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Block Rockin' Beat: 100 Acre Woods rally resultsFiled under: Motorsports, Performance, Hatchback, Ford, Subaru, Off-Road, Racing
Ken Block wins 100 Acre Wood Rally in Ford Fiesta shown in testing above
He did it. Ken Block made it five-in-a-row at the 100 Acre Wood Rally, showing that his new Ford Fiesta is doing just as good for him as his old Subaru. Block and Alex Gelsomino were the overall winners of the Open Class in their Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta, but it wasn't easy for them. Block started the second leg more than a minute behind Subaru Rally Team USA's Travis Pastrana after having a bit of trouble on stage one. Although the Ford was pretty quick, Pastrana was quicker, as was Antoine L'Estage, the Rockstar Mitsubishi Evo driver who now leads the Rally America championship race with 34 points.
Pastrana was leading until he broke his left rear control arm on the Super Special Stage in Potosi. That put Block into the lead with L'Estage barreling down on him - that is until L'Estage also hit some bad luck, getting a flat on the second stage and battling low visibility conditions at a water crossing. Block charged on and never looked back, crossing the finish some 20 seconds ahead of the Evo. Privateer Bill Bacon grabbed the last step on the podium in his last-gen 2006 Mitsubishi Evo IX. Despite some difficulties this year, Bacon has at least been consistent, and finds himself in second place in the championship standings with 28 points. Dave Mirra nabbed 4th, his best finish yet in Subaru Rally Team USA's 2010 STi.
Next up for Rally America will be the Olympus Rally in Olympia, Washington on April 24-25. Full results in the official press release after the jump. Hat tip to Jason!
[Source: Rally America]Continue reading Block Rockin' Beat: 100 Acre Woods rally results Block Rockin' Beat: 100 Acre Woods rally results originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReader Spy: Is that you, Toyobaru?Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Subaru, Toyota 
Toyota/Subaru Coupe test mule - Click above to enlarge
There has been a lot of buzz surrounding the joint venture between Toyota and Subaru and the Japanese automakers' drive to create a new performance-oriented coupe. Toyota unveiled its FT-86 Concept, which previews what a production-ready model could look like, and we've seen a test mule of this car running around the Nürburgring, making it no secret that the companies are looking to make their respective coupes potent performers when they finally roll off of assembly lines.
Now, one of our readers has spied the Toyobaru testing on public roads. It doesn't look like much has changed from the earlier mules that were spotted, probably due, in part, to Toyota having much larger fish to fry at the moment. However, it's good to see that plans for this coupe are still on track, and just because the outside cladding hasn't been adjusted doesn't mean that there aren't hot new tweaks under the hood. If we had to guess, judging by the more upright greenhouse and the wheels, this is probably the Subie variant. All we know is, we can't wait to drive one. Hat tip to Alejandro!Reader Spy: Is that you, Toyobaru? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsHonda and Subaru top latest Consumer Reports automaker report cardsFiled under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Honda, Subaru  The time has come once again for Consumer Reports' annual Auto Issue, which means the respected magazine will hand out an updated list of the vehicles and brands that it recommends. Included amongst the pages are CR's so-called Automaker Report Cards, and the tippy-top and way bottom couldn't have been easier to see coming.
Much like last year (and the year before, and the year before...), Honda gets the nod as the head of CR's list, joined in this instance by fellow Japanese automaker Subaru. The leading duo each earned a score of 77 out of 100, putting them three points ahead of cross-town rival Toyota, who's score of 74 was no doubt affected when CR yanked its Recommendation off eight of its products following their recent recall and safety woes.
Hyundai, Nissan and Volkswagen also performed well, scoring ahead of Ford, which was the highest ranking American automaker on the list. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Saab, and Volvo each earned plaudits for improving on their reliability scores from last year, leaving only one automaker to languish at the very bottom of the list. Drum roll please... Chrysler!
