MotorWeek

Hi, I'm John Davis and this is MotorWeek !

We're charged up for an all-electric rush in Audi's RS e-tron GT... And we'll pop down to the garage for some next-gen car care advice... Then, it's Two Wheelin' time atop of a Bavarian touring machine... Ending with a few hot starts in Hyundai's rockin' Kona N!

So, come drive with us, next!

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TireRack.Com is proud to support MotorWeek .

First, there was the wheel.

Then, the tire.

"We'll call it TireRack."

Forty years later, we're not slowing down.

JOHN: When you think about it, it was only a matter of time before Audi made this e-tron GT happen.

After all, sister brand Porsche set a new standard for EV performance luxury with the Taycan.

So, building an Audi variant is sure to appeal to a much wider audience.

So, let's see how Audi's vision turned out.

* Don't look now, but another high-performance EV is bursting onto the scene!

It's the 2022 Audi e-tron GT and we couldn't be happier to get some quality time behind the wheel, to see what Audi has built upon the Porsche Taycan's bones.

Most of the hardware is indeed the same as the Taycan; that means dual-motor all-wheel-drive, 270 kilowatt fast charging of the 93 kilowatt hour battery, and their unique 2-speed transmission.

Though, tuning is different, so actual numbers aren't quite the same; and as of now, options are more limited to just a base e-tron and an upgraded RS version.

The base e-tron works with 522 horsepower, and is rated for 238 miles; while this RS cranks the motors up for 637 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque.

That falls between the Taycan 4S with Performance Battery and the Turbo.

And it only loses 6-miles of range while gaining all of that power.

Now, 232 miles is certainly in the acceptable range to get you through most tasks and joy rides, but surely not pushing any boundaries.

Though, driven conservatively, quite a few more miles are possible, as we were actually on pace for about 270 miles before needing a charge.

While, that may not be enough range for every EV fan, as most already know, alleviating range anxiety is more about planning ahead.

Plus, there are more and more places to charge up these days, and the GT can get 120 miles added back in as little as 10-minutes.

At 42.0 kilowatt hours per 100 miles the RS gets a fair efficiency rating.

A lot of design time in EVs is being spent on sound.

Sound is a big part of the performance car experience.

And Audi's is a distinct one; rather than faking engine noises or even amplifying the electric motors, they created a unique soundtrack they claim is the "acoustic expression of sportiness."

Marketed as a Grand Tourer, the e-tron GT is not the fastest EV out there, but unless you've actually driven the Taycan Turbo S or Model S Plaid, it will feel like the fastest car you've ever driven, equal parts intoxicating and addicting.

We certainly couldn't get enough of it at our Mason Dixon Dragway proving grounds.

The launch of the RS it truly brutal, just a full-power assault to 60 in 3.0 seconds flat.

There's a slight bit of wheel slip, which doesn't slow you down, but rather seems to get the motors wound up even quicker.

It is odd to feel a definite shift happening about a third of the way down the track.

It's a little upsetting to the car too; but ultimately just a reminder of how much power you're dealing with here.

Our best quarter-mile time was 11.1 seconds at 127 miles per hour.

Handling is of course quite good; not exceptional, as it didn't stay quite as flat as expected; but firmly hitting that overall superior middle ground that Audi sedans occupy so well.

It may be more of a grand tourer, not an all-out performance machine, but it's quick and precise steering make it a real joy to drive no matter the speed.

Stable as can be in our panic braking runs; stopping in just 99 feet from 60 miles per hour.

As tech intensive as it is, Audi has given it a very traditional looking and usable interior.

Some may actually want all touch-panel everything, but frankly we love what Audi has done.

There are lots of real controls, and everything is slightly canted toward the driver and within' easy reach.

It's highly attractive, and seems built to please the driver in everyday use, not just be a flashy showpiece to wow your neighbors.

And there's enough comfort and space in the back seat to easily put double dates in play.

E-tron GT pricing starts at $106,395, the RS at $145,395; that's certainly not a bargain, but competitively priced with similar EVs, and after driving it, you'll feel like you got your money's worth and then some.

So, while performance numbers tend to garner all of the headlines, how an EV actually drives is really more important.

The 2022 RS e-tron GT's acceleration and beauty may attract eyes, but its driving experience will be what truly wins most people over.

It's just a fantastic all-around EV...the EV elevated!

It doesn't really break any new ground, but it sure looks great occupying the high ground that it's on.

