2013 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta & Full Size Sedan Challenge

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

JOIN US FOR FERRARI'S QUICKEST YET, THE F12, AS WE TAKE THIS PRANCING HORSE FOR AN ALL-OUT SPRINT... PAT GOSS SHOWS US WHY ALL OIL FILTERS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL... BRIAN ROBINSON FINDS OUT WHAT'S CURRENT IN THE TWO WHEELIN' WORLD... AND WE WRANGLE UP SOME OF TODAY'S TOP FULL-SIZE FOUR-DOORS AND PICK A WINNER!

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.

WAIT!

YES?

WHEN I BUY NEW TIRES DO I NEED ALL-TERRAIN?

ISN'T THE ROAD PRETTY MUCH THE ONLY TERRAIN I'LL BE ON?

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

JUST BEEN GNAWING AT ME.

Announcer: 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.

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DIEHARD.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM John Davis: SUPERLATIVES HAVE A SHORT SHELF-LIFE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE WORLD.

TODAY'S "WORLD'S-FASTEST" IS TOMORROW'S ALSO-RAN.

AND THE SAME COULD ALMOST BE SAID OF THIS F12 BERLINETTA.

THE QUICKEST FERRARI ROAD CAR TO DATE MAY SOON BE ECLIPSED BY THE NEW 963 HORSEPOWER LAFERRARI HYBRID.

YET, THIS IS A FERRARI LIKE WE LIKE THEM: A V12 UP FRONT, AND ONLY TWO SEATS BEHIND.

SO, IS THIS A FERRARI FOR THE AGES, OR ONE DESTINED TO BE YESTERDAY'S NEWS?

THE 2013 FERRARI F12 BERLINETTA MAY BE THE FASTEST STREET-GOING FERRARI EVER, BUT SPOILER ALERT, IT IS ALSO THE GENTLEST.

IT FEELS DOWNRIGHT DOCILE ON STRIPED PAVEMENT.

AND WHILE FERRARI HAS CERTAINLY MADE STRIDES IN THIS AREA OVER THE PAST DECADE, WE WEREN'T EXPECTING THEM TO HAVE ACHIEVED THIS LEVEL OF CIVILITY.

BUT THIS TEST IS NO "DRIVING MISS DAISY," AS LISTENING TO THE V12 ENGINE BUILD ITS WAY UP TO ITS 8,700 RPM RED-LINE IS TOTALLY "FAST AND FURIOUS," AND THE EXPECTED MUSIC TO THE EARS.

THE F12 FOLLOWS THE FRONT ENGINE, REAR DRIVE LAYOUT OF PREVIOUS GT FERRARIS BUT REPLACING A CAR LIKE THE 599 GTB IS A BIT LIKE DIVORCING ONE SUPER MODEL TO MARRY A YOUNGER ONE.

BUT THE F12'S VIVACIOUS CURVES ARE PURPOSEFUL, AS WELL AS DROP-DEAD GORGEOUS.

THE AERO BRIDGE HOOD CATCHES AIR FLOWING OVER THE CAR AND FUNNELS IT OUT THE SIDE, ACCOMPLISHING BOTH DESIRED EFFECTS OF INCREASED DOWN FORCE AND REDUCED DRAG.

AN INTEGRATED SPOILER FLOWS ACROSS THE ENTIRE REAR AND WORKS WITH THE SPLIT DIFFUSER TO KEEP THE AIR FLOWING, WHILE THE F1-INSPIRED FOG LIGHT JUST LOOKS COOL.

AND IT ALL MUST REALLY WORK, AS FERRARI CLAIMS THAT THE F12 IS QUICKER AROUND THEIR FIORANO TEST TRACK THAN EVEN THE ENZO.

THE CHASSIS IS ALUMINUM-INTENSIVE, AND AT 3,593-POUNDS, WEIGHS IN MORE THAN 100-POUNDS LESS THAN THE 599.

IT'S ALSO MORE COMPACT, AND CRAMMING A V12 ENGINE INTO A SMALLER CHASSIS THAN THE 599 IS LIKE SHOEHORNING 12-POUNDS OF AWESOMENESS INTO A 10-POUND CONTAINER.

BUT THEY DID IT WITH EVEN MORE PURPOSE TO THE ART OF ENGINEERING THAN ITS PREDECESSOR.

THAT AWESOMENESS, BY THE WAY, IS AN ALL-NEW 6.3-LITER NATURALLY ASPIRATED V12 WITH A 13.5:1 COMPRESSION RATIO TO WHIP UP 731-HORSEPOWER AND 509 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

TRANSMISSION IS THE FAMILIAR REAR-MOUNTED F1 DUAL-CLUTCH AUTOMATED MANUAL, BUT IT'S BEEN UPDATED WITH GEAR RATIOS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE NEW V12.

IT SHIFTS JUST ABOUT PERFECTLY, WHETHER BY YOUR DECISION OR THE CAR'S.

THOUGH LIKE A THOROUGHBRED RAISED FOR THE TRACK, IT'S NOT A FAN OF GOING TOO SLOW AND WILL LET YOU KNOW ITS DISPLEASURE.

KEEP IT HAPPY BY STAYING ON THE THROTTLE AND, WHEN USED WITH THE LAUNCH BUTTON, WILL WHIP YOU FROM 0 TO 60 IN JUST 3.1-SECONDS.

E-DIFF3 DIRECTS DISTRIBUTION OF POWER TO THE REAR WHEELS, AND DUAL-COIL SCM-E MAGNETIC-RIDE HANDLES SUSPENSION DUTIES, SEEMINGLY PREDICTING ROAD CONDITIONS RATHER THAN REACTING TO THEM.

STEERING IS HYDRAULIC; NO ELECTRIC ASSIST HERE, AND IT WORKS WITH A PRECISION THAT MUST BE EXPERIENCED TO BE FULLY APPRECIATED.

AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE ELECTRONICS AS YOU WISH ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL'S MANETTINO DIAL.

IT'S DEFINITELY BEST TO KEEP SOME ON; UNLESS YOU'RE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF MISAPPROPRIATING OVER 700 HORSES.

STANDARD CARBON-CERAMIC DISCS ARE THERE TO HELP AS WELL, AND THEY DO WORK WELL BEHIND 20-INCH 5-SPOKE WHEELS.

LIKE A TYPICAL FERRARI, JUST ABOUT EVERY PART OF IT EVOKES A PASSION THAT'S NOT EASILY EXPLAINED, AND THAT EMOTION CERTAINLY CARRIES OVER TO THE INTERIOR WHERE YOU'LL FIND ITALIAN LEATHER SPREAD ABOUT LIBERALLY, AS WELL AS A NEW LEVEL OF INTERIOR FIT AND FINISH FOR THE BRAND.

STILL, EVERYTHING LOOKS STRIPPED DOWN AND PURPOSEFUL, THERE'S NO TOUCH SCREEN HERE.

BUT IT'S ALSO IMPECCABLE, AS THE STEERING WHEEL ITSELF IS PURE AUTOMOTIVE ART.

LIKE THE 599, THERE'S SEATING FOR ONLY TWO, BUT THEY'LL BE PLENTY COMFORTABLE ROAD TRIPPING, AND TRUNK SPACE IS MORE GENEROUS THAN IT APPEARS, AS THE 11.3 CUBIC-FEET OF SPACE EXPANDS TO 17.7 AFTER LOWERING THE REAR BENCH PANEL.

OUR TIME WITH THE F12 WAS TOO SHORT, BUT REALLY IS ANY AMOUNT OF TIME IN A FERRARI ENOUGH?

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE IMPROVED OVER THE 599, BUT STILL SUPERCAR-LIKE AT 12-CITY, 16-HIGHWAY, AND 13-COMBINED.

AS FOR PRICING, WITH GAS GUZZLER TAX AND DESTINATION, EXPECT TO SHELL OUT CLOSE TO $330,000.

THE FASTEST, IT SEEMS, DOESN'T COME CHEAP.

PACKING THIS MUCH EXOTIC PERFORMANCE INTO A DAILY FRIENDLY DESIGN IS A FEAT THAT ONLY FERRARI HAS ACHIEVED.

WE'RE NOT SURE HOW MUCH MORE EXTREME FERRARI CAN GO IN EITHER DIRECTION, BUT IF THEY KEEP BUILDING CARS LIKE THE 2013 F12 BERLINETTA, WE'LL CONTINUE TO BE THRILLED TO GO ALONG FOR THE RIDE.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO BROOKLYN PARK, MINNESOTA, WHERE ICE HOCKEY IS THEIR LIFE, WITH YEAR-ROUND HOCKEY LEAGUES FOR ADULTS AND KIDS.

THEY'RE NOW PRACTICING IN A CLEANER INDOOR ENVIRONMENT THANKS TO THE PURCHASE OF TWO ELECTRIC ZAMBONI ICE RESURFACERS.

MODEL 552 USES A LEAD ACID BATTERY PACK, AS WELL AS AN AUTOMATIC SNOW BREAKER AND HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED SNOW TANK LID.

TWO ELECTRIC ZAMBONI ICE EDGERS ARE ALSO USED.

STEVE LAWRENCE: WE BOUGHT ONE, TRIED THAT OUT FOR A FEW YEARS, FOUND IT WAS A GREAT BENEFIT TO US, AND NOW WE HAVE TWO OF THEM.

John: BUT THERE'S MORE!

THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TWIN CITIES CLEAN CITIES COALITION, BROOKLYN PARK HAS ALSO GONE GREEN WITH MORE THAN 100 OF THEIR POLICE, FIRE AND OTHER CITY VEHICLES AND GENERATORS BY MANDATING THE USE OF BIODIESEL AND E85 FUEL.

MORE THAN 200,000 POUNDS OF EMISSIONS ARE ELIMINATED EACH YEAR, KEEPING THE STARS IN THE NORTH SHINING BRIGHT.

DESPITE LOTS OF TALK OF "RANGE ANXIETY," SALES OF ELECTRIFIED CARS ARE ON THE RISE, AND IN THE PARALLEL FUEL CONSCIENCE UNIVERSE OF MOTOR SCOOTERS, SALES ARE ALSO TRENDING UP.

SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THESE TWO WORLDS COLLIDE?

WELL, FOR THAT, WE TURN TO OUR CHIEF TWO WHEELER, BRIAN ROBINSON, FOR ONE CURRENT RESULT.

BRIAN ROBINSON: OFF AND ON THROUGH THE YEARS, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE PLUGGING IN TO THE SCOOTER LIFESTYLE, WHETHER THEY'RE LOOKING FOR MORE FUEL EFFICIENCY OR JUST CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.

BUT UNTIL NOW, WE'VE NEVER ACTUALLY PLUGGED IN A SCOOTER.

IN OUR EVER-EXPANDING SEARCH TO BRING YOU NEW AND EXCITING WAYS TO GET TO WORK AND BACK EVERY DAY, THIS WEEK WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW TO DO THAT SUPER ECONOMICALLY TOO, WITH THE SUPER SCOOTER FROM CURRENT MOTOR.

YES, IT'S A SCOOTER, AND YES, IT'S "ELECTRIC."

CURRENT MOTOR IS A RELATIVELY NEW ENTERPRISE BASED IN ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, AND THEY ARE LOOKING TO BRING REAL WORLD EV MOTORING INTO ONE OF THE FRIENDLIEST OF ALL AUTOMOTIVE SEGMENTS, THE SCOOTER.

THE SUPER SCOOTER MAY LOOK LIKE A TRADITIONAL SCOOTER, BUT IT ROLLS ON A UNIQUE CHASSIS, AND IS POWERED BY A 5KW ELECTRIC MOTOR THAT IS ACTUALLY LOCATED INSIDE THE REAR WHEEL.

THE BATTERY PACK IS LITHIUM IRON MANGANESE PHOSPHATE, AND IS AVAILABLE IN TWO SIZES, 4.6 AND 5.75 KWH.

THE LARGER OF THE TWO HAS 50-MILES OF RANGE AT OVER 65 MILES-PER-HOUR, WITH A CHARGE TIME OF UP TO 6-HOURS.