The Pentastar was the only company to score worse this year than last, though there was one lone bright spot shining from Auburn Hills: the Dodge Ram 1500, which is the only Chrysler model on Consumer Reports' Recommended list. Bravo. See the full press release after the break, and keep an eye on your mailbox or a newsstand near you for the complete Auto Issue.
[Source: Consumer Reports]Continue reading Honda and Subaru top latest Consumer Reports automaker report cards Honda and Subaru top latest Consumer Reports automaker report cards originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsConsumer Reports adds six cars to Top Picks list, touts diversityFiled under: Budget, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Hyundai, Infiniti, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, Luxury, Off-Road 
2010 Consumer Reports Top Pick Cars - Click above for high-res image gallery
Each year, the automotive editors of Consumer Reports select their Top Pick Cars, representing vehicles that are the best in their individual segments. These cars are deemed to have "average or better" predicted reliability and have scored high marks in government safety testing. In past years, automakers like Honda and Toyota have dominated this list, but since more and more manufacturers are ramping up their quality within each competitive segment, the 2010 list proves to be the most diverse CR Top Picks group in over a decade.
So, which cars garner the most praise from CR? The Nissan Altima has officially dethroned the Honda Accord from the top family sedan spot, the Volkswagen GTI takes honors as the best sporty car, the trusty Subaru Forester takes the cake in the small SUV category, the quirky Mazda5 wins for best family hauler, and both the Chevrolet Traverse and Silverado stand tall as the best family SUV and pickup truck. These six newcomers join the Hyundai Elantra SE, Infiniti G37, Toyota Prius and Lexus LS460L to round out the entire list of Top Pick Cars.
Unlike most automotive media outlets (Autoblog included), Consumer Reports actually buys its own test cars before putting them through rigirous evaluations of handling, braking, comfort, safety and more, and each test car is roughly 6,000 miles older by the time all of the tests have been completed. Follow the jump to read the official press release from CR, and scroll through our attached gallery to see high-res shots of all the 2010 Top Pick Cars.
[Source: Consumer Reports - sub. req.]Continue reading Consumer Reports adds six cars to Top Picks list, touts diversity Consumer Reports adds six cars to Top Picks list, touts diversity originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Cosworth getting its magic mitts on Subaru Impreza WRX STIFiled under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, Japan, Hatchback, Subaru 
Here's some extra happy news, especially if you're into that whole turbocharged, AWD rally thing. Autocar reports that legendary English engine tuner Cosworth has gotten its mitts all over the mighty Subaru WRX STI. Described as a "one-off, special project," it sounds as if Cosworth will be tweaking the engine, suspension and body. Long story short: YES!
As for details, we don't have any. Autocar says that specifications and pricing will become available when closer to the car's on sale date in March. A Cosworth spokesperson has said that the improved upon STI, "will raise the bar for all-wheel-drive, high-performance motoring." Sounds good to us, especially as the current STI has always felt about 85 percent finished to us. For what it's worth, Cosworth has a pretty special history when it comes to tuning rally cars. Ford RS200 anyone? We'll let you know more as soon as we can.
[Source: Autocar, CAR]Report: Cosworth getting its magic mitts on Subaru Impreza WRX STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsSubaru confirms Impreza XV crossover debut for GenevaFiled under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Hatchback, Subaru 
The big premiere for Subaru at next month's Geneva Motor Show will be the new Impreza VX. The all-wheel-drive specialist hasn't yet provided any images of the car, but judging from the description in the press release, it sounds as if this Europe-only model is pretty much the Outback Sport we get here.
A unique grille, wheel arches and roof rails visually set the VX apart from standard Imprezas. Propulsion comes via a choice of 2.0-liter boxer-fours, fueled by either gasoline or diesel. The Impreza VX goes on sale in Europe this summer.
Joining the Impreza VX on the stand will be the Hybrid Tourer Concept that we first saw at Tokyo last fall, as well as the plug-in Stella. The press release is after the jump.
