2014 Ford Fiesta ST & 2014 Jaguar XF-RS

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

JOIN US AND SEE IF THE FORD FIESTA ST GIVES US A REASON TO PARTY... PAT GOSS THROTTLES UP A FEW ENGINE CARE TIPS DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE... ZACH MASKELL GOES OVER THE EDGE, AND BEHIND THE SCENES, WITH THE BOYS IN BLUE... AND THEN WE GET BACK ON TRACK WITH THE JAGUAR XFR-S.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT HIS TIRES RIGHT NOW.

IF HE WERE, TIRERACK.COM COULD HELP HIM FIND THE RIGHT TIRES.

BUT KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.

KENNY'S THINKING, "OH MAN.

OH MAN.

OH MAN, OH MAN, OH MAN.

THIS IS AWESOME."

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.

DIEHARD.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.

HERE AT MOTORWEEK , WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR CHEAP THRILLS -- PERFORMANCE-WISE THAT IS.

AND WHILE THEY HAVE BECOME SOMEWHAT MORE READILY AVAILABLE OF LATE, MANY OPTIONS ARE STILL A LITTLE TOO WATERED DOWN FOR OUR TASTES.

THAT BRINGS US TO THE FORD FIESTA ST. IS AMERICA READY FOR A WORLD-CLASS HIGH PERFORMANCE SUBCOMPACT FROM FORD?

WELL, WE SURE ARE!

PERFORMANCE ORIENTED VERSIONS OF EXISTING CARS ARE NOTHING NEW, AND USUALLY COME WITH A 20 OR 30% BOOST IN POWER.

WELL, HOW ABOUT 65%?

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE IN THE 2014 FORD FIESTA ST. ITS 1.6-LITER TURBO I4 SEES NUMBERS CLIMB FROM 120-HORSEPOWER AND 112 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE TO 197 AND 202 RESPECTIVELY!

AND WHILE THOSE AREN'T SUPERCAR HIGH, THEY ARE CERTAINLY HIGH ENOUGH FOR A GOOD TIME.

AND WITH THE ENGINE'S INSTANT RESPONSE, THE NUMBERS FEEL EVEN HIGHER.

JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING HAS BEEN MAJOR UPGRADED HERE, INCLUDING SUSPENSION, BRAKES, AND STEERING.

THE HUMBLE FIESTA WAS ALREADY A SOLID HANDLER FOR A BARGAIN BASEMENT SUBCOMPACT, BUT NOW IT'S GONE FULL ON GO-KART.

WITH A FIRM FEEL THAT'S MORE LIKE A MID-SIZE SPORT SEDAN THAN POCKET ROCKET.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TRUE POINT AND SHOOT FUN HERE!

THIS CAR YEARNS FOR YOU TO GET ON IT AND STAY ON IT.

IT EVEN HAS A VERY PLEASING EXHAUST NOTE INSIDE THE CABIN, THANKS TO A SOUND SYMPOSER; POWERFUL, BUT NOT TOO LOUD AT ALL.

OFF THE LINE, TORQUE STEER IS SURPRISINGLY MINIMAL, DESPITE BIG HITS FROM THE TURBO, ACCOMPANIED BY SOME COOL WASTE GATE NOISE THAT PUT SMILES ON OUR FACES.

A STRONG CLUTCH AIDS THE LAUNCH AND YOU HIT 60 IN 7.1-SECONDS.

AGAIN, NOTHING FOR PURVEYORS OF EXOTIC CARS TO LOSE SLEEP OVER, BUT IN THIS LITTLE CAR, IT MEANS JUST PLAIN FUN AS YOU GRIN YOUR WAY TO THE END OF THE QUARTER MILE IN 15.3-SECONDS AT 93 MILES-PER-HOUR.

THE SHIFTER IS FAST AND DIRECT.

THE ST...SPORT TECHNOLOGIES...

ENGINEERS ADDED TORQUE VECTORING CONTROL, BUT WEREN'T ABLE TO DIAL QUITE ALL OF THE UNDERSTEER OUT, BUT JUST ABOUT, AS IT STICKS REALLY WELL AND FEELS EXCEPTIONALLY NEUTRAL FOR A FRONT-DRIVER WITH VERY LITTLE ROLL.

