2013 Lexus LS & 2013 Chevrolet Spark

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

JOIN US AS WE CHECK OUT NEW FLAGSHIP LUXURY FROM LEXUS.

PAT GOSS PUTS THE BRAKES ON A PAIR OF TYPICAL PROBLEMS.

OVER THE EDGE REPORTER STEVEN CHUPNICK DRIVES A TANK.

NO, REALLY!

AND WE SEE IF A NEW MINI CAR FROM CHEVROLET

CAN SPARK BIG SALES FOR THE BOWTIE BRIGADE.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

Announcer: MOTORWEEK, TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY...

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John Davis: WHILE THE LARGE FLAGSHIP SEDAN IS IMPORTANT

FOR A LUXURY BRAND'S IMAGE,

IT'S NOT QUITE AS IMPORTANT AS IT ONCE WAS.

MOST LUXURY MARQUES NOW FOCUS MORE ON

UTILITIES AND PERFORMANCE CARS.

TAKE LEXUS, FOR EXAMPLE,

THEIR POPULAR RX CROSSOVER AND LFA SUPERCAR

HAVE CHANGED THE WAY MANY OF US THINK OF THE BRAND.

STILL, LEXUS HASN'T FORGOTTEN THE CAR THAT STARTED IT ALL,

THE LS.

AND FOR 2013, IT RETURNS TO THE SPOTLIGHT.

HOT ON THE HEELS OF AN ALL-NEW, MORE DYNAMIC GS,

AND AN INCREASINGLY LUXURIOUS ES,

COMES THE FULL-SIZE 2013 LEXUS LS.

WHILE NOT COMPLETELY NEW,

THE LEXUS LS HAS BEEN HEAVILY REVISED

IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN ITS PLACE

AS THE LUXURY BRAND'S FLAGSHIP SEDAN.

AND THAT'S NOT AN EASY TASK AS BOTH THE MIDDLEWEIGHT ES AND GS

HAVE FEATURES WORTHY OF ANY BRANDS STANDARD BEARER.

STARTING WITH THE HARDWARE,

THE USUAL CHASSIS STIFFENING AND SUSPENSION RECALIBRATION

HAS ALL TAKEN PLACE;

ALONG WITH POWERTRAIN TWEAKS THAT INCLUDE SIX MORE HORSEPOWER

FOR A TOTAL OF 386 ACCOMPANIED BY 367 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE

FROM THE 4.6-LITER V8 THAT COMES STANDARD IN THE LS 460

AND EXTENDED WHEELBASE LS 460L.

BOTH ALSO CAN ADD ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

THE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

HAS ALSO BEEN REWORKED FOR MORE EFFICIENCY.

AND ON THAT SUBJECT,

THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE LS600H HYBRID MODEL RETURNS AS WELL.

BUT ONTO THE MORE EXCITING NEWS.

LEXUS HAS ADDED A REAR-DRIVE ONLY F SPORT MODEL

TO THE LINEUP,

BRINGING SOME MUCH NEEDED FLASH AND STIMULATION

TO WHAT HAS, WITHOUT-A-DOUBT,

BEEN THE MOST CONSERVATIVE OF ALL LEXUS ENTRIES.

WHILE ALL LSs GET REVISED FRONT AND REAR STYLING,

THE F SPORT TAKES IT A NICE STEP FURTHER;

REPLACING THE CORPORATE LEXUS SLOTTED, SPINDLE GRILLE

WITH A MESH ONE, AND ADDING LED FOG LAMPS

AND SOME ADDITIONAL LOWER OPENINGS

FOR SENDING COOLING AIR TO THE UPGRADED BREMBO BRAKES.

AERO TREATMENTS ON THE DOORS AND REAR TAIL LIGHTS

HELP REDUCE WIND NOISE,

AS WELL AS PROVIDE ADDITIONAL STABILITY.

ADAPTIVE HID HEADLIGHTS ARE STANDARD ON THE LS,

WHILE FULL FRONT LED LIGHTING IS AVAILABLE.

TAIL LIGHTS USE LEDs TOO,

AND FURTHER EXAGGERATE THE "L' SHAPED LENS DETAILS.

THE STYLING OF THE REAR MIMICS THAT OF THE FRONT

AS THE LINES WIDEN AS THEY FLOW DOWNWARD

AND CHROMED DUAL EXHAUST TIPS PORTRAY SOME ATTITUDE.

