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

JOIN US FOR MID-SIZE SEDAN MADNESS, TO SEE WHICH 4-DOOR COMES OUT ON TOP... PAT GOSS WARNS US NOT TO BRAKE IT... FYI'S LAUREN MORRISON TRACKS DOWN SOME OLD CAR PURE GOLD... AND WE'LL SPIT SOME VENOM ON OUR FAVORITE ROAD COURSE WITH THE DODGE VIPER ACR...

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.

"YO DANNY, MY MAN!"

THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND HAVE THEM SHIPPED TO A LOCAL INSTALLER.

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: IF YOU'RE A REGULAR VIEWER, YOU KNOW THAT FROM TIME TO TIME WE GET TOGETHER WITH OUR FRIENDS AT CARS.COM, FOR COMPARISON TESTS OF VARIOUS AUTOMOTIVE SEGMENTS.

AND THIS WEEK WE'RE AT IT AGAIN WITH SOME VERY FAMILIAR 4-DOORS.

FAMILY SEDANS...

THE CURRENTLY OVERSHADOWED WARRIORS OF AMERICAN SUBURBIA.

WHILE IT'S TRUE, THERE MAY BE AN SUV PARKED IN JUST ABOUT EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD DRIVEWAY, CHANCES ARE GOOD THAT IT'S PARKED NEXT TO A MID-SIZE SEDAN, A SEGMENT THAT SAW ALMOST 2.5 MILLION SALES LAST YEAR.

WE HAD TO NARROW THE FIELD SOMEWHAT AS THERE ARE SO MANY OF THEM AVAILABLE.

SO, WE DECIDED TO PIT OUR TOP-3 FINISHERS FROM OUR LAST MIDSIZE SEDAN ROUNDUP AGAINST CARS THAT WERE REVISED FOR 2016.

THAT TOP-3 FROM THE LAST COMPARISON INCLUDES, OUR WINNER, THE HYUNDAI SONATA...

FOLLOWED BY THE SUBARU LEGACY, AND THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT...

THE 5-REDESIGNED COMPETITORS TAKING THEM ON, ARE THE BETTER THAN EVER CHEVROLET MALIBU...

LONGTIME SEGMENT STALWART HONDA ACCORD...

THE EURO-INSPIRED KIA OPTIMA...

THE FUN AND SPORTY MAZDA6... AND THE STYLISH NISSAN ALTIMA... THAT'S EIGHT TOTAL... AND WE COULDN'T LEAVE OUT THE SEGMENT'S SALES LEADER, THE TOYOTA CAMRY, BRINGING OUR FINAL TALLY TO NINE VEHICLES... ALL 2016s, ALL SPORT AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AS REQUIRED.

AS ARE A COMBINED GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATING OF 28, AND PRICING UNDER $28,000.

ALL 4-DOORS ARE 4-CYLINDER POWERED, SOME WITH TURBO'S, AND ALL ARE FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE EXCEPT FOR THE SUBARU LEGACY WHICH OF COURSE HAS STANDARD ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA IS OUR OPERATIONS BASE, AND AS USUAL, WE ARE JOINED BY A LOCAL COUPLE LOOKING TO ADD SOME 4-DOOR FUNCTIONALITY TO THEIR DAILY ROUTINE.

ONCE SCORES WERE TALLIED, AND EVERY HANGING CHAD VERIFIED, A WINNER WAS DECLARED.

NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR FULL DETAILS HERE, SO HEAD TO CARS.COM FOR THE COMPLETE SCORING RUN-DOWN.

FOR NOW, WE'LL JUST RUN THROUGH OUR TOP-4 FINISHERS.

AT THIS PRICE POINT, YOU CERTAINLY CAN'T HAVE IT ALL, BUT OUR 4TH PLACE FINISHER HYUNDAI SONATA CLEARLY GIVES YOU PLENTY FOR THE MONEY, PACKING THE LOWEST PRICE TAG HERE AT $25,310.

FOR THAT YOU GET A VERY LUXURIOUS AND COMFORTABLE INTERIOR, AS WELL AS 185 HORSEPOWER AND 29-COMBINED MILES PER GALLON FROM A NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4 LITER ENGINE, BUT NOT QUITE AS MANY FEATURES AS SOME OF OUR OTHER COMPETITORS.

