2021 Subaru Outback Premium on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Sunday Drive: The future looks bright, and the present ain't bad, either

A look at the week that just passed proves that Autoblog readers love looking into the future. Spy photos of the next Porsche 911 and a mysterious Dodge Demon prototype led the way last week as some of our most popular stories. A teaser from Subaru has our appetites whetted for the next WRX, and we're intrigued by the value proposition offered by the rear-wheel-drive Kia Stinger. Long-distance motorcycle tourers went gaga over leaked images of the next Honda Gold Wing. Such intense interest comes as no surprise considering that it's the standard by which all its competitors are judged, and it looks to be getting some serious new technology in its next iteration. And finally, we can't help tooting our own horn a bit. Autoblog just launched a brand-new Car Finder tool, which, after getting a few data points to work with, offers up a perfect list of vehicles for new-car buyers. As always, tune in to Autoblog next week for a front-row seat to all the happenings worth following in the automotive industry. 2019 Porsche 911 to get digital interior — only the tach will be analog Spy Shots: What the devil is Dodge up to with this narrow-body Challenger Demon? Subaru previews Viziv Performance Concept and 2 tuned STIs for Tokyo Leaked 2018 Honda Gold Wing shows off new suspension, hints at DCT 2018 Kia Stinger will start at $32,795 Dodge Honda Kia Porsche Subaru Coupe Hatchback Motorcycle Future Vehicles Luxury Performance Sedan recap sunday drive

Here's the story with the Chicken Tax

Quiz America's auto enthusiasts about the vehicles they most want to see in the US market, and for every one that doesn't respond with a French hot hatchback or some diesel-powered offering, there'd be at least three that ask for some small, imported pickup truck. That won't happen, though, and we have the Chicken Tax to thank. This damnable bit of legislation affixes a 25-percent tariff to any light truck not built in the United States. That's why Honda, Toyota and Nissan build all their trucks in the United States, and it's also why pickups like the foreign-built Volkswagen Amarok, shown above, or the long-rumored Mahindra pickup aren't offered here. Wired has the story on the roots of the Chicken Tax, including how one Japanese manufacturer got around it and even delivered a vehicle to one of our country's presidents. Head over and check it out.

Scion testing updated FR-S

It looks like Toyota is preparing a mid-cycle update for its critically acclaimed GT86, known here in the US as the Scion FR-S or Subaru BRZ. As far as updates go, this one looks to be rather average. Hidden behind the camouflaged front and rear ends, we have new headlights and taillights, which according to our spies looked to be of the LED variety. We wouldn't be shocked to see the GT86 get LED taillights, although fitting the top-of-the-line headlights seems less likely. Supporting that position are the images we have of the actual headlights in action, which don't look quite bright enough to be full LED units. Instead, we'd expect some new form of running light, perhaps with bi-xenon low beams. Aside from the lamps, the front bumper gets a larger, more prominent lower intake, while the rear end sports a redefined bumper that houses larger dual exhaust tips. The size of the spoiler has been increased, too. According to our spies, we should also expect powertrain enhancements – which we can only hope means more power – as well as upgrades to the interior of the GT86. While it's possible that the updates being tested in Germany could be exclusive to the European market, that seems unlikely. We'd expect the same new enhancements to at least find their way to the Scion, if not its Subaru-badged twin. Check out the full battery of spy photos up top. Related Video: