Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

Subaru WRX STI Sport# Prototype: Close Enough to Dream, Too Far to Care

Subaru has never been shy about rolling concepts onto brightly lit auto-show turntables, especially when three little letters—S, T, and I—are involved. The latest to wear that promise is the awkwardly titled WRX STI Sport# Prototype, a car that sounds like a limited-edition keyboard shortcut and drives expectations straight into a wall.

After weeks of teasing that strongly hinted at a proper Impreza-based STI revival, Subaru instead unveiled this prototype at the Tokyo Auto Salon, and the collective enthusiasm of rally faithful immediately dropped a gear. What stood before them wasn’t the long-awaited return of a fire-breathing STI, but rather a mildly sharpened WRX wearing a name that implies more ambition than execution.

That disappointment stings more sharply when you consider the WRX’s current status. Subaru quietly pulled the plug on the model in the UK back in 2017, but the rally-bred sedan has soldiered on elsewhere, reaching its sixth generation in 2023. The bones are still there: symmetrical all-wheel drive, boxer power, and a chassis that wants to be driven hard. What’s missing, once again, is the sense of escalation that made past STIs legends rather than trim levels.

Subaru is being characteristically vague about the mechanical specifics of the STI Sport# Prototype, which usually means there’s nothing particularly exciting to report. Under the hood sits the familiar turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four, shared with the standard WRX and producing around 270 horsepower. That output would’ve impressed us a decade ago; today, it barely raises an eyebrow in a segment crowded with turbo fours pushing well north of 300 horses. Power is routed to all four wheels—because of course it is—through a six-speed transmission, but Subaru hasn’t suggested any meaningful drivetrain upgrades beyond that.

Visually, the prototype sticks close to the existing WRX playbook. You get the same wide bodywork, aggressive bumpers, quad exhaust tips, and lip spoiler. Subaru spices things up with red-accented extended side skirts, 19-inch wheels, gold Brembo brakes, and Recaro bucket seats inside. It looks purposeful enough, but it’s also unmistakably familiar—more “special edition” than “engineering statement.”

And that’s the core problem. Historically, the STI badge meant more than bolt-on aggression. It stood for harder suspension tuning, sharper steering, beefier diffs, and an engine that made a clear case for its existence. The STI Sport# Prototype doesn’t appear to deliver any of that. There’s no bump in power worth mentioning, no talk of chassis reengineering, and no visual cues bold enough to separate it meaningfully from a well-optioned WRX.

This is especially frustrating given that Subaru clearly knows how to do better. Just a few months earlier, at the Japan Mobility Show, the company showed off far more compelling performance concepts. The Performance-B STI, based on the current WRX, looked like a proper heir to the badge, while the all-electric Performance-E STI suggested a future where Subaru performance might evolve rather than stall. Subaru even claimed the latter “represents the future of the Performance Scene,” which makes this prototype feel even more like a placeholder.

For diehard fans, the STI Sport# Prototype lands in an uncomfortable middle ground. It’s not offensive, but it’s not inspiring either. It wears the uniform, carries the name, and checks the marketing boxes—but it never quite earns its badge. In a world where competitors are pushing boundaries with hybrid assist, adaptive chassis tech, and serious power gains, Subaru’s latest STI tease feels like a reminder of what once was, not a preview of what’s coming.

If this is Subaru testing the waters for an STI comeback, let’s hope the final version dives deeper. Because right now, the WRX STI Sport# Prototype doesn’t so much light the fuse as it gently taps the match against the box—and walks away.

Source: Subaru

NEW CARS

The Nissan Z Gets a Mid-Cycle Tune-Up—and Loses the Big Grille

The Nissan Z isn’t old enough to be nostalgic, but it’s already mature enough to know when less is more. Just three years into its lifecycle, the retro-modern sports car is getting a light refresh, and instead of chasing shock value, Nissan has opted for restraint. The updated Z—still called Fairlady Z in Japan—debuted at the Tokyo Auto Salon with a cleaner face, a classy new color, and a handful of mechanical tweaks that matter more than flashy gimmicks.

Let’s start with the nose. If you ever found the original Z’s gaping grille a little too eager to please, you’ll appreciate the revision. Nissan has ditched the oversized opening in favor of a slimmer, two-piece setup. Thin horizontal elements up top sit above a more open lower grille, with a body-colored divider in between. The result is simpler, more confident, and closer to the classic Z proportions enthusiasts actually remember fondly.

The new paint helps, too. Called Unryu Green, it’s a contemporary riff on Nissan’s old-school Grand Prix Green, and it looks right at home on a long-hood, short-deck coupe like this. Paired with fresh 10-spoke, 19-inch wheels, the Z gains a sharper, more premium presence without losing its throwback charm.

