2013 Subaru BRZ SEIBON Carbon – Hi-res. Images

The new “Front Small Overlap Crash” test proves to be trouble for automakers because besides Subaru Forester, the only vehicle that earned an acceptable rating in the new test and awarded the 2013 Top Safety Pick+ was the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport; the rest of the vehicles were rated marginal or poor in this test.

Rated marginal were the 2013 BMW X1, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2014 Mazda CX-5, 2013 Nissan Rogue and 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan.

Rated poor were the 2013 Buick Encore, 2013 Ford Escape, 2013 Hyundai Tucson, 2014 Jeep Patriot and 2013 Kia Sportage.

Winning this award helped Subaru maintain its flawless status for four consecutive years (2010-2013) of being the only automaker with 2013 IIHS Top Safety Pick for all models.

IIHS small overlap test results for small SUVs.

2014 Subaru Forester – Hi-res. Images

The all-new Acura NSX supercar will be produced at a new Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio.  The million advanced production facility encompassing 184,000 square feet will be housed inside Honda’s former North American Logistics facility.

Acura first unveiled the NSX concept in Detroit back in 2012, and also in Detroit, it revealed the updated version of the NSX concept in 2013.  Today, Acura announced the production location for the all-new NSX, and it looks like the updated version that was revealed in 2013 would give the closest look to the production version, which will be brought to mass production in 2015.

The production site for the all-new Acura NSX will take place at a new Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, a 184,000 square feet, $70 millions facility.  The NSX will be built exclusively from this facility and will be sold in North America as well as exported to other parts of the world.

Acura NSX Concept (2013) – Hi-res. Images

The tuner Toyota Supra rides on 19-inch DPE S20 wheels (19×10 front, 19×12 rear) with Tien Flex Coilovers. [See below for Performance and Suspension]

1998 Tuned Toyota Supra – Hi-res. Images

Performance and Suspension

Scion 10 Series Family – From left to right, Scion xB, Scion iQ, Scion FR-S, Scion tC and Scion xD.

Scion today announced pricing for its limited production Scion 10 Series, which were introduced 2 months ago at the New York Auto Show to celebrate its 10 years being in the U.S market.  Scion produced limited 10 Series for every vehicle in its lineup (FR-S, iQ, tC, xB, xD) with a total of 10,000 units.  Each unit is stamped with an interior badge with a sequential number.

Scion 10 Series FR-S – Hi-res. Images

Priced at $28,675 for the automatic transmission and $27,425 for the manual transmission models, the Scion 10 Series FR-S features dual auto A/C, HID headlights, LED DRL accent lighting, 17-inch standard wheels, a frameless rearview mirror, a dashboard electroluminescent panel, front and rear locator badges, a solar-powered illuminated shift knob (only available on the automatic transmission model) and a Scion carpet mat in the cargo area.

Scion 10 Series tC – Hi-res. Images

Priced at $22,440 for the automatic transmission and $21,440 for the manual transmission models, the 10 Series Scion tC features premium stitching on the steering wheel and seats, projector-beam headlights, LED accent lighting, 18-inch gloss dark gray alloy wheels, an electroluminescent panel above the radio, and front and rear locator badges that light up when the car is unlocked.  A side skirt with a Scion badge is included, along with a solar-powered illuminated shift knob and front, rear and cargo Scion carpet mats.

Scion 10 Series iQ – Hi-res. Images

Priced at $17,850, the 10 Series iQ comes with projector-beam headlights, 16-inch graphite gray alloy wheels, two electroluminescent panels on the center console, front and rear locator badges, a solar-powered illuminated shift knob and Scion carpet mats throughout the car.

Scion 10 Series xB – Hi-res. Images

Priced at $20,160 for the automatic transmission and $19,210 for the manual transmission, the 10 Series Scion xB comes with projector beam headlights, LED accent lighting, 16-inch graphite gray alloy wheels, a dashboard electroluminescent panel, front and rear locator badges, a solar-powered illuminated shift knob and Scion carpet mats throughout the car.

