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> Don't miss our road test portion of Comparo 2.0
> Don't miss our track test portion of Comparo 2.0

The 2013 Subaru BRZ: the Subaru no one ever saw coming. Unless you recall the SVX, or worse the XT, a 2-door Subaru sporty coupe is somewhat of a foreign concept for most, especially when only the rear wheels are driven.

Be that as it may, we could not say enough good things about the BRZ throughout Comparo 2.0, our compact sports coupe comparison test, on the road or on the track -- really, the entire week we had it.

The 2013 Subaru BRZ is the Subaru no one ever saw coming. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

The car's been gone for a short while now, but we still talk about it as if we'd just met a star (Ryan Reynolds for the girls and Kate Beckinsale for the guys). You know how it is; we reminisce about the good times, the funny jokes, the sights, the smells, and the sounds...

Each of us fell hard for the 2013 Subaru BRZ, the legitimate love child of track and road. The perfectly measured balance between the sight, sounds and performance drew us all in equally.

Sure, the 2013 Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec was more powerful, the 2012 Volkswagen GTI was roomier, the 2013 Scion FR-S was sharper on the track and the 2012 Mazda MX-5 SV made us smile, but the BRZ's aura and all-around abilities kept us coming back for more.

Like the FR-S, the BRZ feels as though it's made from scratch, just like grandma's apple pie; nothing is better than a pie made from scratch.

The attraction of the car demonstrates where engineering now takes chassis, design, performance, and reasonable user-friendliness to a point where they can all nearly stand on equal footing. The term "compromise" is being phased out of the automotive vocabulary, and the BRZ may be the best affordable example of overall driving perfection.

What is so attractive about the 2013 Subaru BRZ? It has a single-minded split personality. Without changing into a track suit and slipping on Nike Air Max shoes, it'll run with the best of 'em on the track. From there, no need for a leisure suit to go out and party, the BRZ may need only a quick wash before gettin' down.

The BRZ may be the best affordable example of overall driving perfection. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Driving the BRZ involves working the sweet-shifting, stiff stick shifter through a tight gate along with the help of one of the best-judged clutch-disc friction points we've ever encountered. Rowing through the gears is a necessity in order to get the most out of the 200 hp BOXER engine, but we'd do it until the cows come home.

No one will ever tire of driving the BRZ as its suspension calibration takes the unpleasant edge off of rough surfaces, but still manages to deliver unfiltered information to the driver at all times. Turn-in is sharp, the brakes are as well. Nothing needs upgrading here for the average Joe or Jane.

Rowing through the gears is a necessity in order to get the most out of the 200 hp BOXER engine, but we'd do it until the cows come home. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Above all, the BRZ, and to a slightly lesser extent the FR-S, represents what the car world was sorely lacking: a true, dye-in-the-wool driver's car fit for track days that can easily double as a daily driver that will swallow a fair amount of stuff, and a few friends, all the while not braking the bank up front or at every fill-up. The BRZ simply does it all with more brio and in a nicer dress.

The 2013 Subaru BRZ may not be the perfect car, but it's damn close.

The DTM championship resumes this weekend with the presentation of the 6th round of the season at the Nürburgring - aA track where Canadian driver Bruno Spengler has been successfull in the past.

After the summer break (the last race was presented July 1st at the Norisring), the DTM drivers are back in cation for the great classic Nürburgring race.

After a first half of the season dominated by the Mercedes drivers, Gary Paffett (two wins) holds quite comfortably in first position in provisional classification, ahead of team mate and fellow countryman Jamie Green (one win).

Third in the standings, Bruno Spengler has three podiums finishes (including his win in the second round at the Lausitzring) out of five races, but he lost several points with his retirements at Hockenheim and Spielberg.

Bruno Spengler, BMW M3. (Photo: DTM)

At the Nürburgring, Spengler aims to score a good result again, even if his team BMW has a lack of marks in the Eifel moutains.

"It is true that we never ran the BMW M3 on the Nurburgring," Spengler told Auto123.com.

