First Official Photo Released Ahead of LA Show Debut

It's one of the most highly anticipated models of the year and today, we finally get our first official look at the new Subaru BRZ Concept a couple of weeks before it makes its world premiere at the 2011 edition of the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16.

The STI-badged Subaru study is a thinly disguised concept version of the upcoming production BRZ coupe that will be unwrapped alongside its sister model, the Toyota FT-86, at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show in the beginning of December.

"Built with Subaru’s core technology of the Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine, this model has a low center of gravity that realizes a “Pure Handling Delight” driving experience," Subaru said in a short statement.

"Combined with motifs of Subaru’s iconic performance brand “STI”, the concept car embodies an ultimate handling performance," the company added.

The Japanese carmaker did not release any further information on its concept model.

The rear-wheel drive BRZ is the result of an ongoing joint-project between Subaru and Toyota Motor Corporation. It shares its platform, drivetrain and as we can see from the single picture, its body shell as well with the Toyota FT-86.

The only noteworthy styling differences between the Toyota and the Subaru that we can see from this angle aside from the aero kit, carbon fiber roof and STI alloy wheels, are the tail lamp, boot lid and rear bumper/diffuser designs.

We're not sure if Subaru will market the BRZ (which stands for “Boxer engine”, “Rear-wheel drive” and “Zenith”) with the STI moniker or if the company will offer an STI derivative based on this study.

DM 2012 Subaru Impreza G4 Sedan PHOTO GALLERY

The first pictures and details of the Japanese domestic market [JDM] 2012 Subaru Impreza have emerged online thanks to a set of brochure shots that were leaked before the official presentation on November 30.

As most of you probably expected, the JDM model is a carbon copy of the North American version of the new Impreza, which goes on sale in the States next month. In Japan, the hatchback model will carry the Sport designation while the sedan will be called G4.

However, in addition to Subaru's new 2.0-liter boxer engine, which in JDM-spec delivers 150HP and 196Nm, the domestic market Impreza will also be offered with a smaller displacement 1.6-liter unit producing 115HP and 148Nm. Both powerplants will be available with 2WD and 4WD layouts.

Hat tip to Tai!

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Land Rover Scores 54% of the Vote in MSN Cars’ Poll of Best 4x4 Brands

In a recent online poll, MSN Cars asked its readers a simple question: “Which firm makes the best '4x4' type cars?” The winner, with an astonishing 54% of the 39,663 votes is Indian British automaker Land Rover.

The brand’s winning combination of aggressive yet attractive styling, “go anywhere” off-road ability, ruggedness and comfort have made Land Rover the powerhouse brand it is today – and a deserved winner. Land Rover UK managing director Colin Green is understandably over the moon:

“We are thrilled that MSN users have voted Land Rover their favourite 4x4 brand. We know that Land Rover has some of the best brand loyalty figures in the industry and this poll is testament to that. Taking over half the votes is a great achievement and goes to prove that Land Rover really does make the world's most authentic 4x4s. Thank you to everyone who voted for us!”

Second place was snatched by Toyota (9%) and Audi took a surprising third (8%). Jeep claimed an equally surprising sixth (3%), bested by the likes of BMW (6%), Mitsubishi (5%) and Subaru (4%). Mercedes-Benz shared 7th place with Jeep while Lexus, Volkswagen and Volvo scored 2% a piece.

With a history stretching back 63 years, there have been many noteworthy Land Rovers. It seems every model the company has released – from the Range Rover of the 1970s to the Discovery and Freelander models of the ‘90s – has ignited the public’s imagination and fuelled much debate.

So tell us, readers: what is your favourite Land Rover? Do you go with the traditionalist Series I of the ‘40s, the radical Evoque or the flawed yet brilliant Range Rover? You tell us.

By Tristan Hankins

Story source: MSN Cars

Concepts, Frankfurt Motor Show, Reports, Scion FR-S, Subaru, Subaru BRZ, Subaru Concepts, Toyota FT-86

The wait for the unveiling of Subaru's version of the Toyota FT-86 (and let's not forget, the Scion FR-S) continues but the Japanese company has at least given us a name for the car and more importantly, a launch date.

Subaru’s new rear-wheel drive sports coupe, which is still currently under joint development with Toyota, will be named BRZ. According to the automaker, the name stands for “Boxer engine”, “Rear-wheel drive” and “Zenith”.

The Japanese company also revealed that the start of production for the BRZ is planned for spring 2012, but before that, it will show a second technology concept of the coupe named “SUBARU BRZ PROLOGUE - BOXER Sports Car Architecture II - ” at the 64th Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011.

We'll remind you that Subaru displayed a see-through concept study of the coupe to exhibit the car's mechanical hardware at this year's Geneva Salon.

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Subaru Announces Pricing for New 2012 Impreza

The all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza will arrive in U.S. showrooms in the beginning of November, and the Japanese carmaker announced today that its starting price will be $17,495 before the $750 destination charge (*$18,245 total) for the base four-door Impreza 2.0i with a manual gearbox, meaning that the starting price remains unchanged over the outgoing model.

The base engine for the 2012 Impreza is an all-new 2.0-liter boxer engine that delivers 148-horses (22HP less than the outgoing model’s 2.5-liter unit) and 145 lb-ft (197 Nm) of peak torque, and returns a projected EPA fuel economy of 27 mpg city and 36 mpg highway.

All 2012 Imprezas feature Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system while the boxer engine can be paired to either to a 5-speed manual, or the new Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission.

Not including a $750 destination charge, the base Impreza 2.0i Sedan with the CVT starts at $18,495, while the entry-level five-door model at $17,995 when equipped with a five-speed manual and $18,995 for the CVT-equipped model.

The better-equipped 4-door 2.0i Premium starts at $18,795, while the 5-door Premium starts at $19,295. For the 2.0i Limited, prices start at $21,595 for the 4-door and $22,095 for the 5-door version, while the Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium, which is offered exclusively with the five-door body style, starts at $20,295.

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Toyota FT-86 sports coupe 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft (197 Nm) of torque,

In keeping enthusiasts on their toes, Toyota’s European division came out with a new release today on its upcoming FT-86 sports coupe. The Japanese automaker confirmed that the production version will go on sale in 2012 with power coming from by Subaru's new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine fitted with Toyota's D-4S technology. The latter consists of direct injection combined with port injection.

We still don’t get any output numbers although Toyota says the D4-S technology “results in increased horsepower and torque without sacrificing fuel consumption and environmental performance.” Subaru's latest 2.0-liter horizontally opposed gasoline engine, which is offered on the all-new Impreza, develops 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft (197 Nm) of torque, but in the case of the FT-86, output is expected to increase significantly.

Unlike the Impreza's 5-speed or CVT gearboxes, the Toyota FT-86 will be offered with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission. “The manual will offer quick and precise shifts with a short-throw, while the automatic transmission will feature sporty shifts controlled by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifts,” said Toyota.

In addition, the RWD coupe will also get a limited-slip differential. Toyota says the front-engined, rear-wheel drive platform will “offer the driver confident stability and maneuverability, while still being quick and nimble into and out of any corner”. Toyota added that the car's compact dimensions, lightweight design and low center of gravity will ensure “an intrinsic joy of driving”.

Toyota will sell the FT-86 coupe (the final name has not yet been confirmed) under its own badge in Europe and Japan, while North America will get a Scion-badged variant as previewed by the FR-S Concept at last week’s New York Auto Show. Subaru's version of the car will be technically identical but will feature distinct styling.

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