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Lexus, Mazda and Subaru top Consumer Reports Brand Report Cards

A revised methodology in devising its annual Car Brand Report Cards has seen Consumer Reports award Lexus its top overall ranking for 2013. For the first time ever, the institute broke out individual brands from their larger corporate umbrellas, meaning car makers like Lexus and Scion were judged independently from parent company Toyota. That strategy worked out well for Lexus, as the luxury brand earned a top report card score of 79 for the 2013 model year.
The institute has recommended every one of the Lexus models it has tested to date, and said that the company's products won out thanks to "a foundation of plush and very reliable vehicles."
Meanwhile, Mazda and Subaru tied for the second-highest scoring report cars, with scores of 76. Subaru earned praised for sporting models like the BRZ, which CR testers apparently had a lot of fun driving (naturally), while the Mazda products were lauded for their blend of practicality, sportiness and efficiency. Both of the Japanese brands offered good handling, fuel economy and versatility, said Consumer Reports.

Subaru WRX STI S207 limited to 400 units in Japan only

Japanese Subaru fans are getting quite a treat in time for Halloween. The brand is unveiling the WRX STI S207 edition at the Tokyo Motor Show. Unfortunately for brand devotees elsewhere, the market-exclusive, high-performance model is limited to just 400 units there. For such a small run of cars, the folks at Subaru Tecnica International are adding quite a bit to take the STI's performance to new heights. Among the upgrades, the 2.0-liter, turbocharged boxer now makes 323 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque – a healthy jump compared to 305 hp and 290 lb-ft from the 2.5-liter engine in the US-market version. Beyond the extra power, the sedan also wears a load of parts to improve chassis stiffness and a DampMatic II adjustable front suspension from Bilstein. Styling sees some slight tweaks with a red-outlined mesh grille, chin spoiler, 19-inch BBS wheels, and a redesigned rear bumper. Inside, the front passengers are held tight in leather-trimmed Recaro seats. If the 400 units aren't exclusive enough, Subaru technically breaks the S207 into three special editions. A planned run of 200 units will feature the NBR Challenge Package that's inspired by the company's class victory in the 2015 Nurburgring 24 Hours. It adds a carbon fiber rear spoiler, black wheels, red seatbelts, and an Ultrasuede-covered steering wheel. A hundred of those are the NBR Challenge Package Yellow Edition that come exclusively in Sunrise Yellow with black-painted door mirrors and side sills. Depending on the version, prices before Japan's consumption tax would be between $46,050 and $48,950 at current exchange rates. Related Video: STI Releases "S207" Limited-Edition "WRX STI" in Japan October 28, 2015 Tokyo, October 28, 2015 – Subaru Tecnica International (STI),*1 the motorsports division of Fuji Heavy Industries, will launch a limited-edition model based on the "WRX STI" on December 1, 2015. Just 400 units of the model, dubbed the "S207", will be available. Taking the WRX STI as its base, this complete car from STI features exclusive engine and suspension tuning as well as distinctive interior and exterior design. Embracing the STI concept of offering the ultimate in road driving, the S207 stands at the pinnacle of the STI complete car lineup and aims to be the world's most enjoyable vehicle, providing a feel-good experience to all those who travel in it regardless of road conditions and enhancing driver skill. Special engine tuning boosts maximum power output to 328 PS.

Toyota and Subaru file patents for performance FR-S and BRZ

People have longed for a more powerful version of the Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S, and Toyota GT86 since the triplets arrived on the market. So far, neither partner in the deal has launched a model to fully satiate that hunger. However, the Japanese patent office recently approved documents from Toyota for the design of a vehicle that looks just like the Subaru STI Performance Concept (pictured above). According to AutoGuide, the filing also gives Fuji Heavy Industries credit for the design. The STI Performance Concept debuted at this year's New York Auto Show as an early step in STI's attempt to expand its reach here. The BRZ-derived coupe featured a body with a ground-scraping front bumper, tweaked headlights, wider fenders, a massive rear wing, and diffuser with a center-exit exhaust. All of these elements also show up on the patent renderings. The concept was just as exciting under the hood because STI installed a 2.0-liter, turbocharged boxer four-cylinder from its GT300 racer, and upgrades for the chassis, suspension, and brakes came from the Japanese market's BRZ tS. While the coupe made hearts race, the company was clear it didn't necessarily plan to build the model. Patent filings aren't a guarantee for production, and even if this one does arrive in showrooms, it might not come to the US. That's because Subaru and Toyota have a history of creating Japan-exclusive versions like the tS or Style Cb. That being said, spy shots have revealed a camouflaged GT86 testing in Europe, and rumors indicate more power from the engine. Subie's boss has even confirmed the existence of a partnership to create a next-gen model. Related Video: