MotorWeek

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

JOIN US AS A LITTLE MORE TREAD YIELDS QUICKER MOVES FOR THE DODGE CHALLENGER SRT HELLCAT WIDEBODY... PAT GOSS FINDS PAINT PROTECTION THAT'S READY FOR HARD REALITY... LAUREN MORRISON DIGS UP DATA ON THE MOST MILES BETWEEN FILL-UPS... AND WE TEST THE TRACK READY PORSCHE 911 GT3...

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

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

Man: OOOPS.

Announcer: TIRERACK.COM.

HUM IS THE CONNECTED CAR SYSTEM THAT ASSISTS AND EMPOWERS DRIVERS TO HELP THEM BE PREPARED FOR THE ROAD AHEAD, SO THEY CAN GET WHERE THEY'RE GOING.

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.

STATE FARM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

AUTOTEMPEST.COM, WHERE YOU CAN COMPARE USED CAR LISTINGS FROM SITES ACROSS THE WEB.

WEATHERTECH DIGITAL FIT FLOOR LINERS ARE DESIGNED TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE'S FLOORS.

LASER MEASURED, THEY OFFER PROTECTION IN THE FRONT, BACK, AND UP THE SIDES.

WEATHERTECH.

MADE IN AMERICA.

John: IT'S HARD TO THINK OF ANOTHER CAR THAT HAD AS BIG OF AN IMPACT ON THE AUTOMOTIVE WORLD LAST YEAR AS THE 840 HORSEPOWER DODGE CHALLENGER SRT DEMON.

BUT IF YOU DON'T ALREADY HAVE ONE, YOU WON'T GET ONE.

NOT TO WORRY, DODGE IS SPREADING THE DEMON'S WEALTH ONTO THIS MORE AFFORDABLE 707 HORSEPOWER HELLCAT WIDEBODY.

BUT, THIS IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST LOOKING FIERCE.

SO, TIME TO LET THIS CAT OUT OF THE BAG.

* AT THE RISK OF TURNING AWAY VIEWERS, WE'LL SPILL THE BEANS RIGHT AWAY, THAT THE 2018 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT HELLCAT WIDEBODY IS ESSENTIALLY AN SRT DEMON WITHOUT ITS 840 HORSEPOWER HEMI.

BUT LIKE MOST THINGS, THE DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS, AND DIVING INTO THEM, REVEALS THAT THE WIDEBODY IS ACTUALLY MORE THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS.

THOSE WIDENED FENDERS FROM THE DEMON ALLOW FOR STUFFING IN MORE ROAD-GRIPPING RUBBER, 305/35/20s IN THIS CASE, WHICH OF COURSE HELPS HANDLING.

GIRTH IS GOOD.

[ENGINE REVS] AND, ALL OF THAT RUBBER ALSO ALLOWS YOU TO LAUNCH A LITTLE BETTER AS WELL, DROPPING 0-60 BY A TENTH TO 3.4 SECONDS AND QUARTER MILE TIME TO 10.9 SECONDS AT 127.

[ENGINE REVS & WHINES] NOT THAT THIS HELLCAT HAS MAGICALLY BECOME A KITTY CAT, THERE IS STILL ALL OF SATAN'S FURY YOU'RE TRYING TO TRANSFER TO THE PAVEMENT.

THUS, IT'S STILL NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART, OR PERFECT FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN A FULLY PREPPED DRAG STRIP.

ALTHOUGH, THE LONG FRONT STRETCH AT ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY CERTAINLY WILL DO IN A PINCH.

YOU STILL HAVE YOUR CHOICE OF 6-SPEED MANUAL OR 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC WITH PADDLE SHIFTERS.

WE FLOGGED BOTH A HELLCAT CHALLENGER AND CHARGER SEDAN AROUND ROEBLING'S NINE TURNS IN 2015, AND FOUND THEY WERE MUCH MORE ADEPT AT DESTROYING ASPHALT THAN CLINGING TO IT.

THAT HAS CLEARLY CHANGED FOR THE BETTER.

