2013 Audi A8 TDI & 2014 Chevrolet Silverado

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

JOIN US AS WE SEARCH FOR HIGH CLASS AND HIGH MILEAGE WITH THE AUDI A8 TDI... PAT GOSS TURNS A FADED CLASSIC INTO A FANTASTIC... AUTO WORLD FINDS A MORE "NATURAL" SOURCE FOR DRIVING ON NATURAL GAS... AND WE SEE IF CHEVROLET'S 2014 SILVERADO IS THE NEW GOLD STANDARD FOR FULL-SIZE PICKUPS.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

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

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... GOODBYE, MY DEAREST.

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GERMAN AUTOMAKERS HAVE LONG LED THE WAY IN BOOSTING THE PRESENCE OF DIESELS CARS AND SUVS HERE IN THE STATES.

BUT, ODDLY, ONE BRAND, AUDI, HAS RELEGATED MOST OF THEIR DIESELS TO UTILITIES, KEEPING THEIR CARLINE MOSTLY GASOLINE POWERED.

WELL, THAT'S ABOUT TO CHANGE.

AS FOR PROOF, THEIR TOP TIER A8 SEDAN NOW SPORTS TURBO-DIESEL POWER.

SO LET'S SEE IF IT'S A GOOD MOVE, OR JUST A BUNCH OF CLATTER?

BEING PART OF VOLKSWAGEN GROUP MEANS THAT THERE ARE CERTAINLY ENOUGH DIESEL ENGINES AVAILABLE FOR AUDI TO TAP INTO FOR THE 2014 A8.

BUT IT'S THEIR 3.0-LITER TURBO DIESEL V6 YOU'LL FIND UNDER THE HOOD HERE.

THERE'S 240-HORSEPOWER.

BUT IT'S THE TORQUE THAT REALLY MATTERS WITH A DIESEL, AND THIS SMALL SIX CHURNS UP 406 POUND-FEET OF IT, AND THAT COMES CLOSE TO THE A8'S 4.0-LITER PETROL V8 TURBO.

BUT THERE'S A LOT MORE TO THE FLAGSHIP A8 THAN A NEW DIESEL ENGINE; THERE'S THAT STELLAR INTERIOR WITH HIGH QUALITY, FINELY STITCHED LEATHER, GREAT LOOKING WOOD APPLIQUES, AND A GIANT PANORAMIC SUNROOF.

OUR CAR'S OPTIONAL CLIMATE CONTROLLED SEATS WITH MASSAGE WERE VERY COMFORTABLE, AND WITH 22 ADJUSTMENTS YOU SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM DIALING IN A SUITABLE DRIVING POSITION.

THE FOUR SPOKE STEERING WHEEL WITH PADDLE SHIFTERS FITS US PERFECTLY.

AND BEYOND THAT IS A DEEPLY HOODED GAUGE CLUSTER THAT STILL USES SERIOUS NEEDLES AND DIALS.

INDEED, DESPITE ALL THE COMFORT, THERE IS STILL A SPORTY FEEL AS CONTROLS SURROUND THE DRIVER.

AUDI'S MMI TOUCHPAD INTERFACE CONTINUES TO BE OUR HANDS DOWN FAVORITE WHEN IT COMES TO CONTROLLING THE MULTIPLE INFOTAINMENT CHOICES IN TODAY'S DIGITAL CAR.

FOR THE TIME BEING, ALL TDI A8'S WILL BE THE LONG-WHEELBASE VARIETY, WHICH MEANS MORE ROOM AND MORE FEATURES FOR BACK SEAT DRIVERS.

BUT FOR SUCH A BIG CAR IT IS SURPRISING TO SEE ONLY 13.2 CUBIC-FEET OF CARGO SPACE IN THE TRUNK.

SO PACK LIGHT.

DIESELS AREN'T EXACTLY DESIGNED WITH TRACK WORK IN MIND, BUT ALL OF THAT TORQUE MADE US HAPPY.

IT WAS FOOT TO THE FLOOR FOR A 5.9 0 TO 60 TIME, AND A 14.4-SECOND TRIP DOWN THE QUARTER MILE CRUISING AT 93 MILES-PER-HOUR.

