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

JOIN US AS WE VET OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE BEST SPORT COUPE WITH THE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS... DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE, PAT COVERS A FEW ODDS & ENDS... ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY WE MARVEL AT THE CLEANER DRIVES THROUGH OUR NATIONAL PARKS... AND WE'LL SEE IF THE NEW MKX CROSSOVER PUTS LINCOLN IN THE LIMELIGHT...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

* Announcer: THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... TIRERACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.

"YO DANNY, MY MAN!"

THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND HAVE THEM SHIPPED TO A LOCAL INSTALLER.

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.

John: WE LIKE CELEBRATING THINGS AROUND HERE, THOUGH OUR CELEBRATIONS TEND TO BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN MOST.

TAKE THIS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FOR INSTANCE.

IT RECENTLY WON OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST SPORT COUPE.

HOW DO WE CELEBRATE THAT?

WELL, WE TAKE IT TO OUR FAVORITE RACE TRACK AND WRING THE HECK OUT OF IT!

* TAKING THE 2016 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS, OUR FAVORITE SPORT COUPE OF THE YEAR, TO OUR WINTER STOMPING GROUNDS, ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY NEAR SAVANNAH, IS INDEED ABOUT AS GOOD AS IT GETS WHEN IT COMES TO PUTTING IN A COUPLE OF DAYS OF HARD WORK.

THE SS MIGHT BE ALL NEW FOR '16, BUT IT'S A BIT OF A GMs GREATEST HITS COLLECTION; COMBINING THE ATS CHASSIS AND CORVETTE POWERTRAIN, WITH ALL OF THE THINGS THAT COME ALONG WITH THEM, LIKE ACTIVE REV MATCHING AND EVEN AVAILABLE MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL.

PUNCHING THE TIME CLOCK AND GETTING TO WORK ON ROEBLING'S TWISTY ASPHALT, WE QUICKLY TUNED INTO THE TRACK, AND FOUND SHIFT POINTS; AS THE SS FELT WELL-BALANCED AND INCREDIBLY HARD TO UPSET.

THERE'S A VERY RESPONSIVE THROTTLE, AND PLENTY OF GRIP; SO YOU CAN MAKE GOOD USE OF ALL THE POWER THAT'S AVAILABLE.

AND THERE IS JUST ABOUT THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF POWER FOR THIS CHASSIS SETUP.

BUT DON'T WORRY; JUST WHEN YOU THINK STEAM IS RUNNING OUT, THERE'S STILL A LITTLE MORE WAITING FOR YOU AT THE HIGH END.

OF COURSE IT'S ALL COMING FROM THE CORVETTE'S 6.2 LITER LT1 V8, HERE WITH 455 HORSEPOWER AND 455 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC, OR A 6-SPEED MANUAL ARE THE TRANSMISSION CHOICES.

THE SUSPENSION IS WELL DIALED IN, WITH VERY MINIMAL BODY ROLL.

IT'S A MACPHERSON TYPE UP FRONT AND 5-LINK IN THE REAR, AND YOU DON'T REALLY NEED MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL TO GET THE MOST OUT OF IT.

STANDARD BREMBO BRAKES WORKED WELL ENOUGH TO NOT DRAW TOO MANY COMPLAINTS, BUT THERE WAS A MUSHY FEELING PEDAL.

THERE ARE SELECTABLE DRIVE MODES OF COURSE, WITH THE SS GETTING AN ADDITIONAL TRACK MODE.

COMPLETING THE LIST, THERE'S GREAT FEEDBACK AND ON-CENTER FEEL TROUGH THE WHEEL, AND THE CAR, WITH OPTIONAL DUAL-MODE EXHAUST, SOUNDS AWESOMELY MUSCULAR WITHOUT BEING TOO LOUD OR ANNOYING.

REV MATCHING WAS FUN TO PLAY WITH, BUT NOT A REAL NECESSITY.

IT'S ALSO MORE REFINED AND TRACK READY THAN A MUSTANG GT; IF NOT QUITE AS MUCH FUN TO SLING AROUND, BUT OVERALL THE SS IS VERY IMPRESSIVE CONSIDERING WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A STOCK SS.

WE HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE 1LE AND ZL1s THAT WILL BE HERE SOON.

KEEPING THINGS ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW, THE SS POUNCES OFF THE LINE WITH A FAIRYTALE ESCAPE OF TRACTION BEAUTY AND TORQUE BEAST; HITTING 60 IN 4.0 SECONDS FLAT.

THE MANUAL SHIFTER PERFORMED FINE; DIRECT FEEL, NO MISS SHIFTS.

THOUGH IT DOESN'T HAVE THE ULTRA MECHANICAL PRECISION OF SOME.

THERE'S GOOD WEIGHT TO THE CLUTCH AS WELL; ALL HELPING US TO CLEAR THE QUARTER IN 12.4 SECONDS AT 115 MILES PER HOUR.

IT'S ONLY ROCK N' ROLL WITH SHOULDER BELTS, BUT WE LIKE IT.

AND AS MUCH AS WE ALSO LIKE ALL OF THE CHANGES INSIDE THE NEW CAMARO, NICER MATERIALS...

BETTER MYLINK INFOTAINMENT...

IMPROVED LAYOUT... AND THE CUSHY SEATS... THAT WHILE NOT GREAT FOR TRACK WORK, WERE APPRECIATED ON THE STREET... VISIBILITY FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS STILL EXTREMELY POOR IN JUST ABOUT EVERY DIRECTION.

MANY ON OUR STAFF WERE HOPING FOR MORE OF A DEPARTURE IN THE LOOKS DEPARTMENT FOR THE 6TH GEN CAMARO, BUT CLEARLY GM DIDN'T WANT TO MESS TOO MUCH WITH A GOOD THING.

HID HEADLAMPS WITH SIGNATURE LED DRLs ARE ABOUT THE ONLY TRENDY ELEMENTS TO BE FOUND.

THIS SS FLEXES THE MOST MUSCLE OF COURSE, WITH A WIDE-MOUTH FRONT... VENTED HOOD... REAR SPOILER... AND 20-INCH WHEELS... GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 16-CITY, 25-HIGHWAY, AND 19-COMBINED.

WHILE THE CAMARO SS IS AN INCREDIBLY COMPETENT VEHICLE, THERE'S A PRICE TO PAY FOR THAT COMPETENCY, AT LEAST $37,295.

THAT'S 4-GRAND OVER A MUSTANG GT.

BUT OF COURSE, YOU CAN STILL GET INTO A BASE LT TURBO-4 CAMARO FOR AS LITTLE AS $26,695.

BY TAKING THE LESS IS MORE APPROACH; SHRINKING THE CAMARO IN BOTH SIZE AND WEIGHT, WHILE ALSO CRAMMING IN PLENTY OF POWER, GM HAS TURNED THE 2016 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS INTO AN ALL-AROUND WINNER.

THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO MATCH THE MUSTANG'S EURO SPORT COUPE FEEL, STRIDE FOR STRIDE; YET STILL RETAIN A MUSCLE CAR EDGE THAT NOSES IT AHEAD AT THE FINISH, TO CLEARLY DEMANDS AND GET OUR RESPECT.

* 2016 MARKS THE CENTENNIAL OF THE FOUNDING OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

AND AS IT LOOKS TOWARD THE NEXT 100 YEARS OF STEWARDSHIP OVER OUR GREATEST NATIONAL TREASURES, THE PARK SERVICE IS USING NEW WAYS TO ENGAGE PARK VISITORS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH ECO-MINDED RECREATION, CONSERVATION, AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAMS.

THIS INCLUDES DEMONSTRATING SMART WAYS TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF MOTORIZED VEHICLES, ALL IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP THE PARKS CLEAN, AND SERENE, AND TO INSPIRE VISITORS TO DO THE SAME IN THEIR COMMUNITIES WHEN THEY RETURN HOME.

THE TIME HONORED TRADITION OF ROAD-TRIPPING TO A DISTANT NATIONAL PARK IS STILL A VACATION FAVORITE FOR MANY FAMILIES.

AND AN ONGOING NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INITIATIVE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CLEAN CITIES PROGRAM, WILL ALLOW BATTERY-ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO REACH THESE DESTINATIONS AS EASILY AS THE FAMILY TRUCKSTER.

CONVERTING PARK VEHICLE FLEETS TO USE CLEANER FUELS, AND USING SHUTTLE BUSES TO MOVE VISITORS THROUGH GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, AND MANY OTHER POPULAR DESTINATIONS HAS EFFECTIVELY REDUCED THE AMOUNT, AND IMPACT OF VEHICLE TRAFFIC IN THOSE PARKS.

ADDING ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS INSIDE THE PARKS IS A LONG OVERDUE ELEMENT IN THE MASTER PLAN TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT IN OUR PARKS, WHEREVER THEY ARE.

TWENTY-SEVEN PARKS HAVE EV CHARGERS INSTALLED ALREADY, AND MANY MORE ARE IN THE WORKS.

IN ADDITION TO OPENING UP NEW TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES, ELECTRIC VEHICLE OWNERS WILL NO DOUBT APPRECIATE THE EXTRA PERK OF GETTING A PRIME PARKING SPACE, STEPS AWAY FROM THE TOWERING REDWOOD FOREST OR THAT FAVORITE BENCH ALONG THE RIVER.

Adam McCormick: I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA, CUZ WHEN PEOPLE COME TO THE PARK, THEN THEY CAN PLUG IN FOR A WHILE AND JUST ENJOY THE PARK.

Jeff Riegle: SO, AS FAR AS HAVING SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, CONNECTS THE NATIONAL PARKS TO THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMMUNITY, I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.

UP AND DOWN THE RIVER, I'VE USED MANY OF THE DIFFERENT PARKING STATIONS NOT ONLY FROM A STANDPOINT OF ECO-TOURISM WHERE I'M GOING AND VISITING THE DIFFERENT PARKS, BUT ALSO TO KNOW THAT THEY'RE THERE FOR WHEN I MIGHT NEED TO CHARGE FOR OTHER REASONS... John: MOST PARKS WILL HAVE ONE OR TWO STATIONS TO START, BUT THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL RIVER AND RECREATION AREA IN MINNESOTA HAS ALREADY BEEN CHARGED UP BY THIS INITIATIVE.

WHILE, 72 MILES OF THE RIVER ITSELF FALLS UNDER NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PROTECTION, THE LAND AROUND IT IS A PATCHWORK OF STATE AND MUNICIPAL PROPERTIES, STRETCHING ALONG THE MIGHTY "MISSISSIP" IN THE AREA AROUND MINNEAPOLIS AND ST PAUL.

John Anfinson: IN THAT NEXT 100 YEARS, WE NEED TO CLEAN THINGS UP A BIT.

WE NEED CLEANER SKIES, AND CLEANER AIR, AND BY BRINGING THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES HERE, IN A MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREA, WE CAN GET THAT MESSAGE OUT TO WHERE MOST PEOPLE LIVE.

OVER 80% OF AMERICANS LIVE IN URBAN AREAS, THIS IS WHERE THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HAS TO GET TO PEOPLE.

John: THESE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES HAVE PARTNERED TO INSTALL 11 EV CHARGING SITES, ALONG 54 MILES OF RIVERFRONT, AND OPENING UP THIS URBAN GEM TO MINNESOTA'S BURGEONING PLUG-IN VEHICLE POPULATION.

Tyler Fahnow: SO, USING CHARGERS WHEREVER YOU GO, CHARGERS IN NATIONAL PARKS, CHARGERS AT THE GROCERY STORE, VERY CONVENIENT.

IT'S NICE TO BE ABLE TO JUST PLUG IN ANYWHERE YOU NEED TO, BECAUSE YOU DON'T NEED TO NECESSARILY, YOU KNOW, GORGE ON POWER OVERNIGHT AND HAVE THE WHOLE THING.

