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

JOIN US AS WE SEE IF A NEW OUTLANDER HAS MITSUBISHI FINALLY HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION... PAT GOSS GIVES OUR TURBO CHARGING KNOW HOW A BOOST DOWN IN GOSS' GARAGE... YOLANDA VAZQUEZ IS READY TO BLAST OFF ON HER NEXT ADVENTURE... AND WE'LL GET GOING, FAST, IN THE MERCEDES-AMG GTS...

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: DESPITE YEARS OF RUMORS ABOUT AN IMMINENT DEMISE, MITSUBISHI NOT ONLY SOLDIERS ON, BUT APPEARS TO BE WELL POSITIONED TO BENEFIT FROM THE INSATIABLE AMERICAN APPETITE FOR ANYTHING SUV.

NOT SURPRISINGLY, UPDATES FOR THEIR VARIOUS CROSSOVERS ARE COMING EARLY AND OFTEN.

INDEED, AFTER JUST TWO YEARS ON THE MARKET, THE OUTLANDER, THEIR BIGGEST UTE, GETS A THOROUGH GOING OVER.

SO LET'S SEE IF IT'S ENOUGH TO KEEP SALES POINTED IN THE UP DIRECTION.

MITSUBISHI SALES ARE STILL FAR FROM THEIR EARLY 2000s HIGHS, BUT THEY'RE STILL UP 25% SO FAR THIS YEAR.

THIS 7-PASSENGER 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE WHY.

THIS MAY TECHNICALLY BE A MID-CYCLE REFRESH, BUT JUST ABOUT EVERY ASPECT OF THIS CROSSOVER HAS BEEN ADDRESSED.

SO IT'S EASIER TO START WITH WHAT HASN'T CHANGED, AND THAT'S THE UNDER HOOD DEPARTMENT; WHERE IN THIS OUTLANDER GT YOU'LL FIND THE SAME 3.0 LITER V6 GOOD FOR A MODEST 224 HORSEPOWER AND 215 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, ATTACHED TO A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC WITH PADDLE SHIFTERS.

IT'S GOOD FOR A VERY RESPECTABLE 0-60 TIME OF 7.6 SECONDS.

ALL OTHER TRIMS CARRYOVER A 166 HORSEPOWER 2.4 LITER I4 CVT COMBO, THAT GETS A SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR IMPROVED ACCELERATION FEEL.

ALL BODYWORK FORWARD OF THE A-PILLARS HAS BEEN REDESIGNED, INCLUDING THE SHARP LOOKING STANDARD LED HEADLIGHTS AND CHUNKS OF CHROME THAT MAKE UP THE FIRM'S NEW "DYNAMIC SHIELD" FRONT END.

IT'S A GOOD ATTEMPT, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY; IT JUST LOOKS LIKE A DIFFERENT FRONT END, THAT DOESN'T COMPLETELY JIVE WITH THE REST OF THE CAR.

THIS IS SOMEWHAT MITIGATED WITH NEW 18-INCH ALLOY WHEELS THAT ARE STANDARD ON ALL TRIMS.

THERE ARE MANY BIG IMPROVEMENTS YOU DON'T SEE.

LOTS OF SOUND DEADENING HAS BEEN ADDED, AND THE CHASSIS IS NOTICEABLY STIFFER TO PROVIDE BOTH A BETTER RIDE, AND ALONG WITH RETUNED SHOCKS AND ELECTRIC STEERING, ENHANCE HANDLING RESPONSE.

THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF COMPETITION IN THE COMPACT CROSSOVER SEGMENT, SO MITSUBISHI KNOWS THEY MUST BE EITHER BETTER OR CHEAPER TO STAND OUT; OR OFFER SOMETHING THE OTHERS DON'T.

SO, IN ADDITION TO THE AVAILABLE V6 ENGINE, THERE IS ALSO A STANDARD 3RD ROW SEAT, THOUGH ONLY KIDS NEED APPLY.

ACCESS TO THAT 3RD ROW IS ALSO TIGHT, BUT NEW 2ND ROW SEATS FOLD EASIER THAN BEFORE; AND WITH ALL ROWS FOLDED, THERE IS A GOOD 63.3 CUBIC-FEET OF CARGO SPACE.

