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

JOIN US FOR DRIVE TIME IN A SUPERCAR SUPER HERO, THE ALL-NEW ACURA NSX... PAT GOSS HELPS US PEEL IT OFF... ZACH MASKELL TACKLES SNOW AND ICE IN SOME UNLIKELY RIDES... AND WE'LL PIT THE MERCEDES-AMG C63 AGAINST OUR FAVORITE RACE TRACK...

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... TIRERACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.

"OH, COME ON..." "HOT, HOT HOT..." THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE... "JUST A BOTTLE OF WATER."

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: THE ORIGINAL ACURA NSX MADE QUITE AN IMPRESSION ON PEOPLE WHEN IT BROUGHT A UNIQUELY JAPANESE PERSPECTIVE TO THE SUPERCAR WARS.

WELL, AFTER MANY YEARS OF HOPING AND MUCH DELAY FROM HONDA, THERE IS FINALLY A NEW ONE TO DRIVE.

DOES IT CARRY ON THAT SAME PERSPECTIVE, OR IS IT A WHOLE DIFFERENT ANIMAL?

* IN ORDER TO PROPERLY INTRODUCE THIS 2017 ACURA NSX, A BIT OF A HISTORY LESSON IS PRUDENT.

WHEN THIS NEW SPORTSCAR EXPERIMENTAL ARRIVED 25 YEARS AGO, IT WAS MORE THAN JUST A JAPANESE FERRARI KNOCKOFF.

IT WAS A HIGH TECH, MODERN TAKE ON THE EUROPEAN SUPERCAR THEME.

FEATURING A TRANSVERSE MID-MOUNTED VTEC V6 IN AN ALUMINUM BODIED CHASSIS, WITH HONDA LEVEL REFINEMENT AND DAILY DRIVER COMFORT, AT PRICING THAT NO EXOTIC COULD TOUCH.

FAST FORWARD TO 2016, AND AFTER MUCH DELAY, CAUSED BY CALLING AN AUDIBLE HALFWAY THROUGH DEVELOPMENT TO CHANGE THE STILL MID-MOUNTED ENGINE FROM TRANSVERSE TO LONGITUDINAL PLACEMENT; IT HAS FINALLY HIT THE STREETS.

AND IT SURE LOOKS AWESOME ON THEM, NOT IN ANY EXTREME OR FLAMBOYANT WAY.

BUT WITH A HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL DESIGN THAT MANAGES AIRFLOW FOR COOLING ELECTRIC, AND INTERNAL COMBUSTION PARTS, WITH VENTS, AND SCOOPS STRATEGICALLY PLACED ALL AROUND.

IT SURELY HAS SOME BIG EXPECTATIONS TO LIVE UP TO.

BUT GOING IN, ACURA ENGINEERS KNEW IT WOULD BE A TALL TASK TO PROPERLY REPRESENT THE NSXs HISTORY WHILE PUSHING IT INTO THE FUTURE.

ONE THING THEY HELD ONTO WAS A COZY AND LOW RIDING COCKPIT, WITH GREAT SEATS, AND ALL-AROUND OUTWARD VISIBILITY THAT PUTS MOST CARS OF ALL STRIPES TO SHAME.

AS FOR THE GO-FAST HARDWARE, ACURA TOOK A CURRENTLY POPULAR SUPERCAR ROUTE; A HYBRID ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SYSTEM THAT USES THE NOW TWIN TURBOCHARGED V6 TO POWER THE REAR WHEELS AND TWO ELECTRIC MOTORS FORWARD FOR POWERING THE FRONTS.

PLUS, AN ADDITIONAL E-MOTOR MATED TO THE ENGINE.

IT'S SIMILAR TO THE RLX SPORT HYBRID, BUT IN REVERSE.

THE V6 NOW DISPLACES 3.5 LITERS, AND USES THAT ELECTRIC ASSISTANCE MOSTLY AT LAUNCH TO BRIDGE THE GAP OF TURBO LAG UNTIL ITS TWIN BOOSTERS SPIN UP TO FULL FORCE.

THE RESULTS?