INSIDE, THE F SPORT ESCHEWS THE USUAL LEXUS TREATMENT

OF EXOTIC WOODS AND BUTTERY LEATHER,

BUT WITH SPORTY ALUMINUM TRIM ON THE DASH AND DOORS,

AND IS AVAILABLE IN BLACK ALCANTARA LEATHER ONLY

WITH EMBOSSED HEADRESTS.

WHILE THE DASH REMAINS WIDE AND FLAT,

IT FOLLOWS THE GS IN NOW RESEMBLING THE 7-SERIES BMW

WITH A LARGE, HOODED 12.3-INCH MULTIMEDIA

AND NAVIGATION DISPLAY.

THE NEW GEN REMOTE TOUCH HAPTIC JOYSTICK CONTROLS MOST SYSTEMS

WITH BACKUP SWITCHGEAR FOR CRITICAL FUNCTIONS.

THE VIVID ELECTROLUMINESCENT GAUGES

ARE MORE 3D-LIKE THAN EVER.

F SPORT SEATS HAVE ADDITIONAL SIDE BOLSTERING,

THOUGH THEY REMAIN EVERY BIT AS COMFORTABLE

AS LS TRADITION DEMANDS.

OPTIONAL HEATED AND COOLED FRONT SEATS,

ALONG WITH THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL,

ARE NOW TIED IN WITH THE CABIN CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM,

SO JUST SET EVERYTHING TO AUTO,

DIAL IN A TEMPERATURE, AND FORGET IT.

REAR SEATS OFFER PLENTY OF LEGROOM AND WIDTH FOR THREE,

EVEN IN THE STANDARD WHEELBASE MODEL,

AGAIN WITH HEATING AND COOLING, PLUS MASSAGE OPTIONAL.

THE UPDATED LEXUS DRIVE SELECT SYSTEM

ADDS A NEW SPORT S+ MODE FOR THE F SPORT,

WHICH ALSO INCLUDES ECO, COMFORT, NORMAL, AND SPORT S.

SPORT S+ IS WHERE YOU'LL TRULY GET THE MOST ENJOYMENT

OUT OF THE F SPORT.

THE AIR SUSPENSION GOES FIRMER,

THE STEERING GETS TIGHTER, SHIFTS ARE QUICKER,

AND THE THROTTLE MORE RESPONSIVE,

MAKING BEST USE OF THE F SPORT'S

ADDED LIMITED SLIP REAR DIFFERENTIAL.

WHILE GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS HAVE NOT YET TO BE SET,

LEXUS ANTICIPATES THEY WON'T CHANGE FROM THE CURRENT MODEL

AT 16-CITY, 24-HIGHWAY, AND 19-COMBINED.

PRICING IS EXPECTED TO BE A BIT LESS THAN THE OUTGOING MODEL

STARTING AT AROUND $67,000.

WHILE THE 2013 LEXUS LS

IS A WORTHY FLAGSHIP IN EVERY RESPECT,

AND A TRUE DEMONSTRATION

OF HOW FINE JAPANESE CRAFTSMANSHIP CAN BE,

ON-THE-WHOLE, IT REMAINS QUITE RESERVED.

FORTUNATELY, THE F SPORT PACKAGE DOES ADD A MODICUM OF WOW FACTOR

FOR THE FEW BUYERS THAT WILL CARE.

OTHER THAN THAT,

THE NEW LS PROVIDES A MORE MODERN DESIGN

AND IMPROVED DRIVING DYNAMICS TO THE LS FAITHFUL.

AND THAT SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEY WILL REMAIN SO.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK

TAKES US FROM THE SUMMIT TO THE SEA,

IN THE IDYLLIC TOWN OF BAR HARBOR, MAINE,

FOR A RIDE ABOARD THE ISLAND EXPLORER FLEET

OF PROPANE POWERED SHUTTLE BUSES.

DOWNEAST TRANSPORTATION ACQUIRED THEIR FIRST PROPANE BUSES

IN 1999 AS PART OF A FEDERAL GRANT

DESIGNED TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION

AND IMPROVE AIR QUALITY.

