2015 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Coupe & 2015 Lexus RC F

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

JOIN US AS WE TURN A NEW PAGE IN THE PORSCHE 911 PERFORMANCE STORY WITH THE CARRERA 4 GTS... PAT GOSS KEEPS THINGS HUMMING DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE... BRIAN ROBINSON GOES THREE WHEELIN' IN THE LATEST CAN AM SPYDER... THEN WE'LL SEE WHAT THE F IN THE LEXUS RC F IS ALL ABOUT!

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT.

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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

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

IF SHE WERE, TIRERACK.COM COULD HELP HER FIND THE RIGHT TIRES.

BUT JESSICA'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.

SHE'S THINKING, "IF COLT DOESN'T ASK ME TO THE PROM, MY LIFE IS TOTALLY OVER."

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: THE PORSCHE 911 LINEUP COVERS A WIDE VARIETY OF FROM THE BASE CARRERA, TO HIGH POWER TURBO S, AND TRACK STAR GT3.

BUT AS IT TURNS OUT, THERE'S STILL A GAP IN THE RANGE.

A GAP THAT'S NOW FILLED WITH THE CARRERA 4 GTS.

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THE DEMURE AND THE DEVIOUS MEANS THAT THE 2015 PORSCHE 911 ADEPT AT PROVIDING BOTH COMFORT FOR THE COMMUTE AND TERROR FOR THE TRACK.

AND AT THE RISK OF GIVING IT ALL AWAY, IT SUCCEEDS FANTASTICALLY IN THAT MISSION.

THIS IS SIMPLY A LOVELY PIECE OF MACHINERY, WITH A VERY REFINED RIDE QUALITY THAT MAKES IT JUST A PLEASURE TO DRIVE, REGARDLESS OF WHICH DRIVING METHOD IS IN EFFECT.

IT CAN BE COMFORTABLE AND EVEN QUIET MOST OF THE TIME.

BUT LIKE A SHAPE SHIFTING MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE, IT WILL SOON TURN INTO WHATEVER KIND OF NASTY ANIMAL YOU CAN CONJURE UP, ONCE YOU GO HEAVY ON THE PEDAL.

DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE, WE DID JUST THAT AT SUMMIT POINT MOTORSPORTS PARK NEAR CHARLES TOWN, WEST VIRGINIA; DOING OUR BEST TO HARNESS THE POWER OF THE C4 GTS AROUND THEIR 2.2 MILE SHENANDOAH CIRCUIT.

AND SURPRISINGLY, IT'S STILL ONE OF THE MOST DOCILE 911'S IN RECENT MEMORY.

THERE'S NOTHING THAT PUTS YOU OFF ABOUT IT.

TURN IN IS IMMEDIATE, THERE'S ALMOST NO ROLL IN CORNERS, AND POWER DELIVERY IS SMOOTH AND LINEAR; HELPING US ROCKET OFF CORNERS IN A STRAIGHT LINE, NOT FIGHT OUR WAY OUT OF THEM.

BOTH THE SPORT CHRONO PACKAGE AND PASM ACTIVE DAMPERS ARE STANDARD.

SEATS ARE TERRIFIC IN BOTH COMFORT AND SUPPORT FOR TRACK WORK.

THIS CAR HAD US WANTING TO DO OUR OWN ENDURANCE RACE AND NEVER LEAVE THE TRACK.

BUT ALAS, THE NEEDLE ON THE GAS GAUGE WAS DIVING AND THERE WAS NO PIT CREW WAITING FOR A REFILL.

THE GTS CHANGES LITTLE INSIDE.

WE'VE GROWN VERY ACCUSTOMED TO THE CONTROL HEAVY RISING CONSOLE, AND APPRECIATE ALL OF ITS REAL BUTTONS AND KNOBS.

WE ALSO LOVE SEEING A FULL NAVIGATION MAP IN THE GAUGE CLUSTER, NOT JUST TURN DIRECTIONS.

IN TYPICAL PORSCHE 911 FASHION, THERE'S A LARGE TACH FRONT AND CENTER, BUT NOW WITH A RED GTS FACE.

ALCANTARA LEATHER IS LOCATED JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE, AND WHILE WE LIKE THE LOOK AND FEEL OF IT, IT TENDS TO COLLECT DIRT AND DUST READILY.

HOPEFULLY, YOU'VE GOT SOME PEOPLE FOR THAT.

REPORTING FOR DUTY UNDER THE STUBBY REAR HATCH IS THE CARRERA S'S 3.8 LITER FLAT-6, BUT IT GETS A 30 HORSEPOWER PROMOTION THE INTAKES AND RETUNING THE EXHAUST.

TORQUE CARRIES ON AT 325 POUND-FEET.

A 7-SPEED MANUAL IS STANDARD, AS IS ALL WHEEL DRIVE, AND OF COURSE THE 7-SPEED PDK IS A "MONEY WELL SPENT" OPTION.

THE TOTAL POWERTRAIN'S SMOOTH AS SILK OPERATION GIVES NO INDICATION OF THE MONSTER LURKING INSIDE, MOSTLY BECAUSE PDK USUALLY STARTS YOU OFF IN 2ND GEAR, BUT POWER IS THERE SURE AS HADES WHEN YOU WANT IT.

LAUNCH MODE SEES TO IT THAT YOU GET A PERFECT ESCAPE FROM THE LINE EACH TIME AND CAN BANG OUT 3.8 SECOND 0-60'S ALL DAY LONG.

THE QUARTER MILE STREAKS BY IN 12.1 SECONDS AT 114 MILES PER HOUR.

AND 107 FEET IS ALL THAT IT TAKES TO BRING YOU TO A FULL STOP FROM 60 MILES PER HOUR.

THE EXTERIOR DESIGN DOESN'T FEATURE A WHOLE LOT OF EXTRAS, BUT THERE'S ENOUGH THERE TO LET YOU AND RUBBERNECKING BYSTANDERS KNOW IT'S SOMETHING SPECIAL.

DARK TINTED BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS WITH PORSCHE'S DYNAMIC LIGHT SYSTEM ARE STANDARD, AS IS A NEW FRONT FASCIA, AND 20-INCH CENTER LOCK WHEELS.

WHILE RIDE HEIGHT HAS BEEN LOWERED BY 10MM.

A LARGE SUN ROOF IS AVAILABLE, AND SINCE THERE'S NOT MUCH REAL ESTATE UP THERE TO BEGIN WITH, IT ALLOWS PLENTY OF THE OUTSIDE IN WITHOUT THE HASSLES OF A CONVERTIBLE OR TARGA.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS WITH THE PDK FALL SLIGHTLY TO 19-CITY, 26-HIGHWAY, AND 21-COMBINED.

THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE COMES IN AT 15.7 BARRELS OF OIL USED YEARLY, WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 6.9 TONS.

GTS TRIM IS AVAILABLE IN BOTH REAR AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE 911'S, IN COUPES AND CONVERTIBLES; PRICES START AT AN EXPECTEDLY LOFTY $115,195, BESIDES THAT, THERE'S REALLY VERY LITTLE TO DISLIKE ABOUT THE 2015 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 4 GTS.

IT'S QUITE A CAR.

PORSCHE HAS TAKEN THE PROCESS OF FINE HONING A PROVEN WINNER, AND ELEVATED IT TO AN ART FORM.

ONE DRIVE, AND IT'S EASY TO SEE HOW PEOPLE CAN SO QUICKLY BECOME PORSCHE FANATICS.

CAREFUL, OR IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU!

WHAT STARTED OUT IN 2008 AS A TRULY UNIQUE PERFORMANCE VEHICLE FROM CANADA'S BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS, HAS GROWN INTO A PHENOMENON, AS OVER 100,000 OF THEIR CAN AM SPYDER 3-WHEELERS HAVE BEEN SOLD SINCE THEN.

WELL NOW, THERE'S A NEW F3 MODEL DESIGNED TO TAKE BOTH THE PERFORMANCE AND CRUISER ASPECTS OF THE PLATFORM TO A NEW LEVEL.

