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2013 Subaru WRX STI
 
The 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show allowed Subaru to unveil the Impreza Design Concept, a preview version of the next generation Impreza. Details for the vehicle have been sparse since then, but we decided to dream up what the WRX STI version would look like anyway. The concept’s design is defined by a theme of "Dynamic, Enticing, Secure." Starting with this theme, the WRX STI version adds requisite fender flares, a top-mount intercooler, and, that massive wing on the back. The standard Impreza is expected to be revealed in early 2011. It will continue offering the same 2.5 liter Boxer engine, but rumors are also circulating that a hybrid version will also be available, a first for Subaru. The WRX STI model will follow a few months later with sales beginning in early 2012. UPDATE 07/14/2011: New details about the future generation Subaru Impreza WRX suggest that, starting 2014, the Impreza and the WRX will go their separate ways. What this means is that the car will simply be called the Subaru WRX and will be a totally different vehicle. According to a MotorTrend source: "Apart from a few nuts and bolts, every part on the WRX will be unique. Even the engine and body. Obviously the WRX’s platform will be inherited from the new Impreza, but it will be radically modified and significantly shortened." UPDATE 11/18/2011: During their presence at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, Subaru has offered new details on the next WRX STI model. The car will continue to be turbocharged and will use a forced-induction version of the carmaker’s new 2.0-liter "FB" boxer four engine with an output of about 300 HP. (CarAndDriver) UPDATE 12/08/2011: The Subaru WRX has been rumored to deliver up to 300 HP, but new details are suggesting that the standard model will actually use a turbocharged version of the BRZ 2.0-liter boxer engine with an output of about 270 HP. That’s 30 HP we’ll probably never see again. Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Subaru WRX STI model. Full story 2012 Subaru Impreza Sport and G4
If anyone can tear their eyes away from the new BRZ sports car for just a second, they could see that Subaru has also presented the fourth generation Impreza at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show. The new Impreza will be offered in two versions: the five-door known as the Impreza Sport and the four-door known as the Impreza G4. In Japan, the new car will go on sale on December 20, 2011. This fourth generation all-new Impreza was developed under the concept of "Redefining Value, Redefining Class." This means that next to a new look, the Impreza will also offer superior reliability, handling, and safety features of the Subaru Symmetrical "All-Wheel Drive"system with the Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine. The new Impreza will be offered with a choice of 1.6 and 2.0 liter engines combined with a standard a paddle shifting 6-speed manual and new Auto Start Stop system. All of these new items have only one purpose: improving performance and reducing fuel consumption. Hit the jump to read more about the fourth generation Impreza. Full story 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S
Joining the 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206 as new models in Subaru’s line-up is a new option for the WRX STI A-Line called the Type S. Though it draws a lot of similarities to its A-Line predecessor - including the use of a 2.5-liter turbo engine with 300 horsepower - the new A-Line Type S will still carry some new trims. Among the new features added to the four-door and five-door versions of the car are a new rear spoiler, a pair of Recaro bucket seats, and a new set of specially designed 18" wheels. Considering that the WRX STI A-Line Type S is treated as the more conservative model of the whole line, the car will retail for 3.28 million Yen, which is around $42,240 based on current exchange rates. We all know that Subaru has already made it known that they’re going to separate the WRX and STI lines with the Impreza from here on out. So if you’re one that appreciates posterity, the Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S could very well be one of the last specially packaged models to carry both names on its badge. 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206
Subaru is already offering lots of details on their next generation WRX STI sports car, but until 2013 when will actually see it, we can enjoy a few more goodies left in the company’s pocket. One of these goodies has been unveiled today: the ultimate S206 version of the Impreza WRX STI. The car will be revealed next week in Tokyo and is already in sale in Japan. Subaru will also be offering a special NBR Challenge Package edition of the S206 that commemorates Subaru’s class win at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. There will be only 300 S206 units built, 100 of which are the NBR editions. The latest ones have been already sold out. The new S206 has been described as Subaru’s crown of the STI tune cars. It offers advanced driving performance and exclusively-made items in both interior and exterior designs. Hit the jump to read more about the new Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206. Full story Video: Battle Cross Gymkhana begins tonight on Speed
We’ve waited for this show since the summertime so you need to excuse us for getting all geeked up about its premier episode tonight on Speed. Featuring some of the best rally drivers and drifters this side of the galaxy, the Battle Cross Gymkhana Series will see these racers burn rubber on some of the most extreme locations you can find. As you can imagine, the first episode will be held in a steel mill, which is always a good location if you want dust to fly and mayhem to ensue. The two drivers that will be featured in tonight’s episode will be 2011 Rally America Champion David Higgins and teammate Dave Mirra in their respective Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally cars. As far as mechanics go, the whole competition is centered around two challenges with the first one going to whoever posts the fastest lap while the second one will be awarded to who could do it with more style. The show will be hosted by rally driver Andrew Comrie-Picard and former WWE Diva Stacy Keibler and the judges will be rally driver Stephan Verdier and drift maestro Samuel Hubinette. The show kicks off tonight, November 17, 2011, at 10pm EST, so be sure to be in front of your TVs when the flags are waved and the sand-flying chaos ensues. Or if you’re anything like us, set your DVR and get the opportunity to fly by commercials.
