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

JOIN US AND SEE WHAT NEW WITH THE GREEN MACHINE THAT STARTED IT ALL, THE TOYOTA PRIUS... PAT GOSS SWS US HOW TO SPOT THAT PERFECT CLASSIC CAR FIND... ZACH MASKELL GOES OVER THE EDGE CRUISING, WITH ONE-OF-A-KIND GEAR HEADS... THEN WE GET SERIOUS ABOUT SPORT SEDANS, WITH THE CADILLAC CTS-V...

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... PHYLLIS IS HEADED TO A SCIENCE CONFERENCE, SO SHE'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES RIGHT NOW.

IF SHE WERE, ALL SHE'D NEED TO KNOW IS TIRERACK.COM.

BUT PHYLLIS IS THINKING...

"UHHH...I'M NOT REALLY SURE, BUT IT'S PROBABLY IMPORTANT."

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

John: WHILE ALMOST EVERY MAJOR CAR BRAND OFFERS SOME FORM OF HYBRID VEHICLE, IT'S TOYOTA THAT IS TRULY THE HYBRID CHAMP, WITH OVER 8 MILLION HYBRIDS ON THE ROAD WORLDWIDE.

AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM ARE THE HYBRID THAT STARTED IT ALL, THE PRIUS.

WELL, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, NOW IT'S TIME FOR A 4TH GENERATION OF THE POPULAR GAS-ELECTRIC.

SO LET'S SEE IF IT'S STILL A GREEN-MACHINE BENCHMARK.

NOT ONLY IS THIS 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS ALL-NEW, BUT IT'S BUILT ON TOYOTA'S NEW GLOBAL ARCHITECTURE THAT WILL CARRY A WIDE VARIETY OF NEW MODELS IN YEARS TO COME; NOT JUST HYBRIDS.

AND WHILE THAT MIGHT BE MOSTLY ABOUT CUTTING COSTS AND SIMPLIFYING PRODUCTION, IT'S A MUCH STIFFER PLATFORM THAT IS SUPPOSED TO DELIVER A MORE REWARDING DRIVING EXPERIENCE; NOT A PAST PRIUS STRONG SUIT.

IS THIS THE FUN TO DRIVE PRIUS WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR?

WELL, A FIRST-TIME DOUBLE WISHBONE INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION IS CERTAINLY AN UPGRADE OVER THE FORMER TORSION BEAM.

IT PROVIDES BOTH A SMOOTHER REACTION TO BUMPS, AND BETTER GRIP IN CORNERS.

NOW, WE'RE NOT SAYING IT CAN NOW MOONLIGHT AS A TRACK DAY RIDE, BUT THERE IS CLEARLY A BETTER, MORE IN CONTROL FEEL BEHIND THE WHEEL.

FURTHERMORE THINGS HAVE GOTTEN QUIETER AND VISIBILITY HAS IMPROVED ALL AROUND.

PRIUS IS LONGER THAN BEFORE, BY OVER 2-INCHES, AND APPEARS LESS BULBOUS, IF ALSO LESS FAMILIAR.

IN FACT, A TALLER FRONT GRILLE AREA, MOST PROBABLY FOR PEDESTRIAN CRASH PROTECTION, AND A FLATTER, MORE DEFINED HOOD, ALTERS THE TRADITIONAL PRIUS TRIANGULAR PROFILE SIGNIFICANTLY.

THE STANCE IS WIDER, LOWER, AND WITH LOTS OF FRONT FASCIA CHARACTER LINES, FAR MORE AGGRESSIVE.

LIGHTING IS A BIG CONTRIBUTOR TO THAT THEME TOO, FROM THE STANDARD, MENACING SLIM LED HEADLIGHTS, TO THE FORM FOLLOWING SIGNATURE TAILS.

NEW LOOKS AND IMPROVED DRIVING CAPABILITIES ARE GREAT, BUT GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE FAR MORE IMPORTANT TO THE PRIUS BUYER.

WHILE NOT YET FINALIZED, TOYOTA ESTIMATES 54-CITY, 50-HIGHWAY, AND 52-COMBINED.

OR OVERALL, TWO MORE THAN LAST YEAR.

THERE WILL ALSO BE AN ECO MODEL WITH LIGHTER WEIGHT AND ENHANCED AERODYNAMICS THAT WILL PUSH THE NUMBERS EVEN HIGHER, TO 58-CITY, 53-HIGHWAY, AND 56-COMBINED.