A TOTAL OF 573 HORSEPOWER AND 476 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

ITS 9-SPEED DCT TRANSMISSION IS HONDA'S OWN DESIGN.

WE FOUND IT, ALONG WITH ITS PADDLE SHIFTERS, TO WORK WELL IN ALL SITUATIONS.

SMOOTHER THAN A HONDA PILOT ON THE STREET, ONLY OCCASIONALLY HANGING ON TO A GEAR LONGER THAN YOU'D LIKE; SWIFT AND PRECISE ON THE TRACK, VERY MUCH LIKE AN ITALIAN EXOTIC.

SUSPENSION IS SUPERCAR SPEC ALUMINUM DOUBLE WISHBONE IN FRONT, WITH A MULTILINK IN THE REAR; MAGNETIC COILOVERS ALL AROUND.

DRIVE MODES DO MUCH TO ADAPT BOTH THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND POWERTRAIN PERFORMANCE TO SUIT YOUR STYLE, WITH RIDE QUALITY THAT INSTANTLY SWINGS FROM ACCORD COMPLIANT TO TRACK CAR STIFF.

GETTING TO THAT ON-TRACK PERFORMANCE; THERE WERE PLENTY OF EARLY NEGATIVE REVIEWS OF THE NSX, AND COMPOUNDING THE ISSUE ARE THE THREE DIFFERENT SETS OF TIRES AVAILABLE.

STANDARD CONTINENTALS FOR THE STREET, PIRELLIS AND MICHELINS OPTIONAL FOR TRACK WORK.

WE DROVE WITH THE PIRELLIS ON THE TRACK AND CONTIS ON STREET.

FOR US, THIS NSX WENT ABOUT TRACK WORK WITH THE QUIET PROFICIENCY YOU EXPECT IN A HONDA PRODUCT, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING OFFENSIVE OR VICIOUS ABOUT IT.

POWER IS COMING FROM THREE DIFFERENT ANGLES AND BEING APPLIED IN VARIOUS AMOUNTS SIMULTANEOUSLY, YET IT ALL WORKS WITH MOSTLY SEAMLESS PRECISION.

IT DOESN'T SO MUCH HAMMER AROUND CORNERS AS THINK ITS WAY THROUGH THEM.

EVEN IN STRAIGHT LINE ACCELERATION, IT TAKES OFF DIRECTLY AND WITH A SMOOTHNESS THAT SEEMS TO MASK THE MAGIC THAT'S HAPPENING, AS IT PROPELS YOU TO 60 IN UNDER 3.0 SECONDS.

AGAIN, UP THERE WITH SUPERCAR'S WITH MUCH HIGHER PRICE TAGS.

LAUNCH CONTROL ENGAGES EASILY AND PERFECTLY EVERY TIME, CONSISTENTLY DELIVERING SIMPLY INCREDIBLE, ROCKET LIKE POWER.

AND OPTIONAL CARBON-CERAMIC BRAKE ROTORS WILL BRING YOU BACK DOWN TO EARTH SAFER THAN ANY DROGUE CHUTE.

SO, IT ALMOST GOES WITHOUT SAYING, BUT AS BEFORE, THE NOW U.S.

BUILT NSX DELIVERS SUPERCAR STYLE PERFORMANCE FOR A FRACTION OF THE COST OF ITS CLOSEST COMPETITION.

THOUGH IT MAY NOT BE QUITE AS ATTAINABLE AS BEFORE, WITH BASE PRICING OF $157,800 ONLY ABOUT 800 WILL BE AVAILABLE HERE THIS YEAR.

UPGRADING IT TO TRACK SPEC WILL PUSH IT CLOSER TO $200,000, WHERE A LOT OF HIGH PERFORMANCE CARS RESIDE.

BUT ON THE GLOBAL ROADMAP OF SUPERCAR'S, THE 2017 ACURA NSX SURELY LIES AT THE INTERSECTION OF PERFORMANCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

SO, WE'LL GO AGAINST THOSE EARLY REVIEWS AND SAY, "THAT IT STAYS 100% TRUE TO ITS HERITAGE, AND EASILY WORTH THE WAIT."

