2013 Audi S6 & 2013 BMW M5

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

JOIN US AND SEE IF AUDI'S BLEND OF SPORT AND LUXURY GOES DOWN SMOOTH IN THE S6.

THE ALWAYS TRUSTWORTHY PAT GOSS WARNS US ABOUT BAD ADVICE ONLINE.

WE TRACK THE NURBURGRING AS A MOTORHEAD'S MUST-DO.

AND WE WELCOME THE BMW M5 THE ONLY WAY WE KNOW HOW.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

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

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... Woman: AND THEY HAVE THESE BIG RED NOSES.

AND THEY'RE NAMED THINGS LIKE BOBO AND CRISPY.

Therapist: OKAY, NOW LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION.

Woman: OKAY.

Therapist: HOW DO I FIND THE RIGHT TIRE TO HELP ME FIND BALANCE BETWEEN COMFORT, ECONOMY, AND PERFORMANCE?

Woman: ARE YOU STILL TALKING ABOUT CLOWNS?

Therapist: I'M SHOPPING FOR TIRES.

Announcer: THERE'S A BETTER PLACE TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR TIRES.

TIRERACK.COM CAN HELP YOU GET THE ANSWERS YOU NEED AND HELP YOU FIND WHICH TIRES ARE BEST FOR YOU.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS.

NO MATTER WHAT CUSTOMERS DRIVE, THEY CAN PURCHASE ONLINE FROM A COMPREHENSIVE SELECTION OF BRANDS, PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

ROCKAUTO.COM, ALL THE PARTS YOUR CAR WILL EVER NEED.

AND BY 3M.

MAKER OF 3M PAINT DEFENDER SYSTEM.

HELPS PROTECT YOUR PAINT IN THREE STEPS, DRYING TO A CLEAR, REMOVABLE FILM FOR PROTECTION.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT 3MAUTO.COM.

John: THE BALANCE BETWEEN PERFORMANCE AND LUXURY IN A SPORTS SEDAN IS A TRICKY ONE.

TOO MUCH PERFORMANCE AND YOU GET A RIDE THAT HANDLES TRACK WORK WELL, BUT BEATS YOU UP ON THE DAILY COMMUTE.

SWING THE PENDULUM THE OTHER WAY AND YOU'LL BE WRAPPED IN LUXURY, BUT LEFT WANTING WHEN IT COMES TO AN ENJOYABLE DRIVING EXPERIENCE.

BUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE A CAR COMES ALONG THAT GETS THE COCKTAIL JUST RIGHT.

SO IT'S CHEERS FOR THE AUDI S6!

WE'VE DRIVEN MORE THAN OUR FAIR SHARE OF GREAT AUDI'S LATELY, BUT THE 2013 AUDI S6 MIGHT JUST BE OUR FAVORITE.

AND WHILE THE EUROPEAN RS6 OFFERS HIGHER PERFORMANCE, THE S6 IS A MUCH BETTER FIT FOR US, PACKAGING GREAT STYLE AND GREAT PERFORMANCE IN A SEDAN THAT LOOKS AND FEELS RIGHT AT HOME JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE.

BY NOW WE'RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH AUDI'S S FORMULA OF PACKING MORE POWER AND BETTER HANDLING INTO SEDANS, COUPES, AND NOW CROSSOVERS, THROUGHOUT THEIR LINEUP.

THE S6 SHARES THE S7'S DIRECT INJECTION 4.0-LITER TWIN-TURBO V8; ALSO FOUND IN THE BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT.

HERE, OUTPUT IS 420-HORSEPOWER AND 406 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THERE'S CYLINDER DEACTIVATION TO UP FUEL ECONOMY; AND ACTIVE ENGINE MOUNTS AND NOISE CANCELLING TO HIDE IT.

ALL S 6' S' ARE QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE WITH AN ACTIVE REAR DIFFERENTIAL.

AND LIKE MOST LUXURY SPORTS SEDANS, IT HAS SELECTABLE DRIVING MODES.

BUT OF ALL AUDI'S MID-SIZE S MODELS, THIS ONE RESPONDS WITH THE MOST HEFT.

YOU STILL SENSE THE ABUNDANT POWER; IT JUST DOESN'T FEEL QUITE AS LIGHT ON ITS FEET AS ITS KIN.

BUT WE ARE REALLY SPLITTING HAIRS HERE.

THERE IS NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO STRAIGHT LINE ACCELERATION.

THE S6 LOCKS IN AND DESTROYS THE QUARTER-MILE WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE.

OFF THE LINE, IT'S THE TYPICAL QUATTRO GRIP-AND-GO AS YOU HIT 60 IN JUST 3.8 SECONDS.

THE 7-SPEED S TRONIC KEEPS THE POWER FLOWING WITH QUICK AND SMOOTH SHIFTS, ENDING THE QUARTER MILE IN 12.2 SECONDS AT 114 MILES-PER-HOUR.

SO, MAYBE THE S6 FEELS HEAVY LIKE A SATURN V. TENACIOUS QUATTRO GRIP WAS EVEN MORE EVIDENT THROUGH OUR HANDLING COURSE, AS WELL AS SUPER AGGRESSIVE TURN-INS.

THERE WAS A LITTLE MORE BODY ROLL THAN WE EXPECTED, BUT IN NO WAY DID IT HINDER PROGRESS.

THAT'S WITH THE STANDARD ADAPTIVE AIR SUSPENSION WITH A LOWER RIDE HEIGHT THAN THE A6.

AND IN SPITE OF THAT HEAVIER FEEL, THE S6 ACTUALLY WEIGHS IN LESS THAN THE S7 AT 4,398 POUNDS.

THE VENTILATED BRAKE DISCS WERE MORE THAN UP TO THE TASK OF HAULING ALL OF THAT WEIGHT DOWN, AVERAGING A SHORT 117 FEET FROM 60.

DOES PERFORMANCE REACH INTO M5 TERRITORY?

NOT QUITE, BUT ITS CLOSE ENOUGH, KEEPING THAT LIVABILITY BALANCE ON A KNIFE'S EDGE.

EVEN AS THE MOST CONSERVATIVE LOOKING S CAR, WE LOVE THE "BEAST-IN-A- 3-PIECE-SUIT" LOOK, OR MAYBE IT'S MORE A ONE-PERCENTER ON CASUAL FRIDAY.

THE SLEEK, ALUMINUM BODY PANELS LOOK POURED OVER THE STEEL STRUCTURE AND THE 20-INCH ALLOY WHEELS THAT ARE IN PLACE OF THE STANDARD 19s.

IT'S MOST AGGRESSIVE UP FRONT WITH ITS OVERSIZED GRILLE AND LOWER FASCIA THAT SAY, "LOOK OUT, WE'RE COMING THROUGH!"

THERE'S A BIT LESS OF THE PERFORMANCE STYLE IN BACK, BUT THE TRUNK-LID SPOILER AND REAR DIFFUSER WITH DOUBLED-UP EXHAUST TIPS ARE A WELCOME STEP UP OVER THE A6.

AS WITH MOST AUDI S-MACHINES, LONG DISTANCE COMFORT IS WHERE THE S6 REALLY IMPRESSES, WITH A CLASSY AND STYLISH INTERIOR THAT STILL EMBRACES FUNCTIONALITY.

AND THE S6 IS ALSO "RIGHT THERE."

WE'VE SAID IT BEFORE, BUT IT BEARS REPEATING... OF THE GERMAN BIG THREE, AUDI HAS GOT THE INTERIOR NAILED DOWN THE MOST.

WE'RE QUITE FOND OF THE MMI CENTRAL CONTROL INTERFACE AND MOST EVERYTHING SEEMS PLACED IN A "JUST RIGHT" MANNER THAT IS BOTH INTUITIVE AND PRACTICAL, EXCEPT MAYBE FOR THE CLIMATE CONTROLS DOWN LOW ON THE CENTER STACK.

WE'RE FANS OF THE SEATS AS WELL, BOTH FOR THE DIAMOND STITCHED LOOK, AND THE GREAT COMFORT AND SUPPORT THAT THEY PROVIDE.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 17-CITY, 27-HIGHWAY, AND 20-COMBINED.

WE USED PREMIUM FUEL TO GET A VERY GOOD AVERAGE OF 23.1 MILES-PER-GALLON.

THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS ONLY AVERAGE HOWEVER AT 16.5-BARRELS OF YEARLY OIL USE WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 7.3-TONS.

AT $72,795, THE S6 IS NOT CHEAP, BUT WE ALL KNOW THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE RARELY ARE.

AND AFTER DRIVING IT BACK AND FORTH TO WORK EVERY DAY YOU DEFINITELY WILL NOT FEEL RIPPED OFF.

THE 2013 AUDI S6 IS THE REAL SLEEPER IN THE AUDI S LINEUP AND MAYBE NOT FOR EVERYONE.

IF IT'S A DOMINATE PERFORMANCE IMAGE YOUR EGO NEEDS, YOU'LL BE BETTER SERVED WITH THE S7, OR WAIT FOR THE TRULY PRICEY RS7.

BUT TO US, THE S6'S INTOXICATING BLEND OF DOING EVERYTHING PERFECTLY IS THE WINNING FORMULA RIGHT NOW.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK FOLLOWS A TRANSPORTATION COMPANY WITH A STRONG ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS.

IN 2008, AUSTIN, TEXAS BASED R &R LIMOUSINE AND BUS FIRST BEGAN USING BIODIESEL IN ITS FLEET.

THEN LAST YEAR THEY PURCHASED 12 COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS SHUTTLE BUSES ORIGINALLY USED TO FERRY ATTENDEES TO BOTH THE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTIONS.

LONE STAR CLEAN FUELS ALLIANCE STAKEHOLDERS WORKED WITH R &R TO HELP THEM FIND THE NEARLY NEW CNG CONVENTION DEMO BUSES THAT WERE SITTING IDLE.

THE COMPANY SAYS THE CLEANER-BURNING FUEL WILL YIELD A SIGNIFICANT LONG-TERM COST SAVINGS.

Paul Arcediao: IT'S NOT ONLY CLEANER, BUT ALSO A LOT MORE AFFORDABLE.

IT'S OVER A DOLLAR A GALLON CHEAPER THAN DIESEL.

OUR COMPANY IS GOING TO USE OVER A MILLION DOLLARS OF FUEL THIS YEAR, SO THAT AMOUNTS TO HUGE SAVINGS FOR US.

John: R &R IS ALSO ADDING CNG POWERED SUVS TO THEIR FLEET, WITH STATE REBATES PARTIALLY OFFSETTING CONVERSION COSTS.

AND THEY HOPE TO CONTINUE TO "GREEN UP" THEIR FLEET FOR EVERYONE TRAVELING IN AND OUT OF THE AUSTIN CITY LIMITS.

ASK ANY CAR ENTHUSIAST AND THEY'RE SURE TO HARBOR A SECRET DESIRE FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE ADVENTURE.

EVEN FOR FOLKS AS WELL-TRAVELED AS OUR MOTORWEEK STAFF, THERE ARE A FEW THINGS LEFT ON OUR AUTOMOTIVE "BUCKET LISTS," BUT THIS TIME AROUND WE'VE CONQUERED ONE OF THOSE MOTORING MUST-DO'S.

IT IS ARGUABLY THE MOST SPECTACULAR, MOST DIFFICULT, AND MOST REVERED RACETRACK IN THE WORLD.

MAN: OVER THE BRIDGE AND UP AGAIN; IT'S HAIRY ALRIGHT.

John: IT'S 12.9 MILES OF BLIND HILL CRESTS, OFF-CAMBER TURNS AND FLAT-OUT STRAIGHTS ARE SO DEVILISH TO MASTER THAT RACING LEGEND JACKIE STEWART DUBBED IT "THE GREEN HELL."

Jackie: ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS ABOUT NURBURGRING IS THE CONSTANTLY CHANGING LIGHT AS THE CROSS TWISTS AND TURNS, IN AND OUT OF THE HIGH TREES, THE DRIVER'S EYES GET A CONSTANT BATTERING.

John: IT CAN TAKE YEARS TO MEMORIZE AND IT HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF COUNTLESS VIDEO RACING GAMES, CAR COMMERCIALS, AND YOUTUBE CLIPS.

GERMANY'S NURBURGRING NORDSCHLIEFE IS THE ONE TRACK THAT EVERY ASPIRING RACER NEEDS TO TRY AT LEAST ONCE IN THEIR LIFE.

AND AMAZINGLY, YOU CAN!

IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC MOST DAYS, WHERE A FEW EUROS CAN BUY THE ULTIMATE RUN-WHAT-YOU-BRUNG TRACK ADVENTURE.

Jackie: THEN ABOUT TWO KILOMETERS OF BUMPY FAST ROAD, TO THE TWO RIGHT-HANDERS LEADING UP TO THE CAROUSEL.

John: MANY PERFORMANCE CAR MAKERS HAVE TEST CENTERS BASED NEARBY, AND DEVELOPMENT WORK CONTINUES NEARLY YEAR-ROUND TO DIAL IN STEERING, RIDE AND HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS.

SPY PHOTOGRAPHERS LIKE BRENDA PRIDDY MAKE A LIVING STALKING NURBURGRING'S 154 CORNERS TO CATCH PROTOTYPES FLASHING BY.

OF COURSE, LAPPING THE 'RING IS BEST DONE IN A PROPER SPORTS CAR, AND OUR LATEST CHANCE CAME AT THE WHEEL OF JAGUAR'S NEW HOT ROD, THE XKR-S. OUR NINE MINUTE LAPS WERE WELL-OFF THE TRACK RECORD, BUT FAST ENOUGH TO GET OUR HEARTS RACING.

ONE WELL-KNOWN CAR GUY AND 'RING ROOKIE JOINED OUR GROUP AND CAME AWAY EQUALLY IMPRESSED.

Jay Leno: OH, IT'S ONE OF THE GREATEST DAYS OF MY LIFE.

I LIVE, GEOGRAPHICALLY, ABOUT AS FAR AWAY FROM THIS PLACE AS YOU CAN GET.

YOU KNOW, YOU SEE PICTURES IN MAGAZINES, YOU GET ON THE PLAYSTATION GAME, BUT YOU NEVER GET THE SENSE OF WHAT IT'S REALLY, REALLY LIKE.

AND IT REALLY LETS YOU BOND WITH THE AUTOMOBILE.

YOU KNOW, THESE CARS - THERE'S REALLY NO PLACE IN THE CIVILIZED WORLD YOU CAN DRIVE THEM OTHER THAN THE RACETRACK AND GET THAT FULL EFFECT.

SO, TO BE IN A PLACE THAT'S SAFE, AND FAST, IT'S PRETTY AMAZING.

Jackie: IT'S AS BUMPY AS HELL.

John: NO MATTER WHAT DRIVES YOUR AUTOMOTIVE FANTASIES: A DESTINATION, A CERTAIN CAR, A PARTICULAR ROAD, RACE, RALLY OR EVEN A FANTASY TRIP BACK IN TIME, THE AUTOMOTIVE WORLD IS FULL OF WONDERS LIKE THE NURBURGRING WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED.

AND WITH A LITTLE IMAGINATION, THEY CAN BE AS CLOSE AS YOUR RIGHT FOOT.

WITH SO MUCH AVAILABLE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS, THE INTERNET CAN BE A CAR LOVER'S BEST FRIEND.

BUT AS PAT GOSS EXPLAINS, YOU CAN'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ.

Pat Goss: JUST A FEW MINUTES ON THE INTERNET GAVE US SOME REALLY INTERESTING SOUNDING ADVICE WHICH, IN REALITY, WAS NOTHING BUT PURE GARBAGE AND THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER DO.

NUMBER ONE, TOLEAN THE BLACK PLASTIC CLADDING ON THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR VEHICLE, OR THE LEATHER UPHOLSTERY ON THE INSIDE OF YOUR VEHICLE, USE PEANUT BUTTER.

CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER, BECAUSE CHUNKY MIGHT SCRATCH.

WHAT A HORRID IDEA!

ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR BAITS FOR MOUSE TRAPS IS PEANUT BUTTER.

THEY LOVE THE STUFF.

NOW YOU'VE MADE THE INSIDE OF YOUR CAR APPEALING TO EVERY MOUSE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND BELIEVE ME, THEY WILL EAT THE INSIDE OF YOUR CAR.

