In an industry where removing mass has become a central goal in the effort to improve fuel economy, it’s not unusual to see automakers showing concepts built from exotic, impractical materials. A car made almost entirely out of cardboard, on the other hand, is a bit of a head-turner.

Lexus commissioned two London companies–Scales and Models and LaserCut WORKS–to build this running, rolling, 1:1 scale IS sedan.

Lexus claims the model is comprised of roughly 1,700 individual pieces of shaped cardboard, but to our eyes that number seems short a couple of zeroes. The detail is nothing short of astonishing. From the Lexus emblem on the grille to the contours of each wheel face, almost no nuance of the sedan’s design was overlooked.

The attention to detail continues inside, where everything from the seats down to the analog clock on the dash is meticulously replicated.

“This was a very demanding job, with five people involved in the digital design, modelling, laser cutting and assembly. Just like Lexus, we were committed to producing the best possible quality,” said Ruben Marcos, founder and director of Scales and Models.

Perhaps even more impressive is that this corrugated luxury sedan can actually move under its own power. The cardboard body is set on a steel and aluminum frame, bolted to which is an electric motor that can power the vehicle. Lexus was not forthcoming with any performance information and we’d wager they’re not in a hurry to do any instrumented testing.

Check out the video below to learn more about the construction of this fascinating project.

Subaru will introduce a new concept called VIZIV Future at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show.

Billed as a preview of an upcoming model, the VIZIV Future falls in line with Subaru’s recent Dynamic & Solid design language thanks to styling cues such as C-shaped lights on both ends and sculpted body panels. A tall front end and a black trim on both bumpers give the concept a rugged look.

Accessed via suicide doors, the futuristic cockpit offers space for four passengers and their gear. All of the buttons and the switches typically found on the center console have been replaced by a large touch screen, and the rear bench folds down to reveal an integrated rack that can carry two bikes.

The VIZIV Future features an evolution of Subaru’s EyeSight technology that monitors the vehicle and its surroundings at all times. The data gathered is used to detect accidents before they happen, to autonomously drive the SUV at freeway speeds and to park it without any input from the driver.

Subaru hasn’t published full technical details. All we know so far is that the concept is powered by a hybrid drivetrain made up of a downsized turbocharged flat-four engine borrowed from the Levorg and a compact electric motor mounted over the rear axle. Interestingly, the turbo four spins the front wheels via an automatic transmission and the motor exclusively zaps the rear wheels. There is no mechanical connection between the two power sources, which allowed designers to give the VIZIV a completely flat cabin floor.

The VIZIV Future provides a glimpse into what the future holds for Subaru. Its design will most likely influence Subaru’s upcoming seven-seater crossover, and the self-driving tech is expected to trickle down to the company’s regular-production models before the end of the decade.

In Tokyo, the VIZIV Future will share the spotlight with another design study called Impreza 5-Door Concept.

Subaru will travel to the biennial Tokyo Motor Show that will open its doors later this month to introduce a design study dubbed Impreza 5-Door Concept.

As its name implies, the Impreza 5-Door Concept is billed as an accurate preview of the next-generation Impreza that will likely land as a 2017 model. The sketches hint that the concept will look a lot sharper than the Impreza that’s currently on sale in Subaru showrooms. It boasts swept-back headlights, an angular grille, a more rakish window line, sculpted flanks and C-shaped LED tail lamps.

Stay tuned, the Subaru Impreza 5-Door Concept will be fully unveiled in the weeks leading up to its debut in the Japanese capital, and we’ll bring you live images of it straight from the show floor.

What’s next?

While official launch information isn’t available yet, the production version of the next Impreza is expected to bow at a major auto show next year. Essentially a toned-down version of the concept that will be shown in Tokyo, it will be lighter and wide than the current model because it will ride on a brand new platform developed to underpin most of Subaru’s next-gen lineup.

Mechanically, the 2017 Impreza will usher in more efficient flat-four engines fitted with direct fuel-injection and Subaru’s fuel-saving cylinder deactivation technology. A plug-in hybrid model might join the lineup a little later in the production run.

Toyota has outlined its ongoing development efforts for autonomous vehicles, including current testing programs and future targets for public launch.

Engineers have been working with a new prototype vehicle, a Lexus GS known as the Highway Teammate, to prepare next-generation self-driving technology for commercialization. The company will initially launch a semi-autonomous production car capable of completely controlling the vehicle on highways.

To safely handle driving duties on high-speed roads, the modified Lexus has been outfitted with a sensor suite to establish geographic position, monitor nearby vehicles, road markings and traffic conditions. Data is then used to manage the steering, brakes, throttle and signals, with the ability to autonomously merge onto highways, change lanes and maintain distances between surrounding vehicles.

The semi-autonomous Lexus has been tested on Tokyo’s Shuto Expressway to evaluate maneuvering performance in scenarios such as merging onto highways or changing lanes.

