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2017 Toyota 86 Drivers' Notes | Fun, even with an automatic

The Toyota 86 is a car that enthusiasts begged Toyota to build for decades. It's small, lightweight and rear-wheel drive. Thanks to a partnership with Subaru that resulted in the BRZ, this stylish coupe hit the streets in 2012. In the U.S., the car was originally known as the Scion FR-S but was rebadged as a Toyota after Scion was axed last year. Along with a new name, the 86 received updated styling both inside and out as well as a revised suspension and a slight bump in power, at least for the manual models. This Hot Lava-colored car doesn't feature Toyota's slick six-speed manual. Instead it rocks a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. While some enthusiasts may look down at that, automatics make up more than half of 86 sales. Still, the bones are there, and some people don't think the automatic is all that bad. Either way, we can't encourage enough people to buy these cars, as we want Toyota and Subaru to keep building them. Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder: When I first slid behind the wheel of the 86, I was surprised to see the gear selector and paddles. It's one of those cars that you don't think of as having anything but a manual transmission. Also, in an interior where all the controls and displays are underwhelming, a set of paddle shifters stands out as one of the few tactile objects in the cabin. I ended up using the paddles quite a bit, and found that I actually enjoyed using them, so much so that I'd actually consider opting for the automatic transmission were I to buy an 86. Despite shifts that aren't as razor sharp as they could be, the car's high-revving engine means that it still feels great to use. Riding an engine like this up to its redline, filling the cabin with noise, is the sort of thing that'll give you goosebumps. Being able to keep both hands on the wheel while shifting is a good thing for engagement in this car, based on my time with it. Plus, when I got stuck in traffic, I didn't have to wear out my left leg. The other brilliant thing about the Toyota 86 is its sense of balance. I loved the way it communicated its load distribution when cornering, whether on or off the throttle or brake. The fact that the nose of this car snaps right to where you want it when you start dialing in steering angle is satisfying. And its low stance and good view out the windshield make it really easy to place on the road.

Subaru Levorg 'prototype' revealed, looking pretty production-ready

The next-generation Subaru Levorg, better known as the WRX wagon the company has so far refused to give the U.S., has been revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show. It's technically called a "prototype," but it's clear that this is basically the production model. In fact, Subaru says production for it begins in the second half of next year. Many enthusiasts pine for the Levorg because it is a high-performance wagon that we don't get, but even if you don't care, there is reason to pay attention to this car. As the current version is basically a WRX, this is giving us our first look at the next generation of that car. Styling-wise, the new Levorg is heavily inspired by the Viziv Performance and Viziv Tourer concepts. It has a wide hexagonal grille with boomerang-shaped headlights surrounding it. The wheel arches have a strong trapezoidal shape, and there are sharp creases throughout. The overall profile of the car is still very similar to the current Levorg and WRX. Subaru has been light on the details for the rest of the car. The base engine will no longer be a turbocharged 1.6-liter, but rather a turbocharged 1.8-liter. While not announced, we wouldn't be surprised if it gets an upgraded turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which will probably be shared with the WRX. All Levorgs will likely continue to only have a CVT. Subaru also mentions that it will have an updated version of EyeSight with stereo cameras, four radar sensors and high-resolution mapping that will reduce cruise control speeds for curves, and allow for hands-free gridlock driving. We wouldn't expect the Levorg to come to America, but the updated EyeSight is probably a shoo-in for future models.

Subaru fights sticker shock with financing deal on $65,000 WRX STI S209

Subaru's American division has come a long way since it peddled the tiny 360 during the late 1960s. The limited-edition, $65,000 WRX STI S209 unveiled during the 2019 Detroit Auto Show is its most expensive car yet, so the company is taking steps to make it a little bit more accessible. The Japanese firm sent its American dealers a bulletin announcing the S209 is eligible for 3.49% APR for up to 63 months, according to CarsDirect. The publication noted that rate amounts to monthly payments of $1,131 over 63 months, which adds up to $71,231. Buyers are still forking over more than $6,000 to the bank, but they're saving about $4,700 compared to a 6% loan. That's a substantial amount of money to drop on a WRX STI; it's priced in Audi TT RS territory. For the money, enthusiasts get one of the rarest street-legal cars Subaru has ever produced. After driving it, we called it the fastest, sharpest-handling, and most sophisticated WRX ever to grace our shores. It's powered by a 2.5-liter flat-four engine turbocharged to 341 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, generous increases of 31 and 40, respectively, over the regular WRX STI. We'll let you decide whether exclusivity and power are worth a roughly $22,000 premium. If you want an S209 in your driveway, act fast because production is strictly limited to 209 examples, and odds are the entire batch will be spoken for sooner rather than later. Keep in mind dealers will be tempted to slap a markup on the car due to its rarity, so you might need to spend more — in some cases, a lot more — than the number listed on the window sticker. Featured Gallery 2020 Subaru WRX STI S209 View 41 Photos Auto News Subaru Car Buying