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

JOIN US AS WE SEE IF A NEW GENERATION BRINGS MORE TO LOVE ABOUT THE AUDI A4... PAT GOSS HELPS US PICK THE RIGHT TIRE FOR THE RIGHT PAVEMENT... ZACH MASKELL HAS FOUND THE BEST CHEAP SEAT IN THE HOUSE... AND WE'LL TAKE THE WHEEL OF A FORD FUSION THAT'S PACKED WITH PERFORMANCE...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

* Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... Man: "IT'S GOT 430 FOOT UNITS OF BEAST!"

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

THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE... Man: "OOPS."

Announcer: TIRERACK.COM.

John: 2017 IS THE FIRST MODEL YEAR FOR THE 5TH GENERATION OF THE AUDI A4 SPORT SEDAN.

BUT WAIT A MINUTE, IF YOU THROW IN ITS AUDI 80 ANCESTRY, IT'S ACTUALLY THE 9TH GEN B-SERIES ARCHITECTURE FOR AUDI.

REGARDLESS, OVER THE YEARS ALL THOSE CARS JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER AND BETTER.

SO LET'S FIND OUT IF ITS B-CAR BUSINESS AS USUAL AT VOLKSWAGEN'S PREMIUM BRAND.

* THE 2017 AUDI A4 MAY BE ON THE SMALLER SIDE OF 4-DOORS, BUT IT IS BOTH BIG-TIME POLISHED AND POTENT; BOASTING TECHNOLOGY ABOVE ANY FLAGSHIP LUXURY MACHINE OF 10 YEARS AGO.

THAT INCLUDES A DRIVER ASSISTANCE PACKAGE WITH THE LATEST SAFETY TECHNOLOGY; CAMERAS TO READ ROAD MARKINGS, AND EVEN ROAD SIGNS, AND OF COURSE AUTOMATIC BRAKING.

SO, YOU HAVE TO WORK PRETTY HARD TO CRASH IT.

WE TRIED, BUT IT STOPPED JUST SHY OF OUR BARRIER EVERY TIME; APPLYING THE BRAKES IN FULL, ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER A WARNING CHIME.

AS FOR INTERIOR TECHNOLOGY, THERE IS STILL A LARGE MMI DISPLAY ON THE DASH; BUT IT'S LARGELY REDUNDANT IF YOU OPT FOR THE HUGE 12-INCH ALL ENCOMPASSING VIRTUAL GAUGE CLUSTER AS WELL AS A NEW FULL COLOR HEAD UP DISPLAY.

WITH ALL PERTINENT INFO RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES, AND CONTROLS RIGHT THERE ON THE STEERING WHEEL; THERE'S NO NEED TO LOOK OR REACH ELSEWHERE.

THOSE ARE JUST HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT IS A FANTASTIC INTERIOR, FULLY UPHOLDING THE LOFTY STANDARDS WE HAVE FOR AUDI.

LEATHER SEATING IS STANDARD, AND SPACE IS UP OVER LAST YEAR IN ALL SEATING POSITIONS.

TRUNK SPACE IS VERY GOOD AT 13.0 CUBIC-FEET.

[ENGINE STARTS] POWER SNEAKS UP A LITTLE, WITH A REVISED 2.0 LITER TURBO-4 WITH 252 HORSEPOWER AND 273 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE FOR BOTH FRONT AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS.

NOW, THAT'S ONLY 32 ADDED PONIES, BUT IT FEELS LIKE MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

POSSIBLY, BECAUSE WEIGHT IS DOWN SLIGHTLY, BUT MORE LIKELY BECAUSE THE 7-SPEED S-TRONIC DUAL-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN TIGHTENED UP AS WELL.

NO MANUAL IS AVAILABLE.

THE EXTERIOR DESIGN IS CLEARLY AN EVOLUTION OF THE PREVIOUS A4, COMBINED WITH STYLE INDICATORS FROM THE LARGER A6, 7 AND 8.

A4 SUSPENSION IS 5-LINK INDEPENDENT ALL AROUND, WITH UPGRADED SPORT TUNING AVAILABLE, AS IS ADAPTIVE DAMPING, INTEGRATED INTO AUDI DRIVE SELECT.

OUR CAR'S OPTIONAL, REAR-BIASED QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE AIDS THAT SPORTY FEEL AS WELL, WITH ITS SELF-LOCKING CENTER DIFFERENTIAL AND SELECTIVE TORQUE CONTROL.

WITH QUATTRO, UNDERSTEER IS MINIMAL, CHALLENGING THE BEST OF ITS REAR-DRIVE COMPETITION.

AND WHILE, THE A4 HAS ONCE AGAIN GOTTEN BIGGER, IT SURELY DOESN'T DRIVE LIKE IT.

THOUGH, WE WILL STOP SHORT OF SAYING ITS LOADS OF FUN TO TOSS AROUND; IT'S MORE OF A CASE OF STERILE MECHANICAL PRECISION.

STEERING IS VERY LIGHT AT LOWER SPEEDS, BUT FIRMED UP QUICKLY HERE AT OUR TRACK AS THE PACE INCREASED.

AFTER SOME SLIGHT LAG OFF THE STARTING BLOCK, THE POWER EVENTUALLY STARTED GETTING PUT DOWN IN A SMOOTH AND STEADY FASHION; USHERING US TO 60 IN A FINE 5.8 SECONDS.

THERE'S A NICE GROWL FROM THE ENGINE, BUT NOT MUCH FROM THE EXHAUST, WHILE THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS THE GEARS COMING QUICKLY; CLEARING THE QUARTER MILE IN 14.3 SECONDS AT 99 MILES PER HOUR.

BRAKING WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE, A 104 FOOT AVERAGE FROM 60; WITH ROCK STEADY STABILITY AND ZERO FADE.

IN EVERYDAY DRIVING, EVERYTHING ABOUT THE A4 IS SMOOTH; AS IT ABSORBS BUMPS AND PAVEMENT IMPERFECTIONS MORE LIKE A FULL-SIZE SEDAN THAN ANY COMPACT.

THE DUAL-CLUTCH TRANNY IS MOSTLY SEAMLESS, WITH THE ONLY HICCUPS COMING DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERING.

RIDE QUALITY CAN BE DIALED TO YOUR LIKING, BUT EVEN IN FULL COMFORT MODE, BODY CONTROL IS WELL MANAGED, AND IT NEVER FEELS SOFT.

THE LOW SEATING POSITION WILL NOT ENDEAR IT TO THOSE CROSSOVER INCLINED, BUT VISIBILITY IS EXCELLENT ALL AROUND.

THOUGH, VERY WELL-EQUIPPED IN STANDARD PREMIUM TRIM, PRESTIGE IS WHERE YOU WANT TO BE WITH 18-INCH ALLOY WHEELS, S-LINE ALUMINUM TRIM, AND FULL LED LIGHTING OUTSIDE; ALONG WITH BANG & OLUFSEN SURROUND SOUND, AND HEATED SEATS FOR INSIDE.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 25-CITY, 33-HIGHWAY, AND 28-COMBINED, WITH OUR AVERAGE COMING IN AT A FINE 29.1 MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM.

FOR AN AVERAGE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 11.8 BARRELS OF OIL BURNED YEARLY, WITH C02 EMISSIONS OF 5.2 TONS.

PRICING STARTS AT $35,850, THAT'S JUST A BIT MORE THAN A BASE BMW 3-SERIES, BUT SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN A BASE MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS; PRESTIGE TRIM WITH QUATTRO HOWEVER, WILL HAVE YOU AT $48,950.

AND WHILE THOSE OTHER GERMAN SPORT SEDANS ARE CERTAINLY THE LOGICAL COMPETITION FOR THE 2017 AUDI A4.

TO US, IT'S MORE IN THE SPIRIT OF THE CADILLAC ATS WITH LUXURY, PERFORMANCE, AND TECHNOLOGY ADDRESSED IN EQUAL BALANCE.

SO, IT IS INDEED BUSINESS AS USUAL, WITH ANOTHER SOLID SMALL-ISH SEDAN FROM AUDI.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO GEORGETOWN, DELAWARE WHERE A LOCAL TRANSIT AGENCY HAS BECOME ENERGIZED ON PROPANE.

IN 2014, THE STATE OWNED DELAWARE TRANSIT CORPORATION CONVERTED FIVE BUSES TO PROPANE.

SOON, THE FLEET WILL TOTAL 150 PROPANE BUSES WITH 20 MORE PLANNED.

THESE PARATRANSIT BUSES SHUTTLE DISABLED CITIZENS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

PARTNERING WITH PROPANE SUPPLIER SHARP ENERGY, DART EXPECTS THE BUSES TO TRAVEL OVER 1.5 MILLION MILES IN 2017, WITH COST SAVINGS OF CLOSE TO A MILLION DOLLARS.

Rick Walters: OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF VEHICLES IS GREATER AND IT PUSHES OUT OUR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE BECAUSE THESE ENGINES BURN SO CLEANLY, WE DON'T HAVE TO CHANGE THE OIL AS OFTEN WHICH, AGAIN, IS LESS FOSSIL FUELS BEING USED.

John: WITH LONG TERM SUPPORT FROM THE DELAWARE CLEAN CITIES COALITION, DART SECURED STATE FUNDING FOR THE PROPANE CONVERSIONS.

DART ALSO PLANS TO ADD THEIR OWN FUELING INFRASTRUCTURE, BUILDING A STRONGER PROPANE PRESENCE IN THE FIRST STATE.

* OWNING AND MAINTAINING A BONAFIDE RACECAR USUALLY COMES WITH A PRICE TAG THAT MOST OF US MORTALS CAN ILL AFFORD.

HOWEVER, OUR OVER THE EDGE GUY ZACH MASKELL HAS FOUND A WAY AROUND THIS FINANCIAL CONUNDRUM, AND INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF HIS VERY OWN 10 SECOND DRAGSTER, FOR ONLY PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR.

Zach Maskell: RACE CAMAROS SIDE BY SIDE, RIDE ALONG IN AN 800 HORSEPOWER DRAGSTER, OR BRING YOUR OWN CAR.

ALL SORTS OF COMPETITION, THIS TIME, AT NEW JERSEY'S ENGLISHTOWN RACEWAY PARK.

AS FOR ME, AND A FEW DOZEN DRIVERS, WE'LL BE TEARING DOWN THE TRACK IN THESE.

THE DRAGSTERS THAT I'LL BE PILOTING TODAY, HAVE A 180 INCH WHEEL BASE.

THEY'RE POWERED BY 400 CUBIC INCH SMALL BLOCK CHEVY'S, PUTTING OUT OVER 500 HORSEPOWER.

THE CARS WEIGH 1,500 POUNDS WITH THE DRIVER INSIDE, SO YOU DO THE MATH THERE.

THAT'S CONNECTED TO A 2-SPEED TRANSMISSION, THIS IS GOING TO BE AWESOME.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST GETTING OUT OF TODAY'S EVENT?

John Grocke: JUST GETTING MY FEET WET AND JUST GETTING USED TO GOING FASTER THAN NORMAL.

Zach: FOR AS LITTLE AS A COUPLE HUNDRED BUCKS, YOU TOO CAN POLISH YOUR SKILLS, QUALIFY FOR AN NHRA LICENSE, OR SIMPLY FEEL THE FEROCITY THAT PURE SPEED RACING'S FLEET OF MACHINES OFFER.

Ralph Steiglia: I CAN TELL YOU THIS.

FOR ONE, IT'S THE MOST FUN YOU'VE EVER HAD, WITH YOUR CLOTHES ON.

NUMBER TWO, FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO WIPE THE SMILE OFF YOUR FACE.

Zach: WHICH WAS EVIDENT, BEFORE WE EVEN HAD TO CHANCE TO DRIVE.

SO YOU'VE GOT YOUR HUSBAND HERE GIVING YOU SOME ENCOURAGEMENT?

Lisa Laveroni: YES I DO.

Zach: AND HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THIS?

Lisa: HE ACTUALLY GOT IT FOR MY 49TH BIRTHDAY.

Zach: BIRTHDAY PRESENT?

Lisa: YEAH.

Zach: YOU COULDN'T REALLY ASK FOR ANYTHING ELSE COULD YOU?

Lisa: NO, IT WAS THE BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT, I COULD EVER GET.

Zach: AND YOU HAVEN'T EVEN DRIVEN YET, HUH?

Lisa: I KNOW!

Zach: PURE SPEED MOST LIKELY PIT STOPS AT A TRACK NEAR YOU.

YOU GUYS GO ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY THEN?

Austin Kardules: YEAH, EVERYWHERE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE TO CALIFORNIA AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN.

