2014 North American International Auto Show

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

JOIN US FOR EVERYTHING THAT'S SHINY AND NEW AT DETROIT'S 2014 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW.

PAT GOSS FINDS A PAL TO HELP WITH THOSE COSTLY REPAIRS.

BRIAN ROBINSON SEES IF THE NEWEST KAWASAKI NINJA IS STILL A DEADLY WEAPON.

AND WE'LL FLY DOWN THE ROAD IN THE BENTLEY FLYING SPUR.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

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

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... AHH!

OHH.

UHH.

Monk: YOU MAY ASK ONE QUESTION.

WHICH TIRE CATEGORY SHOULD I CHOOSE TO GET THE MOST COMFORTABLE RIDE?

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 MANUFACRERS.

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.

DIEHARD.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.

John Davis: IT'S TIME ONCE AGAIN FOR THE CAR WORLD TO TREK TO DETROIT FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW.

AND FOR 2014, THERE'S MORE THAT'S EXCITING AND INNOVATIVE THAN EVER!

SO LET'S CHECK OUT THIS YEAR'S HEADLINERS FROM THE MOTOR CITY.

OUTSIDE DETROIT'S COBO HALL TEMPS WERE NEAR FREEZING, BUT INSIDE, THE ATMOSPHERE WAS HOT WITH EXCITEMENT, AS FORD UNVEILED THE 13TH-GENERATION OF AMERICA'S BEST SELLING VEHICLE, THE 2015 FORD F-150.

THIS NEW F-150 REINVENTS THE FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK WITH ITS FIRST TIME ALL-ALUMINUM BODY.

THAT, PLUS MORE HIGH STRENGTH STEEL IN THE FRAME, CUT WEIGHT BY UP TO 700 POUNDS.

THERE ARE FOUR ENGINES AVAILABLE, TWO WITH ECOBOOST POWER, INCLUDING AN ALL-NEW 2.7-LITER TURBOCHARGED V6.

DETROIT ALSO CELEBRATED THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FORD MUSTANG WITH THE FIRST PUBLIC SHOWING OF THE ALL-NEW 2015 EDITION.

IT BLENDS CLASSIC PROPORTIONS WITH MODERN STYLING, POWER, AND STANDARD INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION.

A NEW TURBO-4 WILL LEAD IN FUEL ECONOMY WITH BOTH V6 AND V8 ALSO IN THE ARSENAL.

DETROIT SHOWED THE PRODUCTION LINCOLN MKC COMPACT CROSSOVER.

WHILE BASED ON FORD'S ESCAPE, IT CLEARLY LOOKS DIFFERENT, AND ITS UNIQUE 2.3-LITER ECOBOOST ENGINE WILL ENSURE IT DRIVES THAT WAY.

DETROIT'S RED HOT FEVER CONTINUED AT CHEVROLET.

FOLLOWING LAST YEAR'S DEBUT OF THE C7 CORVETTE STINGRAY IS THIS YEAR'S EQUALLY ANTICIPATED ZO6.

WITH 625-PLUS HORSEPOWER, THE ZO6 WAS DEVELOPED ALONGSIDE THE C7.R RACE CAR AND SHARES MANY OF ITS BRUTISH CUES.

GENERAL MOTORS RE-ENTERS THE SMALL PICKUP MARKET WITH A TWOSOME.

UNVEILED IN L.A., THE MID-SIZE 2015 CHEVROLET COLORADO HAS A DECIDEDLY SPORTY FLAIR TO SEPARATE IT FROM BIG BROTHER SILVERADO.

MEANWHILE, THE MECHANICALLY SIMILAR GMC CANYON MADE ITS BIG SPLASH HERE LOOKING BOTH MORE SERIOUS AND MORE EXPENSIVE.

THE EVEN BETTER NEWS, HOWEVER, IS THAT A DIESEL OPTION IS DUE IN A YEAR.

CADILLAC LOOKS TO CONTINUE ITS STRING OF SUCCESSFUL LAUNCHES WITH THIS ATS COUPE.

