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

JOIN US, AS WE SEE IF THE LEADER OF THE BIG SUV PACK STILL CONQUERS THE COMPETITION... PAT GOSS TELLS US WHAT MAKES A CLASSIC CAR DEAL A REAL GEM... LAUREN MORRISON FILLS UP WITH FUEL THAT'S NOT YET GRABBING HEADLINES... AND WE'LL SIT BACK AND LET THIS MERCEDES TAKE THE WHEEL....

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT.

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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

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John Davis: SINCE IT FIRST ARRIVED FOR 1991, THE FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN A TOP SELLER AMONG LARGER SUV'S AND CROSSOVERS, WITH OVER 7 MILLION SALES TO DATE.

BUT, THE MARKET FOR THREE-ROW FAMILY UTILITIES IS BIGGER AND MORE CUT-THROAT THAN EVER.

SO, THE LATEST EXPLORER IS OUTFITTED WITH A LOT OF LITTLE CHANGES THAT FORD HOPES WILL BRING BIG RESULTS, WITH LESS EXPLORING AND MORE CONQUERING.

* 2016 MARKED THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY FOR THE FORD EXPLORER.

AND WHILE IT WAS FAR FROM THE FIRST SUV, IT WAS CLEARLY ONE OF THE FIRST THAT MADE A CASE FOR BEING A FAMILY VEHICLE MORE THAN JUST A RUTTED ROADS RUNABOUT.

TODAY'S EXPLORER BEARS LITTLE RESEMBLANCE TO THAT TRUCK-BASED ORIGINAL, NOW RIDING ON A THREE ROW CROSSOVER PLATFORM THAT DEBUTED FOR 2011.

STYLING UPDATES FOR '16 INCLUDED MORE THAN JUST THE USUAL FRONT FASCIA; AS HOOD, HEADLIGHTS, AND FENDERS WERE NEW AS WELL.

MOST EVERYTHING GOT FRESHENED IN BACK ALSO; LIFT GATE, BUMPER, AND TAILLIGHTS.

AND OF COURSE THERE'S SOME NEW WHEEL STYLES TO CHOOSE FROM.

2017 ADDS A SPORTS APPEARANCE PACKAGE WITH 20-INCH WHEELS AND MAGNETIC GREY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE XLT TRIM.

A STRAIGHTFORWARD 3.5-LITER NATURALLY-ASPIRATED V6 IS STILL THE BASE ENGINE.

MORE ENTERTAINING IS THIS TWIN-TURBO ECOBOOST 3.5-LITER V6 WITH 365-HORSEPOWER AND 350 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THE NEWEST OPTION, IS THE MUSTANG'S 280-HORSEPOWER 2.3-LITER I4 ECOBOOST THAT REPLACES THE 2.0-LITER.

IF YOUR BUDGET IS NOT RESTRICTED, BY ALL MEANS OPT FOR THE 3.5 ECOBOOST.

IT MAKES THE EXPLORER FEEL LIKE A TRUE PERFORMANCE-STYLE SUV.

THOUGH ALL ENGINES OFFER ADEQUATE POWER AS WELL AS ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE; AND COME EQUIPPED WITH A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

MAX TOWING IS A CLASS-NORM 5,000-LBS.

THE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SYSTEM FEATURES FORD'S TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH SETTINGS FOR NORMAL, SNOW, SAND, AND MUD.

IN OUR EXPERIENCE, YOU PICK YOUR ROAD CONDITIONS AND THE EXPLORER RESPONDS.

NOW, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO LIMIT TO HOW FAR MANUFACTURERS WILL GO TO ADD POSHNESS TO UTILITIES, NOR BUYERS' APPETITES FOR SAME.

SO, FORD BRINGS THE PLATINUM SERIES TO THE EXPLORER.

IT FEATURES REAL WOOD AND ALUMINUM TRIM, AS WELL AS PREMIUM SONY SOUND AND QUILTED LEATHER.

AND IT'S ALTOGETHER VERY NICE, ALMOST LAND ROVER SPEC.

INSIDE.

THE BRUSHED ALUMINUM ACCENTS ARE GORGEOUS, AND THE ANIMAL HIDES ARE NIRVANA LEATHER, BUT THINK MORE OF THE PLACE YOU WANT TO SPEND ETERNITY IN, NOT THE ALTERNATIVE ROCK BAND PLAYING RIGHT NOW ON LITHIUM.

7-PASSENGER SEATING IS STANDARD, WITH 2ND ROW CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS, AN OPTION.

BEING ONE OF THE LARGER 3-ROW CROSSOVERS MEANS THAT CARGO SPACE FAIRS WELL AT 21.0 CUBIC-FEET BEHIND THE 3RD ROW, 43.9 BEHIND THE 2ND ROW, AND MAXING OUT AT 81.7 CUBIC-FEET.

A HANDS FREE LIFT GATE IS AVAILABLE WITH XLT AND SPORT TRIM; STANDARD ON LIMITED AND PLATINUM.

PLATINUM TRIM ALSO INCLUDES ENHANCED ACTIVE PARK ASSIST; AND ON THE SAFETY FRONT, INFLATABLE 2ND ROW SAFETY BELTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON ALL MODELS.

AS BEFORE, THE EXPLORER WON'T YET APPLY THE BRAKES FOR YOU IF A COLLISION IS IMMINENT; BUT IT WILL GIVE PLENTY OF WARNING, AND PROVIDE FULL BRAKING PRESSURE ONCE YOU INITIATE THE STOP.

[TIRE SCREECH] TURBOCHARGING MAY NOT ME A TOTAL REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT, BUT OUR TWIN-TURBO V6 FELT PLENTY V8-STRONG AT OUR TEST TRACK.

THERE'S GOOD TORQUE DOWN LOW, AND GRIPPY ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE HOOKUP, FOR A 6.5-SECOND SPRINT TO 60.

THERE WAS PLENTY OF HIGH-END GRUNT AS WELL, ACCOMPANIED BY URGENT SHIFTING FROM THE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC; TAKING US TO THE END OF THE QUARTER-MILE IN 15.0 SECONDS FLAT, AT 94 MILES-PER-HOUR.

THROUGH THE CONES, THE EXPLORER STILL FEELS BIG AND HEAVY COMPARED TO ITS MANY MORE NIMBLE RIVALS.

BUT THERE ARE STILL PLENTY OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO WANT THEIR BRONCO-TYPE VEHICLE TO STILL FEEL LIKE A TRUCK.

IT'S CERTAINLY MANAGEABLE, THOUGH.

JUST KEEP THE SPEEDS DOWN AND YOUR INPUTS SMOOTH.

DESPITE THAT BIG-TRUCK FEEL, A 121-FOOT AVERAGE STOPPING DISTANCE FROM 60 IS QUITE GOOD FOR ANY FAMILY-SIZE UTILITY.

NOSE DIVE WAS MODERATE, WITH PEDAL TRAVEL ON THE LONG SIDE.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR THE ECOBOOST V6 WITH ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE ARE 16-CITY, 22-HIGHWAY, AND 18-COMBINED.

OUR AVERAGE WITH REGULAR GRADE WAS RIGHT ON, AT 18.1 MILES-PER-GALLON.

THAT MAKES FOR A POOR ENERGY IMPACT SCORE AT 18.3-BARRELS OF YEARLY OIL CONSUMPTION WITH 8.2-TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS.

THERE'S A WIDE VARIETY IN PRICING, AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, STARTING AT $32,105 FOR A BASE 2017 EXPLORER; ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE ADDS $2,150 MORE.

WHILE PLATINUM TRIM COMES WITH A TAG BEFITTING THE NAME, AT $54,180.

EVEN AFTER A QUARTER OF A CENTURY, FORD HAS MANAGED TO FIND WAYS TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE EXPLORER WITHOUT ANY TURNOFFS.

THE LUXURY INTENTIONS OF THE PLATINUM ARE OBVIOUS, WHILE THE REST OF THE LINEUP STILL PLAYS THE LARGE FAMILY VEHICLE PART PERFECTLY.

WE THINK THAT WILL KEEP EXPLORER'S MARKET-CONQUERING WAYS INTACT BEYOND THE HORIZON.

John: OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO CLEVELAND, OHIO WHERE ORGANIC WASTE MEANS RENEWABLE ENERGY.

ONCE A GM-FISCHER BODY PLANT, QUASAR ENERGY GROUP'S COLLINWOOD FACILITY USES TWO DIGESTER TANKS TO BREAK DOWN 75,000 WET TONS OF ORGANIC WASTE YEARLY.

RELEASED METHANE GAS IS USED TO PRODUCE ELECTRICITY FOR CLEVELAND PUBLIC POWER, AND ALSO TRANSFORMED INTO COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLE FUEL.

OVER 90% OF QUASAR'S 50 VEHICLE FLEET RUNS ON CNG.

Corey Allen: IT MIGHT JUST BE A FOOD SCRAP, BUT WHEN YOU TAKE THOSE FOOD SCRAPS AND YOU MULTIPLY THEM EXPONENTIALLY UM, YOU KIND OF SEE THE LIGHT BULB GO OFF.

PEOPLE, PEOPLE SEE IT AND THEY'RE PROUD OF IT.

AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF.

John: WORKING WITH THE NORTHEASTERN OHIO CLEAN CITIES COALITION QUASAR PARTNERS WITH EMERSON TO CAPTURE FOOD WASTE FROM SPORTS STADIUMS USING INSINKERATOR'S GRIND 2 ENERGY TECHNOLOGY.

GROUND ON SITE, IT THEN HEADS TO QUASAR'S DIGESTERS FOR A CLOSED LOOP SOLUTION.

AN OHIO SUSTAINABILITY ROCK STAR WORTHY OF ITS OWN HALL OF FAME.

* WE TALK A LOT ABOUT ALTERNATIVE FUELS HERE ON MOTORWEEK.

CNG, PROPANE, BIO-DIESEL, E85, AND OF COURSE PLUG-IN BATTERY-ELECTRIC.

BUT THE PROMISE OF A SUPER CLEAN DRIVING FUTURE POWERED BY HYDROGEN HAS ALWAYS BEEN DESCRIBED AS YEARS AWAY.

RIGHT NOW IN CALIFORNIA, HOWEVER, YOU CAN ACTUALLY BUY AND DRIVE YOUR OWN HYDROGEN POWERED FUEL-CELL CAR.

AND, WHAT'S THAT PERSONAL EXPERIENCE LIKE?

WELL WE SENT OUR FYI REPORTER LAUREN MORRISON TO FIND OUT.

Lauren Morrison: JUST THIS YEAR HONDA, HYUNDAI, AND TOYOTA ALL DEBUTED PRODUCTION READY HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLES, ALTHOUGH INITIALLY THEY WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE IN LIMITED AREAS.

THINGS UNDER THE HOOD OF A FUEL CELL VEHICLE LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU'D FIND UNDER THE HOOD OF A GAS OR DIESEL VEHICLE.

IN FACT, A FUEL CELL VEHICLE ACTUALLY IS AN EV, BUT IT MAKES ITS OWN ELECTRICITY FROM HYDROGEN.

THERE'S NO NEED TO PLUG IT IN TO RE-CHARGE.

TO SEE JUST WHAT ONE DRIVES LIKE, I JUMPED BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A TOYOTA MIRAI SEDAN.

MUCH LIKE A TRADITIONAL EV, THINGS ARE VERY QUIET, AND HAD ME ASKING, "IS THIS THING EVEN ON?"

BUT, WITH THE POPULARITY, AND PETROL HUNGRY REPUTATION OF SUVs, IT SEEMED ONLY NATURAL FOR ME TO CHECK OUT THIS NEW HYDROGEN HYUNDAI TUCSON AS WELL...AND AGAIN, THE DRIVE WAS VERY SIMILAR TO A BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLE, WITH THAT REALLY QUICK GET UP AND GO.

SO, WHY HYDROGEN OVER BATTERY ELECTRIC?

FOR ONE, THE TIME IT TAKES TO REFUEL.

Dr. Sunita Satyapal: SO, IT JUST TAKES A FEW MINUTES UM, TO FUEL, AND SO THERE IT'S MORE SIMILAR TO GASOLINE VEHICLES UM, AS OPPOSED TO CHARGING THE BATTERY.

Lauren: ANOTHER PLUS FOR HYDROGEN VEHICLES?

THEIR RANGE.

THE EPA ESTIMATE FOR THE TOYOTA MIRAI I DROVE IS 312 MILES.

THE HYUNDAI TUCSON BOASTS 265 MILES PER TANK, AND EACH ONE OF THOSE MILES IS POLLUTION FREE.

THE ONLY KIND OF EMISSIONS THAT COME OUT OF HYDROGEN ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE A LITTLE BIT OF HEAT AND H2O.

EVEN CONSIDERING THE ENERGY, IT TAKES TO PRODUCE, DELIVER, STORE, AND TRANSPORT HYDROGEN, OR WHAT THE FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE DEFINES AS WELL TO WHEEL EMISSIONS, HYDROGEN COMES OUT AHEAD.

Dr. Satyapal: IF YOU LOOK AT TODAY'S UH, GASOLINE VEHICLE, ON AVERAGE, UM, BASED ON ALL THE ASSUMPTIONS, WE HAVE ROUGHLY ALMOST ABOUT A POUND OF CARBON EMISSIONS PER MILE OF DRIVING.

IF YOU'RE PRODUCING HYDROGEN FROM NATURAL GAS, THERE'S ABOUT HALF OF THAT IN TERMS OF EMISSIONS, UH, TOTAL WELL TO WHEELS EMISSIONS.

Lauren: SO, WHY AREN'T WE ALL DRIVING HYDROGEN VEHICLES?

WELL, IT STARTS WITH THE HIGH COST OF THE FUELING STATIONS, THE FUEL CELL VEHICLES, AND THE HYDROGEN FUEL ITSELF.

BUT, THE WEST COAST, CALIFORNIA IN PARTICULAR, IS MAKING STRIDES.

Dr. Satyapal: AND CALIFORNIA, THE STATE HAS ACTUALLY SET ASIDE FUNDING SPECIFICALLY TO INSTALL HYDROGEN STATIONS.

Lauren: SIMILAR TO OTHER ALTERNATIVE FUELS, COLLABORATION SEEMS TO BE KEY IN MAKING HYDROGEN MORE MAINSTREAM.

TAKE THIS FUELING STATION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

IT'S A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

AND WITH THE STATION RIGHT IN THEIR BACKYARD, THE GREATER WASHINGTON REGION CLEAN CITIES COALITION IS MAKING MOVES TOO, TALKING WITH DC GOVERNMENT ABOUT PURCHASING HYDROGEN VEHICLES, NOW THAT A STATION IS LOGISTICALLY AVAILABLE.

Ronald Flowers: WASHINGTON, D.C. HAS OVER THE YEARS BEEN AN INNOVATOR AS IT RELATED TO ALTERNATIVE FUEL PROGRAMS, AND I SEE, AGAIN, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT, AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS MAKING SOME MAJOR EFFORTS TO BRING HYDROGEN TO THE CITY.

Lauren: OTHER THAN CALIFORNIA, THE THREE AUTOMAKERS HAVE YET TO ANNOUNCE WHICH MARKET AREAS THE FUEL CELL VEHICLES WILL BE OFFERED IN NEXT.

BUT AFTER MY DRIVES, THERE'S NO DENYING THE POTENTIAL AND PRACTICALITY OF HYDROGEN POWERED CARS.

SO, THIS TIME THE FUTURE OF THIS FUTURE FUEL LOOKS LIKE IT MAY BE MUCH SOONER THAN WE THOUGHT.

John: WE LOVE CLASSIC CARS... WHO DOESN'T?

WELL PAT GOSS HAS SOME GREAT ADVICE IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR ONE.

Pat Goss: SO, YOU THINK IT'S TIME TO BUY THAT COLLECTIBLE CAR THAT YOU'VE BEEN DREAMING ABOUT ALL THESE YEARS.

WELL, THAT'S A GOOD THING, BUT UNLESS YOU DO IT RIGHT YOU MIGHT NOT WIND UP WITH WHAT YOU THINK YOU'RE GETTING.

AND HERE TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS WE HAVE TONY FLEMING FROM FLEMING'S ULTIMATE GARAGE.

TONY WELCOME BACK TO GOSS' GARAGE.

Tony Fleming: THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME PAT.

Pat: ALRIGHT, NOW THIS IS A GORGEOUS CORVETTE, BUT WHAT MAKES IT A REALLY TOP NOTCH CAR AS OPPOSED TO JUST BEING A LUMP?

Tony: WELL, A LUMP IS WELL SAID.

ALRIGHT, SO UH, SO START WITH UH, HOW DOES A CAR LOOK?

UH, WHEN YOU WALK UP TO A CAR IS IT A GREAT LOOKING CAR?

AND A LOT OF TIME YOU'LL SAY, "WELL THAT'S A GREAT LOOKING CAR" BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHY IT'S A GREAT LOOKING CAR RIGHT?

TO MAKE THOSE CARS DESIRABLE THINGS LIKE WHERE WE PAINT THE WHEEL UH, THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE, AND THE WHEEL COVER GOES OVER TOP, AND YOU HAVE THE THIN LITTLE PIN STRIPE OF THE PAINT COLOR...

ADDING THE WIDE WHITE, SO THEY'RE PERIOD CORRECT, SO THEY STILL LOOK GREAT.

UH, THIS CAR IN PARTICULAR IS THE LAST YEAR THAT YOU COULD GET THE PAINTED COVE ON THE SIDE, I THINK IT LOOKS GREAT, I PERSONALLY LOVE THOSE.

AND THEN, YOU THROW IN THE HIGH PERFORMANCE ENGINE THAT YOU COULD GET, RIGHT?

THIS CAR HERE HAS UH, TWO 4-BARREL CARBURETORS ON IT.

IT'S THE ORIGINAL ENGINE THAT CAME IN THE CAR AND THE CAR'S OVER 50 YEARS OLD.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT THAT'S PRETTY COOL.

Pat: ALRIGHT, NOW ANOTHER THING THAT I'VE NOTICED OVER THE YEARS THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE IS THE AUTHENTICITY OF LITTLE THINGS LIKE UH, THE DECALS AND THE STENCILS AND EVEN DOWN TO HOSE CLAMPS.

Tony: VERY WELL SAID.

SO, THE PROVENANCE OF A CAR WHETHER YOU HAVE SOME PAPERWORK FROM BACK IN THE DAY OR YOU HAVE LIKE THE UH, THE HARRISON RADIATOR DECAL, THE OVERFLOW TANK DECAL, EVEN THE HORSEPOWER CALL-OUT DECALS ON SOME OTHER CARS IT MAKES IT LOOK NEAT WHEN YOU OPEN THE HOOD.

AND THAT'S THE WAY THE CAR WOULD HAVE COME FROM THE FACTORY.

THIS ONE EVEN HAS THE WONDERBAR RADIO IN IT, SO IT'S THE ORIGINAL FACTORY RADIO IT'S A 50-YEAR-OLD RADIO.

IT'S PRETTY COOL TO LOOK AT.

Pat: YEAH!

ALRIGHT, SO UNLESS YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK, YOU CAN WIND UP BUYING SOMETHING THAT REALLY ISN'T WORTH THE DOLLARS, THIS IS WORTH MORE THAN ONE THAT DOESN'T HAVE ALL OF THESE THINGS.

Tony: WELL, THAT'S A, THAT'S A VERY UH, IMPORTANT PART YOU SAY THERE.

SO THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS SAME CAR FOR, FOR LET'S SAY $60,000 VERSUS A CAR FOR $90,000.

LIKE WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

AND SO SOME PEOPLE JUST GO OUT, AND BUY A CAR BECAUSE THEY SEE IT'S RED, AND WHITE, AND THEY THINK IT SHOULD BRING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU GOTTA DO A LITTLE HOMEWORK OR BUY IT FROM SOMEBODY WHO, WHO CAN SHOW YOU THE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD GET THAT, AND SPEND THE EXTRA AND KEEP THAT MONEY.

Pat: OKAY, AN AUCTION MAY NOT BE THE BEST ANSWER.

Tony: WELL, THE AUCTION UH, THE AUCTION REALLY IS JUST PUTTING THE BUYER AND THE SELLER TOGETHER WITH NO WARRANTY WHATSOEVER.

Pat: OKAY, TONY THANK YOU.

Tony: ALRIGHT.

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

John: THERE'S NOTHING LIKE DRIVING A NEW CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME.

AND, WE HAVE SOME OF THE LATEST ON THIS WEEK'S QUICK SPIN.

John: IF THERE EVER WAS A CAR THAT EMBODIED THE CURRENT LEXUS SEDUCTION, TECHNOLOGY, AND PERFORMANCE DESIGN THEMES IT'S THE 2018 LEXUS LC 500 COUPE.