Jennifer Geiger: THE SONATA IS THE VALUE LEADER OF THE PACK, BUT IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THE BUDGET PICK; IT HAS PLENTY OF CREATURE COMFORTS, A REALLY NICE INTERIOR, AND A GREAT RIDE AND HANDLING BALANCE.

Aaron Bragman: I REALLY LIKE THE COMFORT OF THE HYUNDAI SONATA; IT'S VERY COMFORTABLE INSIDE, THERE'S PLENTY OF SPACE, THERE'S GOOD VISIBILITY, ALL THE CONTROLS LOOK AND FEEL VERY GOOD; OVERALL, IT'S A VERY COMFORTABLE PACKAGE.

John: SAFETY'S A BIG SELLER THESE DAYS OF COURSE, SO OUR 3RD PLACE FINISHING CHEVROLET MALIBU WAS WELL EQUIPPED FOR BATTLE HERE, WITH FEATURES SEEN MOSTLY ON HIGHER END MACHINERY, LIKE LANE KEEP ASSIST AND AUTONOMOUS BRAKING WITH PEDESTRIAN DETECTION.

DRIVING DYNAMICS WERE ALSO GOOD, THOUGH ITS 1.5 LITER TURBO ENGINE WAS THE SMALLEST HERE; RATED AT 163 HORSEPOWER AND 31-COMBINED MPG.

AND ITS PRICE TAG WAS HIGHEST, JUST MAKING THE CUT AT $27,985.

Brian Robinson: WHETHER IT WINS IN THIS COMPETITION OR NOT, THE MALIBU COULD CERTAINLY WIN THE AWARD FOR MOST IMPROVED; FOR THE '16 REDESIGN IT WENT FROM RENTAL CAR REJECT TO ONE OF THE MOST STYLISH, BEST PERFORMING CARS IN THIS CLASS.

Jennifer: CHEVY DID A GREAT JOB WITH THE MALIBU'S REDESIGN; ITS POLISHED GOOD LOOKS ARE MATCHED BY REALLY REFINED ROAD MANNERS; I'M NOT CRAZY ABOUT THE INTERIOR CABIN DESIGN WITH THE UPHOLSTERY ON THE DASH, NOT REALLY LOVING THAT, BUT THE MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM IS SEAMLESS AND THE SAFETY FEATURES ARE REALLY IMPRESSIVE.

John: THE 2ND PLACE KIA OPTIMA IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE LIKE A GERMAN SPORT SEDAN WITH EVERY UPDATE.

HERE IN THIS TEST, IT WAS POWERFUL, QUIET, HANDSOME INSIDE, AND OUT, AND VERY WELL EQUIPPED FOR A MID-PACK PRICE OF $27,415.

ITS 1.6 LITER TURBO IS SMALL BUT MIGHTY, AT 178 HORSEPOWER, AND RATES 32-COMBINED.

Ryan Small: THE KIA OPTIMA, THE INTERIOR HAD A VERY CLEAN NICE LOOK TO IT.

WE LIKE THE SPACE THAT IT HAD IN THERE.

AND THE WHEN I TOOK IT ON THE ROAD, AND DROVE AROUND, IT SEEM TO BE VERY RESPONSIVE WITH ACCELERATION, IT HANDLES WELL, AND IT WAS A SMOOTH MORE QUIET RIDE...

IT HAS A SPORTY SIDE TO IT, BUT ALSO A SORT OF LUXURY AND COMFORTABLE SIDE TO IT.

Fred Meier: THE KIA OPTIMA'S 1.6 LITER TURBO AND DUAL CLUTCH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS ONE OF THE BEST POWERTRAINS IN THIS GROUP; IT WAS ENJOYABLE TO DRIVE, IT OFFERS IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE WITH REALLY IMPRESSIVE EFFICIENCY AS WELL.

John: THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT'S 3RD PLACE FINISH LAST TIME OUT WAS A BIT OF A SURPRISE AS IT'S NOT USUALLY AT THE TOP OF MOST BUYER'S WISH LIST.

AND IT HAS GOTTEN UPDATED SINCE THEN, AND THOSE UPDATES WERE ENOUGH TO TAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP THIS TIME AROUND.

BUT REALLY, WHAT MADE IT A HIT THEN, MAKES IS AN EVEN BIGGER ONE NOW, GREAT HANDLING, TONS OF SPACE, HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS, AND A TERRIFIC PRICE, AT $27,100.

IN THE TURBO GAME FOR MUCH LONGER THAN THE COMPETITION, ITS 1.8 LITER FEELS GREAT DESPITE RATING JUST 170 HORSEPOWER, GETTING 29-COMBINED.

Aaron: I HAVE TO SAY, I THINK THE PASSAT IS PROBABLY THE BEST SEDAN HERE; IT'S GO A MIXTURE OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU WANT IN A FAMILY SEDAN; IT'S ROOMY, IT'S SPACIOUS, IT HAS PLENTY OF POWER... AND IT'S A REALLY GOOD VALUE TO BOOT.

Brian: THE LAST TIME WE DID THIS MIDSIZE COMPARISON, THE PASSAT REALLY SURPRISED WITH ITS AMOUNT OF SPACE INSIDE, SPORTY DRIVING EXPERIENCE, AND MATERIAL QUALITY, AND THAT REALLY CARRIES OVER TO THIS ONE AS WELL; VERY IMPRESSIVE OVERALL.

John: SO, REGARDLESS OF TRENDY BUYING HABITS, MIDSIZE SEDANS STILL PLAY A HUGE PART OF THE AMERICAN FAMILY MOTORING EXPERIENCE, AND THERE'S REALLY NOT AN UNWORTHY CAR IN THIS LOT.

BUT IN THIS COMPETITION, THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT'S SPACIOUS MIX OF COMFORT, LUXURY, AND SPORTY PERFORMANCE WAS CLEARLY A STEP ABOVE; MAKING 4-DOOR FAMILY DRIVE TIME ABOUT AS ENJOYABLE AS IT GETS.

IF YOU OWN AN OLDER OR CLASSIC CAR, YOU KNOW THAT AS TIME GOES BY, GOOD QUALITY, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT PARTS BECOME HARDER, AND HARDER TO COME BY.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO BODY AND TRIM PARTS, NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE.

THAT QUEST IS WHAT LEAD OUR FYI REPORTER LAUREN MORRISON TO PHOENIX, ARIZONA WHERE SHE HIT THE JACKPOT IN JUNKYARDS.

Lauren: IF YOU'VE SEEN MOTORWEEK BEFORE, YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN THE RESTORED CADILLAC THAT WE'VE FEATURED ON THE SHOW A COUPLE OF TIMES.

WELL, WHEN THE BOYS BACK AT THE SHOP FOUND OUT I WAS COMING HERE TO DESERT VALLEY AUTO PARTS, THEY GAVE ME A MISSION.

THEY WANT ME TO FIND A DARK RED INTERIOR DRIVER'S SIDE PULL HANDLE, FOR THAT CADILLAC.

LET'S SEE IF I CAN DO IT.

Jason McClure: WE STARTED OUT AS A LITTLE QUARTER ACRE LOT.

WE'VE GROWN, WE'VE MOVED ABOUT SIX TIMES SINCE THEN IN A SPAN OF YEARS, AND BASICALLY NOW, WE'RE SITTING ON TWO 30 ACRE LOTS AND WE'RE FULL.

Lauren: AND WHEN JASON MCCLURE, OWNER OF DESERT VALLEY AUTO PARTS SAYS FULL, HE MEANS IT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 10,000 VEHICLES TO LOOK THROUGH!

Jason: I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT, "I'VE GOT THE BIGGEST ANTIQUE JUNKYARD IN THE WORLD."

Lauren: BUT DON'T EXPECT TO FIND A PART FOR YOUR HONDA CIVIC AT THE PHOENIX, ARIZONA JUNKYARD.

Jason: WE DEAL MAINLY WITH 1975 AND BACK, ONLY AMERICAN VEHICLES.

WE DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.

WE DON'T SPECIALIZE IN MUSTANG OR CAMAROS.

WE DO EVERYTHING AMERICAN ACROSS THE BOARD.

EVEN, WE CALL THEM THE ORPHANS, THE AMC'S AND WHAT NOT.

Lauren: FROM WIRES, TO WHEELS, OR EVEN A WINDSHIELD, OR SEAT, IF YOU NEED IT, THIS PLACE MOST LIKELY HAS IT.

BUT BACK TO WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR, THAT PULL HANDLE!

JASON PROMISES THERE IS A METHOD TO THE MADNESS.

Jason: IT LOOKS A LITTLE CHAOTIC, BUT ACTUALLY, IT IS VERY ORGANIZED.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A CHEVY IMPALA, THEY'RE ONLY GOING TO BE IN ONE SECTION, SAME THING WITH A FIREBIRD OR ANYTHING ELSE.

Lauren: AND IT'S IN A SECTION OF PICKUP TRUCKS THAT I SPOT CLIFF LUCENTE ON A MISSION OF HIS OWN.

Cliff Lucente: I'M LOOKING FOR A SEAT ACTUATOR CLIP FROM A 1970 CHEVY PICKUP TRUCK.

Lauren: TALK ABOUT A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK.

Cliff: THIS WILL MAKE THE SEAT OPERATIONAL.

I CAN PUT THE TRUCK ON THE ROAD.

Lauren: DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO FIND IT OUT HERE?

Cliff: I DON'T KNOW BECAUSE IT'S PART OF THE SEAT TRACK AND I'M HOPING TO SAVE SOME MONEY.

IF I BUY IT NEW, IT'S $150.

IF I COME HERE, MAYBE I CAN SAVE A FEW BUCKS.

Lauren: SO, I PUT MY HUNT ON HOLD TO LEND A HAND, TO CLIFF, TO SEE IF WE CAN ACTUALLY FIND THIS ACTUATOR CLIP.

Cliff: WE'RE JUST GOING TO POKE THROUGH AND SEE IF WE CAN'T FIND SOMETHING.

Lauren: AND IT WASN'T 30 MINUTES LATER... THAT CLIFF SPOTTED SOMETHING PROMISING.

Cliff: "OOP, I THINK, I'VE GOT IT!"

THERE WE GO!

Lauren: WITH A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK... Cliff: YOU'VE GOT THEM BOTH CROSSED.

Lauren: I'VE GOT THEM BOTH CROSSED!

Cliff: I THINK THAT MEANS WE'RE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

I THINK WE HAVE A WINNER!

Lauren: I THINK SO TOO!

CLIFF MADE A MATCH!

HOPING THAT CLIFF'S LUCK RUBBED OFF ON ME, I PICKED UP MY SEARCH AND HEADED TO THE CORRAL OF CADILLACS.

FACED WITH ROWS AND ROWS OF CADDIES, I BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND THE DESERT VALLEY AUTO PARTS TAG LINE.

Jason: OUR TAGLINE IN OUR AD IS PACK A LUNCH AND BRING PLENTY OF TIME BECAUSE WE REALLY WANT YOU TO SPEND AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE HERE.

Lauren: WHILE, THERE WERE SOME GLIMMERS OF HOPE... OH BOY!

IS THIS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR?

AND SOME PRETTY COOL FINDS...

I THINK, I MAY HAVE FOUND THE GRISWOLD FAMILY STATION WAGON...

IN THE END THOUGH, I HAD TO PULL THE PLUG AND CALL IT QUITS.

WELL, THE DAY IS WINDING DOWN AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE DIDN'T FIND THAT INSIDE DOOR PULL FOR OUR CADILLAC, HOPEFULLY THE BOYS BACK AT THE SHOP AREN'T TOO MAD ABOUT THAT, BUT THIS IS A HUGE YARD, AND TOMORROW IS ALWAYS ANOTHER DAY!

John: PAT GOSS HAS SOME BRAKING NEWS FOR US, SO LET'S HEAD ON DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE.

Pat Goss: IF YOU OWN AN OLDER CAR OR TRUCK, YOU MIGHT HAVE A DANGEROUS SITUATION LURKING UNDERNEATH IT.

AND THAT'S IN THE FORM OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINES THAT TRANSMIT THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TO THE WHEELS.

SEE ON OLDER VEHICLES, THESE BRAKE LINES WERE MADE OF JUST MILD STEEL, WITHOUT ANY KIND OF COATING ON IT.

SO THEY EASILY RUSTED.

NEWER STUFF HAS A COATING...

