2013 Jaguar XJL Awd & 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

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

>> JOIN US, AND SEE IF JAGUAR'S "BREAD AND BUTTER" XJ BENEFITS FROM A LITTLE AWD.

FOR PAT GOSS IT'S ABOUT KEEPING US COOL INSIDE WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE.

BRIAN ROBINSON TAKES A RIDE ON PAIR OF BAVARIA'S LATEST BIKES.

AND WE HAVE SOME LATE SUMMER FUN IN THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE.

>> 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.

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>> JOHN: THE JAGUAR BRAND HAS CERTAINLY HAD ITS UPS AND DOWNS OVER THE YEARS, BUT WITH A BIG INVESTMENT FROM THE TATA GROUP, AND AN EXCITING NEW F-TYPE ROADSTER, THINGS ARE WITHOUT A DOUBT LOOKING UP.

COOL ROADSTERS ARE ONE THING, BUT JAGUAR'S FLAGSHIP SEDAN REMAINS THE XJ.

AND, ALTHOUGH IT WAS ALL NEW JUST TWO YEARS AGO, IT RECEIVES SIGNIFICANT UPGRADES FOR 2013.

SO LET'S SEE IF IT'S MONEY WELL SPENT.

>> JOHN: EVERYONE KNOWS THAT JAGUAR IS CAPABLE OF BUILDING GREAT CARS.

BUT, AS A SMALL BRAND, THE REAL CHALLENGE AHEAD IS KEEPING UP WITH DEEP POCKET RIVALS LIKE AUDI, BMW, AND EVEN MERCEDES-BENZ.

SO, UPDATES TO OUR TEST 2013 JAGUAR XJL, LONG WHEELBASE, GOT MORE OF OUR ATTENTION THAN THE TYPICAL MID-CYCLE REFRESH.

FORTUNATELY, MUCH OF THE NEWNESS ROTATES AROUND THE DRIVETRAIN.

OUR CAR SPORTED THE NEW SUPERCHARGED 3.0-LITER V6, WHICH IS NOW THE BASE ENGINE.

IT CRANKS OUT 340-HORSEPOWER AND 332 LB-FT. OF TORQUE.

THE 5.0-LITER V8 IS STILL OFFERED BOTH WITH AND WITHOUT SUPERCHARGER BOOST, BUT WE THINK THE V6 IS SUITABLY SUFFICIENT.

IT FEELS STRONG, YET INCREDIBLY SMOOTH, AND THERE'S HARDLY ANY SUPERCHARGER WHINE.

IN FACT IT'S VERY QUIET INSIDE EVEN UNDER FULL THROTTLE, WHEREAS OUTSIDE, THOSE YOU PASS WILL GET TO ENJOY A VERY SPORTY EXHAUST NOTE.

BUT, AN ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE OPTION, INTEGRATED WITH JAGUAR DRIVE CONTROL, IS THE MOST IMPORTANT NEWS FOR 2013.

AFFLUENT BUYERS, ESPECIALLY THE NORTH EAST, WANT THEIR BIG SEDANS ALL-SEASON CAPABLE, AND UP TO NOW THE XJ JUST DIDN'T CUT IT.

WHILE OUR DRY WEATHER DIDN'T ALLOW US TO CHECK IT OUT FULLY, WE DID APPRECIATE THE ADDITIONAL TRACTION ON GRAVEL ROADS, PLUS THE EXTRA GRIP ON OUR HANDLING COURSE.

WITH 17-FEET OF LENGTH, OUR XJL DIDN'T EXACTLY ZIP THROUGH THE CONES EFFORTLESSLY, BUT THE REVISED SUSPENSION SETUP DELIVERS A STABLE FEEL AS IT CORNERS ALMOST FLAT.

STOPS FROM 60 AVERAGED A SHORT 115 FEET, EXCEPTIONAL FOR A LUXURY CAR THAT TIPS THE SCALES AT 4,153-POUNDS.

BUT GOING IS ALWAYS MORE FUN THAN STOPPING AND THE XJL LEAPED OFF THE LINE TO 60 IN 5.3-SECONDS.

THAT'S FASTER THAN THE BASE V8 WE TESTED IN 2011.

THE QUARTER-MILE IS DISPATCHED IN 13.8-SECONDS AT 102 MILES-PER-HOUR WITH THE HELP OF THE NEW 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION'S SMOOTH BUT SOFT OPERATION.

PADDLE SHIFTERS AUGMENT JAG'S HOCKEY-PUCK CONTROL ON THE CENTER CONSOLE.

WHEN IT COMES TO ANY PRESTIGE SEDAN, THE INTERIOR CAN EASILY MAKE OR BREAK THE DEAL.

WE FOUND OUR JAG VERY LUXURIOUS WITH GREAT MATERIALS AND ELEGANT USE OF WOOD AND LEATHER TRIM.

YET, IT IS DECIDEDLY DIFFERENT FROM COMPETITORS.

INSTEAD OF AN OPEN LAYOUT, THERE IS MORE OF A CLASSIC JAG COCKPIT SPIRIT.

DRIVER-FOCUSED ROUND GAUGES ARE PRESENT, ALTHOUGH NOW ONLY VIDEO PROJECTIONS.

AND THE DASH IS LOW, WITH NAUTICAL-STYLE VENTS AND A CLOCK SET ABOVE THE DUAL VIEW TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY.

FRONT SEATS ARE ENORMOUSLY COMFORTABLE AND THE OPTIONAL MASSAGE FEATURE IS THE BEST WE'VE TRIED.

BUT, WE DID FIND ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

THE STEERING WHEEL STALKS AND SOME BUTTONS FEEL CHEAP.

AND, SOME STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ARE SET TOO DEEP FOR EASY USE.

MINOR THINGS, FOR SURE, BUT IMPORTANT IN THIS RARIFIED CLASS.

BUT, MUCH IS FORGIVEN ONCE YOU CHECK OUT THE BACKSEAT IN OUR LONG-WHEELBASE PORTFOLIO XJL.

THERE'S NOT ONLY PLENTY OF ROOM TO STRETCH OUT, BUT THERE'S FOOT RESTS, BUSINESS TRAYS, AND EVEN A TOUCH-SCREEN FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM.

NOW THIS IS A LUXURY CAR.

ON THE MOVE, THERE IS GOOD EVERYDAY STEERING FEEL AND A VERY SMOOTH CHASSIS THAT MAKES FOR A RELAXING DRIVE, WITH JUST ENOUGH OF AN EDGE TO KEEP IT FROM BEING BORING.

WHILE THE CONTEMPORARY EXTERIOR DESIGN MAINTAINS ONLY A HINT OF JAGS OF OLD, FROM MOST ANGLES IT IS SWIFT AND VERY APPEALING.

THE EXCEPTION IS IN THE REAR WHERE IT GOES A LITTLE BLAND.

THE XJL IS 5-INCHES LONGER THAN THE STANDARD WHEELBASE XJ AND REALLY GIVES THIS CAR PRESENCE.

THOUGH LIKE MOST STRETCHES, THE PROPORTIONS ARE A LITTLE OFF.

STILL, THIS BRITISH CAT WILL TURN MORE HEADS AT THE COUNTRY CLUB THAN ANY GERMANIC FOUR-DOOR.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR THE BASE XJ ARE UP NICELY OVER LAST YEAR, AND EVEN OUR V6 AWD FELINE WITH AUTOMATIC STOP START RATES 16-CITY, 24-HIGHWAY, AND 19-COMBINED.

WE AVERAGED A DECENT 21.6 MILES-PER-GALLON OF PREMIUM.

AS TO PRICING, WHILE LOFTY, THE XJ IS ACTUALLY A BARGAIN FOR ITS CLASS, STARTING AT $74,075.

ADDING AWD TAKES IT TO $77,575.

OUR LONG WHEELBASE PORTFOLIO ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE EXAMPLE STARTS AT $84,575.

THE ADDITION OF ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, AND A MORE EFFICIENT BASE POWERTRAIN, IS ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN THE 2013 JAGUAR XJ'S LUXURY SEDAN STATUS FOR NOW.

BUT, IF RUMORS ARE TRUE, EVEN BIGGER CHANGES ARE AFOOT FOR THE LEAPER AS THIS CAT CONTINUES TO ROAR BACK.

>> JOHN: WHILE MOTORCYCLE SALES HAVEN'T RECOVERED AS QUICKLY AS CARS AND TRUCKS HAVE, SALES ARE DEFINITELY ON THE UP SWING.

ONE REASON IS THAT CONSUMERS ARE LOOKING HIGH AND LOW FOR WAYS TO SAVE ON GAS.

NOW, MOTORCYCLES ARE CERTAINLY AN OPEN AIR OPTION, BUT MANY ARE WARY OF THEIR LOUD NOISE AND AWKWARD RIDING POSITION.

SO WHAT ABOUT A SCOOTER?

YOU KNOW, IT JUST MIGHT DO THE TRICK.

>> BRIAN ROBINSON: SPEND ANY TIME AT ALL IN A MAJOR EUROPEAN CITY AND YOU'LL SEE LOADS OF SCOOTERS BUZZING AROUND TRAFFIC LIKE BEES IN A HIVE.

AND WHILE THE REASONS ARE MANY, IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO THEM BEING EASY TO DRIVE, EASY TO PARK, AND VERY FUEL EFFICIENT.

>> BRIAN: WHILE IT'S DOUBTFUL WE'LL SEE EUROPEAN LEVELS OF SCOOTERS SWARMING OUR CITIES ANYTIME SOON, IF MORE MAXI-SCOOTERS LIKE THE 2013 BMW C 600 SPORT AND C 650 GT REACH OUR SHORES, CHANCES ARE GOOD THEIR POPULARITY WILL INCREASE.

DESPITE BIG SIZE AND BIG POWER, THESE BABIES ARE TRUE SCOOTERS, NOT MOTORCYCLES, AS ALL THE USUAL SCOOTER COMPONENTS ARE THERE: LIKE THE STEP THROUGH DESIGN, INTEGRATED FLOORBOARDS, LOTS OF BUILT-IN STORAGE SPACE, CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH WITH CVT TRANSMISSION, AND SO ON.

THESE CS DIFFER SLIGHTLY IN THEIR DESIGN APPROACH.

THE C 600 SPORT, WITH ITS MORE AGGRESSIVE LOOK, IS READY TO GET YOU TO WORK AND BACK EVERY DAY, AND IS EVEN UP FOR A QUICK WEEKEND JAUNT DOWN TO THE COFFEE SHOP TO MEET SOME FRIENDS FOR A CAPPUCCINO.

THE C 650 GT HAS A FEW ADDITIONAL COMFORT-ORIENTED FEATURES: LIKE A TALLER, ELECTRONICALLY ADJUSTABLE WINDSCREEN, LARGER SEAT WITH RIDER'S BACKREST, AND ROOMIER ERGONOMICS THAT MAKE IT MORE SUITABLE FOR LONG DISTANCE RIDING.

BUT BOTH SCOOTS SHARE THE SAME 647CC INLINE-TWIN 4-STROKE ENGINE THAT PUTS OUT AN IMPRESSIVE 60-HORSEPOWER AND 49 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

IT'S MOUNTED DOWN LOW IN TYPICAL SCOOTER FASHION WHICH OF COURSE LEAVES PLENTY OF ROOM FOR ALL OF THAT STORAGE SPACE UNDER THE SEAT.

THE 600 SPORT ALSO FEATURES "FLEX CASE" STORAGE THAT EXPANDS WHEN THE BIKE IS PARKED TO ALLOW YOU TO SAFELY STORE YOUR HELMET ALONG WITH WHATEVER ELSE YOU'RE ALREADY PACKING.

BOTH HEATED SEAT AND HAND GRIPS ARE AVAILABLE TO EXTEND THE RIDING SEASON A LITTLE FARTHER INTO THE FALL.

WHILE THESE MAY INDEED BE TRUE SCOOTERS, DON'T THINK YOU CAN JUST HOP ON THEM AND TAKE OFF LIKE THAT 49CC JOB YOU RENTED ONE TIME IN JAMAICA.

THESE MAXI-SCOOTS WILL CRUISE AT OVER 100 MILES PER HOUR AND WON'T TAKE LONG TO GET YOU THERE.

STANDARD ABS WILL HELP YOU SLOW DOWN.

BOTH HANDLE CITY TRAFFIC AND COUNTY ROADS WITH EQUAL DEXTERITY, WITH A RIDE THAT'S BOTH SPORTIER AND MORE COMFORTABLE THAN YOUR TYPICAL SCOOTER THANKS TO BIG 15-INCH WHEELS.

AS TO THE FUEL ECONOMY, AFTER PUTTING IN A COUPLE WEEKS OF PASSIVELY AGGRESSIVE COMMUTING TIME, I AVERAGED 53 MILES-PER-GALLON.

I'M SURE YOU COULD DO BETTER WITH A MORE CONCERTED EFFORT.

BUT AS NICE AS THESE SCOOTERS ARE, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY ARE STILL SCOOTERS, FOR WHICH PRICING IS BMW STEEP; STARTING AT $9,590 FOR THE C 600 SPORT, AND $9,990 FOR THE C 650 GT.

STILL, THEY ARE BOTH EASY TO DRIVE, VERY FUEL EFFICIENT, AND DOWNRIGHT FUN WAYS TO GET TO WORK EVERY DAY FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NOT QUITE READY FOR A TRUE MOTORCYCLE.

THAT SHOULD MAKE THEM VERY APPEALING TO A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND ON A WARM SUNNY DAY, I'M SURE MORE THAN A FEW OF THEM WOULD RATHER SCOOT ALONG TO WORK IN THE OPEN AIR THAN "PLUG" ALONG IN A PRIUS.

>> JOHN: THOUGH WE LOVE THAT OPEN AIR CONVERTIBLE FEELING, SOMETIMES THE WEATHER'S JUST TOO HOT TO HANDLE.

SO LET'S HEAD OVER TO GOSS' GARAGE FOR A QUICK A/C CHECKUP.

>> PAT GOSS: AS THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE CLIMBS, WE WANT COLD AIR CONDITIONING INSIDE OUR CARS.

AND THAT MEANS EVERYTHING HAS TO WORK PERFECTLY.

NOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S FREQUENTLY OVERLOOKED IS SOMETHING THAT MOST, NOT ALL, BUT MOST CARS HAVE, AND THAT IS A CABIN AIR FILTER.

IT FILTERS ALL OF THE AIR THAT COMES IN TO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR.

WELL, AS THEY GET DIRTY, THEY BLOCK THE AMOUNT OF AIR THAT CAN CIRCULATE THROUGH THE CAR, AND THAT REDUCES THE COOLING EFFICIENCY OF THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM.

SO IF YOUR CAR HAS A CABIN AIR FILTER AND THE A/C'S NOT WORKING PROPERLY -- WELL, CHECK THE CABIN AIR FILTER FIRST.

THE NEXT THING IS SOMETHING THAT WE SEE ALL THE TIME.

THIS IS A CONDENSER.

IT IS MOUNTED UP HERE AHEAD OF THE RADIATOR, RIGHT IN THE VERY FRONT OF THE CAR, AND IT GETS RID OF THE HEAT THAT'S PICKED UP BY THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM INSIDE OF THE CAR.

NOW, LET'S TAKE A PEEK AT THIS ONE.

WE'LL PUT THIS LITTLE LIGHT BEHIND IT.

AND AS WE MOVE THE LIGHT DOWN, WE SEE THAT WHEN WE GET DOWN HERE IN THE MIDDLE, THE LIGHT GOES AWAY.

NOTHING IS COMING THROUGH.

THAT MEANS THAT THE CENTER OF THIS CONDENSER IS BLOCKED.

NOW WHY DOES THAT HAPPEN?

WELL, IT HAPPENS BECAUSE THERE'S AN ELECTRIC COOLING FAN THAT'S PUSHING STUFF RIGHT THROUGH THIS SPOT, AND IT ALL COLLECTS THERE AND BLOCKS AIR FLOW OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

NOW, THE OTHER THING THAT HAPPENS IS THAT THIS IS VERY CLOSE TO THE RADIATOR, AND LEAVES AND DEBRIS PILE UP BETWEEN THE CONDENSER AND THE RADIATOR.

