When Subaru came up with the current generation Impreza, the Japanese automaker wanted to distance themselves from their once infamous boy racer image in favor of a toned down more mainstream appearance that would not distract a wider audience of new car buyers. Subaru wants to become more than just a niche vehicle for Northeasterners, who appreciate the beauty of all wheel drive; or tuners, who see great bang for your buck in the company’s turbocharged vehicles. The automotive arm of Fuji Heavy Industries is looking for a larger share of the market.
In doing so, the Impreza has grown up. Our $28,000 Satin White Pearl Suabru Impreza GT is fun to drive with its 2.5 Liter turbocharged boxer engine sending 224 HP to all four 17 inch wheels wrapped in low profile 205/50 tires and a comfortable, yet cloth, interior that was just as aggressive as the ride, but the best part is, how the Impreza GT flies under the radar and stays between the lines.
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Subaru was having a little bit of trouble moving Legacy wagons in the mid-90s, so it raised the ride hight and added a little body cladding. The Outback was born, and since then it’s gone to replace the entire Legacy wagon line in the U.S. Since Subaru used the New York Auto Show to premiere the production version of the new Legacy sedan, then it’s no surprise the Outback was right there too.
The engine lineup is straight out of the new Legacy. There is a choice of the 170 hp 2.5-liter boxer four or the 256 hp 3.6-liter boxer six (the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine in the Legacy is skipped.) The new outback is wider, longer and taller than its predecessor, and offers the same distinctive “cat eye” look of the Legacy sedan.
Full breakdown in the press release after the jump.
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New sedans usually aren’t that exciting, but Subaru was able to take the Legacy from a concept version at the Geneva Motor Show in March to a production to be shown next week in New York.
We like the Legacy because of the distinction it provides. For those who choose the family sedan, it can sometimes be hard to stick out from the crowd without taking styling to the extreme. The Legacy has always been relatively attractive and is distinctively a Japanese sedan. It’s also sold in numbers in the U.S. that ensure it won’t get lost in the mall parking lot.
When the new Legacy arrives for the 2010 model year, the engine lineup will be improved. The base 2.5-liter boxer four cylinder makes the same 170 hp as in the previous model, but Subaru claims the fuel economy is improved. The turbocharged version of this engine available in the 2.5GT has been raised from 243 hp to 265 hp. The line is now topped by a 3.6-liter six cylinder boxer engine (its the one from the WRX). It offers 11 more hp than the 3.0-liter unit it replaces, and this one runs on regular gas (the 3.0 required premium fuel).
Full details in the press release after the jump.
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Subaru will unveil a special edition Impreza WRX STI at the Chicago Auto Show. It was designed for its factory rally driver Travis Pastrana.
The Pastrana WRX STI come with a stock 305 hp, SPT front strut tower brace and SPT lower chassis brace, BF Goodrich G-Force Super Sport A/S 275/35 ZR18 tires on Work Evolution XD-9 18 x 9-in. wheels in custom satin black.
The rally-bred WRX STI exterior design lights up with custom yellow paint and graphics. The carbon fiber hood and carbon fiber rear wing are unique to the Pastrana’s WRX STI. As on the stock production WRX STI, the functional hood scoop streams outside air to an intercooler. The Sport Mesh Grille is available for all WRX STI owners. Likewise, the STI front chin spoiler and the exhaust finishers are available through Subaru dealers. A set of PIAA 2100 HID driving lights and rally-spec mud flaps underscore the aggressive rally-bred design of the 5-door WRX STI.
Press release after the jump.
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Our mouths started to water when we got word of a new special edition Subaru WRX STI. Then we started to tear up when we heard it would be designated Japan-only. Then we found out the only thing that really makes the Impreza WRX STI A-Line special is that it has a five speed automatic transmission. So we wet ourselves from laughing so hard at anyone who would think this is a good idea.