MAKE SURE YOU ONLY USE PROPER PRODUCTS TO DEAL WITH THINGS LIKE THAT.

THEN, HERE'S ONE THAT'S BEEN AROUND FOREVER.

YOU CAN USE DISHWASHING DETERGENT OR LAUNDRY DETERGENT TO WASH YOUR CAR.

WELL, DON'T DO IT!

YOU SEE, NUMBER ONE, IT STRIPS ALL THE WAX OFF OF THE CAR, NOW YOUR PAINT IS UNPROTECTED.

AND NUMBER TWO, IN SOME CASES, IT CAN ACTUALLY STRIP OILS OUT OF THE SURFACE OF THE PAINT, AND IT AGES THE PAINT.

OH, HERE'S A GOOD ONE.

USE BLEACH TO CLEAN YOUR FUEL SYSTEM.

DON'T DO IT!

JUST LIKE YOU DON'T PUT MOTH BALLS IN YOUR FUEL SYSTEM FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE AND BETTER GAS MILEAGE.

IT DOESN'T WORK, NUMBER ONE, AND IT CAN DO HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO DELICATE FUEL SYSTEM PARTS.

AND THE PROBLEM IS, YOU MAY NOT SEE IT RIGHT AWAY.

IT MAY BE MONTHS, OR A YEAR DOWN THE ROAD, BEFORE THE ISSUE COMES UP.

ALL RIGHT.

HERE'S A GOOD ONE, TOOTHPASTE.

HEADLIGHTS ON AUTOMOBILES GET HAZY AND CLOUDY.

THIS IS FROM THE ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT FROM THE SUN.

AND IT HAS TO BE CLEANED AWAY FOR THE HEADLIGHTS TO WORK PROPERLY.

WELL, ON THE INTERNET THEY TELL YOU TO USE TOOTHPASTE, BUT THAT'S ONLY ONE PARTICULAR GRIT.

IT'S NOT THE PROPER ABRASIVE FOR THE PLASTIC, IT CAN ACTUALLY DESTROY SOME OF THESE HEADLIGHTS, SO DON'T DO IT!

USE A KIT THAT IS DESIGNED FOR IT.

THE KIT WILL HAVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABRASIVES AND POLISHES TO DO THE JOB PROPERLY.

SO, WATCH OUT FOR THESE "TRICKS" YOU FIND ON THE INTERNET.

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

TIME NOW TO GRAB MORE CAR KEYS AND SEE WHAT GRABS OUR ATTENTION.

WHILE THE EV MARKET IS STILL IN ITS TRIAL AND ERROR PERIOD, A FEW MODELS HAVE COME OUT THE OTHER SIDE THAT ARE WORTHY OF PRAISE.

AND THE 2013 NISSAN LEAF, NOW MADE IN THE U.S.A., IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THEM.

STYLING CHANGES LITTLE FOR ITS THIRD MODEL YEAR.

THERE'S FRESH AERODYNAMIC SCULPTING, AND 17 INCH WHEELS ARE AVAILABLE.

THE AWKWARD LOOK STILL SCREAMS EV, BUT WE'VE GOTTEN USED TO IT.

LEATHER COVERED SEATS AND STEERING WHEEL HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE TOP SL TRIM, INCREASING BOTH COMFORT AND APPEAL.

LEGROOM, BOTH FRONT AND REAR, REMAINS TIGHT, THOUGH REAR CARGO ROOM INCREASES WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE CHARGING HARDWARE MOVED UP FRONT.

THE RIDE IS FAMILIAR, WHICH IS TO SAY, SMALL CAR COMPLIANT.

BUT THE LEAF'S LIGHT STEERING AND INSTANT POWER RESPONSE MAKE IT QUITE FUN TO DRIVE.

Patrick Lucas: IT'S A STRANGE FEELING DRIVING THE LEAF.

I MEAN THAT IN A GOOD WAY THOUGH.

YOU GET THIS GLIDING SENSATION, BUT IT STILL FEELS PLANTED LIKE A CAR.

EVERYTHING'S VERY FAMILIAR.

