Abstract:

The much-hyped Toyota FT-86 has finally been revealed, except that the marketeers have decided to rename the production version as the Toyota GT 86, after spending millions marketing the FT-86 name. Toyota’s new GT 86, with its name derived from the AE86-code Toyota Corolla GT-S of the 1980s, makes its world debut at the Tokyo Motor Show on November 30. The compact 2+2 model will go on sale in Europe in June 2012, but is also slated to come to the Middle East. Incidentally, it will be known in Japan as the Toyota Hachiroku, which translates to simply Toyota 86.

The 2013 Toyota GT 86 was a joint development with Subaru, who will have their own nearly-identical version, and thus will be powered by a Subaru-supplied 2.0-litre “boxer” 4-cylinder engine. The motor is good for 197 hp at 7,000 rpm and maximum torque of 205 Nm at 6,600 rpm. Apparently they were trying to emulate Honda Type-R cars and their driving “purity” and ended up with output similar to what Honda already managed a decade ago.

read more http://www.drivearabia.com/news/2011/11/27/toyota-ft-86-finally-debuts-as-gt-86/

Abstract:

The all-new Impreza is the most important model that Subaru needs to market in the US right now, but the Japanese automaker appears to have hit a snag. The company has issued an official memorandum to all of its dealers last week, ordering them to stop selling the 2012 Imprezas as well as certain 2012 Legacy and Outback units.

Subaru of America has reportedly "received a limited number of reports of intermittent excessive brake pedal travel in 2012 Impreza models built through November 15 as well as 2012 Legacy and Outback models built between October 27 and November 23," adding that "drivers have reported their concerns about greater than normal brake pedal travel."

So basically, there might be a serious brake issue right now, and it’s simpler to fix the cars on the lot, but they will have to order parts before they can start the actual recall.

read more: http://www.autoevolution.com/news/subaru-orders-dealers-to-stop-selling-2012-imprezas-40746.html

Abstract:

 There’s more glass than you’ll know what to do with (though it’s unclear how all that glass will do in a crash), and a nice hint of BMW’s i blue along design lines, seat belts, and lights makes for a streamlined and sporty look to complement BMW’s elegant style.

As far as range goes, the i3 and i8 are very different. The all-electric i3 will offer between 80 to 100 miles per charge, however BMW knows how much range anxiety affects consumers and provided a solution. The i3 has an optional range extender (or REX, as BMW calls it) which uses gas and motor to offer an additional 80 to 100 miles. However, the gas and motor are merely running to further charge the battery, rather than power the wheels of the car.

The i8, on the other hand, is a hybrid-electric vehicle, meaning it features both an electric motor along with an internal combustion engine. You’ll see around 20 to 30 miles per charge out of the i8, but when paired with the internal combustion engine that expands to about 300 miles combined.

http://techcrunch.com/2011

Abstract:

Subaru said Tuesday it will debut the BRZ concept sports car at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.

It’s Subaru’s first sports car with the power coming from the rear wheels — a characteristic more in line with European performance cars. The feature will be combined with a lower center of gravity for improved handling.

The BRZ was developed in partnership with another Japanese carmaker, Toyota (NYSE:TM). But Toyota’s version will be known as the FT-86, feature different body characteristics and have less horsepower than the BRZ, according to numerous reports in the automotive press.

read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2011/11/01/a-first-for-subaru-sports-car-with.html?ana=e_pft

Abstract:

Ultimately it's all about performance, and the 2012 WRX STI continues as the ultimate-performance Subaru with its high-boost 305-horsepower turbocharged/intercooled SUBARU BOXER engine teamed with a 6-speed manual transmission and the exclusive Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Centre Differential (DCCD) version of Subaru's symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive system.

The WRX STI is equipped with advanced dynamic control systems, including Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) and a Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system, which features a track performance-optimized mode. Hill Holder, featured on all Impreza models equipped with a manual transmission, can momentarily prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when being driven away from a stop on an incline.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/453277#ixzz1ajPZWlA5

Abstract:  A quick walk across the vast McCormick Place convention center found Ralph Gilles, the Dodge brand’s general manager, kneeling to plant a kiss on the fender of the new, 465-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT8. Gilles — who also serves as Chrysler’s corporate design chief — is one of the first in line for the high-performance sedan, which traces its roots back to the pre-oil shock era of anything-goes muscle cars.

“Performance is back,” Mark Reuss, GM’s president of North American operations, has said on numerous occasions.

For all the attention GM has given the electric Volt, the automaker has delivered significantly more muscle car models to market over the last year, including an assortment of Camaros, and several new versions of the Cadillac V-Series, including the 550-hp CTS-V Coupe.

Indeed, the Chevy Camaro (with an EPA fuel economy rating of 19 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway) was one of the hottest cars of 2010, notably knocking down the king of the pony-car hill, the Ford Mustang, for the first time in 25 years..Chrysler

Abstract: General Motors, the same automaker that's been winning awards with the gasoline-optional Chevrolet Volt, is clearly going after the fossil-fuel crowd with a 550-horsepower version of its Camaro performance coupe unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show Wednesday.

This version of the Camaro will be considerably more powerful -- and probably much more expensive -- than the 426-horsepower Camaro SS that's now available,  Chevrolet

Abstract: Rush Limbaugh, the popular right-wing radio commentator, got some attention from the White House recently, for repeating a jibe of his. "Obama Motors" is what Limbaugh called the automotive industry last week when referring to the President's policy and his trip on Friday to carmakers in Michigan.

"Rush Limbaugh and others wanted to walk away," Robert Gibbs, White House Press Secretary, said Thursday. "Rush Limbaugh and others saw a million people that worked at these factories, that worked at these parts suppliers, that supported communities, and thought we should all just walk away.  The President didn't think that walking away from a million jobs in these communities made a lot of economic sense."

President Obama was at the Chrysler plant in Detroit and the GM plant Hamtramck on Friday, and he will visit the Ford plant in Chicago this week. Each of these plants has recently added workers -- approxmately 1,100 at the Chrysler operation, and 1,200 at Ford's.

The President's message was that the federal government's timely actions saved the American automotive industry. ibtimes

Abstract:

The Honda CR-Z is a two seat vehicle that has three drive modes. The driver has the choice of Sport, Economy, and Normal driving modes. The CR-Z has a fun sports car exterior, and has the fuel economy and environmental friendly features of an electric hybrid car.

The preliminary EPA Estimated Fuel Economy for the CVT (City/Highway/Combined): 36/38/37 miles per gallon, while the manual transmission EPA Estimated Fuel Economy is (City/Highway/Combined): 31/37/33 miles per gallon.

The extra gadgets are a technology junkies dream. It comes with Bluetooth technology for connecting your devices with your car. There is a Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System which gives you driving direction. The system can recognize your voice so you will be able to keep your eyes on the road while you are keeping tabs on your directions. The 360 Watt AM/FM/CD Premium Audio System with MP3/Windows Media® Audio (WMA) playback capability has 7 Speakers including Subwoofer.  Honda

Abstract:

Honda says its affordable, sporty hybrid CR-Z will go on sale Friday in Japan, hoping the car will appeal to the younger set or empty-nesters who want a "green" car with a bit of pizazz.

Japan's No. 2 automaker says the two-door hatchback will go on sale in the U.S. and Europe by midyear.

Honda Motor Co. said Thursday the Japanese price would be 2.268 million yen ($25,300) for the basic model and 2.498 million yen ($27,900) for the top-end model. Prices elsewhere haven't been decided yet.

The company says the CR-Z gets 25 kilometers per liter (58.8 miles per gallon).

Honda's Insight sedan has intensified competition in the hybrid car market, which had been largely dominated by Toyota's Prius...businessweek.com  Honda.com