2013 Cadillac ATS & 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid

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

JOIN US AND SEE IF THE CADILLAC ATS, OUR BEST OF THE YEAR, IS A WINNER ON TRACK AS WELL AS THE STREET.

PAT GOSS PUTS HIS WHEELS ON THE SHELF FOR A WHILE.

WE PLUG-INTO TO THE REAL WORLD "EV" LIFESTYLE.

AND MAX OUT OUR MILEAGE WITH THE FORD C-MAX HYBRID.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

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

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... AND THAT IS WHERE BABIES COME FROM.

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AND BY... ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS.

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AND BY... 3M, MAKER OF INNOVATIVE AUTO CARE PRODUCTS.

AGED OR YELLOWED LENSES REDUCE BRIGHTNESS OF HEAD, TAIL AND DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS.

THE 3M HEADLIGHT RESTORATION SYSTEM HELPS RESTORE LENS CLARITY FOR SAFER DRIVING.

John Davis: WE RECENTLY GAVE THE HONOR OF OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE BEST OF THE YEAR AWARD TO THE CADILLAC ATS.

THE ATS EXCELS IN ALL THE WAYS EXPECTED FROM A WORLD CLASS LUXURY SPORTS SEDAN.

AND TO CELEBRATE THAT ACHIEVEMENT LET'S TAKE THE ATS TO OUR FAVORITE PARTY PLACE, SAVANNAH'S ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY, TO SEE IF OUR PRAISE FOR ATS STREET WORK CARRIES OVER TO THE TRACK.

AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT WE'VE TOLD OURSELVES.

TRUTH BE TOLD, WE JUST WANTED MORE TRACK TIME IN THE 2013 CADILLAC ATS TO FULLY ENJOY THIS BENCHMARK SPORTS SEDAN.

FOR US, THE ATS WAS VERY MUCH LOVE AT FIRST DRIVE!

AND WE'RE CERTAINLY NOT ALONE, AS OUR FELLOW JOURNALISTS ALSO SELECTED THE ATS THE NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR.

BUT WE WERE DETERMINED TO SEE IF THREE DAYS OF ROMPING AROUND OUR FAVORITE TRACK WOULD MAKE OUR LOVE PERMANENT.

ON THE WAY, THE ATS CONTINUED TO DELIVER A PURPOSEFUL STREET RIDE QUALITY THAT REMAINS COMFORTABLE, YET REMINDS YOU THAT IT'S READY AND WILLING TO BE PUSHED HARD SHOULD YOU SO CHOOSE.

AND WE DID JUST THAT AROUND ROEBLING'S 9-HIGH SPEED TURNS.

LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

THE FLAT HANDLING, NEAR 50/50 WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION, AND SUPER DIRECT FEEL THAT WE PRAISED SO HIGHLY BEFORE WERE FULLY IN EFFECT.

OUR ONLY COMPLAINT, AT TRACK SPEEDS THE CAR IS SO QUIET IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHEN TO SHIFT, AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT YOU'RE UP AGAINST A VERY SOFT REV LIMITER AND WONDERING WHERE THE POWER WENT.

GM'S MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL IS AVAILABLE, AND WORKS WITH A MECHANICAL LIMITED SLIP REAR TO KEEP THE ATS WELL PLANTED IN CORNERS AND WELL PROPELLED OFF THEM.

OUR POWERTRAIN OF CHOICE FOR THIS REUNION WAS THE 2.0-LITER TURBO WITH 6-SPEED MANUAL COMBO THAT WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND, EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TRACK DAYS ON YOUR TO-DO LIST.

IT'S A VERY ENJOYABLE COMBINATION THAT MAKES EVEN THE MOST MUNDANE TASKS A WORTHWHILE ADVENTURE.

THE 2.0 SENDS 272-HORSEPOWER AND 260 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE TO THE REAR WHEELS; DOING SO VERY SMOOTHLY WITH THE HELP OF A TWIN-SCROLL TURBOCHARGER AND DIRECT FUEL INJECTION.

THE 6-SPEED'S SHIFTER IS NOT PERFECT, JUST A HAIR NOTCH-Y ON QUICK MOVES, BUT PLENTY PRECISE ENOUGH, AND BETTER THAN MOST OF THE ATS' IMPORTED RIVALS.

