2015 BMW 740Ld & 2015 Chervolet Corvette Z06

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

JOIN US FOR SOME DIESEL DECADENCE IN THE BMW 740LD... PAT GOSS SHOWS US HOW TIRES COME TOGETHER, FROM THE GROUND UP... ZACH MASKELL HITS HIGH SPEEDS AND BEYOND, OVER THE EDGE... AND WE'LL DRIVE WAY BEYOND THE STINGRAY, IN THE CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> ANNOUNCER: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY...

THIS IS BOB.

BOB'S NOT THINKING ABOUT WHERE TO BUY HIS NEXT SET OF TIRES.

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

BUT BOB'S THINKING, "SHOULD I TELL HER ABOUT THAT THING IN HER TEETH?"

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF BRANDS, PRICES, AND SPECIFICATIONS.

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

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: AS BMW'S FLAGSHIP SEDAN, THE 7 SERIES BOASTS STYLE, AND TECHNOLOGY.

IT'S THE KIND OF CAR YOU WANT TO SPEND AS MUCH TIME AND MILEAGE IN AS POSSIBLE.

WELL, HELPING YOU MAXIMIZE YOUR STINT BEHIND THE WHEEL AND MINIMIZE YOUR TIME AT THE FILLING STATION IS A NEW 740LD, FOR DIESEL.

SO, IT'S ALL ABOARD FOR A LUXURY LOCOMOTIVE ROAD TEST.

WHILE THE 2015 BMW 740 LD XDRIVE IS NOT EXACTLY A LOCOMOTIVE, FEELS LIKE IT COULD CERTAINLY POWER ONE.

THAT OIL BURNER IS BMW'S LATEST ADVANCED DIESEL 3.0 LITER TURBO I6, AND OUTPUT IS 255 HORSEPOWER WITH A STOMPING 413 POUND-FEET COMBINED WITH DRIVING DYNAMICS CONTROL WITH ECO PRO MODE AND AUTO STOP/START, IT DELIVERS OVER A THIRD HIGHER COMBINED FUEL ECONOMY RATING THAN A COMPARABLE V8 GAS 7 SERIES.

AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE ARE STANDARD WITH THE DIESEL.

IT'S NOT AS QUIET AS SOME OTHER CLEAN DIESELS WE'VE TRIED.

BUT, IF YOU'RE SERIOUSLY LOOKING AT A DIESEL, YOU'RE ALREADY EXPECTING SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN THE SOUND DEPARTMENT.

LIKE ALL BMW'S, IT'S DESIGNED WITH THE DRIVER IN MIND, AS PUTTING ASIDE THE DIESEL FRUGALNESS; THIS CAR IS TRULY A JOY TO DRIVE.

POPPING IT INTO SPORT MODE FIRMS UP THE SUSPENSION NICELY.

THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE GRIP ALSO HELPS THROUGH DRY CORNERS, WITH LOTS OF DIESEL GRUNT FOR SNAPPING OUT OF THEM.

THE HIGHWAY RIDE IS NOT AS PLUSH AS A MERCEDES S-CLASS, BUT WE WOULDN'T EXPECT THAT IN A BMW.

GOING FULL SPEED AHEAD AT OUR TEST TRACK, THE LD ZIPPED TO 60 IN 6.0 SECONDS.

THE V8.

STILL, THE THROTTLE IS VERY RESPONSIVE AS THE CAR LEAPS OFF THE LINE WITH NO WAITING FOR POWER TO ARRIVE.

SHIFTS COME EARLY AND OFTEN IN TYPICAL DIESEL FASHION, FINISHING OUT THE QUARTER MILE IN 14.5 SECONDS AT A SPEED EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE, THERE'S ALMOST NO ROLL THROUGH THE SLALOM FOR 4,685 POUNDS WORTH OF LUXURY SEDAN.

ADD IN A TIGHT, HEAVY STEERING FEEL, AND IT'S A LOT MORE FUN THROUGH THE CORNERS THAN YOU'RE EXPECTING.

WITH STOPS FROM 60 AVERAGING A NEAT 124-FEET, BRAKING WAS ALSO JUST AS GOOD AS WE EXPECT A HEAVY CAR CAN BE.

THERE'S FINE BOLSTERING IN SEATS FOR STAYING PUT WHILE DOING ALL OF THAT AND THEY'RE ALSO BEYOND COMFORTABLE.

IT'S MOSTLY ALL PRAISE FOR THE REST OF THE INTERIOR AS WELL.

STILL, THERE'S NOT AS MANY ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES AS SOME IN THE SEGMENT, AND NOT ALL OF OUR STAFF LIKED THE "DRY LAKE BED" PATTERN OF THE DASH MATERIAL.

ALONG WITH ROOM FOR THAT MORNING CUP OF JOE, HIGH END FEATURES INCLUDE NAVIGATION, BACK-UP CAMERA, DYNAMIC DIGITAL GAUGE CLUSTER, HEAD UP DISPLAY, POWER TRUNK LID, AND A BANG AND OLUFSEN SOUND SYSTEM.

AND OF COURSE THERE'S IDRIVE ON HAND TO CONTROL IT ALL.

AVAILABLE IN THE EXTENDED WHEELBASE ONLY MEANS THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM FOR STRETCHING OUT IN THE BACK SEATS, WHICH ARE ALSO HEATED, AND PROTECTED BY A MULTITUDE OF SUNSHADES.

HOWEVER, FOR SUCH A BIG CAR, MORE THAN 14.0 CUBIC-FEET OF CARGO ROOM WOULD BE NICE, BUT THERE IS SOME UNDERFLOOR SPACE AS WELL.

AND CONSERVATIVE EXTERIOR, THOUGH AS WITH EVERY OTHER 7 SERIES YOU CAN UPGRADE TO THE M SPORT PACKAGE FOR 19-INCH ALLOY WHEELS, BLACK EXTERIOR TRIM, AND EXTRA AERO ADD-ONS.

AS FOR HOW THIS DIESEL DOES IN THE OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS, THEY ARE 23-CITY, 31-HIGHWAY, AND 26-COMBINED.

BUT AS IS OFTEN THE CASE IN OIL BURNERS, WE EASILY BEAT THOSE NUMBERS WITH A STINGY AVERAGE OF 32.3 MILES PER GALLON.

THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE FALLS IN AT 14.7 BARRELS OF OIL CONSUMED AND 6.4 TONS OF CO2 EMITTED ANNUALLY.

OF COURSE FLAGSHIP GERMAN CARS ARE NOT FOR THE TRULY STINGY.

PRICING STARTS AT $83,450.

STILL, THAT'S OVER 8 GRAND LESS THAN A SIMILAR V8, AND EVEN WITH PRICEY OPTIONS OUR CAR WAS WELL UNDER 6 FIGURES.

AS FLAMBOYANT AS SOME OF ITS RIVALS, NOR DOES IT HAVE ALL OF THE PUNCH OF EVEN ITS OWN STABLEMATES.

BUT IT IS AN EXCEPTIONAL LARGE SEDAN, WITH ALL THE LUXURY AND STYLE EXPECTED IN ITS EXECUTIVE CLASS, WHILE RETAINING THE PURE DRIVING EMOTION THAT DEFINES THE BMW BRAND.

THE NEW DIESEL?

WELL, THAT JUST MAKES IT A TOTALLY INTELLIGENT CHOICE AS WELL.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO GEORGETOWN, DELAWARE A LOCAL TRANSIT AGENCY INTO A PROPANE ADVOCATE.

IN JUNE OF 2014, THE STATE OWNED DELAWARE TRANSIT CORPORATION CONVERTED FIVE BUSES TO PROPANE.

THE FORD E-450 PARATRANSIT BUSES TRANSPORT DISABLED CITIZENS AROUND SUSSEX COUNTY.

PARTNERING WITH LOCAL PROPANE SUPPLIER SHARP ENERGY, THE PILOT PROGRAM WAS SO SUCCESSFUL, WITH A 25 PERCENT FUEL COST REDUCTION, THAT MORE PROPANE BUSES ARE PLANNED.

>> RICK WALTERS: OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF VEHICLES IS MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE BECAUSE THESE ENGINES BURN SO CLEANLY, WE DON'T HAVE TO CHANGE THE OIL AS OFTEN WHICH IS AGAIN, LESS FOSSIL FUELS BEING USED.

>> JOHN: WITH LONG TERM SUPPORT FROM THE DELAWARE CLEAN CITIES COALITION, DART SECURED STATE FUNDING FOR THE PROPANE CONVERSIONS.

DART ALSO PLANS TO ADD THEIR OWN FUELING INFRASTRUCTURE, BUILDING A STRONGER "PROPANE" PRESENCE IN "THE FIRST STATE."

IF YOU'RE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO OWN AN EXOTIC CAR, A REAL DREAM MACHINE, THEN YOU GET A BIG CONGRATS FROM US.

BUT NOW WHAT?

STREET DRIVING A MEGA BUCK MOBILE CAN GET BORING FAST.

WOULDN'T YOU LOVE TO HAVE AN EASY, SAFE WAY TO LET IT ALL HANG OUT?

AND LET YOUR BUDDIES WATCH YOU DO IT?

WELL, PREPARE FOR TAKE-OFF AS OUR OVER THE EDGE GUY, ZACH MASKELL, RACES TOWARDS THE HORIZON.

>> ZACH MASKELL: THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE ACCELERATION OF THE W16, QUAD TURBO BUGATTI VEYRON WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT LIFE.

IT'S NOT THE LOUDEST, OR EVEN THE FASTEST CAR HERE.

BUT THIS WAS A PERFECT START, TO AN UNORDINARY DAY.

*(ENGINES REVVING) NO FLY ZONE IS ONE EVENT PUT ON BY OMEGA MOTORSPORT.

HALF MILE ROLL RACES, HAPPENING ABOUT EVERY 30 SECONDS, FOR THE ENTIRE DAY.

OVER 100 CARS, PAIRING THEMSELVES UP WITH WHOEVER WILL RACE.

THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM YOUR LOCAL TRACK ON A FRIDAY NIGHT.

WE'RE IN ONE THAT HAS 1200 HORSEPOWER AND WE'RE ABOUT HALF A MILE, JUST OUTSIDE BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA.

HIGH DOLLAR, HIGH HORSEPOWER CARS, RACING FOR FUN ON A CLOSED RUNWAY.

IT'S A NO PRESSURE ATMOSPHERE, AND ANYONE IS WELCOME.

EVEN HEAVY HITTERS LIKE THE VEYRON COME JUST TO PLAY.

SO THE GPS SAYS WE JUST HIT 181 MILES AN HOUR AND LET ME TELL YOU WHAT IT FELT NOTHING LIKE THAT.

IT FELT LIKE MAYBE 100.

THIS THING IS JUST INCREDIBLE.

THE OWNER OF THE BUGATTI ALSO BROUGHT OUT HIS PORSCHE CARRERA GT.

I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THAT NEITHER CAR WAS SIMPLY THERE FOR SHOW.

>> TRAVIS ELLIS: THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WHEN I STARTED GETTING INTO CARS A WHILE BACK THAT I SAID I'D NEVER DO.

GOING TO DRIVE IT LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DRIVEN AND THAT'S THE SAME ATTITUDE OF EVERYBODY ELSE OUT HERE.

>> TONY LOPEZ: I LOVE THE ATMOSPHERE.

WE SURROUND OURSELVES WITH A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE.

EVERYBODY'S ALWAYS APPRECIATIVE IT'S NOT A LOT OF EGOS AND PEOPLE TRYING TO BASH EACH OTHER LEFT AND RIGHT.

>> ZACH: SOME ARE OUT TO IMPROVE THEIR OWN TIME; SOME, OUT TO BEAT OTHERS, AND FOR THE REST, IT'S SIMPLY FOR THE GOOD VIBES.

>> LYNN BROWN: THE SOUNDS OF ALL THE ENGINES AND JUST THE FLAT OUT BEING ABLE TO GET IN THE CAR, >> ZACH: OH, AND THE MATCH UPS, WERE GOOD.

LAMBORGHINI'S NEWEST CREATION, THE HURACAN, JUST GOT FINISHED BEING BROKEN IN TODAY, WAS BOUGHT ONE WEEK AGO.

NOW, WE'RE GOING TO SEE WHAT SHE'S GOT.

THE STOCK LAMBO BEAT A MODDED CORVETTE ZR1.

IT WAS A NICE WIN TO BE A PART OF.

>> DRIVER: ROSS, I GOT HIM!

(LAUGHS) I GOT HIM!

>> ZACH: ZR1.

>> ROSS: YOU GOT HIM?

>> DRIVER: I GOT HIM!

(LAUGHS) >> ZACH: THE DRIVER WASN'T EVEN THE OWNER OF THIS CAR.

>> RICHARD FOWLER: THE HURACAN, YOU KNOW I'M LETTING MY FRIENDS DRIVE IT, BROTHERS DRIVE IT, SO, IT'S KIND OF LIKE THE COMMUNITY CAR TODAY.

EVERYONE'S HAVING A GOOD TIME WITH IT.

UM, OBVIOUSLY THE ORANGE ONE ONLY I DRIVE.

>> ZACH: AND THAT'S BECAUSE THIS STAGE 3, TWIN TURBO, UNDERGROUND GALLARDO HAS 1250 WHEEL HORSEPOWER.

HIS TOP SPEED FOR THE DAY?

197 MILES PER HOUR.

TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA...

HERE HE IS WALKING THE HURACAN.

HE WASN'T THE ONLY ONE TURNING THE BOOST UP.

ALRIGHT TIME FOR A LITTLE JAPANESE LOVE.

800 WHEEL HORSEPOWER TOYOTA SUPRA, RUNNING AGAINST A MCLAREN 12C.

AND WE ARE PULLING HIM IN THIRD GEAR LIKE CRAZY.

THE FEELING OF A HUGE TURBO WILL NEVER LOSE ITS FLAVOR.

PILOTING A 12C OF HIS OWN, IS A MAN WHO'S BEEN RACING 52 YEARS.

HE ONCE HAD THE FASTEST ZL1 CORVETTE IN THE WORLD.

HE ENJOYS DRIVING HIS LAMBORGHINI, BUT THE LOOKS HE GETS FROM THE MCLAREN ARE DIFFERENT.

>> LANE GOLDSTEIN: WITH THIS CAR, PEOPLE COME OVER, THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT IS.

AND YOU TELL THEM IT'S A MCLAREN.

AND AFTER YOU TELL THEM MCLAREN MAKES IT, THEY GO "WELL WHAT KIND OF MOTOR IS IN IT?"

IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE THAT MCLAREN IS THEIR OWN COMPANY, THEY MAKE THEIR OWN CAR.

>> ZACH: WELL, HERE'S A COUPLE THAT YOU DO KNOW.

SOMEHOW WE CONVINCED THEM TO RUN... FROM A DIG.

PLEASE... DON'T EVER WAKE ME UP.

BUGATTI VEYRON... LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR...

HERE WE GO!!!

>> JOHN: PAT GOSS WANTS TO BUILD UP YOUR TIRE KNOW HOW, SO LET'S HEAD ON DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE.

>> PAT: WE USUALLY DON'T THINK ABOUT IT, BUT SOME OF THE MOST A MODERN CAR ARE ITS TIRES.

AND HERE TO EXPLAIN THAT, IS MATT EDMONDS, A TIRE EXPERT.

MATT, WELCOME TO GOSS' GARAGE.

>> MATT EDMONDS: THANKS FOR HAVING ME, PAT.

>> PAT: OKAY, TELL US WHAT WE'RE ABOUT HERE, WITH THIS CUTAWAY.

>> MATT: WELL YOU KNOW, A TIRE ON THEIR SIDE, LOOKS ROUND, AND BLACK, AND THEY ALL LOOK PRETTY MUCH THE SAME.

BUT REALLY, WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK AT A TIRE, EVEN A CUTAWAY, IT JUST LOOKS LIKE BLACK RUBBER THAT'S BEEN POURED INTO A MOLD.

ONCE WE GO TO THIS VIEW, WHICH REALLY IS CALLED A PEEL BACK, WE PEEL LAYERS BACK LIKE AN ONION; WE REALLY SEE THERE'S A LOT MORE TO IT.

>> PAT: YEAH, THIS IS PRETTY COMPLICATED.

AH, STARTING HERE WE HAVE... >> MATT: YOU'VE GOT BELTS THAT GET LAID DOWN INITIALLY, THE CARCASS, AND REALLY PERFORM, AND CREATE THE FOUNDATION THAT THE TIRE IS BUILT ON.