AS FOR THE HYBRID GASOLINE-ELECTRIC POWERTRAIN BEHIND THOSE GAINS, IT HAS GOTTEN LIGHTER AND MORE COMPACT.

THE GAS-FED INTERNAL COMBUSTION PART REMAINS A 1.8 LITER I4, BUT HAS BEEN REDESIGNED TOP TO BOTTOM.

AND WHILE FUEL EFFICIENCY IS UP, POWER IS DOWN.

TOTAL OUTPUT NOW COMES AT 121 HORSEPOWER.

TRANSMISSION REMAINS A CVT, WITH A COMBINED TRANSAXLE/ELECTRIC MOTOR THAT IS ALSO SMALLER AND MORE EFFICIENT.

IF ONLY WE COULD FIGURE THAT TRICK OUT FOR OURSELVES.

THAT POWERTRAIN SPACE SAVING TRANSLATES INTO MORE SPACE INSIDE.

IT WAS ALREADY A PLEASANT, IF NOT SUPER COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT, BUT NOW IT'S BEEN UPGRADED TO BE A BIT MORE MAINSTREAM AND PERHAPS MORE INVITING, BUT THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF THAT "PRIUS FEEL" REMAINING TO KEEP IT UNIQUE.

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NOW HAS A HINT OF A WRAPAROUND THEME TO IT, AND CONTROLS ARE MORE IN-LINE WITH THE REST OF THE TOYOTA CAR FAMILY.

YET, THE WIDE AND VERY COMPREHENSIVE FULL COLOR TFT GAUGE CLUSTER REMAINS IN A CENTRALLY LOCATED DASH TOP BUBBLE.

STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ARE EVEN MORE COMPREHENSIVE, AND OF COURSE THERE'S A BIG CENTER TOUCHSCREEN FOR NAVIGATION AND THE LIKE.

FRONT SEAT COMFORT AND SUPPORT HAVE NEVER BEEN PRIUS' STRONG POINTS.

2016 MAKES ANOTHER STAB AT CORRECTING THAT.

THE COCKPIT FEELS WIDE AND AIRY, AND THERE IS EXCELLENT SMALL ITEM STORAGE.

THE REAR SEAT IS ALSO MORE COMFY EVEN AS THE SPACE RETAINS ITS COZINESS.

CARGO SPACE IS UP SLIGHTLY AS WELL, TO 24.6 CUBIC-FEET WITH A SPARE TIRE, 27.4 WITHOUT; THANKS TO THE SMALLER BATTERY PACK WHICH IS NOW LITHIUM-ION IN MOST MODELS, AND NOW LOCATED COMPLETELY UNDER THE REAR SEAT.

IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHING YOU BUY THESE DAYS, WHETHER IT'S A TOASTER OR TOILET BOAST INCREASED SAFETY, AND FOR '16 THE PRIUS GETS TOYOTA'S SAFETY SENSE, WITH LANE DEPARTURE ALERT, RADAR CRUISE, PEDESTRIAN DETECTION, AND OTHER ACTIVE FEATURES TO KEEP YOU FROM HITTING ANYTHING OR ANYONE; MAKING THE NEW PRIUS A BORDERLINE AUTONOMOUS MACHINE.

PRICING STARTS OFF AT EXACTLY THE SAME PLACE AS THE OUTGOING MODEL AT $25,035.

A TOP END FOUR TOURING STARTS JUST OVER 30 G'S.

WE'VE BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD THREE TIMES BEFORE WITH TOYOTA.

AS LIKE MANY OF THEIR RECENT PRODUCTS, THEIR HOPE IS THAT THE 2016 PRIUS WILL TRANSITION FROM BEING A RATIONAL PURCHASE, TO AN EMOTIONAL ONE.

WE'RE NOT SURE IT'S QUITE THERE, YET.

BUT BOTTOM LINE, THE PRIUS WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT IT HAS DONE FOR YEARS, EXPAND THE HYBRID PROFILE TO MORE AND MORE HOUSEHOLDS, AND BE THE GASOLINE/ELECTRIC BENCHMARK FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW.

BUYING A NEW CAR IS A GOOD WAY TO HELP ENSURE, YOU DON'T BREAK DOWN ON YOUR NEXT ROAD TRIP.

BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT?

THAT JUST DOESN'T CUT IT FOR FOLKS YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE NEXT.

TIME NOW TO GO CRUISIN' OVER THE EDGE WITH ZACH MASKELL, AS HE JOINS TROOPS OF GREASE MONKEYS, IN TAKING OVER OUR FAVORITE OCEAN SIDE RESORT.

Zach Maskell: IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE TO DO SOMETHING EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE... MIGHT THIS BE IT?

I'M A BIG FAN OF PEACE AND RELAXATION.

HOWEVER, AS YOU MIGHT GUESS I'M ALSO LOVE, IN YOUR FACE ACTION.

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU WE FOUND A PLACE THAT COMBINES ALL THOSE THINGS TOGETHER.

IT'S NO UTOPIA...

IT'S OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND.

MY ONLY GRIPE WITH IT IS THAT THIS ONLY LASTS ONE WEEK!

THIS IS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF CRUISIN' OCEAN CITY, OR "CRUISIN' WEEK."

BEING ONE OF THE BIGGEST SHOWS ON THE EAST COAST, OVER 3,500 CARS ARE ON DISPLAY, WITH THOUSANDS MORE JUST SHOWING UP.

HOT RODS... CUSTOMS... STREET MACHINES...

ANYTHING 1974 AND OLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR A TROPHY.

Tommy Sims: WE'LL BE HERE FOR AS LONG AS THEY HAVE IT.

AND IF THEY MOVE IT FROM HERE, WE'LL GO WHEREVER THEY GO.

Zach: THIS COUPLE HASN'T MISSED A YEAR SINCE THE BEGINNING.

Woman: I LIKE THE OCEAN MYSELF.

[LAUGHS] I COME FOR THE OCEAN.

Ryan Herbert: SO, IT STARTED IN 1991 WITH MY FATHER-IN-LAW, JACK HANNON AND HE HAD A RADIO SHOW THAT HE WAS DOING AND HE WANTED TO BRING THE CAR SHOW HE WAS DOING FOR THE RADIO SHOW TO OCEAN CITY.

Zach: LITTLE DID HE KNOW THIS WOULD BECOME ONE OF THE SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS FOR SO MANY.

Colin Rock: AND I ACTUALLY, JUST TALKED TO SOMEBODY WHO DROVE ALL THE WAY FROM COLORADO.

WHICH IS AWESOME THAT PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM ALL OVER THE U.S. TO SEE THIS EVENT WHICH IS STILL ONE OF MY FAVORITE ONES OF THE YEAR.

Zach: YOU'VE GOT THE MAIN SHOW AT THE INLET... OTHER SATELLITE SHOWS... ALL SORTS OF VEHICLES CRUISING THE STRIP... AND ACTION INSIDE THE CONVENTION CENTER...

I GAVE MY BEST SHOT AT AUCTIONEERING GIBBERISH... THEN CHECKED OUT THE SWEET MEMORABILIA AND CARS UP FOR GRABS.

THAT'S WHERE WE FOUND A YOUNG CRUISER, LOOKING FOR SOME INSPIRATION.

Young Cruiser: WELL, IN ONLY A FEW YEARS I'LL HAVE MY VERY OWN CAMARO.

Zach: AND WE BUMPED INTO SOMEONE ELSE HANGING OUT.

CHRISTIE BRIMBERRY OF FAST N' LOUD WAS STROLLING AROUND THE SHOW, POSING WITH CARS AND SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS.

Christy Brimberry: SO, THIS IS OUR FIRST TRIP TO THE EAST COAST.

IT'S BEEN FANTASTIC.

WE DEFINITELY WILL BE BACK OUT HERE AGAIN.

Zach: WELL, IT WAS TIME TO RELAX, AND JUST SIT AND ADMIRE THE SHOW CARS MOVING JUST A FEW INCHES ABOVE THE SAND.

IF THIS WAS THE CASE EVERYDAY, I MAY BE LOOKING FOR SOME BEACHFRONT PROPERTY.

Tommy Sims: LOOK AT THE CARS.

THE CROWD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS STAND BACK AND LOOK AT THE CARS, AND LOOK AT THE WORKMANSHIP INTO THESE VEHICLES.

Zach: SOME WERE ALREADY IN OVERDRIVE, PLANNING AHEAD FOR THE NEXT SHOW.

*[STARTS ENGINE] Nicole Frod: I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR WHEN I CAN DRIVE MY OWN CAR AND EVERYONE CAN SEE THAT A GIRL, CAN DRIVE TOO.