CLUTCH IS ON THE SOFT SIDE, BUT WE GOT EVERYTHING OUT OF IT SPRINTING TO 60 IN JUST 6.2-SECONDS.

THE QUARTER MILE MISSION WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN 14.4-SECONDS WITH A SPEED OF 96 MILES-PER-HOUR.

OUR UPGRADED BREMBO BRAKES WERE UP TO THE TRACK TASK AS WELL, PROVIDING STEADY PERFORMANCE AND AVERAGE STOPPING DISTANCES OF 128-FEET FROM 60.

IN FACT, BRAKING PERFORMANCE WAS EVERY BIT AS RESILIENT AS THE LAST CTS-V WE BROUGHT TO ROEBLING, AND THAT MEANS EXCELLENT.

WHETHER IT'S PULLING INTO THE PITS, THE OFFICE, OR THE GOLF CLUB, THE ATS' SHARP AND SPORTY DESIGN LOOKS RIGHT AT HOME.

A LARGE WREATH AND CREST IS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED ON THE CHROME-TRIMMED GRILLE; AND ON EITHER SIDE, HID PROJECTOR BEAMS LIE BEHIND ANGULAR LENSES THAT CREEP BACK MENACINGLY INTO THE FRONT FENDERS.

PERFECT PROPORTIONS HIGHLIGHT THE VIEW FROM THE SIDE WITH 18-INCH WHEELS SPACED 109.3-INCHES APART, FILLING UP THE WHEEL WELLS NICELY.

THE VIEW FROM THE REAR IS JUST AS AGGRESSIVE WHERE TRADITIONAL CADILLAC ELEMENTS, LIKE VERTICAL TAIL LIGHTS AND PROMINENT WREATH AND CREST, JOIN CONTEMPORARY FEATURES LIKE THE BLACKED OUT LOWER FASCIA WITH DUAL EXHAUST.

INSIDE, THE MATERIAL QUALITY OF OUR PREMIUM COLLECTION CAR WAS VERY GOOD, AND FRONT SEATS ARE BOTH COMFORTABLE AND SUPPORTIVE.

JUST ENOUGH SIDE BOLSTERING TO KEEP YOU CENTERED BEHIND THE WHEEL.

REAR SEATS ARE ALSO COMFORTABLE, BUT IN TYPICAL EURO SPORTS SEDAN FASHION, THERE IS A LACK OF LEG ROOM.

THOUGH WE WILL ADMIT IT'S NOT AS BAD AS SOME HAVE MADE IT OUT TO BE.

SO, WE'VE COME TO TERMS WITH THAT, BUT THE DEFICIENCY OF SPACE IN THE TRUNK, AT JUST 10.2 CUBIC-FEET, MAKES US TRAVEL A BIT LIGHTER THAN WE'D LIKE.

BUT PLENTY OF INTERIOR FUNCTIONALITY GOES A LONG WAY TOWARDS ALLEVIATING THOSE SHORTCOMINGS, WITH FEATURES LIKE CADILLAC'S VOICE-ACTIVATED CUE INTERFACE.

NICE LOOKING ALUMINUM TRIM, AND A "GREAT-TO-THE-TOUCH" LEATHER WRAPPED STEERING WHEEL ARE ALSO PLUSSES.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS CONTINUE THE GOOD VIBES AT 19-CITY, 30-HIGHWAY, AND 23-COMBINED.

THE AUTOMATIC DOES A BIT BETTER.

ENERGY IMPACT SCORES ARE SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN AVERAGE AT 14.3-BARRELS OF OIL CONSUMED ANNUALLY WHILE EMITTING 6.4-TONS OF C02 INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.

BUT IT'S THE BASE PRICE OF JUST $33,990 THAT REALLY SEALS THE DEAL FOR US.

2.0-LITER TURBO MODELS START AT JUST $35,795.

OPT FOR THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND NOT ONLY WILL YOU UP THE FUN FACTOR EXPONENTIALLY, YOU'LL GET AS MUCH AS $1,475 BACK.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE IS ALSO AVAILABLE.

