROVED UP TO THAT TASK AND THEN SOME.

IF THERE'S ANY NEGATIVES, THE STEERING FEEL HAS GONE SOFT, PROVIDING BARELY ENOUGH FEEDBACK.

AND THERE'S NOT MUCH AUDIO ACCOMPANIMENT FROM THE ENGINE AS YOU DANCE AROUND TRACK.

COMPLICATING THINGS FURTHER ARE THE VERY TIGHT GEAR RATIOS, WHICH ARE CERTAINLY HELPFUL IN ACCELERATION.

BUT HERE ON THIS BIG TRACK, THERE WERE A FEW PLACES WHERE WE FOUND OURSELVES EITHER SHIFTING MID-CORNER OR HAVING TO ENTER A GEAR HIGHER THAN WE'D LIKE.

BUT ALL IS FORGIVEN WHEN YOU PULL INTO THE PITS AND REALIZE YOU'VE HAD A SMILE ON YOUR FACE THE ENTIRE LAP.

IS IT THE MOST CAPABLE CAR ON THE MARKET?

NOT EVEN CLOSE.

IS IT ONE OF THE MOST FUN?

ABSOLUTELY!

WE FOUND IT VERY REFRESHING TO JUST HOP INTO A CAR, TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL, START PUSHING IT LIKE CRAZY, AND NOT HAVING TO INSTANTLY FEAR FOR YOUR LIFE.

AS FOR HOPPING OFF THE LINE AND GETTING TO 60, OUR MX-5 DID THAT IN 5.9 SECONDS ON ITS WAY TO A 14.6 SECOND QUARTER MILE AT 94 MILES PER HOUR.

OF COURSE THE MX-5 IS ALSO ONE CAR THAT KEEPS THE FUN GOING ONCE YOU LEAVE THE TRACK BEHIND.

TO SOME, THE EXTERIOR DESIGN IS STILL DISNEY INSPIRED.

BUT TO ALL, AS IT HAS AGED, IT'S LESS TOONTOWN AND MORE HIPSTER HIGH.

STILL AS BEFORE, CLEAN AND SIMPLE DEFINES THE INTERIOR.

THERE'S JUST ENOUGH ROOM TO OPERATE COMFORTABLY, BUT NOT MUCH MORE.

WHILE NOT IMPRESSIVE TO LOOK AT, SEATS WALK THE COMFORT AND SUPPORT FOR TRACK WORK TIGHTROPE ALMOST PERFECTLY.

NOT TOO MANY NEW VEHICLES THESE DAYS HAVE A DRIVER'S POSITION THIS LOW, YET THERE'S A GREAT VIEW OF THE HOOD LINES DOWN THE RIGHT, WHILE BODY COLORED INTERIOR PANELS BRING SOME OF THE OUTSIDE IN.

TOP OPERATION IS ALL MANUAL, AND REMAINS BRILLIANT IN ITS SIMPLICITY AND EASE OF USE.

AND THERE'S JUST ENOUGH TRUNK SPACE TO KEEP THE MX-5 ALMOST AS PRACTICAL AS IT IS FUN.

THE NOW NECESSARY COMMANDER CONTROLLER IS INTUITIVE, AND EASY TO USE WITHOUT TAKING YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD; THOUGH IT DOESN'T EXACTLY FALL RIGHT TO HAND.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 27-CITY, 34-HIGHWAY, AND 30-COMBINED.

FOR A GOOD ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 11.0 BARRELS OF OIL CONSUMED YEARLY WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 4.9 TONS.

BUT IT'S THE PRICING THAT REALLY SWEETENS THIS DEAL, STARTING AT JUST $25,750; THE TRACK READY CLUB GOES FOR $29,435.

SO, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS TRACK MAY HAVE BEEN A BIT TOO MUCH FOR THE MX-5, AS IT IS STILL MORE AT HOME ON TIGHT AUTOCROSS COURSES THAN HIGH SPEED SWEEPERS.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT WASN'T A BLAST TO DRIVE.