FROM THE WIDE AND COMFORTABLE STEPPED SEAT, FOR THE MOST PART, IT RIDES LIKE A TRADITIONAL SCOOTER, FEELING ONLY A TAD HEAVIER, AND GROUND CLEARANCE IS LIMITED.

BUT LIKE ANY OTHER SCOOTER, IT TAKES NO TIME AT ALL TO GET ACCUSTOMED TO AND YOU'RE QUICKLY UP TO SPEED.

EV OPERATION IS MOSTLY QUIET, AND LIKE MOST OTHER BATTERY POWERED VEHICLES, THERE'S COMPUTER CONTROLLED REGENERATIVE BRAKING.

THE SUPER SCOOTER EVEN HAS REVERSE.

THE LOOK IS ALL TRADITIONAL SCOOTER WITH FULL FLOORBOARDS FOR A COMFORTABLE RIDING POSITION, AND A WIDE FAIRING FOR SHIELDING YOU FROM THE ELEMENTS.

PARTNERING WITH DELL MEANS THERE'S A SLICK TABLET-STYLE DIGITAL DASHBOARD PACKED FULL OF INFORMATION, AND AN APP FOR SMARTPHONES OR TABLETS ALLOWS YOU AND YOUR 3G-EQUIPPED SCOOTER TO STAY IN CONSTANT CONTACT, WHETHER FOR JUST MONITORING CHARGE STATUS, OR PLANNING A ROUTE.

IT'S AN UNFORTUNATE REALITY THAT PROGRESS DOESN'T COME CHEAP, SO IF YOU'RE READY TO EARLY ADOPT YOUR WAY INTO THE EV SCOOTER REALM, YOU'LL HAVE TO BRING 10-GRAND WITH YOU.

WITH THE HIGH PERFORMANCE BATTERY OPTION, IT'LL COST YOU $11,495.

COST OF OWNERSHIP, HOWEVER, IS ABOUT AS INEXPENSIVE AS YOU CAN GET AT JUST $.17 PER MILE.

THE 2013 CURRENT MOTOR SUPER SCOOTER MAY BE A WORK IN PROGRESS, BUT IT'S GOOD WORK, AND THEY ARE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS.

IS AN EV SCOOTER FOR EVERYONE?

NO, OF COURSE NOT.

IS IT GREAT TO SEE NEW COMPANIES STARTING UP IN AMERICA TO PERHAPS SHAPE OUR DRIVING FUTURE?

ABSOLUTELY!

John: EVERY BOTTLE OF ENGINE OIL HAS ITS RATING AND WEIGHT CLEARLY MARKED SO CONSUMERS ALWAYS KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GETTING.

BUT WHAT ABOUT OIL FILTERS?

YOU KNOW, THEY ALL MAY LOOK PRETTY MUCH ALIKE.

BUT AS PAT GOSS EXPLAINS, LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING.

Pat Goss: DON'T SAVE $4 ON AN OIL FILTER AND COST YOURSELF $2K OR $3,O00 IN ENGINE REPAIRS.

THAT CAN HAPPEN.

YOU LOOK INSIDE A MODERN ENGINE AND YOU SEE THINGS LIKE VALVE TIMING PHASERS, AND HYDRAULIC TENSIONERS, AND CHAIN GUIDES, AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT OPERATE ON OIL PRESSURE, AND MOST ALL OF THEM HAVE THESE TINY LITTLE PASSAGES FOR THE OIL TO FLOW THROUGH.

PUT A CHEAP FILTER ON IT AND EITHER THE FILTER COMES APART OR DIRT GETS INTO THE SYSTEM, BLOCKS ONE OF THOSE PASSAGES, AND SOMETHING LIKE THE CHAIN TENSIONER DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE.

THE CHAIN STARTS SLAPPING AROUND, BREAKS THE GUIDES, AND THE PARTS OF THE GUIDES GET CIRCULATED THROUGH THE ENGINE.

YOU'VE GOT A MESS ON YOUR HANDS.

THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR.