AN INCREDIBLY REFINED, HIGHLY CAPABLE, TECH HEAVY, RELIABLE DAILY DRIVER THAT WILL APPEAL TO EQUALLY SOPHISTICATED, PERFORMANCE MINDED DRIVERS LOOKING FOR A RARIFIED SHOWCASE.

IF YOU LIKED THE NSX BEFORE, YOU'LL LOVE IT NOW!

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, WHERE CITY BUSES RUN ON CNG.

ROCK REGION METRO ROLLED OUT THEIR FIRST CNG BUS LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, BUT ALREADY PLAN TO EXPAND.

OUT OF THEIR 58 BUSES, 15 CURRENTLY USE CLEAN CNG, AND THEY'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH A TIME TABLE TO REPLACE THE REST OF THE FLEET.

AN ORDER HAS ALREADY BEEN PLACED FOR SEVEN NEW CNG BUSES TO BE DELIVERED IN 2017.

Jarod Varner: AS WE TRANSITION THE FULL FLEET OF BUSES, WE'LL END UP SAVING OVER A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR IN FUEL ALONE.

John: ROCK REGION METRO WORKED WITH LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES AND OTHER PARTNERS ON THIS PROJECT, INCLUDING ARKANSAS CLEAN CITIES, SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY, AND THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION.

MAKING THIS A TEAM EFFORT FOR A CLEANER FUTURE FOR "THE NATURAL STATE."

* MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS PILOTING A SUPERCAR WORTH MORE THAN THEIR HOUSE... WELL, OUR OVER THE EDGE GUY, ZACH MASKELL IS CERTAINLY NOT MOST PEOPLE...

SO HERE'S WHAT HE DID WITH SOME OF LAMBORGHINI'S LATEST... Zach Maskell: AND THIS ISN'T EVEN THE INTENSE DAY?

THIS IS INSANE!

* BELIEVE IT OR NOT, LAMBORGHINI IS ACTUALLY HOSTING THIS RARE EVENT!

WHERE, WITH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AS A BACKGROUND, OWNERS SPEND TWO DAYS LEARNING HOW TO HANDLE THEIR INVESTMENTS ON A SNOW AND ICE COVERED RACETRACK.

ASPEN, COLORADO IS THE ONLY LOCATION IN THE STATES WHERE THIS TRANSPIRES.

"WINTER ACCADEMIA IS THE SUPER RARE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE HIGH HORSEPOWER CARS ON SNOW AND ICE.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO ACCOMPLISH THAT?

WELL, WE'VE GOT SOME STUDDED PIRELLI TIRES.

AND NOT TO MENTION, LAMBORGHINI'S FABULOUS ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM.

700 HORSEPOWER AVENTADOR, 610 HORSEPOWER HURACAN.

LET'S GET TO IT."

BEFORE WE'RE SET FREE WE LEARN THE BASICS OF DRIVING DYNAMICS.

Dean Digiacomo: SO, THERE'S A FEW WAYS TO MAKE A CAR SORT OF DO WHAT YOU WANT IN THE SNOW.

THE WORSE WAY IS TO OVERUSE THE CAR, YOU KNOW.

LET THE DYNAMICS OF YOUR CAR WORK IN YOUR FAVOR, AND THEN IT'S A LOT EASIER TO KIND OF CATCH THE CAR AS IT SLIDES BECAUSE YOU'RE MORE IN CONTROL THAT WAY.

Zach: FIRST UP, WE HAVE THE SUCCESSOR TO THE GALLARDO: THE HURACAN.

50% STIFFER CHASSIS; ABSOLUTELY GUARANTEES GO-KART LIKE HANDLING.

THE DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION, ALONG WITH MAGNETIC SHOCKS AND ADAPTIVE STEERING THAT ADJUST ON THE FLY, ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD.

THIS EQUIPS YOU WITH PRECISE HANDLING... ON WHAT SEEMS LIKE ANY TERRAIN.

Kevin Conway: IT'S ONE THING TO EXPERIENCE THOSE ON ASPHALT, IT'S ANOTHER ENTIRELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE TO SEE THOSE SYSTEMS AT WORK ON SNOW AND ICE.

