2016 Fiat 500X & 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder

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

JOIN US AND SEE IF FIAT HAS STROKE GOLD WITH THEIR ALL-NEW FIAT 500X... PAT GOSS TELL US TO COOL IT NOW OR WE'RE GONNA LOSE CONTROL... BRIAN ROBINSON TAKES HIS TWO-WHEELIN' EDUCATION OFF ROAD... AND WE'LL PEAK OUT ON ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE IN THE PORSCHE 918 SPYDER.

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 TIRE RACK.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 FIAT BRAND HAS GOTTEN OFF TO AN UNEVEN AND SLOWER THAN EXPECTED RESTART IN THE MOST FUN TO DRIVE CARS OUT THERE.

BUT, RIGHT NOW, THE AMERICAN MARKET IS LESS ABOUT CARS AND MORE ABOUT SUVS.

THAT'S WHERE THIS NEW FIAT 500X NOW COMES TO PLAY, WITH HOPES THAT THE BRAND'S FIRST ALL-WHEEL DRIVE UTILITY IS THE "X" THAT HITS THE SPOT.

>> JOHN: SINCE FIAT RETURNED TO OUR SHORES WITH THE DIMINUTIVE 500, THEY'VE BROUGHT A SPLASH OF ITALIAN STYLE AND A FAIR AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCE TO THE SMALL CAR RANKS.

THE SAME IN THE BURGEONING SUBCOMPACT CROSSOVER SEGMENT WITH THE 2016 500X.

HAVING JEEP AS A CORPORATE COUSIN IS A GREAT WAY TO GET A HEAD START IN THAT ENDEAVOR.

AND INDEED THE 500X SHARES A CHASSIS WITH THE JEEP RENEGADE.

BASE POP TRIM IS FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE ONLY, AND COMES WITH FIAT'S 160-HORSEPOWER 1.4-LITER MULTIAIR I4 TURBO, AS WELL AS A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

A 2.4-LITER TIGERSHARK I4 POWERS ALL REMAINING TRIMS.

AS IN RENEGADE, HORSEPOWER IS STANDARD 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

WE KNOW MOST WILL OPT FOR THE 2.4 AND IT'S 9-SPEED, WHICH CONTINUES TO SHOW IMPROVEMENT, BUT STILL DREW SOME COMPLAINTS OF HERKY-JERKINESS.

DRIVING MODES INCLUDE SPORT AND TRACTION + FOR SLIPPERY CONDITIONS.

LIKE MANY SYSTEMS, THE 500X'S OPTIONAL ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SETUP LEAVES THE REAR WHEELS FULLY DISCONNECTED UNTIL CALLED UPON FOR TRACTION ASSIST.

GROUND CLEARANCE IS A PRETTY GENEROUS 7.9-INCHES.

STILL, AS IS TYPICAL FOR THIS SEGMENT, OCCASIONAL DIRT ROAD AND ALL-WEATHER CAPABILITIES ARE MORE THE PRIORITIES THAN ROCK-CRAWLING.

FROM THE LOOKS OF THINGS, FIAT WAS ABLE TO GET ALL OF THE STYLE OF THE FUNKY 500 TO CARRY OVER INTO THIS LARGER, MORE PSEUDO-RUGGED SHAPE.

WHEELBASE IS 101.2-INCHES, AN INCH AND A HALF LESS THAN THE 500L WHICH ALSO SHARES THIS CHASSIS.

16-INCH STEEL WHEELS ARE STANDARD; 17S AND 18S OPTIONAL.

FIAT HAS DONE A GREAT JOB ON THE INTERIOR, CARRYING OVER ENOUGH OF THE 500'S DISTINCT ELEMENTS; YET SOMEHOW MAKING IT APPEAR LESS GIMMICKY IN ORDER TO APPEAL TO MORE MAINSTREAM CROSSOVER BUYERS.

THERE'S LOTS OF COLOR PLUS LIVELY SEAT TRIM TO BRIGHTEN THINGS UP.