WE FIRST CAUGHT SIGHT OF THEIR LATEST VISION FOR AN S-CLASS TYPE 2+2 AT THE 2012 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW IN DETROIT WITH THE LF-LC CONCEPT, AND BOY DID IT WOW US.

PLUS, MUCH OF THE CONCEPT MADE IT TO THE PRODUCTION LC 500 INTACT.

INCLUDING THE DYNAMIC FRONT FASCIA WITH WHAT LEXUS CALLS A "RADICAL YET ELEGANT" DESIGN.

THE SPINDLE GRILLE MESH BECOMES MORE TIGHTLY WOVEN AS IT STRETCHES FROM THE GROUND OVER THE BUMPER AND UP TO THE HOOD.

ARROWHEAD SHAPED LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE INDEPENDENT OF THE SLIM TRIPLE LED HEADLIGHTS.

THE SPINDLE LINES GLIDE OVER THE HOOD...

ALONG THE DEEPLY SCULPTED FLANKS AND DOWN BETWEEN THE TAILLIGHTS COMPLETING THIS SPORTING IMAGE AT THE EXHAUST TIPS.

A LOW ROOF LINE SWEEPS DOWN BETWEEN THE HAUNCHES.

THE LC 500 IS THE FIRST TO RIDE ON A NEW GLOBAL ARCHITECTURE LUXURY PLATFORM.

WE EXPECT TO SEE IT ON MORE FRONT ENGINE/REAR DRIVE LEXUS MODELS IN THE FUTURE.

BUT THE LC 500 IS FAR MORE THAN JUST SHOW.

GO COMES AS ITS 5.0-LITER V8 ENGINE UNLEASHES 471 STAMPEDING HORSES...

SADDLED WITH A 10-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION... AND WE REINED THEM ALL IN DURING AN EXHILARATING DRIVE IN SPAIN... Dave Scrivener: THE LEXUS LC DOESN'T COMPROMISE IN LUXURY OR PERFORMANCE.

YOU GET GREAT DYNAMICS CHARACTER DRIVING ON THE TRACK OR THE STREET... LOW CENTER OF GRAVITY.

THEY'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK MAKING IT GREAT TO DRIVE.

STEERING IS PHENOMENAL.

John: INSIDE, THERE'S LOTS OF SOFT SUPPLE LEATHER.

CRITICAL DRIVING CONTROLS SURROUND THE STEERING WHEEL AND GAUGE CLUSTER WITH AN INFOTAINMENT SCREEN BLENDED INTO THE VERY HORIZONTAL IP.

STANDARD LEXUS SAFETY SYSTEM PLUS INCLUDES NUMEROUS AUTOMATED NANNIES INCLUDING EMERGENCY BRAKE ASSIST.

A HYBRID VERSION IS ALSO OFFERED WITH A 3.5-LITER V6 AND ELECTRIC MOTORS PRODUCING A TOTAL SYSTEM 354 HORSEPOWER.

IT DEBUTS A NEW MULTI STAGE HYBRID SYSTEM WHICH ADDS A 4-SPEED GEARED AUTOMATIC TO A HYBRID CVT DRIVETRAIN.

THE RESULT IS THE POWER FLEXIBILITY OF A 10-SPEED GEARBOX.

THE 2018 LEXUS LC 500 ARRIVES IN DEALERSHIPS IN MAY WITH PRICES STARTING JUST OVER 6-FIGURES.

John: FOR THE FIRST TIME SUBARU IS BUILDING THEIR COMPACT IMPREZA IN THE U.S, SIGHTING GROWING DEMAND THAT DROVE THEM TO ADD IT TO THEIR INDIANA PLANT'S PORTFOLIO.

THE TIMING IS PERFECT AS THE 2017 SUBARU IMPREZA IS ALL NEW.

WHILE STILL FAMILIAR LOOKING, IF A BIT MORE DARING, THE FOUR AND FIVE DOOR IMPREZAS ARE LONGER, WIDER, AND SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN THE PREVIOUS MODELS, FRONTED BY NARROWER HAWK-EYE HEADLIGHTS THAT CAN NOW BE STEERABLE.

THE TAILLIGHTS ALSO ARE TRIMMER AND NOW STRETCH FURTHER ACROSS THE REAR.

