Subaru launches a new enhanced BRZ Coupe, the one model car now offers TRACK mode as standard.

The update covers every area of BRZ; exterior, interior, powertrain, suspension and safety, refining the driving experience whilst enhancing sports car appeal.

The Coupe shape remains, but is enhanced with a wider, lower stance at the front end. This isn’t just for show, as the 45⁰ stepped accent on the bumper limits airflow into the air intake, which improves handling and ride. The BRZ’s face is finished off with full-LED headlights, a Subaru first. 

New design rear lamps and aerodynamic pedestal spoiler top off the rear of the car, and the wheels are now a 10 spoke aluminium design.

Inside, a 4.2-inch colour LCD multi-information display has been added into the instrument panel. 

The display features a G force meter, steering angle gauge, brake force gauge, lap timer and torque/power curves for bringing out the sportier side of any driver. 

The steering wheel has also been redesigned into a smaller package with different leather to increase the driver’s grip for a more engaging experience and is finished off with audio control switches. 

Focus has been directed to upgrading the feel of components by using higher quality materials throughout the cabin, including Alcantara and leather seats.

BRZ was built to deliver a linear driving feel, ensuring that the car responds exactly as the driver intended. Keeping this concept in mind, the BRZ’s suspension, engine and drivetrain have been further refined to further enhance its poised handling and driving experience.

Inside the Subaru hallmark Boxer engine, the strength of the cylinder blocks has been increased. 

The valve stems have been buffed and polished, the camshaft is lower friction and the weight of the rocker arms has been reduced. These changes couple together to result in a more responsive, fuel efficient engine.  

The dampers have been redesigned to reduce body roll, increase precision whilst cornering, as well as damping vibration, therefore delivering improved ride comfort whilst being dynamically focussed.

For sporty drivers, the new TRACK mode enhances the stability of the car and allows for more refined accelerator inputs when driving on race circuits and consolidates the previous 5 VDC modes into 4. 

For the urban drivers, there is a new type of Hill Start Assist (HSA) to help with uphill starts or downhill reversing.

On the safety front, there is also a next-generation advanced airbag system which uses upgraded sensors for a greater level of safety.

From Spring 2017, the BRZ will be available in SE Lux trim only with either a manual or automatic transmission.

CHINA - BMW plans China recall on engine-part complaints

BMW will recall an unspecified number of vehicles proactively in China after months of consumer complaints over a potentially defective engine control component.

BMW said in a statement that was released on Friday via the Sina Weibo microblog that it had started a "full investigation" into a potential bolt problem with VANOS -- a device used in BMW engines that controls air intake and exhaust valves.

BMW's announcement came a day before China's Consumer Day on March 15. The event has in previous years spotlighted local and global brands over quality issues.

"BMW pays high attention to the recently reported VANOS bolt issue," said the statement. The statement did not describe the nature of the defect or specify how many cars are affected or say which cars are included.

"We will file our recall application to the AQSIQ as soon as possible," it said, referring to China's quality watchdog, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

It also did not say whether the recall is going to be confined to China or whether it could potentially affect BMW cars in other markets. A BMW spokesman in Beijing declined comment.

It's highly unusual for carmakers in China to disclose recall plans ahead of official recall announcements by regulators.

As part of China's Consumer Day, every year a TV program called "3.15," produced by the China Central Television (CCTV), exposes consumer neglect in China by local and global consumer brands. Past targets have included Apple Inc. and Volkswagen Group.

Last year's program highlighted Volkswagen. Shortly after the show aired, the German automaker recalled 384,181 vehicles in China to replace defective transmissions.

BMW's announcement -- issued by BMW (China) Trading Automotive Ltd, which imports BMW cars into China, and BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd, the Chinese joint venture that manufactures BMW vehicles locally -- followed months of complaints by groups of BMW car owners about what they described as BMW's quality issue with the VANOS system.

REPORT HERE