Subaru has published a full set of details about the WRX S4, a more potent version of the acclaimed sports sedan that will exclusively be sold in Japan.

The WRX S4 packs a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine that generates 296 horsepower – nearly 30 more than the U.S.-spec WRX’s mill – and 295 lb-ft. of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel drive system. Notably, a six-speed manual gearbox is not offered.

Fuel economy checks in at approximately 31 mpg in a mixed Japanese cycle. Performance statistics were not published, but early estimates peg the S4′s zero-to-60 time at under 5.4 seconds.

Outside, the WRX S4 stands out from the U.S.-spec WRX thanks to minor trim pieces like a model-specific radiator grille, special vents on the fenders and a revised front bumper as well as 18-inch alloy wheels.

The differences inside the cockpit are equally minor and largely limited to decorative trim bits and special upholstery patterns. The WRX S4 is fitted with an electronic parking brake and it can be ordered with the latest generation of Subaru’s Eyesight technology at an extra cost, two features not offered on our shores.

The Subaru WRX S4 is on sale now across Japan with a base price of ¥3,348,000, a sum that converts to approximately $32,000.

Chrysler’s Ram truck brand has managed to eke even more torque out of its 6.7L Cummins diesel for the 2015 model year. The High-Output inline-six is available in Ram’s 3500 series heavy-duty truck models.

Horsepower for the turbo diesel remains unchanged at 385, but thanks to a more aggressive fuel delivery system and a turbo boost calibration, the 6.7L’s torque rating has grown from 850 lb-ft to 865 lb-ft. Those 15 extra lb-ft haven’t improved the 3500′s towing capacity – which remains a best-in-class 30,000 pounds – but payload capacity has inched up from 7,320 to 7,390.

“Ram maintains leadership throughout its pickup line by offering best-in-class fuel efficiency with our Ram 1500 EcoDiesel at 28 MPG, best-in-class towing at 30,000 pounds, best-in-class power at 865 lb.-ft. and best-in-class payload at 7,390 pounds with our Ram 3500,” said Bob Hegbloom, Head of Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Ram owns best-in-class attributes in the areas that are most important to truck customers.”

For those that don’t need quite that much grunt, Ram’s heavy-duty models can also be had with a 5.7L V8, 6.4L V8 and a de-tuned version of the 6.7L diesel.

Ram’s heavy-duty line of 2015 pickups should arrive on dealer lots within the next few weeks.

The on-again, 0ff-again and then on-again saga of Nissan IDx may have some life in it yet. The latest report implies that development is still under way, though its retro styling may not make it to production.

Motoring.com.au is reporting that Nissan designers are adding muscular lines and sharp edges to the small, rear-wheel-drive compact. Rather than heritage cues from classic Nissans like the Datsun 510 and hakosuka Skyline GT-R, they are supposedly following design language precedents established by the Nissan Sport Sedan Concept and new Murano.

As for mechanicals, evidence mounts that the IDx will share a platform with the next-generation Z-Car. Engineers are also planning to give it more power, by utilizing a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine good for 181hp, rather than the 1.6-liter unit from earlier reports.

As of now, Nissan seems committed to the idea that if the IDx is to make it into production, it will remain rear-wheel-drive and target the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ as its main rivals.

At some point, however, it seems likely that the IDx will in fact be the next Z. One thing’s for sure though, it has certainly been one of the most talked about vehicles from Nissan since its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show, and the automaker seems perfectly happy to keep the public guessing to keep its name in the media.

The 2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport has been leaked in diecast form. Scale models of what is believed to be the upcoming three-row SUV are the first undisguised look at the production version.

Though spy shots and camouflaged teasers from the company itself have circulated online, photos of the toy car surfaced this morning on WorldCarFans. The toy reveals a design very similar to the Discovery Vision Concept unveiled at the New York Auto Show in April.

The main difference is that the alleged production model lacks the suicide doors of the concept. The presumed production version’s glass is a bit larger, with a straighter cut around the C-pillar than the Vision’s swoopy show car kink.

The front fascia’s shape is softer than that of the concept, with a horizontal opening below the grille to define the bumpers. What appear to be LED fog lights sit in a trapezoidal opening, rather than below vertical vents. Overall, the lines and surfacing have been toned down to make it more production friendly but it still hews fairly faithfully to the concept’s overall shape.

The model comes in two colors, all black and orange with a black roof. If the model is accurate, this seems to imply an Evoque-like contrasting roof will be available.

Of course, this isn’t the first time a toy has spoiled the reveal of a production car. The 2013 Dodge Viper was leaked in early 2012 by a Hot Wheels model. Mattel also famously released the 1968 Corvette in diecast form before the production car’s unveiling.

Stuffing the motor from a Nissan GT-R supercar into an Infiniti Q50 luxury sedan was the easy part. Now Nissan faces a legal slog to get use of the Eau Rouge name for Infinit’s performance sub-brand.

