2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS & 2023 Toyota Prius

Hi, I'm John Davis and this is MotorWeek !

It's a full-scale track attack in the Porsche 911 GT3 RS... Then, we'll shed some light on hidden damage from car crashes... We'll sling some mud in the Kawasaki KRX 4-wheeler... Then, return to the road in Toyota's hybrid hero, the all-new Prius...

So, come drive with us, next!

Closed Captioning provided by Maryland Public Television.

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First, there was the wheel.

Then, the tire.

"We'll call it TireRack."

Forty years later, we're not slowing down.

JOHN: At this point, we've given up predicting just how far Porsche can go with the iconic 911.

For almost 60 years now, they've proved this rear-engine sports car is capable of things few thought possible.

And now, there's a new GT3 RS that yet again takes performance to a new level.

Time for us to try to figure it all out through the twists and turns of Savannah's Roebling Road Raceway.

♪ ♪ When it comes to driving this latest 992 generation of 911, each iteration that has arrived since 2019 has taken things to the next level, and granted driving rewards like never before.

But like a video game or phone apps we waste countless hours on, just when you think you've reached the final level, there's yet another quest to undertake.

That brings us to this 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

It's easily the most capable street-legal 911 yet, so tackling the nine turns of Roebling is a challenge we couldn't wait to take on.

While, it looks like a straight up race car; at its heart, it still feels like a 911.

That basically means, it's way easier to drive than it should be, making you feel like a driving hero, despite your actual skills being far from it.

A big area of development for the RS was in aerodynamics; with active aero for the first time on a 911 GT3, enabling three times the amount of downforce of a standard GT3.

Plus, a drag reduction system actively adjusting airflow up front and in back with an active multi-level wing.

Even front suspension parts have been reshaped, and front and rear wheel wells carefully chopped up to maximize airflow.

That all means an immense amount of grip transferred to the 335 rear tires, which are mounted on your choice of forged aluminum, lightweight aluminum, or magnesium wheels.

These sweet Indigo Blue 20 inch fronts and 21 inch rears are the aluminum lightweights.

It also means, less drag down the long front straight, where we saw speeds well into the 160s at the end of it, while at the same time seeing corner speeds higher than we've ever experienced before here at Roebling.

Getting on the throttle coming out of the turns is not a scary proposition at all, just immediate drama-free acceleration that has you wishing you would have gotten on the throttle harder and sooner.

And here in the RS, there are more possible tweaks than most of us know what to do with; typical suspension rebound and compression adjustments, but also rear differential settings, and you don't even need to break out any tools, just turn the right dials on the steering wheel.

That wheel is sensitive to even the most minor inputs, but not hyper feeling; just a willing and able point and shoot partner.

The RS still boasts the GT's rear-mounted 4.0 liter flat-6, breathing free and unassisted by turbos, spinning up 518 horsepower and 342 pound-feet of torque on its way to 9,000 rpm.

Cooling is aided by a single large central front-mounted radiator instead of the standard GT3's multi radiator approach.

Added roof fins aren't there for downforce, but for diverting hot air away from air intakes.

Rear-wheel-drive and PDK only, which makes launching as simple as it can be, repeatable, stress free, no-brain launches are hard with a fair amount of weight transfer, catapulting us to 60 in a scant 2.9 seconds.

Shifts are quick and brutal, wasting no time or effort helping us complete the quarter-mile in 11.0 seconds flat at 128 miles per hour.

And if that doesn't put a smile on your face, you're probably not doing it right.

The PDK transmission seems to know the exact right gear to be in at all times, but if you do trigger them, you'll find the paddle shifters don't quite feel as purposeful as the rest of the car, though the pro car's magnesium units are available in the optional Weissach Package.

Things inside the RS look as serious as the outside; there's a GT shifter, lots of chassis bracing, and unique well-bolstered full bucket seats.

And while, it mostly feels like a race car, all the modern tech you need to get you through your daily business is on hand, works well, and looks great.

Doors, hood, front fenders, and roof are all made of Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Plastic.

And one final touch we're fans of, the exterior graphics are a throwback to 1972s 911 Carrera RS 2.7.

RS pricing starts steep at $225,250, about $50,000 over a standard GT3.

