2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe & 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth

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

JOIN US AS HYUNDAI UPs THE EVERYDAY PERFORMANCE OF THEIR GENESIS COUPE.

PAT GOSS GETS US ALL PUMPED UP ABOUT MODERN TIRE CARE.

FYI REPORTER YOLANDA VAZQUEZ SHOWS US A HIGH-TECH WAY TO BATTLE DUI.

AND THEN WE'LL SEE IF THE SMALL FIAT 500 ABARTH IS A BIG STEP UP.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION Announcer: MOTORWEEK, TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY...

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

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YES?

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John: WHILE THE GENESIS COUPE HAS DONE A LOT TO INCREASE THE PERFORMANCE IMAGE OF THE HYUNDAI BRAND, IT'S KIND OF STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SPORTS COUPE SEGMENT.

IT DOESN'T OFFER THE RETRO STYLE AND TRADITION OF PONY CARS LIKE CAMARO AND MUSTANG, NOR DOES IT HAVE ALL OF THE LIGHTWEIGHT FUN FACTOR OF NEW ARRIVALS LIKE THE SCION FR-S AND SUBARU BRZ.

SO, JUST WHAT DOES THE HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE OFFER THAT OTHER CARS DON'T?

SOMETIMES BEING CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE IS A GOOD THING AS YOU CAN POACH SALES FROM BOTH SIDES WITHOUT BEING A DIRECT COMPETITOR WITH EITHER ONE.

AND SO IT IS FOR THE 2013 HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE, WITH A TURBO-4 THAT LEANS MORE TOWARDS THE IMPORT NAMES AND A STRONG-RUNNING V6 THAT LEANS MORE TOWARDS DETROIT BRANDS, IT'S ADEQUATELY EQUIPPED TO DO BATTLE WITH BOTH.

WE CHOSE THE 3.8-LITER V6 FOR OUR TEST, AS IT IS UPDATED WITH DIRECT INJECTION, PROVIDING 42 MORE HORSEPOWER, FOR A TOTAL OF 348, AND 29 MORE POUND-FEET OF TORQUE TO 295 AND HEADED STRAIGHT TO THE TRACK TO SEE WHAT IT WOULD DO.

OFF THE LINE, WE COULD EASILY FEEL THAT ADDITIONAL TORQUE, BUT THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF GRIP FOR A GOOD LAUNCH, AND FOR SHAVING A FEW TENTHS OFF OUR PREVIOUS GENESIS COUPE 3.8 TEST WITH A 0 TO 60 TIME OF 5.2-SECONDS.

AND IT NOW RUNS THROUGH THE 1/4 MILE IN 13.9-SECONDS AT 103 MILES-PER-HOUR.

THE STANDARD 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS ALSO BEEN TWEAKED TO PROVIDE MORE FEEL, AND INDEED IT WAS VERY PRECISE.

A NEW 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO PREFER JUST TWO PEDALS.

BRAKES CERTAINLY LIVE UP TO THE SPORTY STYLE OF THE GENESIS, AS STOPPING FROM 60 TOOK JUST 113-FEET.

THROUGH THE CONES IT FELT WELL BALANCED WITH A FRONT END THAT STAYS ADHERED AT ALL TIMES.

THERE ARE NEW DAMPERS, AND STEERING HAS BEEN RECALIBRATED.

RESPONSE IS ABOUT THE SAME, BUT WE COULD NOTICE SOME ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK AND A LITTLE MORE CONNECTEDNESS OVERALL.

THERE'S ENOUGH TORQUE TO STEP THE REAR OUT A BIT WITH TIMELY THROTTLE INPUTS, AND AS BEFORE, R-SPEC MODELS GET FRONT STRUT CAMBER ADJUSTMENT BOLTS.

THE LATEST GENESIS COUPE ALSO GETS A FRESH LOOK.

ONE THAT'S MORE AGGRESSIVE AND MUSCULAR, ESPECIALLY UP FRONT WITH THE NEW FASCIA FEATURING LARGER AIR INTAKES, AND A MORE MENACING LOOKING HOOD, THOUGH THE NEW AIR "VENTS" ARE OBVIOUSLY FOR APPEARANCE ONLY.