The A-Line uses the same 2.5-liter turbo from the standard WRX to make 300 hp (down 5 hp from the U.S. spec WRX). Aside from the slushbox, there is little to differentiate the A-Line from the rest of the WRX STIs except for a new paint color called "Satin White Pearl". Maybe this is so we can identify the manual tranny virgins.
Japan can keep this one.
Press release after the jump.
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Curious how the future Legacy will look like? Take a look at the new Legacy concept revealed by Subaru today at the Detroit Auto Show and you shall make a pretty good idea.
The Legacy Concept features an aggressive front fascia and solid yet expressive body.Sharp design lines carve out a substantial mass as they flow from the hood, across the roof to the trunk, while the sharp body lines project a sense of strength. Wedge-shaped Side Rear Vision Cameras are featured and provide a sense of flow from the momentum of the A-pillar lines. A character line runs from just before the A-pillar and sweeps up to the tail just above the tail-lamps.
It is powered by a 3.6-liter six-cylinder Horizontally-Opposed engine (borrowed from Tribeca). The engine is mated to an AWD system.
The car is finished in a special High-luster “Ultimate Silver” paint and comes with LED lamps, vertical fog lamp and angular air intakes.
Press release after the jump.
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Take this simple quiz:
Which is more important?
a. leather seats
b. 95 more horsepower
Which do you prefer on an open road?
a. automatic transmission
b. manual transmission
What is a Sunday drive?
a. antiquing
b. ditching the family to go to the mountain road that the cops don’t know about
For the few who actually answered “a”, we’re sorry for interrupting your search for Cat Fancy Online - please keep surfing because the following does not apply to you.
For the rest of us who actually like to use cars not just as an appliance but also as a source of entertainment, here’s some obvious news: Subaru likes to make cars for real drivers.
The Subaru Impreza WRX is a favorite of many enthusiasts because the formula works well. Take a standard Impreza sedan that already has an impressive all-wheel drive system, and then add 95 more horsepower, racing seats, performance suspension and bigger tires. The result is an everyday rally car at a bargain price.
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Subaru decided to see what happens when they create a modified WRX when they let their fingers do the walking. The Impreza WRX SPT was created using parts from the Subaru Genuine Accessory and SPT catalogs. It features standard factory Aero Body Kit, a front lip spoiler by STI and Subaru genuine Accessory fog light protectors, 19x8-in. wheels by OZ Racing.
Under the hood there is 2.5-liter intercooled turbo Boxer engine that thanks to a SPT cat-back exhaust now delivers 275 hp (that’s 10 more than the standard WRX, but 30 less than the WRX STI).
More specs and mods in the press release after the jump.
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Subaru will present at the SEMA Show the Forester XTI, a concept based on the Forester 2.5XT, while adding elements from the Impreza WRX STI.
The Forester XTI starts with the same drivetrain as the Impreza WRX STI, and then a stainless steel cat-back exhaust system from the Subaru Performance Tuning raises the output to 315 hp (up from 305) and 300 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission.
The XTI Concept is fitted with 18 x 8-in. S204 forged alloy wheels, adjustable coil-over suspension, Brembo brakes, 4-piston front calipers, 2-piston rear calipers, Super Sport ABS and Electronic Brake-force Distribution.
Although there are a lot of extra add-ons to this car, we may be looking at something that is ready for production. After all, the Forester XT already uses the engine from the standard WRX, and the Forester and Impreza share so many major components (like the platform) that most WRX STI parts could easily fit in the Forester.
Press release after the jump.
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Subaru launched today the Legacy Premium Leather Limited edition on the Japanese market. This special edition is based on the Legacy sedan (2.0 GT and 2.5i) and Legacy Outback (2.5i and 2.5XT).
The car has a fancy name that pretty tells it all. No big changes going on: special leather seats, a new pillar trim and a black roof trim; chrome door sills, aluminum pedals, SRS side and curtain airbags and a HDD navigation system. But if Subaru is making it, there must be a market for the car.
This special edition will be available only in Japan; it will be limited to 1000 units with pricing starting from 2,735,250 yen (about $28,000 if you really care).
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