HOW DO YOU KEEP IT CLEAN?

EVERY TIME YOU WASH THE CAR, WASH YOUR CONDENSER WITH YOUR GARDEN HOSE.

NOW, YOU ALSO MAY HAVE SEEN ADS ON TV OR IN PRINT THAT TELL YOU THAT IT'S REALLY, REALLY EASY TO RECHARGE YOUR OWN AIR CONDITIONING.

WELL, IF YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, THAT MIGHT BE THE CASE.

BUT, IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, YOU COULD DAMAGE THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IN YOUR CAR.

NOW THESE COME WITH INSTRUCTIONS, AND THEY HAVE A GAUGE ON THEM.

BUT IN A PRO SHOP, YOU FIND THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ONE GAUGE, YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TWO GAUGES: A LOW SIDE, OR LOW PRESSURE GAUGE, AND A HIGH SIDE, OR HIGH PRESSURE GAUGE.

AND IT'S THE COMPARISON BETWEEN THESE TWO THAT TELL YOU HOW THE SYSTEM IS WORKING.

NOW, ANOTHER THING IS THAT YOU HAVE NO WAY TO MEASURE HOW MUCH REFRIGERANT YOU'RE PUTTING INTO THE SYSTEM.

AND THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF REFRIGERANT IN AN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM THESE DAYS IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SCALES LIKE THIS ONE.

VERY, VERY PRECISE.

SO PRECISE THAT IF WE PUT THIS QUARTER ON HERE, WE CAN ACTUALLY MEASURE THE WEIGHT OF A QUARTER.

NOW, WE USE THIS TO MEASURE THE WEIGHT OF THE REFRIGERANT THAT WE'RE PUTTING INTO THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM.

AND ON MANY CARS, IT HAS TO BE ACCURATE, PLUS OR MINUS ONE OUNCE OF REFRIGERANT.

PRETTY HARD TO DO IF YOU DON'T HAVE THIS EQUIPMENT.

SO, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL ABOUT DO IT YOURSELF, YOU'D BE BETTER OFF TO HAVE A PRO DO IT.

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

>> JOHN: IT HAS BEEN THREE YEARS SINCE WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE.

THIS 2014 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER 33C DUAL REAR-WHEEL MOTOR HOME IS PROVIDING A GREAT WAY TO GET US BACK INTO THE RV LIFESTYLE GROOVE.

SEVERAL OF OUR STAFF HAVE USED IT FOR "RESEARCH AND TESTING", OTHERWISE KNOWN AS SUMMER VACATIONS, AND ALL REPORT THAT THIS 35-FOOTER WITH DOUBLE FRONT SLIDE OUTS MAKES A GREAT STARTER CLASS A UNIT.

IT'S LARGE ENOUGH FOR A FAMILY OF 4 OR 5, YET NOT TOO CUMBERSOME FOR NOVICE DRIVERS.

THE FORD F53 REAR DRIVE CHASSIS WITH 362-HORSEPOWER 6.2-LITER V10 PROVED ADEQUATE FOR HILLY TERRAINS.

BUT YOU STILL MIGHT WANT TO JOIN TRUCKERS WHO BUILD UP SPEED ON THE DOWNHILL LEGS.

ON ONE 1100 MILE OUTING WE RECORDED 6.8 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR.

LIKE MOST BIG RVS THESE DAYS, SIDE-VIEW CAMERAS ARE TRIGGERED BY THE TURN SIGNALS AND THEY'RE A HUGE HELP.

THIS CLASS A USES LARGER MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCK WHEELS AND TIRES, SO IT RESPONDS MORE LIKE A BIG RIG THAN A DUALLY PICKUP.

WITH ITS HEAVIER DUTY CHASSIS THE SIGHTSEER HAS A DOWNRIGHT CUSHY RIDE.

THERE WERE SQUEAKS FROM THE SLIDE OUTS, BUT THE SIGHTSEER'S STIFF BODY STRUCTURE DID A GREAT JOB OF TAMING FLEX AND SHIMMY OVER BUMPS.