ALONG WITH THE WIDER TIRES, THE WIDEBODY GETS NEW ELECTRIC POWER STEERING; INCORPORATED INTO THE SRT PERFORMANCE PAGES, SO IT CAN BE ADJUSTED INDEPENDENTLY, OR AS PART OF THE PREPROGRAMMED DRIVE MODES.

BUT, EVEN WITH HANDLING IMPROVEMENTS, SOME THINGS HAVE NOT CHANGED.

THE WIDEBODY STILL FEELS WIDE AND HEAVY; PERHAPS TAKING OUT SOME WEIGHT AND LOWERING IT, WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER THAN JUST ADDING WIDER TIRES.

BUT OHH, THAT 707 HORSEPOWER ENGINE!

NO SURPRISE, POWER IS MORE THAN PLENTIFUL, AND IT SNEAKS UP ON YOU QUICKLY.

THERE'S ENOUGH OF IT HERE TO OVERPOWER ANY PART OF THE TRACK EXCEPT THE STRAIGHT.

YOU KNOW IT'S COMING ON IN WAVES WITH THE THROTTLE DOWN, SO JUST PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

ALL TOLD, IT IS A VERY CONTROLLABLE CAR, ONCE YOU GET A FEEL FOR IT.

[ENGINE STARTS UP] OF COURSE, IT'S A 6.2 LITER SUPERCHARGED HEMI THAT'S PROVIDING ALL OF THAT THRUST, ACCOMPANIED BY A HEALTHY DOSE OF SUPERCHARGER WHINE; SAME OUTPUT AS THE ORIGINAL HELLCAT, 7-0-7 HP, WITH A MASSIVE 650 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

ON TRACK, THE MANUAL PADDLES SHIFTERS FOR THE TORQUEFLIGHT TRANSMISSION WERE A TAD SLOW TO RESPOND, BUT LEFT IN DRIVE, IT ALWAYS SEEMED TO MAKE THE PROPER DECISION ON ITS OWN.

IT'S HARD TO TELL WHAT GEAR YOU'RE IN ANYWAY, AS THE READOUT IS VERY SMALL; BUT THERE'S SO MUCH TORQUE, YOU NEVER SEEM TO BE IN THE WRONG ONE.

AS BEFORE, YOU'RE TAKING ALL OF THIS IN FROM THE WIDEST, MOST COMFORTABLE MUSCLE CAR SEAT OUT THERE.

AND AWAY FROM THE TRACK, THE CHALLENGER STILL OFFERS A WEALTH OF COMFORT FOR A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE, AND EVEN A GREAT HIGHWAY RIDE.

TO GET WIDE AND WICKED WITH A HELLCAT WIDEBODY WILL COST YOU $72,590, 6-GRAND OVER A BASE HELLCAT; THOUGH I'M NOT SURE, MANY PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY, BUYING BASE HELLCATS.

SO, THIS 2018 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT HELLCAT WIDEBODY, MAY NOT THE PERFECT NAIL-DOWNED TRACKALETE, BUT IT IS STILL WILDLY ENTERTAINING.

ALSO, DODGE UNDERSTANDS THEIR CUSTOMERS BETTER THAN WE DO, AND KNOWS THAT ANY TYPE OF NEUTERING OF THIS BEAST WOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE.

IT REMAINS "THE HEAVY-FISTED MUSCLE CAR BRUTE WITH THE SOUL OF A VIPER" THAT WE'VE COME TO LOVE, NOW JUST MORE TRACK AND STREET FRIENDLY.

SO DRIVER'S, START YOUR HEMI, AND PROCEED WITH CAUTION!

* SO, YOU WANT TO BUY A NEW CAR.

YOU KNOW, YOU ARE LIKELY TO OWN IT FOR AT LEAST 7-YEARS MAYBE LONGER.

THAT'S PRETTY TYPICAL THESE DAYS.

SO, YOU NOT ONLY WANT TO GET THE BEST DEAL TODAY, YOU ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE IT REMAINS A SMART CHOICE FOR MANY MILES AND YEARS AHEAD.

WELL, OUR FYI REPORTER LAUREN MORRISON KNOWS THE INS AND OUTS OF SMART CAR BUYING, AND SHE'S UP NEXT TO GIVE US THE LOWDOWN.