[Source: Subaru]Continue reading Subaru confirms Impreza XV crossover debut for Geneva Subaru confirms Impreza XV crossover debut for Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsIntroduction to Ice Racing: Part 3 [w/video]Filed under: Motorsports, Subaru HITTING THE ICE
The time has come to do it for real. We've walked you through the various classes offered by the club we'll be racing with, and we've shown you what it's like to drive at speed on the ice, so there's nothing left but to do it in anger. In this installment of An Introduction to Ice Racing we'll hit the first event of the season, tell you how to get ready to race once you're on the ice, and dazzle you with plenty of in-car video from first event's three heats - including footage of a few unfortunate incidents that left fenders crumpled and tensions flared.
It's all below, so click on through and check out the action. We promise not to put a single dent in your monitor.
Continue reading Introduction to Ice Racing: Part 3 [w/video] Introduction to Ice Racing: Part 3 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsPastrana puts competition on ice at Rally America Sno*DriftFiled under: Motorsports, Ford, Subaru 
Rally America Sno*Drift 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Travis Pastrana has no shortage of critics who claim the daredevil is skating on thin ice. Okay, that was a terrible segue into this year's Sno*Drift, the opening event in the Rally America Championship series, but yes, Pastrana and co-driver Christian Edstrom did skate to a fourth straight Sno*Drift victory on Saturday, trumping the second place team of Antoine L'Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard by more than a minute. Not too bad for a guy who just had surgery for a broken collar bone. Meanwhile, William Bacon and Peter Watt finished third overall as the highest-placing privateers. Ken Block, sporting his trademark goatee and a new Ford Fiesta rally car, retired after just seven stages due to suspension failure.
Organized around the snowy gravel roads of Northern Lower Michigan, Sno*Drift 2010 wasn't so much with the snow thanks to a warm spell and thorough soaking of rain, followed by a quick dip into sub-zero temperatures-all within a week of race day. Roads turned into rivers of glare ice, and since studded tires aren't allowed in the series, automotive hilarity reminiscent of Snoopy on Ice was the order of the day. Just ask Pastrana's team mate Dave Mirra, who crossed the final mark literally dragging his Subie's front bumper and headlights thanks to a late-stage disagreement between himself, Sir Issac Newton, and a tree.
More to come on Pastrana, Block, and Rally America; in the meantime spy the Rally America gallery while we search Wikipedia for frost bite remedies and tips on removing champagne from blue jeans.
Photos by Christopher Smith / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Pastrana puts competition on ice at Rally America Sno*Drift originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsIntroduction to Ice Racing: Part 1Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Subaru
"You race on what now?" This is the typical response given when the topic of ice racing comes up. People can't seem to get their head around the idea that you, a sane human being with as strong a survival instinct as the next guy/gal, would drive a car out onto a frozen lake at speeds upwards of 100mph - often sideways. Mention that the racing action is wheel-to-wheel against dozens of competitors at once and you're almost guaranteed to be labeled clinically insane.
Ice racers may be a little special but most are not insane, and if you live in parts of the world that get cold enough, you can join in their fun for a pittance. Ice racing is, dollars to seat time, one of the cheapest forms of motorsport out there. It's also one of the most thrilling and, for those of us who find ourselves driving in frequently inclement conditions, it's even a genuinely useful exercise. Sure, autocrossing is cheap, safe and educational, but where cone-dodging helps you find your car's limits, ice racing teaches you to drive far beyond them, to stay in control (or close to it) when by all rights you should be spinning wildly into a snowbank.
Just like we did last summer with karting, we're going to take you along for the ride and let you get a taste for ice racing. Naturally there will be some changes: instead of a racing suit we'll be investing in a set of thermals, and rather than sticky slicks we'll be budgeting for heavily siped snow tires. It's a whole different ball game, managing slip instead of grip, but the thrills are just as great. And, since you can compete with just about any car, it's open to almost anyone who has a need for speed -- and who doesn't mind spending the day hanging around on a frozen lake.