2011 Subaru WRX STI 4-door by Subaru Performance Tuning
Subaru’s in-house performance tuning division is preparing a fantastic looking WRX STI sedan that’s parked at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show. Aesthetically speaking, Subaru Performance Tuning’s imprint is all over the car as evidenced by all the aerodynamic additions given to the sedan. The front lip spoiler, the carbon fiber B-pillar trim, the carbon fiber trunk trim, and the carbon fiber side sill plates are all products of SPT. The WRX STI also carries new strut tower and lower chassis braces that come in handy in maximizing the potential of the car’s newly-installed Cusco Zero-2E coilover suspension kit. Other exterior additions to the car include a moon roof air deflector, exhaust finishers, a billet oil cap (V.2), a billet battery hold down (V.2), and a set of 19" Volks Racing G12 wheels wrapped in Yokohama ADVAN Sport tires with Brembo’s "Gran Turismo" four-wheel brake kit. Inside, SPT gave the WRX STI a unique electronic set-up, highlighted by a Footwell illumination kit, an auto-dimming mirror with a trans-reflective display, and a media hub digital music integration system with a 10" KICKER subwoofer. Looking at the car, it’s easy to see why Subaru Performance Tuning had such an easy time setting up an aftermarket program for it. The WRX STI is one of those cars that’s already easy on the eyes and any such modifications done is like adding that cherry on top of the proverbial sundae. 2012 Subaru WRX STI 5-door by KICKER Audio
Anytime you have an audio system get the green light from an automaker to customize one of their cars, you know that the focus will be on enhancing the car’s audio set-up. That’s exactly what Kicker Audio did with the Subaru WRX STI 5-Door. To be fair, the car still comes with some exterior details, including blue and black body graphics that cover major parts of the car’s white exterior finish, Eibach lowering springs, and a new set of 18" Konig Black Lightning wheels wrapped on General Tires Exclaim. The interior of the car is where the extensive audio set-up was done. Kicker Audio added a custom audio system that features a Clarion CX400 double-DIN receiver, six component speaker systems, two 6.5" woofers, and eight solo-baric L& 12-inch subwoofers powered by 10 kicker amplifiers. In addition to all of that, Kicker Audio also found some time to enable the iPod, Bluetooth, Sirius, and XM-ready, providing the kind of extensive audio modifications that very few cars can boast of. 2012 Subaru Impreza Sport 5-Door Accessory Vehicle
The Subaru Impreza 5-Door Accessory Vehicle is in the same boat as its 4-Door counterpart. They’re not as much in the way of flash, as they are in previewing to customers what awaits with their new Accessory packages. Compared to the rest of the cars that you’re going to catch at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show, this one will probably not make your most memorable list, but that’s also not what it went there to do. This car, together with its four-door sibling, will be purely for marketing purposes. The Impreza Sport 5-Door Accessory Vehicle has been dressed in a special Brushed Titanium 3M Scotchpring textured wrap to go with a new mesh grille, an aero splash guard, a front underspoiler, new crossbars, side strakes, a sport spoiler, side window reflectors, and a Yakima fork mounted bike carrier and bike wheel holder. Inside, the extensive accessory modifications feature an auto dimming mirror with compass and Homelink, a new cargo tray, all-weather floor mats, side sill plates, a center console sliding armrest, a 110-volt power outlet, a remote engine starter, seat back protectors, a leather shift knob, and a new speak system from KICKER Audio with a 10" powered subwoofer. 2012 Subaru Impreza 4-Door Accessory Vehicle
It can be argued that Subaru’s line-up of SEMA-bound vehicles offer a look at the rich motor racing history of the Japanese automaker. That is until you look at the accessory packages for the four-door and five-door variants of the Impreza. The former is arguably the least eye-popping of the whole line-up, but it does give us an idea of what we can expect as far as what an Impreza Accessory Vehicle is going to look like. In dressing up the car’s exterior, Subaru used a Satin White theme on a number of aerodynamic body parts, including the body side molding kit, the splash guards, and the trunk spoiler. The moon-roof air deflector and the rear bumper pain protection film round out the exterior modifications given to the Impreza 4-Door Accessory Vehicle. Inside, the modifications were pretty subtle compared to the other models, in particular, the 4-Door’s 5-Door brother. The only notable improvements done on the former’s interior include a new cargo tray, side sill plates, and carpeted floor mats, all of which were sourced from Subaru Performance Tuning. Upgraded speakers courtesy of KICKER Audio and an auto-dimming mirror with compass and Homelink are the final two touches given to the car. It lacks flair and all of the technological gadgetry usually associated with cars for the SEMA Auto Show, but on the other hand, it does have both style and class, two qualities that are more important to real-world patrons. Subaru/Toyota FT-86 will be badged as Scion in the US: Features extremely low center of gravity
 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.
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