THE INSTANT TORQUE IS DEFINITELY A NICE LITTLE BONUS.

BUT IT'S JUST A PERFECT DAILY DRIVER, AND THE IMPROVEMENTS THEY MADE THIS YEAR MAKE IT THAT MUCH BETTER.

John: AND THOSE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE A 6.6 KILOWATT CHARGER THAT CUTS 220 VOLT CHARGING TIME FROM EIGHT TO FOUR HOURS.

A STANDARD 110 VOLT TRICKLE CHARGER IS INCLUDED.

WITH THE OPTIONAL DC FAST CHARGE PORT, AN 80% CHARGE TAKES ONLY 30 MINUTES.

UNDER NEW RULES, THE GOVERNMENT SAYS EXPECT A RANGE OF 75 MILES.

THAT'S BASED ON AN 84 MILE RANGE WITH A 100% CHARGE, AND A 66 MILE RANGE AT 80%, THE RECOMMENDED LEVEL FOR LONG BATTERY LIFE.

NOW AN IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK, THE 2013 NISSAN LEAF SPORTS A MUCH LOWER STARING PRICE, ABOUT $21,000 AFTER INCENTIVES, FOR THE NEW ENTRY LEVEL S-TRIM MODEL.

AND WE'LL PLUG IN FOR MORE CAR KEYS FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS SOON!

NEXT UP, YOLANDA VAZQUEZ WITH ALL THE LATEST MOTOR NEWS.

Yolanda Vazquez: PRICING FOR THE HOTLY ANTICIPATED 2014 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY WAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED, GIVING THE FAITHFUL PLENTY OF TIME TO SAVE UP BEFORE ITS FALL RELEASE.

UP SLIGHTLY FROM LAST YEAR, THE REDESIGNED CORVETTE WILL BEGIN AT $51,995, AND $56,995 FOR THE CONVERTIBLE.

THOSE PRICES WILL NET YOU A 450 HORSEPOWER, 6.2 LITER V8, DRIVE MODE SELECTOR, AND A NEW SEVEN SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

MORE HIGH END STANDARD FEATURES HAVE BEEN ADDED, INCLUDING PUSH BUTTON START, 8-INCH INFOTAINMENT AND DIGITAL GAUGE DISPLAYS, AND A BOSE 9-SPEAKER AUDIO SYSTEM.

LIKE ANY CAR, THERE ARE OPTIONS.

THE 3LT PACKAGE ADDS LUXURIES LIKE NAVIGATION, UPGRADED SOUND SYSTEM, HEATED AND VENTILATED SEATS, AND PREMIUM LEATHER THROUGHOUT.

SURE TO BE MORE APPEALING IS THE Z51 PERFORMANCE PACKAGE, ADDING REVISED GEAR RATIOS, TRANSMISSION COOLING, BIGGER WHEELS AND BRAKES, A TRACTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, AND AN ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL.

FURTHER ADD-ONS INCLUDE GM'S MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL SYSTEM.

ALL TOLD, THE 2014 CORVETTE STINGRAY CAN HAVE YOU PUSHING $80 GRAND IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE, AND THAT'S BEFORE DEALER MARK-UP.

AND NO WORD YET ON THE ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE ZR1, THOUGH WITH RIVALS LIKE THE MCLAREN MP4-12C, AUDI R8 V10, AND THE PORSCHE 911 CARRERA S, A SIX FIGURE PRICE TAG IS NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION.

AND WHILE BEING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A BRAND NEW CORVETTE CERTAINLY REQUIRES FULL ATTENTION, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS RELEASED NEW GUIDELINES FOR ALL AUTOMAKERS ON WAYS TO REDUCE DISTRACTED DRIVING.

THE GUIDELINES, WHILE NOT MANDATORY, COME AT A TIME WHEN IN-CAR SYSTEMS ARE GROWING INCREASINGLY COMPLEX, REQUIRING TOO MUCH DRIVER ATTENTION, ACCORDING TO NHTSA.

THEY LOOK TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF ON-SCREEN TEXT, REQUIRED DRIVER INPUT, AND VIDEO OR ANIMATION-BASED INFOTAINMENT FEATURES FROM FUTURE AUTOMOBILES.

