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The 2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Goes Premium

admin — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:53:26 +0000

We already know the Subaru Forester comes with award winning safety and performance. But how about we kick that up a notch with the Forester 2.5X Premium Edition? This car is equipped with just as good fuel economy ratings, but even more horsepower. You can check the car out at any of the North American Subaru Dealers from Hartford, CT to New York, NY.

Exactly what separates 2.5X Premium from other Subaru Foresters? The boxer engine, for starters. This 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder boxer comes with dual overhead cams. These produce 170 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimates are 21 mpg city, 27 on the highway.

A turbo version is available, knocking it up to 224 horsepower and 226 pound-feet of torque. You lose only 2-mpg at the pump as well. A 5-speed manual gearbox is standard, the automatic is a $1,000 option. Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system comes standard as well, as on all models.

All variants can be taken for a test drive at your Hartford Subaru dealer, or any of the quality lots across the nation! Entry-level 2.5X has a price of $20,495. The base price on the Forester 2.5 Premium is $23,495. Finally, the top of the line 2.4X Turbo Touring starts at $29,995.

Source: The Auto Channel

I Spy a 2012 Subaru Impreza

admin — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:56:06 +0000

Why hello there, little 2012 Subaru Impreza. We all love the Impreza; seriously it’s the number one selling car in America (for its class), and has a slew of safety and performance awards to back this all up. Oh, it’s also one of the top selling models in Subaru history.

With that, the spy photographers over at Edmunds have caught a few shots of the 2012 Impreza hiding out at a testing facility. The pictures are, obviously, from Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy & Company.

Travis Pastrana Leaves Subaru

admin — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:38:40 +0000

Travis Pastrana, stunt driver and X-Gamer extraordinaire, is parting ways with Subaru. This, after a successful rally driving career, in such vehicles as the Subaru Impreza WRX STI. The wildly popular driver got his start at four-wheel motorsport in 2004, He said at the time he enjoyed the challenge of rally, describing the sport as “motocross … with a roll cage.” Travis Pastrana became an official Subaru Rally Team driver in 2006, achieving over 150 stage wins, 40 podiums and 22 event victories in his career.

He earned four consecutive US rally championships, and became the youngest US rally champion in history. When the X Games picked up Rally Car in 2006, Pastrana was an instant threat – winning two gold, one silver and one bronze medal for Subaru.

It isn’t yet official what Pastrana is planning next. He talked about a move to on a recent radio show: “Definitely, Waltrip racing has offered something to get into a new form of racing,” Pastrana told the radio show. “I’m definitely looking forward to trying a few rounds out – maybe in Nationwide – next year.”

Subaru’s announcement followed this weekend’s conclusion of the rally season, with the running of two final rallycross events. Dave Mirra will continue driving for Subaru Rally Team USA. The team is actively searching for a replacement for Pastrana.

In honor of Pastrana’s departure, we present our favorite Pastrana-Subaru Stunt:

Thanks ESPN!

100 Subaru Impreza P1s at Prodrive

admin — Wed, 19 May 2010 19:01:02 +0000

British engineering firm Prodrive was part of a special event last week, where 100 Impreza Pa cars (aka Prodrive 1) took over the company lot. The UK company is part of Subaru’s team which created the special two-door WRC Impreza racers, and have done so since their partnership launched in 1999 along with former racing champion Richard Burns.

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.

Subaru Brings Tourer, Not Much Else to NAIAS

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:58:38 +0000

Subaru brought their Hybrid Tourer Concept to the 2010 NAIAS and…well not much else. But what Subaru lacked in physical flash they made up for with numbers. Mat Nagato, Executive Vice President of Fuji Heavy Industry, Subaru’s parent company, listed all the sales records set by the brand in most of its markets: which include a 16 % increase in Canadian sales, 3.9% in Australia and in China a whopping 86%! Not bad, and with hybrid cars like the Tourer on the way in 2010 – 2011, you can bet sales will shoot up even higher. Needs to refresh your memory? Check out a bit of the press release below.

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.

Is That a 2010 Subaru Legacy Layout?

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:12:38 +0000

While paging through the articles and advertisements of Best Car Magazine we were floored at what initially came across as the 2010 Subaru Legacy. Reading on, it became apparent (with our poor yet suitable understanding of Japanese) these images were actually artist renderings of the 2010 Legacy.

At first glimpse we were surprised and very happy that the Legacy Wagon is back in full force. But for those who enjoy an enclosed trunk fear not, the sedan version should also make an appearance. A 5-door wagon complete with floodlights, a sexy grill and headlights large enough to flood the infield at Yankee Stadium.

We enjoy this high-rising, beefy Forester-like sports wagon more than the low riding family style Legacy, pictured below. Either way, the supposed look of 2010′s Legacy from Subaru is about as sexy as an Australian car can get. We hope that Best Car Mag is good at predictions when it comes to automotive design. We’ll be looking out for the production photos later this year.