HERE'S ONE THAT, THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO, AT LEAST THE FILTER FROM ONE.

IF WE SHINE A LIGHT IN HERE, WE CAN SEE THAT THE MEDIA HAS ACTUALLY SEPARATED, AND THERE'S A HOLE IN THERE WHERE THE MEDIUM MATERIAL WENT THROUGH AND INTO THE OILING SYSTEM.

IT CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE.

NOW, OIL FILTERS, EVERYBODY'S CONCERNED WITH THE PAPER MEDIA, BUT THERE'S A LOT MORE TO THE FILTER THAN THAT.

THERE ARE PRESSURE SPRINGS INSIDE, THERE ARE CHECK VALVES, THE END CAPS ARE MADE OUT OF DIFFERENT WEIGHTS OF METAL, THERE ARE MORE OR FEWER THREADS IN THE CAP, AND SO ON.

BUT ALL OF THAT MAY BECOME MOOT AT SOME POINT BECAUSE MOST MANUFACTURERS ARE NOW DOING AWAY WITH THE METAL CAN AND GOING WITH A FILTER LIKE THIS.

THIS IS A CARTRIDGE TYPE.

THE CAN OR CANISTER THAT IT GOES INTO IS MOUNTED TO THE ENGINE, AND IT STAYS WITH THE ENGINE FOREVER.

NOW, THIS SAVES WASTE AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF THINGS, PLUS ALL OF THE CHECK VALVES AND EVERYTHING ARE NOW PART OF THE ENGINE, SO THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THEIR QUALITY.

NOW, THE REAL THING HERE: BUY A HIGH QUALITY FILTER THAT IS TAILORED TO YOUR CAR.

OR BETTER YET, SPEND A COUPLE DOLLARS MORE, BUY THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FILTER FROM THE DEALER.

THAT WAY YOU KNOW 100% THAT ALL OF THE PARTS OF THAT FILTER ARE GOING TO MATCH YOUR ENGINE.

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

John: THERE IS NO MORE COMPETITIVE VEHICLE SEGMENT THAN THE COMPACT CROSSOVER UTILITY.

SO, FOR US TO PROCLAIM THE REDESIGNED TOYOTA RAV 4 OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE BEST, IS SAYING SOMETHING.

BIGGER AND MORE VERSATILE THAN BEFORE, OUR LONG-TERM, ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, 2013 RAV 4, IN LIMITED TRIM, IS EXCEEDING EVEN OUR EXPECTATIONS IN COMFORT, UTILITY, AND EVEN ECONOMY.

IN ECO MODE WE'RE AVERAGING 27.3 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR AFTER TWO MONTHS OF THE DAILY GRIND, AND THAT'S PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

THE ODOMETER HAS PASSED 8,000 MILES AND THERE HAS BEEN NARY A HICCUP IN QUALITY.

A FEW LAMENT THE LOSS OF A THIRD ROW OPTION IN THE NEW DESIGN, BUT IT REALLY WASN'T THAT USEFUL.

SO, OUR RAVES FOR THE RAV4 CONTINUE.

THE 2013 HONDA ACCORD COMPETES IN ANOTHER HEAVILY POPULATED SEGMENT, THE MID-SIZE FAMILY SEDAN.

BUT IT DOES SO WITH A LONGER HISTORY OF MEETING ITS OWNER'S NEEDS THAN ANY RIVAL.

AND THAT INCLUDES MINDING THE FAMILY BUDGET.

EVEN WITHOUT A LOT OF TECHNO-POWERTRAIN MAGIC OUR ACCORD 4-CYLINDER IS RETURNING A FINE 28.8 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR.

AT 10,600 MILES AND 3 MONTHS, THE ONLY ISSUE WE'VE NOTICED IS A SHUTTER IN THE CVT TRANNY WHEN COLD.

BUT IT DISAPPEARS COMPLETELY WHEN THINGS HEAT UP.

OUR HONDA ACCORD EX-L NAV SEDAN IS A GREAT WAY TO CARRY THE FAMILY TO JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE.