* Lauren Morrison: TODAY'S, SAVVY CAR BUYERS KNOW THAT SPENDING QUALITY TIME ONLINE, RESEARCHING MODELS, SPECS, AND PRICES, WILL SAVE TIME, AND MONEY HERE, ON THE DEALERSHIP LOT.

DOING YOUR HOMEWORK AHEAD OF TIME IS KEY, AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF SHOPPING TOOLS AVAILABLE TO HELP GUIDE YOUR DECISION.

STEPHEN DUPAL WITH HIS FIANCE SHERRYN DANIEL ARE IN THE MARKET FOR A SMALL, ECONOMICAL COMMUTER CAR TO REPLACE STEPHEN'S AGING COROLLA.

BEFORE HEADING TO COMMERCIAL WEB PAGES FOR OPTION PACKAGES AND PRICING INFO, SEVERAL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SITES HELPED NARROW THEIR SEARCH IN THE AREAS OF FUEL ECONOMY, SAFETY, AND ALTERNATIVE FUELS, THREE OF THEIR KEY PARAMETERS.

THE JOINT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND EPA FUEL ECONOMY WEBSITE PROVIDES CONVENIENT, ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR EVERYTHING MOST BUYERS WILL EVER WANT TO KNOW ABOUT MAXIMIZING MPG IN THEIR NEXT CAR.

HERE, CONSUMERS CAN COMPARE UP TO FOUR DIFFERENT VEHICLES AT A TIME, AND THEIR FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS, ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENT SCORES, BASIC ENGINE, AND TRANSMISSION SIZE, DRIVING RANGE, AND ANNUAL FUEL COSTS, ALONG WITH REAL-WORLD FUEL CONSUMPTION DATA, PROVIDED BY ACTUAL OWNERS.

THE WEBSITE HAD OVER 25 MILLION USER SESSIONS LAST YEAR!

Stephen Dupal: I LIKE TO HAVE LIKE THOSE CHARTS AND PLOTS, AND GRAPHS TO KIND OF COMPARE THINGS IN A NUMERICAL BASIS, SO I KNOW WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR AND THEN I CAN VERIFY... OH YES, THIS CAR WILL HAVE WHAT I NEED BASED ON THESE METRICS.

Lauren Morrison: OTHER USEFUL CONTENT ON THE WEBSITE, AND FREE FUEL ECONOMY MOBILE APP, INCLUDES DRIVING AND MAINTENANCE TIPS TO HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE, EASY TO UNDERSTAND DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY, INFORMATION ABOUT AVAILABLE TAX INCENTIVES FOR ADVANCED-TECHNOLOGY VEHICLES, TRIP CALCULATORS, AND MORE!

[SOUND OF CAR CRASHING] IN THE AREA OF SAFETY, YOU CAN START WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S SAFERCAR WEBSITE FOR HOW A CAR FARES IN MANDATED CRASH TESTING AND ROLLOVER RATINGS.

THE SITE SPELLS OUT WHICH VEHICLES GO BEYOND REQUIREMENTS, AND HAVE CUTTING EDGE SAFETY TECHNOLOGY.

Sherryn Daniel: WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE SAFERCAR WEBSITE IS THERE'S JUST SO MANY LITTLE APPLICATIONS, WHERE ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS ENTER THE MAKE AND THE MODEL OF THE CAR, AND WE CAN SEE IF IT WAS RECALLED, WE CAN LOOK FOR CERTAIN SAFETY FEATURES, I EVEN LEARNED ABOUT ROLLOVER THAT THIS IS THE MOST LETHAL TYPE OF CAR ACCIDENT AND THAT WITH THE BEST TYPE OF CAR, YOU CAN PREVENT DAMAGE.

Lauren: BUT, YOU'RE A CONSUMER OR A FLEET MANAGER THAT IS UP TO DATE, MAYBE EVEN AHEAD OF THE CROWD.

SO, PERHAPS A PLUG-IN HYBRID OR EVEN FULL ELECTRIC CAR FITS YOUR LIFESTYLE OR BUSINESS.

