2015 BMW i8 & 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

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

JOIN US, FOR A LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE OF ULTIMATE DRIVING IN THE BMW I8... PAT GOSS FILTERS OUT THE NONSENSE WITH TIMELY TIPS DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE... ZACH MASKELL GOES OVER THE EDGE, CHASING CLASSIC CARS WITH WAYNE CARINI... THEN WE'LL UNPACK OUR REVIEW OF THE LATEST MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER!

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

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

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DIEHARD.

THE DIEHARD ADVANCED GOLD BATTERY.

DESIGNED TO HELP START YOUR CAR AND POWER THE EQUIPMENT IN IT.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.

>> JOHN: IN THE MORE THAN 3 DECADES THAT MOTORWEEK HAS BEEN ON THE AIR, WE'VE SEEN ELECTRIC CARS GROW FROM HOMEMADE CURIOSITIES, TO MASS PRODUCTION ICONS.

BUT, THE PUBLIC APPETITE FOR PURE EV'S REMAINS STYMIED OVER RANGE AND COST.

BOTH PROBLEMS THAT PLUG-IN HYBRIDS ARE BETTER ABLE TO SOLVE.

STILL, MOST PHEVS HAVEN'T BEEN VERY EXCITING TO DRIVE.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THIS PLUG-IN, THE BMW I8.

THIS FUTURISTIC CONCEPT CAR BROUGHT TO LIFE CERTAINLY LOOKS EXCITING.

SO, LET'S SEE IF IT DRIVES THAT WAY.

LOOKING LIKE IT JUST DROVE OFF THE SET OF BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY, COMES BMW'S FIRST TAKE ON AN INTEGRATED PLUG-IN HYBRID, THE 2015 BMW I8.

IT LOOKS LIKE NOTHING YOU'VE SEEN, YET SOMEHOW APPEARS EXACTLY WHAT YOU'D EXPECT AN ADVANCED HYBRID FROM BMW TO LOOK LIKE.

LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE YOU SEE, THE HYBRID HARDWARE IS BMW'S OWN DESIGN AND HAS BOTH FRONT AND REAR AXLE POWER SOURCES THAT WORK BOTH SEPARATE AND TOGETHER.

DRIVING THE REAR WHEELS IS A 1.5-LITER TURBO-I3.

YES FOLKS, IT HAS COME TO THAT, A 3-CYLINDER ENGINE IN A SUPERCAR.

AND, YES AGAIN, IT'S THE SAME ENGINE USED IN THE NEW MINI COOPER.

PLACED FORWARD, WITH POWER FOR THE FRONT WHEELS IS A MORE EXPECTED 96 KW ELECTRIC MOTOR THAT DRAWS FROM A WATER-COOLED 5.0 KWH LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACK LYING LOW IN THE CHASSIS.

WORKING IN HARMONY, THEY PRODUCE 357 HORSEPOWER AND 420 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

AND MUCH LIKE A TRADITIONAL HYBRID, A HIGH-VOLTAGE STARTER/GENERATOR ATTACHED TO THE GAS ENGINE DOES DOUBLE DUTY BY FEEDING POWER BACK INTO THE BATTERIES.

BMW CLAIMS THAT WHEN IN SPORT MODE, EVERY MILE YOU DRIVE ADDS ONE MILE OF EV-RANGE.

TALK ABOUT HAVING YOUR FUN AND ECONOMIZING IT TOO.

THE BATTERY CAN ALSO BE CHARGED ON 110 OR 220-VOLT CIRCUITS.

WHILE THE POWER DISTRIBUTION IS CONSTANTLY SHUFFLED BETWEEN THE AXLES, YOU CAN PLAN ON STRICTLY EV OPERATION ONLY IF YOU TAKE IT EASY ON THE THROTTLE AT SPEEDS UP TO 75 MILES-PER-HOUR.

STEP INTO IT AND YOU'LL HEAR THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION PARTY START BEHIND YOU.

YOU CAN ALSO MANUALLY ENGAGE THE EV-MODE.

THE GOVERNMENT RATES THE RANGE AT 15-MILES.

BUT MUCH LIKE THE CHEVROLET VOLT, YOU'VE GOT ABOUT A 300 MILE RANGE ON JUST GAS AFTER THAT.

AMAZINGLY, BMW WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE I8 ILOOKING REMARKABLY LIKE THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT CAR, EVEN RETAINING THE SCISSOR-WING DOORS AND CARBON FIBER REINFORCED PLASTIC PASSENGER CELL.

WITH THAT AND EXTENSIVE USE OF OTHER LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS LIKE MAGNESIUM AND ALUMINUM, THE I8 WEIGHS IN AT 3,285 POUNDS.

BECAUSE OF THOSE DOORS, GETTING IN AND OUT CAN BE A BIT OF A CHALLENGE, LIKE MANY SUPERCARS; AND YET ANOTHER REMINDER THAT THIS CAR IS MUCH COOLER THAN WE ARE.

ONCE IN, SOME FOUND THE SEATS VERY COMFY, OTHERS NOT SO MUCH.

BUT ALL AGREE THE SEATING POSITION IS VERY LOW.

SHORTER DRIVERS COULD NOT SEE OVER THE NOSE WHICH MADE TIGHT MANEUVERS SCARY.

NAVIGATION AND MOST EXPECTED HIGH-TECH COMFORT AND SAFETY AMENITIES ARE STANDARD.

AND WE APPLAUD THE USE OF FAMILIAR CONTROLS RIGHT OFF THE BMW PARTS SHELF.

AND THAT EVEN INCLUDES THE IDRIVE CENTRAL CONTROLLER.

ALSO ON THE CONSOLE ARE A SIMPLE ELECTRONIC SHIFTER, DRIVING EXPERIENCE CONTROL, AND EDRIVE SWITCH.

LOOKING COOL IS ONE THING, BUT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE I8 IS VERY COOL AS WELL.

THERE'S PLENTY OF ENGINE NOISE ELECTRONICALLY PUMPED INTO THE CABIN AND IT CERTAINLY DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A 3-CYLINDER.

ENGAGE SPORT MODE AND YOU'LL GET A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF RESPONSIVENESS, BOTH FROM THE THROTTLE AND THROUGHOUT THE CHASSIS.

TRANSITIONS BETWEEN GAS AND ELECTRIC DRIVE ARE FAIRLY SMOOTH, THOUGH THERE ARE TIMES WHEN GETTING REAL AGGRESSIVE ON THE THROTTLE RESULTS IN THE CAR TAKING A SECOND TO PROCESS WHERE TO SEND THE POWER.

BUT OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S A MOSTLY SEAMLESS AFFAIR.

BRAKES ARE VERY TOUCHY IN THE USUAL ELECTRIC-DRIVE MANNER.

AS FOR ACCELERATION, WITH LAUNCH CONTROL ENGAGED, WE HIT 60 IN 4.4-SECONDS.

THERE'S INSTANT TORQUE OFF THE LINE AND SHIFTS FROM THE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAME IN A HURRY.

THOSE SHIFTS ARE VERY FIRM AND QUICK, AND HAD US THANKING BMW FOR NOT SUCCUMBING TO A CVT AS WE WORKED OUR WAY TO THE END OF THE 1/4-MILE IN 12.9-SECONDS AT A THRILLING 110 MILES-PER-HOUR.

THE SUSPENSION IS ALSO A MIX OF SOMETHING OLD AND SOMETHING NEW.

THE DESIGN IS DOUBLE-WISHBONE FRONT AND 5-LINK REAR, BUT DYNAMIC DAMPING CONTROL AND ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ARE STANDARD.

COMBINED, THEY KEEP THE I8 FLATTER THAN KANSAS THROUGH THE CORNERS.

COMBINED GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 28 MPG FOR GAS-ONLY DRIVING; THAT'S ABOUT 20% LOWER THAN THE VOLT, WITH 76 MPGE FOR I8 GAS-ELECTRIC OPERATION.

WE DRIVE MOSTLY IN SPORT MODE AND RECORDED 33.5.

OUR EURO-SPEC MODEL PREVENTED PROPER PLUG-IN CHARGING SO WE THINK OWNERS WILL LIKELY DOUBLE OUR TEST FIGURES.

WE'VE CERTAINLY ENTERED A NEW ERA OF SUPERCARS.

LIGHTWEIGHT, SMALL-ENGINE, ELECTRIC-ASSIST WONDERS THAT AIM FOR HIGH FUEL ECONOMY JUST AS MUCH LOW 0-60 AND LAP TIMES.

AND WHILE THE I8 IS FAR FROM BEING THE ULTIMATE STRAIGHT-LINE PERFORMER, ITS $135,700 PRICE TAG IS ONLY A FRACTION OF THE PRICE OF MOST OTHER HIGH PERFORMANCE PLUG-INS.

SO, AFTER DRIVING BMW'S VIEW OF THE FUTURE, WE CAN ABSOLUTELY SAY THAT THE 2015 I8 WILL FOREVER CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT PLUG-IN HYBRIDS.

AND WITH CARS LIKE THIS, IT'S CLEAR THAT GASOLINE, ELECTRIC, AND HIGH PERFORMANCE, CAN SMOOTHLY LIVE TOGETHER AS ONE.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN LIFE YOU CANNOT FAKE.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE ART OF FINDING, ACQUIRING, AND THEN PROPERLY RESTORING SOME OF THE MOST DESIRABLE CARS IN THE WORLD.

THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT'S LEARNED OVER NIGHT.

SO, OUR ZACH MASKELL GOES OVER THE EDGE WITH A LIFE-LONG COLLECTOR AND RESTORER, WHO'S FAMILIAR WITH A HARD DAY'S WORK.

>> ZACH MASKELL: IF I HAD TO BET, I'D SAY YOU DON'T LOVE CARS AS MUCH AS THIS GUY.

IF YOU RESPECT THOSE WHO CHERISH OFTEN FORGOTTEN AUTOMOTIVE TREASURES, THERE'S A SHOP AND DEALERSHIP YOU NEED TO CRUISE BY.

ADDICTION.

IT'S THE COMPULSIVE NEED FOR, OR USE OF A HABIT-FORMING SUBSTANCE.

THAT CAN EITHER BE A VERY GOOD OR A VERY BAD THING.

LUCKILY FOR US WE'RE AT F40 MOTORSPORTS IN PORTLAND, CONNECTICUT, AND WE'RE ABOUT TO GET A MAGNIFICENT FIX.

GROWING UP WAYNE CARINI WAS ALWAYS WORKING, COMPLETING ANY CHORES HIS FATHER TOLD HIM TO.

AT AGE 5, HE BECAME CHIEF LABORER, HELPING TO RESTORE CARS.

NOW, A LOT OF TIME IS SPENT TRAVELING THE WORLD, HOPING TO PICK UP HIS NEXT VEHICLE.

HIS SHOPS ARE A CAR NUT'S PLAYGROUND, FOCUSING ON CLASSICS.

>> WAYNE CARINI: IT'S LIKE CHRISTMAS EVERY MORNING.

YOU KNOW, I WAKE UP AND I NEVER KNOW WHO'S GOING TO CALL ME AND WHAT I'M GOING TO FIND THAT DAY.

>> ZACH: WAYNE WAS HOOKED AT AGE 9 WHEN HE WENT FOR A RIDE IN HIS FIRST FERRARI.

EVEN ON WEEKENDS, YOU CAN FIND HIM AT A SHOW OR AUCTION.

IN 30 YEARS, HE'S NEVER MISSED "PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS DE ELEGANCE."

TELEVISION WAS NEVER WAYNE'S INTENTION, BUT A GROUP SIMPLY WANTED TO FOLLOW HIM AROUND COMPLETELY UNSCRIPTED AND MAKE A SHOW OUT OF IT.

GOING INTO ITS 7TH SEASON, HIS SHOW TAKES YOU BEHIND THE CROSSHAIRS, ON THE HUNT FOR RARE AND EXOTIC CARS.

JUDGING BY HIS SHOWROOM ALONE.

I'M A BIG FAN OF WAYNE'S TASTE IN CARS, LIKE THIS BMW 507.

A BMW THAT NEVER REALLY GOT MUCH RECOGNITION, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN PUSHED INTO THE CORNER, AND NOW, IT'S JUST BLOWING UP LIKE WILD FIRE.

>> WAYNE: IT HAS...

I MEAN THIS BEAUTIFUL SHAPE, DESIGN, 2 SEATER SPORTS CAR, AND ALUMINUM V8.

A WONDERFUL CAR.

>> ZACH: WHILE WAYNE MAY PREFER A FERRARI V12.

THE RUMBLE OF A PROPER V8, JUST MIGHT TAKE SECOND PLACE.

>> WAYNE: YOU HAVE MERCEDES, THERE WERE BIG 6 CYLINDER CARS; YOU HAD FERRARIS THAT WERE V12S.

SO, THE V8 WASN'T REALLY AN ENGINE OTHER THAN WHAT THE AMERICANS WERE DOING THAT WERE REALLY SOUGHT AFTER... >> ZACH: IT'S A WONDER THINKING HOW DEMAND CAN CHANGE OVER TIME.

"THIS 1922 MARMON SPEEDSTER CAME FROM NOT A MUSEUM, BUT THIS IS ONE OF YOUR AWESOME BARNS FINDS.

WHERE DID YOU FIND THIS?"

>> WAYNE: THIS CAME FROM NEW JERSEY.

A GENTLEMEN CONTACTED ME, SAID HE HAD A MARMON FOR SALE, SENT ME SOME PICTURES, IT WENT BACK AND FORTH, WE NEGOTIATED ACTUALLY FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS, BUT I FINALLY WENT DOWN AND SAW IT AND THE MINUTE I SAW IT I KNEW I HAD TO HAVE IT.

>> ZACH: DUST AND DIRT?

IN THIS CASE, WAYNE LOVES IT.

>> WAYNE: WE'RE NOT GOING TO TOUCH THIS CAR AND WE'RE GOING TO BRING IT TO AUCTION.

AND WE BELIEVE THAT SHOWING THE CAR AS WE FOUND IT WILL BRING MORE MONEY THAN ACTUALLY CLEANING IT, AND PAINTING IT AGAIN, AND SEMI-RESTORING IT.

>> ZACH: WITH 40,000 MILES, AND ONLY 8 TO 10 EXPECTED TO BE ALIVE TODAY...

IT CAME AS A SURPRISE WAYNE SEEMINGLY WANTED ME TO DRIVE IT.

"THIS IS OFFICIALLY THE OLDEST CAR THAT I HAVE EVER DRIVEN ON THE ROAD IN.

>> WAYNE: IS THAT RIGHT?

ALL RIGHT!

>> ZACH: CLUTCH ON THE LEFT.

GAS IN THE MIDDLE.

BRAKES ON THE RIGHT.

YEAH, IT TOOK A MINUTE FOR THAT ONE TO SINK IN.

WHAT ALSO TOOK TIME, WAS REALIZING WAYNE WAS EXACTLY RIGHT.

THE MILLENNIALS NEED ALL THE HELP THEY CAN GET.

BECAUSE THE RESPECT FOR THE AUTOMOBILE IS SLOWLY DYING.

HE'S GOT A MESSAGE FOR US CAR GUYS.

>> WAYNE: IF YOU SEE A YOUNG PERSON WALKING PAST YOUR CAR, ASK THEM IF THEY WANT TO SIT IN IT.

BECAUSE THE MINUTE THEY SIT IN IT, AND THEY SIT BEHIND THE WHEEL, AND SEE ALL THOSE BEAUTIFUL GAUGES, AND THAT GREAT STEERING WHEEL, AND THEN YOU'RE ABLE TO START IT UP AND THEY HEAR THE SOUND... YOU'RE SETTING THE HOOK FOR LIFE.

>> ZACH: "RIDE OF YOUR LIFE HAS NEW MEANING."

>> WAYNE: (LAUGHTER) THANKS, MAN!

>> ZACH: THANK YOU SO MUCH, THAT WAS INCREDIBLE!

IT'S JUST A CAR, HE TOLD ME.

YET, PASSING ON THE JOY OF MACHINE IS A TIMELESS ACT WAYNE COULDN'T STAND TO SEE VANISH.

SO REMEMBER KIDS, EVERY NEW CAR HAS A WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF IT.

LOOK CLOSELY AND YOU JUST MIGHT FIND THE ONE YOU'LL NEVER FORGET.

>> JOHN: IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF BENTLEY MOTORS, WELL THIS BOOK IS NOT IT.

BENTLEY: A MOTORING MISCELLANY IS INSTEAD A VOLUME FULL OF TRIVIAL TIDBITS AND WATER COOLER FODDER FOR ANYONE WHO IS A FAN OF THE FAMED BRITISH BRAND.