IT'S ALWAYS A GREAT TIME WHEN YOU GET REACQUAINTED WITH A LOVED ONE, AND WE HAVEN'T LOVED AN AMERICAN SEDAN THIS MUCH IN SOME TIME.

SO, CALL US HOME TEAMERS ALL YOU WANT, THE 2013 CADILLAC ATS IS A TRUE WORLD-CLASS SPORTS SEDAN BUILT WITH PRIDE AND READY TO RIDE!

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK FOCUSES ON MID-WEST BASED FOODLINER, ONE OF AMERICA'S LARGEST BULK FOOD HAULERS.

IN 2010, FOODLINER'S FLEET ADDED SIX NEW CNG TRACTORS FOR USE IN DAILY DELIVERIES.

SO FAR THEY'VE DRIVEN SOME 400,000 MILES.

REFUELING ALONG THEIR ROUTES IS MADE EASY THANKS TO A PUBLIC ACCESS CNG FUELING STATION IN DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS.

THE COMPANY IS LOOKING INTO ADDING OTHER CNG TRUCKS WITH SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT TO ACCOMMODATE THEIR DELIVERY OF CORN SYRUP AND OTHER LIQUID FOODS.

Pat O'Malley: THE NEXT STEP WILL BE TO GET ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION THAT IN COMBINATION WE CAN PUT A PTO AND A HYDRAULIC PUMP ON OUR TRACTOR, THEN WE'LL BE ABLE TO DELIVERY TO ANYBODY.

John: THE CNG TRUCKS WERE ACQUIRED WITH THE HELP OF FEDERAL FUNDING THROUGH THE CHICAGO AREA ALTERNATIVE FUELS DEPLOYMENT PROJECT.

SINCE JOINING THE FLEET, FOODLINER'S CNG TRUCKS HAVE DISPLACED SOME 80,000 GALLONS OF GASOLINE, A SWEET ALT-FUEL SUCCESS STORY FROM THE LAND OF LINCOLN.

AS LITTLE AS FIVE YEARS AGO, THE THOUGHT OF PLUG-IN EVs AND HYBRID VEHICLES BECOMING COMMONPLACE SEEMED IMPLAUSIBLE.

BUT PLUG-IN CARS LIKE THE VOLT, LEAF, PRIUS, TESLA, AND FISKER ARE NOW IN THE MAINSTREAM, AND A PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR CHARGING THEM IS RAPIDLY EMERGING.

AND JUST LIKE ENTHUSIASTIC CAR OWNERS BEFORE THEM, PLUG-IN EARLY ADOPTERS LIKE TO GET TOGETHER TO SHARE TALES ON HOW THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED THEIR LIVES.

SO COME ALONG AS WE EAVESDROP ON THE LATEST CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE LOVE AFFAIR.

ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, SOMEWHERE YOU'LL FIND A GATHERING OF CARS AND A GROUP OF ENTHUSIASTS ASSEMBLED AROUND THEM.

BE THEY HOT RODS, CLASSICS OR SPORTS CARS... EACH GENRE OF THE CAR'S EVOLUTION HAS DEVELOPED A LOYAL FOLLOWING, AND ELECTRIC CARS ARE NO EXCEPTION.

THE RECENT NATIONAL PLUG-IN DAY INCLUDED EVENTS HELD AT HUNDREDS OF SITES ACROSS THE U.S., ENTICING EV AFICIONADOS TO CHECK OUT THE LATEST MODELS AND SHARE THEIR PASSION FOR GAS-FREE MOTORING.

Jim Barracca: THE DEALER GIVES YOU 9.3 GALLONS, I HAVEN'T USED ALL OF THAT YET.

BUT WHEN I GET THREE GALLONS LOW, I PUT THREE GALLONS IN, SO I'M STILL AT ALMOST A FULL TANK.

LAST TIME I PUT THREE GALLONS IN WAS FEBRUARY, AND THIS IS SEPTEMBER 23.

John: ALL OF THE OWNERS WE TALKED WITH WERE PLEASED WITH THEIR PLUG-IN CAR'S FUEL ECONOMY, AND MANY ROUTINELY EXCEED GOV'T FUEL ECONOMY ESTIMATES.