WHEN IT COMES TO CARRYING LARGE INANIMATE OBJECTS, HOWEVER, OUR CURRENT FAVORITE IS THE RAM 1500.

MUCH HAS BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT THE RAM'S PAIRING OF A GAS V6 AND 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND IF IT'S UP TO FULL-SIZE TRUCK EXPECTATIONS.

SO WE'VE ADDED THIS QUAD CAB 4X4 TO OUR FLEET TO FIND OUT.

STAY TUNED.

WE'LL TUNE IN TO THE LATE SUMMER TRAVELS OF OUR WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER 33C ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

NOW LET'S SWITCH GEARS AND TURN THINGS OVER TO YOLANDA VAZQUEZ WITH ALL THE LATEST MOTORNEWS.

Yolanda Vazquez: FINALLY SOME GOOD NEWS TO REPORT FROM THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY.

A HALF DOZEN SMALL CARS HAVE EARNED HIGH MARKS IN THEIR SMALL OVERLAP FRONT CRASH TEST.

THE SIX VEHICLES INCLUDE: THE HONDA CIVIC; BOTH COUPE AND SEDAN DODGE DART FORD FOCUS HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND SCION TC.

ALL EARNED "GOOD" OR "ACCEPTABLE" RATINGS FOR THE SMALL OVERLAP FRONT CRASH TEST.

THEY ALSO EARNED THE INSTITUTE'S HIGHEST OVERALL RATING OF TOP SAFETY PICK PLUS.

TWO CHEVY'S; THE SONIC AND CRUZE, AS WELL AS THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE, SCORED MARGINAL, WHILE THE NISSAN SENTRA, AND BOTH THE KIA FORTE AND SOUL WERE RATED POOR.

AND IN ANOTHER SERIES OF TESTS, THE HONDA ODYSSEY WAS THE ONLY MINIVAN TO REACH TOP SAFETY PICK PLUS STATUS AFTER GARNERING A "GOOD" SCORE IN A SMALL OFFSET CRASH.

THE SMALL-OVERLAP TEST SIMULATES HITTING A NARROW OBSTACLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER, AVOIDING MUCH OF THE FRONT CRASH STRUCTURE BUILT INTO MODERN CARS.

WHILE THE FAMED PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS IS ALL ABOUT CLASSIC CARS, CADILLAC GRABBED HEADLINES OF ITS OWN WITH A PEEK INTO ITS FUTURE.

SAY HELLO TO THE CADILLAC ELMIRAJ CONCEPT.

THIS TWO DOOR GRAND COUPE HINTS AT DESIGN CUES FOR A NEW FLAGSHIP CADILLAC.

THE POWERTRAIN IS RUMORED TO BE A 500 HORSEPOWER 4.5 LITER TWIN TURBO V8 ON REAR WHEEL DRIVE ARCHITECTURE.

NO WORD IF THIS "S-CLASS" RIVAL WILL ACTUALLY REACH PRODUCTION OR JUST REMAIN A MIRAGE.

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

FULL-SIZE SEDANS USED TO BE THE BEST-SELLING CARS IN THE LAND.

FOR DECADES, THEY DEFINED THE AMERICAN FAMILY CAR.

BUT AS FUEL PRICES ROSE, AND MID-SIZE CARS GOT ROOMIER, FULL-SIZE POPULARITY SHIFTED TO THE FLEET AND RENTAL MARKETS.

BUT THAT'S CHANGING AGAIN, AS CARMAKERS NOW SEEK TO ELEVATE BIG FOUR-DOORS BACK TO FLAGSHIP STATUS.

SO, WITH SEVERAL NEW FULL-SIZE SEDANS HAVING JUST ARRIVED, IT'S A GOOD TIME TO JUDGE WHICH ONES SHOW OFF THEIR BRANDS THE BEST.

ONCE AGAIN WE'VE TEAMED UP WITH CARS.COM AND USATODAY FOR THIS FULL-SIZE AUTOMOTIVE CHALLENGE.

