MotorWeek

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

JOIN US TO SEE WHAT A "V" ADDS TO THE CADILLAC CT4 LUXURY SPORTS SEDAN... CAN'T FIT INSIDE?

PAT GOSS SHOWS US HOW TO SAFELY STORE IT UP TOP... BRIAN ROBINSON HEADS TO THE CAFE IN TIME FOR A HIGH SPEED TEA TRIUMPH STYLE... AND IT'S A BRAND NEW BLAST FROM THE PAST, THE NISSAN GT-R NISMO...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

* Announcer: MOTORWEEK , 40 YEARS, STEERING YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... 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John: IF YOU'RE A CADILLAC FAN, YOU KNOW THAT THE ATS SEDAN HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE CT4.

YOU MAY EVEN KNOW THAT THERE'S A V-SERIES VERSION OF THE CT4.

WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW, IS THAT V DOESN'T QUITE MEAN WHAT IT USED TO.

CONFUSED?

WELL...WHETHER, YOU'RE IN THE KNOW, OR LOOKING FOR ANSWERS, OUR NEXT TEST OF THE CT4 V-SERIES SHOULD HELP.

* NOT TO PUT A DAMPER ON THINGS RIGHT OFF THE BAT, BUT IF YOU'RE EXPECTING THE 2021 CADILLAC CT4-V TO BE ALONG THE LINES OF THE FIRE-BREATHING, 460 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL-TRANSMISSION-EQUIPPED ATS-V, YOU'RE IN FOR A DISAPPOINTMENT.

V MODELS ARE NOW MORE OF A MIDDLE GROUND PERFORMANCE OPTION BETWEEN STANDARD CADILLAC CARS AND THE OVER-THE-TOP V BLACKWING MODELS.

BUT, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THERE'S NOT MUCH HERE TO APPRECIATE, STARTING OF COURSE WITH THE ENGINE.

IT'S A HIGH-OUTPUT VERSION OF THEIR 2.7 LITER I4, WITH 325 HORSEPOWER AND 380 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THAT'S 15 ADDITIONAL HORSEPOWER AND A HEALTHY 30 MORE POUND-FEET OF TORQUE THAN THIS SAME ENGINE PUTS OUT IN PREMIUM LUXURY CT4'S.

IT WORKS WITH AN IDENTICAL 10-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT GETS A MECHANICAL LIMITED SLIP REAR DIFFERENTIAL FURTHER DOWN THE POWER DELIVERY FLOW CHART.

UNIQUE TO THE CT4 ARE PERFORMANCE CHASSIS UPGRADES WITH MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL 4.0, BUT ONLY IF YOU STICK WITH STANDARD REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO ADD ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, WHICH IS ONLY $500 MORE, ADDITIONAL GRIP WILL BE AIDED BY ZF MVS PASSIVE DAMPERS.

SO, WE WERE GLAD TO SEE OUR "V" TESTER FED POWER STRICTLY TO THE REAR-WHEELS, AS NOT ONLY DO YOU BENEFIT FROM THE LATEST VERSION OF MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL, BUT STICKING WITH REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE ALSO GETS YOU STICKIER SUMMER PERFORMANCE TIRES.

THE CT4-V ADDS V-MODE, TRACK MODE, AND A CUSTOMIZABLE MY MODE TO THE DRIVER MODE SELECTOR.

THINGS DO INDEED FEEL MUCH STIFFER THROUGH THE CONES COMPARED TO THE PREMIUM LUXURY CT4 WE TESTED LAST YEAR.

TURN-INS ARE VERY QUICK, WITH A MILD BIT OF OVERSTEER, JUST THE WAY WE LIKE IT.

HOWEVER, STEERING DOES FEEL ARTIFICIALLY HEAVY WITHOUT PROVIDING ENOUGH FEEDBACK.

NOW, WE WEREN'T EXPECTING TO SEE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN ACCELERATION RUNS FOR THE CT4-V; FINDING THE LESS POTENT VERSION OF THIS 2.7 LITER QUITE CAPABLE OF DELIVERING SERIOUS PUNCH.