Zach: FIRST, A COUPLE DOZEN CURRENT OR PROSPECT LAMBONI OWNERS AND I ARE INSTRUCTED TO KEEP THE BULL TAME.

THEN, IT WAS TIME TO START PUSHING HARDER.

WITH A SIMPLE FLICK OF A BUTTON, THE MACHINE CHANGES ITS ATTITUDE.

Kevin: IN SPORT MODE YOU HAVE MORE TO THE REAR AND LESS TO THE FRONT.

SO, IT'S GOING TO DRIVE MORE LIKE A REAR WHEEL DRIVE CAR, BUT STILL HAVE THE DRIVE OF THE FRONT WHEELS TO HELP YOU RECOVER AND POWER THROUGH THAT.

THEN, AT THE END YOU HAVE CORSA, WHICH IS OPTIMIZED FOR PERFORMANCE AND ACCELERATION OUT OF THE CORNER.

Zach: NO MATTER YOUR EXPERIENCE, THIS WILL HAVE YOU CONTEMPLATING WHAT YOU'VE GOTTEN YOURSELF INTO.

Edorado Piscopo: WELL, EVERYBODY IS VERY SCARED IN THE BEGINNING BECAUSE THE CAR IS INTIMIDATING, BUT AFTER THEY DRIVE A FEW LAPS, THEY UNDERSTAND IT'S VERY DRIVABLE.

Zach: AT FIRST, IT WAS JUST THE SCARIEST THING IN THE WORLD.

AND NOW, I'M ACTUALLY GETTING COMFORTABLE DRIFTING A LAMBORGHINI...

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GUYS DO IT, MAN.

I COULD NEVER SIT IN YOUR SEAT.

ESPECIALLY WITH ME BEHIND THE WHEEL.

[LAUGHS] Instructor: "HE SAYS THAT, WHILE HE'S LOOKING AT ME."

[LAUGHS] Zach: UP NEXT, LEARNING A VERY DIFFERENT BEAST.

Dean: WE CAN EVEN GET A LITTLE MORE SOUND FOR YOU IF YOU WANT.

GET A LITTLE BIT OF THAT SOUND.

[ENGINE REV NOISE] Zach: SO NOW, WE ARE IN THE AVENTADOR.

IT DOES 0-60 IN 2.9 SECONDS.

COMPARED TO THE HURACAN WHICH DOES IT IN 3.2.

THIS IS A V12, AND THE HURACAN SPORTING A V10.

WHILE THEY'RE BOTH MID-ENGINE, THE AVENTADOR WANTED TO PLOW ITS WAY AROUND.

THE HURACAN HAS SCALPEL SHARP HANDLING, THE AVENTADOR, FEELS A LITTLE BIT BIGGER AND IT'S GOT A LOT MORE TOP END POWER, SO YOU CAN'T REALLY JUST RIP THROUGH THE GEARS AS MUCH AS YOU CAN IN THIS THING.

SO, FOR ABOUT $7000 DOLLARS YOU TOO CAN EXPERIENCE THE WINTER LIFESTYLE OF A LAMBORGHINI OWNER FOR THE WEEKEND.

THAT INCLUDES LODGING, DINNER, AND A SNOWMOBILE TOUR TOO.

WELL, THE ITALIANS MADE ICE HERE IN THE STATES... AND I CROSSED OFF A BUCKET LIST ITEM THAT I DID NOT EVEN KNOW, I HAD.

[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING] Lauren Morrison: ONE OF THE BIGGEST HEADLINES COMING OUT OF THE RECENT NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW WAS, THE LINCOLN NAVIGATOR CONCEPT...

WHICH HAD BOLD INTERIOR STYLING AND AMBITIOUS EXTERIOR FEATURES INCLUDING HUGE GULLWING DOORS.

BUT, RECENT SPY PHOTOS SHOWS SOMETHING MUCH MORE NORMAL AND PRODUCTION READY: THE 2018 FORD EXPEDITION, ON WHICH ANY NEW NAVIGATOR IS LIKELY TO BE BASED.

WHILE, EARLY TESTING HAD THE EXPEDITION WEARING THE FRONT-END OF AN F-150, THESE NEWER, MORE HEAVILY CAMO'D PHOTOS SHOW MORE ORIGINALITY.