THE INTERIOR IS SPIFFED UP WITH ALUMINUM TRIM, ENHANCED GAUGE CLUSTER, AND WELL BOLSTERED RECARO SEATS.

FORD'S MYFORD TOUCH SCREEN IS HERE AS WELL, AND MOST FOUND WORDS ON THE DISPLAY TOO SMALL FOR EASY USE AND ENDED UP USING VOICE COMMAND.

REAR SEATS ARE MORE SPACIOUS THAN MANY OTHER POCKET HOT RODS, AND YOU CAN FOLD THEM DOWN TO EXPAND THE 10.1 CUBIC FOOT CARGO BAY TO MAKE THE ST A PURPOSEFUL HAULER IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.

THE LAST SPORT TECHNOLOGIES EFFORT WE SAMPLED WAS THE FOCUS ST, AND AS MUCH AS WE LOVED THAT, THE FIESTA ST HAS THE SAME AMOUNT OF AWESOMENESS IN A SMALLER AND LIGHTER PACKAGE.

IT'S JUST SIMPLE, PURE, DRIVING FUN.

SURE, A CORVETTE CAN BEAT IT IN EVERY PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, BUT IS IT MORE ENJOYABLE?

WELL, THAT'S DOUBTFUL.

SO, YES, THE FIESTA ST IS A LOVELY PIECE OF WORK AND WE LIKED JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ABOUT HOW IT GOES.

BUT MANY OF OUR STAFF WERE LESS ENAMORED WITH THE EXTERIOR DESIGN.

THE 5-DOOR HATCH-ONLY ST IS DEFINITELY TRICKED OUT THOUGH, SHARP AND EVIL LOOKING FROM MOST ANGLES.

BUT MAYBE WITH WAY TOO MUCH GRILLE UP FRONT; LIKE A STUPID GRIN SHOWING WAY TOO MANY TEETH.

POOR REAR VISIBILITY FROM THE THICK C-PILLARS DIDN'T HELP EITHER.

AND SOME THOUGHT THE BRAKE CALIPERS WOULD BENEFIT FROM SOME BRIGHT PAINT TO SPORT-EN THE LOOK EVEN MORE.

BUT COSMETICS ASIDE, THIS IS THE MOST PURE JOY WE'VE EVER EXTRACTED FROM A FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE CAR.

ALL WHILE DOING FINE ON GAS.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 26-CITY, 35-HIGHWAY, AND 29-COMBINED.

WE FIT RIGHT IN WITH 29.1 MILES-PER-GALLON OF REGULAR.

AND ALL FOR AN AMAZINGLY LOW PRICE STARTING AT $22,225.

HIGH PERFORMANCE ON A BUDGET, THAT'S WHAT A LOT OF US ARE LOOKING FOR, AND THE 2014 FORD FIESTA ST DELIVERS THAT BEST.

SO MUCH SO, WE DELIVERED IT OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARD AS BEST SUBCOMPACT OF THE YEAR.

WE LOVE IT!

ALONG WITH THE FOCUS ST, FORD HAS GOT QUITE A GREAT THING GOING AND SHOULD REALLY PROMOTE THE ST LINEUP MORE, AS THEY COULD BE REAL HALOS FOR THE BRAND.

WE THINK THAT MOST AMERICANS ARE WELL BEYOND THE REAR-DRIVE ONLY BIAS WHEN IT COMES TO PERFORMANCE CARS.

AND WHILE PUTTING MORE SPUNK INTO AN EXISTING MODEL IS NOT A NEW IDEA, THIS ONE IS AS WELL EXECUTED AS THEY COME.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO FENTON, MISSOURI, WHERE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT ROCKWOOD SUMMIT ARE LEARNING THE BASICS OF BIODIESEL.

FOLLOWING A STUDENT'S REQUEST, SCIENCE TEACHER DARRIN PETERS STARTED THE PROGRAM 4.5 YEARS AGO.

STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO CONVERT WASTE VEGETABLE OIL INTO BIODIESEL, WHILE ALSO BEING TAUGHT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABILITY.

Darrin Peters: ONCE THEY'VE EXTRACTED THAT MOLECULE, THEN THEY HAVE TO TEST THAT FUEL, OR THAT MOLECULE, TO SEE HOW PURE IT IS, HOW GOOD IT'S GOING TO BURN IN THE CAR, WHETHER OR NOT WATER IS IN IT, WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S OTHER IMPURITIES IN IT.

AND SO THAT GIVES THEM A LOT OF THINGS TO DO AS FAR AS RESEARCH IS CONCERNED.

John: STUDENTS GET MORE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE BY FUELING UP TWO SCHOOL-OWNED VEHICLES WITH THEIR CUSTOM-MADE BIODIESEL.

AND LEAVING NOTHING TO WASTE, THEY REPACKAGE THE RESIDUAL GLYCERIN INTO A SOAP PRODUCT.

AS A RESULT OF THEIR INNOVATIVE WORK, MONSANTO AWARDED THE SCHOOL A $100,000 GRANT TO HELP BUILD A NEW EDUCATION CENTER TO SUPPORT RESEARCH ON RENEWABLE FUELS FOR STUDENTS IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA NOW AND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

WITH PRODUCTION CARS BECOMING FASTER AND MORE NIMBLE EVERY YEAR, LAW ENFORCEMENT NEEDS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE KEEPING UP.

OUR OVER THE EDGE REPORTER ZACH MASKELL SPENT A DAY WITH ONE GROUP WHO MAKE SURE THAT POLICE AGENCIES WORLD-WIDE AREN'T LEFT IN THE DUST.

Zach Maskell: SINCE 1974, THE MICHIGAN STATE POLICE HAVE BEEN PUTTING THE NEWEST PATROL VEHICLES TO THE TEST.

12 SEDANS, 3 SUVs, AND 7 MOTORCYCLES WERE PUT IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT BELDING, MICHIGAN'S GRATTAN RACEWAY.

WITH ELECTRONIC DRIVER AIDS BECOMING MORE ADVANCED EVERY YEAR, TEST DRIVERS REALLY HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO RAPIDLY CHANGING VEHICLE RESPONSE.

Lt. Jim Flegel: WITH THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMS, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS, THE ABS BRAKING AND THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ABS BRAKING IS JUST SIMPLY INCREDIBLE.

Zach: THIS WAS THE MOST DYNAMIC PART OF THE EVALUATION.

AND YOU BETTER BELIEVE, NOTHING IS OVER LOOKED.

BUT THEY ALSO TEST FOR TOP SPEED, ACCELERATION, BRAKING, ERGONOMICS, AND COMMUNICATIONS.

THE MSP USES DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND ALTERNATE DRIVERS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE DATA TO OVER 30,000 DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTRY ALONE.

Lt. Flegel: THE REASON WE USE GRATTAN RACEWAY IS WE WANT TO SIMULATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE DRIVING, OR PURSUIT DRIVING, AND THIS HAS SEVERAL REALISTIC CURVES AND TURNS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO EXPERIENCE IN THE REAL WORLD.

IT HAS DIFFERENT ELEVATION CHANGES, DIFFERENT TYPES OF TURNS, AND OFF CAMBERED TURNS.

Zach: THE TWO-MILE-LONG ROAD COURSE ALLOWS THE TROOPERS TO PUSH THE VEHICLES TO 100% OF THEIR LIMITS.

A PATROL CAR CAN SEE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MILES IN A YEAR, SO THEY'RE PUT THROUGH THE PACES IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN TAKE THE STRESS.

Sgt.

Ron Gromak: THIS COURSE IS QUITE PUNISHING TO THE CAR, SO IF IT'S GOT SOME KIND OF FLAW IN ITS DESIGN, IT'S GOING TO SHOW IT HERE ON THIS TRACK BECAUSE THIS IS MORE OF A DURABILITY ISSUE.

Zach: GETTING AROUND THE TRACK SUREST AND FASTEST...

THE DODGE CHARGER 5.7-LITER V8 WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.

FOLLOWING IT, THE BOW TIE BRAND CAPRICE 6.0-LITER V8, REAR DRIVE.

Sgt.

Gromak: THE MANUFACTURERS HAVE STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE AND MADE THESE LAW ENFORCEMENT CARS TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED TO KEEP THEM SAFE, BUT THEY PERFORM EXTREMELY WELL.

Zach: THE RUMORS YOU'VE HEARD ARE TRUE.

INCLUDING TUNED SUSPENSION, BIGGER BRAKES, AND A REWORKED ENGINE.

EVERYTHING ABOUT THESE SPECIALIZED VEHICLES IS MOLDED AROUND AN OFFICER'S DUTIES.

LAW ENFORCEMENT SPENDS A LOT OF TIME IN THEIR VEHICLES, THAT'S WHY IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND JUST HOW COMFORTABLE IT'S GOING TO BE; WHAT KIND OF SEATS COME WITH IT, HOW FAR THE DOOR WILL OPEN, HOW MUCH TRUNK SPACE THERE IS, AND PLENTY MORE.

AFTER HEARING FROM THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WEAR BADGES, THE CAPRICE'S SHIFTER WAS MOVED FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE TO A COLUMN-SHIFT TO ALLOW FOR MORE ROOM.

NOW POLICE OFFICERS ALSO KEEP THE COMFORT OF THE BAD GUYS IN MIND TOO.

SO IF YOU'RE EVER SO UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO FIND YOURSELF IN THE BACK OF A COP CAR, PICK A CAPRICE.

THERE'S DEFINITELY A LOT MORE ROOM BACK HERE THAN A LOT OF THE OTHER VEHICLES.

WELL, HOPEFULLY THAT OUTCOME WON'T BE YOURS.

AT TEST'S END, WHICH VEHICLES DID THE MSP FIND TO BE THE MOST WORTHY CHOICES?

FOR DEPARTMENTS WHERE ERGONOMICS AND COMMUNICATIONS ARE MOST IMPORTANT...

THE CHEVROLET TAHOE TAKES THE GOLD.

IT'S THE EASIEST TO GET IN AND OUT OF, AND HAS THE MOST ROOM.

FOR 0 TO 60, THE FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR AWD ECOBOOST 3.5-LITER V6 IS THE WINNER.

WITH A 155 MILE PER HOUR TOP SPEED, THE CHEVROLET CAPRICE 6.0-LITER WOULD BE HARD TO OUTRUN.

THE DODGE CHARGER 5.7-LITER AWD, AGAIN SHOWING WHAT IT CAN DO, HAD THE SHORTEST STOPPING DISTANCE OF 126.5 FEET FROM 60 MILES PER HOUR SO WHICH ONES DO THE DRIVERS FAVOR?

Sgt.

Gromak: MAYBE 10 YEARS AGO I WOULD HAVE HAD A FAVORITE, BUT NOW I DON'T THINK THERE'S A BAD CAR OUT THERE.

I REALLY DON'T.

NOW LET'S STOP BY GOSS' GARAGE, AND SEE WHAT HAS PAT REVVED UP THIS WEEK!

Pat Goss: YOU MAY THINK THAT WHEN YOU BURN GASOLINE, THAT IT CLEANS YOUR ENGINE.

BUT IN REALITY, IT MAY NOT.

IT ACTUALLY DIRTIES THE INSIDE OF YOUR ENGINE.

NOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF SPOTS INSIDE OF AN ENGINE THAT GET GUMMED-UP WITH CARBON AND VARIOUS OTHER THINGS THAT ARE THE RESULT OF BURNING FUELS AND VAPORS FROM THE CRANK CASE.

THE TOPS OF PISTONS, THE BACKS OF INTAKE VALVES, THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, INSIDE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, THE THROTTLE BODY ITSELF, ALL OF THESE AREAS IN AN ENGINE GET DIRTY AS YOU DRIVE IT.

NOW, WE FOUND SOME REALLY SEVERE CARBON DEPOSITS ON THE TOPS OF THE PISTONS AND IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, AND SO ON, OF THIS TOYOTA.

NOW, WE HAD SOME CHOICES.

WE COULD DO INDIVIDUAL CLEANING PROCESSES WHICH WOULD HAVE MADE THEM ABSOLUTELY SPOTLESS, BUT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXPENSIVE FOR THE CUSTOMERS.

SO WE ELECTED TO DO ONE COMBINATION CLEANING.

NOW FOR THAT, WE USE THIS PRESSURIZED CANISTER.

WE PUT A SPECIAL CLEANING CHEMICAL IN IT THAT SOFTENS AND CLEANS AWAY CARBON AND OTHER HARSH DEPOSITS LIKE THAT; IT HAS A HOSE ON IT -- THE HOSE GETS CONNECTED TO THIS NOZZLE THAT WE HAVE HERE, AND WE USE SHOP AIR TO PRESSURIZE THAT VESSEL.

NOW, THE NOZZLE -- THE SPRAY NOZZLE, GOES INTO THE THROTTLE BODY OF THE ENGINE, AND WE RUN THE ENGINE WITH THIS CHEMICAL BEING MISTED INTO THE THROTTLE BODY.

THAT CLEANS THE THROTTLE BODY; IT CLEANS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH IS IMPORTANT ON A LOT OF CARS BECAUSE THEY HAVE BUTTERFLIES IN THERE THAT CHANGE THE LENGTH OF THE INTAKE RUNNERS TO MATCH THE THROTTLE SETTING.

THEY DON'T WORK?

WELL, YOU HAVE POOR PERFORMANCE AND YOU MAY GET A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.

BUT THEN THIS CHEMICAL CONTINUES ON OVER THE BACKS OF THE INTAKE VALVES; CLEANS THEM; CLEANS THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND THE TOPS OF THE PISTONS.

ALRIGHT, IT'S A ONE-SHOT JOB THAT DOES EVERYTHING, IT DOES A VERY GOOD JOB.

WE CAN SEE IN OUR BEFORE-AND-AFTER PICTURES OF THIS VERY CAR.

AFTER, THE PISTON IS ALMOST SPOTLESS.

BEFORE, IT WAS COMPLETELY COATED WITH CARBON.

SO, IF YOUR CAR HAS SOME MILES ON IT, 30,000 OR MORE, THIS IS A PROCESS THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER.

IT'LL PROBABLY PAY FOR ITSELF IN IMPROVED PERFORMANCE, AND POSSIBLY EVEN FUEL ECONOMY.

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

John: THERE'S ALWAYS TIME FOR FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS, SO LET'S GO FOR A COUPLE OF QUICK SPINS.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2015 ALFA ROMEO 4C IS THAT IT WEIGHS IN UNDER 2,500-POUNDS, NOT MUCH MORE THAN THE CLASSIC SPIDER OF THE 1960s.

IN TODAY'S SPORTS CAR WORLD, THINK LOTUS EXIGE MORE THAN CHEVROLET CORVETTE.

AND WITHOUT A LOT OF WEIGHT, YOU DON'T NEED A LOT OF ENGINE, SO THERE ARE JUST 1.7-LITERS OF DISPLACEMENT HERE.

NOT THAT IT TOO IS A LIGHTWEIGHT, AS THE TURBO I4 PUTS OUT 237-HORSEPOWER AND 258 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

TRANSMISSION IS A TWIN-CLUTCH 6-SPEED WITH PADDLE SHIFTERS.

AMAZINGLY, STEERING IS NON-POWER.

IT'S ALSO RACE CAR SUPER QUICK, WITH A DIRECTNESS THAT CAN ONLY COME WITHOUT ARTIFICIAL BOOST.

INSIDE, THINGS ARE SIMPLISTIC; YOU SIT VERY LOW AND THERE'S NARY A NAV SCREEN OR CUTE SWITCH IN SIGHT.

BUT THERE IS PLENTY OF EVIDENCE OF THE 4C'S CARBON FIBER MONOCOQUE CHASSIS.

AS FOR THE PAYOFF?