AND IT'S NOT TOO OFTEN THESE DAYS THAT YOU GET MORE THAN YOU BARGAINED FOR IN A GOOD WAY.

THIS 2016 MAZDA MX-5 CONTINUES TO PROVE THAT MORE POWER AND MORE MONEY DON'T ALWAYS MEAN MORE FUN.

CALL IT ANOTHER WIN FOR THE LITTLE GUYS.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, THE 469 MILE SCENIC HIGHWAY THAT WINDS ITS WAY FROM THE SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK IN VIRGINIA, THROUGH THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK IN NORTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE.

THANKS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CLEAN CITIES NATIONAL PARKS INITIATIVE, THE PARKS RECENTLY ADDED FOUR FORD C-MAX HYBRID-ELECTRIC VEHICLES, AND FOUR FORD F-250 PROPANE FUELED PICKUPS, TO HELP REDUCE POLLUTION IN THE PARKS.

Mike Molling: I THINK WE NEED TO TELL THE PUBLIC WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO TO CONSERVE ENERGY... AND SHOW THEM THAT WE ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT... AND FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT STEPS WE'RE TAKING... John: THE PARKWAY WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE LAND OF THE SKY CLEAN VEHICLES COALITION TO PROMOTE THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS FOR BOTH THE PARK STAFF AND THE MILLIONS WHO TRAVEL THIS ICONIC ALL-AMERICAN ROAD.

* DESPITE ALL THE DIFFERENT SEGMENTS OF MOTORCYCLES THAT HAVE TAKEN SHAPE OVER THE YEARS, ITS STILL CRUISERS THAT EAT UP THE MOST MILES ON AMERICA'S BYWAYS.

BUT NOT ALL CRUISERS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL AS WE'RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT.

Brian Robinson: WHEN THE ORIGINAL KAWASAKI VULCAN HIT THE STREETS IN THE '80s, IT MAY HAVE LOOKED THE PART OF A CRUISER, BUT ANYONE WHO OWNED ONE KNEW IT WAS A LOT MORE LIKE A SPORT BIKE.

WELL, SINCE THEN SPORT BIKES HAVE GOTTEN A LOT SPORTIER AND THE VULCAN HAS BECOME MORE OF A TRADITIONAL CRUISER.

THIS VULCAN S LOOKS TO TURN BACK THE CLOCK.

NOT IN A RETRO WAY, BUT BY BRINGING THE PERFORMANCE ASPECT OF THE VULCAN BACK TO THE FOREFRONT.

ITS WATER COOLED 649CC PARALLEL TWIN ENGINE COMES STRAIGHT FROM KAWASAKI'S 650 NINJA.

WELL NOT STRAIGHT, AS IT TOOK A DETOUR THROUGH MID-RANGE TORQUEVILLE.

YES, IT'S A PARALLEL TWIN AND NOT A V, BUT THAT'S FITTING FOR THIS DIFFERENT TYPE OF CRUISER.

AND THE FIRST TIME YOU REV IT TO 9,500 YOU'LL FORGET ALL ABOUT HOW THE CYLINDERS ARE ARRANGED DOWN BELOW AND CONCENTRATE ON HOLDING ON TO THE BARS UP TOP.

AND BEFORE YOU START SCOFFING AT THE SMALL SIZE, THIS TORQUEY TWIN HAS GOT PLENTY OF POWER TO PLAY WITH, AND UNLEASHES ALL OF IT RIGHT UP TO REDLINE.

YET SOMEHOW, IT REMAINS INCREDIBLY SMOOTH WHILE DOING SO.

KAWASAKI LIKES TO THINK THAT THIS BIKE'S BIGGEST APPEAL WILL BE ITS ERGO FIT ADJUSTABILITY, AS THERE ARE MULTIPLE SEATS, HANDLEBARS, AND FOOT PEG MOUNTING POINTS TO CHOOSE FROM, ENABLING A CUSTOM FIT BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE SHOW ROOM.