"That's why the first practice session of Friday will be very important to collect as much information as possible on the car, in order to prepare ourselves for the qualifying session and the race the best we can. Though, the weather conditions are always an issue in this region of Germany, and if it rains on Friday, it will be tough for us to prepare the car."

BMW may however rely on the experience of his drivers, especially Martin Tomczyk and Bruno Spengler, the latter being victorious twice on this circuit : under heavy rain in 2006, and in dry conditions in 2010.

"Personally, the Nürburgring is one of my favorite tracks," Spengler added.

"I have already won twice, and I really like this track. It's very technical and varied, with quick corners, others slower, requiring a car perfectly set-up. Again, Friday practice sessions will be very important for that..."

From Formula1.com

Leading names from the world of Formula One racing have put their photography skills to the test thanks to Zoom, an innovative new project in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (GOSHCC).

Drivers and team principals were all asked to take a photograph of whatever subject they wanted.

Lewis Hamilton. (Photo: WRi2)

The images will then be auctioned to raise money for the London hospital. Highlights of the collection include Lewis Hamilton's ‘driver's eye' view from the cockpit of his car at the pits at Spa-Francorchamps, Sebastian Vettel's favourite Alpine scene and Bruno Senna's beach paradise.

Sebastian Vettel. (Photo: WRi2)

Every photograph has been signed by the contributor and will be auctioned off by renowned motorsport auction specialists, Coys. Proceeds will go to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (GOSHCC).

The event will culminate on Friday September 14 2012 at a VIP reception and live auction, attended by some of the Formula One contributors themselves. The auction will take place in the ballroom of London's Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour.

Fernando Alonso. (Photo: WRi2)

In an effort to make its vehicle fleet more environmentally friendly, the City of Vancouver purchased 13 Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric cars. They will replace gasoline-powered models at the end of their useful life.

With this addition, Vancouver can now brag about having the greenest municipal fleet in the country.

Deliveries have already begun, and all 13 units will arrive by the end of 2012. An extra order of 17 cars could follow next year.

''Vancouver just got a whole lot greener,'' said Shin Fujioka, President & CEO of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada. ''The i-MiEV will support Vancouver's ambition of becoming the world's greenest city by 2020.''

The City plans to install a number of 240-volt charging stations capable of providing a full battery charge in less than seven hours. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV will be used to transport people, materials and equipment to meetings and construction sites.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

The IZOD IndyCar Series officials have decided to give to both drivers and teams some extra practice time during the Sonoma event schedule so that everyone gets the chance to try out the new track layout.


Usually, the first 30 minutes of the opening practice session are restricted to cars outside the top 10 in the points but this time the series will allowed exceptionally everyone to run the entire session regardless of their position in the standings.

Teams will be given a ninth set of tires that can be used during the initial 75-minute session.

The Californian road circuit has been modified in three places ahead of the race, with a completely re-profiled Turn 7, a widened Turn 9 and an extended braking area into Turn 11.

From press release

Australian Chris ‘Atko' Atkinson will contest the remaining five rounds of the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship as the number one driver for MINI.

Atkinson will compete for the factory-supported WRC Team MINI Portugal and jet set straight from his Gold Coast base to Europe today with the WRC heading to Germany for the ADAC Rallye Deutschland next weekend.

Photo: BAM Media

“MINI has provided me with an awesome opportunity to return to the World Championship and I'm stoked to be back as a lead driver for a great manufacturer and for the remainder of the 2012 season,” commented an enthusiastic Atkinson.

“I love the tarmac so it's great to know that three of the remaining five events are on the sealed surface and I hope to take full advantage of my past experiences of the remaining rallies this year.”

Atkinson becomes the team's number one driver, replacing Armindo Araujo who departs the team for sporting reasons.

Photo: BAM Media

From Red Bull Racing

For the second summer in succession the Red Bull Running Showcar, during the Formula 1 factory shutdown, took the chance to visit the U.S.

Photo: Red Bull Racing

Driven by former F1 driver David Coulthard, the Red Bull-Renault RB7 championship-winning car visited New York and drove through Liberty State Park, the Lincoln Tunnel and the streets of the race course, which winds through both Weehawken and West New York.

