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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.

Watch the Jaguar F-Pace set a Guinness World Record for looping

On a chilly gray night in Germany, Jaguar officially leapt into the crossover segment. But it also reminded everyone its brand of grocery-getter will be anything but conventional. The 2017 F-Pace, which will launch next spring in the United States, debuted Monday evening at a glitzy event before the Frankfurt Motor Show. Rather than simply tear the cover off the car (you can watch that below), Jaguar sent a specially-prepped F-Pace blasting up a 63-foot-tall loop, setting a Guinness World Record in the process. Driven by British stunt driver Terry Grant, Jaguar said the F-Pace stood up against 6.5 Gs of gravity during the display. The stunt was meant to illustrate the F-Pace's poise, agility, and athletic nature. In fact, Jaguar is calling the vehicle the "ultimate practical sports car," instead of dwelling on the fact it's an SUV. Based on Jaguar's lightweight aluminum architecture, the F-Pace will arrive in America next year with two V6 engines rated at 340 horsepower or 380 hp. A new 2.0-liter diesel engine will join the lineup next fall, and serve as the entry-level model. It starts at $41,985. Related Video:

Jaguar wants to make real-life driving just like a video game

Jaguar Land Rover is on a bit of a tech bent today. It's announced its new family of four-cylinder engines and a "self-learning" vehicle Range Rover prototype, and now it's announced what it calls the Jaguar Virtual Windscreen.
The technology is similar to other head-up displays and telematics recorders already on the market, the Jaguar Virtual Windscreen concept takes things to the next level to turn real-life driving into a video game-like experience. It's being demonstrated with data like lap times, grid positions, virtual racing line and brake guidance... even "ghost" cars from previous laps and virtual cones for simulated autocrossing. Just like you'd find in the latest version of Forza or Gran Turismo, but you know... in an actual car - in this case a Jaguar F-Type. It's similar to the Transparent Bonnet system Land Rover revealed a couple of months ago, but instead of rock-crawling, it's for the race track.
The system also incorporates gesture controls and could be configured to display instrument data, a video feed from a rear-view camera to replace the mirror. Check out the details and the video below for a closer look at what JLR has got in store for the near future.