LIKE THE PICKUP, AN ALL-ALUMINUM BODY IS STILL EXPECTED.

WITH THE NEXT FORD EXPEDITION LIKELY TO RETAIN A TYPICAL SUV 5-DOOR CABIN, ANY NAVIGATOR OFFSPRING WOULD HAVE TO BE RADICALLY RE-ENGINEERED TO MATCH THE LINCOLN CONCEPT'S WIDE OPEN WOW FACTOR.

WHILE, WE'RE TOLD THAT'S HIGHLY UNLIKELY, WE STILL EXPECT LINCOLN TO PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS TO MAKE THEIR NEXT FULL-SIZE UTILITY VERY MUCH THEIR OWN.

John: PAT GOSS IS ALWAYS HERE TO HELP, AND THIS WEEK HE'S GOING TO HELP US PEEL IT OFF... Pat Goss: THERE'S SOME EXCITING NEW AUTOMOTIVE COATINGS AVAILABLE TODAY, THAT YOU CAN DO SOME REALLY INTERESTING THINGS WITH.

AND WE HAVE MARK FROM RAIL PERFORMANCE COATINGS TO GIVE US SOME OF THE IDEAS ABOUT IT.

FIRST, I HAVE YOU TO TELL YOU MARK, I USED ONE OF THE DO-IT-YOURSELF RATTLE CANS TO BLACK OUT THE UGLY GOLD EMBLEMS ON MY CAMARO HERE.

BUT THAT'S JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

Mark: YES, THERE'S MANY THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH A COATING: AH, ANYTHING FROM YOUR GRILLE, YOUR FRONT BUMPER, YOUR ENTIRE CAR, WHEELS, INTERIOR TRIM... Pat: ALRIGHT, ENTIRE CAR?

AH, WHAT ARE GOING TO BE THE ADVANTAGES THERE?

Mark: IF YOU PURCHASED A BLACK CAR, AND JUST DECIDED TO CHANGE YOUR MIND AND PAINT IT WHATEVER YOU WANT.

WHEN YOU GO TO SELL IT, PEEL IT OFF.

Pat: OKAY, JUST PEELS OFF AS A SHEET...?

Mark: YEAH, SIMILAR TO, LIKE A VINYL WRAP, OR A UM TYPICAL...

ALMOST LIKE A STICKER.

Pat: OKAY.

NOW, I KNOW THAT THE DO-IT-YOURSELF PRODUCTS ARE VERY, VERY LIMITED IN WHAT YOU CAN DO.

AH, BUT THE PROFESSIONAL GRADE PRODUCTS, YOU CAN DO ALL OF THESE THINGS.

BUT YOU REALLY, UNLESS YOU'RE A PAINTER, YOU SHOULD HAVE A PROFESSIONAL DO IT FOR YOU.

Mark: CORRECT, YEAH.

THE SAFETY PROTOCOLS AND MEASURES, LIKE HAVING A PROPER SPRAY BOOTH IS VERY IMPORTANT.

Pat: IN OTHER WORDS, DON'T GO OUT AND BUY A $29 SPRAY GUN, AND TRY TO DO THIS IN YOUR HOME GARAGE.

Mark: YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO PAINT YOUR CAR WITH AN AEROSOL CAN.

Pat: [LAUGHS] RIGHT, OKAY.

NOW EARLIER, YOU DID THIS WHEEL THAT WE HAVE OVER HERE, AND IT WAS A REGULAR... Mark: ...SILVER WHEEL, YEAH.

Pat: SILVER WHEEL... AND CONVERTED IT TO BLACK.

AND YOU PURPOSELY ALLOWED SOME OF THE OVERSPRAY TO GET ON THE TIRE, AND YOU CAN SHOW US HOW THAT PEELS OFF?

Mark: YEAH, WE USED LIKE A SILICONE TIRE DRESSING, AND THE PAINT WILL NOT STICK TO THAT.

SO, IT WILL ALLOW US TO EASILY PEEL AROUND THE OUTSIDE, ON THE TIRE ITSELF.

