2014 BMW 328d & 2015 Subaru WRX STI

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

JOIN US AND SEE IF WE SAY "I DO" TO A DIESEL MARRIAGE IN THE BMW 328D.

PAT GOSS HAS A FEW SPARE TIPS DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE.

YOLANDA VAZQUEZ FINDS OUT HOW OUR CITY STREETS CURE GRID LOCK.

AND WE'LL GET DOWN AND DIRTY WITH THE SUBARU WRX STI.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT.

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

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THIS IS PETE.

PETE'S HELPING HIS AUNT MOVE, SO HE'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.

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MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

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ROCKAUTO.COM, ALL THE PARTS YOUR CAR WILL EVER NEED.

DIEHARD.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.

GERMAN CARS AND DIESEL ENGINES SEEM TO GO HAND IN HAND, AS BOTH TEND TO DELIVER GREAT PERFORMANCE WITH AN EYE TOWARDS PRACTICALITY.

THOUGH NOT ALL DIESEL CARS HAVE BEEN A HIT IN OUR EYES.

IT GETS PARTICULARLY TRICKY WHEN YOU START MESSING WITH ONE OF OUR FAVORITE SPORT SEDANS OF ALL TIME, THE BMW 3 SERIES.

SO LET'S FIND OUT HOW AN OIL BURNING 3 STACKS UP.

THE 2014 BMW 328D IS NOT THE FIRST DIESEL 3 SERIES THAT WE'VE TESTED HERE AT MOTORWEEK , HAVING SAMPLED THE 6-CYLINDER TWIN TURBO 335D BACK IN 2009.

BUT, SINCE THE CURRENT 6TH GENERATION F30 ARRIVED FOR 2012, A DIESEL ENGINE HAS BEEN MISSING FROM THE U.S. LINE-UP.

NOW THAT CLATTER HAS RETURNED, ONLY THIS TIME IT'S COMING FROM A SMALLER 2.0-LITER 4-CYLINDER SINGLE-TURBO.

IT STILL PRODUCES BIG TORQUE NUMBERS, HOWEVER -- 280 POUND-FEET WORTH.

AND STILL CRANKS OUT DECENT HORSEPOWER AT 180.

AND WHILE THIS 4-BANGER DOESN'T FEEL AS REFINED AS SOME DIESELS ON THE MARKET, GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR THE XDRIVE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE MODEL ARE 32-CITY, 45-HIGHWAY, AND 37-COMBINED.

WE AVERAGED A GOOD 36.2 MILES-PER-GALLON IN DAILY DRIVING DUTIES.

YOU CAN DO EVEN BETTER IF YOU STICK WITH REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE.

THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE COMES IN QUITE GOOD AT 10.9-BARRELS OF OIL BURNED PER YEAR WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 4.8 TONS.

OUR INITIAL IMPRESSIONS AROUND TOWN WERE THAT THIS DIESEL "3" DOES NOT FEEL ESPECIALLY TORQUE-Y, BUT THERE'S STILL PLENTY ENOUGH PEP TO GET YOUR JOB DONE.

AND MOST FOUND THE AUTOMATIC STOP/START SYSTEM A LITTLE TOO ANNOYING.

BUT, AT THE TRACK, THIS DIESEL-3 SNAPS OFF THE LINE WITH AUTHORITY; AND A SIMPLE TO ENGAGE LAUNCH CONTROL SYSTEM HAD US HITTING 60 IN 6.4-SECONDS, ONLY FOUR TENTHS LESS THAN THE OLD DIESEL-6.

WITH THE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC IN SPORT MODE -- NO MANUAL IS AVAILABLE -- SHIFTS WERE ON THE HARSH SIDE OF THINGS, FEELING ALMOST DCT-LIKE.

AND YOU'LL USE FIRST THROUGH SIXTH OF THE EIGHT RUNNING OUT THE QUARTER IN 14.7-SECONDS AT 96 MILES-PER-HOUR.

DIESEL APPETITE ASIDE, NOT MUCH ELSE SETS THIS 3 APART FROM THE REST OF THE 3 SERIES LINE-UP.

THE INTERIOR STILL FEATURES ABOVE AVERAGE MATERIAL QUALITY, AND A VERY DRIVER-FOCUSED LAYOUT.

WHILE THIS PARTICULAR CAR WAS VERY LIGHT ON THE CREATURE COMFORTS WE'VE COME TO EXPECT IN A SPORTING LUXURY CAR, NO HEATED SEATS OR BACK-UP CAMERA TO BE FOUND.

IT STILL FEATURES A TASTEFUL DESIGN THAT MOST OF OUR STAFF APPRECIATED.

THERE'S COMFORTABLE SEATING THROUGHOUT THE CABIN, EVEN WITH THE UPGRADED M SPORT SEATS, AND BETTER THAN EXPECTED REAR HEAD AND LEGROOM.

SAY WHAT YOU WANT ABOUT MODERN BMW STEERING FEEL, THE 3 SERIES REMAINS A HIGHLY ENJOYABLE CAR TO DRIVE WHETHER YOU DO SO ENTHUSIASTICALLY OR AS A STILL SMOOTH CRUISER.

HOWEVER, NO MATTER THE SETTING, WE FOUND THE OPTIONAL ADAPTIVE M SUSPENSION PRODUCES A RATHER SOFT RIDE.

STILL, THE CAR FEELS LIGHT, PEPPY, AND COMPOSED, WITH A DECENT AMOUNT OF ROAD FEEL.

ENGAGING SPORT MODE WILL ADD A NICE BIT OF RESPONSIVENESS INTO THE MIX, AND THE M STEERING WHEEL LOOKS AND FEELS GREAT IN YOUR HANDS.

INDEED, THROUGH THE CONES, OUR XDRIVE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE RESPONDED QUITE WELL; WITH A PREDICTABLE, DIALED-IN FEEL YOU EXPECT IN A BMW SPORT SEDAN.

UPGRADED M PERFORMANCE BRAKES PROVED STELLAR IN OUR TESTING, WITH AVERAGE STOPPING DISTANCES OF JUST 112-FEET FROM 60.

OUR 328D CAME COATED IN LOVELY ESTORIL BLUE PAINT, WITH BLUE TRIM INSIDE AS WELL, ALTHOUGH THEIR SHADES DON'T QUITE MATCH.

THERE ARE NO EXTERIOR DIFFERENCES WITH THE DIESEL, BUT UPGRADING TO THE M SPORT PACKAGE NETS YOU SOME ADDITIONAL AERO TRIM AND 18-INCH SPLIT-SPOKE ALLOYS.

A BASE, 4-BANGER 3 SERIES 320I SEDAN STICKERS FOR $33,675, AND A BASE 6-POT 335I STARTS AT $44,325.

THE 328D SLIDES IN BETWEEN AT $39,525.

AND ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE WILL COST YOU $2-GRAND MORE.

SO WHILE WE CAN APPRECIATE THE BETTER FUEL ECONOMY OF THE DIESEL, $40-GRAND IS A TOUGH SELL FOR A CAR AS SPARSELY EQUIPPED AS THIS ONE.

BOTTOM LINE, THE 2014 BMW 328D IS A FINE CAR.

BUT WHILE THE 3 SERIES REMAINS ONE OF OUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE SPORT SEDANS, WHEN YOU REACH THAT $40G BARRIER, OUR EMOTIONAL FAVORITE, THE INLINE-6 GAS 335I, IS STILL OUR PREFERRED CHOICE.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, THE HOME OF FLEET OPERATIONS FOR AT&T.

IN 2009, THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS GIANT PLEDGED TO ADD 15,000 ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES IN 10 YEARS.

IN MARCH, A MILESTONE WAS REACHED WHEN THE 8,000TH COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLE ARRIVED.

THEIR CNG FLEET RANGES FROM FUEL TRANSFER TRUCKS TO SERVICE TECH VANS.