THE SIGHTSEER WAS ALSO PUT TO USE AS A PRODUCTION HQ FOR OUR UPCOMING NEW CAR PREVIEW 2014 SPECIAL.

FOUR VERY HOT AND HUMID DAYS AT THE PROVING GROUNDS OF THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA REALLY TESTED THE WINNIE'S A/C SYSTEM.

THE TWIN ROOFTOP UNITS RAN CONSTANTLY BUT ALWAYS KEPT US COOL.

THE WIDE OPENING EXTERIOR CARGO BINS WERE PUT TO GOOD USE FOR BOTH WORK AND PERSONAL NEEDS.

WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF SUMMER SIGHTS WITH OUR WINNIE SIGHTSEER, AND THIS HIGH QUALITY MOTOR HOME HELPS US UNDERSTAND WHY AMERICANS ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT RVING.

COMING UP, THE SUBARU FORESTER, AND THE MAZDA6 SEDAN, ON OUR NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG TERM ROADTEST UPDATE.

>> JOHN: NO MATTER HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN DRIVING OR HOW MUCH TRACK TIME YOU'VE LOGGED, THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

AND THOSE LOOKING FOR SOME WILL BE WELL SERVED BY READING DRIVING ON THE EDGE: THE ART AND SCIENCE OF RACE DRIVING BY MICHAEL KRUMM.

FOR THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH KRUMM, THE GERMAN BORN RACER PROGRESSED THROUGH KARTS AND FORMULA CARS TO GT RACING WHERE HE CURRENTLY PILOTS A NISSAN GTR IN JAPAN'S SUPER GT CHAMPIONSHIP.

A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT ALL ASPECTS OF RACING, THIS BOOK IS TRULY A MUST READ FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO SHAVE A FEW TENTHS OFF THEIR LAP TIMES.

>> JOHN: LET'S HAUL UP SOME FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS, AND GRAB A NEW SET OF CAR KEYS.

>> JOHN: AMERICA'S LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK HASN'T SLOWED, EVEN AT A TIME WHEN FUEL ECONOMY AND COMFORT ARE TOP PRIORITIES.

AND THOUGH DOMESTIC BRANDS RULE THE SEGMENT, TOYOTA'S TUNDRA HAS A RESPECTABLE NUMBER OF LOYAL FOLLOWERS, AND IT'S UNDERGOING A FAIRLY EXTENSIVE REWORK FOR 2014.

STRONG CHARACTER LINES AND BULGING ACCENTS BEEF UP THIS NEW TUNDRA, FURTHER ENFORCING ITS ALL-BUSINESS REPUTATION.

THE HOOD IS RAISED FOR NEW GRILLE WORK AND A MORE IMPOSING FRONT FASCIA.

NEW THREE-PIECE BUMPERS CUT REPAIR COSTS IN BOTH FRONT AND REAR.

AND A TAILGATE SPOILER IMPROVES EFFICIENCY.

AND JUST IN CASE YOU FORGET WHAT YOU WERE DRIVING, TOYOTA HAS "TUNDRA" BRANDED INTO THE TAILGATE IN LIEU OF WIMPY BADGING.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THE INTERIOR IS MORE INVITING WITH GREATER USE OF SOFT-TOUCH MATERIALS, A REVAMPED CENTER-STACK, AND NEW GAUGES SURROUNDING AN LCD INFO SCREEN.

A NEW ULTRA-PREMIUM TRIM PACKAGE, "THE 1794 EDITION", TOPS OUT THE TUNDRA RANGE WITH SADDLE LEATHER AND SUEDE ACCENTS, HEATED AND VENTILATED FRONT SEATS, AND A HIGH-ZOOT AUDIO/NAV SYSTEM.

THE TUNDRA'S REDESIGN IS NOT TOTAL, HOWEVER, SINCE POWERTRAINS ARE CARRYOVER.

A V6 AND TWO V8'S WITH THE 381-HORSEPOWER 5.7-LITER BOASTING A 10,400 POUND MAX TRAILER TOW RATING.