Brian Robinson: SO, NOW I'M FINALLY DRIVING AN ALFA ROMEO 4C ON THE STREETS IN AMERICA.

WAS IT WORTH THE WAIT?

UH...YEAH!

PRECISION HANDLING WITH ITALIAN ATTITUDE... THAT ABOUT SUMS IT UP.

John: THE LOOK IS GROUND SUCKING WITH WIDE MUSCULAR FENDERS, BIG AIR INTAKES AND STAGGERED WHEELS; 17s IN FRONT AND 18s IN THE REAR.

18 AND 19s ARE OPTIONAL, AS IS A FULL ON AURAL ASSAULT FROM A MUFFLER-FREE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

ARRIVING SOON AT 82 ALFA ROMEO DEALERS NATIONWIDE, THE 2015 4C STARTS AT AROUND $54,000.

SPORTY CARS MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT CARMAKERS, AND AT BMW, IT'S MORE ABOUT THE FUTURE THAN THE PAST.

AND BMW'S I BRAND IS ON THE FOREFRONT WITH THE 2015 I8, A SHOWCASE OF THE FUTURE OF DRIVING AND DESIGN.

THE SHOWCAR LOOK IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER PRODUCTION BMW BY COMBINING AN ADVANCED ALUMINUM CHASSIS, HOUSING THE POWERTRAINS, SUSPENSION, AND MOST OTHER MOVING PARTS, WITH A PASSENGER COMPARTMENT MADE OF CARBON FIBER REINFORCED PLASTIC.

UP FRONT IS AN ELECTRIC MOTOR WITH A 2-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FEEDING UP TO 129 HORSEPOWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS.

ITS PLUG-IN 5 KWH BATTERY PROVIDES JUST OVER 20 MILES OF PURE ELECTRIC DRIVING RANGE AT A TOP SPEED OF 75 MILES PER HOUR.

ONCE DEPLETED, OR IF YOU FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED, A REAR-MOUNTED, TURBOCHARGED THREE CYLINDER, THE SAME AS IN THE NEW MINI COOPER, CAN FEED 228 HORSEPOWER TO THE REAR WHEELS THROUGH ITS OWN 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANNY.

EVEN WHEN DRIVING ON GAS-POWER ALONE, REGENERATIVE BRAKING CAPTURES ENERGY FOR THE BATTERY PACK.

IT TRULY IS BUSINESS UP FRONT, AND A PARTY IN THE BACK.

Greg Carloss: THE LIFE MODULE IS EXTREMELY LIGHT AND BUILT ON CARBON FIBER, SO ACTUALLY REALLY STRONG.

AND THAT PROTECTS THE DRIVER.

IT'S NOT GOING TO OVER-PERFORM A LOT OF OTHER SPORTS CARS, BUT IT'S A HYBRID SPORTS CAR THAT GETS UP TO 95 MILES PER GALLON AND YOU CAN DRIVE UP TO 22, 23 MILES ON ELECTRIC ONLY.

SO IT'S REALLY IMPRESSIVE IN THAT ASPECT.

John: NOW, YOU WEREN'T EXPECTING THE COMBO OF SPORT CAR PERFORMANCE, HYBRID CAR FUEL ECONOMY, AND SUPER CAR STYLING TO BE CHEAP, WERE YOU?

AND INDEED, THE $136,000 STICKER PRICE PUTS THE 2015 I8 OUT OF REACH FOR MOST OF US.

BUT IF YOU HAVE THE MEANS, THEY GO ON SALE HERE LATE THIS SUMMER.

OUR QUICK SPIN IN THE 2014 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY CONVERTIBLE WAS TRULY AN ENJOYABLE ONE.

NO TIME PRESSURE TO DRIVE, SHOOT, AND WRITE.

BUT RATHER LAZY SUMMER DAYS TO SPEND IN IT DRIVING NEAR OUR MARYLAND OFFICES.

AFTER AWARDING THE STINGRAY OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE FOR BEST OF THE YEAR, YOU'D THINK WE COULDN'T FIND EVEN MORE TO LOVE.