MOST FUELING IS DONE AT PUBLIC ACCESS CNG STATIONS TO SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY AND ENCOURAGE USE.

AT&T NOW OPERATES 10,000 VARIOUS ALT-FUEL VEHICLES, INCLUDING GASOLINE-ELECTRIC HYBRIDS, EXTENDED-RANGE ELECTRICS, AND PURE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

Katie Dugan: WE SEE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS AS BEING A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

IT'S A FUEL THAT WE CAN USE TODAY THAT'S CLEANER, THAT'S CHEAPER, AND THAT'S DOMESTIC, AND THAT'S AVAILABLE.

SO PUTTING ALL THOSE BENEFITS TOGETHER REALLY HELPS IT MAKE A STRONG CASE FOR US TO USE CNG IN OUR FLEET.

John: AS A NATIONAL CLEAN FLEETS PARTNER, AT&T WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE ST. LOUIS CLEAN CITIES COALITION, SETTING A GREAT EXAMPLE AS A GLOBAL COMPANY COMMITTED TO ALTERNATIVE FUELS.

WHAT DO YOU WISH FOR ON YOUR DAILY COMMUTE?

HOW ABOUT A SMOOTH TRAFFIC FLOW WITH NO ACCIDENTS?

YOU KNOW, THESE DAYS, A COMMUTE WITHOUT A LOT OF STOP AND GOES IS LIKE A MIRACLE.

BUT THAT KIND OF MIRACLE DOESN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT A LOT OF BRAIN POWER AND PLANNING.

IN FACT, TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS ONLY ONE OF THE AREAS THAT CONCERNS A FLORIDA BASED TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH GROUP.

SO WE SENT OUR FYI REPORTER YOLANDA VAZQUEZ SOUTH TO SEE WHAT PROBLEMS THEY'RE UNSCRAMBLING NOW.

Yolanda Vazquez: JOHN, WE'RE HERE IN TAMPA TO SEE WHAT THE FOLKS AT THE CENTER FOR URBAN TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH ARE DOING IN REGARDS TO SOLVING A NUMBER OF TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.

EVERYTHING FROM TRANSIT TRAINING, TO BUS SYSTEM SAFETY, OR HOW ABOUT THE BEST WORKPLACES FOR COMMUTERS?

SO LET'S TAKE A LOOK AND SEE WHAT THEY'RE UP TO INSIDE.

ON THE CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, INSIDE THIS TWO-STORY BUILDING SITS A FRATERNITY OF RESEARCHERS AND STUDENTS -- ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO SOLVE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES, BIG AND SMALL.

AND ONE OF THOSE AREAS OF INTEREST INCLUDES MOTORCYCLE SAFETY.

CUTR USES THIS HONDA SMART TRAINER... Debbie Schultz: GO STRAIGHT FOR RIGHT NOW.

MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN.

Yolanda: HOW DO I DO THAT?

Debbie: JUST SLOW DOWN.

Yolanda: ...TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE MOST SEASONED RIDERS ALL THE RISK FACTORS ON THE ROAD.

Debbie: ALMOST 50% FAIL BECAUSE IT REALLY IS DIFFICULT.

Yolanda: THE CENTER ALSO HELPED PRODUCE THIS "RIDE SMART" VIDEO WHICH FOCUSES ON RIDER TRAINING AND THE USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR.

Dr. Chanyoung Lee: FLORIDA IS ONE OF THE BEST STATES TO RIDE A MOTORCYCLE.

YOU CAN RIDE 24/7, 365 DAYS.

HOWEVER, WE WANT THEM TO BE SAFE.

Yolanda: DR. CHANYOUNG LEE SAYS MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATION IN THE U.S. IS LESS THAN 5%, BUT NEARLY 20% OF ALL TRAFFIC FATALITIES INVOLVE MOTORCYCLES.

Dr. Lee: WE'RE TRYING TO HELP THEM COME UP WITH BETTER SOLUTIONS SO THEY CAN ACTUALLY RIDE MORE AND RIDE LONGER.

