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Porsche tops J.D. Power quality index as Korean brands soar

While complaints about infotainment systems remain a thorn in the side of automakers for J.D. Power's annual Initial Quality Study, there's a lot to celebrate this year. The average number of problems reported per 100 vehicles fell to 112 in 2015 – a three-percent improvement compared to 116 in 2014. The results of this year's survey are based on the responses of over 84,000 people about problems within the first 90 days of buying or leasing a 2015 model-year vehicle. For the third consecutive year, Porsche tops the rankings with an average of 80 problems per 100 vehicles. Although, that's slightly more than the 74 the German sportscar maker scored in 2014. "While the Japanese automakers continue to make improvements, we're seeing other brands, most notably Korean makes, really accelerating the rate of improvement," Renee Stephens, vice president of US automotive quality at J.D. Power, said in the study's release. In fact, Kia ranks as one of the biggest movers in this year's list. The Korean brand jumped to second place from seventh last year. The company had an average of 86 problems per 100 vehicles, a 20-point improvement. Third place went to Jaguar with an average of 93 problems reported, versus last year's second-place finish with 87 of them. Fourth place was Hyundai, and fifth-place Infiniti also earned a gold star for improvement with 97 issues per 100 vehicles – 31-points better than last year. Fiat still anchored the bottom of the list. However, its 161 problems this year is a lot better than the 206 in 2014. Ranked by nationality, Korean brands (Hyundai and Kia) are now leading the industry in initial quality with an average of 90 problems reported per 100 vehicles. According to J.D. Power, this is the first time Europe's figure beat Japan with 113 and 114 issues, respectively. The American brands also averaged 114. Whereas General Motors dominated last year, the segment awards are spread out in 2015. GM, Hyundai, Nissan, and Volkswagen Group are all tied with four models each earning prizes. For more information, you can also see all of the graphs, here. J.D.

This is how we'd spec a Jaguar F-Pace

The configurator hitting the web is an exciting time in a new model's launch. Even if you don't have the cash to buy that sweet new ride, clicking through the options offers a chance to dream. Since we enjoy these stories so much, the Autoblog team is trying out something a little different for the new Jaguar F-Pace. Rather than describing all the stuff you can find on the page, some of our writers are going to show you how they'd spec out Jag's first crossover. Let us know how you like the new format in Comments, below. CHRIS BRUCE: I had an attractive, fairly affordable F-Pace Prestige ready, until the options list tempted me into an extra $5,000 in features. The final price of $56,255 doesn't seem too bad, though. While the diesel engine is probably quite nice, it's extremely hard not to pick the supercharged V6 with its intoxicating sound and 340 hp. Mine also includes the black trim package ($320), deleting the powertrain badge ($0), Adaptive Dynamics Pack ($1,000), Vision Pack ($2,000), and Head-up Display ($990). The British Racing Green paint ($550) and aluminum interior trim ($300) add a little more to the bottom line but are worth it for the extra style. GREG MIGLIORE: I shamelessly loaded mine up with options, let's just get that out of the way. But the F-Pace offers a lot of cool stuff, and the $400 activity security key is worth it for active lifestyles. I went with the silver paint and black 22s because I'd want my grocery-getter to have some attitude, and I think the pairing makes for a sinister yet tasteful appearance. Naturally, I'd want the 380-hp V6. It's a Jag. I want it to purr. SEYTH MIERSMA: If I'm throwing down on an F-Pace, I've already decided that I'm not going the thrifty route for my new crossover. Still, I don't see any particular advantage to the most-sporting version. The 340-hp gas-powered Jag will do just fine. Middle of the road then: F-Pace Prestige has the Xenons, heated seats, and steering wheel, and navigation that'd I'd add to a lesser model. And it looks hilariously disrespectful in this BRG paint with 20-inch black wheels. Jeremy Korzeniewski: The F-Pace is a Jaguar, and that means it can be both sporty and luxurious at the same time. But that doesn't mean it can't also be efficient. To that end, I chose to eschew the powerful gasoline engine options and instead spec my fictional F-Pace with a diesel.

Lister teases 675-hp, 200-mph Stealth SUV

In the middle of 2018, Lister unveiled what was then called the LFP, intended to be the world's fastest SUV. The initials stood for Lister F-Pace and the dark green hulking beauty was based on, surprise, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR. Except where the F-Pace SVR used a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 producing 550-horsepower to claim a 176-mile-per-hour top speed, the LFP would wring that engine out to 675 horsepower in order to hit 200 miles per hour. Since that time, Lister's rolled out other models such as the F-Type convertible-based LFT-C 666 and Knobbly roadster continuation cars. At last, the LFP is ready for primetime, and it brings the new name of Lister Stealth with it. According to CEO Lawrence Whittaker, all the firm is waiting on is for the UK's lockdown to end, then the high-rise double-ton party can start. For now, we have a teaser video with a few quick visuals of the dangerously aggressive bodywork and a microphone-melting clip of someone dancing on the throttle. Save for the audio distortion, it looks and sounds superb. The ingredients of the transformation from F-Pace SVR to Stealth remain secret. As Pistonheads pointed out, the 675-hp Lister Thunder, based on the F-Type SVR hardtop, installed a new supercharger pulley, air filter and intercooler, a freer exhaust, and a remapped ECU to unlock 100 more horses. It's reasonable to expect the same template as a starting point for the Stealth. If the crossover can hit its 3.5-second mark from zero to 62-miles per hour, it will beat everything we can think of that isn't a Tesla, and the Stealth will top all comers if it nails the promoted top speed. Whittaker said production stops at 250 units, with orders having already come in. The price starts at "around GBP140,000," equal to about $175,000 greenbacks. Tiff Needell, who raced Lister cars in the 1990s, has been lined up for video presentation work once the proper launch takes place. If we're lucky, Needell will be the one to show and tell us what the Stealth can do, occasionally sideways, with lots of smoke. Related Video: