Subaru Blog
London 2008: Subaru shows off Impreza trifectaFiled under: Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Hatchbacks, Subaru, Misc. Auto Shows, UK 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S.
Subaru loves London. How else can you explain the simultaneous release of three special edition Imprezas in one venue? In a move that's obviously aimed at competing with the Mitsubishi Evolution X variants available in the UK (FQ 300 and FQ 360), Subaru has unveiled a 252 hp WRX-S, 325 hp WRX STI 330S and a 375 hp WRX STI 380S concept.
Read on for all the details.
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2009 Subaru Impreza WRX gets upgraded to 265 hpFiled under: Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, Subaru 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Subaru Impreza.
A forum member at NASIOC has posted a corporate communiqué supposedly sent to North American Subaru dealers announcing the forthcoming arrival of the 2009 Impreza WRX. Two models are outlined in the release, the first, a new model dubbed the Impreza GT, will only be available with an automatic transmission and the 224 hp engine from the WRX. But that's not the real news...
The 2009 WRX's turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer will get a boost in output to 265 hp (41 hp more than the 2008 model) and will only be available with a manual gearbox. The '09 WRX will also feature an upgraded suspension (no details), an STI-style front grille, standard aero kit and a new grey wheel package, along with red stitching on the steering wheel and seats.
The memo also mentions the inclusion of a moonroof on models equipped with the premium package, along with some undisclosed changes on vehicles equipped with the ivory interior.
While owners of the 2008 WRX might feel slighted, it's nice to know that Subaru is stepping up its game on the eve of the release of the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart.
Top tip Matt!
[Source: NASIOC] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: Subaru WRX STI spec CFiled under: Spy Photos, Sports/GTs, Hatchbacks, Subaru, Special/Limited Editions 
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Subaru WRX STI spec C
It looks like a regular STI, right? Well, according to the spies at KGP, it's not. This is actually the forthcoming Impreza WRX STI spec C out for a cruise in some approipriately sloppy weather. Note the white wheels and reworked rear diffuser, which are the visual giveaways in this case. When the spec C arrives, it should tip the scales at around 150 to 200 pounds less than the regular STI and be further augmented with engine upgrades and improved braking. That'll make for a nice neighborhood rally car, indeed. All you'll need is a little snow, some studded rubber, and someone yelling directions at you in Finnish from the passenger seat to really bring that WRC experience home. For the rest of you, just ask your wives to ride shotgun. They'll be shouting directions at you (though probably not in Finnish) in no time. Check out the attached gallery for more shots, both on the street and on the Nordschleife (on a nicer day).
[Source: KGP Photography] Permalink | Email this | Comments
Prodrive sets up Essex police with 270hp Impreza interceptorsFiled under: Subaru, Police/Emergency, UK 
If you watched the first episode of Top Gear's season 11, you likely smirked at the lackluster Vauxhalls that the British bobbies have to drive in pursuit of "the baddies". But once in a while the constables in the UK gets something special in their motor-pools, like the Caparo T1, Lotus Exige, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 and Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. While few officers have actually had the chance to drive any of these epic exotics since they're used purely for demonstration purposes, the latest addition is here to stay: Prodrive has prepared a fleet of Subaru Impreza GB270s especially for the Automatic Number Plate Recognition Team at the Essex Police department.
Not only did Prodrive set up the vehicle for the team, commonly known as "The Intereptors", but the 21 officers that make up their ranks received a day of special instruction on how to get the most out of their new 270hp all-wheel-drive speed machines. As you can see in the press release after the jump, however, "The day was not about driving these cars fast, but understanding how and when to use their capability in a safe way." Way to make something exciting very boring, guv'na.
[Source: Prodrive] Continue reading Prodrive sets up Essex police with 270hp Impreza interceptors Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Toyota buys another chunk of FHI, SubaruFiled under: Subaru, Toyota, Earnings/Financials  Back in April, Toyota announced that it would be gobbling up a larger percentage of Fuji Heavy Industries, makers of the Subaru brand of vehicles. Today, that deal has been made official as Fuji announced the sale that increases Toyota's voting rights in the automaker to 16.16 percent from 9.50 percent. This deal had been made possible by a newly revised Japanese law that went into effect last year. Toyota had initially purchased about nine-percent share of the company from General Motors, which no longer owns any part of Fuji Heavy.
According to reports, Toyota paid about a ten-percent premium for the increased share, as well. Its total outlay of cash for the new shares is 31.11 billion yen ($291.1 million), for which it receives 61 million additional treasury stocks. Here's hoping that this new deal ushers in the upcoming new AE86 all the more quickly.