YOU CAN DO THESE LITTLE CHARGES HERE AND THERE, HERE AND THERE, AND CONTINUE YOUR DAY ON.

John: PART OF THE FUN OF EXPLORING OUR NATIONAL PARKS IS DISCOVERING THE FASCINATING HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY, AND A VISIT TO THE THOMAS EDISON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK IN NEW JERSEY, HELD PARTICULAR INTEREST TO US FOR THIS STORY.

HOUSED IN THE GARAGE AT EDISON'S GLENMONT ESTATE IS THE GRANDDADDY OF ALL EV CHARGERS, DESIGNED BY EDISON HIMSELF TO POWER UP HIS PERSONAL FLEET OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES, INCLUDING THIS EARLY 1900s LOCOMOBILE, WHICH EDISON CONVERTED FROM STEAM TO BATTERY POWER.

THIS CAR WAS REPORTEDLY A FAVORITE OF MRS. EDISON, AS IT WAS EASIER TO START AND OPERATE THAN THE GAS POWERED CARS OF THE DAY.

THINK OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN: IF NOT FOR THE INVENTION OF THE SELF-CRANKING STARTER MOTOR, WE MIGHT ALL BE DRIVING ELECTRIC CARS TODAY.

ONE MORE REASON TO GET OUT THERE AND VISIT ONE OF OUR GREAT NATIONAL PARKS THIS YEAR, AND WISH IT A HAPPY HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY WHILE YOU'RE THERE... * ...BUT EXERCISE A LITTLE SELF-CONTROL, AND THE FIREHAWK RIPS TO 60 IN ONLY 5.1 SECONDS... AND CUTS THE QUARTER MILE DOWN TO SIZE IN 13.4 SECONDS AT 106 MILES PER HOUR.

AS EXPECTED, THE FIREHAWK EXHIBITED STUMP-PULLING TORQUE AND A TRACTOR LIKE MIDRANGE.

BUT THE RAMAIR SYSTEM'S BENEFITS WERE MOST OBVIOUS IN THE UPPER REACHES OF THE REV BAND.

TO PUT ALL THIS POWER TO THE PAVEMENT, THE STANDARD FIREHAWK'S ALREADY TAUT SUSPENSION IS TIGHTENED UP EVEN MORE... PAT GOSS KNOWS THAT WHILE NOT ALL CAR CARE PROBLEMS ARE BIG ONES, YOU NEVER WANT TO FORGET THOSE ODDS AND ENDS.

Pat Goss: THIS TIME WE HAVE TONS OF TOOLS.

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT WE REALLY LOVE IN THE REPAIR SHOP IS THIS EXTENSION FOR A RATCHET.

YOU PUT THE RATCHET... JUST PLUG IT IN TO ONE END OF IT, THE SOCKET ON THE OTHER END.

AND THE TWO ENDS ARE CONNECTED BY A CHAIN INSIDE.

SO, THIS TURNS THIS, AND YOU CAN PUT IT AT WHATEVER ANGLE YOU WANT, REALLY CLEVER.

ALRIGHT HERE, LOTS OF TIMES WHEN YOU'RE WORKING IN CLOSE QUARTERS, YOU MAY NEED SOMETHING TO GET YOU AWAY FROM THE SCREW OR THE BOLT; THIS UNIT HAS TWO ENDS... UP HERE, WE CAN PUT IN A SCREWDRIVER BIT, DOWN HERE WE CAN PUT ON A QUARTER INCH SOCKET, OR ANYTHING THAT FITS A QUARTER INCH.

AND BOTH ENDS OF THIS ARE FLEXIBLE.

BUT THE BIG THING IS THAT IT GIVES YOU A LONG REACH, SO THAT YOU CAN GET DOWN INTO CLOSE QUARTERS.

ALRIGHT NOW, IF YOU DO ANY ELECTRICAL WORK AT ALL, YOU'LL LOVE THIS...

THIS IS A TOOL THAT, WELL, IT HOLDS THE WIRES THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SOLDER.

SEE THESE ARE SPRING LOADED, YOU JUST PUSH UP ON THEM, PUT THE WIRE IN THERE, LET IT CLAMP DOWN, AND IT HOLDS THEM TOGETHER SO THAT YOU CAN SOLDER WITHOUT THINGS FALLING APART.

NOW, SPEAKING OF WIRES, YOU KNOW IF YOU DO ANY ELECTRICAL WORK, YOU'RE CERTAINLY GOING TO WANT SOMETHING TO STRIP WIRES.

THIS TOOL GOES ONTO THE WIRE LIKE THAT... YOU SQUEEZE IT, AND IT STRIPS THE WIRE.

SIMPLY PULL THE END OFF WITH YOUR THUMB NAIL AFTER IT'S REMOVED IT.

ALRIGHT NOW, WIRING... YOU'RE ALWAYS GOING TO BE USING TIE WRAPS.

WELL, THAT MAKES THINGS LOOK NEAT, BUT HERE'S SOMETHING THAT, WELL, IT'LL MAKE YOUR JOB LOOK A LOT NEATER... YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU PULL THEM TIGHT, YOU CAN NEVER GET THEM TIGHT ENOUGH.

WELL THIS TOOL, WHAT IT DOES IS IT SLIDES OVER THE TIE WRAP, AND YOU PULL ON IT LIKE SO, AND IT TIGHTENS THE TIE WRAP AROUND WHATEVER YOU'RE WORKING ON.

MAKES IT A LOT NEATER.

AND FINALLY, OVER HERE...

IF YOU'VE EVER DONE ANY WORK ON A LATE MODEL CAR, WELL, ONE THING YOU'VE CERTAINLY ENCOUNTERED ARE THESE MISERABLE CLIPS THAT HOLD THINGS TOGETHER.

THEY HAVE A PLUNGER IN THE CENTER, THAT GETS PUSHED DOWN TO EXPAND THE BOTTOM OF IT TO HOLD THINGS IN PLACE.

BUT TRYING TO GET THOSE OUT?

WELL, THAT CAN BE A NIGHTMARE.

SO, HERE WE HAVE A SET OF THREE TOOLS.

THESE COME FROM KD.

AND THEY'RE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF CLIPS LIKE THAT.

AND WHAT THEY DO IS THEY HAVE SPECIAL ENDS ON THEM, DIFFERENT ONES FOR DIFFERENT CLIPS, THAT FIT DOWN UNDER THAT CENTER PIECE SO YOU CAN PULL IT UP.

TOOLS CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR EFFICIENCY, SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK INTO THESE IF THEY APPLY TO THE THINGS YOU DO.

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

John: FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE IMPORTANT!

SO, LET'S SEE WHAT OURS ARE WITH QUICKSPINS IN TODAY'S LATEST...

LOOKING TO SHAKEUP THE MAKEUP OF THE IS SEDAN, LEXUS USHERS IN SOME NEW ENGINES WITH NEW BADGING TO KEEP THINGS FRESH.

AND OUR QUICKSPIN IN THE 2016 LEXUS IS 200T IS ONE SUCH CHANGE.

REPLACING THE IS 250, THE 200T GRABS POWER; 241 HORSEPOWER, TO BE EXACT, FROM A 2.0 LITER TURBO I4.

THAT REPLACES THE 250s 2.5 LITER V6.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE IS NO LONGER AN OPTION FOR THE SMALLER ENGINE; ITS REAR WHEEL DRIVE ONLY.

THAT CHANGE IN POWERTRAIN'S MEANS BETTER PERFORMANCE, AS WE RIPPED OFF A 0-60 TIME OF 6.9 SECONDS, AIDED BY QUICK SHIFTS FROM THE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

SADLY, THERE'S LITTLE IN EXHILARATING SOUNDS TO ACCOMPANY IT.

SO, DESPITE THE BRAND'S MOVE TOWARDS PERFORMANCE, IT'S LEXUS HERITAGE QUIET ON THE STREETS.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THE INTIMATE COCKPIT-STYLED INTERIOR ALLOWS THE IS TO FEEL UNIQUELY SPORTY.

RIDE IS ALSO ON THE SPORTY SIDE, THOUGH EVEN THERE THE LEXUS BRAND COMES THROUGH.

STEPPING UP IS THE ALSO NEW IS 300 AWD, WHICH USES A DETUNED VERSION OF THE CARRYOVER 3.5 LITER V6, MAKING 255 HORSEPOWER, AND A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

AS THE NAME IMPLIES, ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, OR ALL-WEATHER DRIVE IN LEXUS SPEAK, IS STANDARD.

THE IS 350 IS STILL AVAILABLE WITH LITTLE CHANGE.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 LEXUS IS 200T STARTS AROUND $38,000, WHILE THE 300 AWD GOES FOR $41,000.

THE TRICKLE DOWN EFFECT IS IN FULL FORCE WITH OUR NEXT QUICKSPIN VEHICLE: THIS 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA.

THAT'S MOST EVIDENT, BOTH OUTSIDE AND IN, WHERE THE ALTIMA RECEIVES MANY CUES FROM MURANO AND MAXIMA, BOTH OF WHICH DEBUTED STRIKING NEW VISUAL FEATURES.

THE RESULT IS A LITTLE MORE SUBDUED ON THE ALTIMA, THOUGH.

LESS OF A KNOCKOUT PUNCH TO COMPETITION AND MORE OF A QUICK JAB.

THE NEW GRILLE WORK, FRONT FASCIA SCULPTING, AND LIGHTING OPTIONS CERTAINLY FRESHEN THE LOOK, BUT IT'S NOT A RADICAL DEPARTURE.

RESHAPED BODY LINES, A NEW HOOD, AND NEW FRONT, AND REAR BUMPERS AGAIN SHOW SOME EVOLUTION.

INSIDE, THE DASH FLOWS WITH A MORE ANGULAR DESIGN, MATERIALS FEEL BETTER TO THE TOUCH, AND OUR CAR'S LIGHT WOOD-TONE TRIM GIVES OFF A MORE UPSCALE VIBE.

SO, HOW'S IT DRIVE?

Patrick Lucas: NO ENGINE CHANGES MEANS YOU GET THE SAME 182 HORSEPOWER, 2.5 LITER I4, OR 270 HORSEPOWER, 3.5 LITER V6.

THE CVT, THE ONLY TRANSMISSION FOR BOTH, DOES GET REPROGRAMED TO FEEL MORE LIKE AN AUTOMATIC, AND IT ACTUALLY DOES.

OTHER THAN THAT, THE RIDE IS PRETTY SMOOTH AND PRETTY QUIET, NOT UNLIKE THE LAST GEN ALTIMA.

STILL A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE.

John: SAFETY TAKES A STEP FORWARD WITH FORWARD COLLISION WARNING AND AUTO EMERGENCY BRAKING AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 NISSAN ALTIMA STARTS AROUND $23,000.

V6 MODELS START AT $28,000.

AND WE'LL BE BACK WITH MORE QUICKSPINS, SOON!

IF YOU'RE A CAR OR MOTORCYCLE FAN LIKE US, AND HAVE SPENT PERHAPS A LITTLE TOO MUCH TIME FLIPPING THROUGH CAR, AND MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINES, YOU'RE PROBABLY FAMILIAR WITH WRITER PETER EGAN.

AND IF YOU'RE NOT, LEANINGS 3 IS A GREAT PLACE TO START; A COLLECTION OF HIS WRITINGS FROM CYCLE WORLD MAGAZINE, FROM THE YEARS 2005-2013.

FEW WRITERS DO A BETTER JOB OF PUTTING INTO WORDS THIS CRAZY OBSESSION CALLED "MOTORCYCLING."

WHETHER, IT'S THE UNEXPLAINED FASCINATION FOR A PARTICULAR DUCATI, THE TALES AND TRIBULATIONS OF A LIFE ON THE ROAD, OR THE CONSTANT SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT BIKE; EGAN'S WORDS ARE STRUNG TOGETHER LIKE THE FINEST SET OF CURVES THROUGH THE WISCONSIN LANDSCAPE THAT HE CALLS HOME.

IT'S NOT AS ENJOYABLE AS ACTUALLY RIDING, BUT IT'S PRETTY DARN CLOSE.

THE LINCOLN BRAND IS SLOWLY TURNING ROUND.

WE READ ABOUT IT IN THEIR PRESS RELEASES, BUT MOREOVER, SEE IT IN THEIR RISING SALES.

IT HELPS THAT BOLD, NEW TAKES ON THE CONTINENTAL AND NAVIGATOR ARE CAUSING A LOT OF AUTO SHOW BUZZ.

BUT THEY'RE NOT ON SALE YET.

WHILE, THIS ALL-NEW MID-SIZE MKX CROSSOVER IS.

SO, LET'S SEE IF THE MKX CAN HELP LINCOLN'S TURN AROUND PICK UP THE PACE.

* WHILE, THE 2016 LINCOLN MKX IS STILL BASED ON FORD'S EDGE MIDSIZE CROSSOVER, THERE'S MUCH MORE DIFFERENTIATION THAN EVER BEFORE.

IT'S STRICTLY UNDERPINNINGS AND NO SEE UM'S NOW; NO BODY PANELS ARE SHARED, SO IT LOOKS LESS EDGY, GET IT?

OKAY.

THERE'S NO 4-CYLINDER POWER HERE EITHER; AS A 303 HORSEPOWER 3.7 LITER V6 IS STANDARD.

OR YOU CAN OPT TO LOSE A LITER OF DISPLACEMENT AND ADD A COUPLE OF TURBO'S WITH THE 2.7 LITER ECOBOOST V6.

IT'S A WORTHY UPGRADE, WITH LITTLE TURBO LAG, AND ULTRA SMOOTH DELIVERY OF A STOUT 335 HORSEPOWER AND 380 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

FRONT DRIVE IS STANDARD, WITH LINCOLN'S INTELLIGENT ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE OPTIONAL.

INTERIOR QUALITY, WHILE NOT BAD IN THE EDGE, IS TERRIFIC HERE, AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPTIONS YOU'LL NOT FIND ON THE EDGE ORDER SHEET.

INCLUDING THE MOST JAMMIN' STEREO WE'VE HEARD IN A WHILE, A 19 SPEAKER REVEL ULTIMA SYSTEM WITH QUANTUM LOGIC SURROUND SOUND.

THE LAYOUT FOLLOWS FAMILIAR LINCOLN THEMES, INCLUDING THE PUSH-BUTTON GEAR SELECTORS AND FUSSY MYLINCOLN TOUCH CONTROLS.

THE SYNC INTERFACE IS IMPROVED, BUT THIS IS STILL AN OLDER VERSION COMPARED TO WHAT'S AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE FROM FORD.

ONE SHORTCOMING REMAINS, AND THAT IS THE DRIVER'S SEAT.

THERE'S GOOD BOLSTERING, BUT ALSO A HARD AND FLAT BOTTOM THAT DIDN'T SIT RIGHT WITH OUR BOTTOMS.

REARS ARE NOT MUCH BETTER, NOR DO THEY FOLD COMPLETELY FLAT.

BUT REALLY WE'RE GETTING PICKY AND LOOKING FOR FAULTS AT THIS POINT.

ITS ANGEL WHISPER QUIET INSIDE, AND STILL A GREAT PLACE TO SPEND SOME TRAVEL TIME.

ROAD ISOLATION IS QUITE GOOD, AND IT HAS A MORE SUBSTANTIAL FEEL THAN THE EDGE.

WHILE A GREAT RIDE WAS EXPECTED, PUT A BIG CHECK IN THE "BETTER THAN EXPECTED" COLUMN FOR HANDLING.