THEIR CURRENT FLEET OF 35 BUSES TRAVELS 8 PRE-PLANNED ROUTES,

TAKING VISITORS FROM THEIR LODGINGS

TO A DOWNTOWN BAR HARBOR BUS DEPOT

AND THEN OUT TO VARIOUS MUST-SEE SITES,

LIKE JORDAN POND AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK.

COMPANY OFFICIALS SAY THEY'RE EXPLORING

OTHER "GREEN" TECHNOLOGIES FOR FUTURE USE,

SUCH AS HYBRID ELECTRIC BUSES.

Paul Murphy: WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE VEHICLES

THAT WILL BOTH SERVE OUR NEEDS AND GET THE JOB DONE,

BUT WILL BE COST EFFECTIVE AND CLEAN.

John: DOWNEAST TRANSPORTATION'S NEW, GOLD LEED CERTIFIED HEADQUARTERS

INCLUDES A COVERED FUELING STATION

AND AN 18,000 GALLON PROPANE TANK.

ISLAND EXPLORER WORKS WITH A NUMBER

OF STATE AND FEDERAL STAKEHOLDERS,

INCLUDING THE OUTDOOR GEAR EXPERTS AT L.L.

BEAN,

ALL HELPING TO MAKE THE PINE TREE STATE "GREENER" THAN EVER.

WHILE OUR OVER THE EDGE GUY STEVEN CHUPNICK

IS ALWAYS DOING BATTLE

WITH SOME PIECE OF MECHANICAL HARDWARE OR ANOTHER,

NEVER BEFORE HAS HE BEEN THIS WELL-ARMED.

AND AS WE'RE ABOUT TO SEE, HE HAD A SMASHING GOOD TIME!

Steven: EVER PASS BY A MILITARY BASE OR AN ARMY RESERVE CENTER

AND SEE A RETIRED TANK OUT FRONT AND THOUGHT,

MAN, I'D LOVE TO DRIVE ONE OF THOSE.

BUT I'M NOT IN THE MILITARY,

AND I'M NOT IN THE MOOD TO START A COUP.

WELL, STOP THINKING AND DO IT!

AND NO GOVERNMENT OVERTHROW NEEDED.

HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU GET TO DRIVE A TANK IN YOUR LIFE?

JUST COME TO KASOTA, MINNESOTA

AND LIVE OUT A CHILDHOOD FANTASY!

ABOUT AN HOUR SOUTH OF MINNEAPOLIS

IS ONE AWESOME LOCATION.

SIMPLY PUT, DRIVE A TANK IS JUST THAT...

YOU GET TO DRIVE A TRUE COMBAT TANK.

Tony Borglum: IT'S THE ONLY OPERATING PLACE IN THE COUNTRY

WHERE CIVILIANS AND PRIOR MILITARY ALIKE,

CAN COME AND OPERATE TANKS AND OTHER MILITARY VEHICLES.

Steven: TONY BORGLUM ACQUIRED 10 BRITISH ARMORED VEHICLES...

AND BRITISH RATHER THAN AMERICAN TANKS

BECAUSE THE U.S.

DOESN'T SELL ITS RETIRED TANKS.

THE SHEER SIZE OF THESE IS AMAZING,

AND TRYING TO GET INTO

A CHIEFTAIN MARK 11 MAIN BATTLE TANK

IS JUST AS SURREAL.

THEY CALL THIS ONE "LARRY."

I JOINED A GROUP FROM A FINANCE COMPANY IN CHICAGO.

THEY DROVE UP TO CELEBRATE ONE OF THE PARTNERS' BIRTHDAYS.

AND YES, I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING...

EVEN MONEY GUYS LIKE TO LET LOOSE EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

Tony Kutharski: IT'S A ONCE IN A LIFETIME THING.

I MEAN, YOU CAN'T FIND THIS THING ANYWHERE ELSE.

Steven: AFTER AN OVERVIEW AND SAFETY BRIEFING,

WE ALL PILED IN OUR TRANSPORT TRUCK AND OFF WE WENT.

AND IN IT RUMBLED.

THE FV432 ABBOT, WEIGHING 15 TONS,

WITH A ROLLS ROYCE K60 ENGINE, ABOUT 500 HORSEPOWER.

KEEPING EVERYONE STRAIGHT INSIDE AND OUT OF THE TANK,

IS TANK COMMANDER MARKESSA BAEDKE.

Markessa Baedke: I INSTRUCT PEOPLE, I INTRODUCE THEM TO THE TANK.