Zach: AH, THE BEAUTY OF CAR SHOWS.

CAN YOU SAY CONTAGIOUS?

AND THE COOLEST PART ABOUT OCEAN CITY, IS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE COME AND GO, YOU'LL RARELY SEE THE SAME STUFF!

Woman: EVERY DAY WE SEE SOMETHING WE DIDN'T SEE THE DAY BEFORE.

Zach: VENDORS, AUCTIONS, CELEBRITIES, BANDS, AND SO MUCH MORE.

IF YOU CLAIM TO BE AN AUTO ENTHUSIAST AND ARE REMOTELY CLOSE TO THIS BEACH TOWN; I DON'T KNOW HOW ON EARTH YOU'VE BEEN MISSING IT.

LUCKILY, IT'S BACK AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

SO, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU HAVE A COMPLETELY RESTORED CAR, COMPLETELY ORIGINAL, OR FULLY BUILT, BRING IT TO CRUISING WEEKEND AND YOU'LL GET ALONG WITH ANYBODY ELSE WITH A HOT ROD.

* John: WHILE IT CLEARLY BEGAN LIFE AS A TOYOTA 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP, ONE LOOK INSIDE SHOWS JUST HOW FAR IT HAS PROGRESSED.

THIS TOP LINE 4RUNNER SR5 IS MORE LIKE A HIGH STEPPING CRESSIDA THAN A PICKUP.

LUXURY ABOUNDS EVERYWHERE.

VELOUR COVERS THE SEATS, AND THICK CARPET THE FLOORS.

WHILE TOYOTA OBVIOUSLY FEELS THAT THE 4RUNNER SR5 WILL SPEND MORE TIME ON INTERSTATES THAN STEEP HILLS, THEY INCLUDED A COMBINATION ALTIMETER/INCLINOMETER ANYWAY...

SEEING CLASSIC CARS ON THE ROAD IS ONE THING, BUT BUYING YOUR OWN REQUIRES SOME EXPERT ADVICE.

SO HERE'S OUR EXPERT, PAT GOSS!

Pat Goss: FOR ALL OF YOU WHO WANT TO BUY AN OLDER OR A COLLECTIBLE CAR, THERE'S A LOT MORE TO IT THAN MEETS THE EYE.

SHINY PAINT MAY NOT BE THE ANSWER.

AND TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS, WE HAVE TONY FLEMING, WHO IS AN EXPERT IN ALL OF THIS.

TONY, WE'VE GOT TWO CARS HERE.

WE GOT THIS CORVETTE, WHICH IS A WONDERFUL CAR.

AND I DON'T KNOW OF ANYTHING THAT'S WRONG WITH IT.

THEN WE HAVE YOUR MERCEDES, WHICH LOOKS WONDERFUL, BUT... Tony Fleming: YOU KNOW, IT IS SHINY.

AND THAT REALLY IS THE KEY TO MAKING SURE THAT YOU REALLY GET AN EXPERT TO LOOK AT THE CAR.

BECAUSE IF THE PAINT WASN'T SHINY, AND IT WAS A LITTLE TIRED LOOKING, YOU'D BE MORE SUSPECT, WOULD YOU NOT?

Pat: OH, ABSOLUTELY.

Tony: AND I WAS THE SAME WAY.

AND I FEEL THAT, NOT THAT I'M AN EXPERT, BUT I'VE BOUGHT SOMEWHERE AROUND 3,000 PLUS OF THESE CARS.

AND I MISSED SOME SERIOUS SPOTS ON THIS CAR BECAUSE I OVERLOOKED, IT HAD SHINY PAINT, IT HAD A NEW INTERIOR, IT HAD A NEW TOP.

TO ME, IT SAYS, "WOW, THIS IS A REALLY GREAT CAR."

AND IT TURNED OUT NOT TO BE.

PAT: OKAY.

SO, YOU LOOKED AT THIS SITTING ON THE GROUND WHICH IS AN ABSOLUTE NO-NO.

Tony: THAT IS FOR SURE.

EVERYBODY NEEDS TO KNOW THAT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN A CAR, AND THE WAY IT FUNCTIONS, REALLY IS FROM THE BOTTOM UP.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN MAKE ANYTHING SHINY.

I GUESS THEY'D SAY, "YOU CAN SHINE A PIG," RIGHT?

BUT HERE, THE UNDERNEATH OF IT LOOKS GOOD TOO?