BUT THE ADDED LOW-END GRUNT HERE WAS NOTABLE, WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TIRE GRIP TO GET AWAY WITHOUT MAJOR WHEEL SPIN.

OUR 4.8 SECOND 0-60 TIME IN THE CT4-V WAS THREE/TENTHS QUICKER THAN THE PREMIUM LUXURY CT4; AND ONLY ABOUT A HALF SECOND SLOWER THAN THE LAST ATS-V V6 WE TESTED.

AUTOMATIC SHIFTS COME RIGHT WHEN YOU WANT THEM TO, ACCOMPANIED BY A NICE LITTLE EXHAUST CRACK AND SOME TURBO WHISTLING.

THIS MAY STILL BE A LUXURY-ORIENTED SPORT SEDAN, BUT IT'S DARN FAST AND CAPABLE.

OUR BEST QUARTER-MILE TIME WAS 13.3 SECONDS AT 106 MILES PER HOUR.

THE CT4-V ALSO HAS UPGRADED BREMBO BRAKES, WITH 4-PISTON CALIPERS BEHIND THE FRONT 18 INCH NICKEL-FINISHED ALLOY WHEELS.

STOPS FROM 60 WERE STABLE AND CONSISTENT AT 106 FEET, BUT THE PEDAL ITSELF DID SOFTEN UP A BIT AFTER A FEW RUNS BUT ONLY JUST SO.

VISUAL CUES TO THIS V-SERIES' HIGHER PERFORMANCE STATUS ARE SEEN IN DARK EXTERIOR TRIM, SUBTLE ROCKER EXTENSIONS, A UNIQUE MESH GRILLE, DECK-LID SPOILER, AND QUAD EXHAUST TIPS.

WE'D SAY, IT'S A NEAR PERFECT MIX OF ADDED AGGRESSION WITHOUT DETRACTING FROM THE CT4'S LUXURY PERSONA.

INSIDE, YOU STILL GET THE FULL CADILLAC INDULGENT EXPERIENCE IN A SPORTY DRIVER-ORIENTED SPACE; ALONG WITH THE ADDITION OF A NEW STEERING WHEEL WITH V-MODE BUTTON, AND PERFORMANCE GAUGES.

PLENTY OF ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT MAKES IT EASY TO FIND YOUR PERFECT POSITION; WHILE ALSO BEING HELD IN PLACE FOR SPIRITED DRIVING; THOUGH LIKE THE ATS, THERE'S LIMITED ROOM IN THE BACK SEAT FOR ADULTS TO GET COMFY.

BEFORE THE ATS, CADILLAC'S ENTRY-LEVEL SPORT SEDAN WAS OF COURSE, A REBADGED OPEL OMEGA KNOWN AS "THE CATERA."

AND THIS CATERA STEINMETZ CONCEPT FROM 1999 SHOWS THAT GM HAS BEEN IN THE HOT ROD CADILLAC BUSINESS FOR SOME TIME.

WHILE, TECHNICALLY JUST A SHOW CAR, CADDY ACTUALLY LET US TAKE A FEW "GENTLE" LAPS AROUND OUR ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY TEST TRACK.

IT WAS ENOUGH FOR US TO CALL IT THE "QUICKEST, MOST NIMBLE CADILLAC, WE'VE EVER DRIVEN;" THOUGH, WE DID ALSO CONCLUDE BY SAYING, "IT'S CLEAR TO US CADILLAC INTENDS FOR THE CATERA TO HAVE A LONG AND POPULAR LIFE."

OH WELL, WIN SOME, LOSE SOME.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR THE REAR-DRIVE CT4-V ARE 20-CITY, 29-HIGHWAY, AND 23-COMBINED.

CT4-V PRICING STARTS AT $45,890; ABOUT FIVE-GRAND MORE THAN PREMIUM LUXURY TRIM WITH THE LESS POTENT VERSION OF THE 2.7 LITER ENGINE.

ALL-IN-ALL, THE CADILLAC CT4-V IS A WORTHY AND PERHAPS UNDERAPPRECIATED EUROPEAN-STYLE LUXURY-SPORT SEDAN THAT IS MORE THAN COMPETITIVELY PRICED.

