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2012 Subaru BRZ finally revealed

Admin — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:39:11 +0000

Subaru’s version of the long-in-gestation Toyobaru has just said hello to the world at the Tokyo Motor Show. In case you’ve been in Witness Protection for the past two weeks, we’ll recap the major specs: 2,689 pounds, 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet from the direct-injected 2.0-liter boxer engine, six-speed manual and automatic transmissions on offer and a lower center of gravity than a Ferrari 458 Italia.

Subaru start production BRZ sport coupe

Admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 07:27:07 +0000

Toyoto’s UK division spilled the beans on the production GT 86 over the holiday weekend, and now Subaru has let loose on its version of this jointly developed sports coupe: the BRZ. Not surprisingly, most of the details we know about both models are identical, including their naturally aspirated 2.0-liter horizontally opposed boxer engines, your choice of 6-speed manual or automatic (with shift paddles) transmissions, rear-wheel-drive layout and low center of gravity.

Toyota states that the GT 86′s engine will produce 197 bhp and 151 lb-ft of torque. Likewise, Subaru says its version will make a nice, round 200 horsepower and 151 lb-ft. Subaru also revealed a couple of tidbits that Toyota left out, including a svelte curb weight of 2,689 pounds and a standard tire size will be 215/45R17 rubber.

As for the car’s design, there’s nothing here we haven’t seen before in the various concept iterations of the BRZ (and FT-86, for that matter). It’s up to you to decide whether or not that’s a good thing, but we’ll just say we think the BRZ’s better angle is from the rear.

Source: AutoBlog

Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept to bow in Tokyo

Admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:47:21 +0000

At the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show later this month, Subaru will unveil the Advanced Tourer Concept seen here, together with its much-anticipated new BRZ coupe. We’re hoping this is a glimpse at the next-gen Legacy wagon, as the Advanced Tourer Concept packs much more aggressive, muscular styling than the current model (we’re also hoping that Subaru brings back the wagon bodystyle to North America). It’s also possible that it will be a standalone model outside of the Legacy range.

The interior has been done up in all manner of luxury features, from lashings of leather and brushed aluminum trim to the panoramic glass sunroof and, intriguingly, an infotainment screen mounted right on the steering wheel.

There’s also a new crash avoidance system based on two cameras mounted to the rearview mirror, but the bigger technological feature is the new in-house hybrid drivetrain that couples an electric motor to a 1.6-liter turbo boxer four to deliver the same output as a 2.0- or 2.5-liter but with better fuel consumption, driving all four wheels through a CVT. Like what you see? Check it out in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

Source: Subaru

Subaru BRZ prototype comes into view

Admin — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:15:10 +0000

Our elite squad of highly-trained spy photographers has nabbed a handful of new photos of the soon-to-be-unveiled Subaru BRZ. The front engine, rear-wheel drive sports coupe was spotted out and about on public streets wrapped in suitable camouflage ahead of its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week. Subaru says that the BRZ moniker for Boxer engine, Rear-wheel drive Zenith, but it sounds more like a phonetic interpretation of a weedeater to us. Nomenclature aside, we’re told to expect good things from the coupe. Word on the web is that Subaru may use the vehicle to unveil a new 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine.

Source: CarPix

2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Review

Admin — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:52:51 +0000

During our weeklong stint with the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, many friends asked an all-too-obvious question: “How does it compare to the Mitsubishi Evolution?” A fair query, as the STI vs. Evo debate is something that we’ve pondered ever since Subaru launched its street-legal rally car in the United States back in 2004.

But then a most astute car enthusiast friend asked something that continues to trigger moments of contemplation: “Wouldn’t you just rather buy a standard WRX?”

See, ever since the WRX’s major overhaul in 2009 (yes, we know the redesign happened in 2008, but the big boost in power and added suspension tuning didn’t come until one year later), the STI has been sort of a hard sell. To make matters worse, Subaru fitted the WRX with its big brother’s widebody pieces for the 2011 model year, giving the mid-grade Impreza model the appearance of a full-on Evo competitor.

Source: AutoBlog

Subaru sales for the new 2012 Impreza predicted to rise at 50%

Admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:27:32 +0000

According to Ward’s Auto, Subaru brass are expecting the 2012 Impreza to sell around 60,000 units a year, or half again as many as the car’s current 40,000-unit total. Subaru executive vice president of North America Tom Doll says the car fills gaps in the company’s lineup that prevented it from being as competitive as it could have been.

Subaru claims the new Impreza will return 36 miles per gallon on the highway, a figure that would put the car on the top of the all-wheel-drive pile for fuel economy. The gas mileage figures come courtesy of a new-for-2012 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder reigning in 148 horsepower. The upcoming Impreza will also be lighter than the outgoing model, making fuel-sipping a little easier.

Source: Ward’s Auto

Subaru shows off 2012 Impreza, impressive fuel economy

Admin — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:13:56 +0000

We just gave you a deep dive look at the 2012 Subaru Impreza. Now, we get to see the fourth-generation Subaru in its four and five-door flesh on the floor of the 2011 New York Auto Show. The new car is lighter and more fuel efficient, boasting a very impressive 36 mile per gallon highway fuel-economy rating. How is the new 2012 Impreza able to claim the title of most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive car in the United States? Dropping a few pounds doesn’t hurt but there’s a bit more to it than that.

Beneath the hood lies a brand-new 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine, which produces 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. When paired with Subaru’s new CVT, the Impreza achieves the aforementioned 36 mile per gallon highway fuel-economy rating, and also returns 27 mpg in the city. And though the 2012 Impreza occupies the same footprint as the model it replaces, the wheelbase has been pushed out an extra inch, which allows for more interior space yet no trunk room was compromised.

Subaru offering more powerful WRX STI for UK buyers

Admin — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:07:41 +0000

For a limited time, Subaru UK is offering customers a slightly more powerful version of its Evo-battling WRX STI. Between April 1st and June 30th, buyers can fit their four- or five-door STIs with a power package, good for an additional 20 horsepower and 32 pound-feet of torque.

This means the turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four now puts out 320 hp and 332 lb-ft of twist. What’s more, the torque punch is now delivered at 3400 rpm – 600 rpm sooner than in the standard car. According to AutoExpress, these upgrades are enough to shave three-tenths of a second off of the STI’s 0-62 mile-per-hour time.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Subaru WRX crash at the Global RallyCross Championship

Admin — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:32:28 +0000

Matched up with Hyundai driver Marcus Dodd in the Friday elimination rounds, Keeney had lost ground and was trying to make up time when he came up short for the 70-foot jump. The result was that the back end of the Subaru catapulted over the front, flipping end-over-end twice before finally landing on its side with smoke pouring from under the hood. Fortunately, Keeney climbed out of the wreckage unhurt, but the same couldn’t be said for the car.

Sexy sumos pose with the 2011 Subaru Forester

Admin — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:47:06 +0000

In this new ad spot for the updated 2011 Subaru Forester, the sumos are once again put front and center, striking poses at the gas station, the beach and – of course – the car wash. Subaru says that with the Forester, sexy comes standard, and if this is the automaker’s definition of what’s attractive, then, well, so be it. Still, these Japanese wrestlers don’t hold a candle to Tawny Kitaen.