BUT, OUR 500X WITH ITS WHITE PAINTED CONCAVE DASH REFLECTED SUNLIGHT DIRECTLY INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER'S EYES.

THE FRONT SEATS ARE ALSO QUITE FIRM, AND SOME OCCUPANTS FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO GET COMFORTABLE.

DITTO IN THE SECOND ROW, AT LEAST FOR 6-FOOT ADULTS, WHERE HEAD, LEG, AND SHOULDER ROOM ARE A BIT LESS THAN THE SHORTER RENEGADE.

FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS, HOWEVER, IT'S ADEQUATE FOR SHORT AND LONG HAULS.

STANDARD NICETIES' INCLUDE DUAL GLOVE BOXES, A REAR SPOILER, AND CHROME EXHAUST TIPS.

LOUNGE TRIM ADDS DUAL-ZONE CLIMATE, POWER DRIVER'S SEAT, HEATED FRONT SEATS AND STEERING WHEEL, WHICH IS NICE AND THICK, AND A 6.5-INCH UCONNECT TOUCHSCREEN FOR NAV AND APPS.

CARGO VOLUME IS NOTABLY LESS THAN RENEGADE, PERHAPS DUE TO THE "X'S" STYLISH SHAPE: 12.2 CUBIC-FT. OF SPACE BEHIND THE REAR SEATS; 32.1 CUBIC-FT. WITH SEATS FOLDED.

AS FOR DRIVING SUBSTANCE TO GO ALONG WITH ITS STYLE, AT 3,278-POUNDS, WEIGHT IS A LITTLE LESS THAN THE RENEGADE, SO THE 500X IS ALSO A LITTLE LIGHTER ON ITS FEET AROUND TOWN, THOUGH STILL PLENTY SOLID ON THE FREEWAY.

HOWEVER, WE DID FIND THE RIDE TO BE A BIT MORE JOSTLING THAN THE RENEGADE.

LOADS OF ADVANCED SAFETY SYSTEMS ARE AVAILABLE; INCLUDING BLIND SPOT MONITORING.

AS FOR TRACK NUMBERS, WITH SPIRITED THROTTLE RESPONSE AND A GOOD LAUNCH EXPECT ABOUT THE SAME AS THE JEEP RENEGADE 2.4; 0 TO 60 IN A REASONABLE 8.5 SOLID IF UNSPECTACULAR 16.5 SECONDS AT 83 MILES PER HOUR.

DICING UP THE CONES, THERE'S CERTAINLY MORE WEIGHT AND SIZE TO DEAL WITH COMPARED TO THE 500 COUPE, BUT THE X WEARS ITS ADDITIONAL GIRTH QUITE WELL.

IT FEELS AS SPORTY AS A FIAT SHOULD!

MORE IMPORTANT THAN ALL OF THAT PERHAPS, ARE THE GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS, WHICH ARE 21-CITY, 30-HIGHWAY, AND 24-COMBINED FOR AN ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE 2.4.

OUR AVERAGE EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS AT 28.5 MILES-PER-GALLON OF REGULAR.

500X PRICES ARE VERY REASONABLE, STARTING AT $20,900 FOR A FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE POP.

THIS LOUNGE AWD STARTS AT $27,650.

ADMITTEDLY, IF WE HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE 500X AND THE RENEGADE, WE'D GO FOR JEEP'S PRACTICAL RUGGEDNESS OVER FIAT'S FORM OVER FUNCTION.

THAT SAID, WE THINK AS A FIRST ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE EFFORT, THE 2016 FIAT 500X HAS A LOT OF APPEAL, AND WILL CERTAINLY BRING A MUCH NEEDED ALL-WEATHER OPTION TO FIAT STUDIOS.

SO, WHILE THIS X MAY NOT PRECISELY MARK OUR TINY UTE HOT SPOT, IT STILL LEFT A VERY POSITIVE IMPRESSION.

>> JOHN: ALL OF US HERE AT MOTORWEEK HAVE BEEN THROUGH PLENTY OF DRIVING SCHOOLS.