WITH ULTRA-CLEAN LINES AND TECH LADEN INTERIOR, THE ATS COUPE PROMISES THE SAME SUPERB ROAD MANNERS AS THE SEDAN, WHILE ADDING EVEN MORE LUXURY.

THE "MADE IN DETROIT" SAGA CONTINUES WITH THE UNVEILING OF AN ALL-NEW CHRYSLER 200 MID-SIZE FAMILY SEDAN.

A CRITICAL CAR FOR CHRYSLER, THE 200 SHOWS THE BRAND'S NEW FACE WHILE SHARING ITS ALFA-BASED CHASSIS WITH THE DODGE DART AND JEEP CHEROKEE.

STYLING, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT, BORDER ON GORGEOUS, WITH 4 AND 6-CYLINDER POWER, A 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR 35 MPG ECONOMY, AND A SUPER-EFFICIENT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE OPTION.

WHILE THIS IS DETROIT'S BIG SHOW, THE 2014 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW DRAWS THOUSANDS OF PRESS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

AND THERE'S PLENTY OF GLOBAL CAR NEWS TO MAKE THEIR TRIP WORTHWHILE.

SO STAY TUNED FOR MORE FROM MOTOWN LATER IN THIS EDITION OF MOTORWEEK .

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO KANSAS, AND TO RENZENBERGER, INC. A COMPANY THAT HAS PROVIDED "CREW" TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO THE NATION'S RAILROADS FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS.

WHEN FUEL PRICES SPIKED, RENZENBERGER LOOKED TO PROPANE TO HELP CONTROL COSTS.

THIS YEAR THEIR FLEET ADDED 20 PROPANE-GASOLINE FORD E-350 PASSENGER VANS CONVERTED WITH THE ICOM JTG SYSTEM.

THE BI-FUEL "ROAD SERVICE" VANS HAUL RAILROAD CREWS 24/7.

THE COMPANY ALSO BUILT THIS ONSITE PROPANE FILLING STATION.

Tom Wurdack: AS WE REPLACE UNITS, IF WE LIKE WHAT WE SEE AND THE MODEL PANS OUT, WE'LL CONTINUE TO PUSH PROPANE AS A PRIMARY MOTOR FUEL FOR NOW, AND IN THE FUTURE.

John: THE KANSAS CITY REGIONAL CLEAN CITIES COALITION HELPED RENZENBERGER WITH TECHNICAL TRAINING AND RESOURCES.

THE COMPANY IS SAVING NEARLY $2 A GALLON BY USING PROPANE.

THEY ALSO LIKE THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF THE CLEANER-BURNING FUEL.

SO, RIDING THE RAILS IN THE SUNFLOWER STATE JUST GOT A LITTLE BIT GREENER.

THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT STYLES OF POWERED TWO-WHEELED TRANSPORTATION, FROM MOPEDS TO HARLEYS.

BUT EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT INTO MOTORCYCLES, MOST KNOW THE KAWASAKI NINJA NAME IS SYNONYMOUS FOR A RIDING MACHINE DESIGNED TO DO ONE THING ABOVE ALL ELSE...GO FAST!

SO, WHEN THE CHANCE CAME FOR OUR TWO-WHEELIN' SANSEI BRIAN ROBINSON TO CHECK OUT THAT LATEST TO WEAR THE LEGENDARY WARRIOR'S TITLE, HE GEARED UP IN A FLASH.

Brian Robinson: IN 1972, KAWASAKI SHIFTED THE SPORT-BIKE WORLD INTO A WHOLE NEW GEAR WITH THE Z1.

AND EVER SINCE, THEY'VE KEPT THE THROTTLE PINNED BY UNLEASHING A STEADY STREAM OF STREET GOING TRACK WEAPONS.

THIS ZX-6R IS THE LATEST.

THE 2013 EDITION OF THE KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-6R IS ALL-NEW AND LOOKING TO SLICE ITS WAY THROUGH THE MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORT BIKE COMPETITION, AND PACKING THE BIGGEST ENGINE IN THE CLASS IS ALWAYS A GOOD WAY TO START.

ITS 636CC ENGINE HAS A FEW MORE CC's THAN THE TYPICAL 600 SPORT-BIKE, THUS CAN PACK IN JUST A BIT MORE MID-RANGE, WHICH IS MUCH APPRECIATED IN THE REAL WORLD RIDING THAT MOST OF US DO.