LET'S SEE IF THE RIDING TRULY HAS EVOLVED.

>> BRIAN ROBINSON: WHEN IT COMES TO MOTORCYCLES, FOR MOST RIDERS, THREE IS DEFINITELY A CROWD.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT, AND CAN AM SPYDER'S ARE CERTAINLY THAT.

OR ARE THEY?

QUICK ANSWER, YES THEY ARE STILL VASTLY DIFFERENT.

BUT THE MISSION OF THIS THEM CLOSER TOGETHER.

ESPECIALLY THE GROWING PERFORMANCE CRUISER MARKET AIMED AT THE AGING SPORT BIKE RIDER WHO WANTS MORE COMFORT, BUT NEEDS MORE PERFORMANCE THAN THE AVERAGE CRUISER CAN PROVIDE.

THAT PRIMARILY MEANS A MORE CRUISER LIKE RIDING POSITION, AND WHILE THAT MAY NOT SOUND LIKE A BIG DEAL, IT CHANGES THE WHOLE ASPECT OF THIS MACHINE AS YOU SIT DOWN IN IT, NOT ON TOP OF IT, AS BEFORE.

A NEW UFIT SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR ADJUSTMENTS OF FOOT PEGS, BUT YOU STILL NEED TO WORK WITH THE DEALER FOR DIFFERENT SIZE RODS FOR THE BRAKES AND DIFFERENT HANDLEBARS.

NOW, IF YOU'RE NEW TO 3-WHEELERS, JUST BECAUSE THERE'S AN ODD SET OF WHEELS AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BALANCING OR LEANING, DON'T THINK THAT YOU'LL BE SITTING UP THERE TAKING IT EASY.

IT'S ACTUALLY A VERY ENGAGING RIDING EXPERIENCE, BUT BEST TO KEEP A STEADY LINE THROUGH CORNERS AND RESIST THE URGE TO FIGHT WITH THE HANDLEBARS.

THE STABILITY CONTROLS SYSTEM SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN SCALED BACK COMPARED TO THE ORIGINAL RS WHICH MADE A POINT OF KEEPING YOU SAFE AT ALL COSTS, BUT THE SAFETY PATROL WILL STILL ARRIVE ON THE SCENE EVENTUALLY.

THERE'S A BRAKE DISC FOR EACH WHEEL, AND THEY'RE LINKED TO A SINGLE PEDAL, SO THERE'S NO LEVER FOR THE HANDS.

ABS IS STANDARD, WHICH WILL COME IN HANDY AS THIS THING IS SNEAKY FAST.

THE ENGINE IS A ROTAX DESIGN, WATER COOLED, 1,330CC INLINE TRIPLE WITH 115 HORSEPOWER THE 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION CAN BE HAD IN CLUTCHLESS SEMI-AUTOMATIC FORM WITH GEAR TRIGGERS ON THE LEFT GRIP, OR AS A TRADITIONAL FULL MANUAL.

BOTH COME WITH A GEARED REVERSE, WHICH IS VASTLY BETTER THAN THE REVERSE STARTER MOTOR APPROACH OF MANY TRADITIONAL TRIKES.

POWER TRAVELS TO THE 225/50/15 REAR TIRE VIA A PROFESSIONAL GRADE BELT, AND IT'S ATTACHED WITH A HEAVY DUTY LOOKING SWINGARM AND SINGLE SACHS SHOCK.

FRONT SUSPENSION IS AN AUTOMOTIVE STYLE DOUBLE A-ARM WITH ANTI-ROLL BAR AND A PAIR OF FOX PODIUM SHOCKS.

NOT ONLY DO YOU SIT LOWER, BUT THE F3 SITS LOWER AS WELL.

IT'S A SWEET DESIGN THAT'S PART MUSCLE BIKE, PART ROADSTER, AND ALL BAD TO THE BONE.

BOTH WIDE AND AGGRESSIVE LOOKING, IT PROMISES A GOOD TIME, AND BACKS IT UP AS WELL.

S TRIM ADDS COLOR FRAME AND SUSPENSION PIECES, BLACK 15-INCH WHEELS, LED RUNNING LIGHTS ON THE FENDERS, RED STITCHING ON THE SEAT, AND CRUISE CONTROL.

GAUGES ARE AN EASY TO READ MIX OF ANALOG AND DIGITAL.

THE SEAT IS ALL DAY COMFORTABLE, AND THERE'S ROOM FOR OVER 7-GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE TANK.

A SMALL AMOUNT OF STORAGE SPACE IS UNDER COVER UP FRONT; JUST ENOUGH TO STASH YOUR HELMET OR SOME RAIN GEAR.

AND EXCEPT FOR A MINOR EXCEPTION OR TWO, OVERALL BUILD QUALITY SEEMS QUITE GOOD.

THE 3-WHEELED F3 THRILLS START AT $19,499; SO, WHILE IT'S STILL A FAR CRY FROM A TRUE MOTORCYCLE, THE 2015 CAN AM SPYDER F3 OFFERS ITS OWN UNIQUE SET OF THRILLS.

AND ODDS ARE EVEN, THAT THEY ARE SURE TO APPEAL TO MANY A RIDER.

>> JOHN: PAT GOSS IS HERE TO MAKE SURE THINGS ARE RUNNING SMOOTHLY.

SO, LET'S SWING BY GOSS' GARAGE FOR A CHECK-UP.

>> PAT GOSS: FOR ANY ENGINE TO RUN, WE HAVE TO HAVE A WAY VALVES.

AND THAT'S DONE WITH A CAMSHAFT OR MULTIPLE CAM SHAFTS.

AND WE HAVE TO HAVE A WAY TO MAKE THOSE CAMSHAFTS TURN.

WELL, THAT'S DONE BY CONNECTING THE CRANKSHAFT TO THE ENGINE, TO THE CAMSHAFTS BY A CHAIN, OR A BELT.

IT USED TO BE CHAINS, THEN IT WENT TO BELTS FOR 30 OR 40 YEARS AND NOW THEY'RE GOING BACK TO CHAINS.

BUT THAT MEANS THAT THERE ARE TENS OF MILLIONS OF CARS ON THE ROAD WITH TIMING BELTS.

THERE'S A RULE WITH TIMING BELTS.

DO NOT CHEAT WHEN IT COMES TIME TO REPLACE THEM.

YOU SEE A LOT OF ENGINES, IF THE TIMING BELT SLIPS, OR FAILS, IT CAN DAMAGE, OR DESTROY THE ENTIRE ENGINE.

SO, YOU'VE GOT TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAYS.

MOST MANUALS HAVE TIME OR MILEAGE, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST, NOT WHICH COMES LAST.

SO IF IT SAYS THAT YOU HAVE TO DO IT AT 90,000 MILES OR FIVE YEARS, WHICHEVER ONE COMES UP, DO IT.

THE OTHER THING IS, WHEN IT DOES COME TIME TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER PARTS THAT WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BELT.

SUCH AS THE WATER PUMP, IDLERS, TENSIONERS, VARIOUS THINGS LIKE THAT.

THERE'S ALSO OIL SEALS AND SO ON.

YOU'D BE MONEY AHEAD IF YOU HAVE YOUR SHOP INSTALL A TIMING BELT KIT.

IT COMES WITH ALL OF THE WEAR PARTS AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK FOR DUPLICATE LABOR.

A GOOD WAY TO SAVE MONEY.

ALRIGHT, NOW WE HAVE A SECOND BELT ON THE ENGINE.

THAT IS THE SERPENTINE BELT THAT RUNS THE POWER STEERING, THE WATER PUMP IN SOME CARS, THE ALTERNATOR AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.

NOW, IN THIS CASE IT'S DRIVEN OFF A CRANKSHAFT PULLEY THAT IS USUALLY LARGER THAN ANY OF THE OTHER PULLEYS, SO ALL OF THESE PULLEYS ARE OVERDRIVEN.