FROM A BACKGROUND OF W. O. BENTLEY'S FIRST CUSTOMER, TO A LISTING OF SOME OF THE MORE EXOTIC CUSTOM PIECES THAT HAVE ROLLED OUT OF THE FACTORY OVER THE YEARS, WITH JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

IT'S A QUICK AND FUN MUST READ THAT'S GUARANTEED TO TEACH YOU A THING OR TWO ABOUT THE BRAND WITH THE WINGED B.

LIKE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR, PAT GOSS IS BACK WITH MORE HELPFUL HINTS.

SO LET'S SWING BY GOSS' GARAGE!

>> PAT GOSS: FOLKS, I'M CONSTANTLY AMAZED AT HOW MANY OF YOU FAIL TO TAKE CARE OF THE VERY BASIC THINGS THAT KEEP YOUR CAR GOING, AND WORKING THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE FIND IN THE REPAIR SHOP ALL THE TIME IS WE GET CARS IN THAT HAVE EITHER HEATING OR AIR-CONDITIONING PROBLEMS.

AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE CHECK IS RIGHT HERE.

IT'S THE AIR INTAKE AT THE BACK OF THE HOOD.

LOTS OF TIMES WE FIND THAT IT'S JUST PACKED WITH LEAVES AND DEBRIS; TWIGS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WELL, THE NEXT THING THAT WE CHECK IS THAT WE LOOK AT THE VENTILATION SYSTEM ITSELF.

IS THERE ANY KIND OF BLOCKAGE IN THERE?

LIKE HERE WE HAVE A RODENTS NEST.

NOW IF YOU FIND SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN YOUR CAR, YOU MAY HAVE ODORS INSIDE YOUR CAR WHEN THE SYSTEM IS WORKING.

AND YOU'RE BREATHING IN THE RESULTS OF THE RODENTS.

BUT IF YOU HAVE TO HANDLE THIS, WHERE A MASK, AND WEAR PROTECTIVE GLOVES.

NOW WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH ALL OF THIS IS WE'RE TRYING TO GET AIR FLOW FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR INTO THE CABIN TO KEEP US COMFORTABLE.

THAT AIR HAS TO MOVE THROUGH ONE OF TWO THINGS.

HERE WE HAVE THE HEATER CORE.

THIS IS WHAT HEATS THE AIR COMING IN TO THE CABIN.

AND IF WE LOOK AT THIS, WE SEE THAT THERE ARE VERY TINY OPENINGS.

SO, IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO BLOCK THIS UP.

NOW OVER HERE, KIND OF BURIED DOWN IN THERE, IS THE AIR CONDITIONING EVAPORATOR.

AND IT IS VERY MUCH LIKE THE HEATER CORE.

NOW, ONE OF THE MORE COMMON PROBLEMS THAT WE FIND WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS IS, IT WORKS REALLY, REALLY WELL FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN IT SHUTS OFF.

A FEW MINUTES LATER IT COMES BACK ON.

WELL, WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THAT YOU HAVE RESTRICTED AIR FLOW, AND THE EVAPORATOR IS FREEZING.

AND THEN WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN, ONCE IT'S MELTED, THE R CONDITIONING COMES BACK ON.

SO, RATHER THAN BEING A GREAT, BIG, EXPENSIVE PROBLEM, IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING VERY, VERY MINIMAL.

IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING LIKE THIS: THIS IS A CABIN AIR FILTER.

AND THIS ONE IS OUT OF THIS 2014 TOYOTA.

SO, JUST BECAUSE YOUR CAR IS NEW DOESN'T MEAN YOUR FILTER ISN'T DIRTY.

SO MAKE IT A POINT TO CHECK THE CABIN AIR FILTER IN YOUR CAR.

SOME ARE EASY, DO-IT-YOURSELF; OTHERS, NOT SO MUCH.

LOOK IN YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL.

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

>> JOHN: WE NEVER SLOW DOWN HERE AT MOTORWEEK , AND WE'VE GOT MORE QUICK SPINS TO PROVE IT!

THOUGH "CONTINENTAL" IS NOT IN THE NAME ANYMORE, THE BENTLEY FLYING SPUR IS STILL INDEED A WORLD CLASS EFFORT.

ADD TO THE MIX A TWIN-TURBO V8 OPTION, AND THE FLYING SPUR SOARS TO NEW HEIGHTS.

FOR THE DISPLACEMENT OBSESSED, WE TESTED THE EXPECTED 6 LITER W12 IN THE FLYING SPUR LAST YEAR, AND FOUND ITS EXTREME POWER ADDICTING.

BUT NOW, THE BRAND'S 500 HORSEPOWER 4 LITER TWIN-TURBO V8 IS AN OPTION.

AND PAIRED WITH THE 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC, IT INJECTS NEW LIFE INTO THE SOMETIMES STUFFY FLYING SPUR.

SURE, POWER IS DOWN MORE THAN 100 HORSES FROM THE W12 BUT SO IS WEIGHT.

AND THE WAY IT'S DELIVERED MAKES THE V8 MORE DYNAMIC; FEELING NEARLY AS QUICK, DESPITE THE OBVIOUS DEFICIT.

IT'S STILL FIRST CLASS LUXURY, NOW JUST WITH A DASH OF FUN THROWN INTO THE MIX.

SO, GIVE THE CHAUFFEUR A FEW DAYS OFF; YOU WON'T MIND DRIVING YOURSELF A BIT.

COMFORT TAKES A BACK SEAT IN THE FLYING SPUR, LITERALLY.

OUR CAR'S OPTIONAL BOTTLE COOLER, AND REMOTE CONTROLS FOR CLIMATE AND INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS ARE JUST A FEW OF THE $50,000 WORTH OF EXTRAS ONBOARD THIS CAR.

IT'S STILL VERY MUCH A BENTLEY, THOUGH, IN MATERIAL QUALITY, LOOKS AND COLOR CHOICES, AND THE OVERALL AIR OF MONIED SOPHISTICATION.

IT DOESN'T SEEK TOO MUCH ATTENTION, THOUGH THE 21 INCH, 5 SPOKE ALLOYS AND MASSIVE GRILLE CERTAINLY WILL GRAB IT.

OPTING FOR THE V8 ADDS "8" SHAPED TAILPIPES, AND SOME UNIQUE EXTERIOR TREATMENTS.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2015 BENTLEY FLYING SPUR V8 STARTS AT NEARLY $198,000 BEFORE OPTIONS AND GAS GUZZLER TAX.

WE'VE NOW HAD AMPLE TIME TO ADJUST TO INFINITI'S RENAMING SYSTEM.

BUT JUST AS REFRESHER: THE FORMER M SEDAN, IS NOW THIS 2015 Q70.

THERE'S A DEFINITE REIMAGING OF EXTERIOR STYLE.

THE GRILLE, FASCIA, AND LIGHTING SHARPEN UP NICELY.

THINGS INSIDE REMAIN FAMILIAR, AND THE GAUGES, DASH LAYOUT, AND INFOTAINMENT CONTINUE ON FROM THE M. THERE ARE SEVERAL VARIATIONS OF Q70 TO BE HAD: REAR OR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE; 330 HORSEPOWER V6 OR 420 HORSEPOWER V8; STANDARD OR LONG-WHEELBASE.

AND THERE'S EVEN A Q70 HYBRID.

A WIDE ARRAY OF OPTIONS, PLUS THE CONTEMPORARY QUALITY WE'VE COME TO EXPECT FROM INFINITI, KEEP THE Q70 A VERY WORTHY LUXURY SEDAN CONTENDER, ESPECIALLY THE LONG WHEELBASE EDITION.

>> ZACH: THAT EXTRA 5.9 INCHES GOES DIRECTLY TO BACKSEAT ROOM, WHICH IS A NICE BREAK FROM THE OTHER CARS IN THIS SEGMENT.

NOW, DO YOU WANT TO PAY THE EXTRA $1,500 FOR IT?

WELL, I MEAN, IF YOU WANT THE PRESTIGE, OR THE EXTRA ROOM, THAT'S UP TO YOU.

>> JOHN: ON SALE NOW, THE 2015 INFINITI Q70 STARTS AROUND $50,000.

LAND ROVER DOESN'T JUST LEAVE LUXURY TO THEIR RANGE ROVER SUB-BRAND, THEY KEEP PLENTY FOR THEIR OWN MARQUE TOO.

AND OUR QUICK SPIN IN THE 2014 LAND ROVER LR4 DISPLAYS IT WELL.