SORT OF THIS BLACK PLASTIC COATING, THAT HELPS PREVENT IT.

IT DOESN'T ALWAYS DO AWAY WITH IT, BUT IT HELPS PREVENT IT.

NOW, THE THING THAT YOU HAVE TO DO IS, A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR, IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THESE OLDER VEHICLES, YOU SHOULD GET UP UNDER THE VEHICLE AND EXAMINE THE BRAKE LINES FROM FRONT, TO REAR.

NOW, YOU'LL PROBABLY NEED A MIRROR TO DO THAT, BECAUSE LOTS OF TIMES THEY'RE GOING TO BE UP UNDER A FRAME RAIL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHERE YOU CAN'T SEE THEM ANYWAY BUT WITH A MIRROR.

AND DON'T THINK THAT BECAUSE PART OF THE BRAKE LINE IS GOOD, THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINE IS GOOD, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

ALRIGHT NOW, IF YOU FIND THAT YOUR BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED, WHAT DO YOU DO?

WELL, HERE'S THE BEST SOLUTION THAT WE'VE FOUND: THIS IS STAINLESS STEEL REPLACEMENT BRAKE LINES.

NOW, THESE ARE ALL PRE-FORMED, YOU GET ALL THE LITTLE PIECES AND SO ON, THAT WOULD TAKE YOU DAYS TO MANUFACTURE IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT YOURSELF.

NOW, STAINLESS STEEL.

THIS PARTICULAR KIT CAME FROM DOORMEN PRODUCTS, AND LIKE ALL OF THESE STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES, THEY HAVE MILD STEEL FLAIR NUTS ON THE ENDS.

AND ONCE YOU PUT THESE IN, WELL THESE MILD STEEL FLAIR NUTS CAN STILL RUST, SO YOU NEED AN ANTI-RUST AGENT, SUCH AS WHAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE CAN.

YOU SPRAY EACH AND EVERY ONE WITH IT, JUST LIBERALLY COAT IT WITH IT, SO THAT IT CAN'T RUST.

ALRIGHT NOW, ANOTHER THING: TO SHIP THESE THINGS, SOME OF THEM ARE WAY TOO LONG.

SO, WHAT THEY DO IS THEY BEND THEM, THEY PUT THIS REAL GENTLE BEND IN HERE, BUT THAT MEANS YOU HAVE TO STRAIGHTEN THEM OUT.

SO DON'T JUST GRAB A HOLD OF IT, BECAUSE IF YOU DO THAT, WELL YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO KINK THE LINE DOWN HERE BELOW THE BEND.

SO, YOU DO IT VERY, VERY GENTLY, WORK YOUR WAY AROUND IT, TILL YOU GET IT STRAIGHT.

SO BY DOING THAT, WELL YOU CAN HAVE A BRAKE LINE SYSTEM THAT WILL PROBABLY LAST LONGER THAN THE CAR WILL.

THE OTHER THING IS, IF YOU HAVE THE OLDER STYLE BRAKE LINES AND THEY AREN'T RUSTED, THAT SAME ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL SHOULD BE APPLIED TO THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF EVERY BRAKE LINE ON THE CAR, AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR.

AND THAT'LL KEEP THE RUST FROM FORMING.

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

John: SADLY, TIME WITH OUR 2015 NISSAN MURANO HAS COME TO A CLOSE, BUT IT CERTAINLY HASN'T BEEN SITTING STILL SINCE OUR LAST REPORT; RACKING UP ANOTHER 2,700 MILES, BRINGING OUR FINAL TOTAL TO 25,623.

OVER THE PAST YEAR, THIS CLASSY CROSSOVER HAS DELIVERED US BOTH HIGH STYLE AND GREAT COMFORT; WRAPPED IN UNIQUE, ATTENTION-GRABBING BODYWORK.

ITS 3.5 LITER V6 AND ACCOMPANYING CVT, CONTINUED TO DELIVER DECENT FUEL ECONOMY; WITH THE FINAL TOTAL AT 23.6 MILES PER GALLON.

AND DESPITE SOME NEW DRIVERS BEHIND THE WHEEL LATELY; THE COMMENTS REMAINED THE SAME.