Photo: Red Bull Racing

The F1 car also toured Liberty State Park, showcasing the spectacular views of the New York City skyline as well as the Statue of Liberty. Feeling ever so patriotic, the car 'sang' the Star Spangled Banner as the sun was setting.



Moving on to a link between New York and New Jersey, the car made an overnight drive in the Lincoln Tunnel. Reaching a staggering 190 miles per hour, it no doubt set the record for fastest commute from NYC to New Jersey.



Wrapping up the car's American vacation, it became the first Formula 1 car to lay rubber on the Grand Prix of America streets, bringing residents out of their homes to catch the historic sight.

Photo: Red Bull Racing

According to reports, the DeltaWing Group has proposed its unusual car concept as the future Indy Light Series' spec race car as the IndyCar is in the process of selecting a new chassis/engine package for the 2014 racing season.

A proposal that would make the DeltaWing the official chassis of the Indy Lights Series was submitted to the IndyCar Series' officials.

However, the DeltaWing is just one of several proposals being considered.

We heard from Asia that Swift Engineering has also proposed a spec car for the Indy Lights series.

The Indy Lights Series is the developmental series to the IZOD IndyCar Series, and follows the Star Mazda Champiosnhip.

The DeltaWing at Le Mans 2012. (Photo: Highcroft Racing)

Fisker Automotive, the maker of the $100,000-plus Karma hybrid sports car, aims to raise about $150 million in additional funds to tide the company over until it can launch production of its second model, a key investor said on Wednesday.

American Ace: Joey Hand

Driving for BMW, Joey Hand takes on the DTM German racing series.

Joey Hand is one of those irrepressible optimists who see opportunity in every calamity. After finishing thirteenth and fourteenth to kick off the season, the first American to earn a factory ride in the prestigious German DTM series looked like he might be the last American to get a chance to play with the big boys. But Hand characteristically accentuated the positive.

Photo Gallery: American Ace: Joey Hand - Automobile Magazine

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Almost 200 cars and one cement mixer roared onto normally staid Ocean Avenue in downtown Carmel for the annual Concours on the Avenue on Aug. 14. By all accounts, this was the best in the event's six years of existence.

The Treasury Department today named two directors to the board of Ally Financial, the auto lender which is still 74-percent owned by the federal government after a series of bailouts during the financial crisis.

Noise, Vibration & Harshness: Rich Brand, Poor Brand

Off to Santa Barbara, where BMW has summoned us to sample the new M6 convertible and the 640i Gran Coupe, equally ample and freshly misnamed -- being a four-door and not a coupe, which by popular perception, if not strict definition, has only two doors.

Off to Santa Barbara, where BMW has summoned us to sample the new M6 convertible and the 640i Gran Coupe, equally ample and freshly misnamed -- being a four-door and not a coupe, which by popular perception, if not strict definition, has only two doors. A polite guest first and foremost, I won't point out this linguistic foul ball to the hosts. Santa Barbara is many things, but above all it's pleasant. So why be otherwise?

Photo Gallery: Noise, Vibration & Harshness: Rich Brand, Poor Brand - Automobile Magazine

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Also in this episode: Fisker hires a boss from GM, and McLaren drops the next MP4-12C at Pebble Beach.

After 73 years, Jean Bugatti's final masterpiece has been completed, and the 1934 Bugatti Type 64 Coupe Chassis (No. 64002) will debut with its recently completed coachbuilt body Aug. 17 at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering.

BMW may have inflated its flagship brand's July sales figures to edge rival Mercedes-Benz for the month as the best-selling luxury brand in the United States, The Wall Street Journal reported today.

BMW may have inflated its flagship brand's July sales figures to edge rival Mercedes-Benz for the month as the best-selling luxury brand in the United States, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance weekend is less than a week away, and debuts continue to roll in.

Ford Motor, debuting five battery-powered models this year, is spending $135 million to design electric-drive parts and double battery testing capacity.

An Australian recall by China's two biggest car exporters for potential cancer-producing asbestos parts may threaten plans by Chinese automakers to expand into the United States and Europe amid intensifying competition at home.