Pat: OKAY... MARK, I SEE YOU PEELED PART OF THE WHEEL, AS WELL.

TO SHOW US HOW THIS STUFF WORKS.

BUT, WHAT AMAZES ME IS THAT IT'S SO THIN AND IT'S SO TOUGH.

IT'S REALLY IMPRESSIVE.

ALRIGHT, NOW WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU COULD USE IT FOR ON THE CAR?

Mark: YOU COULD ALSO USE IT AS A CLEAR BRA TO PROTECT AGAINST ROCK CHIPS AND DEBRIS, AS YOU DRIVE.

WHETHER IT'S ON THE WHOLE CAR OR JUST THE BUMPER.

Pat: OKAY.

AH, ANY PROTECTION OFFERED FOR BRAKE DUST AND STUFF LIKE THAT?

Mark: YEAH.

ANYTHING.

IT GIVES A BARRIER IN BETWEEN... UM, IF THIS COATING DOES GET DAMAGED IT'S JUST AS EASY TO PEEL IT OFF AND REPLACE.

Pat: OKAY MARK, THANK YOU.

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

John: NOW, LET'S HOP BACK BEHIND THE WHEEL FOR MORE QUICKSPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS.

CADILLAC'S STATE OF NEAR CONSTANT CHANGE IS NOTHING NEW, ADDING NEW MODELS WHILE DROPPING OLD ONES, AND THAT'S WHAT PUTS US BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE ALL-NEW 2017 CADILLAC XT5.

XT, FOR CROSSOVER TOURING, IS THEIR NEW DESIGNATION FOR UTILITIES, AND FIVE PRESUMABLY, FOR ITS 5-PASSENGER SEATING.

SO, GOODBYE SRX, AND HELLO XT5.

ESCALADE LIKE BOLD STYLING SITS ON A FRESH, LIGHT WEIGHT, MID-SIZE PLATFORM THAT WILL LIKELY SEE USE BY OTHER GM BRANDS.

CADILLAC'S TAKE IS A SOLID ONE, PUN INTENDED.

IT RIDES SLIGHTLY ON THE STIFFER EURO SIDE.

LIKEWISE, SEATS ARE SOFT TO THE TOUCH, BUT QUITE FIRM TO THE BEHIND.

INTERIOR DESIGN IS SIMPLE IN APPEARANCE, BUT LUXURIOUS HIGH TECH IN FUNCTION, WITH A BIG CUE TOUCH SCREEN INTERFACE, COMBINED WITH FINELY STITCHED MATERIALS AND REAL WOOD TRIM ACCENTS.

EASILY COMPARABLE TO MOST EUROPEAN RIVALS.

ENGINE CHOICE IS NOT A CHOICE AT ALL... A NEW 3.6 LITER V6 IS THE ONLY ONE, GOOD FOR 310 HORSEPOWER THROUGH AN EIGHT SPEED AUTOMATIC, IN FRONT OR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

Ben Davis: THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE GET ALONG VERY WELL.

THERE'S NO BULK IN POWER; EVERYTHING'S SUPER SEAMLESS AND QUIET... MAYBE TOO QUIET FOR ME...

IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYBODY'S GOING SMALL DISPLACEMENT TURBO 4s, AND I KIND OF ADMIT; I LIKE THE GROWL OF A TURBO 4, I LIKE WISP OF THE TURBOCHARGER, AND THIS VEHICLE IS NOTHING BUT QUIET.

John: ON SALE NOW, THE 2017 CADILLAC XT5 STARTS AT $40,000.

WE'RE NOT QUITE AT THE TIME WHERE BUICK'S JAW DROPPING CONCEPTS, LIKE THE AVENIR OR AVISTA EXIST AS A WHOLE...

BUT THIS 2016 BUICK CASCADA SHOWED US THE VENERABLE BRAND IS INDEED LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.

MAYBE IT WAS THE UNCANNY ARRIVAL OF WARM WEATHER RIGHT AS THIS DROP TOP ROLLED ON TO OUR LOT, BUT WE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED OUR DRIVE TIME.