THAT'S ALL WELL AND GOOD, BUT I THINK THIS BIKE'S BEST ASSET IS THAT IT HANDLES LIKE AN ENTRY LEVEL SPORT BIKE, YET HAS THE STYLE AND COMFORT OF A CRUISER.

EVEN THE BRAKES, DESPITE JUST A SINGLE DISC FRONT AND REAR, ARE GREAT, WHETHER YOU GO WITH THE OPTIONAL ABS OR NOT.

THE MIRRORS ARE LITTLE ODDLY SHAPED, BUT THEY ARE VIBRATION FREE AND PROVIDE A GREAT VIEW OF YOUR 6.

AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF RIDE TIME, THE ONLY ANNOYANCE I COULD REALLY FIND, IS THAT IF YOU LET IT DROP TO IDLE, WHEN GETTING BACK ON THE THROTTLE THERE IS A DEFINITE HESITATION THERE.

NO WORRIES, JUST KEEP THE RPM UP LIKE YOU WOULD IN A SPORT BIKE, INSTEAD OF LUGGING ALONG LIKE YOU NORMALLY WOULD IN A CRUISER.

NOW, AS FOR THOSE LOOKS; WELL THE CRUISER SHAPE IS THERE, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY A UNIQUE TAKE ON THE THEME.

THE WRAP AROUND PERIMETER FRAME, ALMOST HORIZONTALLY MOUNTED SINGLE REAR SHOCK, AND UNDER MOUNTED MUFFLER ARE INDEED NOT THE NORM.

IT IS A SLICK LOOKING BIKE, BUT THERE ARE SOME ELEMENTS LIKE THE MULTIPLE PLASTIC PIECES AND A REAR FENDER THAT OVER PROMISES ON THE UNDER DELIVERED 160 REAR TIRE THAT KEEP IT FROM TRULY ACHIEVING CUSTOM CRUISER LIKE CRED.

CONTROLS AND INSTRUMENTATION ARE ALL STRAIGHTFORWARD, WITH THE SMALL DIGITAL DISPLAY GIVING ALL OF THE NECESSARY INFO AND THEN SOME.

THERE'S JUST A SINGLE, SURPRISINGLY COMFORTABLE SEAT, YOU'LL HAVE TO PONY UP SOME EXTRA COIN FOR A REAR PERCH AND PEGS, IF YOU PLAN ON PICKING UP HITCHHIKERS OUT ON THE OPEN ROAD.

6-SPEED TRANSMISSION, CHAIN DIVE, AND DOUBLE SIDED SWINGARM ARE ALL PAR FOR THE MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORT BIKE COURSE.

PRICING IS JUST $7,399.

SKIP THE ABS AND KEEP 400 BUCKS IN YOUR POCKET.

THE 2015 KAWASAKI VULCAN S IS CERTAINLY NOT ALONE IN PROVIDING SPORTING PERFORMANCE WITH A CRUISER PLATFORM, BUT YOU COULD MAKE AN ARGUMENT THAT THE ORIGINAL VULCAN STARTED THAT WHOLE THEME.

AND WE'RE GLAD IT HAS RETURNED TO IT.

* John: ...ENOUGH TO SPEED THE 2300 POUND MIATA FROM 0-60 IN ONLY 8.4 SECONDS, A SECOND AND HALF FASTER THAN THE 1990 ORIGINAL.

THE QUARTER MILE PASSED IN A SPIRITED 16.4 SECONDS, ENDING AT 87 MILES PER HOUR.

EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE WAS THE WAY OUR M EDITION SLICED THROUGH THE SWITCHBACKS.

DRIVERS COMPARED HANDLING EASE TO THAT OF A GO-KART, PRAISING ITS FIRM, RESPONSIVE STEERING.

PAT GOSS IS ALWAYS PLUGGED INTO THE LATEST CAR CARE, SO LET'S CHARGE ON DOWN TO HIS GARAGE AND GET CURRENT.

Pat Goss: IF YOU'RE CONSIDERING A PLUG IN VEHICLE, WELL THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT GO ALONG WITH IT THAT YOU NEED TO CONSIDER AS WELL.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A WAY TO RECHARGE YOUR BATTERY IN YOUR PLUG IN.