So, what is it that makes the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, so special?

Yes, it's packed full of unique tech and race-spec.

goodies that enable an amazing amount of performance to make it a weapon of mass domination for pro drivers.

But, really, it's the accessibility of all that performance that turns the RS into a hero-maker for the rest of us.

That makes it really special indeed.

♪ ♪ These days more than ever, we're all looking for new ways to get away from things for a little while, and this week, Brian Robinson may have found the ultimate fast getaway machine!

♪ ♪ BRIAN ROBINSON: It seems like every vehicle on the road these days has all-wheel-drive, many even have a cool off-road package, but if you're going to do some serious off-roading, you're going to need a serious machine.

This is the Kawasaki Teryx KRX 1000, and if you've been following the Kawasaki side-by-side story; you'll know they started out with the workhorse Mule, then stepped up trail performance with the Teryx.

Now, they've gone full bonkers with a machine strictly built for conquering any off-road situation, whether you're talking about high speed desert runs, or the muddy roots and rocks of the East Coast.

Our drive time came on a cold winter's day in West Virginia's wonderful Hatfield McCoy trail system, where we found everything from smooth dirt to technical rocky climbs, and even some ice and mud from recent rains.

The KRX made easy work of all of it with willing power, compliant suspension, and great ground clearance.

Engine is a rear-mounted 999cc parallel twin rated at 112 horsepower and 77 pound-feet of torque; it has plenty of low-end grunt, yet always seems to have a little bit more available on the top end when called upon.

Suspension pieces are heavy-duty and ready to handle plenty of abuse, aided by Fox 2.5 Podium LSC shocks with 19 inches of travel up front, 21 inches in back.

The 98.8 inch wheelbase and 59 inch track provide a stable platform, as does the beefy frame.

True bead-lock 15 inch wheels wear 31 inch Maxxis Carnivores; ground clearance is more than 14 inches.

While, we tend to loath CVTs in passenger cars, the CVT in the KRX is very responsive, and feels like it belongs.

You can run in high or low range, rear or 4-wheel-drive, plus, lock the front diff if necessary.

Electric power steering has no problem keeping up when speeds are high, and feel is heightened when tackling the slower stuff.

While, not built with utility in mind, there is still a small bed-like cargo area in back to haul a cooler, camping gear, or even a full spare wheel and tire; with plenty of tie downs to keep everything in place.

Both two and 4-seat versions are available; and if you've spent any time in the standard Teryx, you'll appreciate the KRX's generous legroom and improved high-back bucket seats which easily handle full days on the trail.

The interior still appears more utilitarian than sporty, but there is a comprehensive digital instrument display and thoughtfully placed storage bins.

No matter the form, performance-oriented machines are generally priced accordingly, and $23,199 to start is a significant investment for most.

Though, it's more than competitively priced with its competition.

Sure, you could go down to the local car dealer and buy a vehicle that's marketed as being adventure-ready.

Or you can pick one up that's actually built for the job, and can actually take a beating and keep on speeding.

It's the 2023 Kawasaki Teryx KRX 1000; and it's ready to Go Green wherever you want to take it.

JOHN: It's usually easy to tell when a car has been in even a minor accident.

But with the bumpers back on and the paint dried, any unrepaired damage under the skin is almost invisible.

Audra Fordin shows us what to look out for in this edition of "Your Drive!"

♪ ♪ AUDRA FORDIN: Today, we're looking at hidden auto body damage.

On something that you would think was such a small repair, actually turned into a tremendous ordeal that is so important for you to be aware of, especially if you're the person who had an accident.

Sometimes...there is unseen, hidden damage that can actually affect the integrity of your car, the structure, or the computers; and in that case, it's so vitally important for you to take a ride over to your auto body shop, unless you can't take a ride to your auto body shop.

In that case, you're going to need to have your car towed.

First things first, if you do have an accident, make sure that you pull over; pull over safely and check with your passengers, and be a kind person and check with the other person as well, if there is another person involved in your accident, to make sure that everybody is safe.

If not, call 911.

The next thing you need to do is assess the situation.

Take a look at your car.

In...In this GMC, we saw that it looked minor.

So, we thought, until we peeled away the layers of the onion, and then saw, not only was the reinforcement and the bumper buckled behind the grille, there was damage to the transmission oil cooler.

JOSH GONDER: Cars nowadays are made out of a lot of plastic material, and the bumpers, and a lot of the exterior panels will flex inward, and then when the impact stops, it will come back out.

So, the bumper potentially could have went in pretty significantly and then damaged things behind; and then once the vehicle was moved, it pops back out and it looks like no damage.

AUDRA: Once, you get to the shop, they're going to be able to make an assessment for you.

JOSH: This is our estimate from the insurance company.

Every customer comes in with an estimate from their insurance company.

It is basically, the starting point of that repair.

So, insurance wrote this.

It's giving me an indication that they're acknowledging the damage as part of this claim, so I am able to disassemble the vehicle in line with the repairs that they've written, to come up with a more thorough and accurate estimate after we disassemble the car.

AUDRA: Once, you get the estimate from your insurance company, you might need a supplement to see the extra repairs that are necessary because we didn't see them right there at the very beginning.

If you have any questions or comments, reach out to us over here at MotorWeek .

JOHN: Now, let's kick things over to Stephanie Hart with this week's MotorNews!

♪ ♪ STEPHANIE HART: Chevrolet is jump starting an American icon.

The long-rumored hybrid Corvette E-Ray has arrived for the 2024 model year.

While, a 6.2 liter LT2 V8 still powers the rear wheels, a new electric motor drives the front axle, making this the first all-wheel-drive Corvette.

Combined output is 655 horsepower.

A 0-to-60 time of 2.5 seconds makes it the fastest production Corvette yet.

Speaking of supercars, Nissan unveiled its updated R35 GT-R at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

Changes include new front and rear bumpers, reshaped rear wings, and thinner grille mesh for better aerodynamics and improved cooling.

The returning T-Spec trim incorporates NISMO performance and add-ons like carbon-ceramic brakes and RAYS 20 inch wheels.

T-Specs are available in two throwback colors: Millennium Jade and Midnight Purple.

BMW is flaunting its latest limited edition.

The M3 CS, for Competition Sport, is a more track dedicated version of the M3 Competition.

The turbocharged 3.0 liter inline-6 adds 40 more horsepower, now up to 543.

A specially tuned chassis and suspension carry the M3 CS, and various pieces of carbon fiber help shave off about 75 pounds.

Finally, Mazda has just unveiled a new flagship SUV, the 3-row CX-90.

The CX-90 utility rides on an all-new platform that can be fitted with two all-wheel-drive powertrains: a turbocharged inline-6 mild hybrid, and a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid.

The interior is spacious and modern, with premium materials and impressive technology throughout.

We look forward to testing it soon.

And that's it for this week's MotorNews!

♪ ♪ GREG CARLOSS: We're seven months into our long-term test of this 2022 Kia Carnival, and between holiday travel and our annual road trip south to Savannah, Georgia for track testing at Roebling Road Raceway, we've racked up close to 5,000 miles since our last report.

That brings our total to 15,000, though surprisingly, all those highway miles didn't raise fuel economy, as our average actually saw a tiny dip from 23.2 to a still good 22.9.

While, highway comfort and willing power from its 290 horsepower V6 remain highlights, the sheer roominess, SUV-like ride, cavernous storage space, and great flexibility make it a winner to us.

When most people buy a minivan it's usually because of its family-friendly features while its driving dynamics are secondary, if that.

We, on the other hand, have paid very close attention to how this Carnival drives and we continue to be impressed with its refined road manners.

Not just on smooth highway trips, but on our back roads adventures as well, where it handles better than its proportions would suggest.

Kia's current infotainment system remains one of the best out there.

Except for the stitching on the steering wheel that's showing some wear, everything else inside is holding up to our accelerated testing very well.

The Carnival is in high demand at our office, serving double-duty as an easy to load crew hauler by day, and ultra-comfortable kid hauler by night and weekend.

It's time to check in on our Volkswagen Jetta GLI on the next MotorWeek Long-Term Road Test Update!

JOHN: While, the auto industry is clearly shifting priorities to full battery electric vehicles, there's still a place in this world for the pioneer electrified game changer, the Toyota Prius hybrid.

