The Toyota/Subaru FT-86 creation has been buzzing about the internet since the two announced their partnership, but after months of concepts and hearsay, a Subaru source has provided a bit of official information about the new sports car. The FT-86 will be arriving in the U.S. badged as a Scion FR-S and will feature one of the lowest centers of gravity of any vehicle out on the market. It will actually be right behind the Porsche GT3 and the Ferrari 458, thanks to the boxer engine provided to Toyota by Subaru. Subaru’s boxer engine has a flat, low profile that balances weight efficiently and provides quick handling response and flat, confident cornering.
We’re expected to see debuts of all the FT-86 variants when the Tokyo Motor Show opens its doors in December 2011 so we’ll have more details on those models at that time. Subaru’s version of the FT-86 is also being considered for an STI version which could come sporting a new generation, naturally aspirated (not turbocharged as with other STI models) 2.0-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine.
Speaking of the STI, Subaru sources also say that the new STI will take at least two years before coming to the market and will be drastically different from the base Impreza. In fact, this is part of Subaru’s plan to separate their conventional models from their performance models. The Impreza was put together with an eye out for economy, but the STI will be a different beast altogether. It will get its own engine, one that will have nothing to do with the Toyota engine created for the FT-86 project and will make it easier for Subaru to market the vehicle as a performance model. No specific figures were given, but we expect the new STI to carry a turbocharged version of the 2.5 liter boxer engine with more than 305 HP on tap. The engine will be mated to a fully synchronized close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission.
Subaru
offered up a small taste of what wass to come with the first image of the new 2012 Impreza revealed in both sedan and hatchback versions at the 2011 New York Auto Show. The 2012 Impreza will be offered in base, Premium, Sport Premium, Limited and Sport Limited models when it arrives in dealerships later this fall.
The 2012 Impreza comes with an improved fuel economy achieved with the use of a 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder producing 148 HP and 146 lb-ft of torque which debuted in Europe earlier this year. This engine replaces the current 170 HP 2.5-liter SOHC aluminum-alloy engine. Further aid is offered with the use of the new continuously variable transmission.
The new model will come with a totally new design that "will propose roomier cabin space with new level of comfort and refinement for enhanced product appeal."
UPDATE 08/22/2011: Subaru has announced prices for their 2012 Impreza. The base model 4-door Impreza 2.0i with a five-speed manual transmission starts off at $17,495 to match last year’s prices. The automatic version, offered exclusively with Subaru’s newly designed continuously variable transmission (CVT), starts at $18,495. The base 5-door Impreza 2.0i starts at $17,995 when equipped with a five-speed transmission and $18,995 for the CVT-equipped model.
Subaru is making a quick turnaround with its XV Concept car by offering up a production model in the same year. The concept was revealed at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show while the production version was officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Known as the Impreza Outback in the US market, the new XV Crosstrek was introduced to show an SUV that will "define a new generation of Subaru crossover vehicles."
The concept was favorably received globally thanks to its distinctive and trendy design which blend a crossover-like commanding silhouette and an urban friendly image into one harmonious and elegant package. The Subaru XV’s design symbolizes the fusion of SUV functionality and urban persona. IT carries a crossover design that combines a stylish, flowing form with the overall functionality of an SUV.
The hexagon grille and hawk eye headlights emphasize a unique identity of Subaru’s future line-up of vehicles. The corners of the front and rear bumpers come with special edges that aids and improves aerodynamic performance, which in turn provides better fuel economy.
The interior of the XV is as roomy and spacious as any of its contemporaries. Combine that with a stylish design that perfectly balances the different tactile and emotional qualities of leather, metal, and cloth and you have the best of luxury and modern-day technology in one fine interior cabin.
Whereas the concept car was powered by a 2.0-liter four cylinder horizontally-opposed DOHC engine with an output of 150 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 146 lb/ft at 4,200 rpm, the XV Crosstrek will carry the same powertrain while also coming with a more palatable 1.6-liter petrol variant, as well as a 2.0-liter Boxer diesel engine.
UPDATE 11/18/2011: During the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, Subaru has revealed that the XV Crossover headed to the US will officially be called the XV Crosstrek. Subaru thinks this will help differentiate it from its brother, the Impreza Outback Sport.
Racing teams and automakers alike are always striving to prove their strength and dazzle us with the impressive technology used in their vehicles. Many times, they succeed in doing so when they manage to break some records. There is, and will always be, a war in terms of record-breaking and this week, Subaru Rally Team USA is stepping ahead of the pack with a speedy trek up the famed Mt. Washington Hillclimb.
On Sunday, July 26, 2011, Subaru Rally Team USA driver David Higgins took to the famous course with a SportsCar-prepped Subaru WRX STi rally car equipped with BFGoodrich RC01 Rally tires. With this beast, Higgins managed to finish the hill climb in only 6 minutes and 11.54 seconds - that’s about 30 seconds faster than Frank Sprongl’s previous record from 1998. Higgins also beat the unofficial record of 6:20.47 set by Travis Pastrana last year.
As we all sit back and eagerly await the grand debut of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI, creative minds are at their desk bringing the future car’s design to light in their own renditions. As other renderings have proven to be a tad too aggressive compared to the milder changes found in the Impreza Design Concept, we’ve come up with this prediction of the future Impreza WRX STI.
The 2012 Impreza will feature a hexagonal grille with spread wings in the center and hawk eye-style headlights. The rear will get sharp-edged rear lights and a new taillamp. The STI version will also get fender flares, a top-mount intercooler, and a massive wing on the back.
The concept debuted with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated Boxer engine mated to a Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), but don’t expect to see the same for the production model. The WRX STI is expected to carry a turbocharged version of the 2.5 liter boxer engine with more than 305 HP on tap. The engine will be mated to a fully synchronized close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission.
We expect the 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX to debut in late 2011, with sales beginning in early 2012