VERY COMFORTABLE RIDE WITH GOOD PERFORMANCE; LOVE THE INTERIOR TRIM AND AUDIO INTERFACE.

IT'S BEEN SMOOTH SAILING IN OUR MURANO IN EVERY RESPECT, AS WE HAD NO MECHANICAL HICCUPS, AND NO MAJOR GRIPES.

WELL, THERE WAS ONE LOCKING THE KEYS INSIDE INCIDENT, BUT BEST TO LEAVE THAT ONE ALONE.

IT'S SAFE TO SAY, WE'LL MISS THIS CLASSY CROSSOVER!

TIME IS ALSO QUICKLY WINDING DOWN WITH OUR 2016 KIA SORENTO, THOUGH WE DO HAVE A FEW MORE WEEKS LEFT TO ENJOY KIA'S BIGGEST CROSSOVER.

WE'RE QUICKLY APPROACHING 30,000 MILES, AND THIS FAMILY TRUCKSTER JUST KEEPS TRUCKING ON.

FUEL ECONOMY FROM THE 240 HORSEPOWER, 2.0 LITER I4 TURBO WITH 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS ON A SLIGHT UPSWING TO 23.3 MILES PER GALLON, AND THINGS HAVE BEEN PROBLEM FREE SINCE OUR LAST REPORT.

SEAT COMFORT CONTINUES TO BE A DEBATE, AS THE LATEST ROAD TRIP REPORT PRAISED THE SORENTO'S GREAT SEATS THAT OTHER STAFFERS ON PREVIOUS TRIPS HAVE DISHED.

OTHER COMMENTS TOOK NOTE OF AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF ROLL IN CORNERS, AND ONE DRIVER NOTICED A FEW CATCHES IN THE STEERING WHEEL ON SLIGHT TURNS AT SLOW SPEEDS.

WE THINK THE CORNERING ATTITUDE JUST INDICATES THINGS ARE NOW WELL BROKEN IN, AND THE STEERING WHEEL ISSUE WENT AWAY BEFORE WE HAD TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHERE IT CAME FROM.

MORE CROSSOVERS NEXT GO-AROUND, WITH THE HONDA PILOT AND MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT ON OUR NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!

TIME FOR A MOTORNEWS UPDATE WITH YOLANDA VAZQUEZ!

Yolanda Vazquez: ICONIC STYLING, STRAIGHT-LINE SPEED AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE ENGINES ARE ALL TRADEMARKS OF AMERICAN MUSCLE CARS.

AND WHILE, THEY MAY LOOK COOL OUT ON THE OPEN ROAD, NEW CRASH TEST RESULTS HAD A TRIO OF TOP-SELLING BRANDS, ALL MISS THE MARK WHEN IT COMES TO PASSENGER SAFETY.

THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY DOESN'T NORMALLY TEST LOW VOLUME SPORTS CARS OR LUXURY VEHICLES.

BUT KNOWING THAT SAFETY IS A LARGE PART OF ANY VEHICLE...

THEY DECIDED TO RUN A BATTERY OF TESTS ON THE 2016 FORD MUSTANG, CHEVROLET CAMARO, AND DODGE CHALLENGER.

THEY CHOSE THE OPTIONAL V8 ENGINES MAINLY BECAUSE OF THEIR WIDESPREAD POPULARITY.

FINAL RESULTS SHOWED THAT NONE OF THE VEHICLES EARNED A TOP SAFETY PICK PLUS, OR EVEN A TOP SAFETY PICK RATING.

THE MUSTANG WAS DEEMED THE SAFEST OVERALL, BUT LACKED ENOUGH STRUCTURAL SUPPORT TO DO WELL IN THE CRITICAL, SMALL, OVERLAP FRONT TEST.

THE CAMARO DID SCORE A GOOD RATING IN THAT TEST, BUT HAD NO FORWARD COLLISION SYSTEMS OR ALERTS LIKE THE MUSTANG, AND ONLY EARNED AN ACCEPTABLE RATING IN ROOF STRENGTH.

THE CHALLENGER WAS RATED THE WORST, WITH SIGNIFICANT SMALL OVERLAP CRASH DAMAGE, AND A MIX OF GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE RATINGS ELSEWHERE.