Scion 10 Series xD – Hi-res. Images

The price for the Scion 10 Series xD is $18,955 for the automatic transmission and $18,155 for the manual transmission. It features premium stitching on the seats, multi-reflector halogen headlights, 16-inch graphite gray alloy wheels, an electroluminescent panel above the radio, a rear vehicle locator badge, a solar-powered illuminated shift knob and Scion carpet mats in the front, rear and cargo areas.

The tuned Acura NSX is equipped with two Garret GT2871R turbochargers; it rides on 17-inch customized Mugen MF10 rims. The Mugen MF10 rims were gold-plated and widened from the original size of 17×7.5” to 17x9”.

Red 1992 Twin-Turbo Acura NSX – Hi-res. Images

Performance-wise, the 2014 370Z NISMO remains its 3.7-L V6 engine that produces 350 horsepower and 276 lb-ft of torque.  However, the performance is better compared to non-NSIMO 370Z, thanks to its equipped 4-wheel independent sport-tuned suspension, an exclusive H-configured exhaust system design and muffler tuning, and optimized ECM (Engine Control Module) calibration.

The noticeable difference between the NISMO 370Z and 370Z is the length; the NISMO 370Z is 6.2 inches longer than the non-NISMO 370Z.  It features an extended front nose and fully integrated chin spoiler, lower side sills and NISMO rear spoiler.  The front and rear fascias, side sills, side mirrors and rear spoiler are painted in dark gray color; except for the side sills, all are blended with NISMO-style red pinstripe accents.

The 2014 Nissan 370Z NISMO rides on exclusive 5-spoke Nissan-branded 19-inch RAYS wheels (19×9.5-inch front, 19×10.5-inch rear) with larger NISMO Sport Brakes.

On the inside, the Nissan 370Z NISMO has a new Alcantara® wrapped steering wheel with red accents, NISMO logo seats with red stitching, leather-wrapped shift knob, aluminum-trimmed pedals, and NISMO tachometer.

Available in four exterior: Pearl White, Magnetic Black, Gun Metallic and Solid Red, the 2014 Nissan 370Z will go on sale this summer.

See “Press Release” for further details.

2014 Nissan 370Z NISMO – Hi-res. Images

Limited to only 150 vehicles for the U.S market, the GT-R Track Edition is designed to take the supercar GT-R to another level, closer to a pure motorsports competition car.  It features high performance tuning parts consisting of tuned suspension, special brake cooling, front spoiler with carbon fiber air ducts.

On the outside, the Track Edition features a handmade, strong, lightweight dry carbon fiber rear spoiler which helps increase downforce.  Inside, the front seats have been replaced with special blue-trimmed high-grip seats.  The back seats have been removed and replaced with lightweight quilted cloth mat.

Powered by the same 2014 GT-R’s standard V6 engine that generates 545 horsepower and 463 lb-ft. of torque, the 2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition runs on lightweight six-spoke RAYS forged wheels.

See “Press Release” for 2014 Nissan GT-R prices.

2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition – Hi-res. Images

Powered by a 2.5-L V6 engine that generates 204 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque, the new IS 250 has a starting MSRP of $35,950 for RWD and $38,485 for AWD.

The 2014 Lexus IS 350, which is powered by a bigger 3.5-L V6 engine that produces 306 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque, has a starting MSRP of $39,465 for RWD and $41,700 for AWD.  The starting price for the 2014 IS 350 is 2.1% lower than the previous model.

The difference in price between the 2014 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 has been reduced by 33% versus the previous models.  Having a new lower price, the all-new 2014 Lexus IS however is equipped more standard options, which were only optional in previous model.  Over $1,400 worth of options are now become standard for 2014, which include HID headlamps, L-shaped LED daytime running lights, Drive Mode Select, paddle shifters, a dual zone climate control system, a next-generation Remote Touch Interface, Display Audio, a color 4.2 inch TFT multi-information display and 10 airbags.

There are 3 packages available for upgrade – Premium, Luxury and F SPORT, which has price range from $610 to $3,665.

The all-new 2014 Lexus IS will go on sale this summer.  See “Press Release” for detailed pricing and optional equipment.

2014 Lexus IS 350 – Hi-res. Images

2014 Lexus IS 250 – Hi-res. Images

2014 Lexus IS with F SPORT package – Hi-res. Images

2013 Scion FR-S with APR Aero Kit and XXR Wheels – Hi-res. Images