BECAUSE AS THE SAYING GOES, IF YOU'RE NOT GETTING BETTER, YOU'RE GETTING WORSE.

SO, WITH THAT CONSTANT STATE OF IMPROVEMENT MINDSET, OUR TWO-WHEELIN' BRIAN ROBINSON HEADS WAY OFF TO SCHOOL.

ADVENTURE BIKES, THE SUVS OF MOTORCYCLES, BECOMING MORE AND MORE POPULAR, IT STANDS TO REASON THAT MORE RIDERS ARE GETTING OFF THE PAVEMENT TO EXPLORE ROADS AND TRAILS EVEN LESS TRAVELED.

WELL, IF YOU'RE LIKE MANY RIDERS, WHO HAVEN'T HIT THE TRAIL IN EARNEST SINCE BOYHOOD DIRT BIKE DAYS, IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO GET SOME TRAINING BEFORE YOU SET OUT ON THAT JOURNEY.

"AND SO WE'RE HERE AT THE BMW PERFORMANCE CENTER IN GREER, RIDER ACADEMY 2-DAY OFF-ROAD COURSE.

PREPARE TO HAVE FUN.

PREPARE TO GET DIRTY.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, PREPARE TO LEARN SOMETHING."

AND YOU WILL DEFINITELY LEARN SOMETHING, REGARDLESS OF YOUR TWO-WHEELED EXPERIENCE.

>> NOT BAD BUT I WANT TO SEE YOU LOWER.

>> BRIAN: UNLIKE MOST DRIVING AND RIDING SCHOOLS, YOU WON'T SPEND TOO MUCH OF YOUR DAYS SITTING IN A CLASSROOM.

RATHER, YOU'LL BE OUT ON THE COURSE, GETTING INSTRUCTION AND DEMONSTRATIONS, FOLLOWED BY HANDS ON THE GRIPS, FEET ON THE PEGS, EXPERIENCE; TO PUT WHAT YOU'VE JUST BEEN TAUGHT INTO ACTION.

THIS IS NOT A RACING SCHOOL, AND YOU WON'T BE HITTING TRIPLE JUMPS OR RIDING WHEELIES.

YOU'LL BE LEARNING REAL WORLD SKILLS THAT WILL HELP YOU TACKLE WHATEVER MAY COME ACROSS YOUR PATH ON YOUR BACKROAD TRAVELS.

LIKE RIDING IN GRAVEL, SAND, AND MUD; THROUGH DITCHES, AND OVER HILLS BOTH BIG AND SMALL; AS WELL AS PROPER BRAKING, STEERING, AND BALANCING TECHNIQUES TO HELP YOU GET THROUGH IT ALL.

AND YOU'LL EVEN LEARN RECOVERY TECHNIQUES FOR WHEN THINGS GO WRONG.

>> HARALD SCHMIDT: "MANY OF OUR GS RIDERS STICK MAINLY TO THE ROAD.

HOWEVER, AFTER TRAINING - VERY ENCOURAGED TO TAKE THESE WONDERFUL MOTORCYCLES OFF-ROAD, AND EXPERIENCE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT RIDING STYLE.

>> BRIAN: THE FIRST THINK YOU'LL HAVE TO DO, WILL BE UNLEARN YEARS OF STREET RIDING HABITS.

BUT, SINCE BMW HAS MORE ADVENTURE BIKES ON THE ROAD THAN ANY OTHER MANUFACTURER; THEY TAKE THIS INSTRUCTION VERY SERIOUSLY.

>> FEEL IT IN THE LEGS SO YOU RESPOND TO WHATEVER YOU FEEL UPFRONT.

>> HARALD: "ALL OF THE INSTRUCTORS HERE ARE VERY WELL SELECTED INDIVIDUALS WITH TREMENDOUS MOTORCYCLE BACKGROUND.

THEY ARE ENTHUSIASTS ALL THE WAY.

WE MAKE VERY MUCH SURE THAT ALL THE INSTRUCTORS ARE INFORMED ON THE PRODUCT AND ANSWER JUST ABOUT ANY QUESTION THERE IS IN REGARDS TO THE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE."

>> BRIAN: YOU CAN RIDE YOUR OWN MOTORCYCLE IF YOU CHOOSE, AS LONG AS IT'S A BMW; BUT A BETTER OPTION IS TO RENT ONE RIGHT AT THE FACILITY, SO YOU CAN FOCUS ON YOUR RIDING, INSTEAD OF WORRYING ABOUT BANGING UP YOUR BIKE.

ART GEORGE DID JUST THAT, AFTER RIDING UP FROM ATLANTA.

>> ART GEORGE: "SO I HAVE A BMW ENDURO MOTORCYCLE.

I'VE NEVER DONE OFF-ROADING AND I ALWAYS WANTED TO EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE; I LOVE THE RAIN AND WEATHER.

IT'S PERFECT FOR THIS.

SO YOU GET A LOT OF MUD."

>> BRIAN: THE SCHOOL IS LOCATED RIGHT NEAR THE GREENVILLE/SPARTANBURG AIRPORT, SO IT'S EASY TO GET TO.

AND OF COURSE THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF AUTOMOBILE DRIVING CLASSES AS WELL AS STREET RIDING CLASSES TO CHOOSE FROM HERE AS WELL.

THE 2-DAY OFF ROAD SCHOOL WILL COST YOU $1,590 WITH A BIKE RENTAL, $1,270 WITHOUT.

REGARDLESS OF WHAT GRAND ADVENTURE YOU HAVE PLANNED, THE ULTIMATE GOALS ARE TO HAVE FUN AND ARRIVE BACK HOME SAFELY.

TAKING AN OFF-ROAD CLASS LIKE THIS, WILL CERTAINLY HELP YOU ACHIEVE BOTH THOSE GOALS.

>> JOHN: WHEN THINGS GET HEATED IN GOSS' GARAGE, PAT'S ALWAYS AROUND TO HELP KEEP US COOL.

>> PAT GOSS: SURPRISINGLY, IN MY REPAIR SHOP, WE FIND ONE OF THE AVERAGE CAR IS THE COOLING SYSTEM.

SEEMS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK AT IT AS, "OUT OF SIGHT; OUT OF MIND."

THEY DON'T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO IT.

BUT IN REALITY, YOU SHOULD BE CHECKING THE COOLANT IN THE COOLING SYSTEM AT LEAST ONCE EVERY YEAR.

NOW, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAYS - THE OWNER'S MANUAL MAY SAY THAT THE COOLANT IS DESIGNED TO LAST UP TO 5 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES - THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT WILL.

SO BE PROACTIVE AND CHECK IT BEFORE IT DOES DAMAGE.

ONE THING YOU CAN DO IS USE A SIMPLE HYDROMETER LIKE THIS; DRAWS SOME COOLANT UP INSIDE, AND TELLS YOU THE FREEZE PROTECTION.

IT ALSO TELLS YOU IF THE COOLANT IS STILL CLEAR AND THE PROPER COLOR.

BUT A BETTER WAY TO DO IT IS RIGHT HERE.

THESE ARE COOLANT TEST STRIPS.

YOU DIP THESE INTO THE COOLANT, THEN THE LITTLE PADS ON THEM CHANGE COLOR, AND YOU COMPARE THAT COLOR WITH THE COLORS ON THE SIDE OF THE BOTTLE, AND IT TELLS YOU WHETHER THE COOLANT IS GOOD OR BAD.

NOW, ANOTHER TEST, AND THIS ONE IS A LITTLE SOPHISTICATED, BUT YOU NEED A SIMPLE VOLT METER - YOU SET IT ON DC VOLTS - YOU CONNECT THE NEGATIVE CABLE TO THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL OF THE BATTERY; THEN WITH THE RADIATOR CAP OFF AND THE CAR RUNNING AT ABOUT 2,000 RPM, YOU DIP THE RED PROBE INTO THE COOLANT, LIKE SO, AND YOU GET A READING ON HERE.

THAT READING SHOULD BE LESS THAN 4/10 OF ONE VOLT.

IF IT EXCEEDS 4/10 OF ONE VOLT, THE COOLANT NEEDS TO COME OUT, THE SYSTEM FLUSHED, AND IF THAT DOESN'T TAKE CARE OF IT, THEN YOU NEED TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THE CAR.

ALSO, THE COOLANT THAT YOU PUT INTO IT?

WELL, ONE SIZE DOESN'T NECESSARILY FIT ALL.

SO YOU WANT TO LOOK IN YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL.

THERE SHOULD BE A NUMBER, A QUALIFICATION NUMBER OR AN ASTM NUMBER; MAKE SURE THAT THAT NUMBER APPEARS ON THE CONTAINER OF THE COOLANT THAT YOU'RE BUYING.

ALWAYS USE DISTILLED WATER.

YOU MIX THE COOLANT AND THE WATER, 50/50, OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, THEN YOU PUT THE MIX INTO THE CAR.

YOU NEVER PUT JUST PLAIN WATER AND PLAIN COOLANT, BECAUSE THAT CAN UPSET THE BALANCE IN THE SYSTEM.

TAKE CARE OF THAT, AND YOU'LL NEVER HAVE ANY COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS.

WE HOPE.

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

>> JOHN: WE'VE BEEN SPORTING THIS 2015 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT FOR 2 MONTHS NOW, BE, AFTER 2,400 MILES IT'S GOT US FEELING PRETTY HAPPY.

AND, NO IT'S NOT DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN; THIS '15 IS INDEED DIFFERENT THAN OUR PREVIOUS OUTLANDER SPORT FROM EARLIER THIS YEAR.

SOME EXTERIOR TRIM ACCENTS, AS WELL AS IMPROVED MATERIAL QUALITY INSIDE HIGHLIGHT THE AESTHETIC CHANGES... ...AND THEY CONTINUE UNDER THE HOOD, WHERE IN GT TRIM, IT GETS A BIGGER AND MORE POWERFUL 2.4 LITER I4 ENGINE.

168 HORSEPOWER IS HOW IT MEASURES UP.

THE EXTRA POWER IS NOTICEABLE, AND MUCH NEEDED.

THE CVT IS ALSO IMPROVED, BUT STILL HAMPERS THE VEHICLES FULL POTENTIAL.

FUEL ECONOMY IS STARTING OFF ON A HIGH NOTE, THOUGH, AT 29.2 MILES PER GALLON.

SO WE'RE ALREADY HAPPY WITH THE TAKING US, AND HOPEFULLY IT KEEPS THE GOOD TIMES ROLLING.

ADMITTEDLY, TRIPS IN OUR VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF HAVE BEEN MOSTLY OF THE SHORT VARIETY, 3,700-MILES SO FAR IN OUR 2-MONTHS WITH VOLKSWAGEN'S FIRST PURE-EV.

BUT WE'RE SLOWLY VENTURING FURTHER AFIELD, WITH A GOOD GRASP ON HOW FAR WE CAN PUSH THE E-GOLF BEFORE NEEDING A RECHARGE.

THAT CONFIDENCE HAS ALSO BEEN ENHANCED BY A NEW 220-VOLT CHARGER, HELPING US GET A FULL CHARGE IN ABOUT HALF THE TIME COMPARED TO 110.

MOST COMMENTS FROM OUR DRIVER'S LOG CENTER AROUND HOW MUCH THE E-GOLF FEELS JUST LIKE A TYPICAL VW.

WHICH IS TO SAY THERE ARE NO WEIRD EV ECCENTRICITIES; JUST ALL VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTY FEEL IN A GASOLINE-FREE PACKAGE.

A VERY NICELY EQUIPPED PACKAGE AT THAT, AS IN SEL PREMIUM TRIM, BACKUP CAMERA AND NAVIGATION ARE STANDARD.

WE'LL FOCUS ON OUR MAZDA CX-9 AND KIA K900, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD REST UPDATE!

>> JOHN: NOW IT'S BACK IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT FOR MORE QUICK SPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS.

>> JOHN: BMW HAS M; MERCEDES-BENZ HAS AMG; FOR AUDI, IT'S RS.

AND NOW, FINALLY, CADILLAC'S V SERIES IS FULLY REALIZED...

BOLSTERED IN PART BY THE NEW ATS-V.

BUT THE GOURMET BREAD AND BUTTER HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE BIGGER, NASTIER CTS-V. AND 2016 SEES IT'S THIRD LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

THE POUNDING STARTS, NATURALLY, UNDER THE HOOD, WHERE A NEW 6.2 LITER SUPERCHARGED V8 ROCKETS 640 HORSEPOWER THROUGH AN 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC.

MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL GETS REVAMPED, KEEPING THINGS ROCK SOLID IN CORNERS.

A PERFORMANCE TRACTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ALLOWS TRACK JUNKIES TO DIAL IN - OR OUT -HOWEVER MUCH ASSISTANCE THEY DESIRE.

A CARBON FIBER HOOD SHAVES WEIGHT OFF THE FRONT END, AND AN OPTIONAL CARBON FIBER PACKAGE FURTHER SHEDS IT THROUGHOUT THE BODY.

CADDY CLAIMS A 0-60 TIME OF UNDER 4 SECONDS, PUTTING THE CTS-V MORE IN COMPETITION WITH A HELLCAT THAN AN M5.

BUT INSIDE, YOU'LL SEE THAT THE CTS-V HASN'T FORGOTTEN ITS TRUE LUXURY AIM.

WELL-BOLSTERED RECAROS HUG YOU CLOSE, BUT THE REST OF THE MOTIF IS ULTRA-PLUSH.

APPLE'S CARPLAY SYSTEM DEBUTS HERE, AS WELL, BUT WE'LL NEED A FULL TEST FOR A PROPER RULING ON THAT.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 CADILLAC CTS-V STICKERS AROUND $85,000.

WE OBVIOUSLY CAN'T GET ENOUGH EXTREME LUXURY AND POWER AROUND HERE, BECAUSE WE SAID YES TO A QUICK SPIN IN THIS 2015 ROLLS-ROYCE WRAITH FASTER THAN ALLOWING US TO DO SO.

NOW, WE'VE DRIVEN THE COUPE VERSION OF THE GHOST SEDAN BEFORE, BUT TESTING ON OUR HOME TURF IS ALWAYS THE BEST WAY TO PROPERLY JUDGE A VEHICLE.

PLUS...COME ON, JUST LOOK AT IT!

UNDERHOOD SITS A BMW-SOURCED 6.6 LITER TWIN TURBO V12...

BUT IT DOESN'T DO MUCH JUST SITTING STILL, BETTER TO SCARE UP ALL OF ITS 624 HORSEPOWER.

AN 8 SPEED AUTO SHIFTS FOR YOU, WITH GPS BUILT INTO THE TRANSMISSION TO ANALYZE YOUR LOCATION AND ROAD CONDITIONS.

WHEN YOUR RIDE HAS $100,000+ WORTH OF OPTIONS, YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN SOMETHING SPECIAL.

BUT JUST HOW SPECIAL IS IT TO DRIVE?

>> PATRICK LUCAS: "IT'S GOT THE POWER, IT'S GOT THE LUXURY.

YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT, OF COURSE.

JUST UNREAL.

FROM THE STITCHING, TO THE LITTLE DETAILS IN THE GAUGES...THE STARLIGHT HEADLINER IS A LITTLE ABSURD, BUT IT'S A NICE TOUCH...I MEAN I'D LIVE IN THIS THING IF I COULD."

>> JOHN: ON SALE NOW, THE 2015 ROLLS-ROYCE WRAITH STARTS A SHADE UNDER $300,000, THOUGH OPTIONS FOR THIS ULTIMATE GT CAN PUSH YOU TO OVER 450K.

AND WE'LL GRAB MORE QUICK SPINS, SOON!

REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT THERE ARE MORE PORSCHE SUVS AND SEDANS ON THE ROAD THAN EVER DON'T THINK FOR A MINUTE THAT THE BRAND HAS LOST IT'S PASSION FOR PURE HIGH PERFORMANCE.

AND CLEARLY THAT'S WHAT THE 918 SPYDER IS ALL ABOUT.

YES, AFTER WHAT SEEMS LIKE FOREVER, IT'S FINALLY HERE.

DON'T BLINK, YOU MIGHT MISS IT!

>> JOHN: THE 2015 PORSCHE 918 SPYDER WAS DESIGNED FROM THE UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE FOR A STREET CAR, BUT TO DO SO WITH MINIMUM FOSSIL FUEL CONSUMPTION; ALL WITHOUT LEAVING EVERY DAY PRACTICALITY AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT.

TO ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK, PORSCHE EMPLOYED THE SAME PLUG-IN HYBRID APPROACH AS OTHER MODERN PERFORMANCE MARVELS LIKE LAFERRARI AND THE MCLAREN P1, BUT WITH THE BRAND'S UNIQUE FORMULA OF COURSE.

IT STARTS WITH A NATURALLY ASPIRATED 608-HORSEPOWER, MID-MOUNTED, 4.6-LITER V8 ENGINE THAT YOU CAN BARELY CATCH A GLIMPSE OF.

EXHAUST PIPES POINT DIRECTLY ABOVE FOR SHORTER TRAVEL AND COMPARTMENT.

FROM THERE, IT ADDS A 156-HORSEPOWER BOOST FROM A 115KW ELECTRIC MOTOR.

TOGETHER, THEY SEND POWER TO THE REAR WHEELS THROUGH A HEAVILY-REVISED 7-SPEED PDK TRANSMISSION.

NOW IF THAT WEREN'T ENOUGH, UP FRONT THERE'S ANOTHER 95KW ELECTRIC MOTOR THAT SENDS AN ADDITIONAL 129-HORSEPOWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS.

ALL TOLD, THERE'S 887-HORSEPOWER AND 944 LB-FT. OF TORQUE WAITING TO BE UNLEASHED AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT.

THE 3 POWER SOURCES CAN BE USED IN A VARIETY OF CONFIGURATIONS DETERMINED BY WHICH DRIVING MODE IS DIALED IN.

THERE'S EVERYTHING FROM HOT LAP'S ALL FULL-ON ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE INSANITY FOR HITTING 60 IN 2.5-SECONDS; TO E-POWER MODE, WITH ENOUGH ENERGY LITHIUM-ION BATTERY TO GET YOU 19-MILES OF GAS-FREE, AND VIRTUALLY SILENT, DRIVING AT UP TO 93 MILES-PER-HOUR.

OF COURSE EVERYTHING IS BUILT IN AND AROUND A CARBON-FIBER CHASSIS, WITH CURB WEIGHT JUST SHY OF 3,700-LBS.

OTHER TECHNO TRIVETS INCLUDE REAR AXLE STEERING AND ACTIVE AERO.

THE INTERIOR LAYOUT SHOWS HINTS OF FAMILIARITY, BUT IS MOSTLY IT'S OWN UNIQUE ANIMAL.

THE SEATING POSITION IS BUSINESS-LIKE, WITH PLENTY OF BOTH SUPPORT AND COMFORT.

TO THE SIDE, THERE'S A RISING CENTER CONSOLE WITH A VERY COMPREHENSIVE TABLET-STYLE TOUCH PANEL, WITH LARGE NAV SCREEN JUST ABOVE.

GAUGES NESTLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN DIRECTLY BEHIND THE CONTROL-INTENSIVE 3-SPOKE STEERING WHEEL.

DRIVEN AT STREET-LEGAL SPEEDS, THE 918 IS DOCILE AND NOT HIGH-STRUNG LIKE THE MCLAREN P1.