IN OTHER WORDS THEY HAVE MORE USE ON THEM THAN THE ENGINE DOES.

SO, WHEN IT COMES TIME TO REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT, CHECK ALL OF THESE ACCESSORIES AND DON'T BE SURPRISED IF YOU FIND YOU NEED A NEW TENSIONER AND A NEW IDLER AT THE SAME TIME.

AGAIN, IT WILL SAVE YOU MONEY IN THE LONG RUN.

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

>> JOHN: WELL, ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER DRIVE!

WELL, DRIVES.

LET'S SEE WHAT QUICKSPINS HAVE THIS WEEK!

MARKETED AS THE "4 DOOR SPORTS CAR", THE NISSAN MAXIMA HAS DONNED MANY LOOKS AND PERSONALITIES IN ITS LIFETIME.

NOW, AND HOPES OF STEERING THE MAXIMA BACK TOWARDS ITS EDGIER ROOTS.

AND EDGY CERTAINLY WOULD BE ONE WAY TO DESCRIBE THE NEW DESIGN.

BORROWING MUCH FROM NISSAN'S SPORT SEDAN CONCEPT, AND THE LATEST MURANO, MAXIMA ROCKS A LONG AND SLEEK PROFILE, SHARP, AGGRESSIVE NOSE, AND FLOATING REAR PILLARS.

BUT WHERE THE EXTERIOR TRIES PERHAPS TOO HARD TO BE MODERN, THE INTERIOR DOES SO IN A MORE CLASSIC LUXURY KIND OF WAY.

THERE'S NEW TECHNOLOGIES, SURE, AND A NEW LOOK, BUT IT ALL COMES TOGETHER AS A GOOD MIX OF MORE UNDERSTATED PREMIUM QUALITY.

>> PATRICK LUCAS: SO, THE RATHER EXTREME DESIGN THAT EVERYONE SAW UP TO THAT IN PERSON.

IT'S STILL A GOOD LOOKING CAR.

THE INTERIOR IS DEFINITELY WHERE IT'S AT THOUGH.

LOTS OF SOFT MATERIALS, VERY COMFORTABLE, A GOOD PLACE TO SPEND SOME TIME.

>> JOHN: NOW, AS TO THE "4 DOOR SPORTS CAR" PART, WE'RE STILL NOT QUITE READY TO GO ALONG WITH THAT.

THE SOLE ENGINE CHOICE IS A 300 HORSEPOWER 3.5 LITER V6, AND THE SOLE TRANSMISSION, A CVT.

HARDLY EVER A SPORTY CHOICE, NISSAN PROGRAMMED STEPS INTO THEIR CVT'S SOFTWARE, AND SO UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION, THE CHANGING RATIOS MIMIC THE STEPPED GEAR CHANGES OF A CONVENTIONAL AUTOMATIC.

BUT WHEN PUTTERING AROUND TOWN, IT'S STILL AN OVER REVVING CVT.

HANDLING WAS LIVELY, THOUGH, AND THE CAR FELT VERY SOLID; NOT AT ALL HOLLOW, LIKE SOME WANNABE LUXURY SPORT SEDANS TODAY.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 NISSAN MAXIMA STARTS AROUND $33,000.

MUCH HAS CHANGED AT VOLVO SINCE 2002, THE YEAR THAT THE XC90 WAS LAUNCHED, BUT THE XC90 ITSELF, WAS NOT ONE OF THEM.

SO, HOW WILL AN ALL NEW 2016 XC90 STAND OUT IN A CROWDED CROSSOVER FIELD?

WELL, OFFERING THE ONLY 3-ROW LUXURY PLUG-IN HYBRID WILL DEFINITELY HELP.

THE XC90 T8 FEATURES A 2.0 LITER I4 THAT IS BOTH TURBO AND SUPERCHARGED, ALONG WITH A 65KW REAR MOUNTED ELECTRIC MOTOR, THAT COMBINE TO PUT 400 HORSEPOWER AND 472 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE TO THE PAVEMENT THROUGH ITS ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM.

IN ADDITION, THERE'S ENOUGH BATTERY FOR APPROXIMATELY 17-MILES OF PURE ELECTRIC DRIVING.

THE SAME DOUBLY CHARGED 2.0 LITER ENGINE ALSO STANDS ALONE IN THE T6 MODEL WHERE OUTPUT IS 316 HORSEPOWER.

PHYSICALLY BIGGER OF COURSE, IT ALSO GETS A MORE SUBSTANTIAL LOOK OUTSIDE, AND IN... WHERE THE HIGHLIGHT IS A VERY INTUITIVE TABLET STYLE PANEL THAT CONTROLS MOST ASPECTS OF THE CAR, LEAVING JUST A VOLUME KNOB AND A FEW BUTTONS ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE CENTER CONSOLE.

THE FULLY INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION DESIGN FEATURES A CORVETTE STYLE TRANSVERSE REAR LEAF SPRING TO ELIMINATE CARGO ROBBING SHOCKS AND COIL SPRINGS.

AND WHERE DOES IT FIT AMONG THE FIELD OF BIG POLISHED UTE'S?

>> BRAIN ROBINSON: WELL, OBVIOUSLY WHEN YOU'RE TALKING LUXURY CROSSOVERS, THERE'RE PLENTY OF OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM AND MOST OF THEM ARE REALLY RIDE QUALITY, THE INTERIOR IS VERY LAVISH, AND THAT SHOULD PUT IT RIGHT THERE AMONG THE BEST IN THE CLASS.

>> JOHN: ON SALE NOW, PRICING START REASONABLY, AT JUST UNDER $50,000.

WITH THE RUSH TO HYBRIDS, PLUG-INS, AND FULL ON EV'S, HERE'S SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE BASIC IN ITS APPROACH TO LOWERING FUEL CONSUMPTION: THE 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA ECO.

JUST A SMALL ENGINE, AND SOME MODERN TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGY.

A 1.6 LITER TURBO CHARGED 4-CYLINDER OCCUPIES THE ENGINE BAY, REPLACING THE SONATA'S STANDARD 2.4 LITER NATURALLY ASPIRATED FOUR.

AND A 7-SPEED DUAL CLUTCH DOLES OUT POWER, REPLACING THE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

NOW, THESE MAY SEEM LIKE CHANGES MORE TOWARD PERFORMANCE, BUT REALLY, THEY AREN'T.

THE EXTRA GEAR, AND QUICKER SHIFTS, JUST MEAN YOU'LL REACH TOP GEAR FASTER, ENSURING MAXIMIZED EFFICIENCY.

AND THE SMALLER ENGINE, DESPITE THE TURBO, RATES 178 HORSEPOWER.

SHORT OF THE 2.4 BY 7.

THESE 16 INCH WHEELS ARE YOUR ONLY SIZE OPTION.

NO COMPLAINTS HERE, JUST SIMPLY THE FACTS.

THE SONATA'S GREAT INTERIOR REMAINS THE SAME IN ECO TRIM.

IT'S WELL EQUIPPED, AND OUTDOES MOST RIVALS IN COMFORT.

OUTSIDE, THERE'S ALSO LITTLE DIFFERENT, JUST A TELL TALE ECO BADGE.

LUCKILY, THE DYNAMICS OF THE CAR DON'T CHANGE MUCH EITHER.

OFF THE LINE, IT'S A TAD QUICKER, EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION DON'T ALWAYS SEEM IN SYNC, BUT THINGS SETTLE DOWN FAIRLY QUICKLY.

THE RIDE IS SMOOTH, AND MAKES CRUISING IN THE RIGHT LANE A RELAXING AFFAIR.

PASSING POWER ISN'T QUITE THERE, THOUGH THE DCT CAN DROP GEARS QUICK ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU THINK IT IS.

EFFICIENCY IS THE NAME OF THE GAME HERE.

AND A COMBINED RATING OF 32 MPG BEATS A REGULAR SONATA BY 3.