OR, A VEHICLE THAT RUNS ON ANOTHER NON-TRADITIONAL FUEL LIKE E85, BIO-DIESEL, NATURAL GAS, PROPANE, OR EVEN HYDROGEN.

NOW, YOU NEED TO KNOW NOT ONLY THE SPECS, BUT THE PROS AND CONS, AND PRACTICALITY OF EACH FUEL.

WELL, FOR THAT, MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION USERS A YEAR CHECK OUT THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT'S "ALTERNATIVE FUELS DATA CENTER" WEBSITE.

THE AFDC WEBSITE AND ALT-FUEL APP ARE DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE YOUR CONFUSION OVER THE VARIOUS TYPES OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS AND THEIR VEHICLES.

AND NOW, THAT PLUG-IN AND ALT-FUEL VEHICLES ARE BEING SOLD WITH EVER INCREASING RANGE, THE WEBSITE'S FUELING STATION DATABASE IS ENJOYING INCREASING POPULARITY AS WELL.

Sherryn: THERE'S THIS LINK WHERE YOU CAN JUST TYPE IN YOUR STATE, SO IF WE BOUGHT LIKE A HYBRID, OR A CAR THAT USES NATURAL GAS, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WE CAN LOOK UP STATIONS NEARBY AHEAD OF TIME, WHEN WE MAKE TRAVELS.

Lauren: THE END GAME IN ALL THIS IS TO BE THE BEST INFORMED NEW CAR SHOPPER YOU CAN POSSIBLY BE.

AND ULTIMATELY, TO BUY OR LEASE A NEW CAR, SUV, OR TRUCK, YOU CAN LIVE WITH TODAY, AND WAY INTO THE FUTURE.

THESE COMMERCIAL FREE, .GOV WEBSITE'S CAN HELP YOU TO AVOID COSTLY MISTAKES AND SURPRISES, BEFORE AND AFTER YOU VISIT THE DEALERSHIP.

John: GOOD CAR CARE NEVER RESTS, SO WE WELCOME ANY HELP.

PAT GOSS HAS SOME DOWN IN GOSS' GARAGE.

Pat Goss: AS AUTOMOBILES HAVE EVOLVED, SO HAVE THE FINISHES THAT GO ON THEM.

LET'S FACE IT, PAINTS THESE DAYS ARE MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THEY WERE 15 OR 20 YEARS AGO.

AND THAT MEANS YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER A MORE MODERN PROTECTION FOR YOUR PAINT, SOMETHING LIKE NANO TECHNOLOGY.

AND TO EXPLAIN THAT TO US, WE HAVE ROB FREEMAN FROM PRO FORM AUTO.

ROB WELCOME TO GOSS' GARAGE.

Rob FreeMan: HI PAT, THANKS FOR HAVING ME AGAIN.

Pat: ABSOLUTELY.

TELL US ABOUT NANO TECHNOLOGY.

Rob: WELL TODAY, WHAT WE HAVE IS THE CERAMIC PRO LINE OF NANO PRODUCTS.

THESE ARE PAINT SEALANTS AND WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO IS ONCE THE CAR IS PROPERLY PREPPED, THEY'RE GOING TO PROTECT YOUR PAINT, GIVE IT GLASS LIKE COATINGS.

IT'S SELF-CLEANING.

IT'S GONNA MAKE IT TO WHERE YOUR CAR IS VIRTUALLY, MAINTENANCE FREE FOR THE TIME THAT YOU OWN IT.

Pat: ALRIGHT...NOW, I'VE BEEN ON THE INTERNET, I'VE SEEN ALL KINDS OF DO IT YOURSELF NANO TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS AND SO ON.

AH, HOW GOOD ARE THEY?

Rob: UM, THERE ARE SOME OUT THERE THAT ARE CONSUMER BASED THAT ARE GONNA BE ALRIGHT, BUT EVERYTHING THAT WE USE IS PROFESSIONAL.

SO, IT GOES THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS.

YOU CAN ALWAYS PUT SOMETHING ON THAT'S JUST GONNA COVER FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT YOU REALLY WANT TO GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS TO MAKE SURE IT'S DONE PROPERLY.