DOWN THE SIDE, THE Z-SHAPED BODY LINES REMAIN, BUT ARE SET OFF BY NEW WHEELS WITH A MORE SCULPTED LOOK, AVAILABLE IN 18s OR 19s.

IN THE BACK, LED'S HIGHLIGHT A NEW TAIL LIGHT DESIGN, WHILE DOWN LOW, ASYMMETRICAL EXHAUST TIPS STILL ADD SOME FLASH TO THE BLACK DIFFUSER.

INTERIOR UPDATES ARE MINOR, BUT INCLUDE NEW MATERIALS THROUGHOUT THAT ARE A BIT MORE INVITING.

GAUGES ARE ALSO UPDATED WITH ELECTROLUMINESCENT LIGHTING AND A NEW INFO CENTER.

R-SPEC MODELS SPORTS SEATS WITH RED LEATHER BOLSTERING AND CLOTH INSERTS, AND THE RED TRIM FINDS ITS WAY ONTO THE DOOR PANELS AS WELL.

HYUNDAI'S BLUE LINK TELEMATICS IS NOW AVAILABLE, BUT ONLY IN 3.8 GRAND TOURING, 3.8 TRACK, AND 2.

PREMIUM TRIMS.

THOUGH ALL MODELS ADD NEEDED TELESCOPING TO THE STEERING WHEEL.

ON THE STREET, THIS REGENERATED GENESIS IS PLENTY ENTERTAINING, BUT NOT AS REFINED AS IT COULD BE.

RIDE IS STILL A BIT HARSH FOR OUR AGING BODIES.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR THE V6 MANUAL ARE 18-CITY AND 27-HIGHWAY, AND WE MANAGED A DECENT 24 MILES PER GALLON IN DAILY DRIVING, BUT THAT'S ON PREMIUM FUEL.

THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS AVERAGE AT 15.7-BARRELS OF YEARLY OIL USE, WITH ANNUAL CO2 EMISSIONS OF SEVEN TONS.

AS THE GREAT POISON SINGER BRET MICHAELS ONCE TOLD US, "EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORN" AND WITH THE GENESIS, ALL THESE GREAT UPDATES HAVE COME WITH A BASE PRICE THAT'S 2-GRAND HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR, STARTING AT $25,125.

OUR 3.8 R-SPEC GOES FOR $29,625.

STILL, THE 2013 HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE IS A LOT OF CAR FOR THE MONEY WHILE IT ALSO BRINGS A LITTLE BIT OF SOPHISTICATION TO THE CLASS.

IT SEEMS TO HAVE REALLY EMBRACED ITS "TWEENER" STATUS.

MUCH LIKE A DENIM JACKET, YOU HAVE TO BE IN THE RIGHT CROWD TO FEEL COOL SPORTING ONE, BUT IN A GROUP OF LIKE MINDED INDIVIDUALS, THE GENESIS COUPE IS INDEED ONE SLICK RIDE.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO ATLANTA, GEORGIA, HEADQUARTERS OF THE GIANT COCA-COLA COMPANY.

AS PART OF THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT, COKE HAS ADDED MORE THAN 750 HYBRID-ELECTRIC DELIVERY TRUCKS TO THEIR U.S. AND CANADIAN FLEETS.

THE COMPANY'S INTEREST IN HYBRID VEHICLES STARTED IN 2001.

SINCE THEN THEY'VE WORKED WITH TRUCK BUILDER EATON, TO DEVELOP PLATFORMS THAT MEET THEIR VARIOUS DIRECT-STORE DELIVERY NEEDS.

THIS 35-FOOT-TRAILER, WITH REGENERATIVE BRAKING, WORKS WELL FOR MULTIPLE STOPS.

COKE SAYS THIS LARGE, HYBRID TRUCK IS THE WORKHORSE OF THEIR FLEET, BUT IT ISN'T THE ONLY VEHICLE IN THEIR ALT-FUEL LINEUP.