KIND OF GET THEM IN THERE

AND SHOW THEM WHAT TO DO TO GET IT GOING,

AND HOW TO TURN IT AND STOP IT, AND HAVE FUN.

Steven: THE STOPPING AND TURNING PART I GOT.

THE FUN PART, I DEFINITELY GOT!

THE SPLASHING MUD COMING UP AND OVER THE TANK...

YEAH, I GOT THAT, TOO.

AS I CAME STORMING BACK FROM THE COURSE,

ONLY A FEW WORDS DESCRIBE HOW TRULY AWESOME THIS IS...

THAT WAS INSANE!

AND YES, I DID GET A LITTLE MESSY,

GOT A LITTLE MUDDY.

BUT IT WAS ALL WORTH IT.

BUT THERE'S MORE...

REMEMBER OUR GOOD FRIEND LARRY?

SO WHAT'S BETTER THAN DRIVING A TANK?

DRIVING A TANK OVER A CAR.

BIRTHDAY BOY, TONY,

GOT HIS SHOT AT TAKING OUT TWO MINIVANS.

Tony Kutharski: WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE TANK, MY KNEES WERE WEAK.

I WAS WORRIED I WAS GOING TO FALL OFF THE TANK.

I WAS SO NERVOUS.

Steven: AS FOR ME, HERE'S THE AFTERMATH OF THIS 96 MONTE CARLO.

HOW DID IT ALL GO DOWN?

WE'LL LET THE VIDEO DO THE TALKING...

YOU KNOW WHAT?

I THINK WE NEED TO SEE THAT AGAIN.

OH, AND AFTER A LONG DAY OF DRIVING A TANK,

THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN FIRING OFF A FEW ROUNDS

OF SOME AUTOMATIC WEAPONS.

[GUNFIRE]

REALLY PEOPLE, YOU WANT TO HAVE AN AMAZING ADVENTURE

WITH YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND MAYBE EVEN YOUR CO-WORKERS,

TAKE A TRIP TO DRIVE A TANK.

BUT BE PREPARED, IT CAN GET A LITTLE DOWN AND DIRTY.

DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE THINGS ARE BUSIER THAN EVER,

BUT PAT PUTS THE BRAKES ON LONG ENOUGH

TO HELP US OUT WITH A COUPLE OF PROBLEMS.

PAT GOSS: LIKE MANY THINGS ON AUTOMOBILES,

BRAKE PROBLEMS AREN'T ALWAYS WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE.

TAKE THAT PULSATION YOU GET WHEN YOU HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL.

MAYBE IN THE PEDAL OR IN THE STEERING WHEEL,

BUT WHEN YOU HIT THE BRAKE, SOMETHING SHAKES.

YOU AUTOMATICALLY THINK THAT YOU HAVE A WARPED BRAKE ROTOR;

IT'S NO LONGER SMOOTH.

WELL, THAT MAY NOT BE THE CASE,

ESPECIALLY IF THE CAR'S BEEN SITTING

FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

WHAT HAPPENS IS, THE ROTOR RUSTS,

AND THEN IN ONE SPOT,

RIGHT UNDER THE PAD, WHERE IT'S BEEN SITTING,

YOU HAVE A CLEAN SPOT LIKE THIS.

WELL, WHAT HAPPENS HERE IS,

THAT THIS BUILDS A LITTLE BIT OF AN EDGE,

ON EITHER SIDE OF WHERE THE PAD WAS.

SO WHEN YOU HIT THE BRAKE, THAT EDGE,

AS THE PAD GOES OVER IT,

THAT EDGE MAKES THAT PULSATION THAT YOU FEEL IN THE CAR.

AND NO, IN MOST CASES, DRIVING IT WILL NOT MAKE IT GO AWAY.

SO HOW DO YOU CORRECT IT?

WELL, YOU START OUT BY CLEANING ALL OF THE RUST

OFF THE SURFACE OF THE BRAKE ROTOR,

USING A GRINDER, SUCH AS WE HAVE HERE.

THIS IS A VERY SIMPLE AIR-POWERED GRINDER

WITH A SCOTCH BRITE PAD ON IT.

JUST CLEAN THE ENTIRE SURFACE OF THE ROTOR,

ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO DO, PROBLEM GONE.

