2013 Dodge Avenger

Dodge unveiled the Avenger to the North American market back in 1995 as a two-door coupe. The model was produced until 2000 when Dodge decided to replace it with the Stratus coupe. Dodge used the Avenger name once again in 2007, but this time it was a sedan. The model remained untouched until 2011 when Dodge offered a small revision.

The current Avenger won the IIHS "Top Safety Pick" from 2009 to 2012, thanks to a very long list of standard safety and high-tech features that offer the driver and passenger the safest ride in the segment. There is also the V-6 engine which transforms it into the most powerful V-6 midsize sedan.

For the 2013 model year, the Avenger continues to remain unchanged. There is a choice of three trims — SE, SXT and the R/T — and the latter adds a sporty exterior look and a highly equipped interior. There is also a special Avenger Blacktop Edition, which adds an enhanced exterior look.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2013 Dodge Avenger.

Exterior

The 2013 Avenger continues to offer the same updated exterior look that Dodge announced back in 2011. This includes a revised lower front fascia and a chrome grille up front. On the rear, the Avenger gets LED taillights and an exhaust system with dual end pipes.

For the 2013 model year, customers can choose between eight exterior colors:

• Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat
• Black Clear Coat
• Redline 2 Pearl Coat
• Bright White Clear Coat
• Tungsten Metallic Clear Coat
• Blue Streak Pearl Coat
• Crystal Blue Pearl Coat
• True Blue Pearl Coat

Standard Exterior Features

• Tinted Glass Windows
• Laminated Windshield and Front Door Glass
• Power Exterior Mirrors
• LED Tail Lamps
• Security Alarm
• Grille with Bright Crosshairs
• Body-Color Door Handles

2016 Acura NSX

After years of teasing and concept reveals, the Acura NSX is finally going to be a reality. This was confirmed by a press release from Honda informing us that it had selected a production facility: an all-new, 184,000-square-foot Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio. This production facility will be inside Honda’s former North American Logistics facility nearby Honda’s R&D and engineering operations.

Little is known about the production version of the NSX except the fact that is will carry a mid-mounted, direct-injected V-6 engine and Acura’s Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system. The Sport Hybrid SH-AWD uses a trio of electric motors – one mated to the engine and two driving the front wheels – to help boost the V-6 engine’s performance and overall vehicle stability. The latest concept’s engine hooked up to a dual-clutch transmission and we expect the same from the production model. Unfortunately, Honda released no information on the total output and performance of the NSX, so we are in the dark here. We do figure to see at least 400 horsepower from the 2016 NSX and a 0-to-60 mph time around 4 seconds.

The 2013 NSX Concept is likely the one that is most similar to what the NSX will actually look like, minus the crazy headlights and wheels. The red and black leather interior is very realistic for production and the body isn’t too over the top to be considered for production.

Production will begin in Ohio in 2015, making this a 2016 model year not the 2015 model year that anticipated earlier. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Updated 07/25/2013: Today, Acura unveiled a prototype of the upcoming NSX that will lap the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course just before the Honda Indy 200 on August 4th. You can see the blue-liveried NSX above. We’re sure there will be many more images and videos after it makes its trip around the track, stay tuned for more in August.

Updated 08/05/2013: Acura finally put the NSX prototype on the track just before the Honda Indy 200. So far, the Japanese automaker has unveiled only a few image of the car lapping the 2.4-mile-long Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, but we dig up a few videos on YouTube of the prototype lapping the course. You can read more about this prototype after the jump and you can see more images in our Gallery.

2014 Subaru BRZ STI

Ever since Subaru dropped the new BRZ onto the market, we knew that an even hotter STI version was sure to follow. Now, British magazine AutoExpress is offering a few details on this new model, set to arrive sometime next year.

The future BRZ STI will feature a more powerful version of the current 2.0-liter flat-four cylinder ’boxer’ engine. The output will be raised up to somewhere in the 250-horsepower area (an addition of about 50 horsepower), thanks to the modifications made to the engine’s variable valve control system. That will also allow for an even higher rev limit of around 7,500rpm with the help of a new freer-flowing exhaust.

Next to the extra power, the new STI will also be even lighter than the standard BRZ. It will also be distinguished by a dramatic bodykit, a stiffened and lowered suspension, lighter but larger 18-inch alloy wheels, and upgraded brakes.

One downside to the BRZ STI is that there will be no turbocharged version offered. Subaru says there is no space for it in the engine bay and they are reserving these version for models like the WRX STI.

When the BRZ STI does debut, Subaru would have taken the next step in their playful game of one-ups-man-ship. What say you, Toyota?

UPDATE 10/23/2012: Just a few days ago, Subaru unveiled a Subaru BRZ equipped with STI upgrades at the 2012 Australian Motor Show in Sydney. We knew this wasn’t this wasn’t the real Subaru BRZ STI deal, but it confirmed the fact that great things were going to be coming from Subaru in the near future.

Now we hear that Subaru is preparing a turbocharged direct-injection version of the horizontally opposed, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine used in the standard BRZ. This engine will feature a single twin-scroll turbocharger and straight direct-injection developed in-house and not the DI/port-injection system developed in cooperation with Toyota.

This engine could deliver up to 280 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, transforming the upcoming BRZ STI into a real competitor in the sports car market. (AutoNews)

UPDATE 08/05/2013: Subaru unveiled today the first teaser image for the upcoming BRZ STI, which will make its world debut later this fall, either at the Frankfurt Motor Show or in Tokyo.

UPDATE 08/05/2013 (2): Yup, another update for the first Monday of August... Subaru has just release yet another teaser image, which you can see above.

Click past the jump to read more about the upcoming Subaru BRZ STI.

gallery: 2012 Subaru BRZ Concept STI

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Competitors

Nissan 370 Nismo

The STI version of the Subaru BRZ will not add much — if any — power to the base BRZ, so its competition is limited to higher-performance versions of the models that already compete with the base BRZ.

The 370Z Nismo comes equipped with a 3.7-liter V-6 engine that delivers a total of 350 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque. This amount of power is considerably more than what we anticipate the BRZ STI to deliver. This goes to show that if you are willing to shell out a little more money, you can upgrade to a far more power sports car than the BRZ STI.

2013 Subaru WRX RS40

Two things we’ve come to learn about Subaru in the past month: it has a special place in its heart for Australia and its doing all it can to give the soon-to-depart current-generation WRX the swan song it deserves.

The Japanese automaker’s Australian arm is introducing a limited-edition WRX model in Australia, called the WRX RS40. If you’re wondering what the "RS40" means, that’s an allusion to Subaru’s 40th anniversary in Australia and considering that the legendary sports sedan is nearing its last legs, it was only appropriate for the folks Down Under to give it a proper send-off on the same year Subaru is celebrating the big "4-0" in the country.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the WRX RS40 dons the iconic WR Blue Mica finish that has become a trademark for the model for so many years. Subaru also added a slew of new aero components, including STI front and rear spoilers, a strut-tower brace, special "RS40" badges, and of course, a set of 17-inch gold-finished alloy wheels.

There aren’t a whole lot of interior modificatons, but where it lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for in quality. Recaro sport seats with blue Alcantara inserts are the unquestioned highlight of the cabin upgrades and are complemented by a new short-throw shifter, and an individually numbered plaque.

No performance upgrades were given to the WRX RS40, so expect the same 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that develops a tidy 195kW (261 horsepower) at 6,000 rpm and 343 Nm (253 pound-feet) of torque at 4,000 rpm. Suby will offer only 300 units, each priced at AUD$4,500 over the base WRX price.

Unfortunately, it’s exclusive to Australia so if you’re thinking of getting one, you’ll probably have to jump through multiple hoops to get one.

Click past the jump to read about the base WRX STI

Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Beginning with the next-generation models, the WRX and STI lines will officially go their separate ways. But even if the split makes us all bummed, we can take comfort knowing that for one last time, both Subaru arms gave us a treat of an Impreza.

It’s one of those rare cars that pack a healthy combination of looks, power, and performance. We’re going to miss the current generation Impreza WRX STI, but if there was a way to give it the proper adieu, Subaru Australia certainly took care of it.

2014 Volvo S80

Volvo is one of those automakers that rarely makes a splash in the auto scene. Unless it comes out with a concept - a feat in itself - it’s usually content with just sitting out of the spotlight and producing cars that are known for their fuel efficiency and safety.

That being said, we still have to give due attention to the automaker, especially when it decided to roll out a bevy of new models for nearly its entire product line.

One of these models is the new S80, the Swedish automaker’s luxury sedan. Previous versions didn’t really inspire a whole lot of interest from the market, but that doesn’t mean that the new S80 doesn’t come with some interesting new features about it that could make it a safe choice for a luxury model.

We certainly see some merits on the new S80. Sure, there are some things we don’t like about it too, but with a brand like Volvo, the case is always the customer taking what he can get.

Updated 08/02/2013: Volvo announced today that the 2014 S80 luxury sedan starts at $39,900. Click past the jump to see all of the pricing details.

Find out more about the 2013 Volvo S80 after the jump

Exterior

When you’re describing the exterior of the S80, you’re not going to expect any sort of award-winning designs. Volvo has never been the type to wow with aesthetics. Having said that, the new S80 does come with a host of exterior upgrades that makes the sedan look a little more appealing.

Volvo fitted the S80 with new front and rear bumpers that exude a more stretched look that makes the car look wider. We’re not sure what that accomplishes apart from being a little more difficult to park in smaller spaces.

Volvo describes the changes as adding a more sophisticated elegance to the car but we struggle to see where the sophistication is, especially when the automaker retained the old Volvo lights on the rear.

Ultimately, judging the look of a Volvo is like telling a giraffe it’s got a long neck. There are no surprises and nothing that will make you stand up and take attention.