Subaru cars

2013 Subaru BRZ XT Line Concept

Subaru’s line-up for the 2012 Paris Auto Show wasn’t very impressive, but it did include a very cool BRZ concept car. The concept was inspired by the Subaru XT - a small coupe sold from 1985 to 1991 - hence the name. Subaru barely offered any details on it, but it’s clear that the concept features a more radical look than the standard BRZ and most likely previews some design elements we’ll see in the future STI version.

The Subaru BRZ XT Line Concept benefited from a new carbon fiber spoiler and diffuser, along with carbon fiber exterior mirrors and roof. There is also a new set of 18" wheels painted in Black Silica. For the interior, carbon fiber trim was combined with red leather for the door panels and the dashboard, and "XT Line" logos adorn the interior as well.

Aside from the aesthetic modifications, Subaru also added a Torsen differential, HID projectors, and a number of SRS airbags. No changes were made to the power source, so the XT Concept is powered by the usual 200 HP 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed boxer engine.

Video: Subaru BRZ 400 Turbo Kit runs the quarter mile in 11.3 seconds

While we are all waiting for a more powerful version of the new Subaru BRZ, the guys over at Accelerated Performance have developed a very cool tuning package for the sports car that increases the engine’s output to an impressive 440 HP - more than double compared to the standard 200 HP offered by Subaru - and 340 lb-ft of torque.

In order to obtain this impressive output, the tuner added a turbocharger system, an AEM Tru Boost Controller, a reprogrammed ECU, and a new exhaust system to the 2.0 L Boxer engine. Accelerated performance also installed an upgraded fuel pump, new injectors, and an Exedy clutch. These additions allow for outstanding performance figures, even managing a world record quarter mile time of 11.3 seconds at a speed of 127.4 mph.

Maybe this will coax Subaru into actually offering up a turbocharged version of their new sports car!

2013 Subaru BRZ

Toyota and Subaru have always said they were going to unveil their collaborative vehicles at the same time, so after finally seeing the production version Toyota GT 86, the production version of the highly anticipated BRZ sports car was given its time to shine. Next to the GT 86, the new BRZ will be making its world debut this week at the Tokyo Auto Show and will go on sale early next year.

While developing the two sports cars, Subaru and Toyota promised they would deliver totally different design languages, but upon close inspection, the two vehicles are almost identical. Both vehicles have a strong front fascia, but the BRZ will be distinguished by a Subaru-signed hexagon lower grille, front bumper design, and headlight detailing. Other details setting it apart are the custom fender vents, integrated exhaust tips, and revised tail-lamps.

As previously confirmed, the Subaru BRZ will be powered by the same 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed boxer engine found in the GT 86. The engine even delivers the same 200 HP and 151 lb-ft torque, meaning the promised 300 HP will be reserved for the STI version.

UPDATE 04/12/2012: Subaru has finally dropped an online configurator for their new BRZ sports car. So, go online ad start playing with it and configure the model you like!

UPDATE 09/04/2012: Following up on the awesomeness of its "Scorched" commercial, the Subaru BRZ returns for yet another cool advertisement. This time, it’s called "Snake," and as the name evidently suggests, it can slither in and around an intense track beset by natural disasters. Check out the ad in all its glory by clicking on the image above!

Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Subaru BRZ.

Report: The Subaru BRZ STI’s Future Isn’t So Bleak After All

We all know and mostly love the WRX STI that Subaru pumps out each year. The latest model produces a stout 305 horsepower and 290 pound feet of torque through Subaru’s famed AWD system, all for a relative bargain of $34,000. Unfortunately, the STI nameplate has never extended beyond the WRX lineup.

That may become a thing of the past, as Subaru debuted its Forester TS, which is tuned by STI to pump out 259 horsepower and 256 pound-feet of torque from its 2.5-liter 4-banger, to its newest market – Russia. What in the world does an STI-tuned Forester in Russia have to do with more STI models in other countries? Well, according to a report by Autocar, this is simply a test market.