[Source: Thomson Financial News via Straightline] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Subaru Exiga: Up close and personalFiled under: Minivans/MPVs, Wagons/Estates, Japan, Subaru 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Subaru Exiga.
When we showed you Subaru's new MPV last week your response was pretty much unanimous: man that is fugly. The car's reception on the other side of the Pacific has been a lot warmer though, particularly for the headlights' signature blue flash; the only criticism is that it's taken Subaru way too long to get this car to market.
Make the jump to read our initial impressions of the Subaru Exiga.
Photos Copyright (C)2008 Justin Gardiner / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Subaru Exiga: Up close and personal Permalink | Email this | Comments
Official Subaru Exiga photos, info releasedFiled under: Wagons/Estates, Subaru 
Click above for high-res gallery of the Subaru Exiga
If you want a seven-passenger vehicle in the States, your choices are few. Those of you shopping for just such a vehicle can longingly gaze at the Subaru Exiga. It goes on sale today in Japan, but in the latest press release from Subaru, there are no plans for U.S. export mentioned.
The Exiga's naturally-aspirated 2.0L engine outputs 146 hp, while the sportier GT model with intercooler and turbocharger makes 221 hp. Passengers are treated to a huge panoramic roof that rivals even the new Jetta Sportwagen.
Around the Autoblog office complex, there are several wagon fans who love to get their hands on one of these. But for now, we have no reason to believe Subaru will bring the Exiga over here. Check out our gallery for more high-res shots of the Subaru Exiga and read the full press release after the jump.
[Source: Subaru]Continue reading Official Subaru Exiga photos, info released Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Subaru and L.L. Bean end partnershipFiled under: Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Marketing/Advertising, Crossovers/CUVs, Subaru  For the last eight years, Subaru and L.L. Bean have partnered on high-end versions of Subaru's line of all-wheel-drive vehicles. No longer. According to Subaru spokesman Dominick Infante, the duo have decided that it's in the best interests of both brands to call it quits. Infante notes that the Subaru brand has done rather well for itself in areas where snow and winter outdoor activities are common but has lacked appeal in more sun-rich states where the L.L. Bean brand isn't very common. It shouldn't be too difficult for Subaru to shed its rugged but staid image. With awesome models like the STi, Subaru seems entirely capable of making vehicles with which to scorch asphalt as opposed to the ski slopes.
In lieu of using the L.L. Bean nomenclature, Subaru will instead endow its higher-end models with the 'Limited' badge. With the last of the L.L. Bean models currently sitting on dealer lots, those outdoorsy individuals aching for one had better act fast.
[Source: Kicking Tires] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Australia gets market-specific Subaru Liberty GT tuned by STIFiled under: Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Subaru, Australia, Special/Limited Editions 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Liberty GT tuned by STI
Subaru's Australian outpost is set to deliver a localized special edition Liberty GT (Liberty = Legacy) that's been upgraded with a laundry list of components from the STI catalog. The Liberty GT tuned by STI makes 260 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and will be made available with either a 6-speed stick or a 5-speed sportshift automatic. Brembos, Bilstein shocks, STI springs, a new muffler, lightweight Enkeis, and leather-and-Alcantara sport seats are but a few the features included in the 250-car limited edition, which is now on sale in Australia. Hey Subaru of America, where's the love like this for U.S. customers?
[Source: Subaru Australia]Continue reading Australia gets market-specific Subaru Liberty GT tuned by STI Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: Toyota/Subaru coupe caught in the wildFiled under: Spy Photos, Coupes, Subaru, Toyota  AutoExpress may have provided us with a rendering of what the new RWD Subaru coupe might look like, but Winding Road's hired spies have provided the real deal. Shot outside a test center in the UK (amidst white-out conditions), the camo-clad mule is sporting some body panels pilfered from the current Legacy, but with a Toyota emblem in front, a pair of Recaro buckets inside and a shrunken trunk, there's little doubt that this prototype is more than just your standard sedan.
There's still no confirmation about what kind of output the 2.0-liter flat-four will be producing, as estimates have ranged from 180- to 220-hp, but grunt is expected to be shoveled to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and pricing should start a few pennies shy of $20,000.
[Source: Winding Road] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Subaru Impreza coupe coming in 2010Filed under: Coupes, Hatchbacks, Subaru, Rendered Speculation 
Subaru and Toyota's rear-wheel-drive lovechild is on its way, and AutoExpress has tapped Larson to render the new coupe to give us an idea of what we'll be saving up for come 2010.