Steve Saltzgiver: A BIG BENEFIT, OF COURSE, IS OUR SUSTAINABILITY PORTFOLIO AND RECOGNITION THAT WE GET IN THE MARKET FROM THAT.

AND PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS WE'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING THAT'S IN OUR SOCIAL LIFE, SO TO SPEAK, IN PROMOTING THIS TECHNOLOGY THAT'S OUT THERE.

John: THE HYBRID-ELECTRIC DELIVERY TRUCKS REPRESENT ABOUT 10% OF COCA-COLA'S OVERALL NORTH AMERICAN FLEET.

FEDERAL FUNDS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY THROUGH THE CLEAN CITIES ATLANTA COALITION HELPED WITH THE ACQUISITION.

ADVANCED HYBRID TECHNOLOGY REPRESENTS "OPEN HAPPINESS" FOR THE POPULAR SOFT-DRINK COMPANY AND ITS MANY FANS WORLDWIDE.

WITH ALL THE CONSTANT TALK ABOUT DISTRACTED DRIVERS BEING A HIGHWAY MENACE, WE TEND TO FORGET AN EVEN MORE SERIOUS MENACE, DRUNK DRIVERS.

NOW, DESPITE DECADES OF WARNINGS AND A LOT OF LEGISLATION, PEOPLE STILL TEND TO DRINK TO EXCESS AND DRIVE, OFTEN WITH DEADLY RESULTS.

WELL, THIS WEEK, OUR FYI REPORTER YOLANDA VAZQUEZ SHOWS US AN ELECTRONIC EFFORT TO STOP DUI BEFORE IT STARTS.

Yolanda: DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED.

IT BECAME AN ALL-TOO FAMILIAR ROUTINE FOR AUDRA JOHNSTON.

Audra Johnston: AND I CAN REMEMBER JUST HOLDING ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL GOING, "MAN, THERE'S GOT TO BE MORE TO LIFE THAN THIS."

Yolanda: SHE RECEIVED HER FIRST DWI AT AGE 21.

WITH NOTHING MORE THAN A SLAP ON THE WRIST, JOHNSTON CONTINUED HER DRUNK DRIVING WAYS.

Audra: UP UNTIL MY THIRD DWI, I REALLY DID NOT CARE.

AND I THINK UNLESS YOU'RE AN ALCOHOLIC, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO UNDERSTAND IT.

Yolanda: AFTER HER THIRD OFFENSE, JOHNSTON WAS GIVEN THE OPTION TO PARTICIPATE IN AN IGNITION INTERLOCK PROGRAM.

THIS IS WHERE A COMPANY, AUTHORIZED BY THE STATE, INSTALLS A BREATH ANALYZER DEVICE - THAT LOOKS SOMEWHAT LIKE A CELL PHONE - INTO A PERSON'S VEHICLE TO TEST THEIR BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT BEFORE THEY DRIVE.

LIFESAFER STATE DIRECTOR BILL CHASTAIN DEMONSTRATES THE BREATH TEST... Bill Chastain: ONCE IT GOES TO BLOW, YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE TEST.

[BLOWS INTO DEVICE] Yolanda: CHASTAIN SAYS THERE'S A CERTAIN WAY YOU MUST BLOW INTO THE DEVICE FOR IT TO RECORD THE PROPER BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT LEVEL - MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR JUST ANYONE TO DO IT.

Bill: IT HAS A HUM TONE THAT'S BUILT INTO IT, SO IT'S NOT AS EASY AS JUST HAVING SOMEBODY JUMP IN AND TAKE THE TEST.

THEY HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO TAKE THE TEST PROPERLY.

Yolanda: ONCE YOU BLOW INTO THE UNIT, IT WILL EMIT A GREEN "PASS" LIGHT LETTING YOU KNOW IT'S OKAY TO START YOUR CAR.

[CAR ENGINE STARTS] IF IT DETECTS A SMALL TRACE OF ALCOHOL, A YELLOW WARNING SIGNAL APPEARS.

IF YOUR BAC EXCEEDS THE STATE'S LEGAL LIMIT, A RED "FAIL" LIGHT COMES ON.

THIS MEANS YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO START.