THE IIHS SMALL OVERLAP FRONT TEST HAS BEEN NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT FOR ANY VEHICLE TO PASS, LET ALONE A MUSCLE CAR.

YET, BECAUSE OF A LARGE NUMBER OF FATALITIES, THIS CRASH TEST DESERVES A LOT OF ATTENTION.

THE INSTITUTE HOPES THAT THESE RESULTS WILL SPUR A MOVE TOWARDS BETTER PASSENGER SAFETY FOR MUSCLE CARS, SO THERE WON'T BE ANY WEAKLINGS ROARING DOWN THE ROADWAYS.

AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

John: THE CURRENT GENERATION DODGE VIPER MAY WELL BE THE FRIENDLIEST VIPER TO DATE.

BUT LIKE MOST FRIENDS, THERE'S ALSO HAS A DARK SIDE.

IT'S CALLED "THE VIPER ACR."

AND THAT STANDS FOR AMERICAN CLUB RACER, AND IT IS JUST WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE!

A CAR YOU BUY FROM FCA THAT'S READY TO GO CLUB RACING.

SO, LET'S DO A LITTLE RACING AROUND ON OUR OWN.

* OKAY, SO WE'RE NOT REALLY RACING COMPETITIVELY HERE.

BUT HOT LAPS IN THIS 2016 DODGE VIPER ACR STILL GOT OUR BLOOD PUMPING AND ADRENALINE FLOWING JUST AS MUCH AS FIGHTING FOR ANY CHECKERED FLAG.

GETTING RIGHT TO IT, AFTER UNCOILING THIS SNAKE AND EASING UP TO SPEED ON THE TRACK; IT DOESN'T FEEL ANY GNARLIER.

AND IT TAKES SOME DOING TO FIND ITS LIMITS, AT WHICH POINT YOU'D BETTER BE WITHIN YOURS.

THERE ARE STILL 5-LEVELS OF STABILITY CONTROL, IF YOU NEED THEM, AND AS BEFORE IN FULL-OFF MODE YOU'RE STILL ON YOUR OWN; ALL OTHER MODES HAVE BEEN RECALIBRATED TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL GRIP THIS CAR DELIVERS.

AND THE GRIP IS IMMENSE, MOSTLY THANKS TO THE MASSIVE DOWN FORCE BEING CREATED BY THE AERO PACKAGE.

FCA CLAIMS IT'S NEARLY ONE TONS WORTH.

NOW, ROEBLING ROAD IS A TWO MILE HIGH SPEED TRACK, WITH ONLY ONE SLOW SECTION FOR TAXING QUICK TRANSITIONS.

SO OF COURSE, THAT ADDITIONAL DOWNFORCE WAS MORE NOTICEABLE ON THE HIGH SPEED PARTS, WITH ALL OF THE AERO TREATMENTS SEEMINGLY PLANTING THE CAR INTO THE ASPHALT MORE AND MORE THE FASTER YOU GO.

THE HUGE FRONT SPLITTER AND THE REAR DIFFUSER ARE MUCH MORE THAN STYLING STATEMENTS, AND THEY'RE ALSO EASILY REPLACED IF YOU GRIND THEM DOWN PAST THEIR EFFECTIVENESS.

REMOVAL ALSO AIDS IN LOADING THE CAR ONTO A TRAILER, AND LET'S FACE IT; IT WOULD LOOK PRETTY DARN COOL TO SHOW UP FOR TRACK DAY AND ATTACH YOUR FRONT SPLITTER, WHILE EVERYONE ELSE IS CHECKING THE AIR IN THEIR TIRES.

THOUGH YOUR CAR PROBABLY WON'T COME WITH A FULL SRT CREW LIKE OURS DID.

THERE ARE ALSO WINGLETS ON THE FRONT CORNERS AND STRATEGICALLY PLACED VENTING IN THE FENDERS FOR LETTING LIFTING AIR OUT.

NEW CARBON CERAMIC MATRIX BRAKES PROVED BEYOND CAPABLE OF SLOWING THIS THING DOWN QUICKLY AT THE END OF THE VERY LONG STRAIGHT.

STANDING STARTS ON THAT SAME STRAIGHT GOT US TO 60 IN 3.6 SECONDS.