BUT WE HAVE... BECAUSE THE CORVETTE IS ONE OF THE FEW CARS THAT GETS BETTER THE MORE YOU DRIVE IT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE TOP DOWN.

NOW, THERE ARE OBVIOUS CONVERTIBLE CAVEATS: IT'S A LITTLE HEAVIER, THERE'S LESS CARGO ROOM, AND A LITTLE LESS CHASSIS STIFFNESS, BUT STILL NO COWL SHAKE.

SO DROP THE TOP AND THE ONLY THING YOU'LL NOTICE IS HOW TIME FLIES AS THE GAS TANK EMPTIES.

EVEN WIND BUFFETING IS WELL MANAGED, SO CONVERSATIONS ARE YELL FREE.

OUR STINGRAY CONVERTIBLE WAS FULLY LOADED WITH THE Z51 PERFORMANCE PACKAGE BUMPING HORSEPOWER TO 460 AND TORQUE TO 465.

BRAKES, SUSPENSION, TRANSMISSION, AND EXHAUST GET OVERHAULED, TOO, WITH SUSPENSION FURTHER INTENSIFIED BY MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL.

TOP OPERATION CAN HAPPEN UP TO 30 MILES PER HOUR, AND TAKES AROUND 20 SECONDS.

ON SALE NOW, THE STINGRAY CONVERTIBLE STICKER STARTS AT A WALLET-FRIENDLY $57,000.

AND WE'LL TAKE OFF FOR MORE QUICK SPINS SOON!

OVER THE LAST YEAR THERE'S BEEN MORE ENTHUSIASM OVER THE JAGUAR BRAND THAN IN ANY TIME IN RECENT MEMORY.

AND WHILE THE TWO SEAT JAGUAR F-TYPE MAY BE GENERATING MOST OF THE HYPE FOR THIS BRITISH MARQUE AT THE MOMENT, THERE'S A LOT OF EXCITEMENT THROUGHOUT THEIR BRAND.

ONE VERY GOOD EXAMPLE IS THIS HOT ROD JAGUAR XFR-S WE'VE EASILY SPENT MORE TRACK TIME IN A JAG OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS THAN WE DID IN THE PRIOR 30.

NO WONDER, FLOGGING A CAR LIKE THIS 2014 JAGUAR XFR-S SEDAN IS A TEMPTATION OUR TESTERS CAN'T RESIST.

AND WHY SHOULD WE WHEN IT FEELS SO AT HOME ON OUR VENUE OF CHOICE, SAVANNAH'S ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY.

SO, WHILE THE PHRASE "HOTTER THAN GEORGIA ASPHALT" MAY HAVE RELEVANCE MOST OF THE YEAR, ON OUR JANUARY TEST DAY, ICY AIR TEMPS IN THE 30s MADE FOR LESS THAN IDEAL TRACTION.

STILL, WE MANAGED TO SPIN OUR XFR-S TO 60 IN 4.3-SECONDS.

ONCE THE TIRES STOPPED SPINNING AND STARTING THRUSTING, WE QUICKLY RAN OUT THE QUARTER MILE IN 12.5-SECONDS AT 115 MILES-PER-HOUR.

THAT'S MORE CHEETAH THAN JAGUAR.

OUR SEARCH FOR GRIP CONTINUED AROUND THE REST OF THE TRACK.

AND WHILE WE WERE ABLE TO FIND SOME HERE AND THERE; FOR THE MOST PART, IT WAS A TAIL OUT AFFAIR.

THE OVERSTEER-HAPPY XFR-S HAS SOME SERIOUS POWER AND IT'S NOT AFRAID TO UNLEASH IT, LEAVING YOU TO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES.

THAT'S NOT A COMPLAINT; WE'RE ABSOLUTELY FINE WITH THAT.

THE ELECTRONIC ACTIVE DIFFERENTIAL AND DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL HAVE BOTH BEEN RECALIBRATED TO ALLOW THAT MORE AGGRESSIVE NATURE TO EXIST.

THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS ALSO BEEN RETUNED AND STIFFER BEARINGS ADDED FOR INCREASED PRECISION; WHILE NEW KNUCKLES ALLOW FOR MORE CAMBER ADJUSTMENT.

