The 2023 Nissan Z loudly proclaims that affordable performance cars are not dead. While many seem to be writing off internal combustion engine vehicles — and all automotive fun — we say, “Not so fast.” The new Z and its 400-horsepower turbocharged V6 are poised to breathe new life into a segment that is in need of some rejuvenation. We’re excited to get into the details of the 2023 North American Car of the Year Finalist with two experts from Nissan. Our special guests this week are Christian Speaker and Jonathan Buhler. Each will offer unique insights on the new sports car, including the equipment that all Nissan execs agreed was mandatory for the newest version in the legendary line.

In the road test segment, Co-Host Chris Teague will take a long look at the 2023 Ford Maverick Tremor, the new, off-road-oriented version of the brand’s smallest truck. He set it to work hauling in the midst of a dreary Maine winter. Did it get the jobs done? He’ll have a full report coming up.

In our other road test, Host Jack Nerad had a plusher assignment, putting the recently revised 2023 Hyundai Palisade crossover SUV through its paces. The Palisade has a new look for the new model year, and Hyundai has upped its equipment level as well. Nerad will assess the changes and tell how the zooty Calligraphy trim stacks up against luxury-brand three-row SUVs.

In the news, General Motors has unmasked a hybrid gasoline-electric version of its Chevrolet Corvette and there are some surprising things about it. We’ll tell you what they are and offer our reaction to the model that is now the quickest of all available Vettes.

Also newsworthy is the report that a big-time electric vehicle maker was considering a launch in the United States, but now it has rethought that idea and decided to pull back. The reasons are simple but a bit frustrating as we describe in our report.

And Mercedes-Benz is getting ready to deploy an advanced automated driving system in Nevada. What other states be next? Does this mean that autonomous cars will actually come to market after decades of development and delay?

All that plus your questions answered in this episode of America on the Road.