SMOOTH AND EASY THE WHOLE WAY, THAT IS, AFTER SOME NECK SNAPPING ACCELERATION AT LAUNCH!

SHIFTS COME QUICKLY, BUT THEY ARE VERY FIRM THANKS TO THE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC WITH TIPTRONIC MANUAL AND SPORT MODES.

WHILE IT'S NOT AN AUDI S CAR, AND IT'S HARD TO IGNORE THE A8'S LARGE DIMENSIONS AND 4,500 POUND WEIGHT, IT DOES QUITE WELL WHEN IT COMES TO HANDLING, WITH "WELL COMPOSED" AND "NICE BALANCE" BEING WORDS OUR TESTERS USED OFTEN.

THROUGH THE CONES, TURN-INS ARE QUICK, STEERING FEEL IS WEIGHTY, AND WITH QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE STANDARD, THERE'S AN UNREAL AMOUNT OF GRIP.

WE ACTUALLY GOT BEST RESULTS LEAVING THE DRIVE SELECT IN COMFORT MODE, AS DYNAMIC MODE JUST SEEMED TO ADD SOME FAKE WEIGHT TO THE STEERING PROCESS WITHOUT HELPING PROGRESS.

BRAKES ARE EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE, STOPPING THIS WEIGHTY WONDER FROM 60 IN JUST 110-FEET WITH A CALM, ALMOST SURREAL NATURE THAT IGNORES THE HARSH REALITY THAT IS TAKING PLACE BEHIND THE OPTIONAL 20-INCH WHEELS OF OUR TEST CAR.

NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED OUTSIDE THE A8, SAVE FOR NEW FULL LED HEADLIGHTS THAT COME AS PART OF THE PREMIUM PACKAGE.

AND THAT'S OKAY BY US, AS THE A8'S PARTICULAR BRAND OF UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE IS A HIT WITH MOST OF OUR STAFF.

WHERE THE A8 REALLY SHINES IS GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS WHICH ARE THE TRUE HIGHLIGHT FOR THE DIESEL ENGINE, POWERING THE A8 TO 24 MILES-PER-GALLON CITY, 36-HIGHWAY, AND 28-COMBINED.

THAT GIVES IT THE BEST FUEL ECONOMY IN THE SEGMENT.

WE CHEERFULLY CLATTERED OUR WAY TO 27.6 MILES PER GALLON, AIDED BY AUTOMATIC STOP/START.

THAT MAKES FOR AN ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 13.6-BARRELS OF OIL CONSUMED PER YEAR, WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 6.0-TONS.

THERE IS A LONG WHEELBASE AND DIESEL PRICING PREMIUM COMPARED TO THE STANDARD GAS V6 A8.

IT WILL COST YOU $7,400 MORE THAN THE BASE CAR, WHICH STARTS AT $75,995.

WE DIDN'T FIND THAT OUT OF LINE FOR SUCH A PRESTIGE PRODUCT.

AND THE TDI IS FAR FROM THE TOP OF THE LINE OPTION AS THE TURBO GAS V8 AND W12 ARE PRICIER STILL.

SINCE AUDI IS ALSO ADDING A 3.0-LITER TDI TO ITS A6 AND A7 CARLINES, OUR WISH TO SEE A WIDER VARIETY OF DIESEL CARS IN AMERICA IS BEING GRANTED.

AS TO THE 2014 AUDI A8L TDI, THE FEW WHO WILL PONY UP THE BUCKS FOR ONE WILL BE REWARDED WITH A SWEET FULL-SIZE LUXURY RIDE, WITH A SERIOUS DRIVER'S CAR EDGE, AND FUEL ECONOMY THAT RIVALS A COMPACT.

SO, THANK YOU AUDI FOR LOVING DIESELS, AND FOR MAKING THE GREAT A8 EVEN GREATER.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TEXAS WHICH HAS ADDED 22 BI-FUEL CHEVROLET TAHOES FOR THEIR CONSTABLES AND OTHER SERVICES.

A DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY GRANT HELPED TO PAY FOR THE PROPANE AUTOGAS CONVERSIONS AND FIVE PROPANE FUELING SITES AROUND THE COUNTY.

A SIMPLE DASH SWITCH MAKES FOR A SEAMLESS TRANSITION BETWEEN FUELS.

THE COUNTY CITES FUEL SAVINGS OF CLOSE TO $70,000 A YEAR USING THE LOCALLY PRODUCED FUEL.

CYNTHIA LONG: WE BUY OUR FUEL FROM TEXAS, AND SO WE'RE PRODUCING TEXAS JOBS AND REDUCING OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL.

AND THEN IT'S CLEANER BURNING; AND WE'RE IN AN AREA THAT IS NEAR NON-ATTAINMENT, SO THE LESS WE'RE PUTTING IN THE AIR IS GOOD FOR ALL OF US.

JOHN: THEIR PROPANE FLEET ALSO INCLUDES EMERGENCY SERVICES VEHICLES AND A PAIR OF BOBCAT OFF-ROAD ATVs FOR THEIR PARKS DEPARTMENT.

WORKING WITH THE LONE STAR CLEAN FUELS ALLIANCE, THIS CENTRAL TEXAS COUNTY SEES MORE ALT-FUELED VEHICLES IN THEIR NEAR FUTURE.

THE USE OF CLEAN, DOMESTIC NATURAL GAS AS HIGHWAY FUEL IN PLACE OF IMPORTED OIL IS GROWING IN POPULARITY WITH FLEETS AND TRUCKING COMPANIES.

WHILE NATURAL GAS FROM UNDERGROUND DEPOSITS IS ARGUABLY A LIMITED RESOURCE, THERE IS A RENEWABLE, ECO-FRIENDLY ONE THAT WE HAVE RIGHT HERE IN THE U.S.A.. AND WE'RE HERE NOW TO GIVE YOU THE STRAIGHT POOP!

EVERY FAMILY, FARM ANIMAL AND FOOD PROCESSING PLANT IN AMERICA PRODUCES ORGANIC WASTE THAT CREATES A MIX OF METHANE, CO2, AND OTHER ELEMENTS CALLED BIO GAS WHEN IT DECOMPOSES.

ROTTEN VEGETABLES, MOLDY BREAD, LAST NIGHT'S LEFTOVERS, THEY ALL BREAK DOWN WHEN OUR GARBAGE GETS TO THE LAND FILL.

INCREDIBLY, FOR YEARS, THE MAJORITY OF THESE GASES HAVE BEEN SIMPLY VENTED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE OR FLARED OFF TO GET RID OF THEM.

BUT BIO GAS CAN EASILY BE CONVERTED INTO CLEAN NATURAL GAS AND USED FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY, HEAT, OR TRANSPORTATION FUEL.

AND A GROWING NUMBER OF FORWARD-THINKING PROJECTS ARE DOING JUST THAT.

THOUSANDS OF U.S.

LANDFILLS, BOTH ACTIVE AND LONG-CLOSED, ARE PRODUCING BIOGAS IN SIGNIFICANT VOLUME.

FOR DECADES, WASTE MANAGEMENT, THE NATION'S LARGEST RECYCLER, HAS BEEN CAPTURING LANDFILL GAS TO GENERATE BOTH ELECTRICITY AND FUEL AT OVER 100 LOCATIONS.

THIS LANDFILL IN LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA TAKES IN 3,500 TONS OF WASTE A DAY, BUT ALSO RECOVERS ENOUGH GAS TO POWER 300 REFUSE VEHICLES.

ORGANIC MATERIALS CAN ACCOUNT FOR UP TO 60% OF A LANDFILL'S INTAKE, BUT DIVERTING BIOMASS ELSEWHERE TO PRODUCE ENERGY CAN HAVE IMMEDIATE RESULTS: QUASAR ENERGY, AN OHIO-BASED WASTE-TO-ENERGY COMPANY, HAS DEVELOPED AN INNOVATIVE ANAEROBIC DIGESTION SYSTEM THAT BREAKS DOWN ORGANIC MATERIALS SUCH AS FOOD PROCESSING WASTE, SEWAGE, GREASE, FATS, AND OILS TO MAKE RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS, AS WELL AS A NATURAL SOIL CONDITIONER TO REPLACE CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS.

EVERYTHING FROM EXPIRED POTATO CHIPS TO OFF-SPEC DOG FOOD HAS ENERGY VALUE AND NO LONGER GETS THROWN AWAY AS TRASH.

THIS FACILITY IN COLUMBUS, OHIO TAKES IN 10 TO 12 TRUCKLOADS OF BIO SOLIDS EACH DAY.

THE MATERIAL IS PUMPED INTO LARGE OXYGEN-FREE SILOS WHERE MICRO-ORGANISMS BREAK DOWN THE WASTE AND RELEASE BIOGAS.

THIS SITE ALONE PRODUCES ABOUT 3,600 GASOLINE GALLON EQUIVALENTS OF NATURAL GAS EACH DAY.

ENOUGH TO GENERATE ITS OWN ELECTRICAL POWER AND ROUTINELY FUEL 30 TRUCKS AT IT'S ON-SITE CNG FILLING STATION.

QUASAR IS LOOKING TO INSTALL DIGESTER SYSTEMS ON-SITE AT FOOD PROCESSORS, WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS, OR FARMS, TO REDUCE TRUCKING COSTS AND RETURN THE ENERGY RIGHT BACK TO ITS SOURCE.

THIS MODEL MIMICS A LONG-STANDING PRACTICE IN GERMANY, WHERE IN A SPACE THE SIZE OF MONTANA, LOCAL FARM CO-OPS HAVE BUILT MORE THAN 6,000 GAS AND FERTILIZER-PRODUCING DIGESTERS.

BUT THERE ARE 8,000 DAIRY OR SWINE FARMS IN THE U.S. LARGE ENOUGH TO SUPPORT DIGESTER OPERATIONS OF THEIR OWN.

ONE EXAMPLE, INDIANA'S FAIR OAKS FARM, HARNESSING THE RENEWABLE ENERGY OUTPUT FROM 30,000 COWS.

MANURE IS PROCESSED AND FED INTO THIS 18-FOOT-DEEP UNDERGROUND ANAEROBIC TANK.

THE RESULTING BIOGAS IS USED FOR LOCAL POWER GENERATION AND YIELDS ENOUGH CNG TO FUEL IT'S FLEET OF 42 MILK DELIVERY TRUCKS, DISPLACING 2 MILLION GALLONS OF DIESEL FUEL EACH YEAR.

MARK STOERMANN: SO WE CAN RECYCLE AND REUSE AND MAINTAIN A RENEWABLE ENERGY FROM WHAT WAS A WASTE.

AND SO WE'RE NOT USING FOOD FOR FUEL, WE'RE NOT PUTTING UP THINGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE OBJECTIONS TO.

WE'RE TAKING THINGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE AN OBJECTION TO AND ACTUALLY USING IT IN A WAY TO PRODUCE RENEWABLE ENERGY.

IT'S VERY EXCITING.

JOHN: THE IMPORTANCE OF PRODUCING AND USING ENERGY LOCALLY CANNOT BE OVERLOOKED.

RENEWABLE FUELS COULD POTENTIALLY DISPLACE 10 BILLION GALLONS OF OIL ANNUALLY.

AND THAT WILL CERTAINLY MOO'VE US TOWARDS A CLEAN DRIVING FUTURE!

>> JOHN: WHO DOESN'T DREAM OF RESTORING A CLASSIC CAR?

BETTER YET, DOING IT OURSELVES!

BUT AS PAT GOSS IS ABOUT TO SHOW US, PARTS OF THAT DREAM SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE PROS.

>> PAT: THIS IS OUR OLD '68 CADDY CONVERTIBLE THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING SO MUCH WORK ON.

WELL, WHEN WE GOT INTO THE BODYWORK, WE DECIDED THAT THERE WAS WAY TOO MUCH INVOLVED FOR THE AVERAGE DO-IT-YOURSELFER.

SO WE BROUGHT IT TO PETE HERE AT CLASSIC CAR SHOP IN BALTIMORE.

PETE, WHY WAS THIS NOT A REALLY GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A DO-IT-YOURSELFER?

>> PETE: THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT WAS VERY LARGE BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF BODYWORK THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE ON THE VEHICLE.