Infiniti has been using Eau Rouge since the Q50-based concept sedan debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in January. No, it’s not a perfume that smells like Nissan’s smallest crossover– that would be the Eau Rogue. Rather, its namesake is the legendary fast downhill section at Spa-Francorchamps, named for the “red water” river that runs by the course, where the Nissan Skyline GT-R won a 1991 enduro 21 laps ahead of a field of Porsche 911s and BMW M3s.

However, despite already prolific use of Eau Rouge, Nissan doesn’t actually have it trademarked yet. Company lawyers filed for one in January, but it’s still being considered by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

In Europe, Nissan faces an even bigger battle with the EU patent office. On April 24, representatives of Spa-Francorchamps Circuit registered “L’Eau Rouge.” If Nissan plans to sell any cars badged with the name in Europe, it will have to negotiate an agreement with the circuit owners, according to Bloomberg.

The racetrack has been a stop on the Formula One tour since 2007. The current fastest lap holder is Sebastien Vettel of the Infiniti Red Bull F1 team.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau has released its list of most stolen cars in the US in 2013. Topping the list were Honda’s bread-and-butter models, Accords and Civics from the 1990s.

The NICB says that although auto thefts increased in 2012, the FBI predicts an overall drop of 3.2 percent in theft rate when 2013′s final numbers are released later this year. The total tally is expected to stay under 700,000. The last time the figure was this low was in 1967. The total is also less than half that of the highest year on record, 1991, which saw 1.66 million auto thefts.

Despite the downtick, this still amounts to one car taken every 45 seconds. The NICB estimates that the losses will total $4 billion.

Without further ado, the top ten most stolen makes and models are:

1. Honda Accord: 53,995
2. Honda Civic: 45,001
3. Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size): 27,809
4. Ford Pickup (Full Size): 26,494
5. Toyota Camry: 14,420
6. Dodge Pickup (Full Size): 11,347
7. Dodge Caravan: 10,911
8. Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee: 9,272
9. Toyota Corolla: 9,010
10. Nissan Altima: 8,892

In addition, the NICB also released a list of top new cars stolen. All vehicles in the following list are from the 2013 model year.

1. Nissan Altima: 810
2. Ford Fusion: 793
3. Ford Pickup Full Size: 775
4. Toyota Corolla: 669
5. Chevrolet Impala: 654
6. Hyundai Elantra: 541
7. Dodge Charger: 536
8. Chevrolet Malibu: 536
9. Chevrolet Cruze: 499
10. Ford Focus: 483

The full list by state can be downloaded here.

Volkswagen has published a full set of details about the updated Fox, a sub-compact hatchback built and sold in a number of Latin American markets. The Fox is offered in both two-door and four-door body styles.

Celebrating its 11th year on the market, the Fox gets a new front end that borrows styling cues such as sharp headlights, a more aerodynamic bumper and a thin radiator grille from recent members of the Volkswagen lineup like the new seventh-generation Golf and the Polo sub-compact. The back end of the Fox gains angular tail lamps again inspired by the Golf, but the middle section stays essentially unchanged.

Inside, the Fox gets a better-built interior with a slightly revised center console and rectangular air vents. Buyers looking to spruce up the cockpit can order additional chrome-look trim and a touch screen-based navigation system at an extra cost.

Although the Fox is unmistakably an entry-level car, upmarket trim levels come standard with piano black trim on the steering wheel, alloy wheels, cruise control, traction control, stability control, fog lights and a hill start assist function.

The Fox’s base engine is a 1.0-liter four-cylinder unit that channels 76 horsepower to the front wheels via a manual transmission. In Brazil, the engine can burn either gasoline or ethanol. More expensive models get a 1.6-liter four-banger that generates 120 horsepower. It comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, and a five-speed semi-automatic unit can be ordered as an option.

On sale now, the Volkswagen Fox carries a base price of 35,900 reais in Brazil, a sum that converts to approximately $16,000.

BMW will travel to the Moscow Motor Show that will open its doors next week in order to introduce an armored version of the X5 SUV called X5 Security Plus.

The X5 Security Plus falls in the VR6 resistance class, meaning it was designed to withstand terrorist attacks and protect occupants from military-grade weapons including explosives such as hand grenades. Hand-built, the armored X5 is fitted with steel plating all around, bullet-proof glass and run-flat tires. BMW has further secured the SUV by adding special protection along the body’s seams and joints.

When viewed from the outside, the X5 Security Plus is virtually indistinguishable from a stock X5.

The armored X5 will be exclusively offered with a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that makes 450 horsepower and 479 lb-ft. of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via an automatic transmission and the latest generation of BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system.

The stock V8-powered X5 reaches 62 mph from a stop in 4.9 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 155 mph. BMW has not revealed what effect the extra weight added by the armor has on performance.

Full details about the armored BMW X5 Security Plus will emerge in the coming week. After debuting in the Russian capital, the crossover will go on sale in a host of countries including the United States before the end of the year.