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

JOIN US AS WE CHECK OUT A NEW GEN HONDA CIVIC... AND TAKE A QUICK SPIN THE FORD MUSTANG MACH E GT...

IT'S AN OPEN AND SHUT CASE AT GOSS' GARAGE... BRIAN ROBINSON GOES TWO WHEELIN ON A BIG BMW CRUISER... AND WE'LL HIT THE TRACK IN A LIGHTWEIGHT, THE LOTUS EVORA GT...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

* Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE BROUGHT TO YOU BY... FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS LUCAS OIL PRODUCTS HAS HELPED PEOPLE TACKLE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE, MARINE, AND INDUSTRIAL FIELDS.

FROM OUR ORIGINAL FOUR CORE PRODUCTS... LUCAS OIL HAS DEVELOPED OVER 400 CUSTOM PRODUCTS TO HELP BOTH PROFESSIONALS AND DO IT YOURSELFERS.

TO LEARN MORE VISIT LUCASOIL.COM.

LUCAS OIL, KEEP THAT ENGINE ALIVE.

YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR TIRES ONLINE AND YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

"I DO."

WE'RE TIRERACK.COM AND WE HAVE ANSWERS.

AND, TOOLS TO HELP.

"LIKE OUR TIRE DECISION GUIDE.

IT'S, UH, TAKE A LOOK."

"OH!"

FIND, DELIVER, INSTALL.

John: FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS, THE HONDA CIVIC HAS EMBODIED SAFE, RELIABLE, ENTRY-LEVEL FAMILY TRANSPORTATION.

ALONG THE WAY, BOTH FUN AND FRUGALITY HAVE ADDED VARIETY TO THE MIX.

SO, LET'S FIND OUT WHAT'S NEXT, AS AN ALL-NEW 11TH GENERATION HONDA CIVIC HITS THE STREETS.

* MUCH LIKE AN AGING POP-STAR THAT IS CONSTANTLY REINVENTING THEMSELVES TO STAY RELEVANT, THE HONDA CIVIC HAS HAD SOME MAJOR HITS OVER THE YEARS AS IT CHANGES WITH THE TIMES; YET, THROUGH IT ALL, HAS STAYED TRUE TO ITS PRACTICAL CORE.

FOR 2022, THE CIVIC IS MORE MODERN, EFFICIENT, AND STYLISH THAN EVER; READY TO PLEASE A WHOLE NEW GENERATION OF FANS.

AS IS USUALLY THE CASE, THE TRADITIONAL 4-DOOR SEDAN IS THE FIRST TO ARRIVE; WITH A HATCHBACK, ALONG WITH SIs AND TYPE Rs, TO FOLLOW.

THE EXTERIOR DESIGN HAS BEEN SIMPLIFIED; DEFINITELY MORE EYE-CATCHING AND PERHAPS A LITTLE SPORTIER THAN BEFORE, WITH AN ALTERED PROFILE DUE TO THE LONG AND LOW HOOD, PULLED BACK A-PILLARS, MIRRORS NOW MOUNTED ON THE DOORS, AND 1.4 INCHES OF ADDITIONAL WHEELBASE.

THE USER EXPERIENCE IS AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT PART OF VEHICLES TODAY, INTRODUCING AS MUCH TECH AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT BEING DISTRACTING OR DIFFICULT TO USE.

HONDA HAS PERFORMED THIS TASK QUITE WELL IN THE NEW CIVIC.

THEY'VE BEEN USING DIGITAL SPEEDOMETERS FOR SOME TIME NOW, BUT UP THEIR GAME HERE TO A FULLY DIGITAL 10 INCH LCD INSTRUMENT PANEL; THOUGH AS OF NOW ONLY IN TOURING TRIM, WHICH ALSO ADDS FIRST TIME BOSE AUDIO, WIRELESS PHONE CHARGER, AND WIDER LEATHER SEATS.

THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN IS MOUNTED HIGH, ON TOP OF THE VERY LINEAR DASH; 7.0 INCH SCREEN IS STANDARD, 9.0 INCH WITH UPGRADES.

RISING TO MEET THAT DASH, IS A SUBSTANTIAL CENTER CONSOLE WITH A TRADITIONAL-LOOKING SHIFTER, AND PLENTY OF STORAGE SPACE.