THE THROTTLE IS VERY PROGRESSIVE, SO YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU'RE DOING A LEMANS START EVERY TIME YOU PULL AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN.

THERE'S PLENTY OF WEIRD SPACECRAFT-TYPE NOISES, UNTIL YOU GET ON THE GAS HARD, WHEN IT'S ALL ENGINE NOISE WITH THOSE EXPOSED EXHAUST TIPS NOT THAT FAR FROM THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD.

UNLESS YOU'RE ON A RACE TRACK, LEAVING THE PDK IN AUTO WORKS JUST FINE; BUT THERE'S SO MUCH TORQUE AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME, THAT GEAR SELECTION BECOMES ALMOST IRRELEVANT.

FULL POWER ACCELERATION IS METEORIC, WITH NO SIGNS OF EVER LETTING UP UNTIL YOU'RE WELL INTO TRIPLE DIGITS.

AND OF COURSE RACE SPEC.

BRAKES ARE ON TAP TO BRING YOU DOWN FROM SPEED IN NO TIME AT ALL.

DESPITE THE DIRECT MOUNTING OF THE DOUBLE WISHBONE FRONT AND MULTI-LINK REAR SUSPENSION TO THE CARBON-FIBER TUB, RIDE QUALITY IS NOT ALL THAT DIFFERENT FROM A 911 ON ALL BUT THE ROUGHEST OF ROADS, THANKS TO PORSCHE'S ACTIVE SUSPENSION MANAGEMENT.

ALL-IN-ALL IT'S A PRETTY DARN INCREDIBLE CAR, WITH NOTHING REALLY NOT TO LIKE ABOUT IT.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THE LOOKS, OTHER THAN THEY'RE 100% CLASSIC PORSCHE RACE CAR, BUT WITH ENOUGH STYLE AND MODERN TOUCHES TO NOT LOOK TIMEWORN OR FORCED RETRO.

THE 2-PIECE TARGA-STYLE ROOF IS REMOVABLE AND PORSCHE WAS THOUGHTFUL ENOUGH TO PROVIDE A PLACE TO STORE THEM, ALONG WITH A TOKEN 3.7 CUBIC-FT. OF CARGO UP FRONT.

THERE'S ADDITIONAL SPACE IN THE GARMENT BAGS BEHIND THE SEAT.

BEING A HYBRID, THERE'S NO GAS GUZZLER TAX; AS THE 918 GETS AN OVERALL GOVERNMENT COMBINED RATING OF 22, AND AN MPGE OF RATING OF 67-COMBINED.

WITH LAFERRARI AND P1 HAVING PRICE TAGS WELL OVER 7-FIGURES, THE 918 SPYDER'S BASE PRICE OF $847,975 SEEMS LIKE A RELATIVE BARGAIN.

STILL, DON'T EXPECT TO SEE TOO MANY 918S AROUND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ANY TIME SOON.

THE 2015 PORSCHE 918 SPYDER MANAGES TO CAPTURE EVERYTHING THAT PORSCHE DOES BEST IN ONE HIGH-TECH, MISSILE-LIKE PROJECTILE OF A CAR.

IT'S A TRULY REMARKABLE MACHINE THAT DOES EVERYTHING AT A HIGH LEVEL EFFORTLESSLY AND WITHOUT COMPROMISE.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT HAS SET THE STANDARD FOR WHAT AN ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE EXOTIC CAN BE; AND WHAT PORSCHE WILL BE DELIVERING IN THE YEARS TO COME.

>> JOHN: WELL THAT'S OUR SHOW, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT!

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... AS WE TOP OFF THE TESTOSTERONE TANK WITH THE CALLAWAY ROCKY RIDGE SPECIAL EDITION SILVERADO.

THEN KEEP THE MANLINESS GOING IN THE AUDI R8.

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.

TO ORDER A DVD OF THIS PROGRAM, CALL 1-800-873-6154.

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.

BE MORE...PBS