WE HAD NO PROBLEM ACHIEVING THAT, BUT SQUEEZING OUT ANY SPIRITED DRIVING FROM THE SONATA ECO COMES AT THE COST OF FUEL ECONOMY.

FOR THOSE WHO WANT THE FULL SONATA EXPERIENCE, AND BETTER FUEL ECONOMY, THE ECO IS ON SALE NOW, STARTING AROUND $24,000.

AND WE'LL GET BACK TO IT, WITH MORE QUICK SPINS, SOON!

NOW, STOP ME IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE.

LEXUS, KNOWN FOR PURVEYING ULTRA-PLUSH LUXURY, IS NOW STEPPING INTO THE PERFORMANCE RING.

OKAY!

SO, IT'S NOT THEIR FIRST, OR EVEN SECOND ATTEMPT TO SHED THAT SOFT IMAGE FOR A HARDER CORE ONE.

BUT WILL THE RESULTS THIS TIME BE DIFFERENT?

WELL, LET'S HIT THE TRACK IN THE NEW LEXUS RC F AND FIND OUT.

*(TIRES SCREECHING) SO UP UNTIL NOW, LEXUS PERFORMANCE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE LIMITED PRODUCTION AND VERY EXOTIC LFA, HAS BEEN MORE LIKE A KARATE CHOP AT A GUN FIGHT.

JUST MIGHT EVEN THE ODDS.

INDEED, AFTER THREE DAYS OF RELENTLESS ROUND DA ROUNDS AT THE HANDS OF OUR TEST TEAM, WE CAN SAY THE RC F DEFINITELY HAS THE GOODS TO TAKE ON A ROAD COURSE; IMPRESSING ALL OF OUR DRIVERS WITH ITS GREAT V8 BARK, AND NIMBLE CHASSIS BITE TO BACK IT UP.

THAT V8 IS A 5.0 LITER WITH ROOTS THAT GO BACK TO THE IS-F SEDAN.

MUCH TWEAKING HAS BEEN DONE SINCE THEN HOWEVER, AND OUTPUT IS NOW 467 HORSEPOWER AND 389 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THE TRANSMISSION IS A BEEFED UP, 8-SPEED DIRECT SHIFT AUTOMATIC THAT WORKED VERY WELL THROUGH ROEBLING ROAD'S NINE TURNS, EVEN WHEN LEFT IN STRAIGHT UP AUTO MODE.

WHILE CLEARLY BASED ON THE RC 350, LEXUS CLAIMS THAT 70 PERCENT OF THE RC F'S SUSPENSION COMPONENTRY IS NEW OR UPDATED.

ANOTHER VALUE ADDED FEATURE IS THE AVAILABLE TORQUE VECTORING REAR DIFFERENTIAL THAT MAKES A HUGE IMPACT ON BOTH THE RC F'S PERFORMANCE AND PERSONALITY, HELPING PUT MAXIMUM POWER TO THE PAVEMENT IN CORNERS WHEN IN TRACK MODE.

LEFT IN STANDARD MODE, IT FEELS LIKE AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT VEHICLE THAT LIKES TO POWER ON OVERSTEER MORE THAN CLING TO AN APEX.

AT AROUND 4,000 POUNDS, THE RC F IS CERTAINLY NO LIGHTWEIGHT.

BUT IT FEELS AND RESPONDS MUCH LIGHTER.

THROUGH THE CORNERS, THE BOLSTERED RC F SPORT SEATS KEPT OUR DRIVERS SQUARELY IN PLACE.

YET, THEY STILL DELIVERED THE COMFORT THAT LEXUS OWNERS DEMAND.

THOUGH OVERALL HIGHLY CAPABLE, WE COULD DO WITH LESS INITIAL UNDERSTEER AT TURN INS.

AND THE QUIETNESS OF THE RC F PROFICIENCY MAKES IT LESS EXCITING TO DRIVE THAN WE'D HOPED.

BUT THOSE ARE NITPICKS.