THEN STEEL BELTS THAT GO ON TOP OF THAT.

AGAIN, ADDING MORE RIGIDITY.

THESE GET NYLON WRAPS ON THEM.

THEY USE WEDGES IN THE SHOULDERS AND SIDEWALLS, ALREADY WITH THE STEEL CABLE THAT BECOMES THE BEAD OF THE TIRE.

ALL OF THIS IS REALLY CURED TOGETHER WITH THE RUBBER TO REALLY CREATE A COMPOSITE STRUCTURE.

>> PAT: NOW, DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS USE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MATERIALS IN HERE, DON'T THEY?

>> MATT: OH, ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, THE STEEL BELTS; SOME USE KEVLAR FOR THE BELTING.

REALLY TRYING TO CREATE A STRUCTURE THAT'S EXTREMELY STRONG, KEEP IT AS LIGHT AS POSSIBLE AND IT'S VERY, VERY COMPLICATED.

>> PAT: ALRIGHT, AND SPEAKING OF COMPLICATED; AH, JUST MINUTE CHANGES IN THE ANGLES OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS IN HERE CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN HOW THE TIRE PERFORMS.

>> MATT: OH YES, I MEAN, A HALF DEGREE IN BELT ANGLE WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY THIS TIRE REALLY WORKS AS A STRUCTURE.

>> PAT: WELL, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT ALL OF THIS, AND YOU THINK ABOUT THE PUNISHMENT THAT IT TAKES.

GOING DOWN THE ROAD, YOU HIT A POTHOLE AT 60 OR 70 MILES AN HOUR; THE FORCES ON THESE TIRES ARE ENORMOUS.

>> MATT: IT IS.

IT IS.

THE TIRE REALLY IS A STRUCTURE THAT TAKES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF ABUSE.

I MEAN, WE THINK THAT WE'RE HARD ON OUR CARS?

WHEN WE HIT POTHOLES, WHEN WE HIT DEBRIS IN THE ROAD, I MEAN THAT REALLY IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF ABUSE AT SPEED.

>> PAT: WELL, I THINK WE OUGHT TO HAVE A MUCH GREATER APPRECIATION FOR OUR TIRES.

>> MATT: WELL, WE REALLY SHOULD.

I MEAN, THEY'RE A VERY VITAL, IMPORTANT PART OF THE CAR.

AND AN ENGINEERED STRUCTURE TO GO ALONG WITH IT.

>> PAT: MATT, THANK YOU.

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

>> JOHN: IT'S BEEN THREE MONTHS SINCE WE TOOK DELIVERY OF THIS 2015 CHRYSLER 200C WITH AND IN THAT TIME, WE'VE RAPIDLY RACKED UP 8,200 MILES.

A PENTASTAR 295 HORSEPOWER V6 MOVES OUR VELVET RED PEARL TWO HUNDO WITH GUSTO, AND WE'VE FOUND IT EQUAL PARTS SMOOTH HIGHWAY CRUISER, AND SNAPPY HOTROD WHEN YOU REALLY DIG INTO THE THROTTLE.

THE 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC IS AN ACQUIRED TASTE, A BIT UNDECIDED, AND HARD TO SWALLOW AT FIRST.

BUT THINGS GET BETTER AS YOU LEARN ITS BALANCE, AND JUST LET IT DO ITS THING.

WITH WINTER'S ENDLESS SNOW NOW GONE, THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM HAS GOTTEN A BREATHER.

AND AS THE TEMPERATURE CLIMBS, SO TOO HAS FUEL ECONOMY, TO 25.2 COMBINED MILES PER GALLON.

COMBINED RATING OF 22, AND WE'RE FANS OF THAT AS WELL.

WE'RE ALSO STILL FANS OF THE GREAT INTERIOR.

LOTS OF COMFORT AND CLEVER STORAGE, WHILE NOT BEING LUXURY CAR PRETENTIOUS.

SOME CONTROLS AND SWITCHGEAR FEEL A LITTLE CHEAP, BUT MOST MATERIALS DO FEEL PREMIUM, AND ARE HOLDING UP WELL.

WE EXPECT THINGS TO STAY THAT WAY, AS WE'VE STILL GOT LOTS OF TIME AND MILEAGE LEFT WITH THE 200.