THERE'S STILL A MANUAL TRANS ONLY, AND WORKING BOTH IT AND THE STIFF CLUTCH AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WHILE MODULATING THROTTLE, WE WERE ABLE TO LAY DOWN AN 11.7 SECOND QUARTER MILE AT 128 MILES PER HOUR.

IF YOU'RE A TOP SPEED SEEKER, STICK WITH A REGULAR VIPER, AS HERE IT'S ONLY 177 MILES PER HOUR, DUE TO ALL OF THE AERO WIND BLOCKERS CREATING ALL OF THAT DOWNFORCE.

NO ENGINE UPGRADES, YOU'LL HAVE TO MAKE DO WITH THE PALTRY 645 HORSEPOWER AND 600 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE OF THE FAMILIAR VIPER V10; RATHER, PERFORMANCE INCREASES COME FROM THE AFOREMENTIONED AERO AND BRAKING UP-FITS.

AS WELL AS A TOTALLY REVAMPED SUSPENSION WITH COIL-OVER BILSTEINS.

IT'S HIGHLY ADJUSTABLE AS WELL, FOR DISTRIBUTING WEIGHT; OR YOU CAN JUST RAISE IT BY 3.0 INCHES FOR SPEED BUMPS OR CURB HOPPING.

ALL OF THE ADDED AERO TREATMENTS CERTAINLY ADD TO THE RACE CAR ON THE STREET LOOKS, AND GENERAL BADASSERY.

IT TRULY LOOKS LIKE THE REAL DEAL.

NINETEEN INCH WHEELS ARE WIDE WITH BORDERLINE SLICKS FOR MAX TRACTION, SPECIALLY MADE FOR THE ACR BY KUMHO.

THE INTERIOR IS STILL THANKFULLY SPORTS CAR TIGHT, AND YOU'LL HAVE TO BE HAPPY WITH JUST THREE SPEAKERS FOR THE STEREO IN THE INTEREST OF WEIGHT SAVINGS.

THERE'S ALSO THINNER CARPET, AND STRICTLY MANUAL SEAT ADJUSTMENTS.

SINCE THOSE SEATS AREN'T CAPABLE OF KEEPING YOU IN PLACE WITH ALL OF THE GS YOU'RE PULLING AROUND THE TRACK, UPGRADED 5-POINT HARNESSES ARE IN PLACE.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO DRIVE THIS SNAKE ON THE STREET, YOU'LL FIND IT FEELS AND SOUNDS A LOT MORE LIKE THE PREVIOUS GEN VIPER, AS SOME NOISE DEADENING MATERIALS HAVE ALSO BEEN REMOVED.

IF YOU GO FULL THROTTLE AND NOTICE A TEMPERATURE CHANGE, IT'S THE VIPER TURNING THE A/C OFF FOR YOU, IN ORDER TO DIVERT ALL POSSIBLE POWER FROM THE ENGINE TO THE REAR WHEELS, WITH LITTLE CONCERN FOR YOUR COMFORT.

PRICING STARTS AT $123,490.

YES, THAT'S A BIT MORE THAN A CORVETTE Z06, BUT THE Z06'S DARK SIDE IS NOT THIS DARK, AND THAT PRICE IS STILL WELL SHORT OF LEGITIMATE SUPERCAR COMPETITION.

PLUS OPTIONS ARE VIRTUALLY UNLIMITED.

ALSO, REMEMBER THAT VIPER PRODUCTION ENDS NEXT YEAR, SO THE LIMITED RUN ACR WILL BE A GENUINE COLLECTIBLE.

THE PHRASE "RACE CAR FOR THE STREET" GETS THROWN AROUND MORE THAN SALMON AT PIKE PLACE MARKET, BUT THE 2016 DODGE VIPER ACR IS TRULY ONE GNARLY TRACK WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION THAT DESERVES THE TITLE AND MORE.

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, AS WE RUN THROUGH OUR PICKS FOR THE BEST CARS, TRUCKS, AND UTILITIES IN THE MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS, AND CAP IT OFF WITH OUR BEST OF THE YEAR!

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... TIRE RACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.

"YO DANNY, MY MAN!"

THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND HAVE THEM SHIPPED TO A LOCAL INSTALLER.

TIRERACK.COM.

ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF BRANDS, PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

ROCKAUTO DOT 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.

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