THE REAR GETS A WHOLE NEW SUB-FRAME WITH STIFFER EVERYTHING, AND THERE'S WIDER 20-INCH FORGED WHEELS ALL AROUND.

STILL, IT TOOK A LITTLE MORE EFFORT TO LAY DOWN FAST LAPS THAN IT DID IN THE XKR-S COUPE WE TESTED HERE ON A MUCH WARMER DAY TWO YEARS AGO.

SO WHILE THIS HOT ROD XF MAY NOT HAVE ALL OF THE TRACK GRIPPING NATURE OF RIVALS LIKE THE BMW M5 OR THE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE MERCEDES-BENZ E63, IT DOES HAVE A MORE RAUCOUS PERSONALITY.

THERE IS A GREAT SENSE OF LIGHTNESS, WITH VERY PRECISE STEERING AND ACTUAL FEEL; SOMETHING THE GERMANS HAVE ALMOST COMPLETELY ELIMINATED.

THE BIGGEST PIECE TO THE CURRENT RS PERFORMANCE PUZZLE IS THIS 5.0-LITER SUPERCHARGED V8.

IT STOMPS OUT 550-HORSEPOWER AND 502 LB-FT. OF TORQUE.

THAT'S THE SAME HORSEPOWER AS THE E63, 2-LESS THAN THE M5; THOUGH THE E IS CLEARLY THE TORQUE CHAMP AT 531 LB-FT.

CONNECTED, IS THE USUAL ZF 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC; HERE IN QUICKSHIFT GUISE THAT WAS DEVELOPED FOR THE F-TYPE.

BRINGING SOME AGGRESSION TO THIS JAGUAR'S SLEEK SHAPE ARE A BLACK-FINISHED GRILLE AND LARGER AIR INTAKES UP FRONT.

AND IT CAN BE FURTHER DISTINGUISHED BY ADDING A $3,500 CARBON FIBER WING TO THE REAR.

AS THE 2ND HIGH PERFORMANCE R-S MODEL FROM JAG, AND AGAIN LIKE THE XKR-S, THE INTERIOR IS UPGRADED WITH CARBON FIBER-STYLE CHARCOAL LEATHER, PIANO BLACK VENEER, AND DARK ALUMINUM TRIM.

FOR THOSE WHO CARE, GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 15-CITY, 23-HIGHWAY, AND 18-COMBINED.

THE XFR-S IS A VERY LIMITED ITEM, WITH JUST 100 EXAMPLES COMING STATESIDE FOR THE 2014 MODEL YEAR, STARTING AT $99,895.

AND WITH THAT RARITY, THE JAGUAR XFR-S CAN GO HEAD TO HEAD WITH THE LIKES OF THE M5 AND E63, AND ON A FEW ACCOUNTS, ACTUALLY BEAT THEM.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT LETS RIVALS KNOW THAT JAGUAR IS SERIOUS ABOUT COMPETING IN THE SUPER TUNED SPORT LUXURY BUSINESS.

IT'S ALSO A REMINDER THAT JAGUAR IS STILL THE LARGEST CAT IN THE WORLD AND WILL HENCEFORTH DEMAND RESPECT.

WELL, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW!

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

AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME AND SEE IF THE SECOND GEN HYUNDAI GENESIS MEANS A NEW BEGINNING FOR THE BRAND.

THEN WE'LL STEP UP TO GM'S LATEST FULL-SIZE SUVS.

PAT GOSS GETS OUR A/C READY FOR PEAK SUMMER HEAT.

AUTOWORLD HEADS OFF THE BEATEN PATH.

THEN WE'LL GRAB MORE QUICK SPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS.

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.

MOTORWEEK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY... KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT HIS TIRES RIGHT NOW.

IF HE WERE, TIRERACK.COM COULD HELP HIM FIND THE RIGHT TIRES.

BUT KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.

KENNY'S THINKING, "OH MAN.

OH MAN.

OH MAN, OH MAN, OH MAN!

THIS IS AWESOME!"

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS.

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