BMW 535i Gran Turismo

The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is emblematic of everything that's both right and wrong with today's automotive industry.

In a desperate search for the next big thing, product planners continue to push, pull, and bend the metal shapes draped over four wheels. In some cases, it works to great effect (see the modern crossover or the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class). In others, you get cars like the 5 GT. That's not to say the 2010 BMW 535i GT we piloted for almost 24,000 miles is an inherently bad car. But in Munich's unceasing drive to develop yet another "segment buster," it instead created a vehicle that's been mostly a bust in the U.S. 

As the 5 GT is part crossover, part station wagon, part sedan, it's hard to figure out the BMW's mission. It's nowhere near as engaging to drive as the 5 Series sedan or wagon (the latter of which it nominally replaced in the U.S.). It doesn't offer the commanding view of the road or the interior space of the X5 or the bizarro world appeal of the X6.

Built on a variation of the 7 Series platform, it isn't even really a 5 Series in the strictest sense, and its awkward exterior proportions are a reflection of that.

Scion FR-S

It doesn't take long to realize the 2013 Scion FR-S is special -- just an aggressive 4-second wide-open throttle jab, a short three-two downshift, and a clockwise rotation of the FR-S' small 14.4-inch diameter helm.

It's at this point in my drive, as I'm heading into Sodegaura Forest Raceway's sharp, right-hand Turn 1, that the bright orange Traction Control icon begins to flash incessantly, as if sending S.O.S. signals. Gradually, the FR-S' tail swings into my leftmost periphery and its 215/45-17 Michelins chirp as they scramble for grip. I can hear and feel the VSC's frantic efforts to correct a car it thinks is flailing toward destruction. A quick shot of opposite lock on the front alloys keeps the silver coupe sliding gracefully around the predetermined apex.

Out of Turn 1 and on the gas down the first brief straight of the Japanese circuit, I recall the pre-drive pep talk. Thirteen more corners of varying radii and degrees of difficulty await me. A glance at the fuel gauge confirms there's a full tank of fun onboard. And I've got a ticket to ride all day long.

Unless you've been avoiding MotorTrend.com for the past few months, you've likely heard of the all-new sports coupe from Toyota and Subaru whose name varies depending on which country's roads its tires roll on. For North America, it's called the Scion FR-S, which is Toyota talk for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport. It's Scion's first model with performance atop its agenda and, as such, is meant to give Toyota's entry-level brand a handful of much needed legitimate athleticism and marketing spark.

There's a lot riding on the FR-S' sculpted steel shoulders. As chief engineer Tetsuya Tada pointed out 40 minutes prior to my spirited pit lane departure, the compact coupe continues a legacy that has included a long line of successful and iconic sports cars -- most notably, the Sports 800 "Yotahachi" (the world's first rear-drive car powered by a front-mounted boxer engine), 2000GT, Celica, Supra, LFA, MR2, and the legendary Corolla AE86, or as aficionados affectionately call it, "Hachi-Roku." The latter icon was specifically used by Toyota as inspiration for the FR-S' high-performance/high-value package, while the 2000GT volunteered its long nose and slim side-glass profile, and the small S800 its lightweight build philosophy.

Porsche Cayman R - Los Angeles Auto Show

While we were expecting the North American launches of the 911 Carrera GTS and the 911 Speedster at the Los Angeles Auto Show, we’re happy to report that Porsche also took the wraps off the hopped-up Cayman R, which is very much in the same vein as the Boxster Spyder but is intended to please hardtop purists.

Porsche’s mid-engine sports coupe, the Cayman, already comes as a spicier Cayman S. It has 320 bhp, 55 more than a standard Cayman, and it has 273 lb.-ft. of torque versus 221. The new 2012 Cayman R notches it up a bit higher with 330 bhp at 7400 rpm and 273 lb.-ft. of torque at 4750 rpm. The boost in power comes from a revised tune of the direct-injected 3.4-liter flat-6 engine. Porsche claims the R hits 60 mph in 4.7 seconds when equipped with the standard 6-speed manual transmission and 4.4 sec with the 7-speed automated gearbox.

Even more noticeable than the power, though, is the weight-reduction program. Dropping an incredible 121 lb., the Cayman R comes in at a reported 2849 lb. Getting the car’s weight down that low means that compromises and sacrifices were made, and we’re not sure that every driver would be willing to make them.

Take, for example, the air conditioning and radio; they’re gone. Serious track-day fiends certainly will appreciate those efforts, which are complemented by aluminum door skins and carbon-fiber interior panels and seatbacks from the 911 GT3. The beautiful 19 in wheels may look familiar—they’re from the Boxster Spyder.

There are changes that add performance, too. The suspension is lowered by 20mm and the Cayman’s optional limited-slip differential, a must-have option in our opinion, is standard on the R, as are the front and rear spoilers from the Cayman Aerokit. Sport Chrono is optional, although we feel this should be standard.

Visually, there’s a large black Porsche graphic just above the rocker panels and black surrounds on the headlights and windows. What’s more, the side mirrors and vents in front of the rear wheels are blacked-out.

Altogether, we like what we see—a lightweight pure sports car that’s a modern-day hardtop interpretation of the 550 from the 1950s and the 904 from the 1960s. The 2012 Porsche Cayman R will be available in February for a starting price of $66,300.