SAVES YOURSELF A LOT OF MONEY.

ALL RIGHT.

NOW, SOMETHING ELSE.

CHEAP SHOPS, TECHS THAT DON'T KNOW,

DO-IT-YOURSELFERS THAT DON'T KNOW,

THEY MAY CREATE A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE HOSE.

EITHER IN REPLACING THE BRAKE HOSE,

OR REPLACING THE BRAKE CALIPER.

SEE, IT'S REAL EASY TO GET THESE THINGS TWISTED.

AND YOU CERTAINLY DON'T WANT A TWISTED BRAKE HOSE ON YOUR CAR.

BRAKE HOSES HAVE THESE LITTLE RIDGES IN THEM,

AND THOSE RIDGES HAVE TO BE ABSOLUTELY PARALLEL

THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE HOSE.

IF THEY'RE TWISTED LIKE THIS ONE,

THAT'S GOING TO STRESS THE FABRIC INSIDE THE HOSE,

AND EVENTUALLY THE HOSE WILL BREAK

AND YOU'LL HAVE A BRAKE FAILURE.

ALL RIGHT.

IN THIS CASE, IT WOULD BE REALLY EASY

BECAUSE SOMEBODY JUST PUT THE CALIPER ON WRONG.

ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS TURN THE CALIPER OVER.

AND IN OTHER CASES, IT MIGHT MEAN REMOVING THE BRAKE HOSE

AND STRAIGHTENING IT OUT.

BUT ONCE YOU'RE DONE,

THE LINE SHOULD ALWAYS BE ABSOLUTELY PARALLEL.

BIG SAFETY FEATURE RIGHT THERE.

AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT,

DROP ME A LINE RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK.

FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS

OUR 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT SE 5-DOOR SUBCOMPACT

HAS BECOME THE GO-TO VEHICLE

FOR LONG COMMUTES AND FRUGAL ROAD TRIPS.

NOT ONLY IS IT VERSATILE AND EASY ON GAS,

IT'S ALSO EASY ON THE EYES.

FROM THE SLICK STYLING OUTSIDE,

TO THE PIANO BLACK AND BRIGHT DETAILS INSIDE,

ACCENT LOOKS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN IT IS.

AND IT PERFORMS THAT WAY AS WELL.

WHILE NOT THE QUIETEST SUBCOMPACT OUT THERE,

IT'S CERTAINLY NO TIN BOX.

HANDLING AND RIDE ARE SOFT, BUT ACCEPTABLE.

AND THE 138-HORSEPOWER 1.6-LITER

I4 AUTOMATIC DRIVETRAIN PULLS WELL.

WE JUDGE 31.3 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR OKAY

AS MOST OF ITS 6,700 MILES HAS BEEN ON URBAN STREETS.

LAST WINTER WE PICKED THE ACCENT AS OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE WINNER

FOR BEST SUBCOMPACT.

THIS FALL WE FEEL MORE STRONGLY ABOUT THAT THAN EVER.

ANOTHER CAR WE FEEL STRONGLY POSITIVE ABOUT

IS THE ALL-ELECTRIC NISSAN LEAF.

IT'S BEEN WITH US SINCE APRIL,

AND WHILE NISSAN HAS TRIED TO TAKE IT BACK,

WE'VE RESISTED.

LEAF IS A GREAT GAS-FREE WAY TO MAKE QUICK WORK

OF ROUTINE AROUND TOWN TRIPS.

BUT TO MANY BUYERS,

OWNING A LEAF IS ANYTHING BUT ROUTINE.

FOR FRIEND AND INDEPENDENT FILM PRODUCER JONATHAN SLADE,

THE LEAF IS A "GAME CHANGER."

Jonathan Slade: WELL, MY WIFE AND I LOVE THE NISSAN LEAF.

WE BOUGHT IT SIX MONTHS AGO;

WE HAVE ALMOST 9,000 MILES ON IT.

WE DRIVE IT EVERY DAY.

SHE TAKES IT TO AND FROM WORK, OR I TAKE IT TO AND FROM WORK,

AND IT REALLY RE-WIRES YOUR BRAIN IN SOME INTERESTING WAYS

IF YOU ACTUALLY LET IT.