>> GREG CARLOSS: THE THING I FIND INTERESTING ABOUT THE NEW TUNDRA, IS THE FACT THAT TOYOTA ISN'T BUYING INTO THE THINGS THAT OTHER MANUFACTURERS ARE BUYING INTO WITH THEIR FULL-SIZE PICKUPS; SUCH AS THE SMALL DISPLACEMENT TURBOCHARGED V6'S, OR ELECTRIC POWER STEERING.

THE NEW TUNDRA ONLY HAS HYDRAULIC ASSISTED POWER STEERING, AND THAT'S BECOMING A RARITY, EVEN IN THE FULL-SIZE TRUCK MARKET.

>> JOHN: CHANGES DO COME, THOUGH, TO TUNDRA'S RIDE QUALITY.

WHILE THE CHASSIS IS ALSO LARGELY UNCHANGED, SUSPENSION AND STEERING HAVE BEEN OVERHAULED TO INCREASE COMFORT AND CAPABILITY.

A BACKUP CAMERA IS STANDARD AND TUNDRA OFFERS SEGMENT EXCLUSIVE BLIND SPOT MONITORING AND REAR CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT SYSTEMS.

AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER, THE 2014 TOYOTA TUNDRA WILL ROLL OFF DEALER LOTS IN THREE CAB SIZES AND FIVE TRIM LEVELS, STARTING PRICE IS AROUND $26,000.

AND WE'LL HAVE MORE FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS ON A NEW SEASON OF MOTORWEEK, SOON!

>> JOHN: WARM WEATHER IS FINALLY HERE.

AND WHAT BETTER WAY TO FULLY ENJOY IT THAN DROPPING THE TOP IN A CONVERTIBLE AND FINDING THAT LESS TRAVELLED ROAD TO NOWHERE.

>> JOHN: FOLLOWING LAST YEAR'S INTRO OF A MORE MASCULINE 3RD GENERATION BEETLE COUPE, COMES THE 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE.

BUT, EVEN AFTER THE MANLY MAKEOVER, THE BEETLE REMAINS WHAT IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN; A CUTE, LITTLE CAR THAT TURNS HEADS WHEREVER YOU GO.

IMPRESSIVELY ENOUGH, ALL OF THE COUPE'S POWERTRAIN OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE, INCLUDING THE TDI CLEAN DIESEL, WHICH WAS OUR CHOICE FOR THIS TEST.

AND AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF WHEEL TIME, WE HAD MIXED FEELINGS ON THE 140-HORSEPOWER OIL BURNER AND ITS 236 LB-FT. OF TORQUE WHILE YOU'VE GOTTA LOVE THE TORQUE, IT MAY NOT BE AS IMPRESSIVE AS YOU'RE EXPECTING AND WE HATE PAYING EXTRA FOR BOTH THE ENGINE AND THE FUEL TO PUT IN IT.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER ENGINE OPTIONS.

STILL, WE DID ENJOY WATCHING THE RANGE INDICATOR DECLINE VERY SLOWLY.

THE NEW BEETLE DROP-TOP'S HANDLING IS STILL ON THE SOFT SIDE, BUT THAT'S JUST FINE, AS THIS BUG IS AT ITS BEST ON GENTLE HIGHWAY CURVES AND STRAIGHTAWAYS WHILE RUNNING THE TANK DRY.

WHEN DRIVEN AT A MODERATE CLIP, IT FEELS ENTERTAINING, IF NOT ROADSTER FUN.

PUSHED HARDER, THIS CONVERTIBLE STARTS TO FEEL OVERWEIGHT; CURB WEIGHT IS UP ABOUT 120 POUNDS OVER THE TDI COUPE; AND THE SUNNY BUG JUST DOESN'T DART IN AND OUT OF CONES OR TRAFFIC AS EAGERLY AS YOU THINK IT SHOULD.

IN A STRAIGHT LINE, IT HAS NO PROBLEM LAUNCHING WITH A HEALTHY AMOUNT OF GRUNT; BUT SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE DIESEL SETTLES INTO A RELAXED PROCESSION DOWN THE TRACK.

NO MATTER WHAT YOU TRY, THIS BEETLE JUST WANTS YOU TO TAKE YOUR TIME AND ENJOY THE RIDE.