Subaru OUT! of World Rally Championship

admin — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:52:25 +0000

It’s a sad day when the disaster marking this Nation (and now the world automotive industry) strikes a blow to motorsports. It’s already happened with Honda and Suzuki, and now Rally champions Subaru have announced that due to struggling financial times they will not be involved in 2009′s World Rally Championship.

As per the Subaru/Prodrive press release “Subaru has announced its decision to withdraw from the 2009 World Rally Championship. This sudden decision was in response to the widespread economic downturn that is affecting the entire automotive industry, and follows Suzuki’s withdrawal announced yesterday. After 20 years in the sport, during which time the Prodrive-run Subaru World Rally Team has won six World Rally Championship titles, this is not only sad news for Subaru and the team, but also for millions of rallying fans around the world.”

More on the official news below:

Prodrive/SWRT Announcement
Subaru has announced its decision to withdraw from the 2009 World Rally Championship.

This sudden decision was in response to the widespread economic downturn that is affecting the entire automotive industry, and follows Suzuki’s withdrawal announced yesterday. After 20 years in the sport, during which time the Prodrive-run Subaru World Rally Team has won six World Rally Championship titles, this is not only sad news for Subaru and the team, but also for millions of rallying fans around the world. Thanks to its highly successful World Rally Championship program, Subaru has developed into one of the world’s most widely recognized and evocative automotive brands.

Prodrive chairman, David Richards, said: “Subaru’s departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sport’s icons. The Subaru World Rally Team has created true champions such as Colin McRae and Richard Burns and its absence will be felt by many the world over. Although this decision closes a significant chapter in Prodrive’s history, our focus now turns to the future.”

For many, Prodrive and Subaru are synonymous, given the long-standing and close association between the two companies. However, while the Subaru World Rally Team historically represented a significant part of Prodrive’s business, today it accounts for no more than 20 per cent of the company’s turnover.

Prodrive will look to redeploy as many of the rally team as possible in other areas of its business operations, which have grown to span advanced engineering and manufacturing for the automotive, defence, marine and aerospace industries, in addition to other motorsport programs.

Despite the current economic downturn, Prodrive’s automotive engineering business remains buoyant as it works with vehicle manufacturers to accelerate the development of next generation fuel-efficient vehicles and alternative fuel technologies.

Together with Subaru, Prodrive’s commitment to its customer rally teams will also continue unabated for 2009 and beyond. Over the past 15 years, Prodrive has sold close to 500 rally cars to more than 400 private competitors and independent rally teams in 47 countries. During this time, Prodrive’s customers have won five consecutive Production World Rally Championships and countless international rallies. In 2008, Prodrive-supported customer teams have claimed eight rally championship titles around the world.

Looking ahead, 2010 will see the introduction of new World Rally Championship technical regulations, which provide Prodrive with an opportunity to prepare for re-entering the championship with a new team and build on its 24 years of World Rally Championship experience and success.

FHI Announcement
okyo, December 16, 2008 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced the withdrawal from the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) at the end of the 2008 season.

FHI has participated in the WRC together with Prodrive, a motorsports and automotive engineering group in the UK, over the past 19 years to pursue its goal and philosophy in motor sports activities to enhance Subaru brand awareness by showing that Subaru vehicles offer safe, comfortable and pleasurable driving no matter the weather or road conditions, featuring Horizontally-Opposed engine and the Symmetrical All-Wheel drive system as its core technologies, and to transfer results of race-tested technical improvements into Subaru passenger vehicles.

Subaru has won three manufacturer’s championship titles and three driver’s championship titles in its history of rally racing. This has helped enhance the value of the Subaru brand as well as the sales expansion of Subaru vehicles all over the world.

FHI considers it has achieved its original target in WRC participation. However, while considering positioning the WRC activity in Subaru branding strategy towards the future, our business environment has been dramatically changed due to the quick deterioration of the global economy. In order to optimize the management resources and to strengthen further the Subaru brand, FHI decided to withdraw from WRC activities at the earliest timing.

As regards future involvement in rally activities, FHI will continue to support teams and drivers that participate in P-WRC or the Group N category.

President Mori commented that reaching this decision has been an extremely difficult task, not least with regards to the countless Subaru fans that for many years have cheered the legendary Subaru blue liveried Impreza World Rally Car; “We would like to express our sincere appreciation for our fans’ strong and loyal support worldwide. They will remain an invaluable treasure for us.”

Capitalizing on the priceless experience gained throughout the history in the WRC field, FHI will continue to offer Subaru customers products that integrate sheer excitement, safe, comfortable and reliable driving, respect of the global environment and peace of mind based on its philosophy of “Customer comes first.”