ALL OF THE "BREATH TESTS" AND OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION ARE RECORDED.

THE PARTICIPANT MUST BRING IN THEIR VEHICLE EVERY MONTH TO TRANSFER THE INFORMATION FROM THE IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE TO A COMPUTER.

THAT DATA DOWNLOAD IS SENT TO THE STATE'S MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION FOR REVIEW.

MVA DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR CHRISSY NIZER SAYS IF THEY FIND ANY VIOLATIONS -- AND THERE'S A LONG LIST OF THEM -- THEY'LL EXTEND THE PROGRAM BY A MONTH FOR EACH VIOLATION.

Chrissy Nizer: SO IT'S TO TRY TO TEACH THEM THAT, LOOK, WE HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR TO MAKE YOU A SAFE DRIVER AGAIN AND TRY TO GET YOU DOWN THE RIGHT PATH.

Yolanda: MARYLAND HAS THE HIGHEST PARTICIPATION PER CAPITA ON THE EAST COAST IN THE IGNITION INTERLOCK PROGRAM WITH CLOSE TO 10,000 PEOPLE.

EVERY STATE HAS SOME TYPE OF IGNITION INTERLOCK REQUIREMENT AND SOME STATES, LIKE NEW YORK, MAKE IT MANDATORY FOR "FIRST-TIME" OFFENDERS.

WHILE THESE IN-CAR BREATHALYZERS ARE A GREAT TECHNOLOGICAL TOOL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUNK DRIVERS, NIZER WARNS THEY'RE NOT A CURE-ALL.

Nizer: THE RECIDIVISM RATE WHILE THEY'RE ON THE IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE IS GOOD, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE PROGRAM IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT, YOU KNOW, IS ALWAYS A DIFFICULT PART IN TERMS OF REALLY CHANGING THAT BEHAVIOR.

Audra: I HATED IT.

THE INTERLOCK WAS A PAIN IN THE BUTT THAT I HAD.

YOU KNOW, IT WAS THE MONEY, IT WAS THE INCONVENIENCE OF GOING IN EVERY MONTH.

Yolanda: JOHNSTON TRIED EVERY TRICK IN THE BOOK TO AVOID BLOWING INTO THE DEVICE.

ONCE OFF THE PROGRAM, SHE RECEIVED HER FOURTH DWI AT AGE 39 AND SPENT 17 DAYS IN JAIL.

IT WAS A WAKE UP CALL FOR HER DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR.

Audra: I HAD TO HIT MY BOTTOM BEFORE I FINALLY SAID, OKAY, I'M DONE.

Yolanda: THIS TIME AROUND, JOHNSTON GLADLY PARTICIPATED IN THE IGNITION INTERLOCK PROGRAM.

SHE'S BEEN SOBER NOW FOR FOUR YEARS AND BELIEVES THE HIGH-TECH DUI DETERRENT SAVED HER LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

Audra: I'M THANKFUL FOR IT NOW.

YOU KNOW, I USED TO BAD MOUTH IT BACK IN THE DAY, BUT I'M REALLY THANKFUL FOR IT, AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.

John: LET'S HEAD DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE WHERE PAT KNOWS A THING OR TWO ABOUT KEEPING THE PRESSURE UP.

Pat: JOHN, ALL CARS NOW HAVE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS LIKE THIS TOYOTA.

WELL, DON'T THINK OF THAT AS BEING A REPLACEMENT FOR YOUR TIRE GAUGE, BECAUSE IT REALLY ISN'T.

SEE, IF YOU WANT THE ABSOLUTE BEST LIFE OUT OF YOUR TIRES, AND THE BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND EVERYTHING, AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH GET OUT THE TRUSTY OLD GAUGE AND CHECK THE PRESSURE MANUALLY.

THAT WILL GIVE YOU THE OPTIMUM PRESSURE, NOT JUST A SAFE PRESSURE, WHICH IS WHAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM DOES.