THOUGH FAR FROM TRULY SPORTY, AS THERE'S STILL A SOFT FEEL AND NUMB STEERING, THERE'S VERY CONTROLLABLE WEIGHT TRANSFER IN CORNERS.

SPORT AND COMFORT SETTINGS OF LINCOLN DRIVE CONTROL CHANGE THE RIDE TO WHICHEVER SIDE OF NORMAL YOU FIND YOURSELF THOUGH NOTHING EXTREME.

YET, THERE'S AN ALMOST BRUTAL HOLE-SHOT OFF THE LINE.

THAT IN ITSELF IS A GOOD THING, BUT IT SEEMS TO CATCH THE CHASSIS AND ELECTRONICS OFF GUARD.

AT WHICH TIME THEY GO INTO PANIC MODE, DESPERATELY SENDING POWER ALL OVER THE PLACE IN HOPES OF SENDING YOU OFF IN A HURRY.

IT MAKES FOR AN AWKWARD FEELING, AND SHORT OF POTENTIAL, TRIPS TO 60 IN 6.5 SECONDS, WITH THE QUARTER MILE PASSING IN 14.7 AT 93 MILES PER HOUR.

A+ FOR BRAKING HOWEVER; A 121 FOOT AVERAGE, GOOD PEDAL FEEL, AND NO FADE.

THE SAME FOR AUTONOMOUS ACTIVE BRAKING; IT WORKED EVERY TIME WITH CONFIDENCE.

AND SINCE, THE MORE SAFETY YOU CAN DELIVER THE BETTER; THERE'S ALSO INFLATABLE REAR SEAT BELTS.

SOME FOUND THEM BULKY TO USE, BUT CHANCES ARE IF EVER YOU NEED THEM, YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU GRINNED AND BARED IT.

WE THINK, THE PATH THAT LINCOLN HAS CHOSEN IS A GOOD ONE.

WHEREAS, MOST LUXURY BRANDS ARE CURRENTLY STRIVING FOR A MORE PERFORMANCE ORIENTED MANTRA, LINCOLN CONTINUES TO BE A BRAND THAT WANTS TO SELL LUXURY FOR LUXURY'S SAKE, YET REMAIN COMPETENT ON THE ROAD.

YOU CAN TELL FORD IS TAKING THE VITALITY OF THE LINCOLN BRAND SERIOUSLY, FINALLY MAKING LINCOLN VEHICLES MORE UNIQUE THAN THE FORDS THEY ARE BASED ON.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR A FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE ECOBOOST ARE 17-CITY, 26-HIGHWAY, AND 21-COMBINED; WITH OUR AVERAGE A QUITE GOOD 23.0 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR.

THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS AVERAGE WITH USE OF 15.7 BARRELS OF OIL AND EMISSION OF 7.2 TONS OF CO2 YEARLY.

A BASE PREMIER MKX STARTS AT $39,185; ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE AN ADDITIONAL $2,495.

HIGHER LEVELS OF TRIM WILL TAKE YOU INTO THE MID-50s.

IT SEEMS LIKE THE LINCOLN MKX HAS FOREVER BEEN PLAYING CATCH UP TO THE LEXUS RX AND THE REST OF THE LUXURY MINDED CROSSOVER BRIGADE.

THIS 2016 EDITION IS CERTAINLY BETTER EQUIPPED TO DO SO, AS AFTER HAVING TAKEN THE EDGE OFF, WE CAN SEE IT FINALLY MAKING SOME SERIOUS INROADS INTO THE SEGMENT.

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, FOR SOME MID-LEVEL MADNESS IN THE MERCEDES-BENZ C450 AMG 4MATIC.

THEN WE'LL THROTTLE BACK IN THE MID-SIZE GMC CANYON DIESEL PICKUP.

TILL 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... TIRERACK WANTS YOU TO BE SMART WITH YOUR CAR.

"YO DANNY, MY MAN!"

THEY CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND HAVE THEM SHIPPED TO A LOCAL INSTALLER.

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.

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

*