AND IF NOTHING ELSE, THESE SEDANS ARE PROOF THAT MOST CARMAKERS ARE BACK TO MAKING MONEY AGAIN AND PUTTING THAT MONEY TO GOOD USE; TAKING THEIR BRANDS IN NEW DIRECTIONS, OFFERING MORE FEATURES THAN EVER BEFORE, AND PUTTING MORE EMPHASIS ON COMFORT AND STYLE.

AMONG THIS GROUP OF 5-ADULT SIZED FOUR-DOORS ARE SOME FRONT DRIVERS AND SOME REAR-WHEEL DRIVERS; BUT ALL FEATURE COMPETITIVE V6 POWER, HAVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, AND RESPECT OUR PRICE CAP OF $38,000.

WE STAGED OUR COMPARISON IN THE CHICAGO AREA, WHERE WE WERE JOINED BY BILL WEGNER, A MID-WESTERNER WITH A DISCERNING EYE FOR BIG, COMFORTABLE CARS.

SO, LET'S MEET OUR CONTESTANTS AND GET TO IT.

STARTING WITH THE NEWEST DESIGN OF THE BUNCH, THE 2014 CHEVROLET IMPALA.

NEXT UP, THE BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL 2013 CHRYSLER 300.

AND ITS PLATFORM MATE, THE 2013 DODGE CHARGER.

THE 2014 FORD TAURUS GOT A REFRESH JUST LAST YEAR.

WHILE THE 2013 HYUNDAI AZERA IS ONE YEAR REMOVED FROM A COMPLETE REDESIGN.

BY FAR THE OLDEST DESIGN IN THE GROUP COMES FROM NISSAN, THE 2013 MAXIMA.

AND THAT LEAVES THE ALWAYS COMFORTABLE, BUT NOW MUCH MORE DYNAMIC LOOKING 2013 TOYOTA AVALON.

FOR A FULL BREAKDOWN OF SCORING AND SPECS, HEAD TO CARS.COM.

BUT FOR NOW, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT OUR TOP FOUR FINISHERS.

WITH ITS ULTRA-AGGRESSIVE APPEARANCE, THANKS TO THE "BLACKTOP PACKAGE" THAT ADDS A BLACKED-OUT TREATMENT TO THE EXTERIOR, SPORTY ELEMENTS TO THE INTERIOR, AND A FEW MORE PONIES TO THE 3.6-LITER V6 8-SPEED COMBO THANKS TO A FREER FLOWING EXHAUST, THE DODGE CHARGER SXT PLUS CHARGED ITS WAY TO FOURTH.

AT $37,910, IT WAS THE SECOND MOST EXPENSIVE CAR IN OUR TEST, BUT AT 23 MILES-PER-GALLON COMBINED, FUEL ECONOMY WAS MID PACK.

IN ADDITION TO THE TOUGH LOOK, OUR TESTERS LOVED THIS REAR-DRIVER'S ON-ROAD PERFORMANCE.

Bill Wegner: THE DODGE CHARGER SURPRISED ME.

I'M REALLY NOT MUCH OF A RACER OR A HOT ROD KIND OF GUY, BUT I LOVED STEPPIN' ON THE GAS AND HEARIN' THE 300-HORSES COMIN' OUT OF THE EXHAUST.

MAKES A NICE SOUND.

AND THE 20-INCH TIRES AND WHEELS SEEMED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Fred Meier: THE CHARGER WAS THE BRASHEST LOOKING CAR IN THIS GROUP.

IT HAD THE MOST AGGRESSIVE LOOKS OUTSIDE, THE BLACKED OUT WHEELS, HAS A VERY SPORTY COCKPIT.

John: THE HYUNDAI AZERA USED THE TYPICAL HYUNDAI FORMULA OF HIGH CONTENT, LOW PRICE TO GARNER THIRD PLACE.

DESPITE BEING POWERED BY A 3.3-LITER V6; THE SMALLEST ENGINE HERE, HORSEPOWER IS COMPARABLE AT 293 AND 23-COMBINED FUEL ECONOMY IS THE SAME AS THE CHARGER, DESPITE HAVING TWO LESS GEARS IN ITS 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION.

BUT WHERE HYUNDAI IS REALLY SHAKING UP THE SEGMENT IS WITH DESIGN.