NEXT, YOU HAVE TO BE PROACTIVE IN SELECTING THE PEOPLE THAT WORK ON YOUR CAR, THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE THE TIRES -- REMOVE THEM OR INSTALL THEM.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW HOW TO DO IT, AND THEY HAVE THE PROPER EQUIPMENT, BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T DO IT RIGHT, THE BEAD OF THE TIRE WILL COME UP ACROSS THE SENSOR AND IT BREAKS THE SENSOR.

150 BUCKS GONE RIGHT THERE.

HERE WE HAVE ONE WHERE THEY DID THAT TO IT.

RIGHT HERE THE WHOLE END OF THE SENSOR IS GONE.

THIS ONE ALSO HAS ANOTHER COMMON PROBLEM.

RIGHT HERE, THE END OF THE STEM IS GONE.

IT HAS ACTUALLY REMAINED IN THE CAP DUE TO CORROSION.

SO JUST LOOSENING IT WITH YOUR FINGERS, IT JUST FALLS APART.

THAT CORROSION ALSO EXTENDS TO THE INSIDE ON MANY OF THESE, LIKE THIS ONE IS ALL RUSTED.

IT CAN DAMAGE THE ELECTRONICS IN THE SENSOR ITSELF.

NOW, WHERE DOES THE MOISTURE COME FROM?

THE MOISTURE COMES FROM AIR COMPRESSORS.

SO, YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER NITROGEN IN YOUR TIRES BECAUSE IT IS ABSOLUTELY DRY AND IT'LL PREVENT MOST OF THESE PROBLEMS.

NOW, NEXT THING, DON'T BUMP A CURB, BECAUSE IF YOU BUMP A CURB, YOU CAN WIND UP DAMAGING THE STEM.

LIKE THIS ONE IS FLATTENED.

AT THE SAME TIME, IT CRACKED THE SENSOR, SO IT HAD TO HAVE A NEW SENSOR.

AND IF CORROSION PROBLEMS, YOU WANT TO PREVENT IT; DIELECTRIC SILICON GREASE.

TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF IT, PUT IT ON EACH ONE OF THE THREADED PORTIONS OF THE STEM.

MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD CAP ON THE STEM; THAT'LL HELP KEEP MOISTURE OUT.

ALSO, WHEN YOU GO TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THEY SHOULD HAVE ONE OF THESE TOOLS.

THIS IS A TOOL THAT RELEASES AIR FROM THE TIRE WITHOUT TAKING THE CORE OUT OF THE VALVE STEM.

VERY IMPORTANT, SAVES A LOT OF PROBLEMS.

AND LAST, HERE WE HAVE SOMETHING.

IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE, IF YOU HAVE SOME TYPE OF EMERGENCY REPAIR KIT, WELL, BE CAREFUL.

MAKE SURE THAT IT IS SAFE FOR THESE SENSORS, BECAUSE IF IT ISN'T, YOU COULD DO A LOT OF EXPENSIVE DAMAGE.

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

John: WE PICKED THE 2013 MAZDA CX-5 AS OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE BEST SMALL UTILITY FOR ITS PRACTICAL SIZE, EXPRESSIVE STYLING, FINE HANDLING, AND ADVANCED GAS SAVING TECHNOLOGY.

ON THAT LAST POINT, MAZDA'S INVESTMENT IN SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, MAKING GASOLINE POWERTRAINS RUN AT PEAK EFFICIENCY, IS PAYING OFF.

WE'VE LOGGED 2,400 MILES IN TWO MONTHS WITH A 2-LITER I4 AUTOMATIC COMBO AND HAVE 30.4 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR TO SHOW FOR IT.

THAT COMPARES TO MID-20s ON OUR LONG-TERM HONDA CR-V. NOW, WE WILL ADMIT THE CX-5 WOULD LOSE ANY DRAG RACE WITH THE CR-V, BUT ONCE THE ROAD TURNS TWISTY THE CX-5 LIVES UP TO MAZDA'S OTHER PHILOSOPHY OF "ZOOM-ZOOM" PERFORMANCE.

OUR STAFF FINDS THE COMPACT CX-5 TO HAVE PLENTY OF INTERIOR ROOM FOR MOST CHORES, BUT THE VOICE-ACTIVATED NAV SYSTEM IS A BIT HARD OF HEARING.