Zach: STARTING IN 1997, DOUG FOLEY REALIZED THERE WAS A NEED FOR A DRAG RACING SCHOOL.

NOW HIS TEAM, ALONG WITH THE CARS THEY PERSONALLY MAINTAIN, CAN PUT ALMOST ANYONE 16 AND OLDER, WITH A DRIVER'S LICENSE BEHIND THE WHEEL.

NOT TO OUR SURPRISE, WE BUMPED INTO SOME FREQUENT FLYERS.

Zach: THESE THINGS DON'T HANDLE LIKE CARS, RIGHT?

Greg Dedian: NO, THEY DON'T.

THEY JUST WANT TO GO STRAIGHT.

DON'T THINK ABOUT CHANGING LANES ON THIS.

Zach: SO, YOU LEARN THAT YOU'LL KIND OF JUST WANT TO GUIDE IT ALONG RATHER THAN STEER IT?

EVER TRY TO STEER IT... Greg: EXACTLY, THE CAR WANTS TO DRIVE ITSELF.

YOU KNOW, ALL YOU'RE DOING IS, YOU'RE ALMOST GOING ALONG FOR THE RIDE, BUT YOU'RE JUST GIVING IT A LITTLE NUDGE HERE AND THERE, AND THE CAR WILL PRETTY MUCH GO STRAIGHT ON DOWN BROADWAY.

Zach: DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE BEST TIME IS THAT YOU'VE GOTTEN OUT HERE?

Greg: I DO.

Zach: AND?

Greg: IT WAS A 9.72.

Zach: NOT TOO SHABBY.

Greg: NOT TOO SHABBY AT ALL.

Zach: I WAS EXPECTING TO ONLY HIT 10 SECONDS TODAY.

Greg: WELL, IF YOU'RE QUICK OFF THE LINE, YOU MAY BEAT 10 SECONDS.

Zach: BEFORE IT WAS MY CHANCE TO BEAT GREG'S TIME, WE GOT TO WATCH SOME TOUCHING MOMENTS.

SOME RIDERS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT, OR HEARING LOSS FOR INSTANCE, CAN ALSO LET 800 HORSEPOWER SUCK THEM INTO THEIR SEATS.

Doug Foley: WE CATER TO ALL PEOPLE, AS LONG AS WE FEEL LIKE IT'S SAFE CONDITIONS, OKAY.

WE HAD SOMEBODY WHO WAS FAIRLY SHORT TODAY, OKAY.

AND AS LONG AS I CAN GET HIM IN THE CAR AND KNOW THAT, GOD FORBID, THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING THAT HIS SAFETY CONDITIONS ARE UP TO STANDARD, THEN I'M FINE WITH IT.

Zach: TIME NOW, TO KEEP MY HEAD BACK, AND PIN IT TO WIN IT.

OUR FIRST RUN WE GO TO THE 330 FOOT MARK.

THE SECOND, 660.

AND FOR THIS FINAL RUN, THE FULL QUARTER MILE.

FIRST, WE DRIVE THROUGH SOME WATER... A QUICK BURN OUT CLEANS THE TIRES... NOW, WE'RE READY FOR LAUNCH.

Doug: FOOT ON THE BRAKE...

ROLL FORWARD SLOWLY...

STAGE LIGHT ON...

FOOT ON THE BRAKE...

OKAY, THE TREE WILL COME DOWN.

YELLOW, YELLOW, YELLOW.

WHEN IT DOES, SWAP FEET, AND WIDE OPEN THROTTLE... [ENGINE REVVING] Zach: WHOOO!

ALRIGHT, TIME SLIPS ARE OUT.

FIRST TWO DON'T MATTER, .338 REACTION TIME, 9.976 QUARTER MILE AT 132 MILES PER HOUR.

ALL I WANTED TO DO WAS MAKE SUB-10.

THIS DAY COULD NOT BE ANY BETTER.

SO MAYBE, A DRAG RACING CAREER IS IN MY FUTURE AFTER ALL.

John: IF YOU'VE BOUGHT TIRES RECENTLY YOU KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF CHOICES OUT THERE.

BUT FOR OUR PAT GOSS, IT ALL STARTS BY PICKING YOUR PAVEMENT!

Pat Goss: WELL, YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR CAR TO THE RACE TRACK, AND YOU THINK YOU'VE GOT THE PROPER TIRES, WELL YOU MIGHT BE WRONG.

AND HERE, TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS RICK ROBINSON FROM AMERICAN HIGH PERFORMANCE IN LORTON, VIRGINIA.

RICK, WELCOME BACK TO GOSS' GARAGE.

Rick Robinson: THANK YOU PAT.

Pat: ALRIGHT, HERE WE HAVE A TYPICAL TIRE, BIG, LOW PROFILE.

GOOD FOR THE TRACK?

Rick: ABSOLUTELY NOT, AND THESE ARE WHAT YOU AND I SEE ALL THE TIME.

PEOPLE COME IN WITH THESE GREAT BIG WHEELS, LITTLE SKINNY TIRES AND THEY WANT US TO MOUNT THEM.

WE HAVE A HECK OF A TIME MOUNTING THEM TO BEGIN WITH BECAUSE THIS VERY NARROW SIDEWALL ON THE TIRE IS SO STIFF, IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR, THAT IT HAS NO FLEXIBILITY TO IT WHATSOEVER.

AND FLEXIBILITY IS IMPORTANT IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TIRE WHEN IT'S TRYING TO MAINTAIN THE CONTACT PATCH GRIP ON THE PAVEMENT.

Pat: ALRIGHT, AND THIS APPLIES NOT ONLY TO DRAG RACING, BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO DO A TRACK DAY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN ROAD RACING AS WELL.

Rick: ABSOLUTELY, IN DRAG RACING WE'VE SEEN THE VIDEOS OF A DRAG CAR LAUNCHING.

THE SLINKS WRINKLING UP AS THE TORQUE IS APPLIED TO THE WHEEL.

THAT FLEXIBILITY IN THAT TIRE IS WHAT ALLOWS THAT CONTACT PATCH TO MAINTAIN ITS GRIP ON THE PAVEMENT UNDER THAT TREMENDOUS LOAD.

SAME THING APPLIES TO ROAD RACING EXCEPT IT'S SIDE FLEX, I'M GOING THROUGH THE CORNERS, ALL OF THIS FORCE IS BEING APPLIED TO THE SIDE OF THE TIRE.

THAT TIRE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO FLEX IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN ITS CONTACT PATCH.

IF IT'S STIFF LIKE THIS THING AND HARD IT'S GOING TO BREAK LOOSE, YOU'RE GOING TO SKID.

Pat: OKAY.

ALRIGHT NOW, TIRE PRESSURE FOR DRAG RACING.

Rick: YOU'RE GONNA RUN THEM PRETTY LOW, LOWER THAN MOST PEOPLE WOULD IMAGINE, 12, 13 POUNDS OF PRESSURE IS NOT UNUSUAL AT ALL.

AND AGAIN WE'RE TRYING TO LET THE TIRE BE FLEXIBLE AND GET A LARGER CONTACT PATCH ON THE PAVEMENT.

Pat: ALRIGHT, AND FINALLY THIS PARTICULAR SET-UP YOU HAVE SCREWS GOING THROUGH THE WHEEL.

Rick: YES, THEY'RE NOT THERE TO HOLD THE WHEEL TOGETHER, THEY ACTUALLY HOLD THE TIRE TO THE WHEEL, BECAUSE UNDER THAT TREMENDOUS LOAD AT LAUNCH, THAT WHEEL WILL ACTUALLY SPIN INSIDE THE TIRE IF YOU DON'T HAVE THEM SCREWED TOGETHER.

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

John: PREDICTING THE FUTURE IS TRICKY BUSINESS, BUT ONE CAR COMPANY HAS AN IDEA OF WHAT TRAVELING ON TWO WHEELS COULD BE LIKE DECADES FROM NOW.

HERE'S YOLANDA VAZQUEZ WITH THIS WEEK'S TWO-WHEELIN MOTORNEWS.

Yolanda Vazquez: BMW IS CELEBRATING THEIR FIRST 100 YEARS BY REMEMBERING WHERE THEY'VE BEEN, WHILE LOOKING AHEAD WITH BIG, BOLD PLANS FOR THEIR SECOND CENTURY.

A GLOBAL TOUR UNVEILED WHAT THEY THINK THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THEIR MOTORCYCLE BRANDS.

INDEED, BMW MOTORRAD WAS THE STAR OF THE TOUR'S FINAL STOP IN SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA.

UNVEILED, THIS "BMW MOTORRAD VISION NEXT 100" SHOWS WHERE THIS PREMIUM MOTORCYCLE BRAND THINKS TWO-WHEELED TECHNOLOGY IS HEADED.

KEY INNOVATIONS INCLUDE A SELF-BALANCING MECHANISM THAT KEEPS THE BIKE UPRIGHT, EVEN WHEN STOPPED.

AND YOU'LL ALSO NOTICE THE LACK OF A LOOK-DOWN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.

ALL NEEDED INFORMATION REACHES THE RIDER THROUGH SPECIAL GOGGLES.

BUT NOSTALGIA RIDES, TOO.

THE BLACK TRIANGULAR FRAME DRAWS ON THE FIRST BMW MOTORCYCLE BUILT IN 1923.

AND THE POWER UNIT, WHICH STILL RESEMBLES A BMW BOXER ENGINE, IS NOW A PURE ZERO EMISSIONS EV.

STILL, THE FAUX CYLINDER HEADS EXPAND OUTWARD WHEN MOVING FOR BETTER AIR FLOW AROUND THE RIDER'S LEGS.

BMW PREVIOUSLY REVEALED THREE OTHER VISION NEXT 100 CONCEPTS.

THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME ALL FOUR WERE SEEN TOGETHER.

Yolanda: WHILE, IT MAY BE SOME TIME BEFORE WE GET TO TRY THEM OUT, WE WON'T HAVE TO WAIT TOO LONG FOR BMW'S NEXT NEW BIKE...

THE K 1600 B JUST MADE ITS WORLD PREMIERE IN LOS ANGELES.

THE IN-LINE 6-CYLINDER PROVIDES 160 HORSEPOWER OF PURE RIDING PLEASURE.

IF IT LOOKS FAMILIAR, IT WAS FIRST PRESENTED AS A CONCEPT IN SPRING 2015... AND A LOT OF THE TECHNOLOGY IS BASED ON THE K 1600 GT.

THE K 1600 B GOES ON SALE IN THE U.S. NEXT YEAR.

AND THAT'S THE LATEST IN THE MOTORCYCLE WORLD FOR THIS WEEK'S TWO-WHEELIN MOTORNEWS.

John: THERE'S NO DENYING THE KIA OPTIMA HAS COME A LONG WAY.

WE'VE HAD THIS 4TH GENERATION 2016 SX-LIMITED IN OUR FLEET FOR THREE MONTHS NOW, AND WE'RE BEGINNING TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS OPTIMA'S BIGGEST LEAP YET.

WE'VE TRAVELLED JUST OVER 7,500 MILES THUS FAR, INCLUDING A RECENT TRIP TO COASTAL CAROLINA.

WITH ITS SPUNKY 2.0 LITER TURBO PROVIDING PLENTY OF POWER, OUR MPG AVERAGE IS UP TO 29.2.

THOUGH, MORE THAN ONE DRIVER HAS NOTED SOME HARSH DOWNSHIFTING ON DECELERATION.

THAT ASIDE, THE OPTIMA IS BOTH SMOOTH AND CAPABLE IN EURO-GRAND TOURING STYLE.

AS FOR OUR INTERIOR NOISE ISSUE, THE HUMMING NOISE THOUGHT TO BE FROM THE HVAC SYSTEM, ACTUALLY SEEMS TO BE AIR ESCAPING THROUGH THE SUNROOF.

STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER UPDATES.

THREE MONTHS AND 5,000 MILES BEHIND THE WHEEL OF OUR 2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE DUNE SHOWED US THAT EVEN THOUGH THE NEW BEETLE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS NOW, IT STILL CAN TURN HEADS; ESPECIALLY WHEN DECKED OUT IN SANDSTORM WITH A BIG DUCKBILL SPOILER OUT BACK.

A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE THE 1.8 LITER'S 170 HORSEPOWER MORE FUN, BUT IT CERTAINLY ISN'T UNDERPOWERED EVEN WITH THE AUTOMATIC, AND SO FAR WE'VE AVERAGED 30.4 MILES PER GALLON.

