Scooby-did

PITSTOP

Subaru's just announced the face-lifted version of their mud plugger "" the Forester. And this is what it looks like. Can't really make out the difference? Well, read on. Four years after the crossover SUV was first unveiled, the Japanese have given it new front wings, bonnet, bumper, grille and headlamps. To enhance that off-road, brutish look, it even gets larger wheels.

Subaru says all these changes give it better visual dynamics. Okay, if you insist. What we like the best though, is that it still retains the awesome 'boxer' engine and the all-time, all-wheel drive, drivetrain. Subaru also claim to have revised the chassis to reduce pitch and roll further, and to also improve roadholding and steering precision.

The new 2000cc engine for the Forester now makes 158 horses, while the 2500cc version puts out an adequate 230 bhp that propels it to 96 kph in 5.7 seconds. Given that the Forester is a hoot to drive, we can't wait to get our hands on the new version as well. But given the reception that it got in India, we wonder if we ever will.

Civic rules

Trust the Japanese to take things to the next level. We are sure you've heard of the tagline 'Your mother wouldn't like it.' Yup, the one that the British Motor Corporation used for the MG B. So Honda's tagline for the new Civic is, well you guessed it, 'Your granny wouldn't like it.'

Expected to go on sale in January in Europe, the premium sports compact will be built exclusively at Honda's plant in Swindon, UK. The Civic gets a whole new line-up of engines as well. Actually three of them "" starting from a 1400cc petrol to a 2200cc, 140 bhp diesel.

Yes! Finally a diesel small car from the Big Red. As for the transmission, you get to choose from a six-speed manual or a six-speed automated manual. The new Civic sports an extremely futuristic look, one where the headlamps blend seamlessly with a glazed panel. And it doesn't stop there.

The dashboard is a dual zone cockpit whereby all the important controls and instruments are located within an inner zone, which is surrounded by a second zone that houses the radio, heating and ventilation controls and trip information. The new Civic is also supposed to be one of the safest cars in its class. Oh, and the Civic for India is not this, but the American version.