BUT THEN I THINK IF YOU LOOK HERE, AND A LITTLE FURTHER, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE, IT'S NOT AS NICE.

Pat: LET'S RAISE THIS UP, AND SEE WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, HERE... ALRIGHT TONY, NOW THAT WE'VE GOT THE CAR UP IN THE AIR, AH, SHOW ME WHAT YOU SAW UNDER THIS CAR.

Tony: SO HERE'S WHAT I'M SEEING.

I'M SAYING, "OKAY, HERE ARE THE NICE PIECES INSIDE HERE, THE RIBS YOU CAN SEE, THE EXHAUST IS NICE AND SHINY; SILVER PAINT RIGHT HERE."

SO I SAY, "YOU KNOW WHAT?

SHINY PAINT OUTSIDE, NICE LOOKING UNDERNEATH HERE.

WHAT A GREAT CAR."

Pat: OKAY, BUT WHAT DIDN'T YOU SEE?

Tony: WELL, WHAT I DIDN'T SEE WAS THIS UGLINESS UP HERE.

THE CAR WAS ON THE GROUND, SO THE WHEELS ARE A LITTLE BIGGER THAN THE STOCK ONES, SO IT HID ALL OF THIS ROT THAT WAS UP THERE.

NOW, WHAT WE'LL HAVE TO DO IS COMPLETELY CUT ALL OF THIS OUT, RE-WELD IT ALL BACK IN, IT'S, A BIG JOB.

Pat: OKAY, BUT IT'LL BE A NICE CAR WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH IT.

Tony: WHOEVER GETS THE CAR IS GOING TO GET A GREAT CAR.

Pat: YEAH!

Tony: YEAH!

Pat: OKAY, BUT THE MORAL TO ALL OF THIS IS, EVEN THE EXPERTS CAN BE FOOLED.

SO, IF YOU'RE A NEOPHYTE IN THIS, YOU COULD REALLY BE FOOLED.

Tony: THAT'S FOR SURE.

AND ON TOP OF IT, YOU'RE A RETAIL CUSTOMER... LIKE, WE CAN DO THIS FOR A LOT LESS THAN ANYONE ELSE CAN DO IT, BECAUSE IT'S WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY.

BUT IF YOU BOUGHT THIS CAR THINKING YOU GOT THIS GREAT DEAL, AND THEN YOU FOUND THIS OUT AND HAD TO GO AND GET IT DONE SOMEWHERE, IT COULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE.

Pat: OKAY, THANK YOU TONY.

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

John: LET'S GET A GLIMPSE OF SOMETHING NEW ON THE ROAD, WITH MORE QUICKSPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS...

THE GLK LIVES TO SEE ANOTHER DAY, SORT OF.

THE 2ND GENERATION OF THE MERCEDES-BENZ COMPACT SUV DOES INDEED CONTINUE ON, THOUGH IT'S NOW KNOWN AS THE GLC.

SO WE GRABBED A QUICKSPIN TO SEE WHAT'S CHANGED BESIDES THE NAME.

RIGHT AWAY ITS CLEAR STYLING HAS SHIFTED DIRECTIONS.

ROUNDED EDGES AND SWEEPING LINES BRING IT CLOSER TO THE REST OF THE BENZ LINEUP; THOUGH THERE'S JUST ENOUGH SQUARED OFF FEATURES TO KEEP THAT SUV IMAGE.

Lauren Morrison: MERCEDES CALLS THIS A FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT PRODUCT THAN THE GLK AND YOU CAN TELL JUST BY LOOKING AT IT.

THE GLK HAD A VERY BOXY LOOK TO IT, BUT THIS GLC HAS A VERY SLEEK LOOK RIDING DOWN THE ROAD.

John: THE INTERIOR GETS A BRAND IMAGE OVERHAUL TOO.

IT NOW CARRIES THE FAMILIAR SPORT LUXURY MINIMALIST LOOK, WHILE STILL PROVIDING TOP TIER COMFORT AND AMENITIES.

INCREASES IN EVERY DIMENSION OVER THE GLK YIELD MORE REAR SEAT LEGROOM AND TOTAL INTERIOR SPACE.

WEIGHT HOWEVER, IS DOWN BY NEARLY 200 POUNDS.

IT'S MOST NOTICEABLE AT SPEED, WHERE IT HUNKERS DOWN LIKE A CAR, RATHER THAN FLOATS LIKE AN SUV.