ON THIS ONE WHAT WE'VE DONE IS A WASH, A CLAY BAR, A BUFF, AND THEN A POLISH, THEN WE APPLY THE CERAMIC PRO 9H WITH THE LIGHT PRODUCT ON TOP OF IT TO GIVE IT THE ULTIMATE PROTECTION THAT IT'S GONNA NEED.

Pat: SO YOU'RE CLEANING THE PAINT UP AND CLEANING EVERYTHING BEFORE WE COAT IT WITH ANYTHING.

Rob: ABSOLUTELY, JUST LIKE WITH ANYTHING ELSE IT'S ALWAYS PREPARATION, PREPARATION, PREPARATION.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SURFACE IS IN THE MOST PRISTINE SHAPE THAT IT CAN BE BEFORE YOU APPLY ANY PRODUCTS TO IT.

Pat: OKAY...NOW, WHAT IS THE END RESULT FOR THIS AS FAR AS THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED?

Rob: THE END RESULT IS GOING TO BE EASE OF CLEANING, LONGEVITY, IT STOPS ACID RAIN... EVERYTHING TENDS TO SELF-CLEAN IN THE RAIN ITSELF, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WASH THE CAR, THERE'S NO MORE WAXING FOR CLIENTS.

EVERYTHING CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF AND IT'S GONNA LAST AND MAKE THE CAR LOOK BETTER.

Pat: QUICKLY, WHAT ABOUT WHEELS?

Rob: WE DO HAVE PRODUCTS.

WE HAVE A WHEEL AND CALIPER PRODUCT THAT'S DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR RIMS AND CALIPERS WHICH IS GONNA STOP THE BRAKE DUST FROM ETCHING INTO THE RIMS, SELF-CLEANING AGAIN...

SO AS YOU'RE DRIVING, IT'S GONNA MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR.

Pat: ALRIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE A DEMONSTRATION YOU'RE GOING TO SHOW US ON THIS.

Rob: WE DO.

WHAT WE'VE DONE ON THIS ONE IS THE PROCESSES THAT I'VE EXPLAINED BEFORE AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WE'VE ONLY DONE HALF OF THIS HOOD, SO WE'RE GOING TO DO THE MUD TEST ON IT.

THIS IS GETTING THE MUD THROWN ON AND WE'LL SEE HOW THE TREATED SIDE COMPARES TO THE UNTREATED SIDE.

Pat: ALRIGHT, AND LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.

WOW, THAT'S IMPRESSIVE.

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

John: THE PORSCHE 911 GT3.

IT'S THE CAR THAT TOOK US FROM POINT-AN ALL THE WAY TO POINT-Z, DURING A RECENT, ONCE IN A LIFETIME TRACK AND STREET ADVENTURE IN SPAIN.

COULD THIS CAR TRULY BE THAT AMAZING, OR WAS OUR JUDGEMENT CLOUDED BY ALL OF THE IBERICO HAM AND HIGH OCTANE COFFEE?

WELL, THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT!

[ENGINE REVVING] * SO, HERE'S OUR PLAN TO FIND OUT IF THE 2018 PORSCHE 911 GT3 IS TRULY THAT SPECTACULAR.

HAMMER IT AROUND SAVANNAH'S ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY.

SIMPLE AS THAT.

WE'VE ALREADY GIVEN YOU THE DETAILS IN OUR EARLIER TEST, SO JUST A QUICK RECAP HERE.

THE GT3 IS WHAT PORSCHE'S CUP RACING CAR IS BASED ON, WITH A NATURALLY-ASPIRATED 4.0 LITER FLAT-6, REAR AXLE STEERING, RECALIBRATED SUSPENSION, AND STRATEGIC WEIGHT REDUCTION.

ALL TO PROVIDE THE ULTIMATE TRACK EXPERIENCE FOR PORSCHE FANS.

HERE AT ROEBLING, IT WAS SO NAILED DOWN, SO COMPETENT, AND SO CONFIDENCE-INSPIRING.

YET, NONE OF THAT MESSED WITH THE FUN WE HAD.

PORSCHE STABILITY MANAGEMENT OPERATES MAINLY IN THE BACKGROUND, AND LETS YOU EXPERIENCE PLENTY OF TRACK JOY BEFORE INTERVENING, AND IT CAN BE TOTALLY SWITCHED OFF.

EVERYTHING ABOUT THE GT3 IS JUST RIGHT, FROM THE WAY THE STEERING WHEEL FITS YOUR HANDS, TO THE WAY THE CAR RESPONDS ALMOST TELEPATHICALLY TO YOUR EVERY INPUT.

IT'S SO WELL-BALANCED, SO WELL SET UP, EVEN THE TIRES SHOWED VIRTUALLY NO SIGNS OF WEAR AFTER THREE DAYS OF HOT LAPS.

STABILITY IS FIRST RATE, IT'S ONLY IN TIMES OF VERY HARD BRAKING INTO CORNERS THAT YOU REMEMBER THE ENGINE IS BEHIND YOU, AND UNLIKE 911'S OF OLD, IT'S MORE THAN HAPPY TO STAY BACK THERE.

A 7-SPEED PDK IS STANDARD, WITH A 6-SPEED MANUAL, A NO COST OPTION.

WE LOVE THE IDEA OF A MANUAL.

BUT, THIS PDK SIMPLY CANNOT BE BEAT WHEN IT COMES TO A ROAD COURSE WORKOUT.

THE ENGINE IS THE HEART AND SOUL OF ANY CAR.

HERE, PORSCHE'S FLAT-6 BEATS AT A MAX RATE OF 9,000 RPM, TO THE TUNE OF 500 HORSEPOWER AND 339 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

OUR PDK TESTER SHOT TO 60 IN 3.5 SECONDS.

THE FACTORY SAYS, 3.2 UNDER IDEAL CONDITIONS, WHICH OUR ROEBLING WEATHER WAS NOT.

BOTH TIMES STILL FASTER THAN WITH THE MANUAL OPTION.

THE QUARTER MILE HAPPENED IN 11.4 SECONDS AT 124 MILES PER HOUR; PORSCHE'S LAUNCH CONTROL WORKED FLAWLESSLY AS ALWAYS, PROVIDED TIRES ARE UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE.

SO WHILE, PERFECTION IS ATTAINABLE, IT'S NOT CHEAP.

GT3 PRICING STARTS AT $144,650, AND OF COURSE, READING THE LIST OF OPTIONS WOULD TAKE LONGER THAN IT DOES TO MAKE A LAP AROUND THIS TRACK.

THE 2018 PORSCHE 911 GT3 IS ANOTHER FANTASTIC PORSCHE IN A VERY LONG LINE OF INCREDIBLY GREAT PORSCHES.

SO, YOU COULD SAY, IT'S JUST MORE OF THE SAME.

BUT, IT'S A FAMILIAR REFRAIN THAT NEVER GROWS OLD!

John: WE SEARCH THE GLOBE FOR THE LATEST AUTOMOTIVE GOINGS ON.

AND YOLANDA VAZQUEZ HAS WHAT'S NEW WITH THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

Yolanda Vazquez: THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW IS THE LARGEST CAR SHOW IN AMERICA.

NOT ONLY IN FLOOR SPACE, BUT ALSO BECAUSE THE ATTENDEES ACTUALLY BUY CARS.

AND FOR ITS 110TH EDITION, THERE WERE PLENTY OF THEM TO CHOOSE FROM.

TOYOTA UNVEILED THE NEXT GENERATION TRD PRO LINEUP.

FOR 2019, THE TUNDRA, 4RUNNER, AND TACOMA ALL GET THE LIFTED OFF-ROAD TREATMENT, WITH FOX INTERNAL BYPASS SHOCKS, TRD SPRINGS, AND KNOBBY TIRES.

NISSAN SHOWED UP READY FOR CHICAGO'S WINTER WITH THE ONE-OFF ARMADA SNOW PATROL.

IT'S NEEDED TO STREET TOW THE 332 HORSEPOWER 370ZKI SNOWMOBILING ROADSTER.

FORD HOPES TO ENTICE BABY-BOOMERS WITH A REFRESHED 2019 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT WAGON.

A 1.5 LITER ECOBLUE DIESEL IS NOW AN ENGINE OPTION.