THE REST OF THE POWERTRAIN IS TYPICAL SPORT BIKE, 6-SPEEDS, AND CHAIN DRIVE.

EVEN AT LESS THAN RECORD SPEEDS, THE ZX-6R FEELS RIGHT AT HOME ON THE TRACK.

AN F.C.C.

SLIPPER CLUTCH SMOOTHES CORNER ENTRIES, NO MATTER HOW HAM-FISTED YOU ARE WITH THE CLUTCH...

...WHILE THE UNI-TRAK REAR SUSPENSION WITH GP STYLE SWINGARM USES A LONGER SHOCK, WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SHOWA BIG PISTON, SEPARATE FUNCTION FORKS TO KEEP YOU SETTLED THROUGH THE CORNER.

THERE'S MULTI-STAGE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE MAPPING TO ASSIST AS WELL.

ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE WITH A SWITCH ON THE LEFT CLIP-ON.

WHEN IT COMES TO MONITORING VITALS, DIGITAL INSTRUMENTATION IS CLEAR WITH PLENTY OF INFORMATION, AND THERE'S A NICE, BIG ANALOG TACH.

BUT LIKE MOST NINJA OWNERS WE SPENT MOST OF OUR TIME ON THE STREET, AND THE NEW NINJA EXCELS THERE AS WELL.

THE PHRASE CLIP-ONS IS RARELY USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE WORD COMFORTABLE; BUT FOR A BIKE DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO WIN RACES, IT OFFERS MORE THAN ACCEPTABLE COMFORT FOR WEEKEND RUNS.

YOUR WRISTS WILL BE THE FIRST TO FEEL THE PAIN.

THE THROTTLE IS ULTRA-RESPONSIVE, THUS CAN BE A LITTLE HERKY-JERKY, LIKE DRIVING A FERRARI IN A PARKING LOT, UNTIL YOU GET A FEEL FOR IT.

WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE NEW 636 SPORTS AN EVEN MORE PURPOSEFUL DESIGN.

LARGER OPENINGS IN THE BODYWORK ALLOW YOU TO SEE MORE OF THAT ENGINE AND THE TWIN-SPAR ALUMINUM FRAME, BUT ALSO AID IN COOLING.

TWIN HEADLIGHTS ARE HOUSED IN A SLEEKER FRONT END WITH A LARGE AIR INTAKE IN BETWEEN, TURN SIGNALS ARE MOUNTED ALMOST FLUSH, AND THE TAIL IS ABOUT AS MINIMALIST AS IT CAN BE.

THE ANGULAR SHAPED MUFFLER IS ALSO KEPT SMALL THANKS TO AN EXHAUST PRE-CHAMBER LOCATED UNDER THE BIKE.

FRONT BRAKES CONSIST OF 310MM DISCS WITH 4-PISTON CALIPERS.

WHILE IN BACK, A SINGLE PISTON CALIPER GRABS A 220.

ABS IS AVAILABLE.

AT $12,699, THAT'S WITH ABS, MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORT BIKES ARE NO LONGER THE BARGAIN THEY USED TO BE, BUT THEY ALSO PACK PERFORMANCE THAT COULD ONLY BE DREAMED ABOUT A FEW SHORT YEARS AGO.

YOU CAN SAVE A GRAND BY DOING WITHOUT THE ABS, BUT THAT'S STILL PRICIER THAN MOST IN THE SEGMENT.

ALL SPORT BIKES ARE FAST, IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT SET THEM APART, AND JUST BEING MORE POWERL IS PROBABLY NOT ENOUGH ANYMORE.

BUT THE 2013 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-6R IS MORE THAN JUST FASTER; IT'S A HIGH-TECH, HIGHLY CAPABLE STREET BIKE THAT'S TAKING THE MIDDLEWEIGHT SEGMENT TO NEW HEIGHTS.

John: PAT GOSS IS A ONE-MAN ARMY WHEN IT COMES TO CAR CARE, BUT THE REST OF US AREN'T QUITE SO SKILLED.