IT'S ALL PART OF A LONG-TERM GOAL BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO COMBAT IN-CAR DISTRACTIONS AND ALLOW DRIVERS TO KEEP THEIR ATTENTION ON DRIVING.

AND THAT'S WHERE OUR ATTENTION IS FOCUSED FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

John Davis: FEW CARS GET US AS EXCITED AROUND OUR SHOP AS A NEW BMW M5.

IN THE PAST, JUST A GLIMPSE OF THIS AWESOME 4-DOOR MADE US POSITIVELY GIDDY.

BUT ULTIMATE SPORTS SEDANS AREN'T AS SINGLE MINDED AS THEY USED TO BE.

NOW, MORE EFFICIENCY FOR BETTER FUEL ECONOMY, AND MORE COMFORT FOR EVERYDAY USE ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS CORNER SHAVING AND 0 TO 60 TIMES.

SO JUST HOW DOES THE NEW M5 SCORE IN THIS ALTERED UBER-PERFORMANCE UNIVERSE?

FEW CARS HAVE EVER BEEN ABLE TO COME CLOSE TO THE M5'S "LUXURY SPORTS SEDAN WITH SUPERCAR PERFORMANCE" FORMULA.

AND AFTER FIVE GENERATIONS, THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF THAT CHANGING, AS THE 2013 BMW M5 PACKS THE MOST HORSEPOWER OF ANY M5 YET.

THAT'S DESPITE A SMALLER ENGINE, WHICH DROPS FROM A 5.0-LITER V10 TO AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE 4.4-LITER TWIN-TURBO V8 USED IN THE X5M.

HORSEPOWER NUMBERS JUMP TO 560 THANKS TO BMW'S TWIN POWER TWIN-SCROLL TURBO CHARGERS, WHICH ARE TRULY A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH, PUSHING TORQUE TO 500 POUND-FEET.

WITH M-PERFORMANCE COMES M-SPECIFIC EXTERIOR ENHANCEMENTS STARTING WITH THE CUSTOMARY TWIN KIDNEYS AND A REVISED "DOUBLE-UP" PLACEMENT OF THE BLACK VERTICAL SLATS.

WHILE THE LOWER FASCIA WITH ENLARGED INTAKES AND "SHARK TEETH" AIR-CHANNELING FLAPS LOOK ALL BUSINESS.

STANDARD ADAPTIVE XENON HEADLIGHTS FEATURE FAMILIAR BMW LED LIGHT RINGS.

WHILE DOWN THE SIDES A LOWERED STANCE IS OBVIOUS, AS ARE EXTENDED SIDE SKIRTS AND THE FENDER'S NEW TAKE ON THE M GILLS.

19-INCH LIGHT-ALLOY WHEELS ARE STANDARD, BUT WHY NOT GO ALL THE WAY AND UPGRADE TO THE FORGED SPLIT-SPOKE 20s.

ALL THE BETTER TO SEE THE HIGH PERFORMANCE BRAKE DISCS WITH 6-PISTON CLAMPERS.

IN THE REAR, LED TAIL LIGHTS ARE SET WIDE ABOVE A REAR DIFFUSER WITH QUAD EXHAUST TIPS, WHILE UP TOP THERE'S A SLIM REAR SPOILER.

SUNROOF, SOFT CLOSE DOORS, AND CHROME TRIM ON THE DOOR HANDLES ARE NICE TOUCHES THAT REMIND YOU IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT TACKLING THE TARMAC WITH THIS NEW M5.

BUT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE MOST INTERESTED IN, AND THE M5 DOES INDEED HAVE PLENTY OF POWER TO SPARE.

IT JUMPS OFF THE LINE WITH THE HELP OF THE 7-SPEED M-DCT'S LAUNCH CONTROL FOR A 0 TO 60 OF 4.1-SECONDS; THREE TICKS FASTER THAN OUR LAST 2006 M5 TEST.

THE 4.4-LITER 8 WASTES LITTLE TIME IN BUILDING POWER OR HITTING THE REDLINE.

SHIFTS ARE VIOLENTLY QUICK, AND ONCE YOU GET GOING, IT'S LIKE A HIGH VELOCITY ROLLER COASTER, AS YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE JUST ALONG FOR THE RIDE.