BEFORE WE HAD A FULLY ELECTRIC VEHICLE,

WE USED TO END UP STOPPING IN CONVENIENCE STORES

ON THE WAY TO AND FROM WORK TO BUY A LOT OF OUR GROCERIES,

LIKE A GALLON OF MILK OR A LOAF OF BREAD, BUTTER, OR WHATNOT.

AND, OF COURSE, THAT'S LIKE THE LEAST EFFICIENT WAY TO BUY IT

BECAUSE THOSE GROCERIES END UP BEING MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE.

NOW WE'VE FOUND A GROCERY STORE NEAR WHERE I WORK

THAT HAS THREE ELECTRIC CHARGING STATIONS.

WE PLUG IN THERE

AND WE END DOING OUR SHOPPING FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK,

OR TWO WEEKS THERE.

WE GET BETTER PRICES,

AND WE'RE CHARGING FOR FREE

USING $.30 TO $.50 WORTH OF ELECTRICITY IN THE PARKING LOT

WHILE WE'RE IN THE STORE BUYING GROCERIES.

SO WE LOVE IT.

John: OWNERS OF THE LEAF AND OTHER ELECTRIC CARS

ARE SHOWING THAT EMBRACING NEW TECHNOLOGY

HASN'T DULLED THEIR PASSION FOR THE AUTOMOBILE ONE BIT.

WE'LL EMBRACE THE SUBARU IMPREZA AND HONDA CR-V

ON OUR NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

NOW LET'S HEAD INSIDE WHERE YOLANDA VAZQUEZ

HAS ALL THE LATEST MOTORNEWS.

Yolanda: PARIS HAS THE DISTINCTIVE HONOR

OF KICKING OFF OUR AUTO SHOW COVERAGE FOR THE COMING YEAR,

SO LET'S SEE WHICH CARS

WERE SHINING THE BRIGHTEST IN THE CITY OF LIGHTS.

THE PARIS MOTOR SHOW IS ALWAYS FILLED WITH GLITZ AND GLAMOUR,

AND THE 2012 EXPOSITION WAS NO DIFFERENT.

AND NO DEBUT DREW MORE ATTENTION THAN THE JAGUAR F-TYPE.

OFFICIALLY UNVEILED THE NIGHT BEFORE PRESS DAYS,

JAGUAR HOPES THIS REAR DRIVE ROADSTER

WILL BE A REBIRTH FOR THE BRAND.

THE DESIGN MAY POINT TO IT BEING THE SPIRITUAL SUCCESSOR

TO THE LEGENDARY E-TYPE SPORTS CAR,

BUT ALL ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION

IS CLEARLY IN-STEP WITH MODERN TIMES.

CORPORATE PARTNER LAND ROVER HAS ALSO APPLIED

THE ALUMINUM TREATMENT TO THE LATEST RANGE ROVER,

WHICH WILL WEIGH 700 POUNDS LESS THAN ITS PREDECESSOR

WHEN IT GOES ON SALE NEXT YEAR.

IT WILL BE THE FIRST STEP IN A COMPLETE REWORK

OF THE LAND ROVER BRAND.

THE VOLKSWAGEN GOLF IS EUROPE'S NUMBER ONE SELLING CAR,

AND THIS RE-DESIGN SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT STAYS THE CASE.

ITS SLEEKER STYLING HIDES A ROOMIER INTERIOR,

WITH MORE AVAILABLE FEATURES,

AND, OF COURSE, THERE'S INCREASED FUEL ECONOMY.

IT GOES ON SALE IN EUROPE SOON, ALONG WITH A NEW GTI.

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 2014

FOR THE U.S.-SPEC VERSIONS.

AMERICAN MAKERS WERE ALSO ON HAND,

AS CHEVROLET DEBUTED A PRODUCTION-READY

TRAX SUBCOMPACT CROSSOVER.

SHARING A CHASSIS WITH THE BUICK ENCORE,

THE TRAX WILL GO ON SALE IN EUROPE NEXT YEAR,

BUT NOT IN THE U.S.

WHILE WE'RE GETTING AN ALL-NEW FORD FUSION HERE IN THE STATES,

EUROPE WILL GET THEIR VERSION OF THAT CAR, THE MONDEO,

LATER THIS YEAR.

ALTHOUGH FUSION IS SEDAN ONLY,

MONDEO BOAST A WAGON AND HATCHBACK, AS WELL.

SAY IT AIN'T SO, A FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE BMW?