SO HE'S FOUND A WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU FIND THE BEST PERSON FOR THE JOB.

Pat: AS THE OWNER OF AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP, I'M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW CUSTOMERS.

AND IT'S BENEFICIAL IF THAT NEW CUSTOMER HAS A GOOD IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN THEY COME TO SEE US.

WELL, TO HELP IN THAT PROCESS, WE'VE SIGNED ON WITH REPAIR PAL.

AND TO EXPLAIN WHAT REPAIR PAL IS ALL ABOUT, WE HAVE BRETT BODAS FROM REPAIR PAL.

BRETT, WELCOME TO GOSS' GARAGE.

Brett: HI, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

Pat: ALRIGHT, GIVE US AN IDEA HERE OF WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

Brett: SO WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE IS THE REPAIR PRICE ESTIMATOR ON OUR WEBSITE.

WHAT THIS DOES IS IT HELPS CONSUMERS UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH THEY SHOULD EXPECT TO PAY FOR A CAR REPAIR.

UP UNTIL NOW, THEY'VE UNDERSTOOD HOW TO FIND INFORMATION ON HOW MUCH TO PAY FOR THEIR CAR, BUT NOT HOW MUCH TO PAY FOR REPAIRS.

SO WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE TAKEN A LOT OF INDUSTRY DATA, PLUS INFORMATION FROM MY TEAM, AND WE'VE CREATED A NICE LAYOUT HERE OF HOW MUCH THEY SHOULD EXPECT TO PAY.

THERE'S A BREAKDOWN OF THE PARTS AND LABOR, THERE'S INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT PARTS ARE USED, AND THERE'S INFORMATION ABOUT THE BEST PRACTICES THAT THE BEST SHOPS USE, AND ALSO WHAT COMMON SYMPTOMS THEY WOULD EXPECT TO SEE ALONG WITH THIS REPAIR.

Pat: SO THEY'RE ACTUALLY WRITING THEIR OWN ESTIMATE.

Brett: THAT'S RIGHT.

TO SOME EXTENT THEY ARE GETTING THE SAME INFORMATION YOU WOULD HAVE WHEN YOU CREATE AN ESTIMATE FOR THAT CUSTOMER.

Pat: OKAY.

SO NOW THEY'VE GOT GOOD INFORMATION.

HOW DO THEY GO ABOUT FINDING A SHOP?

Brett: SO HERE'S THE MOST EXCITING PART ABOUT WHAT WE DO AT REPAIR PAL.

WE'VE CREATED THE TOP SHOP NETWORK.

AND EACH TOP SHOP IN OUR NETWORK AGREES TO STAND BEHIND THEIR WORK WITH AT LEAST A ONE YEAR AND 12,000 MILE WARRANTY.

WE INTERVIEW THEM AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE TECHNICIANS THAT ARE EXPERIENCED AND TRAINED AND CERTIFIED IN THEIR SHOP.

MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND INFORMATION THEY NEED TO PERFORM THEIR JOBS.

EACH SHOP AGREES TO CHARGE NO MORE THAN WHAT YOU SEE HERE ON THE REPAIR PRICE ESTIMATOR, SO THEY'RE GUARANTEEING A FAIR PRICE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS.

AND ONE OF THE LAST FEATURES, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT, IS WE INTERVIEW YOUR CUSTOMERS AND WE MAKE SURE YOU'RE EXECUTING ON ALL OF THESE THINGS AND THAT THEY'RE VERY HAPPY WITH THE EXPERIENCE AT YOUR SHOP.

Pat: SO, MY CUSTOMERS ARE DRIVING MY DESTINY?

Brett: YOUR CUSTOMERS HAVE A BIG PART IN SAYING WHETHER YOU ARE A TOP SHOP OR NOT, THAT'S CORRECT.

Pat: OKAY.

WELL, I AM IMPRESSED.

BRETT, THANK YOU.

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

John: LET'S MOTOR ON BACK TO DETROIT FOR MORE FROM THE 2014 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW.

PRESS DAYS KICK OFF WITH THE 21ST ANNUAL NORTH AMERICAN CAR AND TRUCK/ UTILITY OF THE YEAR AWARDS.