OF COURSE, USING ZERO GASOLINE IS AN ULTIMATE GOAL FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, AND THE BOTTOM LINE.

Bill Clarke: THE MONEY THAT I AM PAYING FOR ELECTRICITY IS ABOUT A THIRD OF THE PRICE OF GASOLINE.

John: FOR SOME, OWNING AN EXTENDED-RANGE EV LIKE THE CHEVY VOLT MEANS NOT HAVING TO COMPROMISE THEIR DAILY ROUTINES.

Paul Michalski: I LIKE THE GAME OF IT.

IT ENCOURAGES YOU TO GET AS MUCH OUT OF THE BATTERY AS POSSIBLE, AND SO I PLAY THAT GAME.

BUT I ALSO DRIVE IT LIKE A CAR, AND, YOU KNOW, IF I DON'T HAVE TIME TO DO THAT, I DON'T.

>> John: OTHERS APPRECIATE THE ELECTRIC MOTOR'S PERFORMANCE AS MUCH AS ITS ECONOMY.

Randy Kuning: I GET THE MOST FUN WHEN I DO THE PARKING LOT GRAND PRIX NEXT TO A CORVETTE.

NOW, I'M NOT GOING TO BEAT THEM PAST 30 MPH ON ACCELERATION, AND MOST OF THE TIME I JUST CATCH THEM NAPPING ANYWAY, BUT STILL THERE'S THIS SENSE OF THEY'RE SEEING THE VOLT NAMEPLATE IN THE REAR PANEL DISAPPEARING INTO THE DISTANCE.

Mike Natale: PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE FUN TO DRIVE, THEY'RE RESPONSIVE TO THE ACCELERATOR, AND YEAH, THEY'RE GOOD SIZE -- MOST OF THEM ARE GOOD SIZED CARS AND HANDLE WELL.

John: COLLEGE PROFESSOR JONATHAN SLADE AND HIS WIFE TOOK THE PLUNGE TO A FULL-ELECTRIC NISSAN LEAF AND FOUND IT HAS INDUCED SOME POSITIVE LIFESTYLE CHANGES.

Jonathan Slade: IT REALLY REWIRES YOUR BRAIN IN SOME INTERESTING WAYS IF YOU ACTUALLY LET IT.

BEFORE WE HAD A FULLY ELECTRIC VEHICLE, WE USED TO END UP STOPPING AT CONVENIENCE STORES ON OUR WAY TO AND FROM WORK TO BUY A LOT OF GROCERIES, LIKE A GALLON OF MILK, OR A LOAF OF BREAD, OR BUTTER, WHAT NOT.

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

A GROCERY STORE NEAR WHERE I WORK THAT HAS FREE ELECTRIC CHARGING STATIONS, WE PLUG IN THERE AND WE END UP 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 CENTS WORTH OF ELECTRICITY IN THE PARKING LOT WHILE WE'RE IN THE STORE BUYING GROCERIES.

EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT RANGE ANXIETY, AND THEY'RE ALL CONCERNED ABOUT IT, OUR SORT OF SOLUTION TO THAT IS DRIVE THE HECK OUT OF THE CAR.

THE MORE YOUR DRIVE THE CAR, THE LESS RANGE ANXIETY YOU HAVE.

AND SO YOU DRIVE SOMEWHERE ONCE OR TWICE WITH A FULL CHARGE - HEY, I CAN MAKE IT THERE AND BACK AND YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT IT ANYMORE.

John: THE SLADES EVEN USED THEIR SUMMER VACATION THIS YEAR TO PUSH THEIR GAS-FREE DRIVING BOUNDARIES.

Jonathan: AND SO I CONVINCED MY WIFE TO TAKE OUR SUMMER VACATION AND ACTUALLY ATTEMPT TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE STATE OF MARYLAND, FROM THE WESTERNMOST MOUNTAINS ALL THE WAY TO OCEAN CITY.

