First unveiled at the LA Auto Show late last year the Subaru BRZ STI Concept is no longer just a hint at things to come. Just a month ago at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Japanese automaker officially drew back the covers on the production BRZ (while Toyota did the same with its GT 86).

An already impressive machine (read our review of its sibling, the Scion FR-S here), the BRZ makes 200-hp, has an amazing weight balance and a low center of gravity. The STI concept takes the car’s performance a step further with custom aerodynamics, larger 18-inch wheels, a light weight carbon fiber hood, custom exhaust and a carbon fiber roof – further lowering the car’s center of gravity.

GALLERY: Subaru BRZ STI Concept

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Aftermarket wheel manufacturer TWS Forged obviously liked what they saw when Toyota unveiled the Nurburgring Edition Lexus LFA. Sporting a more track-oriented aerodynamic kit and a functional rear spoiler, that package (even in its shocking orange paint scheme) now looks tame compared to the modified LFA on display at the TWS booth at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

Along with that huge spoiler out back the LFA gets a custom set of TWS wheels, as well as an ultra-aggressive rear diffuser setup to further improve aerodynamic flow over and around the supercar.

GALLERY: Lexus LFA by TWS Forged

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon Coverage here

The GT 86 will spawn a new legion of fanboys for the Toyota brand – a result it was purpose-built to achieve. And if there’s one thing die-hard automotive enthusiasts love more than spouting off engine and chassis codes, it’s factory performance parts. In this case: Toyota Racing Development… or TRD for short.

With Toyota unveiling its new GT 86 sports car at the Tokyo Motor Show in early December, the automaker has now rolled out the TRD version at the Tokyo Auto Salon – Japan’s largest aftermarket event. Available TRD accessories for the GT 86 (sold in North America as the Scion FR-S – read our review here), include a new front lip and rear trunk-lid spoiler.

Also available are larger 18-inch TRD wheels, which can fit wider 225 tires, plus a TRD brake upgrade. Adding a slight dose of extra power is a TRD exhaust system, while a suite of suspension components will also be offered.

Toyota has yet to confirm as much, but it will offer a long list of TRD goodies for the Scion FR-S in North America.

GALLERY: Toyota GT 86 TRD

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon Coverage here and discuss this story at FR-SForum.com

Just a few weeks after the debut of the GT 86, Toyota tuners are getting a crack at the new sports car and showing what modified visions they can dream up at Japan’s largest aftermarket expo, the Tokyo Auto Salon.

One of the very first machines is built by Toyota’s in-house Modelista tuning division, focused on adding some flare to the compact sports car. Included in the Modelista kit is a new lip kit, side skits, a rear lip and chrome door moldings. Headlight “eye” lids simplify the car’s front end, while rear light covers help blend the protruding taillights into the rest of the car’s body.

Also included are some upgraded 18-inch wheels and grippier tires – two simple modifications the new car could certainly use.

GALLERY: Modelista Toyota GT 86

See AutoGuide’s complete Tokyo Auto Salon Coverage Here and discuss this story at FR-SForum.com

With the new Veloster Turbo seemingly making the Genesis Coupe 2.0T a bit redundant in Hyundai‘s lineup, the Korean automaker has decided to up the power rating of the car to widen the gap. And with the 2.0T motor now up significantly , the V6 then gets a noticeable improvement too. Unveiled this week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, watch our first look video below for all the details.

GALLERY: 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

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Although the concept version of Subaru‘s rear-drive BRZ, displayed at the 2011 LA Auto Show back in November, looked close to production ready, we’ve now seen the real thing, which made it’s North American Debut this week at the Detroit Auto Show.

Powered by new generation FA-Series 2.0-liter Boxer four-cylinder, generating 200 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque, the production BRZ boasts one of the lowest centers of gravity of any car in the world and is also among the lightest two-door coupes on the market, weighing in at a relatively bantam 2,762 lbs. That makes it some 300 lbs less than the Lotus Evora and a whopping 500 lbs less than the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

With a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions (the latter with sport and manual paddle shifts), plus pedals optimized for heel and toe downshifting, along with an optimized front strut suspension and independent rear, the BRZ promises to be one of the most fun to drive cars available in American when it goes on sale as a 2013 model.

We’ve already tested it’s sister car, the Scion FR-S, and you can read that review here.

GALLERY: 2013 Subaru BRZ

Click here for AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

Discuss this story at SubaruBRZforum.com

More than four decades ago, the Ford Mustang became America’s first “pony car” and has established itself as the segment leader ever since. However, in the last two years, Mustang’s closest rival, the Chevrolet Camaro, has incontestably dethroned the Mustang as the new sales leader.

