The Toyota GR Yaris is one of those cars that are simply destined to be tuned and UK's Litchfield Motors is one of the first to announce their work on the little pocket rocket.

WASHINGTON — Toyota Motor Corp settled a lengthy Justice Department civil probe into its delayed filing of emissions-related defect reports for $180 million, the government said on Thursday.

Reuters first reported the expected settlement, which resolves the violations of the Clean Air Act.

The Skyactiv-D diesel engine is officially dead in the United States, Mazda confirmed. Originally slated for introduction in the Mazda6 and only eventually offered in the CX-5 crossover, Mazda's oil-burner was a long time coming, and sure didn't stick around long. 

"After evaluating consumer demand, Mazda will no longer offer the Skyactiv-D diesel engine in the US market," a Mazda spokesperson told Roadshow on Thursday. 

It's always disappointing when a beautiful concept gets watered down for the production version. However, with the seventh-generation Nissan Z, tentatively called the 400Z, that appears not to be the case. Images discovered in a patent filing show that the production version will remain remarkably faithful to the stunning Z Proto unveiled last year.

The production renderings, discovered in Australia's IP office by CarExpert, show a now-familiar shape set to go into production in 2022. The overall shape, sleek lines, and surfaces look identical to those of the Z Proto. However, look closely and you will notice, for example, cutlines for the front and rear bumper fascias that aren't present on the concept. Other differences from the Z Proto include side reflectors, a sensor behind the grille, front and rear parking sensors and keyholes for the doors and trunk.

Nissan has unveiled its lineup for this year's virtual Tokyo Auto Salon. The physical event was canceled due to a recent COVID-19 spike, in which Japan saw as many as 97 deaths in a single day. However, Nissan's first build for the aftermarket extravaganza might help with socially distant working.

The Nissan NV350 Caravan Office Pod is exactly what it sounds like. The cargo area of the van has been built with a modern desk and office chair. It's wholly contained in the van if you need to park somewhere in the city and work, or if you're in a more serene environment the entire pod slides out several feet so that you can type while technically being outside of your van.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline is distinguished by its substantially redesigned nose. It has a taller hood and more squared-off grille that makes it look more truck-like than before. But it has more changes than just styling, such as some new and revised features, plus a more expensive price tag.

One of the most notable changes for the redesigned pickup is that front-wheel drive is gone. All models now have all-wheel drive as standard. All models also come with the carry-over 3.5-liter V6 making 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque and the nine-speed automatic transmission. The Ridgeline also gets a wider track by about three-quarters of an inch, plus a revised infotainment interface with larger icons and a physical volume knob.

Renault's performance-rooted Alpine division linked arms with Caterham to develop the current-generation A110, but it brought the project in-house after the partnership collapsed. It's again looking across the English Channel to design the model's replacement. It teamed up with Lotus to examine ways to create a nimble electric sports car.

Both companies issued a statement to cautiously explain the project remains at the embryonic stage. Development work hasn't started yet. Executives simply agreed to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for the joint engineering, design, and development of a battery-powered model. On the French side, the car (assuming it's approved) will replace the A110. In the United Kingdom, it's unclear whether the Lotus-badged variant will take the torch from an existing model (like the Elise), or if it will be positioned as a standalone car.

TOKYO — Carlos Ghosn hid part of his compensation at Nissan because he feared the French government would force him out of Renault if it discovered how much he earned, an executive at the Japanese carmaker told a Tokyo court on Thursday.

Hari Nada, a former Nissan vice president in charge of legal affairs, has been described as organizer of a putsch against Ghosn and is a key whistleblower in the case brought by Japanese prosecutors against the former Nissan and Renault boss, who was arrested in 2018.

With a new generation Honda HR-V expected to launch later this year, the automaker has pulled the plug on the current iteration in the United Kingdom.

TOKYO — Japanese automaker Subaru Corp will cut output by "several thousand" vehicles this month in Japan and the United States, it said on Thursday, citing a global shortage of semiconductors.

Subaru will adjust production and reduce output at factories in Gunma, Japan, a company spokesman said without specifying exactly how many fewer cars will be made.

The Renault Group outlined its new strategic approach this morning, and among other things referenced its F1 team, which will race under the Alpine name starting this season.

Last year, reports came out from The Drive and AutoGuide that Subaru would be adding some extra-rugged versions of its crossovers, including the Subaru Outback, and that they'd be getting the Wilderness name. Thanks to one of our spy photographers, we're getting a good glimpse at what seems to be the Outback Wilderness model. Besides some styling details, it looks like it may get a couple functional off-road upgrades.

The front of the Outback Wilderness seems to get the majority of the styling changes, particularly the front bumper. It doesn't look like it extends as far down as the regular Outback bumper, particularly on the sides. This probably aids the approach angle. Also beneficial is what looks like a real metal skid plate. There's only one center grille opening, too, and it's filled with a large, open mesh. On either side are chunky round LED fog lights. The main grille features a similar mesh through most of it, and a center bar with angled cutouts. It all contributes to a more aggressive look. One other interesting addition to the front is a matte black stripe on the hood, suggesting the Outback Wilderness may get some unique graphics.

Production for the 2022 Acura MDX is officially underway in East Liberty, Ohio. We got to see the MDX Proto late last year, and the final production MDX was revealed a couple months after it in December. Now, Acura is screwing them together.

Acura says the new MDX should begin to hit dealerships on February 2. It feels mighty early for a 2022 model year vehicle to already be hitting dealers, but that's just how Acura is handling it. Only the standard MDX with its carryover 3.5-liter V6 (290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque) will be available at first. We'll have to wait until summer for the Type S and its 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 (355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque) to come online, similar to the TLX Type S.

There's half a chance you've never heard of the Spanish car company called Hurtan. If you have, congratulations on your excellent Spanish auto industry knowledge. If not, it's time to learn, as one of our spy photographers just caught an upcoming and unannounced Hurtan model out testing.

Hurtan was originally founded by Juan Hurtado in the 1980s and is headquartered in Granada, Spain. He set out to build vehicles inspired by 1950s design. All are tailor-made, and Hurtan has exported his vehicles around the world over the years. Juan no longer runs the company day-to-day, having left it up to his three children. The company says it's staying true to its original design mission, but it's combining the old-time look with newer technologies in resto-mod fashion. Hurtan even claims it's developing electric cars now, which would be a first for the company.