BUT TO US, IT'S A TASTY APPETIZER THAT'S MADE TO SATISFY, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME HEIGHTEN ANTICIPATION FOR THE COMPETITION INSPIRED MAIN COURSE CT4-V BLACKWING THAT GM'S PERFORMANCE CHEFS WILL SOON PLATE UP.

SO...BON APPETIT!

* SINCE, THE REBIRTH OF TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES, NOW MORE THAN 30 YEARS AGO; THE FIRM HAS PUSHED THE BOUNDARIES OF PERFORMANCE, WHILE KEEPING A FIRM GRASP ON THEIR HISTORY.

NOW, OUR BRIAN ROBINSON SHOWS US HOW THEY'RE BRINGING THE TWO TOGETHER LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

* Brian Robinson: WHEN IT COMES TO CAF RACER STYLE BIKES, GENERALLY, YOU EITHER LOVE THEM OR YOU HATE THEM, BUT THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO LIKE IN THIS THRUXTON RS.

MUCH LIKE, WE HAVE A FASCINATION WITH CUSTOM CRUISERS AND CHOPPERS HERE IN THE U.S., FOR THE BRIT'S, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CAF RACERS.

RIDERS THERE HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF ADDING PERFORMANCE HARDWARE, STRIPPING OFF UNNECESSARIES, AND HAULING TAIL AROUND THE COUNTRYSIDE TO A DESTINATION CAF TO SHOW OFF THEIR RIDE.

IN THAT SPIRIT COMES THE 2020 TRIUMPH THRUXTON RS.

THE THRUXTON ITSELF IS BASED ON TRIUMPH'S BONNEVILLE MODERN CLASSIC, WITH ALL THE USUAL CAF-TYPE UPGRADES, SCULPTED TANK, BAR-END MIRRORS, SEAT COWL ETCETERA.

THIS RS GOES FURTHER WITH AN EVEN MORE RACE-INSPIRED THEME.

NOT MANY SHINY BITS REMAIN, REPLACED BY MATTE, POWDER COATED, AND ALUMINUM FINISHES.

AND IT REALLY IS A CLEAN AND COOL-LOOKING DESIGN; FROM THE LONG 3.8 GALLON CUTOUT TANK WITH FLIP-TOP MONZA CAP AND STAINLESS TRIM, TO THE WIRING AND VARIOUS TOKENS OF MODERN MOTORCYCLES HIDDEN AWAY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

AND EVEN THE FUEL INJECTION IS DESIGNED TO LOOK LIKE A SET OF CARBURETORS.

IT MAY BE CLASSIC IN LOOKS, BUT THIS IN ONE MODERN PERFORMANCE MACHINE.

STARTING WITH THE THRUXTON-SPEC 1200CC BONNEVILLE TWIN ENGINE, THE RS GETS NEW PISTONS, UPGRADED CAM, AS WELL AS A PORT AND POLISH, AND LIGHTER COMPONENTS TO BOOST HORSEPOWER TO 104, SEVEN MORE THAN THE BASE THRUXTON.

THE EXHAUST HAS THE TRADITIONAL BRITISH PUTT-PUTT AT IDLE, BUT SOUNDS MORE CONTEMPORARY WHEN SPENT GASES BEGIN TO FLOW THROUGH IN EARNEST.

THE 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION WORKS WITH AN ASSIST CLUTCH THAT MAKES CLUTCH-PULL ABOUT AS EASY AS CAN BE, YET, PROVIDES PLENTY OF FEEL.

TO THE TUBULAR STEEL CRADLE FRAME, THE RS GETS A FULL SUSPENSION UPGRADE; ADJUSTABLE SHOWA BIG PISTON FORK, AND A PAIR OF OHLINS SHOCKS WITH EXTERNAL RESERVOIRS.

ALSO, STICKIER METZELER TIRES FOR THE 17 INCH WHEELS.

UPGRADED BREMBO BRAKES AS WELL, AND THERE'S EVEN ABS; PLUS, ROAD, RAIN, AND SPORT RIDE MODES, AND TRACTION CONTROL ENABLED BY RIDE-BY-WIRE THROTTLE, IF YOU'RE INTO SUCH THINGS.