Yolanda: THE CENTER CUTS ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF DISCIPLINES -- FROM URBAN PLANNING TO INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING -- SO THEY CAN HAVE MAXIMUM IMPACT.

I VISITED THEIR ADVANCED GEOSPATIAL INFORMATICS LAB, BETTER KNOWN AS "AGIL".

HERE, RESEARCHERS USE MAPS AND INFOGRAPHICS TO BREAK DOWN DATA INTO A MORE DIGESTIBLE FORMAT.

Martin Catala: IT'S A FORMAT THAT ALLOWS POLICYMAKERS AND RESEARCHERS TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF A CIRCUMSTANCE OF INFORMATION THAT WOULD NOT BE EASILY ASSESSED BY LOOKING AT ROWS AND ROWS OF DATA.

Yolanda: PROGRAM DIRECTOR, MARTIN CATALA, SHOWS ME THEIR LATEST PROJECT ON TRANSIT TRAVEL SHEDS.

Martin: AND WHAT YOU SEE HERE, THIS BLUE DOT, IS A POINT OF ORIGIN... Yolanda: USING SPECIAL SOFTWARE, HE'S TRYING TO CALCULATE THE DISTANCE OF SEVERAL ROUTE PATHS AT VARIOUS TIMES OF THE DAY.

Martin: ...SO THAT WE CAN GET A BETTER SAY ABOUT HOW WELL A COMMUNITY IS BEING SERVED BY THE TRANSIT AGENCY IN THE AREA.

Yolanda: BUT THAT SAME KIND OF DATA MINING CAN ALSO BE USED TO IDENTIFY SAFE ROUTES FOR KIDS TO TRAVEL TO SCHOOL.

Martin: THESE ARE 3 PATHS.

Yolanda: THIS MAP LISTS A FEW ROUTES DESIGNATED BY THE COMMUNITY, BUT IT'S AGIL'S JOB TO FIND NEW ONES.

AND LIKE WITH EVERYTHING ELSE, CATALA AND HIS CREW ARE UP FOR THE CHALLENGE.

Martin: I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT WE'RE SORT OF PUSHING THE TECHNOLOGY AND DATA ENVELOPE IN THE SENSE THAT I REALLY THINK THAT WE'RE DOING CUTTING EDGE RESEARCH, WHICH IS OF COURSE WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

Yolanda: ALWAYS LOOKING TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF ANY TRANSPORTATION TREND, CUTR RECENTLY LAUNCHED THE AUTOMATED VEHICLES INSTITUTE.

THEY HELD THEIR FIRST MEETING LAST FALL AND HAVE BEEN CONTRACTED TO STUDY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AV TECHNOLOGY IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA.

Video: OTHER CURRENT TECHNOLOGIES ALREADY IN USE INCLUDE TRAFFIC ASSIST, WHICH SENSES OBJECTS AROUND THE CAR, OR IF THE VEHICLE IS APPROACHING TOO FAST, SENSORS WILL AUTOMATICALLY SLOW THE CAR DOWN.

Yolanda: WITH RESEARCH DOLLARS THAT TOTAL CLOSE TO $15 MILLION AND SPAN ACROSS NEARLY 200 PROJECTS, CUTR HAD A LOT TO CELEBRATE DURING THEIR RECENT 25TH ANNIVERSARY... Video: OUR VISION... TO BE THE PREEMINENT AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CATALYST FOR TRANSPORTATION INNOVATION.

Yolanda: ...AS THEY CONTINUE TO BE THE "GO-TO-GUYS" IN SOLVING SOME OF THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES IN THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY.

John: PAT GOSS HAS SPARED A FEW MINUTES FOR US, SO LET'S ROLL ON DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE.

Pat Goss: NOW, TYPICALLY, PICKUP TRUCKS HAVE THEIR SPARE TIRES MOUNTED UNDERNEATH THE BED.

AND THAT MEANS THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE EVERYTHING THAT'S NEEDED TO GET THAT TIRE DOWN ON THE GROUND SO YOU CAN USE IT IN CASE YOU HAVE A FLAT.