NOW, WHEN WE SAY DRIVE TIME, WE MEAN CRUISING BACK ROADS, WHICH PROVED A VERY PLEASANT AFFAIR.

EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO PRETENSE ABOUT HIGH PERFORMANCE, THE CASCADA IS ABOUT AS SOLID AS THEY COME, SOAKING UP ANY SHAKES, RATTLES, AND BODY TWISTS THAT TYPICALLY PLAGUE NON HIGH BUCK CONVERTIBLES.

STEERING AND HANDLING ARE IMPRESSIVE, KEEPING THE CAR STABLE AS A TABLE.

A LOT OF HARDTOPS DON'T FEEL THIS GOOD.

POWER FROM A 1.6 LITER TURBO I4 DIDN'T EXACTLY WOW US, EVEN WITH A HEALTHY 200 HORSEPOWER.

BUT, MOST WILL FIND IT ADEQUATE.

THE 6-SPEED AUTO AND FRONT WHEEL DRIVE SETUP DOESN'T REALLY SCREAM FUN.

BUT THE LOOKS SORT OF DO.

THOSE FAMILIAR WITH THE GMs EUROPEAN ARM OPEL MAY RECOGNIZE THE CASCADA, AND THANKFULLY NOT MUCH WAS DONE TO AMERICANIZE IT.

THE LOOK IS SLEEK AND SIMPLE.

INSIDE, MORE OF THE SAME, BUT WITH FEATURES WELL OUTSIDE ITS PRICE CLASS, LIKE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT PRESENTERS, MOTORIZED FRONT SEATS FOR EASY REAR SEAT ACCESS, AND ONE OF THE SMOOTHEST OPERATING TOP MECHANISMS WE'VE EVER SEEN.

THE SPLIT REAR SEATS ALSO FOLD FOR PRACTICALITY.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 BUICK CASCADA STARTS AROUND $34,000.

AND WE'LL BE BACK WITH MORE QUICKSPIN'S, SOON!

OVER THE YEARS, THE MERCEDES-BENZES C-CLASS HAS TRIED TO BALANCE A LOT OF MISSIONS.

ASPIRATIONAL, AFFORDABLE, LUXURIOUS, AND SPORTY.

CLEARLY IT'S DIFFICULT FOR ANY ONE CAR TO SUCCEED AT ALL OF THOSE THINGS EQUALLY.

INTELLIGENTLY, MERCEDES NOW FOCUSES DIFFERENT "C" MODELS ON DIFFERENT MISSIONS.

AND WHEN WE HAD TO CHOOSE WHICH "C" TO TEST, IT WAS REALLY NO CONTEST.

SAY HELLO TO THE MERCEDES-AMG C63.

* WE KNOW THAT IT'S GETTING HARDER TO TELL WHICH AMG BENZs ARE LEGIT THESE DAYS, BUT TRUST US, THE 2016 MERCEDES-AMG C63 AND OUR TEST C63 S SEDANS ARE THE REAL DEAL.

FIRST INDICATION?

FIRE IT UP AND HEAR ITS 8-CYLINDERS EXPLODE INTO ACTION.

WHICH INSTANTLY BRINGS A SMILE TO YOUR FACE; SOMETHING THE TURBOCHARGED HALF DOZEN CYLINDER POWER PLANTS OF THE COMPETITION CAN NEVER DO.

NOT THAT IT'S NOT TURBOCHARGED, THIS 4.0 LITER HAS GOT TWO SPINNERS NESTLED INSIDE ITS ALUMINUM V, HELPING IN THE S TO PRODUCE 503 HORSEPOWER AND 516 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

FROM THERE IT'S THE EXPECTED AMG SETUP; 7-SPEED MCT TRANSMISSION, AND REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE.

THE 4-LINK FRONT SUSPENSION IS RECALIBRATED, AS IS THE MULTI-LINK REAR AND ALL OF THE ELECTRONICS THAT MONITOR THEM.

THE C63 S ADDS AN ELECTRONICALLY LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL IN PLACE OF THE NON-S' MECHANICAL ONE, THAT ALLOWS FOR FASTER LOCKUP, AND FULL INTEGRATION INTO STABILITY CONTROL.