SEATING FOR JUST ONE ON THIS RIDE, AND IT'S MORE COMFORTABLE THAN IT LOOKS.

SPENDING TIME IN THAT SEAT, THE ENGINE HAS A TON OF CHARACTER AND FEELS WAY MORE POWERFUL THAN YOU'RE EXPECTING.

IT MAY ONLY BE A FEW MORE HORSEPOWER, BUT THE ENGINE IS MUCH FREER WITH THE POWER DELIVERY.

THE ENGINE UPGRADES AND A LIGHTER BATTERY RESULT IN A 20 POUND WEIGHT REDUCTION COMPARED TO THE BASE THRUXTON.

IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY FEEL LIKE A LIGHTWEIGHT, BUT FALLS INTO CORNERS WITH EASE, AND FEELS WELL-SETTLED AS YOU PROGRESS THROUGH THEM.

PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF THE BIKE INCLUDE A COMPREHENSIVE AND EASY TO READ GAUGE PACKAGE, FULL LED LIGHTING, AND A USB CHARGE PORT AND STORAGE AREA UNDER THE SEAT.

THRUXTON RS PRICING STARTS AT $16,200.

NOT BAD CONSIDERING A BASE THRUXTON GOES FOR $13,000; THERE'S ALSO - A MIDDLE GROUND THRUXTON R AVAILABLE FOR $15,400.

STARTING WITH WHAT IS ARGUABLY THE BEST CAF RACER AVAILABLE TODAY, ADDING MORE POWER, REFINING HANDLING, AND IMPROVING THE VISUALS IS AN EASY RECIPE FOR SUCCESS.

EVEN IF YOU NEVER ACTUALLY GO TO A CAF, OR PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNION JACK; THE 2020 TRIUMPH THRUXTON RS IS ONE HIGH-PERFORMANCE BRITISH CLASSIC THAT IS SURE TO APPEAL TO THE MODERN RACER IN ALL OF US.

John: NOW, LET'S HEAD OVER TO GOSS' GARAGE FOR SOME TIP TOP ADVICE ON ROOF RACKS.

* Pat Goss: SUVs, CUVs, THEY ARE EVERYWHERE.

SEEMS LIKE...WELL, THEY'RE LIKE ELBOWS, EVERY DRIVEWAYS GOT A COUPLE OF THEM.

BUT THE BIG THING IS SUV OR CUV, THE U STANDS FOR UTILITY.

NOW THAT'S A GOOD THING BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKE THEM UTILITARIAN IS THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE A ROOF RACK ON THEM.

BECAUSE OFTEN YOU HAVE TO CARRY THINGS ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE.

NOW, YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THESE VEHICLES, YOU LOOK AT THEM NEW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO ASK IS, DOES THAT ROOF RACK COME WITH THE CROSSBARS?

BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF THEM, WELL...THE RAILS ARE THERE BUT YOU DON'T HAVE ANY CROSSBARS AND YOU CAN'T PUT ANYTHING ON THE ROOF.

YOU HAVE TO BUY THE CROSSBARS AS AN ACCESSORY AND IT IS OPTIONAL.

SO, YOU KNOW, ASK QUESTIONS, FIND OUT.

NOW...A LOT OF THEM, WELL...YOU WILL FIND, LIKE THIS CAR, IT DOES HAVE THE CROSSBARS ON THEM AND YOU CAN PUT THE VARIOUS ATTACHMENTS AND EVERYTHING ON THERE FOR WHATEVER YOU MIGHT WANT TO CARRY.

AND ONE THING TO REMEMBER ABOUT ANY OF THESE, ONCE YOU START PUTTING THINGS ON THE ROOF, REMEMBER THAT THERE IS A WEIGHT LIMIT AS FAR AS HOW MUCH WEIGHT YOU CAN PUT UP THERE SAFELY.

ALRIGHT...NOW, THE OTHER THING IS, IF YOU'RE PLANNING ON THAT, EVEN SEDANS, SOME OF THEM, AND CARS LIKE THIS KIA SOUL, THEY HAVE THESE BLACK STRIPS THAT RUN DOWN THE LENGTH OF THE ROOF.