NOW, THE FIRST THING, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE BUYING A USED TRUCK, MAKE SURE ALL OF THE APPARATUS FOR LOWERING THE TIRE IS IN THE TRUCK.

BECAUSE WITHOUT THAT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A REAL TIME LOWERING THAT SPARE.

NOW, HERE WHERE THE EQUIPMENT GOES THROUGH THE BUMPER, USUALLY THERE IS A LOCK ASSEMBLY.

YOU OPEN THIS UP AND YOU USE THE IGNITION KEY OR THE ADDITIONAL KEY TO UNLOCK IT, IT COMES OUT, AND YOU CAN PUT THE TOOLS IN TO LOWER THE TIRE.

WELL, YOU NEED TO TAKE THIS OUT PERIODICALLY, SPRAY LOCK LUBRICANT INTO THE LOCK ASSEMBLY ITSELF, AND LUBRICATE THE BACK OF IT.

IT'S A GOOD IDEA SOMETIMES JUST TO COAT THE WHOLE BACK OF IT WITH SOMETHING LIKE WHEEL BEARING GREASE, BECAUSE THESE WILL RUST AND YOU CAN'T GET THEM OUT.

NOW, THE OTHER THING THAT YOU WANT TO DO IS YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THE TIRE AND THE MOUNTING ASSEMBLY ITSELF.

NOW, THE FIRST THING THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IS, DOWN HERE, YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE CONDITION OF THE ATTACHING CABLE AND THE PIECE THAT GOES THROUGH THE TIRE.

MANY TIMES THEY'LL BE BADLY RUSTED LIKE THIS ONE.

THEN YOU LOWER THE TIRE AND LOOK AT THE TOP.

NOW, THE WHEEL COLLECTS ALL KINDS OF JUNK, AND MANY TIMES, THE CABLE, THE WHEEL ITSELF, AND SO ON, THIS MAY BE RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT ISN'T EVEN USEABLE.

SO YOU HAVE TO CHECK IT, KEEP IT CLEAN, KEEP IT PROTECTED.

YOU CAN USE AN ANTI-CORROSION ON THE WHEEL.

THAT'LL KEEP IT FROM RUSTING, SO THAT IT CAN BE USED.

THAT WAY, IF YOU HAVE A FLAT, YOU CAN DEAL WITH IT.

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

John: TIME NOW TO GET BACK BEHIND THE WHEEL FOR MORE QUICK SPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS!

THE MORE TIME PASSES, THE BETTER THE HYUNDAI SONATA GETS.

AND OUR QUICK SPIN IN THE ALL-NEW 2015 SONATA MAKES THAT EVEN MORE APPARENT.

MULTIPLE POWERTRAINS OFFER SEVERAL LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE: THE 245 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER TURBO INLINE 4 LOSES SOME PEP AS IT CARRIES OVER, BUT STILL REMAINS THE SPORTIEST, AND QUITE ENGAGING.

Zach Maskell: NOT THE BEST OF NEWS, BUT I'M GONNA TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, IT'S NOT THAT BAD: ACROSS THE BOARD, THE 2015 SONATAS ARE DOWN IN POWER COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

THIS 2.0 LITER TURBO TAKES THE BIGGEST HIT, LOSING 30 HORSEPOWER.

THE REASONING BEHIND IT, HYUNDAI SAYS IT'S GOT MORE RESPONSIVENESS AT A LOWER RPM, AND IT SHOULD HELP OUT THOSE MPGs.

John: NEXT IN LINE IS THE 185 HORSEPOWER 2.4 LITER NON-TURBO INLINE 4; ALSO A CARRYOVER, AND ALSO DOWN IN OUTPUT.

ALTHOUGH IN THE BASE SONATA, IT STILL REMAINS COMMUTER FRIENDLY AND A COMPETENT MID-SIZE FAMILY 4-DOOR CONTENDER.