WE DROVE THE HECK OUT OF THE CAR WHEN WE DROVE IT ACROSS THE STATE AND WE WOULD LITERALLY PULL IN AND PLUG-IN, AND THEN GO TO A DINER NEARBY, GO TO A RESTAURANT, EAT, DO A LITTLE TOURISM, GO TO MUSEUMS WHILE IT WAS CHARGING, AND THEN COME BACK AND WE WOULD GO.

SO THERE WAS VERY LITTLE WAITING AROUND FOR IT TO CHARGE.

SO YOU HAD TO BE STRATEGIC TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO PLUG IN WHERE THERE'S SOMETHING TO DO FOR TWO, THREE HOURS.

John: OPINIONS ARE SPLIT ON WHETHER PURE-ELECTRICS, RANGE EXTENDERS OR PLUG-IN HYBRIDS WILL BE THE PREFERRED EV PLATFORM TO HELP DRIVE US INTO A PETROLEUM-FREE FUTURE.

OUR GUESS IS THAT ALL THREE TYPES WILL FIND FAVOR DEPENDING ON THEIR OWNER'S NEEDS, BUT IT'S CLEAR THAT PLUGGING-IN IS CHARGING UP A NEW ERA OF AUTO ENTHUSIASM!

UNLESS YOU LIVE IN THE SUN BELT, WHEN COLD WEATHER ARRIVES, MANY COOL CARS ARE PUT AWAY FOR THE WINTER.

AND THIS WEEK DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE, PAT SHOWS US THE RIGHT WAY TO DO JUST THAT.

Pat Goss: NO MATTER WHAT THE VEHICLE, LONG PERIODS OF DISUSE CAN BE VERY DAMAGING.

SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE ANYTHING IN STORAGE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, PROPER PREP CAN PREVENT DAMAGE.

CHANGE ANY OF THE FLUIDS THAT ARE DUE TO BE CHANGED.

ALWAYS CHANGE THE OIL; YOU NEVER WANT OIL TO SIT IN AN ENGINE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, OIL THAT'S BEEN USED.

AND IF IT NEEDS TRANSMISSION OR COOLING SYSTEMS SERVICE, DO THAT BEFORE STORAGE.

ALSO, IF IT'S GOING TO BE LESS THAN A YEAR, FILL THE FUEL TANK, AND USE A FUEL STABILIZER TO KEEP THE FUEL FROM TURNING INTO VARNISH.

IF IT'S GOING TO BE MORE THAN A YEAR, COMPLETELY DRAIN, EVACUATE THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM.

WASH IT, WAX IT, IF NEED BE.

DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE FINISH ON THE VEHICLE.

THEN, HERE'S SOMETHING A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT.

AND THAT IS THE INTAKE AND THE EXHAUST.

NOW, TRUE, YOU'RE GOING TO USE A FOGGING OIL.

FOLLOW THE LABEL DIRECTIONS BEFORE YOU CLOSE EVERYTHING UP.

BUT ONCE YOU'RE DONE WITH THE FOGGING OIL, WELL, YOU WANT TO CLOSE THE EXHAUST, AND YOU WANT TO CLOSE THE INTAKE.

YOU CAN DO THAT WITH MASKING TAPE, BUT MAKE SURE THAT THE MASKING TAPE IS THE TYPE THAT RELEASES SO IT DOESN'T BOND WITH THE FINISH ON THE EXHAUST OR THE INTAKE.

YOU MAY WANT A COVER FOR THE VEHICLE.

IF IT'S GOING TO BE OUTSIDE, YOU WANT AN OUTSIDE COVER.

IF IT'S GOING TO BE INSIDE, YOU WANT ONE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR INSIDE STORAGE.

YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO RAISE THE VEHICLE UP.

YOU WANT TO GET THE WEIGHT OFF OF THE TIRES BECAUSE THAT WILL DESTROY THE TIRES OVER TIME.

THAT MEANS YOU NEED JACK STANDS OR SOME SORT OF SUPPORTING DEVICE.

ON A VEHICLE, YOU WANT THE JACK STANDS OUT AS CLOSE TO THE WHEELS AS IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE YOU WANT THE SPRINGS COMPRESSED.

YOU DO NOT WANT THEM HANGING DOWN AND UNLOADED WHICH CAN DAMAGE THEM OVER TIME.