WE'LL SEE HOW THINGS ARE HOLDING UP IN OUR ACURA TLX AND NISSAN MURANO ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

YOLANDA VAZQUEZ HAS A MOTORNEWS UPDATE.

SO, LET'S SEE WHAT SHE HAS FOR US.

>> YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: TODAY'S WORLD IS ONE OF CONVENIENCE.

IT'S NEVER BEEN EASIER TO SHOP ONLINE FOR A CAR OR SURF THE NET FOR "HOW TO" CAR CARE VIDEOS.

BUT MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE'S LONG-TERM HEALTH STILL REQUIRES AND NOW, THERE'S A WAY TO FIND THE BEST SERVICE POSSIBLE.

OPENBAY IS NOT UNLIKE MANY CAR SHOPPING WEBSITES AND APP'S THAT HELP YOU FIND THE BEST DEALS AROUND.

BUT INSTEAD OF COMPARISON SHOPPING FOR "CARS", YOU'RE CROSS SHOPPING FOR SERVICE CENTERS.

WHETHER IT'S ON THEIR WEBSITES OR BY USING THEIR APP, OPENBAY ALLOWS YOU TO INPUT YOUR VEHICLE INFORMATION ALONG WITH ANY KNOWN ISSUES OR PROBLEMS.

IT THEN LOOKS FOR SHOPS, AND SERVICE CENTERS IN THE AREA, AND COMPARES PRICES, AND CUSTOMER RATINGS.

ONCE YOU SELECT A SERVICE CENTER, YOU CAN BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT AND PAY FOR THE REPAIR ALL ONLINE.

ANOTHER ADDED CONVENIENCE IS THIS SERVICE READS INFORMATION FROM YOUR CAR ITSELF THEN DIAGNOSES THE PROBLEM OR PROBLEMS IN REAL TIME, AND ULTIMATELY REFERS YOU TO A NEARBY SHOP FOR REPAIRS.

YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW TECHNOLOGY IS MAKING OUR LIVES EASIER BY KEEPING CAR MAINTENANCE SIMPLE.

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

>> JOHN: TIME NOW FOR A QUICKSPIN, AND OUR FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS!

WE FELT THE 3RD GENERATION ACURA MDX HAD SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS WHEN IT DEBUTED FOR 2014.

SO COULD ACURA MOVE THE NEEDLE EVEN MORE WITH A MID-CYCLE FRESHENING?

WELL, WE RECENTLY GRABBED TO FIND OUT.

WITH SO MUCH ALREADY NEW, THIS GO ROUND IS MORE OF A QUALITY OVER QUANTITY UPDATE.

THERE'S STILL THE 290 HORSEPOWER 3.5 LITER V6, BUT IT'S NOW ROUTING THAT POWER THROUGH A NEW, STANDARD 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

COMPLETE WITH A PUSH BUTTON SEQUENTIAL SPORT SHIFTER THAT IS LESS THAN INTUITIVE.

AS WITH MOST 9-SPEEDS IT HAS ITS HICCUPS, BUT HANDLES BUSINESS ADEQUATELY.

THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM, OR IN ACURA LINGO SUPER HANDLING ALL WHEEL DRIVE, IS IMPROVED WITH A NEW TWIN CLUTCH SETUP, MAKING IT LIGHTER AND MORE EFFICIENT.

>> BEN DAVIS: THE MDX REMAINS SUPER COMFORTABLE INSIDE, DESPITE ITS MORE SPORTY REPUTATION AMONG 3-ROW AND EVERYTHING JUST FEELS NICELY TIGHTENED UP.

>> JOHN: BEING THE LARGEST FAMILY CROSSOVER OF A HIGH TECH, LUXURY BRAND, THE MDX CAN NOW BE FITTED WITH ACURAWATCH, AN EXPANDED SUITE OF ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES WITH NEW REAR CROSS TRAFFIC MONITORING AND ROAD DEPARTURE MITIGATION.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 ACURA MDX STARTS AROUND $44,000.

AND WE'LL BE BACK AT IT, FOR MORE QUICKSPIN'S, SOON!

THE ALL NEW 7TH GENERATION CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY IS A TERRIFIC SPORTS CAR.