PASSENGER SPACE IS VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL TO LAST YEAR, AND WE FOUND OUR CAR'S SPLIT FOLDING REAR SEATS MORE THAN ROOMY FOR COMMUTING ADULTS.

AT 14.8 CUBIC-FEET, THERE'S ACTUALLY A LITTLE LESS SPACE IN THE TRUNK THAN BEFORE, BUT ITS STILL GENEROUS.

BOTH THE STANDARD 158 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER I4 AND OPTIONAL 1.5 LITER TURBO-4 GET UPGRADES FOR '22.

THE NATURALLY-ASPIRATED 2.0 LITER'S IS MORE ALONG THE LINE OF INCREASING EFFICIENCY; WHILE, THE TURBO GAINS 6.0 HORSEPOWER TO 180, AND 15 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE TO 177.

OUR TEST CAR WAS PACKING THE 1.5 LITER TURBO; AND WE PUT IT TO THE TEST, RIGHT AWAY AT MASON DIXON DRAGWAY.

THERE WAS A BIT OF TURBO LAG AT LAUNCH, BUT ONCE THE POWER HITS, IT HITS PRETTY HARD, AND STAYS CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE QUARTER-MILE.

WE HIT 60 IN 7.7 SECONDS, AND CLEARED THE QUARTER-MILE IN 16.2 SECONDS AT 88 MILES PER HOUR.

REGARDLESS OF ENGINE, A CVT MANAGES POWER FLOW, AND WHILE HONDA'S IS BETTER THAN MOST, THE EXTENDED HIGH RPM WHINE DOES DETRACT FROM THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE.

SAME SUSPENSION DESIGN AS BEFORE; MACPHERSON STRUT FRONT, MULTI-LINK REAR; BUT UPGRADES INCLUDE A WIDER TRACK, REDUCED FRICTION, AND MORE COMPLIANT BUSHINGS.

IT RESULTED IN THE CIVIC STAYING COMPLETELY GLUED TO THE PAVEMENT THROUGH OUR SLALOM COURSE.

SURPRISINGLY, LITTLE BODY ROLL, ONLY MINOR UNDERSTEER, AND VERY QUICK RESPONSE FROM STEERING INPUTS.

OVERALL, QUITE NIMBLE AND COMPETENT; BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, A GREAT BASE FOR SI AND TYPE Rs TO BUILD UPON.

PRICING STARTS WITH LX AT $22,715; PROGRESSING UP THROUGH THE TYPICAL HONDA TRIMS, TO ARRIVE AT TOURING FOR $29,315.

SOME MAY CRITICIZE HONDA FOR MOSTLY PLAYING IT CONSERVATIVE WITH EVERYTHING THEY DO.

BUT OUR TAKE ON IT IS, THEY JUST KEEP PLAYING THE HITS; YOU KNOW, THE VERY REASON EVERYONE SHOWS UP IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THE 2022 HONDA CIVIC IS JUST THAT, HONDA'S BIGGEST HIT EVER, REDEFINED FOR A NEW GENERATION.

* John: LAST YEAR, BMW MADE A SECOND ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN THE AMERICAN CRUISER MARKET WITH THE R 18.

THE SECRET TO ITS SUCCESS WAS DRAWING AS MUCH ON THEIR OWN HISTORY FOR INSPIRATION AS AMERICAN V-TWINS.

WELL THE NEXT LOGICAL STEP IS THIS TRANSCONTINENTAL LUXURY TOURING VERSION.

* Brian Robinson: THE R 18 ARRIVED WITH MUCH LESS FANFARE THAN BMW'S ORIGINAL AMERICAN-STYLE CRUISER, THE R1200C; BUT THE R 18 TRANSCONTINENTAL IS LOOKING TO MAKE A MUCH BIGGER ENTRANCE.

MOST PEOPLE REMEMBER BMW'S R1200C AS THAT ONE BIKE FROM THAT ONE JAMES BOND MOVIE.

WELL, NO MAJOR MOVIE DEBUTS THIS TIME AROUND FOR THE R 18, BUT IT LOOKS TO HAVE MUCH MORE SUBSTANCE AND HOPEFULLY A LITTLE MORE STAYING POWER.