NOW, THE THING YOU WANT TO DO THERE, IS YOU WANT TO LOOK TO SEE IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS LITTLE BLACK PLASTIC CAP OR A LITTLE HINGED THING THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS THAT YOU CAN LIFT UP.

BECAUSE THAT MEANS THAT YOU CAN ADD A ROOF RACK TO THAT VEHICLE.

NOW, THE MAJORITY OF THEM, WHAT YOU DO IS YOU TAKE THIS AND YOU PULL THIS OUT, AND THERE'S GOING TO BE AN ADAPTER WITH THE ROOF RACK THAT YOU PURCHASE, AND THERE WILL BE A SCREW SEPTICAL DOWN IN THERE, IT USUALLY COMES WITH A TOOL TO INSTALL IT.

YOU TIGHTEN IT DOWN IN THERE AND YOU HAVE YOURSELF A ROOF RACK ON A CAR THAT DIDN'T COME FROM THE FACTORY WITH IT.

SO, IF YOU WANT TO USE A CAR LIKE THAT, THEN BY ALL MEANS, DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU BUY THE CAR.

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

[CAR HORN BEEPS] John: OUR MOTORWEEK 40TH ANNIVERSARY CAR OF THE WEEK IS THIS 1967 FORD F-100 PICKUP AFFECTIONATELY NAMED "5BILLZ," AS $500 IS WHAT JOE AND DEANNA HANLEY FROM SPOKANE, WASHINGTON ORIGINALLY PAID FOR IT.

THE FRAME UP REBUILD INCLUDED SWAPPING THE STOCK 240 I6 FOR A BIG BLOCK 390FE V8.

SUBMIT PHOTOS OF YOUR CUSTOM RIDE FOR CAR OF THE WEEK CONSIDERATION TO... TIME NOW FOR A QUICK SPIN OF SOME NEW AUTOMOTIVE HARDWARE HEADED OUR WAY.

* GMC MAY NO LONGER BE A BRAND YOU SEE ON MOST CONSTRUCTION SITES, BUT THEY HAVE POSITIONED THEMSELVES AS THE TRUCK OF CHOICE FOR ANYONE WHOSE LEISURE ACTIVITIES DEMAND THE BEST IN COMFORT WHILE STILL ALSO BEING ONE HARD-WORKING MACHINE.

AND THIS LUXURIOUS 2021 SIERRA 2500 HD DENALI EXCELS AT BOTH.

WHILE, GMC OFFERS SIX GAS AND DIESEL ENGINE OPTIONS, AND 6,8, OR 10-SPEED TRANSMISSIONS FOR ITS LIGHT-DUTY PICKUPS, HD MODELS STEP UP TO EXCLUSIVE 6.6 LITER GAS OR DIESEL POWER.

A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC IS STANDARD WITH THE GAS ENGINE, WHICH OUTPUTS 401 HORSEPOWER AND 464 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

A BEEFY ALLISON 10-SPEED TRANSFERS THE DIESEL'S 910 FOOT-POUNDS OF TORQUE TO THE PAVEMENT.

GMC SAYS, "THAT MORE THAN HALF OF SIERRA CUSTOMERS USE THEIR TRUCKS TO TOW EQUIPMENT FOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES, AND TOWABLES NOW MAKE UP ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF RV SALES."

SO, IT'S SMART THAT GMC HAS MADE ENHANCEMENTS TO THE SIERRA HD LINEUP FOR 2021, FOCUSED ON IMPROVED TRAILERING.

AVAILABLE CAMERA TECHNOLOGIES INCLUDE JACK-KNIFE ALERT AND REAR SIDE VIEW WITH TRAILER LENGTH INDICATOR, TO AID WHEN PASSING AND MERGING IN TRAFFIC WHILE TOWING.

HD SURROUND VISION WITH TWO TRAILER VIEW CAMERA PROVISIONS, AND BED VIEW WITH ZOOM, AND HITCH GUIDANCE ARE NOW STANDARD ON DENALI.

TOW RATINGS ARE UP ACROSS THE BOARD FOR SIERRA IN 2021.

OUR GAS 2500 HD TESTER IS CAPPED AT 10,650 POUNDS, JUST FINE FOR A MEDIUM CAMPER OR CAR HAULER.

MAX TOW CAPACITY IN THE 3500 HD DIESEL IS 36,000 POUNDS.

SIERRA TRIM LEVELS INCLUDE THE BASE, SLT AND SLE WITH TYPICAL OPTION PACKAGES.

ABOVE THOSE, THE AT4 OFFERS AN OFF-ROAD-FOCUSED CONFIGURATION.

BUT TOP-LINE DENALI MAKES UP MORE THAN HALF OF SIERRA HD SALES.

IT IS PRE-EQUIPPED FOR ALL-DAY COMFORT AND OFFERED ONLY AS A CREW CAB, WITH TWO BED LENGTHS AVAILABLE.

DENALI EXCLUSIVES INCLUDE A SIGNATURE GRILLE WITH MESH AND CHROME INSERTS, CHROME STEPS AND TOW HOOKS, AND STANDARD 20 INCH POLISHED ALUMINUM WHEELS.

INSIDE, DENALI MODELS GET REAL ASH WOOD, BRUSHED ALUMINUM TRIM AND CHROME ACCENTS.

BASE 2021 SIERRA HD PRICING STARTS JUST UNDER $38,000...

THE DENALI AT AROUND 65.

DON'T DISMISS THE GMC SIERRA 2500 HD DENALI PICKUP AS JUST THE CHROME-CLAD URBAN COUSIN OF CHEVROLET'S HARD-WORKING SILVERADO.

IT MAY BE DRESSED UP FOR A NIGHT ON THE TOWN, BUT IT'S NOT AFRAID TO GET ITS FLOOR MATS DIRTY WHEN THE SUN RISES.

AND WE'LL HAVE MORE QUICKSPINS, SOON!

* Greg: TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO TWO MEMBERS OF OUR LONG-TERM TEST FLEET, OR FIVE DEPENDING ON HOW YOU DO THE MATH.

FIRST, WE BID ADIEU TO OUR SET OF GOODYEAR WINTERCOMMAND ULTRA WINTER TIRES.

OUTFITTING ONE OF OUR STAFFER'S RIDES WITH WINTER TIRES WAS A NEW EXPERIENCE FOR OUR LONG-TERM FLEET; ONE THAT TAUGHT US A THING OR TWO, AS WELL AS REMINDED US OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER COLD WEATHER FOOTWEAR.

Rachel Ederer: OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I'VE SAID, "BUT I HAVE WINTER TIRES!"

IN RESPONSE TO ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE ROAD CONDITIONS.

I'VE DRIVEN IN RAIN, SLUSH, SNOW, AND ICE.

I FELT CONFIDENT - PARALLEL PARKING ON A HILL IN UNPLOWED STREETS, AND ALSO DRIVING UPHILL IN 3.0 INCHES OF SNOW.

THE ONLY TIME, I'VE FELT MY TIRES SLIP WAS TRANSITIONING BETWEEN ROAD CONDITIONS.

FOR EXAMPLE, A HARD LEFT INTO SLUSH FROM A CLEAR STREET, OR INTO A SNOW FILLED EMERGENCY LANE.

I HAVE NEVER LOST CONTROL OR HYDROPLANED, I'VE EXPERIENCED A MOMENT OF FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE SLIPPING BEFORE REGAINING TRACTION.

SO, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BUY AN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE, OR BE STUCK AT HOME WHEN THE WEATHER GETS LOUSY, THESE GOODYEAR TIRES ARE A GREAT SOLUTION.

Greg: KEEP IN MIND, THE SOFTER COMPOUND OF WINTER TIRES MEANS MORE ROLLING RESISTANCE, AND ULTIMATELY LESS FUEL ECONOMY.

RACHEL SAW A DROP FROM 36.6 MILES PER GALLON TO 34.8 IN HER HYUNDAI ACCENT.

STILL, THAT WAS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR THE PEACE OF MIND THESE GOODYEAR WINTERCOMMAND ULTRA WINTER TIRES PROVIDED.

NEXT, IT'S ARRIVEDERCI TO OUR 2020 FIAT 500X.

THIS PINT-SIZED ITALIAN RUNABOUT HAS SERVED US WELL OVER 12-MONTHS AND 11,000 MILES.

OUR YEARLONG FUEL ECONOMY AVERAGE WRAPPED UP AT A NICE EVEN 26.0 MILES PER GALLON.

THE LIFE OF A MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM TEST CAR ISN'T ALWAYS GLAMOROUS, BUT THE 500X HAS MADE IT THROUGH ITS YEAR-LONG SERVICE WITH EUROPEAN STYLE, GRACE, AND EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF GRIT.

THE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SYSTEM HAD US CONFIDENT TO TAKE IT OFF ROAD DURING SHOOTS AND THE SUSPENSION'S HIGHWAY COMFORT HAD OUR STAFF CONSTANTLY TAKING IT FOR LONGER JOURNEYS.

I THINK, IT'S SAFE TO SAY, THE 500X SURPRISED US A LITTLE BIT AND IT WILL BE MISSED.

AS WE WAVE GOODBYE TO THE 500X, WE'RE WELCOMING THIS 2021 ACURA TLX A-SPEC FOR A FULL YEAR OF TESTING.

AND WE'LL HAVE UPDATES ON OUR MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV AND KIA SELTOS UTILITIES, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!

John: THERE ARE PERFORMANCE CARS THAT WOW YOU WITH THEIR MODERN PRECISION, SMOOTHNESS, AND HIGH-TECH WIZARDRY.

AND THEN, THERE ARE PERFORMANCE CARS LIKE THIS NISSAN G-T-R, THAT COME IN LIKE A WRECKING BALL, BLUDGEONING THE TRACK, AND YOU AT TIMES, TO GET THE JOB DONE.

NOW, WE'RE NOT JUDGING, WE'RE JUST ENJOYING THE HECK OUT OF THE LATEST NISSAN G-T-R. * WHEN THE LONG-AWAITED NISSAN G-T-R FINALLY ARRIVED HERE IN THE STATES FOR 2009, IT WAS EVERYTHING WE'D HOPED IT WOULD BE.

BUT AS GREAT AS IT WAS, NISSAN HAS BEEN TWEAKING AND IMPROVING IT EVER SINCE; ARRIVING AT THIS 2020 NISSAN G-T-R NISMO.

A QUICK RECAP ON HOW WE GOT HERE.

THE G-T-R ARRIVED WITH 480 HORSEPOWER FROM A 3.8 LITER TWIN-TURBO V6.

THAT SAME ENGINE NOW PUTS OUT 600 HORSEPOWER HERE IN NISMO VERSION, ALONG WITH 481 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE; THANKS TO UPGRADED TURBO'S, THE SAME ONES FOUND ON THE GT3 FULL-RACE VERSION.

EXTERIOR FACELIFTS ARRIVED IN BOTH 2011 AND 2017, AND THROUGH IT ALL, THE G-T-R STILL LOOKS MENACING, BUT IN AN ANIME GRAPHIC NOVEL SORT OF WAY.

ADDITIONAL UPGRADES TO THE NISMO, OR NISSAN MOTORSPORTS VERSION, ARE STRICTLY PERFORMANCE ORIENTED; INCLUDING INCREASING AIRFLOW TO THE ENGINE AND BRAKES; ALONG WITH COMPREHENSIVE WEIGHT SAVING MEASURES LIKE CARBON FIBER FOR MOST BODY PANELS, REAR SPOILER, AND EVEN THE ROOF.

BREMBO BRAKES ARE UPGRADED TO CERAMIC DISC WITH LARGER CALIPERS, AND THEY'RE NESTLED BEHIND LIGHTER 20 INCH FORGED ALUMINUM WHEELS.

HOP IN, AND IT'S IMMEDIATELY INVIGORATING TO DRIVE SOMETHING SO FAST WITH SUCH ANTIQUE DRIVING AID ELECTRONICS.

IT'S PURE FUN, AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE ALWAYS THE ONE IN CONTROL.

THE SEATS HOLD YOU IN TIGHT WHEN CORNERING, BUT ARE STILL VERY COMFY.