VOLKSWAGEN'S FLAGSHIP ARTEON MADE ITS NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT.

WITH A 268 HORSEPOWER TURBO I4, THIS MID-SIZE 5-DOOR SEDAN REPLACES THE CC AND SLIDES INTO THE LINE-UP ABOVE THE PASSAT.

SUBARU IS CELEBRATING FIVE DECADES IN THE U.S. THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION MODELS WILL SPORT HERITAGE BLUE EXTERIOR PAINT AND ANNIVERSARY BADGING.

HYUNDAI SHOWED THE REVISED HYBRID VERSION OF THE 2018 SONATA SEDAN.

THE PLUG-IN HYBRID MODEL CAN GET UP TO 27 ELECTRIC MILES.

THE BRAND ALSO ANNOUNCED, THEY WILL COMPETE IN THE 2018 PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE WITH TWO HYUNDAI I30 N TCR RACECARS.

AND, ALL GAS-FUELED FIAT 500S ARE NOW TURBO CHARGED WITH A BOOSTED 1.4 LITER MULTIAIR I4.

HORSEPOWER JUMPS FROM 101 TO 135.

ABARTH MODELS REMAIN AT 160.

AND, THAT'S THIS WEEK'S WINDY CITY MOTORNEWS.

* WELL, THIS 2018 LEXUS LC 500 CERTAINLY HAS THE LEVEL OF REFINEMENT YOU EXPECT IN A TOP-TIER AUTOMOBILE.

AND REMARKABLY, LEXUS WAS ABLE TO KEEP MOST OF THE LF-LC CONCEPT'S DYNAMIC LINES IN PLACE; AS THE LC LOOKS BETTER IN PERSON THAN WE EVER IMAGINED.

AND THAT INCLUDES THE ULTRA SLIM LED HEADLIGHTS, AND THE BEST INTERPRETATION YET, OF LEXUS' CONTROVERSIAL SPINDLE GRILLE.

FROM THE REAR, THERE ARE HINTS OF THE LFA SUPERCAR.

BUT FROM ANY ANGLE, ITS ONE SLICK, ULTRA MODERN LOOKING PIECE OF AUTOMOTIVE SCULPTURE, THAT HOLDS ITS OWN AGAINST THE BEST IN SHEET-METAL BENDERS LIKE ASTON MARTIN.

STANDARD WHEELS ARE 20 INCHES, BUT YOU'VE COME THIS FAR, SO WHY NOT OPT FOR THE 21s?

BUT AS MODERN AS THE EXTERIOR IS, THE INTERIOR IS SPICED WITH RETRO FLAVOR.

THE VERY LINEAR DASH HAS A FLOWING DESIGN HIGHLIGHTED BY CHROME TRIMMED CONTROLS, HORIZONTAL VENTS, SHARP ANGLES, GRAB HANDLES, AND WELL-INTEGRATED INFOTAINMENT.

THERE ARE MINI STALKS BEHIND THE WHEEL FOR SOME CONTROLS, WHILE AUDIO INPUTS RESIDE ON THE CONSOLE; UNFORTUNATELY, SO DOES LEXUS' NOT TERRIFIC TOUCHPAD CONTROLLER.

IT ALL COMBINES FOR A BEAUTIFUL, MODERN SPACE, WITH A TIME WARP SENSE OF A BYGONE ERA.

[ENGINE STARTS UP] FIRE UP THE ENGINE, AND THERE'S A NICE POWERFUL BURBLE COMING THROUGH THE DUAL EXHAUST TIPS.

THAT AUDIO COMES FROM A 471 HORSEPOWER 5.0 LITER NORMALLY-ASPIRATED V8 WITH 398 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

A 10-SPEED SPORT DIRECT SHIFT TRANSMISSION CHANNELS ALL OF THE GOODNESS TO THE REAR WHEELS.

A 3.5 LITER V6 BASED HYBRID IS COMING AS WELL.

BUT THE V8 GOES LIKE A ROCKET, AND EVEN FEELS LIKE ONE BLASTING OFF THE LINE.

WE LEAPT TO 60 IN 5.0 SECONDS FLAT, WITH JUST A TOUCH OF WHEEL SPIN AT LAUNCH.