AND WHILE WE HAVEN'T DONE MUCH OFF-ROADING TO MAKE USE OF ITS HIGHER GROUND CLEARANCE, WE HAVE ENJOYED THE SOFTER RIDE QUALITY BI-PRODUCT; MAKING THIS SPECIAL EDITION BEETLE TRULY SPECIAL INDEED.

WE'LL CHECK IN ON OUR HONDA PILOT, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!

WHILE, MIDSIZE FAMILY SEDAN SALES MAY BE ON A DOWNWARD TREND, THEY REMAIN A VERY BIG PART OF THE AUTOMOTIVE LANDSCAPE, AND A HIGHLY CONTESTED ONE AT THAT.

THROW IN THE FACT THAT BRAND LOYALTY IS ALSO NO LONGER WHAT IT ONCE WAS, AND YOU'VE GOT THE PERFECT RECIPE FOR FORD TO MAKE SOME SERIOUS 4-DOOR HEADWAY.

SO LET'S FIND OUT IF THIS NEW FUSION SPORT WILL BE THEIR TICKET TO RIDE.

* THE 2017 FORD FUSION HAS GONE THROUGH A SIGNIFICANT FINE-TUNING OF LATE, AND GETTING RIGHT TO IT, THE INTERIOR CONTROL AREA HAS REALLY BEEN CLEANED UP, WITH A NEW ROTARY SHIFTER, FREEING UP LOTS OF SPACE IN THE CONSOLE.

FUSION ALSO GAINS A NEW HIGH END PLATINUM TRIM, BOASTING MORE LUXURY TOUCHES THAN EVER BEFORE.

BUT EVEN BETTER NEWS, IF YOU'RE A FAN OF ACTUALLY DRIVING LIKE WE ARE, IS THE NEW FUSION SPORT.

IT ADOPTS THE EDGE SPORT'S TWIN-TURBO 2.7 LITER V6 ECOBOOST; PUTTING OUT 325 HORSEPOWER AND A VERY BEEFY 380 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

A NEW 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH PADDLE SHIFT IS INCLUDED, AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE IS STANDARD.

BASIC SUSPENSION HARDWARE IS THOROUGHLY ADDRESSED WITH STIFFER SPRINGS, BIGGER ANTI-ROLL BARS, AND WIDER 235/40 GOOD YEAR EAGLE F1 TIRES ON 19-INCH DARK FINISHED ALLOYS.

SUMMER ONLY TIRES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.

BUT IT IS THE SOLENOID VALVE CONTROLLED CONTINUOUS DAMPING SYSTEM WE APPLAUD MOST, A FIRST FOR THIS SEGMENT, WITH POTHOLE DETECTION THAT INSTANTLY ADJUSTS FLUID FLOW TO MINIMIZE IMPACT.

IT PROVIDED A NOTABLY SMOOTHER RIDE THAN TYPICAL FOR AN AFFORDABLE 4-DOOR.

WHEN SPORT MODE IS DIALED UP, REACTION BECOMES MORE AGGRESSIVE.

IT ALSO TWEAKS STEERING FEEL, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS, THROTTLE RESPONSE, AND EVEN EXHAUST NOTE.

WE LIKED IT SO MUCH WE RECOMMEND LEAVING IT IN SPORT MODE ALL THE TIME.

AS FOR HOW THIS FUSION IMPROVES YOUR DRIVEWAY'S STYLE; THE SPORT DOES AWAY WITH THE TYPICAL FUSION ASTON MARTIN INSPIRED GRILLE, AND IN ITS PLACE IS A GLOSSY BLACK MESH NUMBER.

JUST PART OF A WHOLE NEW FRONT FASCIA THAT HAS A MUCH SNARLIER LOOK.

IN BACK THERE ARE QUAD EXHAUST OUTLETS AND OF COURSE, A SPOILER ACROSS THE DECK LID.

FOR YOU TO ENJOY INSIDE, ARE UPGRADED SPORT SEATS WITH SUEDED INSERTS, AND CARBON FIBER-LIKE TRIM.

OUR STREET DRIVING IMPRESSIONS ARE QUITE FAVORABLE, AS THERE IS CERTAINLY LESS ROLL HERE THAN WE'VE ENCOUNTERED IN ANY FUSION PRIOR TO THIS.