OF COURSE, THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS YOU SIGN UP FOR WITH A G-T-R LIKE NOISE COMING FROM THE TURBO'S EXHAUST, AND SEEMINGLY EVERY MECHANICAL MESH POINT, AND EVEN IN COMFORT MODE, IT'S A ROUGH RIDE.

BUT, IN THE WORDS OF CLARK W. GRISWOLD, "IT'S ALL PART OF THE EXPERIENCE, HONEY."

AND, ALL IS FORGIVEN WHEN YOU LAUNCH THIS THING AT A RACE TRACK.

BETWEEN THE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SETUP AND STICKY TIRES, THERE'S SO MUCH GRIP AT LAUNCH; IT JUST HUNKERS DOWN FOR A SECOND AND THEN LITERALLY EXPLODES OFF THE LINE TO 60 IN 3.3 SECONDS.

ENJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN, AS THE SHEER BRUTALITY OF LAUNCHES ARE SUCH A STRESS ON THE MECHANICAL BITS, YOU ONLY GET A COUPLE FULL-ON ATTEMPTS BEFORE YOU ARE WARNED TO LET IT COOL DOWN.

BUT WHAT BEAUTIFUL TAKEOFFS THEY ARE.

TRANSMISSION REMAINS A DUAL-CLUTCH 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC, WHICH FORCE-FEEDS GEAR CHANGES WITH HAMMER-LIKE PRECISION, AND IT'S ALL ACCOMPANIED BY SO MUCH GLORIOUS MECHANICAL NOISE THAT IT FEELS LIKE YOU'RE GOING TWICE AS FAST AS WHAT YOU ARE.

OUR BEST QUARTER-MILE TIME WAS AN 11.4 AT 125 MILES PER HOUR.

ORIGINALLY, DESIGNED WITH SETTING NURBURGRING LAP RECORDS IN MIND; A SLOW SPEED SLALOM COURSE DOES NOT GIVE YOU A TRUE SENSE OF THE NISMO'S CAPABILITIES, BUT DOES REVEAL A TENDENCY TO UNDERSTEER EVER SO SLIGHTLY WHEN ADJUSTED TO ITS HARSHEST SETTINGS.

THERE'S VIRTUALLY NO BODY ROLL, AND STEERING IS VERY QUICK, WITH GREAT FEEDBACK THROUGH THE WHEEL.

THE BILSTEIN DAMPTRONIC SHOCKS HAVE BEEN RE-TUNED, MOSTLY TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WEIGHT LOSS; AND NEW DUNLOP TIRES OFFER EVEN MORE GRIP THAN BEFORE.

EXPECTEDLY, EVERYTHING INSIDE LOOKS AND FEELS A BIT DATED, BUT THAT'S JUST ADDED CHARM FOR THIS UNIQUE MACHINE.

NISMO HIGHLIGHTS ARE RED TRIM AND STITCHING THROUGHOUT THE CABIN, AND A NEAR-PERFECT 3-SPOKE STEERING WHEEL.

PRICING FOR THE G-T-R NISMO IS $212,535; FOR THOSE OF YOU KEEPING TRACK, THAT'S ABOUT $140,000 MORE THAN WHEN THIS CAR ARRIVED.

G-T-R AND NISMO ARE ALMOST SYNONYMOUS.

BOTH SPEAK TO THE BEST THROUGH 50 YEARS OF NISSAN PERFORMANCE.

PUT THEM TOGETHER, AND THE 2020 NISSAN G-T-R NISMO IS ONE SPECIAL VEHICLE.

IT'S A FUN AND IMMENSELY CAPABLE TRACK CAR THAT MANAGES JUST FINE ON THE STREET.

IT MAY BE AN ANALOG DINOSAUR IN A 5G BROADBAND WORLD OF SUPERCOMPUTERS MASQUERADING AS EXOTIC SUPERCAR'S, BUT THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT MAKES THE G-T-R NISMO EXCEPTIONAL.

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, AS WE RECHARGE OUR BATTERIES IN A PAIR OF PLUG-IN VOLVOS.

THEN IT'S AN ADRENALINE RUSH THAT IS THE LATEST HONDA CIVIC TYPE R. TIL' 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... Announcer: ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF BRANDS, PRICES, AND SPECIFICATIONS.

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