When the Chevy Camaro beat the Ford Mustang by 81,299-to-73,716 units in 2010, analysts believed it was down to buyer excitement over a newly-released Camaro. Surprisingly, sales figures of 2011 revealed that not only did the Mustang not regain its spot at the top, but the sales gap actually widened. Last year, Americans bought 88,249 Camaros and only 70,438 Mustangs.

Little explains why the Camaro has pulled ahead in sales while the Mustang lagged behind. Even when comparing performance figures between the two machines, the difference is negligible as the Camaro only has fractionally more horsepower while it carries a couple of more pounds than the Mustang. Price wise, the MSRP of the Mustang V6 and GT are both less expensive than its Camaro counterpart.

Competition between the two rivals promises to intensify for 2012. On the Chevrolet corner, Camaro is preparing a high performance ZL1 producing an outrageous 580-hp, capable of reaching 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 184 mph.On the Ford corner, the new Mustang Shelby GT500 answers the ZL1 with a staggering 650-hp, promising to reach speeds beyond the 200 mph holy grail.

No doubt, the GT500 is a statement car in its purest sense. If Camaro manages a threepeat for 2012, could the Mustang’s failure come down to its long-criticized live rear axle?

GALLERY: 2012 Camaro ZL1

GALLERY: 2013 Ford GT500

Lexus has released new photos of its stunning new concept car, pointing to the future of the brand’s styling as well as a possible new model. The LF-LC hybrid concept adapts the brand’s new grille, as first seen on the 2013 GS, while looking like a luxurious 2+2 version of the LFA supercar.

Lexus has said little about its new super coupe, although badging on the side has revealed that it is a hybrid. In a brief release Lexus says the car, “is envisioned as offering Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive to deliver both driving performance and fuel efficiency.”

Look for full details to come with the car’s official debut planned for the North American International Auto Show next week.

GALLERY: Lexus LF-LC Concept

Click here for AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

Discuss this story at LF-LCForum.com

Better late than never, Alfa Romeo announces the scheduled arrival of their 4C sports car to American soil by 2013. First, an Alfa Romeo 4C prototype will make an appearance in the middle of next year before the Italian automaker’s official return to North America.

More than just a pretty face, the Alfa Romeo 4C will feature an aluminum direct-injection 1.8 liter turbo on a tube-mounted aluminum frame. Weighing in at a feathery 1,980 lbs, the 4C will use sheet-molded composite panels to wrap around its aluminum bones. The Alfa Romeo 4C is expected to deliver approximately 230-hp and should be capable of 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. Fiat engineering chief Mauro Pierallini says Alfa Romeo will build 18,000 4C’s over the lifetime of the car and that it will be sold in the United States along with the Giulia sedan as well as Alfa Romeo’s first SUV. Executives suggest the Alfa Romeo 4C’s price tag targets $45,000 USD.

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergia Marchionne boldly explained that the 159 that the Giulia will replaced was, “400 kg too heavy and by default uncompetitive. We will never, ever do this again. The next Giulia had better smell, look, and drive like an Alfa or it will not wear the badge. We need to resurrect Alfa in the proper way.”

If Marchionne is so adamant on building proper Alfas, then there is no reason why Alfa Romeo shouldn’t be a hit when it comes stateside.

GALLERY: Alfa Romeo 4C

South Korean automakers have been on a roll for the past two years and there are no signs of letting off. A radical departure from Hyundais of the past, the new Hyundai Veloster earned GOOD DESIGN award in the transportation category. Held at the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, GOOD DESIGN awards are handed annually to the most innovative designers in a broad array of industries– not just automotive.

According to Hyundai Motor America director of Product Planning, Scott Margason, “With Veloster, we want to show consumers that high style, fuel efficiency and affordable pricing can all be found in one vehicle. Veloster stands out from the crowd with a stylish yet functional design. We’re honored that GOOD DESIGN is recognizing the beautiful design and unique personality of the car.”

Highlights of the Veloster’s design are its three-door layout. While this design has been adopted by the and Saturn SC-2 3-door coupe in the past, the third door is opened conventionally rather than suicide, retains a B-pillar for structural rigidity, and has its own exterior door handle rather than needing to rely on the front door to open first. What’s more, designers compliment the Hyundai for its bold design statement and its distinctive forms including black A-pillars to give the sports coupe an aggressive motorcycle helmet visor appearance. A distinctive glass hatch in the rear and dual centered chrome exhaust tips carry the edgy design to the rear. Inside, the center console is designed to resemble a sport bike fuel tank while HVAC air vents are heavily influenced by motorcycle tailpipes.

Click here to read Autoguide’s review of the 2012 Veloster.

GALLERY: Hyundai Veloster