THE PREVIOUS OUTLANDER'S PLASTIC JUNGLE INSIDES HAVE BEEN DEFORESTED FOR THE MOST PART; AS DASH AND DOOR PANELS ARE MUCH IMPROVED, THOUGH THE SEATS COULD USE SOME FURTHER WORK, AS YOU DEFINITELY SIT ON THEM MORE THAN IN THEM.

THE OPTIONAL TOUCHSCREEN NAVIGATION AND INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM ARE NEW AND WORK QUITE WELL.

A BACK-UP CAMERA IS STANDARD IN ALL BUT THE BASE ES.

MITSUBISHI'S SUPER ALL WHEEL CONTROL ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SYSTEM HAS ALWAYS PERFORMED GREAT IN LIGHT OFF-ROAD SITUATIONS AND WE FOUND THAT TO STILL BE THE CASE.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS IN THE V6 GTS-AWC ARE 20-CITY, 27-HIGHWAY, AND 23-COMBINED.

WE FELL A BIT SHORT ON OUR LOOP, WITH AN AVERAGE OF 20.4 MILES-PER-GALLON OF PREMIUM.

THAT MAKES FOR AN AVERAGE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 14.3 BARRELS OF YEARLY OIL USE AND CO2 EMISSIONS OF 6.4 TONS.

IN ITS BASE FORM, $23,845 MAKES THE OUTLANDER A REAL BARGAIN FOR A 3-ROW CROSSOVER.

AS YOU WORK YOUR WAY UP THE TRIM LEVELS HOWEVER, THAT DISSIPATES SLIGHTLY BY THE TIME YOU ARRIVE AT OUR GT'S BASE PRICE OF $31,845; OUR TESTER WITH OPTIONS WAS OVER $35,000.

THE 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER IS A GOOD CROSSOVER CHOICE AT A GOOD PRICE.

IT'S NOT OUR PICK OF THE COMPACT LITTER, BUT DESPITE THE DESIGN'S OVERALL AGE, IT'S STILL QUITE COMPETITIVE THANKS TO FREQUENT UPDATES AND ITS STANDARD 7-SEATER STATUS.

LIKE THE SMALLER OUTLANDER SPORT, ANOTHER GOOD REASON THINGS ARE TRENDING UP AT MITSUBISHI; AS THEY CLIMB THEIR WAY BACK TO ONCE AGAIN BEING RELEVANT IN THE AMERICAN MARKETPLACE.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK STOPS IN MUNCIE, INDIANA WHERE THESE AUTOMATED CNG REFUSE TRUCKS ARE A FAMILIAR SIGHT.

THE MUNCIE SANITATION DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY OPERATES 11 CNG REFUSE TRUCKS, TWO CNG STREET SWEEPERS, TWO CNG GRAPPLE TRUCKS, AND THIS BIOFUEL CHEVROLET SILVERADO, AND PLANS TO EXPAND THEIR CNG FLEET FURTHER.

AS MEMBERS OF THE GREATER INDIANA CLEAN CITIES COALITION; MUNCIE PARTNERED WITH ENERGY SYSTEMS GROUP TO HELP FINANCE THEIR "GREENLINE" CNG FUELING STATION.

FUEL COST SAVINGS ARE PAYING FOR THE PROJECT.

Phil Reagon: I CAN PREDICT MY BUDGET NEXT YEAR, I CAN PREDICT IT TWO YEARS, HOW MUCH FUEL I'M GOING TO NEED AND MY COST OF FUEL.

IT'S CLEANER, IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO... NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE PAYING FOR FUEL NEXT YEAR.

John: MUNCIE HOPES TO RECOUP THEIR INITIAL INVESTMENT IN AS LITTLE AS FIVE YEARS.

NOW THAT'S, REALLY CLEANING UP IN EAST CENTRAL INDIANA.

FOR MORE OF OUR ROAD TESTS, AS WELL AS COMPLETE EPISODES, BE SURE TO VISIT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

NOW, AS YOU CAN PROBABLY TELL, MANY OF THE VEHICLES WE DRIVE HERE AT MOTORWEEK ARE ALL ABOUT GOING FAST RAPIDLY.

AND THAT'S HOW WE LIKE IT.

BUT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT'S LESS ABOUT SPEED AND MORE ABOUT HISTORY.