NEW IS THE SONATA ECO, WITH ITS 177 HORSEPOWER, 1.6 LITER TURBO INLINE 4 MATED TO HYUNDAI'S FIRST 7-SPEED DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION.

THIS QUICKER SHIFTING SONATA BOASTS 32 COMBINED MPG.

THE SONATA HYBRID CARRIES OVER ENTIRELY FOR 2015.

NO MATTER WHAT THE FLAVOR, THE NEW SONATA HAS GROWN UP IN THE LOOKS DEPARTMENT.

BOTH INSIDE AND OUT, IT'S MORE REFINED, IF LESS STYLISH.

COMFORT NOTCHES UP, TOO, AND SO DOES THE OVERALL DRIVING ENJOYMENT.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA STARTS AROUND $22,000.

TRYING TO ALWAYS BE ON THE CUTTING EDGE IS A TOUGH TASK, ESPECIALLY IN THE CAR WORLD.

CASE IN POINT: THIS 2014 VOLKSWAGEN CC R-LINE.

WHILE AN EARLY ADOPTER OF THE 4-DOOR COUPE STYLING, THE CC IS GETTING A LITTLE LONG IN THE TOOTH, DESPITE A RECENT REFRESH.

STILL ATTRACTIVE, JUST NOW A TAD VANILLA.

R-LINE EXTRAS DO ADD SOME NEEDED ATTITUDE.

THE INTERIOR REMAINS FOCUSED ON COMFORT, AND ITS TOP NOTCH.

COUPE STYLING DOES MEAN COUPE PROPORTIONS, THOUGH, AND HEADROOM MIGHT BE AN ISSUE.

THE ALL-BUSINESS DASH DESIGN IS LARGELY UNCHANGED, AND EASY TO GET ALONG WITH.

A BACKUP CAMERA IS A NEW CC STANDARD.

THE PEPPY, 2.0 LITER TURBO I4 PUTS DOWN 200 HORSEPOWER THROUGH A 6-SPEED DUAL CLUTCH TO THE FRONT WHEELS, 18-INCHERS WITH THE R LINE PACKAGE.

PLENTY OF FUN FOR THE CASUAL CRUISER IN ALL OF US.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2014 VOLKSWAGEN CC R-LINE STARTS AROUND $34,000.

IN THE NEVER ENDING PUSH TO MAKE DIESEL "RING" WITH U.S. CONSUMERS, AUTOMAKERS CONTINUE TO EXPLORE MORE OF THE DIESEL LANDSCAPE.

AND DOING SO FIRST AMONG LIGHT-DUTY FULL-SIZE PICKUPS IS THIS 2014 RAM 1500 ECODIESEL.

THE 1500 ECO-D GRABS POWER FROM THE SAME ITALIAN 3.0-LITER TURBODIESEL V6 WE LOVED IN THE GRAND CHEROKEE.

OUTPUT RATES 240 HORSEPOWER.

TORQUE IS 420 POUND-FEET, OR MORE THAN RAM'S HEMI V8.

DESPITE NOTICEABLE TURBO LAG, THE DIESEL'S THROTTLE RESPONSE WAS GREAT: MANAGEABLE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, LIVABLE.

OUR LARAMIE LIMITED DIESEL BROUGHT THE BEST OF THE BEST INSIDE: HEAPS OF LEATHER, WHISPER-QUIET RIDE, GREAT COMFORT, AND PLENTY OF ROOM WITH A TRUE CREW CAB SETUP.

WE TOOK THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COMPARE FUEL ECONOMY WITH OUR LONG-TERM 2013 RAM 1500 QUAD CAB WITH A GASOLINE-FUELED 3.6-LITER V6, RATED AT 305 HORSEPOWER AND 269 POUND-FEET.

BOTH SIXES ARE MATTED TO AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC, HAVE ACTIVE GRILLE SHUTTERS, AND RIDE ON FOUR CORNER AIR SUSPENSION.

WHILE NOT QUITE AN APPLES-TO-APPLES COMPARO, IT WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO GAUGE ANY BIG DIFFERENCES.