THIS 2022 R 18 TRANSCONTINENTAL GOES AFTER THE HEART OF THE LUXURY LONG-DISTANCE TRAVEL SEGMENT.

LIKE MOST VEHICLES, 2 OR 4-WHEELED, IT'S NOT GOING TO APPEAL TO EVERYONE, BUT I THINK BMW WAS ABLE TO NAIL THE STYLE; INCORPORATING CRUISER FAMILIARS SUCH HEAVY-DUTY DOUBLE CRADLE STEEL FRAME WITH HIDDEN SUSPENSION FOR A RIGID-FRAME LOOK, AND DOUBLE-SIDED SWING-ARM; WITH TRADITIONAL BMW HALLMARKS LIKE LONG TEARDROP TANK, EXPOSED DRIVE SHAFT, AND THEIR BOXER ENGINE, WHICH HAS BEEN A BRAND STAPLE SINCE THE 1930s.

IT'S THEIR MOST POWERFUL BOXER EVER, 1,802CCS OUTPUTTING 91 HORSEPOWER WITH 116 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

AND IT RUMBLES, NOT QUITE IN A V-TWIN WAY, BUT IT SOUNDS GREAT.

PART OF THE CRUISER APPEAL IS OF COURSE STYLE, BUT BEING COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO COVER LARGE CHUNKS OF GROUND AT ANY GIVEN TIME IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO MOST BUYERS.

SO, THE TRANSCONTINENTAL ADDS A FORK-MOUNTED FAIRING WITH TALL NON-ADJUSTABLE WINDSCREEN, ADDITIONAL LIGHTING AND WIND DEFLECTORS.

THE BACK SIDE OF IT FEATURES A ROW OF HIGH-MOUNTED BIG ANALOG GAUGES.

BELOW, IS A HUGE 10 INCH TFT DISPLAY THAT LOOKS LIKE IT CAME STRAIGHT OUT OF A 7 SERIES.

INPUTS ARE MADE ON BMW'S FAMILIAR JOGWHEEL CONTROLLER, WHICH IS VERY INTUITIVE TO OPERATE.

AND OF COURSE, THEY'VE ADDED PLACES TO STORE SOME LUGGAGE; 27 LITERS IN THE SIDE CASES, 48 IN THE TOP TRUNK, ALL WITH CENTRAL LOCKING.

SPECIAL FIRST EDITION MODELS INCLUDE THROWBACK BMW PIN STRIPPING AND ACRES OF CHROME.

AN AVAILABLE PREMIUM PACKAGE ADDS ADAPTIVE LIGHTING, REVERSE, ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, AND EVEN A SOUND SYSTEM DESIGNED BY GUITAR AMPLIFIER MAKER...MARSHALL.

THE WIDE SEAT IS MORE LONG DISTANCE SUPPORTIVE THAN CUSHY; HEATED OF COURSE, AND THE INTEGRATED BACKREST WILL KEEP YOUR PASSENGER HAPPY FOR THE FULL 250 PLUS MILES, YOU CAN GET OUT OF A TOPPED-OFF TANK.

AND AS FOR THE ACTUAL RIDING, THE TRANSCONTINENTAL IS A HEAVY ONE, WELL OVER 900 POUNDS BUT VERY WELL-BALANCED.

I FELT NO NEED TO GO SEARCHING FOR ITS CORNERING LIMITS, BUT THEY APPEAR TO BE MORE THAN ADEQUATE.

THE TRANSCONTINENTAL'S BASE PRICE OF $24,995 IS NOT OUT OF LINE AT ALL WHEN COMPARED TO THE ELECTRA GLIDES AND ROADMASTERS OF THE WORLD; ALSO A COUPLE GRAND LESS THAN BMW'S OWN K1600GTL SPORT-LUXURY TOURER.

THERE ARE OPTIONS OF COURSE, AND THIS FIRST EDITION, WITH A FEW PACKAGES ADDED ON, STICKERS FOR CLOSER TO $32,000.