OF COURSE, YOU CERTAINLY WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE BATTERY, AND THAT MEANS YOU NEED A BATTERY MAINTAINER.

TRADITIONAL TYPE WE HAVE OVER THERE.

BUT HERE'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING TODAY.

THIS IS ELECTRONIC, AND YOU CAN SET IT FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF BATTERIES, YOU CAN SET IT FOR DIFFERENT VOLTAGES.

IT HAS A LOT OF DIFFERENT FEATURES IN IT, AND IT'S VERY PRECISE AT KEEPING A BATTERY HEALTHY WHILE IT'S NOT BEING USED.

DO ALL OF THESE THINGS, AND DO IT RIGHT, AND YOU'LL WIND UP WITH A VEHICLE THAT WILL GO RIGHT BACK ON THE ROAD WITH NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER.

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

TIME NOW FOR MORE CAR KEY'S FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS OF THE LATEST ON OUR LOT.

WITH ITS ARRIVAL LAST YEAR, THE 7TH GEN PORSCHE 911 BROUGHT WITH ITS INCREASED PERFORMANCE AND RE-SCULPTED STYLING, TONS OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL ENHANCEMENTS.

AND DESPITE AN ABUNDANCE OF ELECTRONIC NANNIES, WE FOUND THE RESULT WAS PURE DRIVING BLISS.

BUT FOR THOSE LOOKING TO ENJOY FOUR-SEASON DRIVING, THERE'S NOW THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE 2013 911 CARRERA 4 AND 4S.

WITH AN EVEN LARGER SUITE OF COMPUTERIZED GOINGS-ON, PORSCHE TRACTION MANAGEMENT BRINGS A NEW REAR-DRIVE BIASED ACTIVE AWD TO THE 911 C4.

CONSTANTLY MONITORING STEERING ANGLES, WHEEL SLIP, AND ACCELERATION, THE SYSTEM NOW SENDS UP TO 100% OF TORQUE TO THE FRONT WHEELS, UP FROM 40 BEFORE, BUT ONLY WHEN NEEDED.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE BRINGS A SLIGHTLY WIDER REAR TRACK, REAR WHEELS, AND BODYWORK, THOUGH HARDLY DISCERNIBLE TO THE AVERAGE ONLOOKER.

MORE NOTICEABLE IS THE NEW RED TAILLIGHT REFLECTOR STRIP, RECESSED SILL ACCENTS, AND THE MODEL SPECIFIC FRONT FASCIA AND AIR INTAKES.

ENGINES FOR THE 4 AND 4S ARE THE SAME 3.4 AND 3.8 LITER FLAT-6'S, PRODUCING 350 AND 400 HORSEPOWER RESPECTIVELY.

THE PDK DUAL CLUTCH PADDLE SHIFT AUTOMATIC IS AGAIN AVAILABLE, BUT WE CHOSE THE 4S AND 7 SPEED MANUAL FOR MAXIMUM DRIVER INTERACTION.

STRAIGHTLINE POWER FELT JUST AS SOLID AS THE REAR DRIVE CARRERA S, AS DID STEERING FEEDBACK.

WITH MORE TORQUE AVAILABLE TO THE FRONT WHEELS, CORNERING AGILITY SEES A NICE INCREASE AND INSPIRES MORE CONFIDENCE.

OTHER 911 DEBUTS WITH THE CARRERA 4 AND 4S INCLUDE RADAR BASED ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND FRONT COLLISION WARNING SYSTEMS.

STARTING PRICES MATCH THE CAR'S ABILITIES, AROUND $92,000 FOR THE 4, AND $106,000 FOR THE 4S.

AND STAY TUNED, IN A FEW WEEKS WE'LL GIVE THE CARRERA 4S A PROPER MOTORWEEK "HELLO" WITH A FULL TEST AT ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY.

FROM A CHECKERED FLAG SPEEDSTER, TO A MID-SIZE FLAGSHIP SEDAN, WE TURN TO THE 2014 MAZDA6, ENTERING ITS 3RD GENERATION WITH AN ALL NEW DESIGN AND FOCUS.