As previously reported, both versions will be sporting separate sheet metal to differentiate the two coupes from one another. We'd suspect that the Toyota version will be fitted with a traditional trunk, while the Subaru version will get a hatch similar to that found on the WRX/STI. The image above takes all the right cues from the current Impreza, particularly the aggressive roofline and hunkered stance, and ratchets it up a notch with a new front bumper, swept back headlamps and bulging fender flares.
As we're already aware, both the Toyota version (which supposedly won't make it to U.S. shores) and the Subaru variant will be powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter boxer, sending around 180 hp to the rear wheels. AutoExpress claims that a 300-hp version equipped with the turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four is also destined for production, along with an all-wheel-drive version further down the road. For those of us that have been dreaming of an STI-powered GC8 coupe, this could spare us the considerable headache and expense when it goes on sale in 2012.
[Source: AutoExpress] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Subaru WRC2008 takes second in debut at Acropolis rallyFiled under: Motorsports, Subaru 
Sebastian Loeb and Citroen had a comfortable win at the Acropolis Rally in Greece this past weekend, but much of the attention was paid to the race debut of the Subaru WRC2008. With Petter Solberg behind the wheel, the new Subie took ten top-five stage times the first two days and captured second place overall. The result was Solberg's first points since February and his first podium finish since last year's Acropolis Rally. The problem-free weekend and the fast pace were encouraging for the Subaru team, who see the new race car as a turning point. "This is it, we're coming back!" Solberg declared after the race. The next rally in Turkey will determine whether the initial success of the car was a fluke or for real. For now, check out the gallery below of the WRC2008 sliding its way to a second place finish.
[Source: Crash.net via Straightline] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Subaru Legacy STI rumored to have 450 hpFiled under: Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Subaru, Rumormill 
When another batch of spy photos of the upcoming Subaru Exiga surfaced yesterday, we didn't give it much thought. We pretty much know the styling direction and dimensions of Subaru's new people mover, but one portion of AutoExpress' article caught our attention. In addition to the Exiga joining a new Legacy sedan and Outback wagon in 2009, Subaru's future drivetrain plans include dropping the 3.0-liter boxer and reworking the 2.0- and 2.5-liter engines to increase efficiency and power. The naturally aspirated 2.0-liter will supposedly produce 200 hp, while the current turbocharged 2.5-liter will exceed 300 hp. While neither of which is huge news, AE also mentions that a Legacy STI is on the way with a turbo'd 3.7-liter producing close to 450 hp. Whether or not such a beast will actually come about is open to debate, but when it does, we hope that Subaru has the foresight to make it available in the U.S.
[Source: AutoExpress] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Subaru releases specs on Impreza WRC 2008Filed under: Motorsports, Subaru 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Subaru Impreza WRC 2008.
WRC teams are gearing up in Greece ahead of this week's Acropolis rally, and just before its world racing debut, Subaru has released the details on its all-new Impreza rally car. You can pore over the specs after the jump, but the highlights of the Impreza WRC2008 include a 1994cc turbocharged flat four, running an IHI turbo equipped with the WRC-mandated 34mm restrictor plate and Subaru's own anti-lag system to produce 300 hp at 5,500 rpm and... wait for it... 479 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm.
Power is sent to a six-speed electro-hydraulic transmission, through an electronically controlled center diff and down to the wheels through mechanical differentials, fore and aft. Bos shocks are being used in conjunction with the front and rear MacPherson setup, while AP Racing, 310mm discs are clamped by six-piston calipers both in front and in the rear. BBS wheels are fitted at all four corners, with 15-inchers used for gravel stages and 18-inch rollers for tarmac attacks. The rally racer's weight is set at the WRC minimum of 2,712 pounds. As always, you can follow the progress of the Impreza and the rest of the teams at the WRC website.
UPDATE: We've added a video of the WRC2008 Impreza during a shake-down run after the jump, courtesy of Carscoop.
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Inside Line pits the Nissan GT-R against The WorldFiled under: Audi, Lotus, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru 
Click either image for a high-res gallery courtesy of Inside Line.
Inside Line has done what all of us have dreamed about at some point in our lives. They've contacted the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and had a 1.8-mile section of twisting mountain road closed off for the explicit purpose of running some of the hottest machinery in the world in the Mother of All Performance Tests.