IT'S HARD TO SAY FOR CERTAIN WHETHER THE R18 WILL HAVE ULTIMATE STAYING POWER, BUT THE FACT THAT THIS TIME AROUND THEY PAID JUST A MUCH ATTENTION TO THEIR OWN MOTORCYCLE HISTORY AS THEY DID TO AMERICA'S GIVES US HOPE.

THE 2022 BMW R 18 TRANSCONTINENTAL PERFECTLY MERGES BMW'S LONG DISTANCE LUXURY CRUISING ABILITIES WITH AMERICAN CRUISER STYLE AND VIBE.

AND IT'S READY TO ROCK-N-ROLL YOU ALL OVER THIS CONTINENT.

John: WHILE, THERE ARE FEWER REASONS THAN EVER TO ACTUALLY OPEN YOUR CAR'S HOOD THESE DAYS, PAT GOSS HAS THE SCOOP ON SOME UPLIFTING PARTS THAT ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED.

* Pat Goss: IF YOU HAVE AN SUV OR EVEN A REGULAR PASSENGER CAR, AND YOU NOTICE THAT MAYBE THE HOOD, OR THE HATCH, ONE OR THE OTHER, THAT IT DOESN'T STAY UP LIKE IT USED TO, IT MAY SLOWLY COME DOWN.

WELL, THAT'S BECAUSE YOU MAY HAVE WORN PROP STRUTS, THESE ARE GAS-CHARGED STRUTS THAT HOLD THE HATCH OR THE HOOD OPEN, AND TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS ABOUT THESE, WE HAVE OUR ONLINE PARTS GURU, MR. TOM TAYLOR.

WELCOME BACK TO GOSS' GARAGE.

Tom Taylor: THANKS FOR HAVING ME, PAT.

Pat: ABSOLUTELY.

ALRIGHT, WHATCHA GOT FOR US HERE?

Tom: LIKE YOU SAID, THE STRUTS HAVE BEEN ON HATCHBACKS FOR A LONG TIME, SINCE THE '80s, BUT JUST OVER THE LAST 10-15 YEARS, THEY'VE BEEN ADDED TO HOODS ALSO, AND THAT'S CREATED A SURPRISING PROBLEM.

THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GETS HOT, AND GAS EXPANDS WHEN IT GETS HOT, SO THE STRUT MAY STAY OPEN WHEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS HOT, BUT YOU DRIVE IT INTO YOUR SHOP AND IT'S 20-30 DEGREES IN YOUR SHOP, BECAUSE YOU'RE IN MINNESOTA OR WISCONSIN, SOMEWHERE COLD... UM, THE STRUT COOLS DOWN, THE PRESSURE DROPS, AND THE HOOD COMES DOWN REAL FAST, CAN HIT YOU RIGHT IN THE HEAD, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CAR, OR DAMAGE TO A PERSON.

Pat: WELL, LET ME TELL YOU, I THINK THIS APPLIES TO A LOT OF AREAS, WE SEE IT HERE IN MARYLAND, EVEN ON SUMMER DAYS, BECAUSE THE DIFFERENCE IN TEMPERATURE BETWEEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE.

Tom: SURE, YEAH, AIR-CONDITIONED SHOP.

THEY'VE, UH, THE TOOL INDUSTRY HAS COME UP WITH SOME GREAT TOOLS TO PREVENT THOSE SUDDEN CLOSURES.

THIS IS A CLAMP THAT USES SOFT ALUMINUM, SOFT BRASS, SO YOU CLAMP IT ON THE STEEL ROD, IT WON'T HURT THE ROD AND THE STRUT CAN'T CLOSE.

Pat: OKAY, ALSO HAS A TAG, SO YOU DON'T FORGET IT.

Tom: YEAH, YOU DON'T WANT TO TRY TO SLAM A HOOD THAT'S PROPPED UP WITH ONE OF THESE CLAMPS.

Pat: ALRIGHT, OVER HERE YOU HAVE A TOOL THAT EVERY ONE OF MY TECHNICIANS, IN BOTH SHOPS, MANDATORY THAT THEY USE IT.

Tom: OH, GOOD.

IT'S JUST A SIMPLE PROP ROD THAT YOU CAN ADJUST TO DIFFERENT HEIGHTS, MORE INSURANCE THAT, THAT HOOD WON'T COME DOWN SUDDENLY.

Pat: OKAY, AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, MOST PEOPLE HAVE NO IDEA HOW HEAVY A HOOD OR A HATCH CAN BE, UNTIL IT HITS THEM IN THE HEAD.

Tom: RIGHT, YEAH, IF YOU'RE A DO-IT-YOURSELFER OR A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC, YOU MAY NOT KNOW HOW OLD THE STRUTS ARE, MAY NOT KNOW THE HISTORY OF THE VEHICLE, SO USING EITHER OF THESE TOOLS OR BOTH IS GOOD INSURANCE.

Pat: ALRIGHT...TOM, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

John: SIT BACK RELAX AND LET US DO THE DRIVING WITH A NEW ROUND OF QUICKSPINS!

* FORD IS GOING ELECTRIC IN A BIG WAY.

NOT BY STARTING A NEW BRAND.

BUT RATHER, BY ELECTRIFYING TWO OF THEIR MOST POPULAR AND HISTORIC MODEL NAMEPLATES.

THE F-150, AND OF COURSE, THE MUSTANG.

YES, THE 2021 FORD MUSTANG MACH-E REIMAGINES AMERICA'S ORIGINAL PONY CAR AS A FULLY-ELECTRIC ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE UTILITY VEHICLE; BUT AN EXCLUSIVE QUICK SPIN IN THE RAREST MODEL, A MACH-E GT PERFORMANCE EDITION, REVEALS THAT "PERFORMANCE" IS IN THE NAME FOR GOOD REASONS.

Brian: IN THE MUSTANG WORLD, THAT STEP UP FROM ECOBOOST TO GT IS A SIGNIFICANT ONE, HERE IN THE MACH-E GT THAT STEP UP...ESPECIALLY WITH THE PERFORMANCE EDITION IS MORE LIKE, A WILLIE WONKA ELEVATOR RIDE THAT BLASTS YOU THROUGH THE ROOF AND OPENS UP A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF PERFORMANCE TO YOU.

John: JUST A QUICK RUNDOWN OF THE DETAILS BEFORE HITTING THE TRACK.

THE MACH-E GT FEATURES DUAL MOTOR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, WITH 480 HORSEPOWER AND 600 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE; PLUS, A 260 MILE RANGE.

ON TOP OF THAT, PERFORMANCE EDITIONS GET RECALIBRATED MOTORS THAT DELIVER AN ADDITIONAL 34 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, AS WELL AS A TRACK-ORIENTED SETUP FOR THE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SYSTEM, RED BREMBO BRAKE CALIPERS BEHIND UNIQUE 20 INCH WHEELS WITH SUMMER PERFORMANCE TIRES, AND MAGNERIDE DAMPING.

INSIDE, THERE ARE UPGRADED PERFORMANCE SEATS, AND UNIQUE MATERIALS.

PLUS, AN UNBRIDLED EXTEND DRIVE MODE FOR...UHUM, TRACK USE ONLY, WHICH DIALS BACK TRACTION AND STABILITY CONTROL, AND PUMPS A LITTLE MORE SIMULATED ENGINE NOISE INTO THE CABIN.

WE CERTAINLY WEREN'T USED TO HAVING THIS MUCH GRIP AVAILABLE AT LAUNCH IN A MUSTANG.

IT MAKES FOR A SURREAL EXPERIENCE LEAVING THE LINE WITH JUST A TINY CHIRP OF THE WHEELS, AND CATAPULTING TO 60 IN ONLY 3.5 SECONDS.

REMINDING US THAT THE ABILITY TO INSTANTLY DELIVER BOATLOADS OF TORQUE IS THE THING WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE MOST IN OUR ALL-ELECTRIC FUTURE.

BUT FROM THERE, INSTEAD OF PILING ON, POWER SEEMS TO PLATEAU AND MAINTAIN THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE QUARTER-MILE; AND THE "GROUND SPEED" NUMBERS WHICH WERE JUST A BLUR, BECOME VERY EASY TO READ AS THEY SLOWLY TICK UP.

IT FEELS LIKE, YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY TO AN 11 SECOND QUARTER-MILE, AND THEN SOMEONE PULLED THE DRAG CHUTE TOO EARLY, AND YOU END UP FINISHING WITH A 12.4 AT ONLY 103 MILES PER HOUR.

AND AS MUCH AS WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THAT GETAWAY GRIP AT LAUNCH, IT'S MUCH MORE BENEFICIAL WHEN IT COMES TO HANDLING.

NOT ONLY IS THERE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, BUT THOSE 245/45/20 PIRELLI TIRES ADD THE KIND OF ADHESION THAT MAKES CONE CARVING MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE.

TURN-INS ARE SHARP, BUT THERE'S NO DISGUISING THE FACT THAT THERE'S WELL OVER TWO TONS OF MASS HERE.

SO, IT'S NOT EXACTLY NIMBLE OR TOSSABLE; BUT LIKE MOST EVs, IT WEARS THAT WEIGHT LOW, GIVING IT A VERY PLANTED FEEL.

THE BREMBO'S DEAL WITH ALL OF THAT WEIGHT QUITE WELL, WITH ONLY 108 FEET NEEDED FOR STOPS FROM 60.

2021 FORD MUSTANG MACH-E PRICING STARTS AT JUST OVER $44,000, GTs AT AROUND $61,000; WITH ANOTHER $5,000 FOR PERFORMANCE EDITIONS.

Jessica Ray: WHILE, A LOT OF RECENT MERCEDES NEWS HAS BEEN ON THEIR ELECTRIFICATION EFFORTS, THEY'RE STILL PRODUCING VEHICLES WITH GASOLINE ENGINES FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

AND THAT INCLUDES THEIR FLAGSHIP SEDAN, THE 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS, WHICH SEES AN EXTENSIVE REDESIGN.

SO, WE RECENTLY GOT SOME SEAT TIME IN THE NEW S-CLASS FOR A FIRST DRIVE AS WE HEADED UP THE EAST COAST TO RHODE ISLAND!

THE S500 4MATIC COMES WITH A 429 HORSEPOWER TURBO INLINE-6 WHILE THE S580 4MATIC IS POWERED BY A 496 HORSEPOWER TWIN-TURBO V8.

BOTH ARE PAIRED WITH EQ BOOST ELECTRIC ASSIST WHICH HELPS KEEP THE ENGINE NOISES TO A MINIMUM.

LISTEN, I KNEW THAT THE NEW S-CLASS'S RIDE WAS GOING TO BE IMPRESSIVE BUT IT JUST GLIDES OVER THESE NORTH EASTERN ROADS, AND THEY ARE NOT IN GOOD SHAPE.

THE SUSPENSION JUST SOAKS UP EVERY BUMP, EVERY POTHOLE, EVERY ROUGH PATCH FOR JUST A COMFORTABLE, SMOOTH, AWESOME RIDE.

THAT SMOOTH RIDE IS COURTESY OF THE AIRMATIC AIR SUSPENSION AND OPTIONAL REAR-AXLE STEERING MAKES TURNS FEEL EASY IN THIS FULL-SIZE SEDAN.

BUT INSIDE IS WHERE THINGS REALLY GET IMPRESSIVE WITH TONS OF LUXURY AND TECHNOLOGY THAT IS VERY DRIVER-FOCUSED.

THE 12.3 INCH DASH CLUSTER AND 12.8 INCH OLED TOUCHSCREEN ARE INTIMIDATING AT FIRST, BUT BECOME EASIER TO USE ONCE YOU GET THE HANG OF IT.

THE S-CLASS IS THE FIRST MERCEDES TO SEE THE SECOND GENERATION OF MBUX, WHICH IS 50 PERCENT FASTER THAN THE PREVIOUS GEN.

THE ALL-NEW AUGMENTED REALITY HEAD-UP DISPLAY SYSTEM WITHIN MBUX IS A TREAT AND INCREDIBLY HELPFUL ON UNFAMILIAR ROADS, BY PUTTING DIRECTIONAL MARKERS DIRECTLY ON THE ROAD FOR THE DRIVER TO SEE.

AND FOR THOSE WHO WILL SPEND SOME EXTENDED SEAT TIME IN THE REAR SEATS, MERCEDES NOW OFFERS AVAILABLE REAR SEAT AIRBAGS.