OUR TDI'S DSG WAS A-OK WITH MANAGING ITS 6-GEARS ALL BY ITSELF SMOOTHLY, IF A LITTLE SLOWLY, TAKING US 9.3-SECONDS TO HIT 60 AND 17.3-SECONDS TO HIT 82, AND THE END OF THE QUARTER.

THE INTERIOR OF THE BEETLE CONVERTIBLE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE SE WIDE DASH AND GOOD GERMAN FIT-AND-FINISH AS THE COUPE.

REAR SEATS ARE ACTUALLY EASY TO GET INTO, AND EVEN WHEN THE TOP'S UP THERE'S A SURPRISING AMOUNT OF HEADROOM, BUT UNLESS THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS SCOOCH FAIRLY FAR FORWARD, THERE'S LITTLE LEG ROOM.

SIMILAR TO THE COUPE.

TRUNK SPACE IS THE SAME WHETHER THE TOP IS STORED OR NOT, AND IS ACTUALLY GOOD FOR A COMPACT DROP TOP, DOWN FROM THE COUPE'S 15.4 CUBIC-FT. TO 7.1.

THE OPENING IS FAIRLY SMALL, BUT THE REAR SEATS BACKS DO STILL FOLD FOR GOOD PRACTICALITY.

TOP OPERATION IS SMOOTH, QUIET, AND QUICK TAKING ABOUT 10-SECONDS AT SPEEDS UP TO 30 MILES-PER-HOUR.

WE DROVE IN A VARIETY OF WEATHER CONDITIONS, INCLUDING VERY HARD RAIN, AND FOUND THE 3-LAYER TOP TO BE SO WELL INSULATED; IT WAS HARD TO TELL YOU WERE IN A CONVERTIBLE.

AND WHEN THE TOP IS STORED, IT DOES SO MORE COMPACTLY THAN BEFORE, INCREASING REAR VISIBILITY AND GIVING THIS BUG A TRIMMED DOWN LOOK.

THE EXTRA CURB WEIGHT COMES MOSTLY FROM CHASSIS REINFORCEMENTS.

A-PILLAR AND WINDSHIELD HEADER SUPPORTS ARE THICKER, THERE'S ADDITIONAL BRACING UNDER THE B-PILLARS, AND THERE'S A NEW STRUCTURE FOR MOUNTING THE AUTOMATIC ROLLOVER SUPPORT SYSTEM.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE QUITE GOOD AS YOU WOULD EXPECT FOR A DIESEL COMING IN AT 28-CITY, 41-HIGHWAY, AND 32-COMBINED.

WE TOPPED OFF THE TANK AND HIT THE ROAD FOR A LONG WEEKEND ROAD TRIP AND AVERAGED A FINE 36 MILES-PER-GALLON.

THERE ARE RELATIVELY FEW AFFORDABLE DROP-TOPS ON THE MARKET TODAY, AND THE BEETLE'S $25,790 ENTRY POINT CERTAINLY MAKES IT ONE OF THEM.

TDI PRICING BEGINS AT $28,690.

IT'S A TRUE TESTAMENT TO THE BEETLE'S NEAR UNIVERSAL APPEAL AND LONGEVITY THAT YOU STILL SEE PLENTY OF THE ORIGINAL OPEN TOP BEETLES TROLLING THE STREETS.

BUT THE 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE OFFERS MORE THAN JUST RETRO STYLE.

IT PACKS GOOD COMFORT, DECENT PRACTICALITY, AND EVERYDAY LIVABILITY INTO AN ENJOYABLE, FUN-LOOKING PACKAGE THAT PUTS SMILES ON OUR FACES EVERY TIME WE GET BEHIND THE WHEEL.

AND, THAT'S WHAT A CONVERTIBLE IS ALL ABOUT.

>> JOHN: WELL I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AGAIN FOR MORE MOTORWEEK.

AS WE WRAP UP MOTORWEEK'S 32ND SEASON WITH THE TURBO DIESEL AUDI A8 TDI, AND CHEVROLET'S ALL-NEW SILVERADO PICKUP.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, I'M JOHN DAVIS.

WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK.

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