GETTING THINGS UP TO SPEED IS A 241 HORSEPOWER TURBO I4 MATED TO A 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC; THIS COMBO COMES AS THE GLC300, CURRENTLY THE ONLY OFFERING IN THE U.S...

THE POWER FELT PLENTY FOR COMMUTING, WHICH IT WILL MOST CERTAINLY BE DOING A LOT OF.

AND DESPITE SOME TYPICAL AWKWARD SHIFTS, THE 9-SPEED WAS MOSTLY ISSUE FREE.

4MATIC ALL-WHEEL DRIVE WILL BE AN OPTION, OF COURSE.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC300 STICKERS AROUND $40,000, WITH 4MATIC ADDING $2,000 MORE.

AN EARLY ADOPTER OF THE 4-DOOR COUPE STYLING THEME, THE AUDI A7 REMAINS QUITE THE LOOKER DESPITE A LOT MORE COMPETITION.

AND THIS 2016 MODEL, WHILE NOT TOTALLY NEW, ADVANCES ENOUGH THAT WE THOUGHT A QUICKSPIN WAS IN ORDER.

UPDATES TO THE EXTERIOR GO AS FAR AS A TWEAKED FRONT FASCIA, AND GRILLE, NEW TAILLIGHTS, AND EXHAUST TIPS.

OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S THE SAME A7 WE KNOW AND LOVE.

INSIDE, IT REMAINS MODERN AND SLEEK, MATERIALS ARE SOFT TO THE TOUCH, AND COMFORT IS UNRIVALLED.

HEADROOM SUFFERS, BY DESIGN, IN THE REAR, BUT CARGO ROOM IS GREAT WITH REAR SEATS FOLDED AND THE HATCH STYLE ACCESS TO THE CARGO AREA.

ALWAYS A WELCOME UPGRADE, HORSEPOWER IS BUMPED TO 333 IN THE SAME 3.0 LITER SUPERCHARGED V6.

TORQUE REMAINS 325 POUND-FEET, AND IS ROUTED THROUGH AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

ON THAT NOTE, A TRIP TO THE TRACK WAS IN ORDER.

Greg Carloss: POWER COMING FROM THIS SUPERCHARGED V6 IS GOOD PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE ON THE REV BAND.

SHIFTS ARE FAST, AND PRETTY FIRM.

NOT DCT LIKE, BUT CLOSE.

I JUST GOT UP OVER 103 MILES PER HOUR THERE, AND IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE YOU'RE GOING THAT FAST.

John: ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 AUDI A7 STARTS AT JUST UNDER $70,000.

AMID THE DIESEL DEBACLE, MANY FORGET THAT VOLKSWAGEN STILL BUILDS SOME VERY DESIRABLE VEHICLES, ONE OF THOSE IS THE PASSAT.

AND THE 2016 MODEL YEAR BRINGS A MILD REFRESH THAT SHOULD KEEP THIS MID-SIZER SELLING STRONG.

STYLING SEES THE USUAL FRESHENED GRILLE, FASCIA, AND LIGHTING UPDATES, AND NEW WHEEL DESIGNS ARE PEPPERED THROUGH THE TRIM LEVELS.

INSIDE, THE PASSAT GETS MUCH OF WHAT WE LOVE IN THE GOLF: NEW GAUGES AND STEERING WHEEL, AND THE EASIER TO USE INFOTAINMENT AND CENTER STACK TECH.

TRIM DETAILS INSIDE ALSO TAKES A NICE PREMIUM TICK UP, AND ENHANCES WHAT USED TO BE A FAIRLY BLAND LOOK.

VW'S R-LINE ADD-ONS CAN BE TACKED ONTO THE BASE S TRIM LEVEL, AND ADDS UNIQUE BUMPERS, VENTS, EXHAUST TIPS, AND OTHER GOODIES.

NOTHING IN THE POWER DEPARTMENT IS ADDRESSED, HOWEVER, AS THE SAME 1.8 LITER TURBO 4, AND 3.6 LITER VR6 ENGINES ARE OFFERED.

THEY PRODUCE THE 170 AND 280 HORSEPOWER, RESPECTIVELY.

SO TO DRIVE, WE FOUND LITTLE HAS CHANGED BEHIND THE WHEEL.

IF YOU'RE A FAN OF WHAT THE PASSAT IS ALL ABOUT, THEN YOU WON'T BE LET DOWN HERE.