Continue reading Introduction to Ice Racing: Part 1 Introduction to Ice Racing: Part 1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsProdrive launches new rally-spec Subaru Impreza N2010Filed under: Motorsports, Subaru, UK, Racing
Prodrive Impreza N2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Prodrive has had a number of clients over the years. They've raced Ferraris at Le Mans, racked up innumerable victories for Aston Martin, and even ran Honda's Formula One team until they took the reins themselves. But few associations have put the British racing consultancy on the map as much as its collaboration with Subaru in the World Rally Championship.
Unfortunately for David Richards and company, Subaru withdrew last year from the WRC. But that hasn't kept Prodrive from tweaking out another rally-prepped Impreza, as if to show it still can. Homologated to production-based Group N specifications, the Impreza N2010 packs a twin-scroll-turbocharged two-liter boxer four with competition-spec fuel injectors, catalyst and ECU for an extra 20 horsepower over stock and a wider torque band. It's also riding on an adjustable Ohlins suspension, with differentials front, center and rear, kept in check by AP Racing brakes and reinforced with an FIA-certified roll cage.
The result is what Prodrive claims is a more competitive package compared to a Super 2000-spec rally machine at about half the price - challengers can pick one up from £120,000 (about $195k), or lease one for two years. Details in the press release after the jump, photos in the gallery below.
[Source: Prodrive]Continue reading Prodrive launches new rally-spec Subaru Impreza N2010 Prodrive launches new rally-spec Subaru Impreza N2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsPolk announces 2009 Loyalty Award winners, Toyota bumps GMFiled under: Car Buying, Etc., Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Land Rover, Lexus, Mini, Porsche, Subaru, Toyota  Key to the survival of any business are repeat customers, and automobiles are no different. The data miners at R.L. Polk & Company have announced the winners of their 2009 Automotive Loyalty Award after wading into facts and figures tracking customer loyalty to automotive nameplates. This is the 14th year Polk has presented the awards, and three new categories noting loyalty among specific ethnic groups were added this year.
Overall Loyalty to Manufacturer went to Toyota, unseating General Motors from its nine-year run. Toyota cleaned up two more categories - Mid/Full-Size Car for the Toyota Prius and Mid/Full-Size SUV for the Lexus RX - and also secured one of the new ethnic category awards, taking home the honors for Asian-American brand loyalty.
Honda took awards for Overall Loyalty to Make as well as picking up the new African-American and Hispanic loyalty awards. Most Improved Loyalty went to Audi for its 4.9 percent bump in customer retention. Ford's F-Series pickup and Mustang ponycar won their respective categories, while the Subaru Forester, Range Rover, and Chrysler Town & Country repeated wins in their segments. The BMW 3 Series, Mini Cooper, and Porsche 911 also took home hardware. More details are given in the press release posted after the jump.
[Source: R.L. Polk & Co.]Continue reading Polk announces 2009 Loyalty Award winners, Toyota bumps GM Polk announces 2009 Loyalty Award winners, Toyota bumps GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Jan 2010 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsToyota tops in CR brand perception study, Subaru, Ford, Chevy make gainsFiled under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, Ford, Hummer, Mazda, Mercury, Saab, Subaru, Toyota 
Consumer Reports 2010 Car Brand Perception Survey results just published
After one of the worst years ever for the auto industry, which automakers do you think came out of 2009 with an unsullied reputation? Consumer Reports just published its 2010 Car Brand Perception Survey and the results are a bit perplexing. Naming the manufacturers that slipped last year would probably be a piece of cake, but try to guess which ones came out ahead of their 2008 rankings.
Before you try to guess, here are the ground rules. According to CR, "The scores reflect how consumers perceive each brand in seven categories: Safety, quality, value, performance, design/style, technology/innovation, and environmentally friendly/green." Further, "The scores reflect consumers' total perception level of a brand across those categories, and not the actual qualities of the brand's individual vehicles."
The overall top brands in the rankings were the usual suspects for the most part. Toyota was tops (guess CR readers haven't heard about that sticky gas pedal thing), followed by America's sole avoider of bankruptcy, Ford, then Honda. Somewhat surprisingly, Chevrolet placed fourth - bankruptcy be damned. Carmakers improving by the largest percentage over last year were an equally mixed bag. Chevy and Ford improved quite a bit, but the company posting the biggest gain was Subaru, which mirrored the success it had on the showroom floor in 2009.
Perhaps even more interesting were the bottom brands. Not surprisingly in these green-leaning times, Hummer scored the lowest as a brand, followed closely by GM problem-child, Saab. The Swedish firm was actually tied, though, with Ford's forgotten brand, Mercury, and shockingly, recent Ford divestiture, Mazda. Dropping the most this year were luxury brands like Porsche, Lexus and Lincoln. How Porsche and Lexus dropped so much is a bit of a mystery, but Cadillac droppng 15 points was a real head-scratcher considering the success of the CTS.
The complete survey is an interesting read, as are the full rankings. The top scorers in each category is particularly revealing. Before you click the source link below, though, try to guess where your favorite brands placed. You might be as surprised as we were.
[Source: Consumer Reports]Toyota tops in CR brand perception study, Subaru, Ford, Chevy make gains originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Asian automakers closing in on 50% share of U.S. auto salesFiled under: Car Buying, Japan, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, South Korea
While it may come as no surprise that Asian car companies are constantly gaining market share in the U.S. market, the actual numbers are quite amazing. Ten years ago, companies like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai and the rest accounted for a little more than one-quarter of total light-vehicle sales in the States. By 2005, that figure stood at 36.6 percent. By 2007? 41.9 percent. In 2009, Asian automakers sold a full 47.9 percent of the cars and light trucks we Americans bought.
These numbers come from the latest report by Ward's Auto. Perhaps predictably, that same dispatch tells us that American automakers were hurt the most by those Asian gains. General Motors, Ford and Chrysler were once part of an American auto industry that accounted for nearly 70 percent of sales in 1999. The Detroit Three had just a 44.8 percent market share a decade later. The European automakers have also gained a bit in the U.S. over the past decade. Still, they only account for 7.3 percent of the market right now.
If the Japanese and Korean manufacturers post gains for 2010 that are similar to the 2009 increases, they will pass the 50 percent mark for the first time in history. Individually, companies like Toyota have fared the best, nearly doubling their slice of the American pie, going from 8.7 to 17 percent since 1999. While Ford shared the biggest gain last year compared to 2008, they were also one of the decade's biggest losers, dropping 8.3 percent. Maybe last year's gain is a sign of recovery for the domestic automakers, but the troubles at GM and Chrysler don't bode well for the group. Check out the full breakdown by clicking the Ward's source link below.
[Source: Ward's Automotive]Report: Asian automakers closing in on 50% share of U.S. auto sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsKeeping Up Appearances: Subaru launches JDM Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type SFiled under: Performance, Japan, Hatchback, Subaru 
Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S - Click above for high-res image gallery
Another day, another new special-edition Subaru Impreza. There are worse things, after all. This one, however, doesn't quite have the substance of the recently unveiled WRX STI R205. Whereas the R205 is a real fire-breathing monster of a hatch, the long-winded Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S (try saying that three times fast) is mostly a trim package.
That package includes 18-inch gunmetal rims, gold Brembo brake calipers and Recaro buckets in a cockpit decked out with contrasting red top-stitch and a 10-speaker audio system. It definitely looks sharp, but the Japanese consumers that are able to buy it shouldn't expect much in the way of heightened performance over the already stonking STI. The Type S commands a 3,255,000 yen (circa $35k USD) sticker price in its domestic market, so if you want to have a look and you don't live in the Land of the Rising Sun, you had better check it out in our high-res image gallery below.
[Sources: Nihon Car and Le Blog Auto]Keeping Up Appearances: Subaru launches JDM Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsSubaru Impreza WRX STI R205 continues the tradition, still not coming StatesideFiled under: Performance, Japan, Hatchback, Subaru, Tokyo Auto Salon 
Subaru Impreza WRX STI R205 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Following in a line of successfully hotter Impreza variants, Subaru has announced the all-new "R205" version of its latest hatch, and in keeping with tradition, it won't be coming to the States.
As it's done in the past with other "Road Sport" Imprezas, Subaru has raided the Spec C parts bin and fitted all the good kit to the Impreza STI R205, including six-pot (front) and four-pot (rear) upgraded brakes with slotted rotors and cast 18-inch aluminum wheels shod in specially designed Potenza RE070 (245/40R18) tires. Inverted strut and coil springs soak up the bumps in front, with similarly STI-tuned dampers and coils out back, while a front strut tower bar and lower arm stiffening brace help keep the front wheels planted and the steering speaking to the driver.
Naturally, engine mods are part of the package, and with a retuned ECU, new exhaust and turbo, the R205 cranks out 316 horsepower and 319 pound-feet of torque.
A few plaques, a bespoke black front grille, new front and rear diffusers and a black spoiler set the R205 apart from run of the mill JDM Imprezas, and if you're fortunate enough to live in the Land of the Rising Sun, it can all be had for 4,510,000 yen (just under $49k). But act quick, Subaru only plans to produce 400 examples when the S205 goes on sale today. Hit the jump for the press release.
Continue reading Subaru Impreza WRX STI R205 continues the tradition, still not coming Stateside Subaru Impreza WRX STI R205 continues the tradition, still not coming Stateside originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsSubaru releases new Forester X Columbia in AustraliaFiled under: SUV, Subaru, Australia 
Subaru has collaborated with outdoor gear company Columbia for some time in other markets, and the latest result is the limited edition 2010 Forester X Columbia. This version swaps out the standard steel wheels for 16-inch alloys and adds fog lights, a roof rack, cargo tray, rear step panel, and a $500 voucher for actual Columbia gear. Not bad, but it's arguably a step down from the 2007 Forester X Columbia, which also got a sunroof and heated seats.
There will be 1,050 examples on offer and they go on sale in Australia beginning Monday, January 4. The "driveaway" price has been announced as $33,990 AUD for the manual ($30,486 USD - note: that's a straight conversion and does not correspond to the car's U.S. price), which is $600 less than the Forester X price on Subaru's Aussie site. Unless we're missing something, that can't be all bad for the country's best-selling crossover. Just for our Aussie readers, we've placed the official press release after the jump.
[Source: Subaru]Continue reading Subaru releases new Forester X Columbia in Australia Subaru releases new Forester X Columbia in Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsRear-Engine Rendering: Student-styled Subie is the hot hatch of dreams, nightmaresFiled under: Aftermarket, Subaru, Specialty, Design/Style 
Digimods Subaru Impreza - Click above to enlarge
In the real world of asphalt and hydrocarbons (yes, that's possibly redundant), the Subaru WRX STI is a common target for zealous mods. While much tuning can go on under the stock skin, which isn't exactly subtle on a Rex, it's de rigeur to go at the exterior with pieces of thermoplastic and visions of reshaping dancing in your head.
If you're not deft enough to translate inspiration to metal, or you don't have a WRX, or you just want to avoid getting gunk under your fingernails and cutting your hands all up while trimming out big pieces of sheetmetal, you can do it with bits and bytes instead. Of course, a digital mockup is a good way to test out ideas before taking the nipper to the roof, too.
Pete from Digimods has decided that the WRX could really use a rear-mounted engine, plenty more scoops, and a giant roof duct to supply air to the engine, and drown it if it gets taken out in the rainy season. It's a very nicely done rendering. Some will love, some will hate, all will likely have something to say. Have at it, kids!
[Source: Digimods via CarScoop]Rear-Engine Rendering: Student-styled Subie is the hot hatch of dreams, nightmares originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsREPORT: Subaru says it can't Justy-fy selling a subcompact in the U.S.Filed under: Budget, Subaru 
What do Toyota, Nissan and Honda all have in common? (Besides the fact that they are all Japanese automakers, that is?) They all re-entered the subcompact market in 2006 after abandoning it years ago. What's more, Mazda is planning to bring its subcompact Mazda2 to U.S. shores next year, Suzuki has signaled its intent to enter the B-segment with its popular Swift hatchback, and the domestics are in the game with the Chevrolet Aveo and forthcoming Ford Fiesta.