BUT IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING TO THE LATEST CORVETTE CHAPTER.

NO SOONER DID WE DRIVE THE STINGRAY THEN CHEVY STARTED TEASING US WITH THEIR NEXT INSTALLMENT: THE Z06!

IT'S BEEN A YEAR OF WAITING.

BUT NOW, THE WAIT IS OVER.

*(TIRES SCREECHING) TRUTH BE TOLD, WE WOULD HAVE DONE JUST ABOUT ANYTHING TO GET SOME TRACK TIME IN THE 2015 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06.

SAY YES TO CHEVROLET'S INVITATION AND HOP ON A PLANE TO SPRING MOUNTAIN MOTORSPORT'S RANCH NEAR LAS VEGAS, NEVADA.

WHAT AWAITED US THERE WAS 650 HORSEPOWER WORTH OF TORQUED UP CORVETTE READY TO ROMP AND ROLL.

EASING UP TO SPEED ON THE TRACK, THIS Z06 HAS A FAMILIAR FEEL THAT ANY CORVETTE OWNER WOULD QUICKLY RECOGNIZE.

AS WE BECAME MORE ATTUNED WITH THE TRACK AND THE CAR, LAP TIMES STARTED FALLING, TIRES STARTED PROTESTING, AND SMILES BECAME PERMA BLASTED ON OUR FACES.

THERE'S CERTAINLY A NASTY STREAK WITHIN' THIS HEAVILY TWEAKED STINGRAY THAT'S MORE THAN WILLING TO BE UNLEASHED.

THE Z06'S ALUMINUM CHASSIS IS, FOR THE FIRST TIME, PRODUCED IN HOUSE AT BOWLING GREEN CORVETTE CENTRAL.

AND DUE TO ITS EXTREMELY STIFF NATURE, NO FURTHER UPDATES ARE NEEDED FOR THE C7.R RACE CAR.

THE SHORT/LONG ARM, DOUBLE WISHBONE, TRANSVERSE COMPOSITE SPRING SUSPENSION DESIGN CARRIES OVER FROM THE STINGRAY, BUT GETS RECALIBRATED, AND STANDARD MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL TAKES CARE OF THE REST.

FOR THOSE MORE INTERESTED IN TRACK TIME THAN CRUISE TIME, A Z07 PERFORMANCE PACKAGE ELEVATES THINGS TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.

IT INCLUDES ADDITIONAL AND ADJUSTABLE AERO ELEMENTS FOR GREATER DOWNFORCE, CARBON-CERAMIC BRAKE ROTORS, AND MICHELIN PILOT SPORT CUP 2 TIRES.

HELPING MAINTAIN THAT UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF GRIP IS PERFORMANCE TRACK MANAGEMENT AND A MULTI-MODE ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL.

GIVING POWER TO THESE RANDOM ACTS OF PERFORMANCE IS A 6.2 LITER LT4 V8 WITH PLENTY OF EXTRA MASSAGING DONE BY THE POWERTRAIN PROFESSIONALS AT GM'S TONAWANDA ENGINE SHOP.

AND THANKS TO A FIRST EVER IN A Z06 SUPERCHARGER, OUTPUT IS 650 HORSEPOWER AND 650 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

EXPECT 0-60 TIMES TO BE UNDER YOU CAN STICK WITH THE STANDARD REV-MATCHING 7-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, OR OPT FOR A PADDLE SHIFTED 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

YOU'LL HAVE NO PROBLEM PICKING THIS SMOOTH CRIMINAL OUT OF A LINE-UP, AS CHEVROLET HAS TACKED ON A WEALTH OF ADD-ONS IN THE NAME OF ULTIMATE DOWNFORCE CREATION.

IF YOU LIKE YOUR PERFORMANCE CARS TO BE A LITTLE SUBTLE, LOOK ELSEWHERE.

MEANWHILE WE'LL BE TAKING A SECOND AND THIRD LOOK AT THIS 'VETTE'S WHACKED OUT LINES AND PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENTS.

THERE ARE NEW FASCIA'S FRONT AND REAR, A FRONT SPLITTER, UNIQUE HOOD, AND REAR SPOILER.

AND OF COURSE ALL OF THOSE AERO ELEMENTS; SOME STANDARD, SOME PART OF THE CARBON-FIBER AERO PACKAGE, AND SOME PART OF THE Z07 PACKAGE.

THE FENDERS ARE EXTENDED 2-INCHES IN FRONT, 3-INCHES IN THE REAR; TO COVER THE WHEELS WEARING 285/30/19 RUBBER IN THE FORE, AND 335/25/20 AFT.

IF YOU DON'T OPT FOR THE Z07 PERFORMANCE PACKAGE, YOU'LL STILL BE HAPPY WITH THE STANDARD 14-INCH STEEL BREMBOS.

UNLIKE BEFORE, THE BODY IS NOT HARDTOP ONLY, RATHER THE CUSTOMARY REMOVABLE ROOF PANEL ARRANGEMENT OF THE STANDARD STINGRAY, AND EVEN A CONVERTIBLE IS AVAILABLE THIS TIME AROUND.

INSIDE, THERE ARE THE UNIQUE COLORS, CARBON FIBER TREATMENT, AND THE FLAT BOTTOMED STEERING WHEEL EMBELLISHMENTS THAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT, BUT WHAT YOU MIGHT NOT BE PREPARED FOR IS THE AVAILABLE LUXURY TYPE AMENITIES LIKE HIGH END LEATHER, 8-INCH MYLINK WITH NAVIGATION, AND BOSE AUDIO.

AND BY NOW YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD OF THE AVAILABLE ONBOARD PERFORMANCE DATA RECORDER DEVELOPED BY COSWORTH.

WHICH CONSISTS OF A HIGH DEF.

CAMERA IN THE WINDSHIELD HEADER, A TELEMETRY RECORDER WITH GPS, AND AN SD RECORDER.

ESSENTIALLY, IT PROVIDES YOU WITH MOTORSPORT'S LEVEL TELEMETRY AND ALLOWS YOU TO RECORD YOUR EXPLOITS FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS, OR PERHAPS FOR EVIDENCE.

BUT EVEN WITH ALL OF THE Z06'S CAPABILITIES AND TRACK READY TECH, STREET TIME IS ALMOST EQUALLY AS REWARDING AS TRACK TIME.

RIDE QUALITY CAN BE SMOOTHED OUT WITH A TURN OF THE DIAL, AND SEATS OFFER ENOUGH COMFORT TO SEEK OUT CAR SHOWS AT DISTANT LOCALS.

THE 7-SPEED MANUAL'S GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS OF 15-CITY, 22-HIGHWAY, AND 18-COMBINED WILL ALLOW YOU TO EAT UP PLENTY OF MILES OR LAPS BEFORE PIT STOPS ARE NECESSARY.

THE 8-SPEED AUTO HOWEVER, AT 13-CITY, 21-HIGHWAY, AND 16-COMBINED WILL GET YOU A GAS GUZZLER TAX.

STILL, BASE PRICING OF $78,995 CLEARLY PUTS THE Z06 IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN, WELL BELOW ITS PURELY EXOTIC RIVALS.

CONVERTIBLES STICKER FOR 5-GRAND MORE.

EVEN COME CLOSE TO MATCHING THIS CAR'S LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE FOR THE PRICE.

SO WHILE THE 2015 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 MAY HAVE BEEN THE RIDE WE WERE EAGERLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST, AND CHEVROLET WAS GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO OBLIGE, AND IT WAS EVERYTHING WE HOPED IT WOULD BE; IT DID GET US THINKING A BIT... HOW AWESOME WOULD A NEW ZR1 BE?

WELL, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW!

NOW, 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.

WE'LL TAKE OUR FIRST OUTING IN FIAT'S FIRST 4-WHEEL DRIVER, THE 500X.

PLUS, OUR ANNUAL 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...

THIS IS BOB.

BOB'S NOT THINKING ABOUT WHERE TO BUY HIS NEXT SET OF TIRES.

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

BUT BOB'S THINKING, "SHOULD I TELL HER ABOUT THAT THING IN HER TEETH?"

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.

ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF BRANDS, PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

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

DIEHARD.

THE DIEHARD ADVANCED GOLD BATTERY.

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

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.

>> ANNOUNCER: THIS PROGRAM WAS PRODUCED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, WHICH IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.

*