This test will gauge the demand of an STI-tuned car, besides the WRX, in a market other than Japan. A Subaru insider was quoted as saying “It’s clear that STI’s abilities and experience could work on other cars in other markets,” and “Confining them to WRX projects doesn’t make sense when the demand is there.” This would lead us to believe that if the Russian Forester TS succeeds, then Subaru would be start expanding its STI lineup in other markets, like the U.S.

All we can hope for it that the Forester TS takes hold in Russia and Subaru decides to expand the STI lineup in the U.S. to the Subaru BRZ. We know that’s beating a dead horse, but this insider info really shows that this is becoming more of a possibility. This also points to the possibility of a turbocharged Forester STI coming to the U.S., which could give Subaru some much needed help fending off the turbocharged 2013 Ford Escape.

Who knows, we may just run into a performance crossover SUV war soon.

Hmm, that’s kind of scary... We guess little Billy and Sara would always make it to soccer practice on time.

2012 Subaru WRX STI 340R

Subaru’s mighty Impreza WRX STI has wowed people from all over the world, thanks to the surprising amount of power it packs under its hood. Fans of the car in the UK will undoubtedly be pleased to know that a special edition model of the WRX STI will be coming to their shores in the form of the Subaru WRX STI 340R.

The sole focus of this unique piece is to give the sports car more power than the standard model. That should be a plus considering that the base trim of the all-wheel-drive rubber burner already packs a punch in the form of 305 horsepower and 290 lb/ft of torque.

With the WRX STI 340R though, Subaru performed a menu of modifications, including an ECU remap and the addition of new intake and exhaust systems. The result is a car that packs an output of 340 PS - hence the name, 340R - that then translates to 335 horsepower. On top of that, the car’s torque number was also improved to 361 lb/ft, which means even more hoontastic exploits for its drivers.

All that being said, the WRX STI 340R won’t come cheap because it’s set to be sold in the UK for £28,594, which is around $45,000 based on current exchange rates. Quite a princely sum, isn’t it?

Rallycross Grandma Whips a Subaru `Round the Dirt and Gravel

Typically, when you think of a 90-year-old person driving you think of the following: a cushion on the seat so they can see over the wheel, the never-ending turn signal, hard and unnecessary braking, 15-second delays between the light turning green and them pulling away, and taking every small turn as if it were a hairpin turn. Okay, maybe that’s a little bit of stereotyping, but we’re going to call it like we see it.

One thing that would likely not cross your mind is a gravel and dirt stomping, tail wagging, rally grandma. Well, you can scratch that one, as we have just come across a video of a 91-year-old lady, who neither looks nor acts her age. She decided to give rallycross a shot and wagged an `ol Suby’s tail all over some gravel and dirt.

Though she looked to be in a subdued panic a lot of the time, she really did a pretty good job navigating the course. Her co-driver was right along with her, guiding her through the course as she went. She does, however, fly off-course at the end. You can actually hear her say “Did I hit the cone.” Her co-driver then jokingly responds “You went off course, which is worse than hitting a cone, unfortunately.”

Okay, maybe she’s not the next Sebastien Loeb, but it still takes a little bit of gall to do what she did, regardless of the fact that she never actually left first gear. Take a look at the video, it’s definitely worth it.

Photo of the Week: Colin McRae and His Subaru WRX at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

This picture may be a little old — from the 2007 Goodwood Festival of Speed rally — but it still captures the essence of rally racing. Not only are rallys hard to photograph because of the limited angles you have, but the high speeds and bouncing that the cars do make it nearly impossible.

Well, Kolin Tregaskes caught Colin McRae’s Subaru WRX heading up the Goodwood Forest Rally at the Festival of Speed. Yup, Goodwood has more than just an awesomely technical road course.

