It's been six years since Honda introduced the cute little Grom mini machine, and at this point it's safe to say it's had a very successful run. Now it's time for a refresh. The updates seen here specifically apply to the European version of the Grom, but Honda's U.S. Powersports arm promises we'll see the new Grom Stateside at some point in the not-too-distant future.

The Grom soldiers forth with a single-cylinder 125cc engine, but it's been updated and is now compliant with EURO5 emissions regulations. Power is up a fraction of a horsepower, but the big news is the addition of a five-speed gearbox to replace the old four-speed unit. Honda says the Grom's top speed increases from 54 miles per hour to around 59 mph, and while that isn't a massive increase, we'd wager around-town, seat-of-the-pants performance will see a more meaningful improvement.

Red Bull's preferred option would be to take over Honda's engine after the Japanese manufacturer pulls out of Formula One at the end of 2021, but the rules would have to be frozen to make it affordable, team boss Christian Horner said on Saturday.

"The more we look, there really only is one option that works," he told Sky Sports television at the Portuguese Grand Prix.

Mazda teased out the possible return of the rotary engine as a range extender in the MX-30 earlier this year, but now the rotary's return appears to be official for Mazda's new crossover. In a video (below, skip to 7:34, and turn on English subtitles) streamed to Mazda's official YouTube channel, CEO Akira Marumoto confirmed that Mazda will use a rotary engine in the MX-30.

Just as it was initially teased out, Mazda plans to use the rotary as a range extender on the otherwise all-electric version of the MX-30. Marumoto said that it will begin testing with a small batch of prototypes next year. The goal is to have a production version of the MX-30 with a rotary engine on Japanese roads in 2022.

Honda and GM are moving ever closer together. The two automotive goliaths signed a memorandum of understanding today toward establishing an alliance in North America. Earlier this year, it was announced that Honda would be borrowing GM's EV technology to build two electric cars sold under the Honda name in the U.S. Today's move looks like it has the potential to cement the two companies even closer.

As of now, the proposed alliance would have the two collaborating on electric powertrain tech, internal combustion engines, vehicle platforms, connected services (infotainment technology), purchasing and general R&D. Honda and GM would collaborate in certain vehicle segments, already expressing intentions to share common vehicle platforms.

Last year, Subaru gave us our first look at the new Levorg station wagon in "prototype" form, which over the past few years has shared most of its body and interior with the Subaru WRX. Now we finally get to see the production version, and it looks basically identical to the regular and STI Sport concepts. That's not a bad thing. It builds on the old Levorg and WRX with sharper, crisper lines. There's more visual detail in the headlights and angled wheel arches. And it retains classic cues such as the big hood scoop. It can be made more aggressive looking with a variety of front and rear spoilers, diffusers and side skirts, too.

While the exterior isn't huge news thanks to past concepts, the interior and engine specs are. The interior in particular gives us our first look at what we'll probably see in the next WRX. Not surprisingly, the focal point is the huge vertical touchscreen that looks lifted straight out of the Legacy and Outback. In fact, the whole dash is very similar to that of the bigger Subarus, though the height of the dash is a bit shorter and the air vents a bit thinner. The Levorg also has a fancy screen for its instrument panel, and it will be interesting to see if that carries over to a future WRX.

While this may look like a baby Nissan GT-R, it is actually a Daihatsu Copen that has been overhauled by Japanese tuning company Liberty Walk.

The Lotus Exige remains one of the purest sports cars money can buy and the following example kitted out for hillclimb events in Europe might just be the most focused out there.

Delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, the development of the new Lexus RC F drift car has now been completed. The impressive machine has little in common with the street-legal RC F and is the work of Al-Futtaim Lexus, the official distributor in the United Arab Emirates, and drift star Ahmad Daham.

A report out of Japan claims that a limited-run version of the Toyota Supra will sport the same powertrain as the upcoming BMW M3 and M4.

The introduction of the Skyactiv-G 2.5T turbocharged engine is the Mazda3's main update for the 2021 model year but not the only one.

For the 2021 model year, the Subaru Crosstrek is getting some mechanical and aesthetic updates, along with a new Sport trim (pictured above).

The biggest difference you'll find for 2021 is the addition of a new engine to the lineup. While the base and Premium trims will continue to use the 152-horsepower, naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder carried over from 2020, the Sport and Limited trims will employ a new-to-Crosstrek 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine. Borrowed from the Forester, and also found in the Outback, this naturally aspirated 2.5-liter provides 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. That power is put to the wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru's torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The base and Premium trims, with the holdover motor, still come with either a six-speed manual or optional CVT.

Toyota updated its popular Hilux pickup with a new look, a more car-like interior, and a more powerful engine. The changes reflect the fact that, even overseas, motorists are increasingly buying trucks as daily drivers.

In the United States, the Hilux is a forbidden fruit. It's tremendously popular in many global markets, however. It has stood proud as Australia's bestselling vehicle regardless of body style since 2016, for example. The competition is getting fiercer, so it needs to stay fresh to remain on top. Although it's not entirely new, the 2020 model receives a long list of visual updates that include a redesigned front fascia with a new grille and LED lights, plastic cladding over the wheel arches, and, on the Invincible X trim, INVINCIBLE lettering on both sides of the bed and on the tailgate, a proclamation that we imagine many owners will gladly put to the test.

While the 2.2-liter F22C naturally-aspirated four-cylinder of the Honda S2000 is a high-revving jewel, the owner of a red S2000 in Albuquerque, New Mexico decided it didn't have quite enough power.

Mazda has updated the CX-3 subcompact crossover in Japan by introducing a new engine and a new available body color.