A RIDE THAT RUNS THE QUARTER MILE IN 12.3 SECONDS AND 117 MILES-PER-HOUR.

OUR FIRST DRIVE OF THE M5 WAS AT LAGUNA SECA RACEWAY.

WHILE IMPRESSED, OUR TIME WAS TOO LIMITED TO GET A REAL FEEL FOR THE CAR.

BUT TWO WEEKS AT HOME BASE AND WE STILL CAME UP WITH NOTHING SERIOUS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT, THOUGH THE M5 DOES RIP THROUGH HERE WITH AN "ALL BUSINESS" APPROACH THAT MAKES IT NOT QUITE AS MUCH FUN AS EXPECTED.

OH, AND WE HATE THAT THE SHIFTER HAS NO DEDICATED "PARK" POSITION.

BRAKING DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER, HOWEVER, HAULING US DOWN FROM 60 IN AN AVERAGE OF ONLY 108-FEET, AND THEY GOT BETTER THE MORE WE USED THEM.

THE M5'S INTERIOR IS ALL BUSINESS TOO, A LITTLE STERILE, BUT LOADED WITH THE LUXURY FEATURES THAT YOU EXPECT IN A CAR WITH A NEAR SIX FIGURE PRICE.

THAT INCLUDES A POWER TILT/TELESCOPING WHEEL, FULL COLOR HEAD-UP DISPLAY, KNEE AIRBAGS, SUNSHADES, AS WELL AS BOTH BACK-UP AND FRONT MOUNTED CAMERAS.

THERE ARE ENOUGH ADJUSTMENTS FOR POWER, SHIFTS, TRACTION, AND CHASSIS DYNAMICS TO MAKE EVEN A BIMMERPHILE CONFUSED.

FORTUNATELY, THERE IS A PAIR OF M BUTTONS ON THE WHEEL TO QUICKLY RECALL YOUR FAVORITES.

PERFORATED LEATHER SEATS ARE CUSHIER THAN EXPECTED, YET STILL PROVIDE GOOD BOLSTERING SUPPORT.

AS FOR EVERYDAY USEFULNESS, UNDER A POWER LID, THERE'S A SIZABLE TRUNK WITH FLAT FLOOR AND STORAGE NOOKS ON BOTH SIDES, WHILE REAR SEATS FOLD ALMOST FLAT.

INDEED, ON THE STREET, THE NEW M5 IS TRULY IN STEP WITH MODERN PERFORMANCE CARS, AS IT FEELS DOWNRIGHT SEDATE WHEN CRUISING AROUND TOWN.

GET OUT OF TOWN AND FIND SOME SERIOUS SWITCHBACKS, HOWEVER, AND YOU'LL FIND THE M5 REMAINS INCREDIBLY QUIET AND STABLE.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE THE ONLY DISAPPOINTING NUMBERS YOU'LL FIND WITH THE M5, 14-CITY, 20-HIGHWAY, AND 16-COMBINED.

WE AVERAGED 17.3 MILES-PER-GALLON OF PREMIUM.

AND THAT'LL GET YOU A GAS GUZZLER TAX ADDED TO THE M5'S BASE PRICE FOR A TOTAL OF $92,095.

IN THE RARIFIED SPHERE OF ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE CARS, WE SEEM TO HAVE REACHED A LEVEL WHERE ADDING MORE HORSEPOWER IS ALMOST A NON-EVENT.

THESE DAYS, IMPROVEMENTS IN DAILY LIVABILITY ARE WHERE HIGH DOLLAR HOT RODS ARE MAKING THEIR BIGGEST STRIDES.

AND ON THAT NOTE, THE 2013 BMW M5 FITS RIGHT IN.

IT PACKS MORE PERFORMANCE THAN EVER IN A MUCH FRIENDLIER PACKAGE.

NOW WE WANT ONE EVEN MORE!

WELL, I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN AGAIN SOON FOR MORE MOTORWEEK , AS WE TAKE OFF IN THE BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT SPEED.

REVIEW OUR BEST PICKS OF THE YEAR.

AND PASS THE MILES IN TOYOTA'S AVALON HYBRID.

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

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