LA Motor Show: New Subaru WRX gets downsized engine

SUBARU has revealed a production-ready version of the WRX concept first seen earlier this year. The latest edition of the performance saloon may not be coming to the UK at all, but Subaru has finally given the 268bhp machine the go-ahead for Japan and North America. A new 2.0-litre ‘boxer’ engine carries on the brand’s tradition, bringing with it the same low centre of gravity as the old 2.5-litre unit but with greater environmental credentials.

Toyota Auris Touring Sports: Paris 2012

Toyota has revealed the first estate version of the Auris – the 2013 Toyota Auris Touring Sports – at the Paris Motor Show. It’s a sensible move by Toyota to add an estate version to a car that competes in a segment where 25 per cent of all cars sold are estates, and the Auris Estate looks a decent offering. The Auris Touring Sports sits on the same 2600mm wheelbase as the Auris hatch, but it gets and extra 285mm longer thanks to the new shed on the back, a shed that offers what looks like a decent carrying capacity )although Toyota aren’t actually telling us how much ‘stuff’ the Auris estate can carry).

Two new Hyundai transmissions boost mpg

Hyundai will introduce dual-clutch and continuously variable transmissions to models for the United States as early as next year as it seeks to become a leader in fuel efficiency, a top executive says. This will be the first application of a dual-clutch transmission for Hyundai. The transmission--which uses two clutches to shift a manual gearbox as if it were an automatic--is more efficient than either a traditional manual or automatic gearbox.