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Consumer Reports says infotainment systems 'growing first-year reliability plague'

The Consumer Reports Annual Auto Reliability Survey (right) is out, and the top two spots look much the same as last year's list with Lexus and Toyota in first and second place, respectively. However, there are some major shakeups for 2014, with Acura plunging eight spots from third in 2013 to 11th this year, and Mazda replaces it on the lowest step of the podium. Honda and Audi round out the top five. This year's list includes six Japanese brands in the top 10, two Europeans, one America and one Korean.
Acura isn't the only one taking a tumble, though. Infiniti is the biggest loser this year by dropping 14 spots to 20th place. Other big losses come from Mercedes-Benz with an 11-place fall to 24th, and GMC, which declines 10 positions to 19th.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it's not traditional mechanical bugs hauling down these automaker's reliability scores. Instead, pesky problems with infotainment systems are taking a series toll on the rankings. According to Consumer Reports, complaints about "in-car electronics" were the most grumbled about element in new cars. Problem areas included things like unresponsive touchscreens, issues pairing phones and multi-use controllers that refused to work right.

Subaru prices limited edition Hyper Blue models

In the market for a new Subaru BRZ or WRX STI but aren't interested in World Rally Blue or any of the other shades on offer? Prefer your car look like a very loud, boxer-powered smurf? Then get in line for one of the limited-edition Hyper Blue models. We've covered these two before, but now, Subaru has released the pricing details on the rare models. All 500, manual-only Hyper Blue BRZs will be sold for $28,845, or just $655 more than the 2016 BRZ Limited 6MT. If you prefer more power and an extra set of doors, the 700 special-edition STI demands $39,790, which is $4,300 more than the base STI, but $1,000 less than the range-topping Limited model. In addition to their paint, the Hyper Blue models add black alloy wheels – 17-inchers for the BRZ and 18-inch BBS-branded hoops for the STI – black badges, and black wing mirrors. In the case of the BRZ, the cabin even gets Hyper Blue accents throughout the cabin, including contrast stitching on the seats, shift boot, and emergency brake handle. Read on for the full press release from Subaru detailing the pricing and equipment options. SUBARU ANNOUNCES PRICING ON LIMITED EDITION 2016 SERIES.HYPERBLUE BRZ AND WRX STI MODELS Production limited to 700 WRX STI & 500 BRZ BRZ receives upgraded SUBARU STARLINK® Multimedia Rear Vision Camera now standard on BRZ Exclusive Hyper Blue exterior paint and interior trims Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. has announced pricing on 2016 Series.HyperBlue limited edition BRZ and WRX STI models. Production is limited to 700 WRX STI and 500 BRZ cars for the United States. Vehicles arrive in retail locations this fall. The $38,995 Series.HyperBlue WRX STI brings exclusive Hyper Blue stitching to the standard Alcantara® seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, manual transmission shifter boot, and console as well as carpeted floor mats with the traditional Cherry Red STI logo. The Series.HyperBlue WRX STI wears 18-inch BBS® Black Alloy wheels and black exterior badging as well as exterior mirrors. SUBARU STARLINK 7.0" Multimedia Navigation System comes standard on this trim with 9 Harman/Kardon® speakers and 440-watt amplifier. Powered by a 305-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged/intercooled BOXER engine, the WRX STI helped to pioneer the sport compact segment with a rally-bred drivetrain and Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

Subaru BRZ tS makes its brief video debut

Ever since Subaru released the BRZ, fans have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the STI version. But despite the recent release of the tS package, the brand faithful will have to wait a little longer, because the tS stops short of the full STI treatment. But at least it looks the part.
Though the BRZ tS doesn't encompass any major engine mods to speak of, it does benefit from a number of enhancements: a new driveshaft, aero kit, Brembo brakes, Recaro buckets and more. Which may be more than enough for some, but to tip the scales of disappointment, Subaru will only make 500 such examples, and they'll only be available in Japan. So chances are you won't be getting your hands on one, but at least you can admire it from this brief video clip below. It's not much to go on, but that seems about par for the proverbial course.