THAT MEANS YOU NEED ONE OF THESE CHARGERS.

NOW, THERE ARE THREE LEVELS OF CHARGERS AVAILABLE FOR MOST OF THESE VEHICLES.

LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2, AND LEVEL 3.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT 1, AND 2, BECAUSE 3, WELL THAT'S COMMERCIAL AND IT'S USUALLY COST PROHIBITIVE FOR THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER.

ALRIGHT NOW, WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A LEVEL 1.

IT PLUGS INTO A REGULAR 110 VOLT OUTLET IN THE WALL.

YOU DON'T NEED ANY WIRING OR ANYTHING.

IT CHARGES AT 10 AMPS.

WELL, THAT MEANS IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME TO RECHARGE A DEAD BATTERY, DEPENDING ON THE MAKE, AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE, AND HOW DISCHARGED IT IS.

THAT COULD BE 15 TO 20 HOURS TO RECHARGE IT.

SO, YOU MIGHT WANT TO STEP UP TO SOMETHING A LITTLE HIGHER.

HERE WE HAVE A TURBO CORD.

NOW, THIS IS UNIQUE IN THAT, WELL IT'S LIKE A CLASS ONE AND A HALF.

YOU SEE, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE IT PLUGGED IN TO A STANDARD 110 OUTLET AND WE CAN TAKE IT OUT, WE CAN PUT THIS ADAPTER INTO A 220 VOLT OUTLET, AND WE CAN PLUG THIS IN AND NOW, WE'RE CHARGING AT A HIGHER RATE.

ACTUALLY, ABOUT 16 AMPS.

THAT MEANS WE'RE GOING TO CUT THE CHARGING TIME CONSIDERABLY.

BUT, IF YOU WANT SOMETHING THAT CHARGES FASTER, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO A LEVEL 2.

LEVEL 2, THEY'RE ALL GOING TO BE 220 VOLT.

AND THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN THEM IN THE TYPES OF PLUGS THAT THEY HAVE, SO THE WALL OUTLET HAS TO BE DIFFERENT, AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT, THEY CHARGE AT 30 AMPS.

SO THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN CHARGE TIME.

NOW, THE THINGS THAT YOU LOOK FOR?

WELL, WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE IT?

IS IT GOING TO BE INSIDE THE GARAGE, OR IS IT GOING TO BE OUTSIDE?

WELL, IF YOU HAVE AN OUTSIDE LOCATION, YOU NEED ONE THAT'S WEATHER PROOF.

SOME OF THESE ARE PORTABLE, SO YOU CAN TAKE THEM FROM ONE LOCATION TO ANOTHER, AND YOU CAN PLUG IT IN, AND CHARGE YOUR VEHICLE.

SO, THE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO DO, YOU NEED TO FIGURE OUT THE LOCATION THAT THE CHARGERS GOING TO BE IN, HOW MUCH TIME YOU CAN ALLOW THE CAR TO SIT, TO CHARGE IT AND ALL THESE DIFFERENT FACTORS.

NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THAT SHOULD BE YOUR BUDGET.

WELL, IF YOU DO IT RIGHT, YOU'LL HAVE A LOT MORE ENJOYMENT OUT OF YOUR PLUG-IN VEHICLE.

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

John: LET'S START OFF WITH OUR UNDER RATED UNDERDOG, THE MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT... AFTER NINE MONTHS, WE'VE TACKED 11,791 MILES ONTO IT.

COMPARED TO OUR OTHER LONG TERM VEHICLES, THAT'S NOT A LOT OF DISTANCE.

YOU SEE, THE OUTLANDER IS NOT OUR CREW'S FIRST CHOICE FOR LONG HAUL COMFORT.

BUT FOR CRUISING AROUND TOWN, AND SLICING THROUGH DAILY COMMUTES, REGARDLESS OF THE WEATHER, OUTLANDER SPORT IS NEAR PERFECT, DOING ITS CHORES SMOOTHLY AND WITHOUT ISSUE.

THE 168 HORSEPOWER 2.4 LITER I4 IS A NO-FUSS-NO-MUSS ENGINE; EVEN IF IT FEELS UNDERPOWERED CONNECTED TO A CVT.

BUT AGAIN, WE HAD TO SEARCH FOR SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT.

FUEL ECONOMY IS A CROSSOVER WINNER AT 26.6 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR.

IN TOTAL, WE ARE JUST TRYING TO GET SOMEWHERE IN ONE PIECE, THE OUTLANDER SPORT IS ONE VEHICLE THAT'S HAPPY TO OBLIGE ANY DAY.

AS FOR OUR MIDSIZE 2016 KIA SORENTO CROSSOVER, IT EMERGED FROM OUR MID-ATLANTIC WINTER JUST FINE.

IN EIGHT MONTHS' TIME OUR ODO IS APPROACHING 24,000 MILES, WITH FUEL ECONOMY UP SLIGHTLY FROM OUR LAST REPORT TO 23.3 MILES PER GALLON.

QUIET, SMOOTH, AND COMFORTABLE SUMS UP ALL THAT TIME.

AND WE'RE FEELING CONTENTED WITH OUR CHOICE OF OPTING FOR THE 240 HORSEPOWER TURBO I4, AS IT OFFERS MORE THAN ADEQUATE POWER FOR DAILY FAMILY USE.

SO, NO NEED TO GO FOR THE 290 HORSEPOWER V6 UNLESS YOU LOAD UP A LOT OR NEED THE FULL 5K OF TOWING CAPACITY.

NO PROBLEMS TO REPORT THIS GO AROUND AS THE INTERIOR IS HOLDING UP PRETTY WELL, WITH FLEXIBILITY THAT'S ABOUT AS CLOSE TO A MINIVAN AS YOU CAN GET WITHOUT ACTUALLY BEING ONE.

UNFORTUNATELY WE'LL BID ADIEU TO TWO OF OUR LONG TERMERS, THE CHRYSLER 200 AND THE MAZDA CX-9, ON OUR NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD REST UPDATE!

NOW, LET'S HEAD INSIDE TO YOLANDA VAZQUEZ AND ALL THE LATEST MOTORNEWS.

Yolanda Vazquez: WE CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW TO WHET OUR AUTOMOTIVE APPETITES, AND THIS YEAR'S BUFFET GAVE US PLENTY TO FEAST ON.

BUGATTI STOLE THE SHOW WITH THE CHIRON, THEIR 1,500 HORSEPOWER VEYRON SUCCESSOR WITH A TOP SPEED OF 261 MILES PER HOUR, AND A 2.6 MILLION DOLLAR PRICE TAG.

ASTON MARTIN DEBUTED THE DB11, A TWIN-TURBO V12 POWERED COUPE BRINGING THE BRAND FULLY BACK INTO THE MODERN ERA.

MERCEDES SHOWED OFF BIG PLANS FOR THE C-CLASS: ADDING THE MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS CABRIOLET, AND THE MERCEDES-AMG C43 TO THE LINE-UP.

THE GERMANS GRABBED MORE HEADLINES WITH THE AUDI Q2, A FRONT-DRIVING SMALL CROSSOVER AIMED AT THE BMW X1, AND LEXUS NX.

PORSCHE ARRIVED WITH THE 718 BOXSTER: THE NEXT-GEN, RE-NAMED TURBO 4 FUTURE OF THEIR POPULAR ENTRY LEVEL CONVERTIBLE.

AND THIS 911 R, FEATURING THE 500 HORSEPOWER GT3 RS ENGINE AND A MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

MASERATI CONFIRMED EVERYONE'S SUSPICIONS WITH THE DEBUT OF THE LEVANTE, THEIR FIRST EVER SUV.

TOYOTA SHOWED OFF THE PRODUCTION C-HR.

THIS SMALL, 5-DOOR CROSSOVER ONCE TO BE A SCION IN THE U.S. WILL NOW WEAR A TOYOTA BADGE GLOBALLY.

HYUNDAI UNVEILED THE IONIQ, A FAMILY OF PRIUS FIGHTERS; HYBRID, PLUG-IN, OR FULL EV.

LEXUS SHOWED A HYBRID, BUT STILL A HIGH PERFORMANCE VERSION OF THEIR NEW SUPER COUPE, THE LC500H.

THE ALREADY ANNOUNCED BRITISH BUILT HONDA CIVIC 5-DOOR HATCHBACK MADE ITS DEBUT, ALBEIT STILL IN CONCEPT FORM.

THE ORIGINAL OPEL GT SPORTS CAR WAS INTRODUCED IN 1968.

THIS CONCEPT GIVES US HOPE, A NEW GERMAN DESIGNED GT WILL MAKE IT TO THE U.S.

IN TIME FOR ITS 50TH BIRTHDAY.

AND THAT'S IT FROM GENEVA, SWITZERLAND AND FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

John: MOTORWEEK WASN'T AROUND IN 1938 TO DRIVE THE LAST ROLLS-ROYCE WRAITH, BUT THE ADVANCED NATURE OF THAT CHASSIS; ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS, WELDED RATHER THAN RIVETED FRAME; MADE WRAITH CARS HIGHLY DISTINCTIVE.

NOW, ROLLS IS REVIVING THE WRAITH NAME IN HOPES OF BRINGING NEW PROSPECTS TO THEIR BRAND, WITH A DESIGN THAT IS ONE AGAIN DIFFERENT, AND WAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE.

* EVEN IN THE STRATOSPHERE OF ULTRA EXCLUSIVE VEHICLES, THE 2-DOOR 2015 ROLLS-ROYCE WRAITH STANDS OUT AS A VERY UNIQUE VEHICLE.

OH, AND IT'S THE MOST POWERFUL ROLLS-ROYCE EVER.

EITHER ONE OF THESE WOULD BE A GREAT REASON FOR PURCHASING THIS ROLLING PIECE OF PROMINENCE, BUT OUR REASONING WOULD BE THE WRAITH'S ACTUAL BEHIND THE WHEEL EXPERIENCE.

YES, THIS ROLLS IS INTENDED TO ACTUALLY BE DRIVEN BY THE OWNER.

BASED ON THE GHOST SEDAN, IT OFFERS EXTREME ISOLATION FROM THE OUTSIDE, AND LESS FORTUNATE WORLD, BUT WHERE IT DIFFERS IS, IT IS RELATIVELY MORE FUN TO DRIVE, AT LEAST AS FAR AS WE'RE CONCERNED, WHEN IT COMES TO A ROLLS-ROYCE.

THE EXPERIENCE IS A BIT OF A THROWBACK, TO A TIME WHEN HIGH END CARS WERE MADE TO RIDE SMOOTH, AND BE MECHANICAL WONDERS; NOT THE SENSOR INTENSIVE, COMPUTER CONTROLLED, LUXURY STANDARDS OF TODAY.

SO, IT'S NOT AS SPORTING AS A CONTINENTAL GT, BUT ROLLING ON A WHEELBASE THAT'S MORE THAN A FOOT LONGER, STRETCHING OVER 10 FEET, IT RIDES LIKE A WHOLE OTHER CLASS UP OF VEHICLE.

* [ENGINE STARTS UP] THE POWER IT DELIVERS, ALL 624 HORSEPOWER, AND 590 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE MAY ALSO SEEM EXTREME.

BUT IT'S THE EFFORTLESS DELIVERY THAT IS TRULY REMARKABLE.

AS IS ITS VERY STRIKING FASTBACK DESIGN, WHICH SURELY WOULD LOOK MORE AT HOME ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA THAN AROUND OUR OFFICES IN OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND.

BUT WHETHER ON THE MOVE OR STANDING STILL, IT IS QUITE A PRESENCE, AND THAT'S BEFORE YOU SWING THE HUGE DOORS OPEN TO THE REAR.

AND SINCE THEY OPEN SO WIDE, DON'T WORRY ABOUT REACHING OUT TO CLOSE THEM, JUST SUMMON THE INVISIBLE BUTLER WITH THE PUSH OF A BUTTON AND STAY PUT.

THE MAJORITY OF THE BEHIND THE DASH TECHNOLOGY COMES FROM BMW, BUT THERE ARE A FEW SPECIAL ELEMENTS SUCH AS GPS BASED SHIFT LOGIC FOR THE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

AND THE 10-INCH INFOTAINMENT DISPLAY CAN STAY HIDDEN FOR A MORE TRADITIONAL LOOK.

PLUS THE AMAZINGLY EXTRAVAGANT STARLIGHT HEADLINER IS ROLL'S ALONE.

EVEN UNDER THOSE FIBER OPTIC STARS, THERE'S PLENTY OF OTHER ASPECTS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH IN THE BACK SEAT.

AND YOU MIGHT WANT TO STAY PUT AS LONG AS POSSIBLE, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE SHEER LUXURY AND AMENITIES YOU'RE WRAPPED IN, BUT BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE EASIEST SPACE TO CLIMB OUT OF.

* CLIMBING OUT OF THE HOLE AT OUR TEST TRACK TOOK SOME RESTRAINT TO KEEP FROM LUXURIOUSLY MELTING THE REAR TIRES, SO WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO ACHIEVE A 0-60 TIME OF 6.8 SECONDS IN LESS THAN IDEAL TRACK CONDITIONS.

DISAPPOINTING, SINCE IT SHOULD EASILY BE UNDER 5.0 SECONDS.

ITS GREAT ROAD PRESENCE DOESN'T QUITE TRANSLATE TO TRACK WORK, AS MUSCLING THE WRAITH'S 5,200 PLUS POUNDS OF BULK THROUGH TIGHT TURNS ALSO CALLS FOR SOME RESTRAINT, AND IF YOU DON'T, BETTER TRY A "HAIL MARY" OR TWO.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE NOT AS OUT OF WHACK AS YOU'D EXPECT, 13-CITY, A MOST RESPECTABLE 21-HIGHWAY, AND 15-COMBINED.

BUT THAT STILL EARNS A GAS GUZZLER TAX AND A VERY POOR ENERGY IMPACT SCORE, BURNING THROUGH 22.0 BARRELS OF OIL PER YEAR WITH ANNUAL CO2 EMISSIONS OF 9.5 TONS.

ROLLS THINKS THE U.S. WILL BE THE BIGGEST MARKET FOR THE WRAITH, SO I GUESS THERE WILL BE MORE THAN A FEW 1-PERCENTERS SHELLING OUT THE CLOSE TO $300,000 REQUIRED.

PLAN ON SPENDING MUCH MORE TO MAKE YOURS UNIQUE HOWEVER, AS OURS HAD ALMOST $100,000 IN OPTIONS.

SO UNLESS YOU PLAN ON LIVING IN IT, WHICH ONE OF OUR STAFFERS BRIEFLY CONTEMPLATED, IT'S PROBABLY NOT THE MOST PRACTICAL OF PURCHASES.

AND COMPARED TO A CONTINENTAL GT, IT'S A MUCH PRICIER ONE.

BUT YOU DO GET AMAZING EXCLUSIVITY, WHICH IS WHAT THIS PRICE BRACKET IS ALL ABOUT.

AS THIS APPARITION WILL INDEED BE RARE TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF, AND WE'RE MOST GLAD WE DID.

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, AND GO ONCE MORE AROUND, AND AROUND, THIS TIME IN THE MCLAREN 570S.

THEN SETTLE INTO THE NEW HONDA CIVIC COUPE.

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 BOB.

BOB'S NOT THINKING ABOUT WHERE TO BUY HIS NEXT SET OF TIRES.

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

BUT BOB'S THINKING, "SHOULD I TELL HER ABOUT THAT THING IN HER TEETH?"

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 SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.

*