 What machines could be worthy of such a fantastical feat? Let's start with the Nissan GT-R and follow it up with the Audi R8, Mitsubishi Evolution X MR, Porsche 911, Subaru Impreza WRX STI and Lotus Elise SC. Josh Jacquot's engaging prose is coupled with some stellar photography to make this incredible story come to life. But no serious performance test would be complete without hard numbers, so the crew at Inside Line equipped each vehicle with a Racelogic VBOX to log everything from 0-60 sprints (both from a standing start and a one-foot rollout) to timed laps of both the mountain road assault and a run around the Streets of Willow Springs. Which machine reigns supreme? Click here to find out.
[Source: Inside Line] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Subaru RWD coupe will be sold worldwide, Toyota version only in JapanFiled under: Coupes, Japan, Subaru, Toyota 
Inside Line is reporting that the new, RWD coupe being developed by Subaru and Toyota will only be sold as a Subaru in markets outside of Japan, while the Toyota version will remain exclusive to the Land of the Rising Sun. The report goes on to say that the coupe will be based off the Subaru Impreza (despite Toyota/Subaru's own press release saying that it's an "all-new" platform) and that power will be provided by a naturally aspirated, 2.0-liter boxer engine producing 220 hp at 6,500 rpm.
Toyota and Subaru are using the Integra Type-R as the performance benchmark for the new coupe, with a 103-inch wheelbase, a 2+2 seating layout and a curb weight of 2,866 pounds. As reported before, the coupe will debut in 2011 and pricing is expected to begin just south of $20,000.
[Source: Inside Line] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: Subaru Exiga caught ahead of debutFiled under: Spy Photos, Wagons/Estates, Japan, Crossovers/CUVs, Subaru 
In the run-up to the Exiga's launch, Subaru has released a teaser site along with a darkened photo of its new seven-passenger wagon. But it was just a matter of time before we got a non-Subie-approved glimpse of the automaker's new people mover. According to the crew at NASIOC, the version you see above is sporting an optional aero package with some additional front skirting, side sills and window treatments. The massive glass roof is likely to be one of the features that Subaru will hype when the Exiga launches in Japan next month, but don't expect to see the new super-wagon in the U.S. anytime soon.
[Source: NASIOC via Straightline] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Subaru releases Impreza WRC2008 ahead of launch at Acropolis rallyFiled under: Motorsports, Subaru
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Subaru Impreza WRC2008.
Next week's Acropolis Rally in Greece will be the first event in the 2008 WRC season to feature Subaru's new rally car. The Impreza Rally WRC2008 car was originally previewed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, but Subaru has yet to announce the final specifications of its new rally rocket. Obviously, Prodrive has had its hand in developing the new racer, but a BOS sticker indicates that Subaru will be utilizing the French outfit's dampers. Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson will pilot the new Impreza in Greece and Prodrive head David Richards is convinced that this is "the most radically different Subaru World Rally Car in 15 years." We're looking forward to seeing how it fares next week.
[Source: WRC] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Subaru releases Exiga teaserFiled under: Wagons/Estates, Japan, Crossovers/CUVs, Subaru  After a flurry of rumors circulated last week, Subaru has officially confirmed that a production version of the Exiga seven-passenger wagon is on its way. To sate our appetites before the official reveal on June 17th, Subaru has released a teaser image of the Exiga, along a micro-site dedicated to the automaker's newest people-mover.
Judging by the Japanese-language site, Subaru appears to be positioning the Exiga as a luxury alternative to the traditional wagon or crossover, with a well-appointed interior and a panoramic roof. Then again, our impression might be skewed by the up-beat techno soundtrack on the site (people at work, beware).
Click the image above for a high-res version of the teaser, along with a photochopped image that lightens up the pic to reveal a few more of the Exiga's details.
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JDM Goodness: Subaru Legacy STI S402Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Japan, Subaru 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Subaru Legacy STI S402.
Subaru is taunting us again with yet another limited-edition model that we'll likely never see Stateside. The Legacy STI S402 will be limited to (appropriately) 402 units in both sedan and wagon trim, featuring the STI's turbocharged, 2.5-liter flat-four. Unlike some of the other "special" Subies, the S402 Legacy means business. To begin with, the front fenders have been widened by 20mm, the steering ratio has been reduced to 13:1 and Bilstein shocks are fitted at all four corners, along with 18-inch BBS wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza RE050A rubber. The brakes have been upgraded to units from Brembo, with six-piston calipers up front and two-pot calipers in the rear gripping upgraded rotors. Aside from all the required badging, Subaru has fitted new gauges to the IP, along with a MOMO steering wheel and aluminum shift knob.
Sales begin in Japan on June 27th, with prices starting ¥5,491,500 for the wagon and ¥5,355,000 for the sedan. We'll take one of each, thank you very much.
[Source: Subaru] Permalink | Email this | Comments
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