AMG DYNAMIC SELECT DRIVE MODES PERFORM THE USUAL SYSTEM WIDE FUNCTIONS, WITH THE S GETTING A UNIQUE RACE MODE.

DOING SOME RACING OF OUR OWN, AROUND SAVANNAH'S ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE C63 S IS ONE HELLACIOUS TRACK CAR.

THE STEERING HAS GREAT FEEDBACK AND SEEMS LIGHT WHEN YOU WANT IT TO BE LIGHT, HEAVY WHEN YOU WANT IT TO BE HEAVY; ALL WHILE BODY ROLL IS MINIMAL.

THE ENGINE HAS POWER FOR DAYS, WITH OVER 500 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, A VERY SENSITIVE THROTTLE, AND NO ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE TO HELP LAY IT DOWN.

SO, INPUTS ARE MADE CAREFULLY TO KEEP THE THRUST COMING, WITHOUT ANGERING THE TRACTION CONTROL GODS, AS IT CLAWS ITS WAY OUT OF CORNERS.

WE DID FIND ELECTRONIC INTERVENTION A LITTLE INCONSISTENT; SOMETIMES TAKING OVER WAY TOO EARLY, SOMETIMES LETTING US GET AWAY WITH A LOT MORE THAN IT SHOULD.

SO, WHETHER YOU USE THE SOMETIMES WORKING/SOMETIMES NOT RACE START TO GET YOU GOING, LAUNCHES AREN'T AS HARD AS YOU EXPECT.

BUT IT SHOOTS OFF THE LINE EFFICIENTLY TO 4.1 SECONDS TO 60.

ONCE YOU GET ROLLING, POWER COMES ON LIKE A TSUNAMI WAVE AND HURTLES YOU DOWN THE TRACK.

SHIFTS ARE FIRM AND LIGHTNING QUICK, WITH THE QUARTER MILE COMPLETED IN 12.4 SECONDS AT 115 MILES PER HOUR.

WE FOUND THE BRAKES SOMEWHAT LESS IMPRESSIVE, AS WE EXPERIENCED SOME FADE, AND FEEDBACK WAS NOT PRODUCTIVE IN ANY APPRECIABLE WAY.

NOW, THAT WE'VE BROUGHT IT TO A HALT, WE CAN APPRECIATE THE EXTERIOR TWEAKS OF THE C63 S, WHICH INCLUDE A UNIQUE FRONT FASCIA, FENDERS THAT HAVE BEEN WIDENED TO HOUSE THE 19-INCH WHEELS, A DISTINCTIVE HOOD, AND OF COURSE A SPOILER AND DIFFUSER FOR MANAGING AIRFLOW IN THE REAR.

IT'S HARD NOT TO STEAL GLANCES AROUND THE COCKPIT WHILE DRIVING, WITH AN IMPECCABLE RED AND BLACK SPACE THAT SEEMS HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED, YET RACY AT THE SAME TIME.

ALL MATERIALS ARE FIRST RATE, WITH GENUINE METAL AND WOOD TRIM, AS WELL AS SOME OF THE BEST LOOKING CARBON FIBER WE'VE SEEN.

BASE PRICES OF $66,175 FOR THE C63, AND $74,175 FOR THE C63 S MAY SEEM STEEP, BUT THAT'S PAR FOR RIVALS, AND NOT BAD AT ALL FOR LEGIT AMG PERFORMANCE CARS.

SO, DESPITE ALL OF THE 2016 MERCEDES-AMG C63s REFINEMENT, IT STILL FEELS MORE LIKE A MUSCLE CAR THAN, JUST A SPICED UP C-CLASS SPORT SEDAN.

WHICH, WHEN YOU GO LOOKING FOR THAT GENUINE AMG DEAL, WILL BE MUSIC TO YOUR EARS.

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 HIT THE TRACK FOR SOME R-RATED PERFORMANCE IN THE SHELBY GT350 R MUSTANG.

THEN RETIRE TO THE QUIETER LIFE IN THE BMW 750I... 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... TIRERACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.

"OH, COME ON..." "HOT, HOT HOT..." THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE... "JUST A BOTTLE OF WATER."

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.

*