BASICALLY, AFTER WE STRIPPED THE CAR, WHICH HAD FIVE LAYERS OF PAINT ON THE CAR, WE FOUND A LOT OF PREVIOUS REPAIRS THAT HAD BEEN DONE OVER THE YEARS AND WE HAD TO DO INTENSE BODYWORK, WHICH INVOLVED PUTTING NEW PATCHES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FENDER.

DOWN HERE WE HAD TO PUT A 6X18 INCH PATCH.

WE HAD TO PUT A 4X9 INCH PATCH IN THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR.

ANOTHER ABOUT 9X4 PATCH IN THE REAR.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAD TO PUT A PATCH OVER THE WHEELHOUSE IN THE QUARTER, AND THE BOTTOM OF THE QUARTER; FROM ABOUT HERE DOWN.

THE PROBLEM WITH THE AVERAGE HOBBYIST; CANNOT FORM, SHAPE, OR WELD IN THOSE KIND OF PATCHES.

IF THERE'S A SMALL AMOUNT OF BODYWORK, OR A SMALL AMOUNT OF PRIMING, OR IF YOU HAVE A REALLY GOOD, EXCELLENT CAR WHEN YOU START OFF, THEN THE AVERAGE HOBBYIST CAN DO THAT KIND OF REPAIRS.

BUT WHEN YOU GET INTO A LARGE PROJECT LIKE THIS, AN OLDER CAR THAT'S HAD PREVIOUS REPAIRS, IT NEEDS TO GO TO A PROFESSIONAL.

>> PAT: NOW, YOU'VE SPENT ABOUT THREE WEEKS, TWO OF YOU ON IT, FULL TIME, BRINGING IT TO THIS STAGE.

AND RIGHT NOW YOU'RE BLOCKING THE PRIMER TO GET IT READY FOR THE FINAL PAINT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT BLOCKING IS.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT PLEASE?

>> PETE: WELL CERTAINLY.

BASICALLY, BLOCKING IS SANDING THE CAR, REMOVING THE HIGHS, THE LOWS, THE IMPERFECTIONS IN THE BODY OF THE CAR.

WHETHER ITS BACK HERE WHERE WE'VE PUT IN NEW METAL AND DONE SOME PLASTIC FILLER WORK, OR IN AREAS THAT WERE JUST BARE METAL.

NONE OF THE CARS ARE PERFECT WHEN THE SHEET METAL IS BRAND NEW.

THEY ALL HAVE TO BE PREPPED FOR IT.

YOU'RE JUST BASICALLY SANDING IT WITH A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT TOOLS; WHETHER IT BE A SMALL BLOCK, A LARGE BLOCK, A POWER SANDER, OR WHATEVER.

>> PAT: NOW, THESE ARE ALL CRITICAL STEPS, AND SOMETHING THAT TAKES ENDLESS AMOUNTS OF TIME IF YOU'RE DOING IT YOURSELF.

A PROJECT LIKE THIS WOULD TAKE MONTHS, OR MAYBE EVEN YEARS FOR THE DO-IT-YOURSELFER.

WHICH MAKES IT TOTALLY IMPRACTICAL FOR MOST PEOPLE.

>> PETE: CORRECT.

>> PAT: PETE, THANK YOU.

WE'LL COME BACK AND VISIT YOU AFTER IT'S ALL DONE.

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

JOHN: WE DEBATED ABOUT ORDERING A 2014 MAZDA6 WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

AFTER ALL, THIS STYLISH MID-SIZE FAMILY SEDAN IS USUALLY EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC.

BUT WE DID, AND WE'RE GLAD.

IT ENABLES US TO EXPLORE THE TRUE NATURE OF THE CAR AND SEE THAT AT MAZDA THERE REALLY IS SOME "ZOOM ZOOM" IN EVERY DESIGN.

OUR SPORT IS ALSO THE BASE TRIM, AND WE ARE IMPRESSED AT HOW WELL EQUIPPED IT IS.

LOTS OF POWER ACCESSORIES, CRUISE, SUPPORTIVE SEATS, AND EVEN A DECENT SOUNDING STEREO, ALL FOR LESS THAN $22,000.

FUEL ECONOMY IS DECENT TOO.