THE CONCEPT-DRAWN EXTERIOR STYLING CERTAIN WORKS FOR US, WITH ITS STRETCHED WHEELBASE, SHORTENED LENGTH, AND PUSHED BACK A-PILLARS.

IT IS BOTH MORE AGGRESSIVE AND ELEGANT AND A BIG STEP FORWARD.

INSIDE, THINGS MARCH UPSCALE, AS WELL.

PUSH BUTTON START AND LEATHER WRAPPED STEERING WHEEL ARE BOTH STANDARD.

MAZDA'S SKYACTIV FUEL ECONOMY APPROACH IS FULLY EMBRACED BY A NEW 2.5 LITER I4.

WITH A SUPER HIGH COMPRESSION RATIO, HORSEPOWER JUMPS TO 184.

TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOW ALL 6-SPEEDS.

WITH THE AUTO, HIGHWAY FUEL ECONOMY IS UP 7 TO A NEAR-HYBRID 38 MPG.

GONE IS THE 3.7 LITER V6, BUT COMING LATER THIS YEAR IS A 2.2 LITER SKYACTIV TURBO DIESEL, A FIRST FROM A JAPANESE CARMAKER FOR THE U.S. Greg Carloss: EVEN WITH SKYACTIV FUEL SAVINGS, THE NEW MAZDA 6 DELIVERS SURPRISINGLY SPIRITED PERFORMANCE.

THE BALANCE IS ALSO GOOD, MAKING IT EVEN MORE AGILE AND ENTERTAINING TO DRIVE.

AND THE NEW FACELIFT MAKES IT LOOK EVEN BETTER, TOO.

John: AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES INCLUDE: SMART CITY BRAKE SUPPORT, A LOW SPEED COLLISION PREVENTION SYSTEM, AND AVAILABLE LATER IN THE YEAR, THE I-ELOOP REGENERATIVE BRAKE SYSTEM, WHICH STORES ENERGY IN A CAPACITOR TO POWER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.

STARTING AROUND $22,000 AND ON SALE NOW, THE NOW IMPORTED 2014 MAZDA6 AIMS TO GRADUATE FROM RUNNER-UP TO CLASS LEADER.

AND WE'LL HAVE MORE CAR KEYS FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS SOON!

THE TOYOTA PRIUS IS THE UNDISPUTED BENCHMARK OF HYBRID VEHICLES.

BUT AS THE PRIUS LINEUP EXPANDS, SO DOES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR RIVALS TO DO IT BETTER.

THAT'S WHERE WE FIND THE LATEST IN FORD'S ECO-FRIENDLY LINEUP, THE C-MAX HYBRID.

SO IS THE BLUE OVAL REALLY TRYING TO TOPPLE THE KING OF GREEN MOTORING?

OR HAS FORD JUST GONE MAD?

IT'S RARE WHEN WE CONSIDER FORD TO BE AN UNDERDOG.

BUT IN THE UNSETTLED LANDSCAPE OF HYBRID AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES, THEY'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN TO GET SERIOUS DURING THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THE SNUB-NOSED FRONT END FEATURES AN OPEN MOUTH INTAKE BELOW A THIN SLIT GRILLE HOUSING THE FORD EMBLEM.

FLANKED BETWEEN SWEPT HEAD LIGHTS, THEY DO THEIR BEST TO BRING A LITTLE STYLE TO A SEGMENT LACKING IN THE LOOKS DEPARTMENT.

BUT ALONG ITS PROFILE, AND FROM BEHIND, THE C-MAX FALLS A LITTLE FLAT.

SAVE FOR A FEW BODY LINES AND FENDER WRAPPING TAIL LIGHTS, NOT MUCH JUMPS OUT.

A SURPRISING APPROACH CONSIDERING THE NEW FUSION'S DYNAMIC REDESIGN.

THE INTERIOR FOLLOWS IN CONSERVATIVE FASHION, KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE BUT COMFORTABLE.

DUAL LCD SCREEN "SMARTGAUGES" SURROUND AN ANALOG SPEEDOMETER, AND FEATURE VEHICLE INFORMATION, CONTROLS, AND GREEN DRIVING TIPS.