OUTWARDLY, IT CONTINUES TO LOOK MORE RUGGED THAN A RANGE; BOXIER AND MORE PURPOSEFUL IN ITS DESIGN AS A MULTI-TERRAIN VEHICLE.

THOUGH A REVISED FRONT END OFFERS A DECIDEDLY MORE PREMIUM APPEARANCE, AS DO THE RIMS.

INTERIOR TRIM ON OUR MID-LEVEL HSE REINFORCED THAT PREMIUM STATUS, WITH A HEALTHY DOSE OF LEATHER ON THE SEATS AND STEERING WHEEL, AND WOOD ACCENTS THROUGHOUT.

BEHIND THE FRONT SEATS, AVAILABLE SPACE IS AMPLIFIED BY THE MASSIVE FRONT SUNROOF AND FIXED ALPINE ROOF REAR GLASS.

UNDER THE SKIN IS WHERE THE 2014 LR4 CHANGES MOST, REPLACING THE 5.0 LITER NATURALLY ASPIRATED V8 WITH A 3.0 LITER SUPERCHARGED V6.

POWER RATES 340 HORSES, AND FELT PLENTY HEALTHY TO US.

AN 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC REPLACES THE OUTGOING 6 GEARED TRANSMISSION.

AND THE TERRAIN RESPONSE SYSTEM IS LINKED TO A NEW, STANDARD SINGLE SPEED, OR OPTIONAL 2-SPEED 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE.

OUR LIMITED TIME KEPT US ON PAVEMENT ONLY, BUT WE'RE WELL VERSED IN LAND ROVER ADVENTURES, AND HAVE NO REASON TO DOUBT THE LR4'S OFF-ROAD PROWESS.

>> PATRICK LUCAS: YOU SHOULDN'T BE WORRIED ABOUT THE SMALLER ENGINE IT'S STILL A BEAST OFF-ROAD.

THE ADJUSTABLE AIR SUSPENSION AND VARIOUS TERRAIN SETTINGS KEEP IT PLENTY CAPABLE.

IT'S JUST THAT NOW, YOU'RE GETTING MORE MODERNIZED TECHNOLOGY AND A BUMP UP IN FUEL ECONOMY.

>> JOHN: ON SALE NOW, THE 2014 LAND ROVER LR4 STICKERS AROUND $51,000.

FOR 2015, LR4 ADDS STANDARD FEATURES LIKE SIDE STEPS AND SMART PHONE INTEGRATION.

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

WHEN THE FIRST MERCEDES-BENZ DESIGNED SPRINTER ARRIVED HERE IN 2001, FEW EXPECTED IT TO BECOME AMERICA'S NEW GOLD STANDARD IN CARGO VANS.

BUT, IT'S WALK THROUGH INTERIOR PROVED A HUGE ADVANTAGE OVER SQUATTIER DETROIT OFFERINGS.

STILL, WHILE THE SPRINTER DOES DELIVER IN MAKING WORK EASIER; THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE STAR ON THE GRILLE AND A LESS THAN PREMIUM INTERIOR.

WELL, THAT'S NOT THE CASE ANYMORE.

ONCE THE MERCEDES-BENZ DESIGNED SPRINTER WAS THE ONLY LARGE, EURO-STYLED CARGO VAN IN THE U.S.

BUT TODAY, THEY ARE FACING STIFFER COMPETITION WITH SIMILAR OFFERINGS FROM FORD, NISSAN, AND RAM.

SO, TO STAY AHEAD OF THIS GROWING FIELD, THE 2014 SPRINTER ADDS NUMEROUS UPDATES TO BOTH STAY COMPETITIVE AND MOVE MORE IN LINE WITH WHAT PEOPLE EXPECT FROM THE MERCEDES-BENZ BRAND.

BESIDES INTERIOR HEIGHT ADVANTAGES, THE INCREASINGLY UNIVERSAL APPEAL OF EURO-STYLE VANS EXTENDS TO THEIR EASE OF MANEUVERABILITY IN TIGHTER QUARTERS, THEY GET BETTER FUEL ECONOMY, AND OVERALL MAKE MORE EFFICIENT USE OF SPACE.

THE LATEST SPRINTER INCLUDES MORE UPSCALE MATERIALS TO THE DRIVER'S CABIN, AND A HOST OF ACTIVE SAFETY FEATURES INCLUDING NEW CROSSWIND ASSIST.

OUTSIDE, RETRACTABLE RUNNING BOARDS ARE NOW OFFERED TO MAKE FREQUENT USE OF THE SLIDING SIDE DOOR MUCH EASIER.

CREW VANS COME WITH A BACK SEAT FOR 3, AND 144 CUBIC-FEET OF STORAGE SPACE.

BOTH FULL CARGO AND FULL PASSENGER LAYOUTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.

THE SPRINTER'S RIDE IS ALSO VASTLY IMPROVED, NOT QUITE TO FAMILY SEDAN LEVELS, BUT IF YOU'RE ACCUSTOMED TO THE OLD ECONOLINE WAY OF DOING THINGS; IT'S A REVELATION.

IT'S NOT INTIMIDATING TO DRIVE AT ALL, EVEN FOR FIRST TIME COMMERCIAL VAN USERS.

VISIBILITY IS GOOD, AND A BACK-UP CAMERA IS ALSO AVAILABLE; THAT WILL BE NEW TO MOST VAN DRIVERS, THOUGH A FULL SUITE OF AROUND VIEW CAMERAS WOULD BE EVEN BETTER.

HELPING YOU STRETCH HARD EARNED DOLLARS A LITTLE FURTHER IS A NEW 2.1-LITER 4-CYLINDER TURBO-DIESEL ENGINE UNDER A SLIGHTLY TALLER HOOD.

PRODUCTIVITY IS 161 HORSEPOWER AND 265 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THE 2.1 IS AIDED BY A NEW 7-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND THE COMBO CAN TOW UP TO 5,000 POUNDS.

THE 188 HORSEPOWER 3.0-LITER V6 BLUETEC IS STILL AVAILABLE AS WELL, AND IN 2015 IT CAN BE PAIRED WITH A NEW 4-WHEEL DRIVE OPTION THAT CAN INCLUDE A LOW RANGE FUNCTION FOR REALLY TOUGH WORK.

WE PUT THE NEW 2.1 TO WORK AT OUR TEST TRACK.

THANKS TO PLENTY OF DIESEL GRUNT, WE WORKED OUR WAY TO 60 IN 12.0-SECONDS.

THE FULL 1/4-MILE GRIND HAD US FEELING LIKE WE WERE PUTTING IN OVERTIME, BUT EVENTUALLY WE CLOCKED OUT AT 18.7-SECONDS AT 74 MILES-PER-HOUR.

BRAKES FELT VERY STRONG WITH NICE AND STRAIGHT STOPS FROM 60 AVERAGING JUST 132 FEET.

AS FOR THE MUCH MORE IMPORTANT FUEL ECONOMY TESTING, WE AVERAGED 19.3 MILES-PER-GALLON IN MIXED DRIVING.

WITH FINAL ASSEMBLY IN SOUTH CAROLINA, THE SPRINTER CAN BE HAD IN MANY LENGTHS, CONFIGURATIONS AND ROOF HEIGHTS.

PRICES START AT $36,990 FOR A SHORT WHEELBASE CARGO VAN.

OUR 2500 CREW VAN WITH A PRETTY EXTENSIVE OPTIONS LIST WAS PUSHING 50 GRAND.

SPRINTER CONTINUES TO ALSO BE SOLD UNDER THE FREIGHTLINER BADGE.

SO, WHILE THE SPRINTER MAY HAVE GOTTEN THE EURO VAN BALL ROLLING HERE IN THE U.S.

IT'S NO LONGER THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN.

BUT, THE SPRINTER OF HEAVY DUTY PLAYERS IS READY TO MAKE SURE MERCEDES-BENZ STAYS AHEAD IN THE WORKDAY GAME.

WELL, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW!

AND 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... AS WE TRY PORSCHE'S LATEST GO AT HIGH PERFORMING UTILITIES WITH COMPACT MACAN.

THEN PICK UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF IN THE CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON.

PAT GOSS PUMPS US UP TO NEW HEIGHTS.

ZACH MASKELL GOES OVER THE EDGE AT SUMMIT POINT.

PLUS MOTOR NEWS, AND A LONG TERM ROADTEST UPDATE.

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.

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