THIS CONCEPT ACTIVE TOURER

PROVES BMW IS SERIOUS ABOUT GOING SMALL,

BUT WHEN A PRODUCTION VERSION DOES GO ON SALE,

IT WILL OFFER A ROOMY INTERIOR

AND A CROSSOVER-LIKE RIDING POSITION.

LOOK FOR THIS CHASSIS TO ALSO BE USED ON THE NEXT ROUND OF MINIs.

AUDI TOOK THE WRAPS OFF

THE RE-DESIGNED A3 AND S3 SUB-COMPACTS,

AND SHOWED THIS CROSSLANE COUPE CONCEPT

THAT POINTS TO WHERE THE NEXT ROUND

OF AUDI CROSSOVERS IS HEADED.

PORSCHE UNVEILED PRODUCTION-READY CARRERA 4s

IN COUPE, CABRIO AND C4S TRIM,

ALONG WITH THIS PANAMERA SPORT TURISMO CONCEPT.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE AUTO SHOW COVERAGE,

AS THE SEASON IS JUST GETTING STARTED.

AND THAT'S IT FROM PARIS AND THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

John: MINI CARS, WHILE STILL A NICHE MARKET,

THEY ARE PROVING THEIR WORTH

IN A WORLD OF EVER RISING GAS PRICES.

AND RECENT ENTRIES, LIKE THE SCION IQ AND FIAT 500,

ARE SEEING SOME MODERATE SUCCESS HERE IN THE STATES.

YET WITH NO MAJOR DOMESTIC BRAND TESTING THE WATERS,

IT'S HARD TO GAUGE THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL.

WELL, CHEVROLET AIMS TO CHANGE THAT WITH THE ALL NEW SPARK.

SO LET'S SEE IF IT CAN SPARK THE ATTENTION OF AMERICAN BUYERS.

THE MINI-CAR, THOUGH SMALLER THAN A SUBCOMPACT,

HAS NEVER GAINED MEANINGFUL TRACTION IN AMERICA.

WHETHER IT'S A LACK OF POWER,

AESTHETIC APPEAL, OR VERSATILITY,

BUYERS HERE EXPECT STYLE AND SUBSTANCE

FOR THEIR HARD-EARNED DOLLARS.

BUT IT ONLY TOOK A SHORT TIME WITH THE 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK

FOR US TO CONCLUDE THAT THERE IS PLENTY OF BOTH

IN THIS ULTRA-COMPACT CRUISER.

THE HATCHBACK SPARK FITS NEAR THE MIDDLE

OF ITS TINY, CITY-CAR CLASS.

WITH AN OVERALL LENGTH OF 144.7 INCHES,

IT'S ABOUT A HALF FOOT LONGER THAN THE FIAT 500,

YET DWARFS THE SCION IQ AND SMART FORTWO.

COVERING SO LITTLE GROUND MAKES IT EASY TO PARK,

ALTHOUGH WE THOUGHT ITS TURNING DIAMETER

WOULD BE SMALLER THAN 32.5 FEET CURB-TO-CURB.

OUR TOP LEVEL SPARK 2LT

CERTAINLY SCORED STYLE POINTS WITH US.

ITS NARROW, YET TALL TWO-BOX SHAPE

IS COMPLETE WITH TRENDY DETAILS

LIKE A CHROME-TRIMMED LOW SLUNG GRILLE,

AND EXPRESSIVE HEADLIGHTS.

CHARACTER LINES SWEEP OVER STANDARD 15 INCH ALLOY WHEELS

THAT ARE PUSHED TO THE CORNERS.

REAR DOOR HANDLES HIDDEN IN THE C-PILLARS

GIVE THE 5-DOOR SPARK THE APPEARANCE OF A SPORTIER 3-DOOR.

THE SLIGHTLY BULGED TAIL END DROPS OFF QUICKLY

FROM OUR CAR'S HATCH TOP SPOILER.

BIG TAIL LIGHT CLUSTERS SPILL INTO THE BUMPER,

WITH A INTEGRATED CHROME EXHAUST TIP COMPLETING A LOOK

THAT ADDS MORE THAN A FLICKER OF MODERN STYLE TO THIS CITY CAR.