Highway self-driving is arguably a modest evolutionary step from current lane-holding and adaptive cruise control technologies, lacking the ability to truly chauffeur riders from origin to destination. Toyota’s announcement is notable in its apparent conservative time-frame, giving the company four years to make the midway jump toward full autonomy.

Analysts have disagreed over projections for broad market availability. Tesla Motors expects to have full-autonomous cars ready within three years, however the company does not have the best record of meeting CEO Elon Musk’s ambitious time targets.

Nissan has cautioned that it will not have a fully self-driving car ready by the end of the decade, but rather a vehicle with partial autonomous capabilities. Hyundai is also shooting for “highly automated” driving in 2020, however the Korean automaker does not expect fully self-driving cars to be ready until 2030.

Following its concept debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, BMW has unveiled the production version of its high-performance M4 GTS.

Staying true to form, the M4 GTS is essentially a tracked-tuned version of the already potent M4 coupe. Like its concept counterpart, the M4 GTS features a new water injection system that’s the first of its kind for a series production car.

Simply explained, the water injection system injects a fine spray into the intake system, thereby reducing intake air temperatures by as much as 240 degrees. As a result, power from the M4′s turbocharged inline-six has jumped 16 percent to 493 horsepower while torque is up 10 percent to 442 lb-ft. Despite the jump in power, BMW says the M4 GTS returns about the same mileage as the standard M4.

According to BMW, the M4 GTS can accelerate from 0-60 in just 3.7 seconds. Top speed is governed at 189.5mph.

Although added power is certainly a factor in the M4 GTS’ all-out speed, BMW also boosted performance by removing weight. The M4 GTS uses lightweight carbon fiber in its roof, rear spoiler and even its instrument panel support. Although niceties like navigation and air conditioning remain, the M4′s back seat has been deleted in the name of weight savings. Compared to the regular M4, the GTS checks in about 256 pounds less.

In order to back up its straight-line performance, the M4 GTS is fitted with a manually-adjustable sports suspension and carbon disc brakes. A seven-speed double-clutch transmission will be the only gearbox on offer.

With all of those go-fast bits working in unison, BMW says the M4 GTS cab get around the Nurburgring in 7 minutes 28 seconds.

BMW will produce just 700 units of the M4 GTS, with 300 of those destined for the U.S. market. Buyers will be able to select from four exterior colors — Sapphire Black metallic, Mineral Grey metallic, Alpine White and Frozen Dark Grey Metallic — all of which are accented with Acid Orange. Pricing has not been released, but expect a hefty markup over the $65,000 M4.

A new report finds Fiat-owned Alfa Romeo will travel to next year’s edition of the Geneva Motor Show to unveil the facelifted 2016 Giulietta.

Introduced in the 2010, the Golf-sized Giulietta will benefit from a redesigned front end that is expected to borrow styling cues from the 2017 Giulia sedan that bowed last month in Frankfurt. That means it will get sharper-looking headlights, a bigger air dam at the bottom of the bumper and a much bolder rendition of Alfa’s triangular grille. Out back, the updates will be largely limited to new-look tail lamps.

The facelift will be complemented by a more modern-looking interior. Additionally, most trim levels will be available with an Alfa-specific version of Chrysler’s touch screen-based Uconnect infotainment system.

Whether Alfa will make mechanical modifications to the Giulia is up in the air. Currently, the hatchback is offered with gasoline- and diesel-burning four-cylinder engines borrowed from the Fiat parts bin, and front-wheel drive is the only configuration available.

The 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulietta is expected to go on sale across Europe shortly after it greets the show-going public in Switzerland. It won’t be sold in the United States because it doesn’t comply with local safety regulations, but we hear the next-gen model that’s tentatively scheduled to arrive before the end of the decade will be designed with our market in mind.

Note: 2015 Alfa Romeo Giulietta pictured.

Callaway Competition has introduced a new Corvette-based race car at a private event held on the Hockenheimring in Germany.

Dubbed Corvette GT3-R, the race car is based on the seventh-gen ‘Vette and it was designed to replace the successful Z06.R GT3. It is powered by a Chevrolet-derived 6.2-liter V8 engine that has been tuned in-house to send over 600 horsepower to the rear wheels via a X-Trac six-speed sequential gearbox controlled by shift paddles. Performance specifications won’t be published until later this year.

Crafted largely out of carbon fiber, the GT3-R gets a full body kit that includes a deep front bumper with a splitter, massive fender flares, a huge air diffuser out back and a sizable trunk-mounted spoiler. A small hatch lets the driver escape through the roof in the event of an emergency.

The cockpit has been stripped of all unnecessary equipment in order to keep weight in check. It gains a digital instrument cluster, a carbon fiber dashboard, and a rectangular multi-function steering wheel. The GT3-R is also fitted with a full FIA-compliant roll cage.