MAZDA RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A BOOST IN PRODUCTION FOR THE CX-5 AND IT'S EASY TO SEE WHY.

FOR AROUND TOWN ERRANDS, OUR STAFF'S FAVORITE VEHICLE THESE DAYS IS THE ALL-ELECTRIC NISSAN LEAF.

DESPITE NOT BEING ABLE TO VENTURE TOO FAR, WE MAKE GREAT USE OF THE 70 TO 80 PRACTICAL MILES FROM A SINGLE CHARGE.

PLUS, EVEN IN 100 DEGREE HEAT, THE ELECTRIC AIR CONDITIONING WORKED WELL AND REDUCED RANGE LESS THAN EXPECTED.

THE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CLOTH UPHOLSTERY IS WEARING WELL BUT THE LIGHT COLOR IS EASY TO STAIN.

WE DID HAVE A SERIOUS FLAT TIRE, AND WITH NO SPARE TO SAVE WEIGHT, OUR LEAF HAD TO BE TOWED.

SO, THERE ARE SOME DRAWBACKS TO THIS NEW EV WORLD.

BUT WE STILL LOVE OUR LEAF AND THINK THE AUTOMOTIVE WORLD IS BETTER FOR IT.

FOR HIGH MPG WITH NO LIMITATIONS, TUNE IN FOR OUR HYUNDAI ACCENT, PLUS THIS JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, ON MOTORWEEK'S NEXT LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

TIME NOW FOR THE LATEST MOTORNEWS FROM YOLANDA VAZQUEZ.

Yolanda: A STORIED SPORTS CAR COMPANY IS BOUGHT OUT BY EUROPE'S LARGEST AUTOMAKER AFTER A LONG AND TURBULENT DEAL THAT NEARLY DIVIDED TWO OF GERMANY'S MOST POWERFUL AUTOMOTIVE FAMILIES.

IT'S A TAKEOVER THAT'S BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING, BUT VOLKSWAGEN HAS FINALLY MOVED TO BUY THE REMAINING 50.1% STAKE OF PORSCHE.

UNDER THE NEWLY STRUCTURED PLAN, AGREED TO BY BOTH COMPANIES, AND THE PORSCHE AND PIECH FAMILIES, VW WILL PAY $5.6 BILLION IN CASH, AND TO AVOID A HUGE TAX BILL, A SINGLE ORDINARY SHARE IN VOLKSWAGEN IN EXCHANGE FOR THE REMAINING MAJORITY SHARE OF PORSCHE'S OPERATIONS.

WHILE THE TWO COMPANIES HAVE COOPERATED ON VARIOUS VEHICLES IN RECENT YEARS, THE AGREEMENT NOW MAKES PORSCHE A FULL MEMBER OF VW'S STABLE OF BRANDS THAT INCLUDE AUDI AND BENTLEY.

VOLKSWAGEN BOUGHT THE INITIAL 49.9% STAKE IN PORSCHE BACK IN 2009, AFTER PORSCHE'S FAILED ATTEMPT TO BUY VOLKSWAGEN RANG UP BILLIONS IN DEBT.

BUT THE FULL MERGER WAS PUT ON HOLD DUE TO LEGAL AND TAX HURDLES.

THE FINAL DEAL WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY A NEW AGREEMENT WITH GERMAN TAX AUTHORITIES.

THE SALE OF PORSCHE TO VW COMES SHORTLY AFTER THE DEATH OF FERDINAND A. PORSCHE, GRANDSON OF THE COMPANY'S FOUNDER AND DESIGNER OF THE FAMED 911 SPORTS CAR.

THE INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SHAPE AND DESIGN OF THE ICONIC CAR DIED IN APRIL IN AUSTRIA AT THE AGE OF 76.

FERDINAND, KNOWN BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS F.A., OR "BUTZI", WAS A THIRD GENERATION AUTOMAKER, FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HIS FATHER, FERRY, AND HIS GRANDFATHER, FERDINAND, WHO HE WAS AFFECTIONATELY NAMED AFTER.

THE PORSCHE 911 THAT FERDINAND DESIGNED DEBUTED AT THE FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW IN 1963.