BUT IT'S WHAT YOU DON'T SEE THAT MAKES THE 5TH GEN. IMPREZA MORE IMPRESSIVE.

Patrick Lucas: THE BIG CHANGES START FROM THE GROUND UP.

THIS IS AN ALL NEW GLOBAL PLATFORM THAT'S GOING TO UNDERPIN A LOT OF SUBARU'S GOING FORWARD.

IT'S STIFFER AND STRONGER THAN THE OUTGOING IMPREZA AND IT REALLY SHOWS JUST WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING IT AROUND.

John: HORSEPOWER FROM THE 2.0-LITER 4-CYLINDER BOXER ENGINE IS UP SLIGHTLY... FROM 148 TO 152.

THE INTERIOR TAKES A BADLY NEEDED JUMP IN STYLE AND TECHNOLOGY WITH BETTER MATERIALS, LARGER SWITCHGEAR, AND A SIZABLE CENTER STACK INFOTAINMENT SCREEN.

APPLE CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTO ARE STANDARD.

SUBARU'S EYESIGHT DRIVER ASSISTANCE TECHNOLOGY IS AVAILABLE, AS IS REVERSE AUTOMATIC BRAKING.

THE 2017 SUBARU IMPREZA IS ON SALE NOW, WITH PRICES STARTING AROUND $18,000.

AND WE'LL HAVE MORE QUICK SPINS SOON.

John: THE GERMANS ARE HERE TO TAKE YOUR DRIVING AWAY!

NOW, I KNOW THAT SOUNDS A BIT ALARMIST.

BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THESE DAYS, ALL ANYBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT IS SELF-DRIVING CAR TECHNOLOGY.

NOW, I'M DRIVING AN ALL-NEW 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS EQUIPPED WITH DRIVE PILOT, ARGUABLY THE MOST ADVANCED AUTONOMOUS DRIVING SYSTEM YOU CAN BUY TODAY.

YET, EVEN MERCEDES DESCRIBES DRIVE PILOT AS MORE OF A DRIVING ASSISTANT THAN A TRUE CO-PILOT.

SO, LET'S DRIVE ON AND SEE HOW IT WORKS, AND IF IT MAKES THE E300 MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER MIDSIZE LUXURY CAR.

WHETHER AN E-CLASS BY NAME OR NOT, THERE'S BEEN A MIDSIZE SEDAN IN THE MERCEDES-BENZ LINEUP SINCE 1953.

SO THEY CONSIDER THIS 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300 THE START OF A 10TH GENERATION.

ERGO, IT'S A CRITICALLY IMPORTANT CAR FOR THE BRAND.

WHILE, THE S-CLASS ACTS AS THE SHOWCASE FOR WHAT THE BRAND IS CAPABLE OF, IT IS IN THE E-CLASS WHERE ASPIRATIONS COME DOWN TO REALITY AND A LARGE, DIVERSE OWNER GROUP THAT MUST BE KEPT SATISFIED.

PHYSICALLY LARGER AS YOU WOULD EXPECT, WHEELBASE IS UP OVER 2.0 INCHES, WITH OVERALL LENGTH UP JUST SHY OF 2; YET, IT REALLY DOESN'T LOOK BIGGER.

POWER COMES UP FROM THE C-CLASS, THE NOW UBIQUITOUS 2.0 LITER I4 TURBO.

COMPLAIN IF YOU WILL, BUT MOST BUYERS WILL LIKELY BE MORE THAN SATISFIED WITH ITS 241 HORSEPOWER, AND 273 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, WE WERE.

HELPING IT ALONG, IS AN ECO-MINDED 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC, AND IN OUR TESTER'S CASE, OPTIONAL 4MATIC ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

NOW, ON TO THE MERCEDES-BENZ DRIVE PILOT SYSTEM, WHICH GETS YOU AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN LEGALLY GET TO AUTONOMOUS DRIVING?

MAKING IT HAPPEN ARE A PLETHORA OF CAMERAS, AND RADAR SENSORS, AND SOME HEFTY COMPUTING POWER.

BUT, JUST HOW CLOSE IS THIS TECHNOLOGY TO MASS MARKET PRIME TIME?

AS ONE COLLEAGUE PUT IT, UH, "DRIVE PILOT IS FOR WHEN YOU HAVE TO DRIVE BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO."

