The 2011 Impreza WRX and WRX STI – Both models have undergone a significant amount of evolution in the past decade, changing for reasons both obvious and subtle. The process is fairly simple: If Subaru releases a model that its customers like, it stays the same. If people don’t, the company’s engineers screw with it until they do. This is not the time or place to chart the WRX’s changes, but suffice it to say that they are both numerous and market-specific.

On that note, three main things are changed for 2011: The WRX now sports STI-like fender flares and a wider track; the STI boasts sharper, re-tuned suspension; and we are once again gifted with a four-door STI sedan.

Here’s the upgrades to 2011’s Impreza & Impreza STI: 2011 Impreza WRX: The aforementioned fat-fendered four-door body, which is now cosmetically similar to that of the STI. (The five-door sedan continues and also shares the STI’s looks.) A 1.5-inch track increase front and rear. Stiffer rear subframe bushings. An increase in wheel (17 x 8 inches versus last year’s 17 x 7) and tire width (235/45 versus 225/45) and a 1.5-pound reduction in wheel weight. Minor trim changes. An updated stereo with Bluetooth and iPod connectivity.

2011 Impreza WRX STI: The four-door body mentioned above, along with a big, fat, have-a-picnic-on-the-sucker rear wing. (Again, the five-door is still offered, albeit without the funky wing.) Updated suspension tuning, which includes new front balljoints — more on that in a moment — and stiffer springs, dampers, rear subframe bushings, and anti-roll bars. New polished 18-inch wheels. Minor trim changes, and the same stereo as the WRX.

Pricing: Four-door/five-door WRX: $25,495. Four-door STI: $33,995. Five-door STI: $35,995.

Prodrive’s expertise transformed the usually 4-door hatchback to a 2-door “notchback” – These Japanese vehicles now feature stepped-up aerodynamics, tighter suspension, and renewed trim. Built out of a partnership with Subaru UK, only a thousand were produced, all painted in Sonic Blue. The company added Recaro sports seats, six-piston brakes, alloy wheels, and increased power to 276 horsepower.

Subaru’s Prodrive P1 was discontinued after only a few years of production. However, as the weekend event proved, the car’s legacy lives on. The anniversary was well-attended by a further 300 Subaru Imprezas and 1,000 people.

2011’s WRX STI will receive a 1.5-inch track increase, flared fenders, and firmer rear subframe bushings. No real specs on engine or tranny yet, but you can bet a turbo charged 4-cyl and a V6, which can go either manual or automatic. For now, enjoy these lovely photos from Jalopnik at the 2010 New York Auto Show.

Will it be a hatchback? Can a sedan in be Subaru’s future? Only time will tell as we search through rumors of the WRX future. The Motor Report said they have spied a hatchback WRX for next year, while other auto mags have peered at sedans.

One report states “When they tried inserting a WRX hatchback into the image, the body contours matched very closely, but the wing didn’t match the contours of the sheet.” We can’t wait to check out Subaru’s production model in New York!

The Source: WorldCarFans

Subaru Impreza WRX STi vehicles are all over the street’s of this blogger’s home town, Philadelphia – but where they really want to be is playing in the mud. Subaru’s were bred to race and slosh around in the snows of Northern Vermont, in the wastelands of Provo, Utah, and on to be used on asphalt as a last resort. The racers out in Park City, Utah once a year to take on a snow, ice and muck covered 0.5-mile course to, well, just drive sideways and get very messy.

It’s known as the Subaru Ice Capades – as one Subaru PR representative puts it, is “where press cars go to die.” As frost begins to subside but still covered the track, Subaru drivers take to the road and begin splashing around. As friction and rubber collide ice turns to mud and it all goes up in the air, in one fluid swoosh. And the photo evidence is enough to make us want to book a flight next year.

Sources: Jalopnik | Subaru PR

We don’t have much in the ‘latest news’ department on the Hybrid Tourer. It still features those hot gull-wing doors and has a powertrain built on Subaru’s Horizontally-Opposed engine. Their Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system is attached to a 2.0-liter direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline engine and a Lineartronic transmission, optimized for “reduced fuel consumption and emission.”

Here’s a breakdown of specs for the Subaru Tourer Hybrid Concept:

* Length x Width x Height: 4,630 x 1,890 x 1,420mm

* Engine type: 2.0-liter Horizontally-Opposed direct fuel-injection turbo petrol engine

* Max output of Motor: 10kW (Front) / 20kW (Rear)

* Transmission type: Lineartronic

* Drive train: Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with 2 motors assist

* Battery type: Lithium-ion battery

Travis Pastrana couldn’t wait to hit up Northern Michigan for the 2010 Sno*Drift Rally – especially as it was the follow-up to his crazy-successful New Years Eve Stunt. Coming off that the only event worthy of Pastrana’s talents is Sno*Drift – and with the weather approaching 0 there was plenty of frost on the ground.

Fellow Subaru racer Ken Block was on hand, this time in Ford’s new Fiesta Rally car. Both drifting legends took on wintery weather, bouncing off snow banks and just barely missing onlookers. Travis Pastrana also won the race as an injured driver – he broke his collarbone less than a week before Sno* – but it was during a in a motocross event, so a job related injury. Every car grabbed some airtime, as snow & ice chunks flew several feet into the sky.

Check out a full review (and a little Pastrana interview) at Jalopnik.

SUBARU HYBRID TOURER CONCEPT
1. Concept

Subaru has condensed its DNA, developed over many years around the Subaru’s core technology of “Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD)” and “Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Engine”, into the integration of a luxurious and high-quality cabin atmosphere and an eye-catching sculpted body. The concept car features Subaru’s latest evolutions in handling agility, riding comfort and superior safety performance. It proposes Subaru’s vision of a future grand touring car that excels in environmental friendliness thanks to Subaru’s unique hybrid system.

2. Design and packaging

Subaru imagined wings with a feeling of freedom and confidence for driving far and wide in any environment. A luxurious and comfortable cabin, and advanced driving performance are contained within a sculpted aerodynamic form. The design features a combination of bright, open glass areas with a solid, reliable body.