Not only is it still here, it's all-new for 2023; and both more relevant and more appealing than ever.

♪ ♪ The Toyota Prius helped introduce gasoline-electric hybrids to the world and specifically to the U.S. in the early 2000s, along with the Honda Insight.

But it was the Prius that has ultimately proved to have the real staying power, becoming synonymous with the word hybrid, and helping Americans fuel sip their way through multiple fuel crisis over its 20 plus years.

2023 sees the start of a 5th-generation Prius at a time when many carmakers are abandoning hybrids with plans to go full battery electric.

But with EV charging stations still in short supply away from big cities, having a car that can charge its own battery remains a smart option.

There's a new Prius powertrain that starts with a larger 2.0 liter I4 engine.

Electric motors also get a bump in torque to bring total output to 194 horsepower.

That's a huge increase from the previous gen's 121 horsepower.

The Prius integrated all-wheel-drive last gen, and it's available again this year; fully electric, with a dedicated electric motor for the rear axle, which also sees a torque increase, and boosts total system horsepower to 196.

We had seat time in both front and all-wheel-drive versions during our early drive time in Southern California, and could readily feel that added power.

Highway merging is much easier, and the Prius more effortlessly keeps pace with traffic once up to speed.

However...oddly, it seemed noticeably quieter when equipped with all-wheel-drive.

Most importantly, even with additional power, this is still the most fuel-efficient Prius yet.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings for the base LE front-wheel-drive are 57-City, 56-Highway, and 57-Combined; 53-City, 54-Highway, and 54-Combined for AWD.

Speaking of styling, the Prius has always stood out from the norm, and not usually for the right reasons.

But there's no argument this is by far the best looking one yet.

Same 5-door hatchback format as always, but now with an ultra-aerodynamic single arch coupe-like profile, and big wheels that has it blending in with most current EVs.

It's both wider and lower than last gen too, with a roofline 2.0 inches closer to the ground.

The new exterior design will attract the most headlines, but we like what they've done inside even more.

Things are increasingly modern in both appearance and tech features; but thankfully, still highly functional, aided by a fair amount of actual physical controls.

The multimedia system has an 8.0 inch touchscreen standard in LE and XLE trims; Limited's 12.3 inch widescreen can be added to XLEs.

Needed driver info is now displayed on a sharp-looking 7.0 inch LCD screen mounted in a large housing behind the wheel similar to Toyota's bZ4X.

Front seats are as still spacious, but even more comfortable.

Rear seats add legroom, but cargo space is actually down 15 percent from 27.4 cubic-feet to 23.8.

Pricing starts at $28,545 for the base LE, climbing to $35,560 for top Limited; all-wheel-drive is available with all trims for $1,400.

Later in the year a Prius Prime plug-in hybrid will add nearly 40 miles of battery only driving for around $32,000 to start.

So, is there still a place for gasoline-electric hybrids?

Absolutely!

Would Toyota have been better served by focusing more on fuel efficiency instead of boosting horsepower by 60 percent while only upping combined fuel economy by one mile per gallon?

Maybe.

But everything in life is a trade-off of some sorts, and giving the Prius better acceleration and high-speed stability to stay competitive with EVs, while still keeping it the most fuel-efficient hybrid on the road, makes it more of a winner to us.

Which is why the 2023 Toyota Prius won our Best Family Car Driver's Choice Award and why it will continue to be relevant for many years to come.

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!

We're carving the corners in the Mercedes AMG SL 63, then charging down the straights in the full-size Cadillac Escalade-V!

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... To order a DVD of this program, call... MotorWeek has been brought to you by... ANNOUNCER: 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!

MotorWeek is proudly sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper To Bumper, featuring major brand auto and truck parts, and service from coast to coast.

Learn more at AutoValue.com and BumperToBumper.com.

TireRack.Com is proud to support MotorWeek .

First, there was the wheel.

Then, the tire.

"We'll call it Tire Rack."

Forty years later, we're not slowing down.

♪ ♪ This program was produced by Maryland Public Television, which is solely responsible for its content.

(car engine revving) ♪ ♪ You're watching PBS.