So, where does that leave Subaru? After all, the company has roots in small cars, starting with its first automobile, the downright minuscule 360, all the way up to the off-the-wall, four-wheel drive, three-cylinder Justy and its unconventional CVT.
Subaru spokesman Michael McHale tells Wards Auto, "The thing with the B-sector is you have to ask how you make money at the lower levels. You look at the pricing on the B segment - it's a tough segment to make money." Indeed it is - with base models of some competitors starting just under $10,000, profits are in very short supply.
For an automaker as small as Subaru, taking a risk on what is likely to be an unprofitable model generally isn't a smart idea. In other words, don't hold your breath for another subcompact Subaru any time soon.
[Source: Wards Auto]REPORT: Subaru says it can't Justy-fy selling a subcompact in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsVIDEO: Man wins India Supreme Court case for 'mountain goat' claims about Chevy ForesterFiled under: SUV, Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet, Subaru, India 
Dead Chevrolet Forester in India - Click above to watch the video after the break
First of all, if you weren't aware already, the first-generation Subaru Forester was later sold in India as the Chevrolet Forester (General Motors doesn't have the CUV in its lineup anymore). There weren't any real changes to the vehicle in any way, it was really just a Subaru with a Bowtie emblem. Now that that's out of the way, we have learned that an 80-year-old man in India named Ashok Tolat sued General Motors after his Forester came to a halt and died in one foot of water during the monsoon season in 2005. Angered that his SUV couldn't handle any weather thrown its way, Tolat sued GM.
General Motors denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the Forester wasn't designed as an all-terrain, all-weather vehicle. Tolat countered with the car's sales brochure, which reportedly likened the Forester's capabilities with that of a mountain goat. "A total misrepresentation," says Tolat. As far as we can recall, we're not aware of any 2005-vintage mountain goats that stalled out and died in one foot of water... so, there you go.
The General took the case all the way to India's Supreme Court after losing Tolat's lawsuit in two lower courts, but it ultimately lost there too. It took three years, but Tolat finally got GM to buy back the Forester and pay his legal fees. Score one for determination, even if we're a little leery of the court's ruling without the rest of the facts. In any case, click past the break to watch video of the story as covered on NDTV.
[Source: NDTV via YouTube via TTAC]Continue reading VIDEO: Man wins India Supreme Court case for 'mountain goat' claims about Chevy Forester VIDEO: Man wins India Supreme Court case for 'mountain goat' claims about Chevy Forester originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReview: 2010 Subaru Outback adds size, power and refinement for a big wagon winnerFiled under: Crossover, Subaru, Reviews
2010 Subaru Outback - Click above for high-res image gallery
Even in the face of a bleak economy and dreadful auto sales, Subaru managed to have a breakout year in 2009. Products like the Forester and the Impreza helped Subaru achieve consistent year-over-year gains while the Japanese automaker continues to post stellar quality ratings through J.D. Power and Consumer Reports. And the accolades don't stop there. The new-for-2009 Forester was crowned the 2008 Motor Trend SUV of the year, and this year Subaru accomplished a surprise repeat taking the award for the second straight year with the 2010 Outback.
However, the new Outback isn't the capable, milquetoast lifted station wagon we've come to know and respect over the years. It's now bigger. Quite a bit bigger, performing a similar wagon-to-crossover transformation that the Forester pulled off a year earlier. Granted, the Outback is only two inches taller and wider, and a mere three inches longer between the wheels, but the result is a wagon that looks much larger than the model it replaces. We've come to expect that kind of growth in a world of constant size and weight one-upping, but we had to wonder - has increased functionality come at the expense of entertainment once again? We snagged a six-cylinder Outback to find out.
Photos by Chris Shunk / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Review: 2010 Subaru Outback adds size, power and refinement for a big wagon winner Review: 2010 Subaru Outback adds size, power and refinement for a big wagon winner originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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