Callaway Competition’s new Corvette GT3-R is scheduled to make its racing debut early next year. When it hits the track, it will face stiff competition from racers built by highly-experienced companies like Porsche, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, Ferrari and Aston Martin.

Scion has experienced a resurgence in sales, achieving the fastest growth of any car brand in the US market for September.

Fueled by the arrival of two new models, the iA and iM, Toyota’s youthful marque experienced a 57-percent jump to 6,510 units for the month. When including SUV brands, Scion still achieved the number-two spot behind Land Rover, as noted in a Good Car Bad Car report spotted by TTAC.

The numbers are good news for the new additions to the lineup, however deliveries continue to fall for the existing members of the family. The xB was down by approximately six percent in September, while the tC slid by 14 percent and the FR-S declined by 15 percent.

Despite the extra few thousand sales of the iA and iM, Scion still has some catching up before breaking even with 2014′s numbers. Notably, 2014 wasn’t exactly a good year for the brand, which ended 15 percent below 2013′s tally.

The iA is adapted from the Mazda2 platform, offering a modest 106 horsepower and a city/highway fuel efficiency rating of 33/42 mpg. Serving as Scion’s first sedan, it has already achieved sales 50 percent higher than the iM and approaching the combined total for the xB and tC.

The more expensive iM hatchback may not be selling as quickly as the iA, though it already outsold the xB and tC on an individual basis. It is essentially a rebadged Toyota Auris, powered by a 1.8-liter engine with 137 ponies and a choice between six-speed manual or CVT transmissions.

The iA and iM represent the first step in Toyota’s complete overhaul of the Scion division. The brand is reportedly considering a small crossover to engage the popular segment, while the FR-S and tC are due to be updated within the next few years.

Automakers are quickly voicing concerns over certain provisions, or lack thereof, in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact.

Representatives from participating countries recently wrapped up the initial round of negotiations. Specific terms are now being made public, sparking debate as officials attempt to gain support for the agreement.

“The TPP is a trade agreement with 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific, including Canada and Mexico that will eliminate over 18,000 taxes various countries put on Made-in-America products,” the Obama Administration said in a statement.

Some US automakers do not feel that simple tariff eliminations will go far enough to truly level the playing field. Echoing past sentiment, critics argue that any trade deal must include protections against currency manipulation to be effective.

“Within the U.S. Congress, there is bipartisan consensus that currency manipulation needs to be meaningfully addressed,” Ford said in a statement published by the Detroit Free Press. “This summer, U.S. lawmakers took unprecedented action to set a clear negotiating objective for addressing currency manipulation in all future trade deals. The TPP fails to meet that test.”

Ford did not provide specific examples of currency manipulation, however US automakers are believed to be particularly concerned over artificial currency devaluation in Asian countries. Hyundai and Kia early this forecast a significant slowdown in sales growth, primarily due to the ongoing backward slide of Japan’s Yen. A weak local currency potentially gives Japanese automakers a competitive edge, giving made-in-Japan cars a price advantage in the global market. Imports are also discouraged, as cars made in other countries become comparatively more expensive for Japanese buyers.

Legislators have called for independent legislation to address threats posed by currency manipulation. One proposal included an enforcement provision that would give the Commerce Department authority to implement tariffs to negate the advantage of such manipulation, though it is unclear if such a system would violate tariff-reduction terms of the TPP.

In a letter sent to the EU Parliament Friday, Volkswagen informed the body that the EU market accounts for eight of the 11 million diesel-powered vehicles sold with its emissions-override software.

German news publication Handelsblatt [German language]obtained a copy of the letter, which confirms that the 1.2L, 1.6L and 2.0L variants of the EU5 Type 189 diesel-four cylinder are all affected. Volkswagen again apologized for the actions of “a few” and vowed to make good both with regulators and its customers.

Of note is an assertion by VW that the engines in question are “currently being examined to see whether they comply with the legal requirements,” [translated quote from source] which may indicate that VW’s intention to detail a refit plan by the end of the week may be on shaky ground, and could explain why the company has been vague with the particulars.

Some reports have suggested the affected vehicles may need to be outfitted with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to bring emissions back down to acceptable levels without a significant reduction in power output and fuel economy.

A urea-injection retrofit is expected to be extremely expensive and may not even be technically feasible. As an alternative, VW could take the cheaper route of simply tweaking the software to run in the emissions-compliant test mode. A software reflash may be less expensive up front, but could cost VW later as the deluge of class-action lawsuits begin to put a price tag on lost value and owners’ higher fuel costs.

The German automaker has already put aside 6.5 billion euros (~$7.25 billion USD) to cover costs associated with the crisis. It is unclear if the total has been allocated solely for the recall costs, or if the charge reflects anticipated fines and civil-litigation damages.