49 JOURNALISTS CAST SECRET BALLOTS TO PICK THE YEAR'S TOP MODELS.

AND IT WAS A CLEAN SWEEP FOR THE GENERAL AS THE REDESIGNED CHEVROLET SILVERADO WAS NAMED 2014 NORTH AMERICAN TRUCK/UTILITY OF THE YEAR, AND THE CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY WAS FAR AND AWAY THE FAVORITE FOR 2014 NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR.

BOTH VEHICLES, CLEAR PROOF THAT GM AND DETROIT ARE BACK!

BUT IMPORT BRANDS WERE BUSY MAKING MOTOWN HISTORY, TOO.

AMERICAN HONDA SHOWED TWO CRITICAL NEW CARS; THE SLEEKER, LIGHTER, THIRD GENERATION HONDA FIT SUBCOMPACT FINALLY ARRIVES HERE.

SAME SIZE OUTSIDE, BUT LARGER INSIDE, THE FIT'S CLEVER FOLDING REAR MAGIC SEAT CONTINUES, BUT WITH NEW "EARTH DREAMS" 1.5 LITER POWER THAT RATES 41 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY.

OVER AT ACURA, THIS TLX SEDAN CONCEPT WILL REPLACE BOTH THE MID-SIZE TL AND COMPACT TSX WHEN IT ARRIVES FOR REAL.

WITH MILDLY RACIER BODYWORK, ACURA CALLS IT "ATHLETIC", 4 AND V6 ENGINES, AN 8-SPEED DCT TRANSMISSION, AND SUPER HANDLING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

IT LOOKS READY TO GO FAST.

BUT THE RACIEST NEW CAR AT DETROIT IS THE TOYOTA FT-1.

A SPORTS CAR CONCEPT CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF THE U.S. CALTY DESIGN STUDIO.

TOYOTA SAYS THAT IF THE PUBLIC LIKES ITS SNARKY, TRACK-FOCUSED, FR-S ON STEROIDS LOOK, THAT MUCH OF THIS "FUTURE TOYOTA" COULD END UP ON A NEW SPORTY MODEL, PERHAPS A CELICA OR SUPRA.

TOYOTA'S LUXURY BRAND LEXUS ALSO PLAYED WITH OUR PERFORMANCE HEADS WITH THIS RC F COUPE.

A 450-HORSE V8 VERSION OF THE REAR DRIVE RC COUPE SHOWED IN TOKYO.

RIVAL INFINITI ALSO MADE V8 PERFORMANCE NEWS WITH THIS TANTALIZING Q50 EAU ROUGE CONCEPT.

SPORTING FORMULA 1-INSPIRED BODYWORK, THIS RED ROCKET LOOKS READY TO LAUNCH.

MEANWHILE, PARENT NISSAN PROVIDED EXCITEMENT WITH HINT OF SLICK THINGS TO COME.

THIS SPORT SEDAN CONCEPT BREAKS AWAY FROM THE STAID STYLING OF CURRENT NISSAN SEDANS.

WITH ITS LONG HOOD, "V-MOTION" FRONT FASCIA, PINCHED SIDE PANELS, AND HIGH REAR DECK, THIS NEW COUP-ISH STYLING DIRECTION WOULD PUT SOME REAL ZING INTO NISSAN'S MAXIMA FOUR-DOOR.

SUBARU IS SHARPENING UP ITS TOP SPORT SEDAN WITH AN ALL NEW WRX STI.

PACKING 305 SUPERCHARGED FLAT-FOUR POWER, IT ARRIVES WITH A SLICK SHIFTING 6-SPEED MANUAL ONLY, AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE WITH A NEW DRIVER CONTROLLED CENTER DIFFERENTIAL.

EVO OWNERS LOOKOUT!

ECHOING THE BLUNT FRONT END OF LAST YEAR'S HCD-14 CONCEPT, HYUNDAI UNVEILED THEIR ALL-NEW REAR-WHEEL DRIVE GENESIS SEDAN.

LARGER, THE FIVE PASSENGER INTERIOR IS CLEARLY MORE LUXURIOUS, BUT POWER SHOULD REMAIN KING WITH REVISED V6 AND V8S.

AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC ALSO RETURNS BUT WITH A FIRST TIME ALL-WHEEL DRIVE OPTION.

SISTER BRAND KIA ALSO SHOWED SPIRITED HARDWARE, BUT WITH ONLY 2+2 SEATING.

THIS GT4 STINGER SPORTS CAR CONCEPT.

WITH ITS WHEEL ARCH STYLING SPORTING LED HEADLIGHTS, ATOP A 315-HORSEPOWER TURBO-4 REAR-WHEEL DRIVE LAYOUT, WITH LIGHTWEIGHT DOUBLE WISHBONE SUSPENSION, WE HOPE THISIMPLE, PURPOSEFUL, EXCITING EFFORT IS MORE THAN JUST A SHOW CAR.

BUILDING ON RAVE REVIEWS FOR THE CLA45 AMG SEDAN, MERCEDES-BENZ APPLIES A SIMILAR TREATMENT TO ITS SMALLEST CROSSOVER WITH THE GLA45 AMG.

WITH 355 HORSEPOWER AND A 0 TO 60 OF UNDER FIVE SECONDS, THIS IS ONE FAST PEOPLE MOVER.

NOT LOSING SIGHT OF ITS BREAD-AND-BUTTER, AN ALL-NEW C-CLASS SEDAN ALSO ARRIVED.

MIMICKING THE STYLING OF THE FLAGSHIP S-CLASS, THE LARGER "C" BRINGS FLOWING LINES AND HUNKERED DOWN ATTITUDE TO MERCEDES' MOST POPULAR MODEL.

NOW THAT BMW HAS RE-ALIGNED ITS NUMBERINGS STRATEGY, EVEN FOR COUPES AND ODD FOR SEDANS, THEY BROUGHT THE NEW 2-SERIES COUPE TO AN AUTO SHOW FOR THE FIRST TIME.

LIKE THE 1-SERIES BEFORE IT, THE COMPACT "TWO" REMAINS REAR DRIVE, BUT ADDS MORE EXPRESSIVE STYLING.

AMERICA GETS TWO TURBOCHARGED MODELS; THE 245-HORSEPOWER 228I AND 326 HORSEPOWER M235I, THE FIRM'S FIRST M PERFORMANCE MODEL SOLD HERE.

TWO MORE TRADITIONAL M-TUNED CARS ARRIVED FOR DETROIT, THE M3 SEDAN AND M4 COUPE.

BOTH SPORTING A 431-HORSEPOWER TURBO STRAIGHT SIX AND ALL THE TRACK-READY M-HARDWARE THEIR TUNER DIVISION IS KNOWN FOR.

BMW'S MINI BRAND LAUNCHED THE THIRD GENERATION OF THE "NEW" MINI HARDTOP WITH A SPECIAL JOHN COOPER WORKS CONCEPT.

THIS "ORIGINAL" MINI, ARRIVING IN SPRING, IS SLIGHTLY LARGER WITH TWO ENGINES, A NEW TURBOCHARGED 3-CYLINDER STANDARD, AND TURBO-4 FOR THE S MODEL.

GIANT VOLKSWAGEN LOOKS READY TO STICK ITS TIRES IN THE SAND WITH THE BEETLE DUNE CONCEPT.

THIS CROSSOVER MEETS BUG HAS ADDED GROUND CLEARANCE AND RUGGED INTERIOR FABRICS.

IF THIS DUNE "BUGGIE" WHETS YOUR APPETITE YOU JUST MIGHT BE ABLE TO BUY IT IN A YEAR OR TWO.

AUDI MADE IT OFFICIAL; THE Q3 CROSSOVER IS COMING TO AMERICA.

USING THE SAME STRUCTURE AS THE VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN, IT WILL DO BATTLE WITH THE BMW X1 AND MERCEDES-BENZ GLA WHEN IT ARRIVES THIS FALL.

THIS AUDI ALLROAD SHOOTING BRAKE CONCEPT IS A LITTLE FURTHER INTO THE FUTURE WITH ITS E-TRON PLUG-IN HYBRID POWERTRAIN AND AGGRESSIVE STANCE.