SYNC WITH MYFORD TOUCH RETURNS, THOUGH WE DIDN'T FIND THIS ITERATION AS PROBLEMATIC AS BEFORE.

BACK SEATS OFFER PLENTY OF LEGROOM, AND TOTAL PASSENGER VOLUME OF 99.7 CUBIC FEET BEATS THE RIVAL PRIUS V WAGON.

BEHIND THE SECOND ROW 60/40 SPLIT SEATS IS 24.5 CUBIC FEET OF LUGGAGE SPACE.

THAT'S NEARLY A THIRD LESS THAN THE V, BUT STILL ADEQUATE.

THE C-MAX HYBRID'S BATTERIES ARE UNDER A RAISED CARGO FLOOR.

BUT RATHER THAN THE V'S FAMILIAR NICKEL-METAL HYDRIDE BATTERIES, IT'S A 1.4 KWH LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACK.

UNDER THE HOOD IS A 2.0 LITER ATKINSON CYCLE I4 ENGINE, STIRRING UP 141 HORSEPOWER AND 129 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THE ELECTRIC MOTOR NEXT DOOR BUZZES UP 118 HORSEPOWER AND 117 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

TOTAL SYSTEM OUTPUT IS 188 HORSEPOWER.

THAT'S 54 MORE THAN THE PRIUS V. AND BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE C-MAX HYBRID THAT EXTRA POWER WAS MUCH APPRECIATED.

DRIVING FELT COMPLETELY UNHINDERED, AS THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WORKS SEAMLESSLY.

THE ELECTRIC MOTOR SUPPLIES THE MAJORITY OF VEHICLE POWER UP TO 62 MILES-PER-HOUR.

FULL GASOLINE MODE KICKS IN AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND UNDER HARD ACCELERATION.

A REGENERATIVE BRAKE SYSTEM HELPS ON THE RECHARGE, BUT STRONG PEDAL RESISTANCE AND GRABBY BRAKES MADE FOR SOME AWKWARD STOP-AND-GO JERKS.

THINGS ARE SMOOTH WITH THE GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS AT 47 MILES-PER-GALLON CITY, HIGHWAY, AND COMBINED, THROUGH A CVT AUTOMATIC.

ON PAPER, THAT BEATS THE PRIUS V'S 42 MPG COMBINED.

THROUGH A DAY OF MIXED CALIFORNIA DRIVING, HOWEVER, WE FOUND A COMBINED AVERAGE IN THE HIGH 30s MORE REALISTIC.

ENERGY IMPACT SCORES ARE GREAT, WITH JUST 7.0 BARRELS OF ANNUAL OIL CONSUMPTION, AND YEARLY CO2 EMISSIONS AT A VERY LOW 3.1 TONS.

PRICED TO COMPETE, THE 2013 FORD C-MAX HYBRID SE STARTS AT $25,995, ALMOST $1,500 BELOW THE PRIUS V. SEL TRIM RINGS UP TO $28,995.

AND DUE IN THE SPRING IS THE C-MAX ENERGI, A PLUG IN HYBRID WITH A 21-MILE ELECTRIC DRIVING RANGE AND PRICES STARTING NEAR $34,000.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE A LITTLE DIVERSITY IN THE HYBRID MARKET.

AND WHILE THE 2013 FORD C-MAX HYBRID MAY NOT TURN ANY HEADS, IT'S ALSO NOT AN "IN-YOUR-FACE" ELECTRIFIED "MAD MAX" DESPERATE FOR ATTENTION.

IT IS A VEHICLE WITH A SIMPLE PURPOSE; DELIVERING OUTSTANDING FUEL ECONOMY WITH FLEXIBLE PRACTICALITY.

IT'S A MILD MANNERED FAMILY HAULER THAT COULD BE REAL COMPETITION FOR THE PRIUS CLAN AS IT CRUISES TO THE TOP LEVEL OF THE HYBRID CAR RANKS.

WELL, I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AGAIN SOON FOR MORE MOTORWEEK , AS WE CONTINUE TO DANCE AROUND THE ROAD COURSE WITH THE ALWAYS FUN LOTUS EVORA.

AND WE'LL CRUISE BACK HOME IN THE AUDI ALLROAD.

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.

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