Brian Robinson: BOTH THE EXTERIOR AND THE INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE AZERA MIGHT BE A LITTLE OUT THERE FOR THE SEGMENT, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO BRINGING IN THAT ELUSIVE YOUNGER BUYER, THIS IS PROBABLY THE ONE TO DO IT.

Kristen Varela: JUST LIKE CERTAIN BRANDS OF SHOES FIT CERTAIN PEOPLE BETTER, THE HYUNDAI AZERA, FOR ME, WAS A REALLY GOOD FIT.

IT HAD THAT RIGHT BLEND OF COMFORTABLE RIDE QUALITY ALONG WITH RESPONSIVE DRIVING.

I ACTUALLY FOUND MYSELF MAKING UP EXCUSES TO STAY IN IT A LITTLE BIT LONGER.

John: THE CHRYSLER 300 PLAYED A BIG PART IN BRINGING AMERICAN FULL-SIZE CARS BACK INTO STYLE WHEN ITS REAR-WHEEL DRIVE CHASSIS ARRIVED FOR 2005.

OUR SECOND-PLACE FINISHING 300S FEATURED 3.6-LITER V6 POWER AND AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT PROVIDED 23 MILES-PER-GALLON COMBINED.

PRICE CAME IN JUST UNDER OUR CEILING AT $37,925, MAKING IT THE PRICIEST CAR OF THE BUNCH.

BUT THAT MONEY BUYS A LOT OF COMFORT AND LUXURY.

Fred: THE 300 HAS A GREAT BOULEVARD RIDE.

IT IS VERY QUIET.

IT IS THE EPITOME OF A LARGE REAR DRIVE SEDAN IN ALL WAYS.

Brian: THE CHRYSLER 300 STILL LOOKS GOOD INSIDE AND OUT; AND THE RECENT REDESIGN HAS HELPED IT LOOK LESS GANGSTER AND MORE CLASSY.

John: THAT LEAVES OUR WINNER, THE CHEVROLET IMPALA.

MORE THAN ANY OTHER VEHICLE IN THIS COMPARISON, IT HAS SEEN A DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION, FROM BASIC FLEET CAR TO HIGH-STYLED CRUISER.

ITS 3.6-LITER V6 AND 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC PROVIDED GOOD POWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS, BUT COMBINED FUEL ECONOMY IS THE LOWEST OF THE FINAL FOUR AT 22.

PRICE CAME IN AT $35,770, AND THAT'S THE SECOND LOWEST IN THE COMPETITION.

Jennifer Newman: THE IMPALA'S 3.6-LITER V6 ENGINE IS THE MOST POWERFUL OF THE GROUP, AND IT SHOWS, ESPECIALLY IN HIGHWAY DRIVING, WHERE MERGING IS A BREEZE.

Kelsey Mays: THE IMPALA MARRIES RIDE AND HANDLING VERY, VERY WELL.

IT'S A HAPPY MARRIAGE IN THIS CASE.

THE CAR RIDES EXCELLENTLY, POSSIBLY THE BEST IN CLASS.

OVERALL, A PRETTY GOOD PACKAGE.

John: THESE FULL-BODIED BEAUTIES MAY NOT BE FOR THE AVERAGE FAMILY ANYMORE, BUT THEY ARE ALL TOPS FOR THEIR BRANDS IN COMFORT AND ROOM TO SPREAD OUT.

AND WHILE THEY EACH BRING A UNIQUE TAKE TO THE SEGMENT, IN THIS COMPETITION, WHERE SUBSTANCE MATTERED JUST AS MUCH AS STYLE, IT REALLY WASN'T EVEN CLOSE.

THE CHEVROLET IMPALA WAS OUR RUNAWAY WINNER.

WELL, I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AGAIN FOR MORE MOTORWEEK , WHEN WE DIVE HEAD-ON INTO THE EXCITING NEW CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY.

THEN IN TOW, IT'S TOYOTA'S NEW TUNDRA FULL-SIZE PICKUP.

UNTIL THEN, 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.

AND BY... 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.

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