2014 Subaru Brz Limited Coupe 2-door 2.0l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

This Irishman really likes the Toyota GT86

Okay, okay - by this point in time just liking the Toyota GT86 (Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ, what have you) doesn't make you special. Even if you're a sort of funny sounding, funny looking Irishman, who probably isn't the most seasoned car reviewer ever, digging the GT86 is not news.
However, if, when you choose to publish your ten-minute-long review, you include exclamatory phrases about your own pubic hair, Ozzy Osborne's drug habit and "gentleman vegetable stuff," well sir, then you'll have our attention.
Don't give up on this video, available down below, after the first couple of minutes, we implore you. The silver-tongued Irishman doesn't really get warmed up until four minutes in, or so. Believe us, it's worth the wait.

Subaru will reveal the Ascent 3-row crossover at the L.A. Auto Show

After about a year of concepts and spy photos, we finally know when we'll see the Subaru Ascent, the company's upcoming three-row crossover. Subaru announced on Twitter that the Ascent will make its debut on November 28 at this year's L.A. Auto Show. The announcement came with a teaser image, shown above, revealing the badge, rear taillight, and part of the bumper. We can tell that the Ascent will have a pretty upright hatch, and the rear bumper looks suitably "tough" with a brushed aluminum sill and black plastic cladding. View 17 Photos But really, we know quite a bit about what the crossover will look like, since we've seen two concepts, the Viziv-7 and Ascent Concept. Each was a progressively more conservative imagining of what the production model would be like. The basics involved a generally boxy shape with chiseled, exaggerated fenders, much like every other production Subaru. The Ascent Concept also previewed a possible powertrain for the vehicle, a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-4. View 9 Photos We've also had a good look at the production version in some recent spy shots showing a nearly production-ready Ascent wrapped in just vinyl camouflage. Some of the more extreme lines have been further toned down compared with the concepts. But the theme of it being a bigger, boxier Subaru stuck around. In fact, it looks very much like a puffed up Outback, with which the Ascent will share a factory in Lafayette, Ind. Related Video:

Toyota will introduce several new battery EVs by 2025

Toyota has been a champion of hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, but in the near future it will bet heavily on battery EVs as well. The most recent statement from the Japanese manufacturer details there are several new BEVs in the pipeline. Toyota has stated its intent for half of its global 2025 sales to consist of electrified vehicles. Plans include selling 4.5 million hybrids, which perform well in Toyota sales metrics already ͗ Reuters says 80% of global hybrid vehicle sales are Toyotas. But 1 million vehicles will be EVs with either battery or hydrogen fuel cell power. From 2020 on, the carmaker will introduce at least 10 new BEVs, six of which will be based on the electrified version of its TNGA platform, dubbed e-TNGA, and sold globally. There will be a host of electric SUVs and crossovers in different sizes, along with a sedan and an MPV. Toyota says its EV plans must include a stable supply of batteries, as well as improved battery life and durability and proper reuse. It has found partners in China's CATL and electric carmaker BYD to help with battery availability. Earlier this week, Toyota announced that it is planning a jointly developed, all-wheel-drive battery electric crossover together with Subaru, and the resulting vehicle will probably be one of the six new models mentioned above. Subaru is also likely to benefit from the joint development deal, as it is a bit player in large parts of the world, and a partner like Toyota will come in handy when coming up with completely new vehicles.