IF THERE'S ONE SIGNIFICANT WEAK POINT, IT'S THE BRAKES.

INITIALLY THEY FELT GREAT.

BUT AFTER ONLY A FEW LAPS, THEY GREW SOFT AND UNINSPIRING.

OFF THE TURNS, AND ON THE STRAIGHT, THIS RAUCOUS V8 ALSO PROVED ITS METAL.

IT LOVES TO REV.

THERE'S NOT AS BIG A HIT OF TORQUE RIGHT OFF THE LINE AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, BUT RATHER A NICE BUILD THAT GETS YOU FAST RATHER QUICKLY.

0 TO 60 TAKES JUST 4.4 SECONDS.

AUTOMATIC FOR TRANSMISSION DUTIES AND NOT A SEQUENTIAL MANUAL; SHIFTS ARE QUICK AND SMOOTH, WITH POWER MOSTLY UNINTERRUPTED.

HELPING US CLEAR THE QUARTER IN 12.8 SECONDS AT 114 MILES PER HOUR.

BODY ENHANCEMENTS GALORE CERTAINLY MAKE THE RC F A STAND OUT.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF BOTH AIR INLETS AND OUTLETS, AN ACTIVE REAR WING, OPTIONAL CARBON FIBER ROOF, AND STACKED EXHAUST TIPS THAT GIVE THE HIND QUARTERS A TRULY MANIACAL LOOK.

ITS STANCE IS BOTH WIDER AND LOWER THAN THE RC 350, TIRE WIDTH IS STAGGERED, WITH 255/35s UP FRONT AND 275/35s IN BACK.

DESPITE THE COMFY SEATS, THE OVERALL INTERIOR COMES OFF TIGHTER THAN A TYPICAL LEXUS BUYER WOULD BE ACCUSTOMED TO.

BUT, THEN THIS IS EVERYTHING BUT A TYPICAL LEXUS.

STILL, THE USUAL LEATHER COVERINGS, HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS, AND HIGH TECH NICETIES ARE MOSTLY INCLUDED.

AN F-SPECIFIC GAUGE SET ALTERS SCREENS DEPENDING ON DRIVING MODE, AND THE MULTI INFORMATION DISPLAY HOSTS A WEALTH OF INFO INCLUDING LAP TIMES AND EVEN REAR WING POSITION.

NOW, THE REAL BONUS.

EVEN WITH ALL OF ITS TRACK PROWESS, THE RC F IS ALSO A PLEASANT STREET CAR.

THE RIDE IS NEVER HARSH, AND GREAT CHASSIS RESPONSE MEANS YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE DRIVING SUPER FAST TO ENJOY YOURSELF.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 16-CITY, 25-HIGHWAY, AND 19-COMBINED.

RC F PRICING STARTS AT $63,325.

THAT UNDERCUTS THE BENCHMARK AND THE F STORY CERTAINLY WON'T END HERE, AS LEXUS RECENTLY DEBUTED A BIGGER AND BADDER GS F SEDAN AT THE NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW.

BUT BACK TO THAT M4.

THE 2015 LEXUS RC F MAY BE A BIT CHEAPER, BUT IS IT ALSO A CLOSE CONTENDER?

WELL, WE THINK IT IS SURPRISINGLY CLOSE ON THE STREET, AND YES, ON THE TRACK AS WELL.

WHO EVER THOUGHT WE WOULD SAY THAT!

AND THAT IS JUST HOW FAR LEXUS PERFORMANCE HAS COME.

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, FOR SOME CLASSIC TOP DOWN ROADSTER FUN IN THE ALL NEW MAZDA MX-5.

THEN BLAST THROUGH ROEBLING ROAD'S TEN TURNS IN THE LAMBORGHINI HURACAN.

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... JESSICA'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES RIGHT NOW.

IF SHE WERE, TIRERACK.COM COULD HELP HER FIND THE RIGHT TIRES.

BUT JESSICA'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.

SHE'S THINKING, "IF COLT DOESN'T ASK ME TO THE PROM, MY LIFE IS TOTALLY OVER."

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.

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