NEARLY FIVE DECADES LATER, HIS DISTINCTIVE DESIGN IS STILL EVIDENT ON THE 7TH GENERATION PORSCHE 911 THAT WAS JUST INTRODUCED.

FERDINAND WORKED FOR PORSCHE IN SEVERAL CAPACITIES ON AND OFF FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS AND WAS THE CREATOR AND HEAD OF PORSCHE DESIGN STUDIOS.

HIS LONG LASTING INFLUENCE ON AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN IS WITHOUT QUESTION, AS THE 911 CONTINUES TO BE - TO MANY ENTHUSIASTS - THE FINEST PERFORMANCE CAR DESIGN EVER.

AND THAT'S THE LATEST AUTOMOTIVE UPDATE FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

John: WE'VE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME IN THE TINY LITTLE FIAT 500, BOTH IN COUPE AND CONVERTIBLE FORM.

AND HAVE FOUND THAT IF YOU CAN HANDLE THE ULTRA-CUTE LOOKS, THE 500 OFFERS A TON OF FUN FOR THE MONEY.

WELL, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR EVEN MORE FUN FOR NOT A LOT MORE MONEY, THIS FIAT 500 ABARTH MAY JUST BE THE TICKET.

SO LET'S PUNCH IT AND FIND OUT!

HERE AT MOTORWEEK , WE'RE ALL ABOUT GETTING THE BEST PERFORMANCE BANG FOR OUR BUCK, AND THE 2012 FIAT 500 ABARTH EMBODIES THAT SENTIMENT IN SPADES.

FOR STARTERS, THIS "SMALL, BUT WICKED" FIAT GETS A HUGE BOOST IN POWER.

UNDER THE HOOD IS A THOROUGHLY BEEFED UP VERSION OF THE MULTIAIR 1.4-LITER I4 FOUND IN THE STANDARD 500.

BUT HERE, TURBO BOOSTS OUTPUT BY 59 HORSEPOWER TO 160; THAT'S 114 PONIES PER LITER!

EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE, TORQUE NEARLY DOUBLES TO 170 POUND-FEET.

THE ABARTH NAME MAY BE NEW TO MOST, BUT THE COMPANY HAS A 60 YEAR TRADITION OF PUMPING PERFORMANCE OUT OF ITALIAN RIDE.

NOW AS FIAT'S INHOUSE TUNER, ABARTH HAS DONE A LOT MORE THAN JUST SLAP ON A TURBO AND CALL IT A DAY.

THE 500 ABARTH IS A TOTAL TRANSFORMATION.

THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY TWEAKED WITH NEW KONI FREQUENCY SELECTIVE DAMPING SHOCKS, STIFFER SPRINGS, AND A SOLID REAR STABILIZER BAR, AND ALL TOLD, SITS HALF AN INCH LOWER.

JUST PUNCH THE SPORT BUTTON FOR MAXIMUM ENGINE OUTPUT, QUICKER THROTTLE RESPONSE, AND MORE STEERING FEEL, AND YOU'RE READY TO BLAST THROUGH THE CORNERS.

UNDERSTEER HAS BEEN ALMOST ELIMINATED, TURN-IN IS INSANELY QUICK, AND THE CAR FLAT OUT STICKS.

MORE FUN?

DEFINITELY!

FASTER?

WELL, LET'S SEE.

FAST IS ALWAYS A RELATIVE TERM AND A 0 TO 60 TIME OF 7.7-SECONDS IS NOT EXACTLY SUPERCAR TERRITORY, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY MUCH QUICKER THAN PREVIOUS 500'S THAT WE'VE TESTED, ALMOST TWO SECONDS FASTER, ACTUALLY.

THE QUARTER MILE IS OBVIOUSLY QUICKER AS WELL, AT 15.8-SECONDS AND 89 MILES PER HOUR.

OFF THE LINE, THE ABARTH PUTS THE POWER DOWN FAIRLY EFFECTIVELY WITH NO TORQUE STEER.

FIRST AND SECOND GEARS PASS QUICKLY, BUT THIRD IS A REAL WORKHORSE, TAKING YOU THROUGH MOST OF THE 1/4 MILE.