* When it comes to comfortable, luxury-minded, high-tech conveyance with a performance twist; it's hard to beat the BMW 7-series.

Now, only if they had a two-wheelin' counterpart... well, it turns out they do, it's the BMW K1600 GTL, and here's Brian Robinson with the speedy detail.

* BRIAN ROBINSON: So, if you're in the market for a big touring bike and you're not sure, if you want to go the comfort/luxury direction, or something more high-performance and high-tech; well, BMW just made the decision a whole lot easier for you.

While, BMW always seems to be at the forefront of automotive technology, vehicle lifecycles tend to run a little longer on the motorcycle side of things, making it much more difficult for them to consistently deliver both the latest and the greatest.

When we first rode this K1600 GTL 11 years ago, it set a new standard for luxury long-distance touring motorcycles with its amazing adaptable suspension, active headlight that aimed into corners as you leaned in, and a brilliant iDrive-like multi-controller eliminating the switch overload of all touring bikes up to that point.

Though, the real star of the show was their first ever inline-6 engine in a motorcycle.

But, over the last decade most competitors have upped their game dramatically; so for 2022, the K1600 GTL gets a comprehensive update.

It may not look that much different, if you see one riding by, but from the rider's perch, you'll quickly notice the big 10 inch TFT display which looks like it came right out of a 7-series.

It's not a touchscreen however, still controlled by that multi-controller on the left handgrip.

Joining it, is a row of programmable "favorites" buttons on the lower left side fairing.

And while, there is obviously lots of that fairing to go around, BMW still lets you see plenty of the amazing 6-cylinder engine.

No additional horsepower for '22, still 160; but new software and emissions controls deliver a slight increase of torque to 133 pound-feet, and allow max power to be delivered 1,000 RPM sooner than before.

And you can immediately feel that it's both more responsive and little more eager to get going than before.

You would think a tech-heavy motorcycle such as this might have some kind of automated transmission, but still 6-speed manual, and we're fine with that.

Still, not a lightweight machine, but that engine and BMW's unique suspension setup continues to have a way of making a large portion of that weight magically disappear once you're underway.

As before, settings for Dynamic, Road, and Rain deliver the corresponding experience quite well, but now automatically adjusts for the amount of weight onboard.

No matter what type of road surface you're travelling on, or the speeds you're doing it, the GTL remains smooth and surprisingly eager to get through corners.

Most long-distance touring essentials are standard, plush seating for two, huge power adjusting windscreen to protect you from the elements, ways to divert cooling air onto the rider, and lots of storage, of course.

An available comfort package adds keyless ride, central locking, and additional lighting.

Starting price is $26,895, and with every available option, you'll be just over 30,000.

I agree, that is a lot of money for a motorcycle, but if you look at the 2022 BMW K1600 GTL not just as a motorcycle, but as the perfect getaway machine that will keep both you and your passenger comfortable, and engaged as you see large chunks of this beautiful country... well, it doesn't seem that bad at all.

JOHN: In most state's you can't get your driver's license until you're 16.

But this week, we're turning "Your Drive" over to one Gusieppe Iatarola, A car crazy 11-year-old who did his first online video when he was only 7!

* GUSIEPPE IATAROLA: I help my dad out a lot in the repair shop, and I wanna show you a few things that every driver should know, starting off with oil.

Right now, we're currently good on oil, so I'll wipe it and show you what the markings mean.

This marking means that you're good on oil, and then this marking right here means that you're low on oil or you need to change it.

So, I'm gonna put it back in.

Your user's manual should tell you all the specs on the oil; what's the weight and how much to put.

If you're on the side of the road with a flat tire and you need to change the tire, use a scissor jack.

The scissor jack is only for emergency use only and you can find it in the trunk under the carpet.

If you're on soft ground, the scissor jack will sink, so you wanna mostly be on pavement.

Now, there's an arrow on this plastic part to show you where the jacking point is: right here.

Now, you don't wanna jack it from the plastic part.

Otherwise, it'll just crumble and then you have a big repair to do.

If you're in the shop, use a floor jack; it can pick up more weight.

And, if you're in the shop, use a jack stand.

The jack stand secures the car from falling and you getting injured.

It's very important to see out of your car.

When your blades are smudgy and blurry, and you can't really see good, here's what you do.

If you can't change the blades right now, you get an alcohol pad, it's a little trick.

Wait until you see how much dirt you get off.

Wipe it.

Now, look how much dirt just came off.

See?

And before I go, let's talk about tire pressure.

Now, you get your tire pressure gauge and you check it.

Now, there's a sticker in the door jam that tells you how much pounds you need.

Right now, we're currently at 25 pounds and it's supposed to be 32, so you need to add air.

If you have any questions or comments, reach out to us at MotorWeek .

* JOHN: If you're a muscle car fan, no doubt you've heard of Yenko Chevrolet, the Pennsylvania Chevy dealer that quickly became known for turning Chevrolet's finest performance cars into serious fire breathing hot rods.

But Yenko was just one of many dealers doing such things back in America's muscle car heyday of the 1960s.

Duncan Brown thinks those long-gone dealerships need a little credit as well, and has given you the full story on almost 20 of them in this "Must Read," "Lost Muscle Car Dealerships."

Whether, through backdoor deals with GM or custom work in their own performance shops, all of these dealers were responsible for putting some serious horsepower on the street.

Better yet, Duncan also hit the road all across the country to photograph what these dealerships look like now, or take pictures of whatever condos or strip malls currently occupy these hallowed grounds of muscle car history.

"Hit it, punch it, floor it," to us they all mean the same thing: time for more QuickSpins!

* JESSICA RAY: In our recent Road Test of the redesigned 2022 Lexus NX line of subcompact SUVs, we focused on their first-time plug-in hybrid.

But we were also intrigued by their sportiest, more traditional variant, the NX 350 F-Sport.

The NX 350 itself sees an all-new 2.4 liter turbo-4 rated at 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, which delivers to all wheels through an 8-speed automatic.

Naturally, the optional Fuji Speedway "F Sport" stamp is best be felt in tight corners that get the most out of the added active variable suspension and upgraded dampers.

It is firmer riding, and a little sharper in response; which may not be to most buyer's tastes; but it is to ours.

Along with the bolder styling elements of the new-gen NX, the F Sport has a dedicated grille, unique front and rear bumpers, body-matched fender arches, and 20-inch black wheels.

The cabin sees F Sport accents, like perforated materials on the sport seats, center console and steering wheel.

Down below are aluminum pedals and matching scuff plates; up top, special Graphite Aluminum trimmings.

The available Luxury Package upgrades the NX-standard 9.8 inch infotainment to a 14 inch display.

All said and done, the 2022 Lexus NX 350 F Sport starts just under $50,000, in the middle of the NX lineup; in our opinion, a great place for it to be.

GREG CARLOSS: It's been two years since we first tested the all-electric Mini Cooper SE.

Now, on the eve of a longer-range redesign, we thought we'd give their current all-EV a final go.

Compact, quiet, quirky are the best ways to describe this 2023 MINI Cooper SE.

Let's start with compact: of course, you don't need anyone to tell you that-- it's in the name-- 151.7 inches long and 68-inches wide, to be exact.

The inside of this 3-door hardtop is as cozy as its gasoline sibling with 41.4 inches of legroom up front and 30.8 inches in back.

Then, there's quiet: again...obvious.

The 135 kilowatt electric motor puts down 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque without fuss, and it's quite snappy off the line.

Still, with the added battery weight, 0-60 takes 6.9 seconds, about a half second more than the gas-powered Cooper S. The Mini SE only nets 114 miles of range from its 32.6 kilowatt hour battery.

But, it's so much fun to drive MINI fans have embraced it, making the SE the brand's most popular model.

That brings us to quirky, here in the form of yellow mirror caps and checkered seats.

But this MINI is also big on features, like...the 8.8 inch touchscreen with standard navigation, heated front seats, and panoramic moonroof.

Our Iconic Trimmed Cooper also came with a Head-Up Display.

The 2023 MINI Cooper SE starts around $35,000 which makes it one of the most moderately priced pure EVs available today.

And we'll be here with more QuickSpins soon!

* JESSICA: Did you know, that you can tell how old your tires are by just looking at them?

And no, I'm not talking about the tread.

The actual date of manufacturing is printed right on the tire.

All tires have a DOT number and the last four digits will tell you what week of what year it was made.

As you can see here, this tire was manufactured in the 10th week of 2022.

That's a pretty new tire!

Experts say tire compounds have an optimal lifespan of between 6 to 10 years.

So, if you can't remember the last time you bought new tires, it's worth checking to see if yours are still safe to drive on.

Especially, as winter weather heads our way!

JOHN: It's a new era in the automotive world, and we're not talking about EVs.

We're referring to the fact that more and more often, a lot of the performance cars we test aren't cars at all, but SUVs.

Case in point, this Hyundai Kona N. So, let's hit the road and track and see how much excitement Hyundai can pack into this little Ute.

* Hyundai introduced their N Brand performance division in 2013, but it was 2019's Veloster N that truly set the stage with a complete high-performance transformation of their tiny 3-door plus-1 hatchback.

The Elantra N sedan was a natural follow up.

But, it still took guts to spread such a track-worthy treatment into their 2022 Hyundai Kona N mini-Ute.

Actually, most of the Kona N's go-specs are the same as the Elantra N, starting with the 2.0 liter turbo-4.

It delivers the same 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, and comes with an upgraded 8-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, remaining front-wheel-drive only.

The interior is a bit drab and monotone looking, with only some blue accents to break up the grayness; but it is decked-out with N sport bucket seats, an exclusive racing display for the digital instrument cluster, and alloy pedals.

For adjusting the five driving modes, there's the now familiar N Grin Control system, which comes with N Grin Shift button on the steering wheel that adds a temporary over-boost for another 10-horsepower.

Outside, it barely looks like an SUV, more a slightly taller hatchback; so, the performance transformation is not that big of a stretch.

Lots of go-fast goodies lend a serious look; like, the 19 inch alloy wheels with Pirelli P Zero summer performance tires, front lip spoiler, dual exhaust tips, and double-wing roof spoiler.

There are also red accents and an N signature triangular brake light.

To see how it all comes together, we hit the tight and technical turns of Summit Point Motorsports Park's Shenandoah Circuit.

And it was a real blast, feeling very light and agile, and sounding fantastic.

One of the most descriptive features we've seen on a car lately is the N Corner Carving Differential.

It's exactly what it sounds like, an electronic limited-slip differential that manages power distribution across the front axle to improve cornering.

Based on the stiff, borderline hyper street ride, we were expecting more of a locked down experience here on the track, and to a point that was the case.

Driven at seven/tenths, it was quite capable, and easy to forget that it's an SUV.

But push that last 30 percent and it starts to push back, and will understeer.

It was a real handful to launch in straight-line testing too; finding the right amount of throttle to manage tire spin, wheel hop, and torque steer.

And if that sounds like we're complaining, we're not.

That's what we live for around here, as any car with an engine that unleashes fury the rest of the car has trouble dealing with always does seem to put that grin on our faces.

Eventually, we got a clean launch to 60 in 5.3 seconds.

There's no real noticeable turbo-lag, but that torque steer shows up just about every time the DCT punches up to a new gear; so a firm grip on the wheel was required; 13.7 seconds was the quarter-mile time, finishing at 107 miles per hour, with the exhaust popping and crackling the whole way.

Of course, buyers will spend much more of their time driving to work and running errands than hitting corner apexes or running quarter miles.

So, practicality is probably more important; which is why most people buy an SUV in the first place.

Fortunately, there's no sacrifice of the Kona's 19.2 cubic-feet of cargo space, which expands to 45.8.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 20-City, 27-Highway, and 23-Combined; we averaged a good 24.2 miles per gallon of Premium.

That's an average Energy Impact Score, with consumption of 12.9 barrels of oil annually, and CO2 emissions of 6.5 tons.

The Kona N is priced at $35,495 to start; about 10-grand over a base unit, but only about 5-grand more than the Limited trim.

Hyundai continues to impress, whether it's their rapid expansion of hybrid offerings or their fantastic EVs; and now you can add performance SUVs to the list.

Though in actuality, the 2022 Hyundai Kona N is more of a proper hot hatch in boxy clothing than a do it all utility vehicle.

If you need one of those, Hyundai has plenty of them as well.

Still, the Kona N is something really special.

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 crab walk into frame in GMC's amazing Hummer EV SUV.

Followed by Volvo's only slightly more humble XC60 Recharge.

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 To order a DVD of this program, call... MotorWeek has been brought to you by... For more than 30 years Lucas Oil products has helped people tackle mechanical problems in the automotive, marine, and industrial fields.

From our original four core products... Lucas Oil has developed over 400 custom products to help both professionals and do it yourselfers.

To learn more visit Lucasoil.com.

Lucas oil, keep that engine alive.

TireRack.com is proud to support MotorWeek .

First, there was the wheel.

Then, the tire.

"We'll call it Tire Rack."

Forty years later, we're not slowing down.

* This program was produced by Maryland Public Television, which is solely responsible for its content.

(car engine revving) * You're watching PBS.