You get to see this blue rocket propelling between the trees, likely at speeds most of us would not hot on the interstate, let alone off road. In his trail is nothing but a light cloud of dust.

Even with Tregaskes’ steady hand and likely high-end digital camera, the violent bouncing of McRae’s car still comes through as a light blur. This makes you wonder exactly how these rally drivers can even see the path they are piloting.

Nice grab by Kolin Tregaskes. Make sure to catch his entire Flickr portfolio here to see other great shots.

2013 Subaru BRZ "Zero" Rally Race Car

So, Toyota is ready to present their GT-86 endurance race car? Subaru isn’t sweating that one out because they themselves have a racer up their sleeves.

The Subaru BRZ, the GT 86’s sister from another mister, is getting a race-spec version, except that instead of it hitting the endurance block, it’s being primed for the rally scene.

The car, which is being called the BRZ "Zero Car" or "Opening Car," actually made its debut at the 2012 Japan Rally Championship on July 28th and 29th as a race-livered sports car that has been customized for rally use. It has a number of new features, including a front chin spoiler and a rear wing, as well as a new set of white-finished alloy wheels.

Further details about the car are expected to be revealed by the Japanese automaker in the coming days. What we do know is that, judging by the photo Subaru dropped on us over the weekend, the BRZ "Zero" is looking like it has a future in the rally scene, not just in Japan, but everywhere else as well.

Video: Watch two Subaru BRZ’s tackle the Isle of Mans infamous roads

In addition to the stunning scenery which makes the Isle of Man the cold paradise it is, the largely unrestricted roads also act as a beacon to all car and motorcycle enthusiasts alike, who travel on mass to the famous island and its even more-famous roads every year.

In the latest episode of The Downshift, Jason Cammisa was lucky enough to be thrown the keys to the extremely popular Subaru BRZ, which recently sold out in Australia.

In addition to this, a rally prepped BRZ is also featured in the relatively short video where former WRC winner Mark Higgins takes Cammisa on a trip through the small island’s most exciting roads.

Even though the video is just 4:50 long, the producers have managed to cram a great deal of detail into the short space of time and as a result, it’s definitely an ideal way to spend five minutes of your time.

Check it out!

2013 Subaru BRZ by Accelerated Performance

We cannot say that no one has boosted a Subaru BRZ up until now, as we really don’t know if someone may have already done it and just not plastered it all over the Interwebz yet. That said, we can at least now say that there is officially a turbocharged BRZ running the streets. Its builder is Toledo, Ohio-based Accelerated Performance.

These guys and gals fitted a custom-built turbo onto the intake of the 200-horsepower (161 wheel horsepower) 2.0-liter 4-banger and netted some decent results. After running it on a dyno, they found that the boost netted the BRZ a cool 54.5 horsepower.

Many of you are probably wondering why in the world only 54.5 horsepower, as a turbo is typically good for 100, or more, ponies. Well, the BRZ boasts a 12.5-to-1 compression ratio and Accelerated Performance calculated that with such high compression, they could only run about 4 psi of boost – roughly 5 psi less than most aftermarket turbo cars push out.

Soon enough someone will tune the ECU a little more and throw in a much-needed set of low compression rings on the FA20 engine. Get that compression ratio down to about 8.5-to-1 and you can safely run 9 to 12 psi of boost through the engine without issue. That would get the BRZ near the 250- to 300-wheel-horsepower mark.

Maybe once people really start throwing turbos on the BRZ and have relative success with it, Subaru will finally add a BRZ Turbo to the mix. There have been rumors of a factory-turbocharged BRZ in the works, but nothing confirmed yet. For now, we just have to rely on savvy modifiers.

UPDATE 09/08/2012: Accelerated Performance have taken their new Subaru BRZ Turbo Kit out for some testing, managing a world record quarter mile time of 11.3 seconds at a speed of 127.4 mph! Hit the jump for the video!

Hit the jump for a video of the Subaru BRZ by Accelerated Performance.