AND AT OUR TRACK TEST, THOSE GOOD VIBES WERE CONFIRMED; AS THE FUSION SPORT IS EASILY A TOP HANDLER IN ITS SEGMENT.

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DODGE CHARGER HELLCAT, THIS IS THE AMERICAN SPORT SEDAN THAT WE'D PREFER TO PARK OUR BUTTS IN RIGHT NOW.

BUT IT'S NOT YET A THREAT TO GERMAN DOMINANCE.

WHILE, FUSION SPORT'S ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AT ROTATING YOU AROUND CORNERS, YOU CAN REALLY FEEL IT WORKING A LITTLE TOO MUCH; IT'S NOT A SEAMLESS PORSCHE-LIKE SYSTEM.

STILL, IT DOES CLOSE THE CAPABILITY GAP MORE THAN A LITTLE.

AND THE SPORT IS QUICK OFF THE LINE FOR SURE, GETTING US TO 60 IN 5.3 SECONDS.

THERE'S AN EXHILARATING AMOUNT OF LOW END TORQUE AT LAUNCH, AND IT JUST KEEPS GETTING POURED ON FROM THERE.

SHIFTS WERE JAGUAR-LIKE IN THEIR SPEED AND SMOOTHNESS, AND WE CLEARED THE QUARTER MILE IN 13.9 SECONDS AT 99 MILES PER HOUR.

POSSIBLY OUR BIGGEST COMPLAINT IS THE SOUND OF THE CAR.

THERE'S PLENTY OF IT IN THE CABIN, WHICH IS NOT A BAD THING; IT'S JUST A VERY OBVIOUSLY SYNTHESIZED SOUND BEING PUMPED INTO THE CABIN.

BRAKES, WITH AN ONLY-REASONABLE AVERAGE STOPPING DISTANCE OF 120 FEET, ARE ANOTHER REMINDER THAT THIS IS STILL A 2-TON FAMILY CAR AT HEART.

ONE FINAL UPDATE FOR '17 FUSIONS, UPGRADED SAFETY SYSTEMS INCLUDING AUTONOMOUS BRAKING.

THE SYSTEM PROVIDED PLENTY OF EARLY WARNINGS, BUT ACTUAL BRAKE APPLICATION WAS A LITTLE INCONSISTENT; SOMETIMES BRINGING US TO A FULL-STOP AGAINST OUR BARRIER, AND SOMETIMES NOT.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS COME IN AT 17-CITY, 26-HIGHWAY, AND 20-COMBINED; SO OUR AVERAGE OF 24.1 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR WAS QUITE GOOD.

WITH A FAIRLY AVERAGE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 16.5 BARRELS OF OIL USE, ALONG WITH 7.3 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS, ANNUALLY.

BASE PRICING, AT $34,350, IS ABOUT 10 GRAND OVER A BASE FUSION; BUT IT'S HARDLY WORTH COMPARING THE TWO AS THEY ARE REALLY TOTALLY DIFFERENT CARS.

WE'VE RECENTLY PRAISED A FAIR NUMBER OF NEW MID-SIZE FAMILY SEDANS FOR THEIR IMPROVED DRIVING COMPETENCY.

BUT THE 2017 FORD FUSION SPORT GOES THE FURTHEST YET, WITHOUT LEAVING AFFORDABILITY AND PRACTICALITY ON THE TABLE.

INDEED, THE FUSION SPORT RAISES THE PERFORMANCE BAR FOR MAINSTREAM 4-DOORS TO ALMOST EUROPEAN LUXURY SPORT LEVELS.

THAT'S HIGH PRAISE, AND WHY WE RECOMMEND ANYONE STILL CAR SHOPPING, TO GIVE IT A VERY CLOSE LOOK.

WELL THAT'S OUR SHOW, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.

NOW, FOR MORE MOTORWEEK ; INCLUDING DAILY NEWS UPDATES, PODCASTS, AND EVEN COMPLETE EPISODES, CRUISE ON OVER TO PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME, WHEN WE'LL SEE IF A SLIMMER JAGUAR IS READY TO TAKE ON THE REST OF THE PACK...

WHILE, A BIG BENZ HOPES TO CONTINUE SETTING THE SUV STANDARD... 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... Man: "IT'S GOT 430 FOOT UNITS OF BEAST!"

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

THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE... Man: "OOPS."

Announcer: TIRERACK.COM.

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

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