THREE TRIM LINES ARE AVAILABLE: LUXURY, AMG, AND EXECUTIVE.

THE LUXURY TRIM STARTS AROUND $110,000...

WHILE, THE REAR-PASSENGER FOCUSED EXECUTIVE TRIM BEGINS JUST OVER $130,000.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE MERCEDES FLAGSHIP SEDAN, COMING UP SOON, RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK !

John: UNLESS YOU'RE REALLY INTO LOW VOLUME SPORTS CARS, THE LOTUS BRAND PROBABLY DOESN'T COME QUICKLY TO MIND.

FOR AFTER ALL, THAT'S ALL THEY MAKE, SPORTS CARS, AND SEEING ONE ON THE STREETS IS A RARE SIGHT.

BUT AFTER YEARS WITH LITTLE NEWS, THE BRAND'S IN FOR A BIT OF A RENAISSANCE, WITH TWO NEW MODELS ON THE WAY, AND AN UPDATED EVORA, NOW KNOWN AS THE EVORA GT.

* THE 2021 LOTUS EVORA GT IS NOT THE FLASHIEST SPORTS CAR OUT THERE, BUT IT IS ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING; USING WHAT IT'S GOT TO THE FULLEST POTENTIAL TO DELIVER A TREMENDOUSLY REWARDING DRIVING EXPERIENCE.

THAT ETHOS IS APPARENT RIGHT AWAY IN ITS POWERTRAIN; THIS MID-MOUNTED 3.5 LITER V6 MAY BE FOUND IN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TOYOTA CAMRY'S OUT THERE, BUT NOT LIKE THIS.

LOTUS ENGINEERS GIVE IT THOROUGH TWEAKING AND THEN ADD AN EDELBROCK SUPERCHARGER ON TOP.

THE RESULT IS 416 HORSEPOWER; WHILE THE TORQUE RATING VARIES WITH TRANSMISSION CHOICE.

STICKING WITH THE STANDARD 6-SPEED MANUAL GETS YOU 317 POUND-FEET; THE OPTIONAL 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC ALLOWS FOR A BIT MORE, AT 332 POUND-FEET.

POWER IS GREAT RIGHT FROM THE GET GO, BUT ONCE THE TACH STARTS TO TICKLE 5,000 RPM, IT BECOMES MUCH MORE PREVALENT.

A VERY HEAVY CLUTCH GIVES GREAT FEEDBACK, AND ALLOWS FOR A FAIRLY EASY LAUNCH.

LOTUS CLAIMS A 3.8 SECOND 0-60, BUT WE HAD TROUBLE WITH TRACK MODE, SO OUR TIMES WERE IN THE MID 4s.

THERE WAS A GREAT MIATA-LIKE MECHANICAL FEEL TO THE MANUAL SHIFTER HOWEVER, ALLOWING FOR PRECISE SHIFTS THROUGH THE QUARTER-MILE.

WHEN THE POWER REALLY STARTS POURING ON, AND YOU GET SOME OF THAT SUPERCHARGER WHINE, IT SOUNDS FANTASTIC AND BROUGHT SMILES TO OUR FACES.

OUR BEST RUN WAS A 13.3 AT 109 MILES PER HOUR.

BUT, IT'S ON A ROAD COURSE THAT THIS EVORA GT IS REALLY IN ITS ELEMENT.

FOR US, THAT MEANT A TRIP TO VIRGINIA'S DOMINION RACEWAY.

HERE, THE EVORA GT FELT EXTREMELY LIGHT AND AGILE.

THE CAR IS SO WELL-BALANCED AND PREDICTABLE, THAT IT TOOK NO TIME AT ALL TO FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE THROWING IT INTO CORNERS, OR EVEN TRAIL-BRAKING A BIT INTO THEM TO HELP IT ROTATE WHEN NEEDED.

THERE WAS A SLIGHT TENDENCY TO UNDERSTEER, PARTICULARLY IN SLOWER CORNERS, BUT IT'S VERY EASY TO CORRECT THANKS TO PRECISE AND QUICK STEERING.

THE AP RACING BRAKES WORKED WELL; PLENTY OF BITE AND NO FADE.

JUST KNOW THAT IF YOU HAVE BIG FEET, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF ROOM IN THE PEDAL BOX.