AND THROUGH A 100 MILE TEST LOOP OF MIXED CITY/HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE DIESEL AVERAGED AN IMPRESSIVE 27.5 MPG, WHILE THE GAS RAM SAW 23.4 MPG.

SO THE DIESEL DOES FOUR MILES PER GALLON BETTER.

THAT'S A BIG DEAL FOR A BIG TRUCK, MADE EVEN BIGGER WHEN COMPARED TO A THIRSTIER GAS V8.

BUT AT WHAT COST?

THE 1500 ECODIESEL ADDS NEARLY $4,000 TO A BASE RAM'S STICKER, AND $2,850 MORE THAN THE V8 HEMI.

STILL, WE THINK ONCE AGAIN, THE INNOVATIVE FOLKS AT RAM ARE STARTING A TREND FOR RIVAL TRUCKS TO FOLLOW.

AND WE'LL HEAD OUT ON MORE QUICK SPINS, SOON!

THE ALL-NEW SUBARU WRX JUST RODE HOME WITH OUR 2014 DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST SPORT SEDAN.

IT SIMPLY DELIVERED LOTS OF SERIOUS THRILLS FOR THE MONEY.

BUT WE KNEW THAT THE WRX WAS JUST A TEASE UNTIL THE NEXT WRX STI ARRIVED.

WELL, IT'S HERE!

SO, WITH OUR HOPES FLYING SKY-HIGH, LET'S STRAP IN AND SEE IF THIS NEXT HOT SUBARU CAN MAKE OUR SMILES EVEN WIDER.

GOING DOWN THE SPEC SHEET, THE 2015 SUBARU WRX STI CHECKS ALL THE RIGHT BOXES FOR PURISTS: RALLY GRADE SUSPENSION... A SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION... OVER 300 HORSEPOWER...

CHECK, CHECK, AND CHECK.

YET FOR A VEHICLE OF THE STI'S HERITAGE, PREDICATED ON BACK-TO-BASICS, OLD SCHOOL FUN, THIS LATEST MODEL DOES BENEFIT FROM SOME NEW-AGE TECHNOLOGIES, DESPITE CHANGING LITTLE ELSE FROM PREVIOUS GENERATIONS.

RETURNING IS THE BOXER HORIZONTALLY OPPOSED TURBO FLAT 4; 2.5 LITERS WORTH, AND RATED AT 305 HORSEPOWER AND 290 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

INDEED, IT IS THE SAME ENGINE AND THE SAME OUTPUT THAT THE STI FAITHFUL ALREADY KNOW.

AND IT'S MATED TO THE VERY SAME SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, AS WELL.

SLIGHT IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2015 REDUCE VIBRATIONS AND MAKE SHIFTS SMOOTHER BETWEEN LOW GEARS.

SYMMETRICAL ALL-WHEEL DRIVE IS NATURALLY STANDARD, AS IS THE DRIVER CONTROL CENTER DIFFERENTIAL, WHICH ALLOWS FOR MECHANICAL AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL OF THE CENTER DIFF THROUGH VARIOUS SETTINGS.

ALL THIS, COMBINED WITH THE HELICAL LIMITED-SLIP FRONT DIFF, AND THE TORSEN LIMITED-SLIP REAR DIFF, BASICALLY TRANSLATES TO GRIP, AND LOTS OF IT.

NEW THIS YEAR IS ACTIVE TORQUE VECTORING, WHICH WORKS WITH THE STABILITY AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS TO APPLY A BIT OF BRAKING WHILE CORNERING.

SO WHAT BETTER PLACE TO EXPERIENCE ALL THIS THAN AT OUR TEST TRACK.

OFF THE LINE, POWER WAS EASY TO FIND, WITH A MORE MANAGEABLE CLUTCH THAN IN OUR 2011 TEST.

WE JUST HOOKED UP AND FLEW TO 60 IN 4.7 SECONDS.

SEVEN-TENTHS QUICKER THAN THE WRX.

THEN OUR STI PUNCHED THROUGH THE FULL QUARTER MILE IN 13.2 SECONDS AT 104 MILES PER HOUR.