[ENGINE REVVING] THE TRANSMISSION RIFLES THROUGH GEARS WITH CVT-LIKE SMOOTHNESS, AND YOU HEAR VIRTUALLY NOTHING IN THE CABIN EXCEPT FOR SOME FANTASTIC V8 EXHAUST NOTES THAT SOUND MORE LIKE A '60s MUSCLE CAR THAN AN ASIAN LUXURY COUPE.

THE QUARTER MILE RUN WAS 13.3 SECONDS OF UTTER SMOOTHNESS AT 110 MILES PER HOUR.

AS FOR HANDLING, WELL, THERE'S A LOT TO LOVE, BUT THERE'S NO GETTING AROUND THE FACT THAT THE LC IS A HEAVY BEAST.

CURB WEIGHT IS 4,280 POUNDS.

YOU HAVE TO ENGAGE SPORT+ FOR IT TO FEEL REALLY SERIOUS, AND EVEN THEN YOU MOSTLY NOTICE IT IN THROTTLE RESPONSE AND STEERING, AS HANDLING STAYS AMAZINGLY FLAT NO MATTER WHAT MODE YOU'RE IN.

STEERING FEEL IS AWESOME, SOMETHING WE DON'T SAY OFTEN, AND CERTAINLY NOT IN REFERENCE TO A BIG LEXUS.

IT IS VERY QUICK AND DIRECT.

THERE IS A SLIGHT UNDERSTEER TENDENCY, BUT PLENTY OF MID-RANGE TORQUE TO OVERCOME IT WITH JUST A QUICK STAB OF THE THROTTLE.

WE AVERAGED VERY CONSISTENTLY SHORT 105 FOOT STOPS FROM 60.

HOWEVER, BRAKE PEDAL FEEL WAS VERY INCONSISTENT.

YET, IT DIDN'T AFFECT THE NUMBERS.

AWAY FROM THE TRACK, COMFORT MODE KEEPS THINGS PLEASANT AND INOFFENSIVE IN EVERY WAY, FOR THAT TRUE LEXUS EXPERIENCE, WITH BARELY ANY NOISE SEEPING INTO THE CABIN, AND ALL OF THE SERENITY OF FLOATING THROUGH OUTER SPACE.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 16-CITY, 26-HIGHWAY, AND 19-COMBINED; WHICH WE ALMOST MATCHED EXACTLY AT 18.9 MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM.

A $92,995 BASE PRICE WILL KEEP SALES LIMITED, BUT IT'S A RELATIVE BARGAIN FOR THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO ENJOY THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE; FULLY COMPETITIVE WITH CARS COSTING 50 GRAND MORE.

SO, THE 2018 LC 500 DOES INDEED DELIVER; IT'S QUITE THE PERSONAL LUXURY 2+2 EURO STYLED GRAND-TOURING FLAGSHIP COUPE, THAT FULLY ENCAPSULATES ALL THAT LEXUS IS ABOUT, YET AT THE SAME TIME POINTS TO WHERE THEY'RE UNDOUBTEDLY HEADED.

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, FOR MORE PERFORMANCE FROM THE LUXURIOUS BENTLEY CONTINENTAL SUPERSPORTS.

THEN, WE SEE HOW MID-SIZE SUV'S STACK UP.

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

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

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

Man: OOOPS.

Announcer: TIRERACK.COM.

WEATHERTECH DIGITAL FIT FLOOR LINERS AND CARGO LINERS OFFER LASER MEASURED DIGITAL FIT PROTECTION FOR YOUR VEHICLE'S FLOORS.

WEATHERTECH.

MADE IN AMERICA.

HUM IS THE CONNECTED CAR SYSTEM THAT ASSISTS AND EMPOWERS DRIVERS TO HELP THEM BE PREPARED FOR THE ROAD AHEAD, SO THEY CAN GET WHERE THEY'RE GOING.

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.

STATE FARM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

AUTOTEMPEST.COM, WHERE YOU CAN COMPARE USED CAR LISTINGS FROM SITES ACROSS THE WEB.

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

[SOUND OF CAR ENGINE REVVING] *