INSIDE, THAT FLARE BECOMES A FLAME,

AS ITS TRENDY MOTORCYCLE INSPIRED COCKPIT

REALLY SHINES WITH A HOST OF "CAN-DO'S,"

INCLUDING PLENTY OF LONG DISTANCE ROOM FOR TWO UP FRONT,

AND ENOUGH TO SQUEEZE TWO CONSENTING ADULTS IN THE BACK.

REAR LEGROOM IS TIGHT BUT BEARABLE.

UNDER THE HATCH,

THERE'S MORE SEAT-UP LUGGAGE ROOM THAN ANY OTHER MINI CAR.

AND ONCE YOU FIGURE OUT

HOW TO FOLD THE SPLIT SEATS DOWN CORRECTLY --

IT EVEN TOOK US A WHILE --

SPARK ACCOMMODATES 31.2 CUBIC FEET OF CARGO,

ALSO THE MOST IN ITS CLASS.

2LT SEAT UPHOLSTERY IS TWO-TONED LEATHERETTE,

AND FEELS COMFORTABLE ENOUGH.

DOOR AND DASH GET THE HARD PLASTIC TREATMENT

WITH BODY COLOR ACCENTS.

THERE'S A NO-NONSENSE APPROACH TO CLIMATE,

AND HEATED SEATS ARE AVAILABLE.

THE STRIPPED DOWN GAUGE CLUSTER AUGMENTS AN ANALOG SPEEDOMETER

WITH A DIGITAL TACH AND TRIP COMPUTER SCREEN.

WE FOUND CHEVY'S MYLINK TOUCH SCREEN AUDIO SYSTEM

IMPRESSIVELY EASY TO USE.

STANDARD ON ALL BUT THE BASE CAR,

MYLINK ALLOWS THE USE OF POPULAR APPS LIKE PANDORA

THROUGH YOUR SMARTPHONE.

WITH MORE APPS COMING,

VISUAL NAVIGATION MAPS COME COURTESY OF BRING-GO

FOR A ONE TIME FEE OF ONLY $50.

ALL MODELS INCLUDE SPOKEN NAVIGATION THROUGH ONSTAR.

UNDER THE TINY HOOD SITS A TINY ECOTEC 1.2-LITER I4.

RATED AT A MEAGER 84 HORSEPOWER AND 83 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE,

THE EMPHASIS FOR SPARK IS EFFICIENCY.

AND INDEED, GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS

PLACE OUR FIVE SPEED MANUAL SPARK

AT 32 CITY AND 38 HIGHWAY, FOR A COMBINED 34 MPG.

THE FRONT DRIVE FOUR SPEED AUTOMATIC HAS A COMBINED OF 32.

WE ACTUALLY BEAT THE RATINGS AT 39.8 MILES PER GALLON.

AN ENERGY IMPACT SCORE

OF 9.7 BARRELS OF ANNUAL OIL CONSUMPTION

IS ON PAR WITH MINI CAR RIVALS,

AS ARE ANNUAL CO2 EMISSIONS OF A LOW 4.3 TONS.

NOT SURPRISINGLY,

THE SPARK DIDN'T EXACTLY LIGHT UP OUR TEST TRACK,

AND CLOCKED A 0 TO 60 TIME OF 11.3 SECONDS.

THE 1/4 MILE CAME IN AT AN "ARE WE THERE YET?"

18.2 SECONDS

AT 80 MILES PER HOUR, AND THAT'S WITH THE FIVE SPEED MANUAL.

ANY SHORTCOMINGS ARE EASILY FORGIVEN

WITH A BASE PRICE OF JUST $12,995.

EVEN WITH ALL THE NICETIES, LIKE MYLINK, SPORT TRIM,

AND HEATED SEATS,

OUR 2LT SPARK RANG UP TO ONLY $15,795.

SO IS THE SPARK GOING TO SET THE CAR WORLD ABLAZE?

WELL, IT'S HARD TO SAY, BUT AT THE VERY LEAST,

IT SHOWS A DOMESTIC BRAND IS FINALLY GETTING SERIOUS

ABOUT VERY SMALL CARS.

AND WE HOPE THAT'S ONE FIRE

THAT DOESN'T GET SNUFFED OUT ANYTIME SOON.

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

WHEN WE'LL TEST A NEW ACURA RDX WITH A NEW MISSION.

THEN WE'LL RUMBLE IN A RAM WITH A NEW ENGINE.

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.

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