THE 2-DOOR WAGON'S SIZE IS VERY CLOSE TO THE CURRENT AUDI TT COUPE.

AUDI ALSO SHOWED A BOLDER A8 AND S8.

WITH MORE POWER, TECH, AND LUXURY, LED HEADLIGHTS ARE STANDARD.

PORSCHE COMPLETED THE ROLLOUT OF THE NEWEST 911 WITH A TARGA 4 AND 4S.

WITH ITS STAINLESS STEEL TARGA BAR, A THROWBACK SLIDING FABRIC ROOF PANEL, NOW AUTOMATIC, THAT STOWS UNDER A PIVOTING BACK GLASS, THE TARGAS ARE FOR THE FIRST TIME EXCLUSIVELY ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

FINALLY, VOLVO CAME TO PLAY IN THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ARENA WITH THE CONCEPT XC COUPE.

ITS MODERN SCANDINAVIAN STYLING, AND PLUG-IN HYBRID POWERTRAIN, MAY ALL TRANSLATE INTO THE NEXT XC90 CROSSOVER.

SPECTACULAR IS THE ONLY WORD LEFT TO SUM UP THE 2014 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW.

SEE YA HERE NEXT YEAR!

YOU DON'T HAVE TO COUNT YOURSELF AMONG THE ONE-PERCENTERS TO KNOW THAT THE BENTLEY BRAND PRODUCES EXTRAORDINARILY FINE AUTOMOBILES.

THAT INCLUDES THIS NEW FLYING SPUR.

IT'S A CAR THAT PROMISES UNCOMPROMISING FOUR-DOOR LUXURY, ALONG WITH UNBRIDLED PERFORMANCE.

SO FOR THE NEXT FEW MINUTES, LET'S PRETEND THAT OUR POCKETS ARE DEEP ENOUGH TO SEE IF THE FLYING SPUR KEEPS ITS PROMISES.

DESPITE THE UPS AND DOWNS OF OUR ECONOMY, THE WORLD-WIDE DEMAND FOR HIGH-END LUXURY CARS HAS NOT DIMINISHED.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE CHINESE MARKET AND THEIR INCREASING DESIRE FOR "WESTERN" LUXURY GOODS.

AND THAT'S A PERFECT CLIMATE FOR THE 2014 BENTLEY FLYING SPUR.

BENTLEY HAS TRIED HARD TO REESTABLISH ITS CREDENTIALS AS A LUXURY PERFORMANCE BRAND.

BUT THIS FLYING SPUR SHOWS THEY HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN POTENTIAL BUYERS WHO PREFER TO ENJOY THEIR BENTLEY FROM THE BACKSEAT, LETTING A CHAUFFEUR TAKE CARE OF THE DRIVING.

SO, IN THAT VAIN, THE LATEST CONTINENTAL-BASED FLYING SPUR DROPS THE CONTINENTAL NAME, AS WELL AS SOFTENS THE RIDE, TO HEIGHTEN ITS OVERALL PRESTIGE APPEAL.

BUT THAT ASIDE, IT'S STILL A CONTINENTAL UNDER THE HOOD, WHERE YOU'LL FIND THE UPDATED TWIN-TURBO W12 ENGINE IN ALL OF ITS GLORY, CRANKING OUT 616-HORSEPOWER AND 590 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

IF YOU'VE EVER HAD A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE TSUNAMI OF TORQUE THAT CAN BE UNLEASHED FROM THIS ENGINE, YOUR LIFE MAY NEVER BE THE SAME.

IT IS A TIDAL WAVE OF POWER, YET IT'S DELIVERED IN SUCH A SMOOTH MANNER IT FEELS LIKE A TRUE MIRACLE OF ENGINEERING.

THE 8-SPEED PADDLE SHIFT AUTOMATIC IS EQUALLY UNOBTRUSIVE, EXPERTLY DELIVERING POWER TO ALL FOUR WHEELS WITH A NOMINAL 40/60 SPLIT.

THOUGH THE FLYING SPUR IS 116-POUNDS LIGHTER THAN THE PREVIOUS CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR, IT STILL WEIGHS IN AT 5,451-POUNDS.