IN STRAIGHT-LINE BRAKING, THE EVORA GT ONLY NEEDED 99 FEET TO STOP FROM 60.

AND IF IT SITS STILL FOR LONG, IT HAS A TENDENCY TO DRAW A CROWD.

THE EVORA HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 2010, BUT STILL A RELATIVE RARITY ON THE STREET.

SUBTLE TWEAKS OVER THE YEARS HAVE INCREASED THE AMOUNT OF DOWNFORCE IT CREATES, MOST RECENT UPDATES INCLUDE A FRONT LIP SPOILER AND RESHAPED WHEEL ARCHES.

AN OPTIONAL CARBON PACK CONVERTS THE FRONT ACCESS PANEL, ROOF, AND REAR DIFFUSER TO CARBON FIBER; HELPING FULFILL COLIN CHAPMAN'S "LIGHTER IS RIGHTER" APPROACH.

NO FRILLS TO SPEAK OF INSIDE, AS THE EVORA LACKS THE UPSCALE REFINEMENT OF MANY OF ITS RIVALS; BUT THERE'S A HAND-CRAFTED UNIQUENESS TO IT THAT IS QUITE SPECIAL, AND MATERIALS ARE FIRST RATE.

THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS GREAT IN YOUR HANDS, AND OUR DRIVERS LOVED THE MIX OF GENUINE LEATHER AND ALCANTARA MATERIALS THROUGHOUT.

JUST A SMALL AMOUNT OF TRUNK SPACE UNDER THE REAR HATCH.

MOST OF THE AREA OCCUPIED BY THE ENGINE; WHICH WE LOVE BEING ABLE TO SEE THROUGH THE GLASS PANEL THAT SEPARATES IT FROM THE CABIN.

WITH THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION, GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 17-CITY, 26-HIGHWAY, AND 20-COMBINED.

WE AVERAGED A GOOD 21.3 MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM.

FOR AN ENERGY IMPACT SCORE THAT'S ONLY SLIGHTLY WORSE THAN AVERAGE, AT 16.5 BARRELS OF YEARLY OIL USE, WITH 7.3 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS.

PRICING STARTS AT $99,150, REGARDLESS IF YOU GO WITH THE 2-SEATER OR 2+2 CONFIGURATION.

THERE ARE QUITE A FEW PERFORMANCE CARS TO CHOOSE FROM IN THAT PRICE NEIGHBORHOOD, MANY WITH GERMAN PEDIGREES AND MUCH MORE REFINEMENT.

NONE OF THEM HOWEVER, OFFER THE BRITISH UNIQUENESS AND FUN-FACTOR THAT YOU'LL FIND HERE IN THE 2021 LOTUS EVORA GT.

WELL, THAT'S OUR SHOW.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.

NOW FOR MORE MOTORWEEK ; INCLUDING DAILY NEWS UPDATES, PODCASTS, AND EVEN COMPLETE EPISODES, CRUISE ON OVER TO PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME...

WHEN WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN JEEP STRETCHES A LEGEND WITH THE NEW GRAND CHEROKEE L. THEN, TAKE A LUXURIOUS TOUR OF THE GENESIS G80.

TIL' 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... MOTORWEEK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY... FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS LUCAS OIL PRODUCTS HAS HELPED PEOPLE TACKLE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE, MARINE, AND INDUSTRIAL FIELDS.

FROM OUR ORIGINAL FOUR CORE PRODUCTS... LUCAS OIL HAS DEVELOPED OVER 400 CUSTOM PRODUCTS TO HELP BOTH PROFESSIONALS AND DO IT YOURSELFERS.

TO LEARN MORE VISIT LUCASOIL.COM.

LUCAS OIL, KEEP THAT ENGINE ALIVE.

YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR TIRES ONLINE AND YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

"I DO."

WE'RE TIRERACK.COM AND WE HAVE ANSWERS, AND, TOOLS TO HELP.

"LIKE, OUR TIRE DECISION GUIDE.

IT'S, UH, TAKE A LOOK."

"OH!"

FIND, DELIVER, INSTALL.

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

[SOUND OF CAR ENGINE REVVING] * YOUR WATCHING PBS.