WHERE SUBARU SAYS THEY IMPROVED THE STI THE MOST IS IN HANDLING.

AND INDEED, THROUGH THE CONES, IT REALLY COMES ALIVE.

THE ADDED RIGIDITY AND A THOROUGHLY RETUNED SUSPENSION, WHILE A LITTLE MORE SOLID THAN BEFORE DURING COMMUTES, REALLY TAKES TO TIGHT SWITCHBACKS.

THE QUICKENED STEERING RATIO, NOW 13.0:1, ADDS PRECISION AND GREAT FEEDBACK.

GETTING TO HIGH SPEEDS IS EASY IN THE STI, AND LUCKILY, SO IS SLOWING IT DOWN; TAKING A SCANT 108 FEET FROM 60.

AS WITH THE STANDARD WRX, THE STI DISTANCES ITSELF FROM THE IMPREZA SEDAN ON WHICH IT IS STILL TECHNICALLY BASED.

WHEELBASE IS ALSO STRETCHED ONE INCH OVER THE LAST STI, TO 104.3 INCHES, AND THE A PILLARS AND WINDSHIELD ARE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE RAKED, OFFERING BOTH A MORE SWEPT LOOK AND BETTER VISIBILITY.

BUT WHAT'S AN STI WITHOUT THE WING?

IT'S HERE, IN FULL FORCE, TO AUGMENT THE WRX'S HOOD SCOOP UP FRONT, AND QUAD EXHAUST IN THE BACK.

OUR LIMITED TESTER'S 18-INCH BBS FORGED ALLOY WHEELS CAME WRAPPED IN 245/40 SUMMER PERFORMANCE TIRES.

BUT OUR INNER "MR. T" WISHES WE COULD HAVE HAD THE LAUNCH EDITION'S GOLD WHEELS AND ITS WR BLUE PEARL PAINT, AND WE PITY THE FOOL WHO DOESN'T GRAB ONE OF THE ONLY 1,000 IN PRODUCTION.

BUT WE DIGRESS.

HOP INSIDE AND YOU'LL FIND THINGS ARE ALSO VERY SIMILAR TO THE STANDARD WRX, INCLUDING RACER RED GAUGE ACCENTS, A 4.3 INCH DASH TOP SCREEN, FAUX CARBON FIBER TRIM, AND FLAT-BOTTOM STEERING WHEEL THAT FEELS GREAT.

ONE PLUS, THE IMPROVED "STI" EMBROIDERED SEATS DO OFFER BETTER GRIP, AND WE LOVED THE STI-EXCLUSIVE SHORT THROW SHIFTER.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 17 CITY, 23 HIGHWAY, AND 19 COMBINED.

EVEN DRIVING LIKE WE THINK OWNERS WILL, OUR TEST LOOP OF 23.4 ON PREMIUM WAS BETTER THAN EXPECTED.

EVEN BETTER NEWS IS THAT STI BASE PRICING STARTS AT A REASONABLE $35,290.

LIMITED TRIM GOES FOR $39,290, WITH OUR TEST CAR ADDING A $1,500 NAV AND KEYLESS ACCESS OPTION.

IT'S A LITTLE MORE "BUCK" OVER THE WRX, BUT YOU DO GET A LOT MORE "BANG" FOR IT.

THE STI HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SHOWCASE OF EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE WITH AN ACCESSIBLE PRICE; WHICH IS EXACTLY WHY WE LOVE THE 2015 SUBARU WRX STI EVEN MORE.

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 I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME AND EXPLORE WITH US THE SURPRISINGLY SPACIOUS FIAT 500L.

THEN REVIVE THE OLD SCHOOL COOL OF VOLVO WAGONS WITH THE V60.

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...

THIS IS PETE.

PETE'S HELPING HIS AUNT MOVE, SO HE'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.

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

BUT PETE'S THINKING, "IT WOULD'VE BEEN NICE TO KNOW ABOUT THE MYNAH BIRD."

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.

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