OUR FYI REPORTER YOLANDA VAZQUEZ IS ABOUT TO LAUNCH HER LATEST ADVENTURE AND WHILE SHE MAY NOT BE SETTING ANY LAND SPEED RECORDS, SHE'S CERTAINLY ENJOYING THIS BLAST FROM THE PAST.

IT'S THE KIND OF RIDE THAT NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE... Joe: SLIDE ALL THE WAY BACK, THAT SEAT... OR HOW OLD YOU ARE... Karen Lewin: IT'S A LOT OF MEMORY FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME, WHO USED TO RIDE THESE CARS... Yolanda: IT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD INSIDE.

Joe Tomaro: AND THE MAJOR, MAJOR RULE IS YOU GOTTA HAVE FUN.

DO YOU THINK YOU CAN DO THAT?

[Children Cheer] OKAY!

Yolanda: FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS, JOE TOMARO AND JOHN FRATO, BETTER KNOWN AS "THE EUCLID BEACH BOYS," HAVE BEEN BRINGING A BIT OF AMUSEMENT PARK NOSTALGIA TO THE STREETS OF CLEVELAND, OHIO IN THE FORM OF "THE ROCKET SHIP" AND "THRILLER CAR."

Joe: WE CALL THEM THE HAPPIEST RIDES ON EARTH.

AND THEY ARE.

THEY JUST MAKE PEOPLE SMILE WHETHER RIDING, OR SEEING IT.

Yolanda: "THE ROCKET SHIP" CAR IS A MOTORIZED VERSION OF THE AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE SEEN HERE AT "EUCLID BEACH PARK" BACK IN ITS HEYDAY.

KAREN LEWIN REMEMBERS FLYING AROUND IN THE AIR, WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.

Karin Lewin: SO, AS WE RODE THE ROCKET SHIPS, THEY WENT AROUND AND AROUND ON CABLES.

AND IT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE RIDES.

Yolanda: WHEN THE PARK CLOSED IN 1969, THE RIDES WERE SCATTERED ABOUT UNTIL JOE AND JOHN DISCOVERED ONE OF THE THREE REMAINING ROCKET SHIPS.

Joe: WE FOUND IT 10, 11 YEARS AGO IN A WAREHOUSE, OUT IN... ON THE EAST SIDE OF CLEVELAND.

AND WHEN I ASKED THE GENTLEMAN, I SAID, "HOW DID YOU GET THIS?"

AND HE SAID, "IT WAS HERE WHEN WE BOUGHT THE WAREHOUSE."

Yolanda: THEY ALSO ACQUIRED "THE THRILLER," WHICH WAS A WOODEN ROLLERCOASTER RIDE.

IT WAS BUILT IN THE EARLY 1920s... AND DID VERY WELL FOR THE HUMPHREY'S, WHO THEN OWNED THE AMUSEMENT PARK.

John Frato: REPORTEDLY RIDE COST THEM $90,000 TO BUILD IN 1923.

THEY OPENED IN MAY AND HAD IT PAID OFF BY JULY 4TH AT FIVE CENTS/TICKET.

Yolanda: IT TOOK A LOT OF WORK TO GET THESE RIDES ON THE ROAD.

THEY HAD TO RETROFIT EACH CHASSIS TO FIT THE RIDE CAR AND GIVE THEM BOTH A GOOD AMOUNT OF ENGINE POWER.

THEY ALSO PUT AN AIR RIDE SUSPENSION SYSTEM ON THE CAR.

IT LOWERS ABOUT 6 INCHES AND GIVES THE RIDE A SUPER, SMOOTH FEEL.

HEY GUYS!

THE AIR RIDE SYSTEM IN THE ROCKET SHIP, REALLY MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE GLIDING THROUGH THE AIR.

YOU DON'T FEEL A LOT OF THE BUMPS OR HERKY-JERKY MOVEMENT; MAKING FOR A SMOOTH RIDE ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

OTHER MAKESHIFT ITEMS INCLUDE THIS STEERING WHEEL THAT WAS ONCE A TURRET LATHE AND A TAILLIGHT THAT'S MOUNTED IN AN OLD BOAT PART.

BUT ORIGINAL PARTS REMAIN, LIKE THE BRACKETS THAT HELD THE SUSPENSION CABLES AND THE FRONT HANDLE THAT LOCKS EVERYONE IN.

AS FOR THE THRILLER CAR, THE BASE OF IT IS A STEEL FRAME COVERED WITH FAUX WOOD.

IT'S TITLED AS A '51 CHEVY TRUCK LIMO WITH A SMALL BLOCK 327.

John Frato: NICE HIGH REVVING OLD SCHOOL MOTOR, FOR AN OLD SCHOOL COASTER CAR, SO WE'RE GOOD TO GO.

Yolanda: THE BOYS LOVE DRIVING THE CARS AROUND TOWN BUT NOBODY GETS A BIGGER KICK OUT OF THESE NOVELTIES THAN THEIR RIDERS.

Sam Longworth: IT WAS FUN... Yolanda: WHAT DID YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT IT?

Sam: THAT IT WENT REALLY FAST.

Summer Bliss: MY HAIR WAS GOING BACK AND FORTH, AND LIKE GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Yolanda: THESE STUDENTS FROM GRANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WERE TREATED TO A RIDE IN THE CARS BECAUSE OF THEIR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS.

Joy Cesna: IT'S SOMETHING THEY CAN GET IN WITH THEIR FRIENDS.

THEY CAN HAVE FUN...

THEY CAN RAISE THEIR HANDS...

THEY CAN FEEL THE WIND IN THEIR HAIR...

IT'S JUST LIKE A FUN RIDE... Yolanda: MORE THAN 45 YEARS AFTER THE PARK HAS CLOSED, A SMALL SLIVER OF THOSE GLORY DAYS REMAIN...

THANKS TO THE EUCLID BEACH BOYS WHO ARE PRESERVING A PART OF CLEVELAND'S AMUSEMENT PARK HISTORY.

Karin: I LOVE TO SEE THE CARS.

I LOVE TO SEE ALL THE MEMORY OF EUCLID BEACH.

AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, I'LL SEE ONE OF THESE CARS GO DOWN THE STREET AND I SAY, "WOW, THAT'S FROM EUCLID BEACH."

John: PAT GOSS IS SPOOLING UP A FEW TIPS ON TURBOCHARGING, SO, LET'S HEAD ON DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE FOR A BOOST.

Pat Goss: THIS TIME WE HAVE TOM TAYLOR, WHO IS AN ONLINE PARTS EXPERT.

TOM, ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE SEEING IN THE REPAIR SHOP IS A LOT MORE CARS WITH TURBO'S.

AND I'M SURE YOU'RE SEEING SOME OF THAT, TOO.

AS FAR AS PARTS ARE CONCERNED.

Tom Taylor: ABSOLUTELY.

MORE AND MORE NEW CARS; THEY'RE TRYING TO GET MORE POWER OUT OF SMALLER ENGINES, SO WE'LL HAVE TURBO'S AND MULTIPLE TURBO'S.

Pat: AND THE WAY THEY GET THAT POWER IS KIND OF INTERESTING, BECAUSE THEY TAKE EXHAUST GAS COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE, AND THEY FLOW THAT ACROSS THESE IMPELLORS INSIDE THE TURBO, AND THIS SET OF IMPELLORS, ON THE EXHAUST SIDE IS CONNECTED TO INTAKE IMPELLORS ON THE OTHER END OF A SHAFT, AND THOSE IMPELLORS FORCE AIR INTO THE ENGINE UNDER PRESSURE, AND THAT PRODUCES MORE POWER.

NOW, AS A RESULT OF THAT, MAINTENANCE BECOMES REALLY IMPORTANT.

Tom: RIGHT.

SIMPLY CHANGING YOUR OIL IS CRUCIAL.

BECAUSE BETWEEN THE TWO IMPELLORS YOU HAVE A BEARING THAT NEEDS TO BE COOLED AND LUBRICATED WITH OIL.

AND THE CORRECT WEIGHT OF OIL, NOT JUST ANY OIL.

IT HAS TO BE THE OIL RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

PAT: YEAH, CHANGE IT AT THE RIGHT INTERVAL, AND USE THE RIGHT PRODUCTS.

Tom: ABSOLUTELY.

Pat: CRITICAL.

BUT, EVEN WITH EVERYTHING BEING RIGHT, WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF THESE COME IN WITH PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS.

AND WE'RE SEEING AIR LEAKS.

Tom: RIGHT.

THE ORIGINAL HOSES MIGHT START LEAKING AIR OVER TIME, AND CRACKING.

THESE ARE REPLACEMENT HOSES THAT ARE DESIGNED BY THE AFTERMARKET PARTS MANUFACTURERS TO BE BETTER THAN THE ORIGINALS...

IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE A RADIATOR HOSE, BUT YOU DON'T JUST WANT TO USE A STRAP OR RADIATOR HOSE.

A LOT OF ENGINEERING GOES INTO THESE; SPECIAL MATERIAL TO KEEP OUT THE OIL, KEEP IN THE AIR.

THIS HOSE HERE HAS A FLUOROELASTOMER LINER TO RESIST OIL.

IT HAS SPECIAL CLAMPS TO APPLY THE PRESSURE EVENLY SO YOU DON'T GET GAPS OR SPOTS WITH TOO MUCH PRESSURE.

AND A SILICONE COVER TO PROTECT IT EVEN FURTHER.

Pat: OKAY NOW, ANOTHER ADVANTAGE TO THIS, IT LOOKS LIKE I'VE SEEN THAT HOSE BUT I'VE SEEN IT IN AN ASSEMBLY WITH A PLASTIC CANISTER ON IT.

Tom: RIGHT.

IF YOU BUY IT FROM THE DEALER, YOU'RE BUYING THIS WHOLE EXPENSIVE ASSEMBLY.

THE AFTERMARKET ASSEMBLER HAVE IDENTIFIED THE PART THAT FAILS, AND YOU JUST NEED TO REPLACE THAT ONE PART.

YOU GET A BETTER PART, IT COSTS LESS, AND IT'LL LAST LONGER.

Pat: OKAY.

WELL, THAT'S ONE ADVANTAGE TO AFTERMARKET PARTS IN GENERAL.

THEY FIND THE PROBLEM, THEY ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, AND DESIGN IT INTO THE REPLACEMENT.

Tom: RIGHT.

YOU'RE NOT REPLACING A FAILED PART WITH THE EXACT SAME PART THAT FAILED.

Pat: OKAY.

TOM, THANK YOU.

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

* John: THE CHISELED COW CATCHER NOSE IS COMPLETE WITH DISAPPEARING HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS AND THE THEME IS CONTINUED WITH THE D-BEAR DAME THAT MAKES THE STARION AERODYNAMICALLY VERY SLIPPERY.

THERE ARE FEW TOO MANY STYLING DOO-DADS FOR OUR TASTE.

NO LESS THAN 3 FAKE HOOD VENTS AND THE FULLY OPENABLE HATCH BREAKS MUCH TOO ABRUPTLY FOR ROOF.

BUT IT DOES HAVE A FEW REDEEMING SOCIAL VALUES TOO.

FOR INSTANCE, ALL STARION'S ARE TURBOCHARGED.

THE INSTRUMENT POD ON OUR CAR FEATURED INVERTED L-SHAPED GAUGES AND AN ELECTRONIC SPEEDOMETER, TACK, AND BOOST GAUGE.

John: TIME TO GRAB OUR FIRST TAKE ON TODAY'S LATEST WITH MORE QUICKSPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS.

THE CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 IS NEW FOR 2016.

BUT WHAT DOES THAT REALLY MEAN?

WELL, UPDATES INCLUDE, AND WE QUOTE... "DRAMATIC NEW DESIGN, ADVANCED CONNECTIVITY, AND ENHANCED CUSTOMER-FOCUSED TECHNOLOGIES...

WHICH IS OF COURSE, MARKETING SPEAK FOR A MILD REFRESH.

A NEW HOOD, GRILLE, AND LED RUNNERS LEND MORE PRESENCE, AND QUIET CRITICS WHO SAID "THE ALL-NEW 2014 TRUCK DIDN'T GO FAR ENOUGH."

THE SILVERADO DOESN'T NEED MUCH MORE THAN THAT, AS IT IS ALREADY A HANDSOME TRUCK.

INSIDE, IT'S THE SAME STORY.

NOT MUCH NEEDS ADDRESSING...

THE MYLINK SYSTEM IS UPDATED THOUGH, NOW WITH APPLE CARPLAY, AND ANDROID AUTO WILL SOON FOLLOW.

THERE'S SOME TRICKLE DOWN FOR HARDWARE, AS THE 8-SPEED AUTO IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE 355 HORSEPOWER 5.3 LITER V8, AND NOT JUST THE BIGGER 6.2 LITER UNIT.

IT CERTAINLY SMOOTH'S THINGS OUT, AND HELPS IMPROVE DRIVE QUALITY.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 STARTS AROUND $28,000.

THE GENERAL'S MIDSIZE PICKUP TRUCK REVIVAL IS OFF TO A GREAT START, AND THEY'RE HOPING THE ADDITION OF A TURBO DIESEL WILL MAKE IT EVEN BETTER.

WE DROVE THESE '16s, BOTH THE CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON, AND THEY WERE WORTH THE WAIT.

THE TRUCKS THEMSELVES DON'T CHANGE MUCH.

LIKE BIG BROTHER SILVERADO, MYLINK GETS UPDATES, TO INCLUDE APPLE CARPLAY.

THE 2.8 LITER DURAMAX TURBO I4 DIESEL IS THE BIG STORY, WITH 181 HORSEPOWER AND 369 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

IT TOWS 7700 POUNDS.

THEY'RE ALSO THE FIRST PICKUPS TO BREAK THE 30 MPG HIGHWAY BARRIER WITH 31.

INSIDE EITHER TRUCK, THE RIDE REMAINS SMOOTH AND QUIET FOR A PICKUP.

THE GMC IS, NATURALLY, A LITTLE MORE UPSCALE, BUT NOT BY MUCH.

ENGINE CLATTER IS KEPT TO A MINIMUM, ALMOST ENOUGH TO FORGET WHAT YOU'RE DRIVING.

STEP ON THE THROTTLE, THOUGH, AND YOU'RE PLEASANTLY REMINDED.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYONS CAN BE EQUIPPED WITH THE DURAMAX DIESEL FOR ABOUT $4,000 MORE.

THE HUMBLE HYUNDAI ELANTRA QUIETLY, AND WITHOUT MUCH FLAIR, MANAGES TO IMPRESS US EVERY TIME.

AND THIS 2016 ELANTRA GT DOES IT AGAIN.

STYLING UP FRONT SEES A FEW TWEAKS, MAINLY TO THE GRILLE... ALSO NEW ARE THESE 17 INCH ALLOY WHEELS.

DRIVE TIME BEHIND THE WHEEL IMPROVES, QUITE LITERALLY, BEHIND THE WHEEL.

A REVISED POWER STEERING SYSTEM INCLUDES ENHANCEMENTS TO THE SELECTABLE STEERING MODES, NOW TUNED TO OFFER MORE PRECISE FEEDBACK.

IT'S A SMALL, BUT NOTICEABLE UPGRADE.

THE OPTIONAL TECH PACKAGE ADDS COOLED SEATS UP FRONT, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER, AS WELL AS A NEW NAV SYSTEM, AND SIRI EYES FREE MODE.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT STARTS JUST UNDER $20,000.

AND WE'LL GRAB MORE QUICKSPIN'S, SOON!

IN THIS MUST READ, PATRICK R. FOSTER DETAILS THE STORIED HISTORY OF THE LONG LIVED AND LONG LOVED JEEP OPEN BODIED 4 BY 4.

STARTING WITH ITS INCEPTION IN WORLD WAR II AS A SOLDIERS BEST COMPANION AND GOING ON TO PROVE ITSELF AS AN INDISPENSABLE TOOL OF WAR, FOSTER DOCUMENTS THE PIVOTAL YEARS OF THE ICONS ORIGIN TO ITS CURRENT CULT STATUS.

LOADED WITH OVER 300 VINTAGE BLACK AND WHITE, AND COLORED PHOTOGRAPHS, JEEP, THE HISTORY OF AMERICA'S GREATEST VEHICLE IS A NECESSITY FOR ANYONE INTO CLASSIC MOTORING.

FROM ITS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS STRUGGLING TO BE PUT INTO PRODUCTION TO ITS CONTINUED BATTLE THROUGH CORPORATE HARDSHIPS AND FINANCIAL STRUGGLES, THE JEEP COMES OUT ON TOP EVERY TIME, PROVING IT IS INDEED THE 4 BY 4 THAT SERVED AMERICA THROUGH THICK AND THIN.

John: MERCEDES-BENZ HAS A LONG HERITAGE OF BRINGING US HIGHLY MEMORABLE CARS.

LIKE THIS 1956 300SL GULLWING, AND LIKE THE MOST RECENT GULLWING, THE SLS AMG.

NOW, WE THOUGHT THAT CAR WAS ALSO THE ULTIMATE COLLABORATION BETWEEN AMG AND MERCEDES.

BUT AS IT TURNS OUT, THAT IT WAS JUST A TEASER FOR THE NEW MERCEDES-AMG GT S, THE FIRST CAR TO ACTUALLY WEAR AMG AS A BRAND.

AS YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE IT'S BEAUTIFUL, UNIQUE, AND YES, MEMORABLE TO THE EXTREME.

WITH THE 2016 MERCEDES-AMG GTS, NOT ONLY IS AMG NOW A BRAND, BUT IT IS THE 2ND VEHICLE TO EMERGE WITH AN ALL AMG DESIGNED CHASSIS.

A FACT THAT TAKES AMG FROM BEING AN IN-HOUSE TUNER, TO A TRUE WORLD CLASS LUXURY ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE CAR BUILDER.

TRUE, THE GTS IS CERTAINLY DIMENSIONALLY LESS OF A SUPERCAR THAN THE SLS, AND DOES AWAY WITH THE SEXY GULLWING DOORS.

BUT IT'S ACTUALLY NOW MORE OF AN ALL AROUND HIGH PERFORMER LIKE THE PORSCHE 911, ONLY WITH A MONSTER V8 UNDER THE HOOD.

STARTING WITH THE ALL ALUMINUM CHASSIS OF THE SLS, AMG ENGINEERS SHORTENED IT BY 2 INCHES FOR A 103.5 INCH WHEELBASE.

FROM THERE, THEY ADDED A NEW SMOOTH RUNNING 4.0 LITER TWIN-TURBO V8, WITH OUTPUT OF 503 HORSEPOWER AND 479 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THE 7.0 SPEED DCT FROM THE SLS ALSO COMES OVER, BUT GETS UPGRADED WITH A WIDER RATIO SPREAD OF GEARS.

BETWEEN A LIGHTER ENGINE AND SHORTENED WHEELBASE, WEIGHT IS DISTRIBUTED ABOUT THE SAME AS THE SLS; 47% FRONT, 53% REAR.

STEERING REMAINS HYDRAULIC, WITH NO ELECTRIC ASSIST, GIVING IT GREAT FEEL AND WEIGHT.

AS FOR THE REST OF THE CAR, IT'S EUROPEAN TO THE EXTREME WITH A SUPER SOLID DEMEANOR THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO PUSH IT HARD.

WHICH IS WHAT RACE TRACKS ARE FOR, OF COURSE.

AND PUTTING IN TIME AT SUMMIT POINT MOTORSPORTS PARK'S SHENANDOAH CIRCUIT, WE FOUND THE GTS' CHASSIS TO BE EXTREMELY RESPONSIVE, AS WELL AS VERY FORTHCOMING WITH ITS LIMITS, HELPING YOU STAY ON TOP OF THINGS EASILY.

DESPITE LESS THAN OPTIMAL VISIBILITY, IT'S A FAIRLY EASY CAR TO DRIVE FAST.

THE SUSPENSION IS STIFF YET COMPLIANT, BRAKES WERE STRONG AND FADE FREE, AND THE CAR GOES WHEREVER YOU POINT IT.

POWER DELIVERY IS SMOOTH AND STRONG WITHOUT ANY BIG HITS OR DROP OFFS.

WE DID FIND MANUAL SHIFTING A LITTLE SLUGGISH, AND HAD BETTER RESULTS LEAVING IT IN AUTO'S RACE MODE.

ON THE STREET, THE GTS HAS IMPECCABLE ROAD MANNERS, AS MILES ARE EATEN UP IN TRUE GRAND TOURING FASHION.

AND WITH ALL SYSTEMS GO IN COMFORT MODE YOU WON'T BE IN ANY HURRY TO GET OUT OF IT.

ROOM IN THE CABIN IS ADEQUATE, SEATS ARE FIRM YET COMFORTABLE, AND THERE'S EVEN A HEALTHY AMOUNT OF STORAGE SPACE FOR GEAR.

THE AERO INSPIRED INTERIOR IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE SLS, WITH MATERIALS THAT ARE EVERY BIT AS NICE, DESPITE A SIGNIFICANT PRICE DISPARITY.

IT'S NOT THE MOST ERGONOMICALLY PLEASING SPACE HOWEVER, AS YOU HAVE TO REACH ALMOST BEHIND YOU TO USE THE SHIFTER, AND THERE'S NO COMFORTABLE WAY TO REST YOUR ARM WHEN USING THE TOUCHPAD COMMAND CONTROLLER.

BUT AT LEAST THERE'S A DEDICATED PARK BUTTON UNLIKE BMW M CARS.

TRADITIONAL COUPE DOORS SURELY HELP KEEP THOSE PRICES IN CHECK, AND AID GETTING IN AND OUT.

WHILE THEY ALSO ALLOW FOR A VERY MODERN PANORAMA ROOF, BEHIND THE WHEEL YOU STILL FIND THE CLASSIC FEEL OF SL COUPES OF YORE.

WHILE NOT ALL ARE ENAMORED WITH THE LOOK OF THE GTS, A LITTLE TOO MUCH 928/911 IN THE REAR, WE ALL AGREE IT'S ELEGANTLY STUNNING AND EVERY BIT WHAT YOU EXPECT FROM A PREMIUM PRODUCT WITH A MERCEDES HERITAGE.

THERE'S DEFINITELY LOTS OF HOOD STRETCHING OUT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER, ACCOMPANIED BY A MINIMAL CABIN BUMP AND EURO STYLE HATCHBACK REAR.

AND DESPITE SOME FAMILIAR BACK END NOTES, THERE ARE PLENTY OF ELEMENTS SUCH AS THE HIGH FASHION GRILLE, HOOD, AND FENDER VENTING, AND ACTIVE REAR WING TO DRAW YOUR EYES ELSEWHERE.

IN STRAIGHT LINE WORK, THE 3,600 POUND GTS NAILS A 0-60 OF JUST 3.5 SECONDS.

LAUNCH MODE IS EASY AND RELIABLE, THE TURBO'S WIND UP INSTANTLY, TIRES HOOK UP JUST AS QUICKLY, AND OFF YOU GO SMOOTHLY.

BUT IN A REAL HURRY.

HERE SHIFTS ARE TYPICAL AMG DCT BRUTAL, AND YOU GET SNAPPED AND PULLED TO THE END OF THE QUARTER MILE IN 11.5 SECONDS WITH THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE POINTING AT 126 MILES PER HOUR.

108 FEET STOPS FROM 60 WERE THE NORM, THOUGH THE CLUMSY FEELING, LONG TRAVEL PEDAL FELT LIKE IT BELONGS MORE IN AN SUV THAN IN A PERFORMANCE CAR.

BUT THE GTS WILL EVEN STOP ITSELF IF YOU NEGLECT TO DO SO.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 16-CITY, 22-HIGHWAY, AND 18-COMBINED.

NOT BAD AT ALL FOR A CAR WITH THIS MUCH PERFORMANCE.

OUR HEAVY FOOTED DRIVERS COULD ONLY MANAGE 15.3 MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM.

GTS PRICING BEGINS AT $130,825.

SOME 90 GRAND LESS THAN THE SLS AND A SUPERCAR BARGAIN.

AN EVEN LOWER PRICED GT ARRIVES NEXT SPRING WITH ABOUT 50 LESS HORSEPOWER AND FEWER GO FAST GOODIES.

SECOND ACTS ARE OFTEN WHERE PLOTS THICKEN AND THINGS START TO REALLY GET INTERESTING.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY THE CASE HERE WITH THE 2016 MERCEDES-AMG GTS.

AMG IS BRANCHING OUT, MAKING THE PERFORMANCE STORY A LOT MORE THEIR OWN.

AND WE'LL SURELY STAY TUNED FOR ACT 3, OR SHOULD WE SAY C63!

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 AND SEE WHICH OF TODAY'S SUBCOMPACT UTE'S IS THE BIG WINNER.

THEN IT'S A CLASSIER AFFAIR IN THE ROLLS ROYCE WRAITH.

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.

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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