Inside, the changes are minimal—almost stubbornly so. A light tan leather option joins the palette, but otherwise the cabin carries on as before. That’s not a complaint. The Z’s interior was never about reinventing the wheel, and Nissan seems content to leave well enough alone. The bigger talking point is the Nismo model, which finally adds a manual transmission to the mix. Some early photos suggest paddle shifters are still present, likely tied to rev-matching duties, but either way, three pedals in a Z-badged Nismo feels like a long-overdue correction.

Under the skin, Nissan has done the kind of homework that rarely shows up in press photos. The refreshed Z gets retuned shocks with larger pistons, a change aimed at improving both body control and responsiveness. Bigger brakes—especially on the Nismo—promise more confidence when driving hard, which is, of course, the whole reason this car exists.

Japan will get first dibs, with the updated Fairlady Z expected to arrive by summer 2026. Nissan hasn’t officially confirmed U.S. availability, but if history is any guide, we’d be surprised if this subtly improved Z didn’t make its way stateside shortly thereafter, likely as a 2027 model.

It’s not a reinvention, and it doesn’t need to be. The Nissan Z was already on the right track. This refresh just sands down the rough edges—and sometimes, that’s the smartest move a sports car can make.

Source: Nissan

NEW CARS

DS No7 Prototype Previews a Sharper, Electric Reset for France’s Luxury Brand

DS Automobiles has never been shy about zigging where the premium crowd zags, and with the upcoming No7 electric SUV, the French brand appears ready to double down on that contrarian streak—this time with a battery pack and a glow-up. Thanks to design boss Thierry Métroz, we’ve now got our clearest look yet at the DS No7, the all-electric successor to the current DS 7, and it’s shaping up to be less baroque curiosity and more polished provocation.

First, the name. The No7 follows DS’s new numerical naming convention, slotting neatly between the smaller No4 and the larger No8 flagship. It’s tidy, minimalist, and very French—at least philosophically. In the metal, though, the No7 still promises the kind of visual drama that makes German rivals look like they were designed by committee.

Set to debut later this year, the No7 is expected to start at around £45,000, placing it squarely in the firing line of the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX1. It also has its sights on the Tesla Model Y, the default choice for anyone who wants an electric SUV with range, space, and a Silicon Valley attitude. DS’s counterpunch? Style, materials, and a sense of occasion Tesla still hasn’t quite figured out.

Metroz’s social-media teaser shows the No7 wrapped in a distinctive camouflage that does more to reveal than conceal. As expected for an EV, there’s no traditional grille, but DS hasn’t gone full appliance either. The blanked-off front panel echoes the look of the No4 and No8, and odds are good it’ll be illuminated, with the DS badge glowing proudly at the center. Slim LED headlights and sharply cut daytime running lights give the nose a technical, almost concept-car edge—less cute than the old DS 7, and more confident for it.

Step back, and the No7’s bodywork looks noticeably cleaner than its predecessor’s. The previous car flirted heavily with ornamentation; this one dials things back in favor of crisp lines and proportion. Gloss-black lower body sections contrast with the paintwork, visually shrinking the mass and offsetting the large wheels and tall glasshouse. Flush front door handles and hidden rears—previously spotted on test mules—aren’t just a neat party trick; they’ll help cheat the wind and squeeze out a bit more range.

Inside is where DS typically earns its keep, and the No7 should be no exception. Expect heavy inspiration from the No8 flagship, which means a cabin that prioritizes texture and lighting over minimalist austerity. Alcantara, leather, and metal-like trim pieces are all likely, stitched together with enough ambient LED lighting to make a Parisian lounge blush. The massive 16-inch central touchscreen will carry over, along with the brand’s latest software, and while the jury’s still out on whether the divisive X-shaped steering wheel will make the cut, DS has never been afraid to challenge muscle memory.

Underneath the couture skin sits Stellantis’ new STLA-M platform, which is quickly becoming the backbone of the group’s mid-size offerings. You’ll find variations of it under the Citroën C5 Aircross, Peugeot 3008, and Vauxhall Grandland—but here’s the twist: the DS No7 will go fully electric, full stop. No mild hybrids. No plug-ins. Just electrons.

Battery options are expected to mirror those seen elsewhere in the Stellantis lineup, with packs around 73 kWh and 98 kWh. A single front-mounted motor should handle base duties, while a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup will likely crown the range. Official performance figures haven’t been released, but expect competitive acceleration rather than neck-snapping theatrics—DS has always leaned more toward grand touring than drag racing.

The real question is whether the No7 can carve out meaningful space in a segment that’s rapidly filling up with competent, if somewhat anonymous, electric SUVs. On paper, the ingredients are all there: solid range potential, modern EV architecture, and a cabin that prioritizes mood as much as megapixels. What DS brings that its rivals largely don’t is personality—sometimes polarizing, often charming, and unmistakably its own.

If the finished product drives as well as it dresses, the DS No7 could be more than just a stylish alternative to the usual suspects. It could be proof that the electric future doesn’t have to look—or feel—so predictable.

Source: Autocar