HANDLING, RIDE QUALITY, AND THE LIKE ALSO REMAIN LARGELY UNCHANGED, THOUGH THE ADDITIONS TO DRIVER COMFORT AND EASE OF USE MAKE THE EXPERIENCE NOTICEABLY BETTER.

VOLKSWAGEN HAS ALSO THROWN THEIR WHOLE SUITE OF SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES AT THE PASSAT, FROM EMERGENCY BRAKING AND ACTIVE LANE KEEPING, TO BLIND SPOT MONITORS AND PARKING ASSIST.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STARTS AROUND $23,000.

WE'LL GRAB MORE QUICKSPIN'S, SOON!

NO MATTER WHERE YOUR CAR COMPANY HAILS FROM, IF YOU BUILD A SPORT SEDAN, YOU'LL ULTIMATELY GET COMPARED TO THE COMPANIES THAT HAVE DONE IT THE BEST, FOR THE LONGEST TIME: THE GERMANS!

BMW, MERCEDES, AND VW/AUDI.

NOW, WHETHER OR NOT THAT'S FAIR IS A TOPIC FOR ANOTHER DAY.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, WE'VE GOT A HOME GROWN CONTENDER TO PUT THROUGH ITS PACES, THE CADILLAC CTS-V!

AMERICAN CAR MAKERS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CATCH UP, AND ONE-UP THE GERMAN SPORT SEDAN CONCEPT FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY.

NUMEROUS TIMES CRITICS, INCLUDING US, THOUGHT THEY GOT CLOSE.

BUT IT TOOK THE 21ST CENTURY CADILLAC BRAND TO REALLY CLOSE THE GAP, WITH THE 2016 CTS-V AIMING TO FILL IT FOR GOOD.

THE CTS-V IS THE ORIGINAL V FOR VELOCITY OF COURSE, BUT JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT MAKES IT GO FAST NOW, COMES FROM THE CHEVROLET CORVETTE; MAKING THIS ESSENTIALLY A 4-DOOR CORVETTE WITH A NICER INTERIOR.

THAT KINSHIP START NATURALLY ENOUGH UNDER THE HOOD WITH THE Z06s GLORIOUS 6.2 LITER CHUNK OF SUPERCHARGED ALUMINUM WITH PUSHRODS, PRODUCING 640 HORSEPOWER AND 630 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THE M5 AND E63 AMG DON'T EVEN COME CLOSE.

THIS THING IS CLEARLY NOT SOME MILD MANNERED PRETENDER.

JUST HEARING IT RUMBLE AT STARTUP WILL PUT FEAR INTO YOU; FLOOR IT AND ITS "OH MY GOSH" AWESOME POWER!

IT IS STILL BUILT ON THE ATS PLATFORM, BUT SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURAL BRACING HAD TO TAKE PLACE; AND LIKE SOME OF US AROUND HERE, HAS STIFFER JOINTS ALL AROUND.

OH YEAH, IT'S RACE CAR RIGID.

JUST AS IN SOME FRONT WHEEL DRIVE TRANSAXLE'S THAT FEATURE UNEQUAL HALF-SHAFTS TO PREVENT TORQUE STEER; A SIMILAR ARRANGEMENT IN THE CTS-V'S REAR, WORKS TO QUELL AXLE HOPPING ON HARD ACCELERATION.

THE RESULTS ARE, ACCORDING TO THE FACTORY, A BLISTERING 3.7 SECONDS TO 60.

THERE ARE BREMBO BRAKES OBVIOUSLY, AND TOPPING IT OFF, GM STUFFED AS MUCH RUBBER INTO THE WHEEL WELLS AS POSSIBLE; 265/35/19 MICHELIN PILOT SUPER SPORTS IN FRONT, 295/30/19s IN BACK.

WE'VE SAID IT MANY TIMES BEFORE ABOUT V-SERIES CARS; YOU REALLY NEED TO GET THEM ON A RACE TRACK FOR FULL AFFECT.

TOOLING TO THE WINERY ON THE WEEKEND OR EVEN SLICING UP YOUR LOCAL BACK ROADS IN THIS CTS-V DOES NOT REVEAL THE TRUE STORY OF HOW COMPETENT IT IS.

SO, WE JUMPED AT THE CHANGE TO TRY IT OUT A ROAD AMERICA!

YEP, THIS CADDY IS ONE AWESOME TRACK MACHINE.

BETWEEN PERFORMANCE TRACTION MANAGEMENT AND THE POWER DISTRIBUTING ELECTRONIC LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL, YOU HAVE NO TROUBLE GETTING ALL 640 HORSES TO THE PAVEMENT WITH LITTLE CONCERN ABOUT BEING OUT OF CONTROL.

MORE POWER THAN THE GERMANS, AND BETTER USE OF IT THAN HOTRODS LIKE HELLCATS AND SHELBY'S.

AND THAT VERY LINEAR POWER DELIVERY ALSO WORKS WELL WITH THE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT COMES WITH ALL CTS-Vs.

THERE'S PLENTY OF MID-RANGE MUSCLE COMING OUT OF TURNS, WITH MINIMAL WEIGHT TRANSFER THANKS TO MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL, EVEN WITH A HEFTY 4,145 POUNDS TO MANAGE.

BRAKES ARE ALL DAY LONG DURABLE.

DRIVEN HARD IT SEEMS TO MOVE AROUND ON YOU A LITTLE, BUT IT SEEMS TO CATCH ITSELF AND NEVER GET OUT OF SHAPE.

YOU KNOW THERE'S ELECTRONIC INTERVENTION HAPPENING, BUT YOU STILL FEEL IN TOTAL CONTROL.

THERE'S A MORE AGGRESSIVE LOOK TO GO ALONG WITH ALL OF THAT PERFORMANCE.

VIRTUALLY EVERY BODY PANEL IS UNIQUE AND PURPOSEFULLY DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE DOWNFORCE, MINIMIZE LIFT, OR ENHANCE COOLING.

THE AIR EXTRACTING HOOD IS MADE OF CARBON FIBER AS ARE THE FRONT SPLITTER, REAR DIFFUSER, AND SPOILER IF YOU OPT FOR THE CARBON FIBER PACKAGE.

AS FOR THE INTERIOR, THANKFULLY IT DOES NOT APPEAR LIKE IT WAS DONE ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET; JUST AN ENHANCED PERFORMANCE FEEL THANKS TO SUEDED MATERIALS, PERFORMANCE SEATS, HEAD UP DISPLAY, AND OF COURSE THE CORVETTES' PERFORMANCE DATA RECORDER.

AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, IT DOESN'T FEEL ANY LESS CADILLAC WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING SANELY.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 14-CITY, 21-HIGHWAY, AND 17-COMBINED.

SO THERE IS A GAS GUZZLER TAX.

BASE PRICE IS $85,990.

AND IF THAT'S TOO MUCH, DON'T FORGET THAT THIS BIG V HAS A LITTLE BROTHER ATS-V WHICH PACKS ALMOST AS MUCH PERFORMANCE FOR $61,460.

NOW, WE KNOW THAT MANY SPORT SEDAN AFICIONADOS WILL NEVER BE CONVINCED THAT A 4-DOOR DESIGNED ANYWHERE BUT GERMANY IS WORTH A SECOND LOOK.

BUT IF YOU HAVE AN OPEN MIND, THEN YOU'LL SEE WHERE WE'RE COMING FROM WHEN WE SAY THAT HANDS DOWN, THE 2016 CADILLAC CTS-V BEATS ALL COMERS IN THE TRADITIONAL EUROPEAN SPORT SEDAN CATEGORY IN EVERY WAY!

AND WE'RE JUST ECSTATIC TO BE ALONG FOR THE RIDE.

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, AND SEE WHAT THE MAD SCIENTISTS AT APLINA CAN DO WITH A 6 SERIES GRAN COUPE.

THEN WE'LL HOLD OUR OWN VERSION OF A FAMILY FEUD WITH TODAY'S TOP MINIVANS.

PAT GOSS HAS MORE QUICK REMEDIES DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE.

BRIAN ROBINSON DOES SOME HIGH-FLYING' TWO-WHEELIN' ON THE HONDA GOLD WING.

PLUS MORE QUICKSPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS, AND A LONG TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

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... PHYLLIS IS HEADED TO A SCIENCE CONFERENCE, SO SHE'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES RIGHT NOW.

IF SHE WERE, ALL SHE'D NEED TO KNOW IS TIRERACK.COM.

BUT PHYLLIS IS THINKING...

"UHHH...I'M NOT REALLY SURE, BUT IT'S PROBABLY IMPORTANT."

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

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

*