THAT TONNAGE, PLUS POT HOLE TAMING SUSPENSION TUNING, MIGHT MAKE IT HARD TO EVER BE CALLED "FUN TO DRIVE."

YET, WITH THE ADJUSTABLE DAMPERS SET TO THEIR SPORTIEST MODE, WE STILL FOUND THE FLYING SPUR QUITE AGILE, WITH A HUGE AMOUNT OF GRIP AND STEERING THAT'S VERY LINEAR AND PRECISE.

AND, OFF THE LINE, IT LUNGES TO 60 IN JUST 4.5-SECONDS, AND STREAKS TO THE END OF THE QUARTER-MILE IN 12.8 AT 106 MILES-PER-HOUR.

PERFORMANCE ASIDE, BENTLEY IS WELL AWARE THAT THEIR OWNERS PREFER NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING THAT'S NOT WRAPPED IN LEATHER, COVERED IN WOOD, OR PLATED IN METAL.

SO BUYERS OF THIS CAR WILL FEEL RIGHT AT HOME BEHIND THE FLYING SPUR'S 2-TONE 3-SPOKE STEERING WHEEL.

THOUGH WELL-CRAFTED, THE FRONT SEATS ARE NOT AS COMFORTABLE AS WE'VE COME ACCUSTOMED TO IN A BENTLEY, BUT THAT PLAYS WELL WITH THE CHAUFFEUR DRIVEN IMAGE OF THE FLYING SPUR.

THOSE THAT DO PREFER TO LEAVE THE STEERING WHEEL, THROTTLE, AND BRAKE TO SOMEONE ELSE, AND RELAX OR BE ENTERTAINED IN THE WELL-APPOINTED REAR SEAT AREA, STILL CONTROL EVERYTHING ELSE THANKS TO A NEW TOUCHSCREEN REMOTE.

MANY CUSTOM OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE OF COURSE FOR THE INSIDE AS WELL AS THE OUTSIDE, WHICH BRINGS US TO OUR TEST CAR'S DAMSON PURPLE PAINT.

WITH OUR OFFICES BEING LOCATED IN THE SAME TOWN AS THE BALTIMORE RAVENS TRAINING FACILITY, MORE THAN ONE RUBBERNECKER WAS STRAINING TO SEE WHICH FOOTBALL STAR WAS PILOTING THIS BUDGET BUSTER.

THE DESIGN THEME IS UNDOUBTEDLY TRADITIONAL, BUT THE NEW FLYING SPUR SITS LOWER AND WIDER THAN BEFORE, WITH THE GRILLE MUCH MORE UPRIGHT.

BODY PANELS ARE A MIX OF ALUMINUM AND COMPOSITES, WHILE LED SIGNATURE LIGHTING KEEPS THINGS IN STEP WITH OTHER MODERN PREMIUM SEDANS.

NOW FOR THE REALITY CHECK.

BASE PRICING FOR THIS BRITISH BRUTE COMES IN AT A LOFTY $205,825.

SO, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOUR POCKETS ARE THAT DEEP OR NOT, THE FLYING SPUR DOES INDEED KEEP ITS PROMISE.

IT'S A COLLECTION OF EVERYTHING BENTLEY DOES BEST, THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CONTINENTAL GT WITH THE LUXURY OF THE MULSANNE.

THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS MAY OFFER MORE WHEN IT COMES TO HIGH-TECH AND SAFETY FEATURES, BUT THE 2014 BENTLEY FLYING SPUR, THE FASTEST BENTLEY 4-DOOR EVER, IS A UNIQUE ANIMAL IN THE MARKET PLACE; AS THIS STYLE OF BRITISH LUXURY PERFORMANCE MOTORING AT ITS FINEST CAN ONLY BE FOUND BEHIND THE "WINGED-B".

WELL, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW.

FOR MORE MOTORWEEK, WHY NOT CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST, AS WELL AS COMPLETE EPISODES AT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

AND JOIN US NEXT TIME WHEN WE'LL CRUISE THROUGH OUR BEST PICKS IN CARS, TRUCK, AND UTILITIES WITH THE 2014 MOTORWEEK DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARDS.

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.

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