A FERRARI IT'S NOT, BUT SOMEHOW IT'S ALMOST JUST AS THRILLING.

AND THE SOUND IS GREAT, EVEN IF IT'S NOT FROM A V12.

TRANSMISSION IS 5-SPEED MANUAL ONLY.

IT NEEDS A 6TH GEAR!

STILL, THE UPGRADED UNIT WORKED FLAWLESSLY THROUGHOUT OUR TESTING.

STOPPING IS ALSO IMPROVED, BRINGING OUR ABARTH TO A HALT TWO FEET SOONER THAN A 500 SPORT AT 120-FEET FROM 60.

WE ALL KNOW THAT ITALIANS LIKE TO DO THINGS WITH STYLE, AND THE ABARTH CERTAINLY GETS A RUNWAY WORTHY MAKEOVER, BUT REST ASSURED, THERE'S FUNCTION TO GO ALONG WITH THAT FORM.

STARTING WITH A 500 SPORT, THE ABARTH GETS A MORE VERTICAL FRONT FASCIA TO MAKE MORE ROOM IN THE ENGINE BAY FOR TURBO PLUMBING, AND TO ALLOW ROOM FOR LARGER AIR INTAKES.

DOWN THE SIDES ARE EXTENDED SKIRTS, AND ON OUR TEST CAR, PAINTED ALUMINUM 17-INCH WHEELS WHICH REPLACE THE STANDARD 16s.

IN BACK, THERE'S A REDESIGNED FASCIA, WITH BLACK LOWER DIFFUSER AND DOUBLE DUAL-TIPPED EXHAUST; AND OF COURSE A BIG REAR SPOILER.

AND IF ALL OF THAT WEREN'T ENOUGH, THERE ARE ABARTH SCORPION SHIELDS ON JUST ABOUT EVERY BODY PANEL, THOUGH THE RED MIRROR CAPS AND BODY SIDE STRIPES ARE OPTIONAL.

WE ALREADY LOVED THE PURPOSEFUL INTERIOR DESIGN OF THIS MODERN CINQUECENTO, AND NOW THERE'S EVEN MORE AMORE WITH ADDED ABARTH ELEMENTS LIKE A NICE THICK FLAT-BOTTOM STEERING WHEEL, BLACK LEATHER WITH RED STITCHING ON THE GAUGE HOOD AND SHIFTER, ALUMINUM PEDAL COVERS, AND BODY HUGGING PERFORMANCE SEATS.

OUR CAR HAD THE OPTIONAL ROSSO NERO LEATHER.

WE'RE STILL NOT FANS OF THE CONCENTRIC GAUGE ARRAY, OR THE DASH TOP TOMTOM NAV, BUT HAVE NO QUALMS AT ALL ABOUT THE NEW TURBO BOOST GAUGE.

WHILE MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE FOR TWO THAN FOUR, THE 500 REMAINS SURPRISINGLY PRACTICAL WITH ITS 9.5 CUBIC-FEET OF TRUNK SPACE, EXPANDING TO 26.8 WITH THE REAR SEATS FOLDED.

AS FOR PRICING, THE 2012 FIAT 500 ABARTH RETAILS FOR $22,700, THAT'S ABOUT FIVE GRAND OVER A 500 SPORT, BUT IT'S MONEY WELL SPENT, AS YOU ARE DEFINITELY GETTING FILET PERFORMANCE ON A PBJ BUDGET.

WHICH IS EXACTLY THE WAY WE LIKE IT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .

THE ABARTH IS THE MOST FUN WE'VE HAD IN A CAR THAT COSTS UNDER $25,000 IN SOME TIME.

SO, BUY TWO, THEY'RE SMALL!

WELL, I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AGAIN FOR MORE MOTORWEEK ...

WHEN WE'LL REV UP ALL THE HORSES WE CAN IN THE 2013 FORD MUSTANG GT.

THEN IT'S A PAIR OF SUPER TRUCKS FROM CALLAWAY.

TILL NEXT TIME, I'M JOHN DAVIS.

WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK .

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