THE SKYACTIV POWERTRAIN IS RETURNING 32.9 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR AFTER 2,200 MILES OF DAILY DUTY.

AND, YES, IT IS A PLEASURE TO DRIVE.

NO AUTOMATIC, NOT EVEN WITH PADDLE SHIFTERS, CAN DUPLICATE THE DRIVER-CAR INTERACTION OF A MANUAL TRANNY.

PLUS, IN THE 2014 MAZDA6, IT FITS US LIKE A GLOVE.

THERE ARE NO MORE LOYAL FANS THAN THOSE THAT DRIVE SUBARUS.

IT SEEMS THAT EVERY REDESIGNED MODEL BRINGS NEW RECORD SALES.

THE LATEST BEING THE FOURTH GENERATION COMPACT 2014 FORESTER CROSSOVER.

AND IT'S EASY TO SEE WHY IT'S SO POPULAR.

EVERYTHING IS SO PURPOSEFUL.

FROM THE CHILD-FRIENDLY INTERIOR FABRICS, TO THE OVERSIZED CARGO BAY, TO THE MORE FRUGAL THAN EVER POWERTRAINS, AND, OF COURSE, BULLETPROOF ALL-WHEEL DRIVE STANDARD.

OUR 2.0XT TOURING MODEL HAS THE HIGHER RATED TURBO MOTOR.

WE LOVE THE EXTRA POWER, BUT FUEL ECONOMY HOLDS UP WELL TOO.

AT 24.2 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR AFTER NEARLY 5,000 MILES, IT'S DOING ALMOST AS WELL AS MANY LESS POWERFUL RIVALS.

WHILE THE FORESTER STILL STRIKES SOME AS A BIT PLAIN TO LOOK AT, FANS KNOW THAT BEAUTY IS INDEED IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.

THE LATE SUMMER TRAVELS OF OUR KIA OPTIMA HYBRID ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

TIME TO CHECK IN WITH YOLANDA VAZQUEZ WHO'S UP TO DATE ON ALL THE LATEST MOTORNEWS.

YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: BIG NEWS FROM BAVARIA BY WAY OF NEW YORK CITY.

BMW RECENTLY REVEALED THEIR I3 ALL-ELECTRIC CAR IN PRODUCTION FORM, AND MOTORWEEK WAS ON HAND FOR THE HIGH-ENERGY SPECTACLE.

PART OF A THREE-CITY, WORLDWIDE DEBUT, THE I3'S UNVEILING WAS SIMULCAST IN NEW YORK, LONDON, AND BEIJING, AND WITH IT, THE SPECS AND PRICING FOR BMW'S RADICALLY DESIGNED EV.

STARTING AT $41,350 BEFORE INCENTIVES, THE I3 IS POWERED BY A 170-HORSEPOWER ELECTRIC MOTOR WITH A RANGE OF 80 TO 100 MILES OF REAL WORLD DRIVING.

THE INTERIOR HAS THAT BMW PREMIUM FEEL, AND NOW INCLUDES ECO-FRIENDLY, "SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED" MATERIALS.

ITS LIGHT CURB WEIGHT IS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE USE OF CARBON FIBER REINFORCED PLASTIC THROUGHOUT THE CHASSIS.

BMW HAS PLANS FOR WHAT THEY CALL AN "URBAN MOBILITY" MOVEMENT.

IT'S A NEW WAY OF LIVING THAT INCORPORATES A BROAD RANGE OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR YOUR BMW I-VEHICLE.

A GOOD EXAMPLE IS 360 ELECTRIC, WHICH OFFERS I3 OWNERS HOME AND PUBLIC CHARGING OPTIONS, ASSISTANCE SERVICES, AND ACCESS TO BMW'S OWN CAR-SHARING FLEET FOR LONG DISTANCE TRAVELING.

ALSO AVAILABLE IS BMW'S CONNECTEDDRIVE; AN "ON-STAR-LIKE" INFORMATION AND CONCIERGE SERVICE, AND LOOK FOR A GROWING ARRAY OF CONNECTED SMART PHONE APPS.

THE I3 WILL BE AVAILABLE NEXT YEAR.

AND FROM AN ALL-ELECTRIC, WE TURN TO THE GASOLINE-ELECTRIC CHEVROLET VOLT, WHICH IS MAKING HEADLINES AGAIN.

CITING THE RECENT PRICE DROP FOR THE NISSAN LEAF EV, AND BARGAIN LEASES FOR THE FIAT 500E, AND THE BRAND'S OWN SPARK EV, THE 2014 CHEVROLET VOLT WILL SEE A $5,000 PRICE CUT.

THAT BRINGS THE PRICE -- WITH FEDERAL INCENTIVES -- DOWN TO $27,500.

ANALYSTS FEEL THE "WELL UNDER 30-GRAND PRICING" COULD OPEN A WHOLE NEW MARKET FOR THE PLUG-IN VOLT.

AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

JOHN: THE CHEVROLET SILVERADO, THE PERENNIAL NUMBER #2 BEST SELLING PICKUP TRUCK IN AMERICA, WAS LAST REDESIGNED FOR 2007.

AT THAT TIME, FUEL ECONOMY WAS NOT A MAJOR CONCERN FOR PICKUP TRUCK BUYERS.

BUT SINCE THEN GAS PRICES HAVE STEADILY RISEN AND BOTH RAM AND FORD HAVE RESPONDED WITH MORE EFFICIENT, BUT CAPABLE V6 POWERTRAINS.

SO, WHEN IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE ALL NEW 2014 SILVERADO WOULD STILL USE A V8 AS ITS PRIMARY POWER, TRUCK WATCHERS WONDERED IF CHEVY DIDN'T GET THE MESSAGE.

WELL, APPARENTLY THEY DID.

CHEVROLET NOT ONLY GOT THE MESSAGE, THEY ANSWERED IN TRIPLICATE, WITH THREE ALL NEW, TOTALLY MODERN ENGINES.

AND IN THE PROCESS WRESTLED THE LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TOWING AND V8 FUEL ECONOMY CROWNS BACK INTO THE GM FOLD.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE 2014 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AS A WHOLE?

WAS THIS FULL SIZE PICKUP TRUCK WORTH A SEVEN YEAR WAIT?

AFTER ALL, THE NEW SILVERADO DOESN'T LOOK RADICALLY DIFFERENT THAN LAST YEAR.

A TALLER, BOLDER TWIN-PORT GRILLE, YES.

A MORE RUGGED AND UPRIGHT STANCE, CERTAINLY.

AND A TOUCH MORE MODERN WITH AVAILABLE PROJECTOR BEAM HEADLIGHTS.

SURE.

BUT THE BIG DIFFERENCES ARE IN THE DETAILS.

THE HOOD IS NOW MADE OF ALUMINUM, JUST ONE OF THE SILVERADO'S MANY WEIGHT SAVING MEASURES.

OTHERS INCLUDE A ROLL FORMED STEEL BOX AND ALUMINUM SUSPENSION COMPONENTS.

THOUGH BIG PICKUP TRUCKS WILL PROBABLY ALWAYS RESEMBLE MOVING BRICKS, GM ALSO PUT A BIG EMPHASIS ON AERODYNAMICS FOR BOTH FUEL ECONOMY AND NOISE CONTROL, WITH TRIPLE-SEALED INLAID DOORS, NEW BODY MOUNTS, CAB-TO-BOX SEALS, AND EVEN A SPOILER SHAPED TAILGATE TOP.

STILL, CHEVROLET IS COMMITTED TO THE WORKING MAN, AS THE NEW SILVERADO HAS ADDED MANY FEATURES TO HELP THEM CARRY OUT THEIR DAILY TASKS, INCLUDING A DAMPED EZ LIFT AND LOWER TAILGATE, AVALANCHE-INSPIRED REAR BUMPER SIDE STEPS AND BOX GRAB HANDLES, UNDER BED RAIL LED LIGHTING, BOX MOUNTED UPPER TIE DOWNS, AND STANDARD BOX TOP CAPS.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE THREE NEW ENGINES?

ALL ARE UP TO DATE WITH ALL-ALUMINUM BLOCKS AND HEADS, DIRECT INJECTION, VARIABLE VALVE TIMING, AND CYLINDER DEACTIVATION.

THE TRIO STARTS WITH A 4.3-LITER V6, BUT THE HIGH VOLUME POWERPLANT IS A 5.3-LITER V8 RATED AT 355-HORSEPOWER AND 383 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

IT ALSO RATES 23 MILES-PER-GALLON HIGHWAY.

THAT'S THE BEST OF ANY TRUCK V8, AND EVEN BEATS THE FORD F-150'S POPULAR ECOBOOST V6.

IT WILL OUT TOW IT AS WELL, AND ALL LIGHT DUTY V8s, HAULING A MAX OF 11,500-POUNDS.

TOP ENGINE OPTION WILL BE A 6.2-LITER V8.

BOTH MANUAL AND AUTOTRAC HI-LOW FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEMS ARE AGAIN AVAILABLE.

NEW ON THE Z71 IS HILL DECENT CONTROL.

THE REAR SUSPENSION MAINTAINS ITS TWO-STAGE MULTI-LEAF SPRINGS, BUT GETS IMPROVED BUSHINGS AND NEW SHOCKS.

THE INTERIOR GETS A FULL-SCALE REDESIGN INCLUDING BETTER, SOFTER MATERIALS ALL AROUND, AND A MORE FUNCTIONAL LAYOUT WITH A VERY VERTICAL DASH AND BIG HANDED CONTROLS.

THE SHIFTER IS STILL COLUMN MOUNTED, WHICH HELPS FREE UP SPACE IN THE CABIN.

THE STANDARD BENCH SEAT HAS A BUCKET STYLE FORM, OR YOU CAN OPT FOR REAL BUCKETS WITH A WIDE, DEEP CENTER CONSOLE BETWEEN.

NEW HIGH-DENSITY SEAT FOAM DELIVERS IMPROVED COMFORT.

THE SIX-GAUGE LAYOUT IS GREAT.

THAT PLUS AN INFO SCREEN PROVIDES ALL OF THE INFORMATION YOU COULD WANT IN A WORKING TRUCK THAT WILL ALSO BE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME DOING FAMILY DUTIES.

AND THE LATEST VERSION OF CHEVROLET'S MY LINK INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM WILL HELP KEEP YOU CONNECTED AS WELL AS ENTERTAINED.

CREW CABS, NOW 60% OF THE MARKET, HAVE DOORS THAT OPEN WIDER THAN BEFORE.

DOORS ON THE EXTENDED DOUBLE CAB MODEL ARE NOW FRONT HINGED, OPENING CAR-LIKE, INSTEAD OF CLAM-SHELL STYLE.

SILVERADO'S RIDE REMAINS A SMOOTH ONE, BUT NOW WITH BETTER BODY CONTROL THANKS TO A STIFFER BUT LIGHTER STRUCTURE AND RE-VAMPED SUSPENSION.

THE NEW ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ALSO DELIVERS AN IMPRESSIVE AMOUNT OF FEEL THROUGH A GRIPPIER STEERING WHEEL.

REGULAR CAB SILVERADO'S WILL BEGIN AT $24,585.

THAT'S THE SAME PRICE AS THE CURRENT MODEL; AND GM IS LOOKING TO TOW THE PRICING LINE WITH ALL CABS.

TRIMS INCLUDE WORK TRUCK, LT, LTZ, AND NEW PREMIUM HIGH COUNTRY FOR THE SILVERADO BUYERS WHO WANT IT ALL.

DESPITE FIRST IMPRESSIONS, THE 2014 CHEVROLET SILVERADO IS INDEED A HUGE IMPROVEMENT OVER THE CURRENT MODEL, AND IT HAS CERTAINLY CAUGHT UP WITH THE PACK WHEN IT COMES TO FUEL ECONOMY AND TECHNOLOGY.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, EVERYTHING SEEMS TO FIT INTO ONE COHESIVE, TIGHTLY DESIGNED PACKAGE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO MAKE AN F-150 FAN SWITCH, BUT WE ARE CERTAIN IT WILL KEEP THE CHEVY FAITHFUL HAPPY FOR YEARS TO COME.

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UNTIL NEXT TIME, I'M JOHN DAVIS.

WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK .

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