LIKE LONG STRETCHES OF BORING INTERSTATE OR STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC.

IN THOSE SITUATIONS, IT WORKS PRETTY WELL.

IT EVEN USES THE FAMILIAR CRUISE CONTROL STALK TO ACTIVATE IT.

DRIVE PILOT TRIES TO KEEP YOU IN THE CENTER OF THE LANE, ALTHOUGH, WE HAVE NOTICED A LITTLE PING-PONGING EFFECT AT TIMES.

AND YOU CAN TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE WHEEL, ALTHOUGH, AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS OR SO YOU'LL GET FIRST A VISUAL WARNING, AND THEN A VISUAL, AND AUDIBLE WARNING.

AND IF YOU DON'T MIND IT, IT WILL BRING YOU TO A STOP.

DRIVE PILOT NAVIGATES GENTLE CURVES PRETTY WELL, AND IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE LANES, YOU PUT ON THE TURN SIGNAL FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS, AND IF IT'S CLEAR THE CAR WILL MOVE OVER TO THE LANE NEXT TO YOU.

BUT, THIS IS NOT A SET IT AND FORGET IT SYSTEM.

AND WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST WILL BRING THE VEHICLE TO A FULL STOP TO AVOID A COLLISION.

BUT LEST YOU WORRY, THIS E-CLASS IS STILL A CAR THAT YOU'LL WANT TO DRIVE YOURSELF!

THROUGH THE CONES, THE E300 BOASTS EXCELLENT AGILITY, BUT ALSO A VERY HEFTY FEEL.

STEERING WAS A TAD LIGHT, YET IT WAS STILL VERY PRECISE.

POWER FROM THE 2.0 LITER IS VERY RESPECTABLE OFF THE LINE.

WE HIT 60 IN A NEAT 6.6 SECONDS, WITH THE QUARTER MILE PASSING MORE LEISURELY IN 15.1 SECONDS AT 92 MILES PER HOUR.

THE 9-SPEED AUTO DOES A GOOD JOB OF KEEPING THE BOOSTED 4-BANGER IN ITS SWEET SPOT; SHIFTS WERE FIRM, BUT NOT ESPECIALLY FAST.

ON REAL ROADS, THERE'S A PEACEFUL HIGHWAY NATURE THAT'S TO BE EXPECTED; AND WHEN DRIVEN AT A RELAXED PACE, THE POWERTRAIN IS INOFFENSIVE IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY.

THE INTERIOR IS CLEAN, MATERIALS EXQUISITE, AND UPGRADES INCLUDE A WIDE FULLY INTEGRATED DASH WITH NEAR-PANORAMIC GAUGE, AND CONTROL SCREENS THAT LOOK AS ATTRACTIVE AS THEY ARE FUNCTIONAL.

BASE PRICING IS SIMPLE, STARTING AT $53,075, JUST CHOOSE LUXURY OR SPORT TRIM, AND IF YOU WANT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

ADVANCED SAFETY AND SELF-DRIVING SYSTEMS ADD ANOTHER 10 GRAND.

WHILE, MOST PEOPLE NOWADAYS WOULD RATHER THROW THEIR LUXURY MONEY DOWN ON AN SUV, MERCEDES-BENZ THINKS THE 2017 E300 IS WORTHY OF SUCH LAVISH LOOT, AS THEY CLAIM IT'S NOT ONLY ONE OF THE GREATEST CARS EVER, BUT "ONE OF THE MOST INTELLIGENT MACHINES EVER MADE."

THAT'S ESPECIALLY TRUE IF YOU OPT FOR DRIVE PILOT, BUT USE IT MORE AS A SAFETY NET THAN A SURROGATE.

BUT, WE'LL JUST CALL IT ONE OF THE FINEST LUXURY SEDANS MONEY CAN BUY, AND ONE YOU WILL STILL LOVE TO DRIVE YOURSELF.

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

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

AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME... John: WHEN WE SEE ALL THAT'S SHINY AND NEW AT THE BIG AUTO SHOW IN THE MOTOR CITY... AND JAGUAR LAUNCHES A FAST NEW CHOICE FOR PREMIUM UTILITY BUYERS.

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... [DULL SCREECHING] Announcer: TIRERACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.

THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE FOR EVERY SEASON.

Announcer: 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.

*