Tag: Subaru

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Motor Shows Subaru

LA 2010: Subaru Impreza Concept

Subaru Impreza Concept

What’s this – has Subaru got its mojo back? You’re looking at a new Impreza Concept, which was revealed by Subaru overnight at the LA Auto Show. As you can see it’s nowhere near as bad as you might think. Recent designs from Subaru have been, well, let’s be honest, pretty ugly, but this new direction could launch Subaru into new heights.

Okay, the details around the front grille are a little fussy. And it’s pretty clear Subaru just put a sheet of tracing paper over the Mazda 6 to create those chunky wheel arches. But, the general look is very successful. In side profile the car looks smart, sharp and very stylish. From the front three-quarter angle you see that strong shoulder line which gives the car a great presence.

Just don’t look at the back. No, really. Don’t.

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Ford Subaru

Ken Block – Gymkhana Threepeat

Ken Block - Gymkhana Threepeat

It’s been a week since Ken Block’s Gymkhana Three video hit the tubes. Now, for your viewing convenience you can can watch all three Gymkhana videos in the one place. The YouTube clips for Gymkhana One, Two and Three are available after the break.

Following an average of 1 million hits per day since last week’s launch Ford has finally woken up and issued a press release to piggy back off Block’s internet success. Also included are three wallpaper sized images from Gymkhana Three.

Enjoy!

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News

Behind the scenes with Subaru at the Nürburgring

Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Following the earlier news about the Subaru Impreza WRX STI here is a behind the scenes look at Subaru’s time at the Nürburgring. The clip runs for just under four minutes and gives a bit more insight into the STI sedan setting a new Nürburgring record for a four-door car.

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Subaru

Subaru Impreza WRX STI sedan sets Nürburgring record

Subaru Impreza WRX STI sedan

Subaru brings us news that Tommi Mäkinen has driven an MY11 Impreza WRX STI sedan around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes 55 seconds. Which is a new (unofficial) lap record for a four door car, beating the previous best time of the Cadillac CTS-V by four seconds.

Speaking after the lap Mäkinen said, “The car was controllable with precise and faithful handling even on tricky corners. I could easily predict the car’s behaviour. That is exactly what Subaru is offering: confidence.”

Interestingly, the same car was seen at the Ring a few days before the record was set (16 April 2010) by Dale from Bridge to Gantry.

A couple of extra pics can be seen after the jump, along with the all important video. Slightly better quality footage is available direct from the Subaru Global website as well.

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Subaru

Impreza STI sedan sighted at Nurburgring

Subaru Impreza STi sedan

One of the great things about living and working in Nürburg is getting to see what the manufacturers are up to during their test sessions at the famous Nordschleife. Dale from Bridge to Gantry, and also RSR Nürburg, doesn’t like to waste such opportunities. As well as his BMW ‘M1’ sighting, he also saw this Subaru Impreza STI sedan throwing its hat into the Ring, so to speak.

Apparently the driver was lapping with plenty of aggression, and interestingly, in the video clip below was also tailing an Audi TT RS. A coincidence, or something more?

[Source: Bridge to Gantry]

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Subaru

Subaru announces STI sedan

Subaru Impreza STi sedan

Subaru Australia have confirmed a sedan version of the high-performance Impreza WRX STI will go on sale before the end of the year. The news was announced at the New York International Auto Show and follows the introduction of flared panelwork to the regular WRX range. Previously the widebody look was available on the STI hatch only.

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Subaru

Cosworth announces Impreza STI CS400

Cosworth Impreza STI CS400

Leading UK motorsport and tuning outfit Cosworth have worked their magic over the Subaru Impreza STI. They said no to the standard STI’s miserable 300PS and 5.2 second 0-100km/h time. They seem to think an STI should have 400PS (295kW), and that it should be able to despatch 100km/h in under four seconds, 3.7 to be precise.

Such belief has led to the birth of a new creation—the Cosworth Impreza STI CS400. Clearly such an impressive boost in power needs more than a few Cossie badges and the lads have turned their attention the engine. The CS400 is not due for release in the UK until June and as such they’re allowing hype to build and aren’t giving away any official details on engine or exhaust mods. We’ll have to stand by for that (or do we?).

Stopping power, on the other hand, has been confirmed to have been developed in partnership with AP Racing. Cosworth seem quite confident that the 355mm six-pot calipers they have fitted to the CS400 will be up to the job.

There will only be 75 Impreza STI CS400s made and we’ll have more details for you sometime between now and June. Like the Focus RS500, though, we’ll just have to admire the pretty pictures and make do with watching TV reviews. There’s about as much chance of the Cossie Rex finding its way down under as there is of Channel Nine making a good version of Top Gear Australia.

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Subaru

Subaru widens WRX appeal

MY11 Subaru WRX

Subaru will apply its top-spec STi widebody styling across entire WRX range for MY11 production. This means the flared arch look will also be introduced to the WRX sedan. Both iterations will be presented to the public for the first time at next month’s New York International Auto Show. On April Fool’s Day to be precise.

Subaru Australia Managing Director, Nick Senior says, “This design further distinguishes our turbo Impreza variants, including the Impreza WRX STI, from the normally aspirated versions, which we’re sure will please the many loyal WRX fans out there.”

The widebody Rex will be on sale in Australia before the end of 2010 and final spec and pricing will be announced closer to local launch.

From a styling point of view this is a good move. The current STi has a much more aggressive stance that its lower spec brethren. However, while Mr Senior might be right that prospective WRX owners will applaud this move, I dare say there will be a few current WRX owners crying into their beers at this news.

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Random wallpapers

Travis Pastrana: “Hey I think that’ll buff out”

Travis Pastrana NYE practice jump

You will remember Travis Pastrana leaped into the new year by smashing the car jumping record at Pine Street Pier, Long Beach, California. Travis raised the bar to an extraorindary 269 feet (82 metres). However, as you can see from the screen grab above, that wasn’t the only smashing he did in the build up to his massive jump.

Some behind-the-scenes footage was available at the time of Pastrana’s new year’s leap, now, though, a new more detailed clip is available and shows that practice really does make perfect. Well, almost.

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Subaru

Subaru’s terrible Legacy

Subaru Legacy Concept

That’s not a word play in the article title, its a statement of fact! Looks as though April Fool’s Day has come early at Subaru. At least I hope it has.

I really don’t know what to say. Sorry, I know I should try and add something informative, but I am gobsmacked. Truly gobsmacked.

If you do wish to find more information on this Subaru Legacy Concept, then, take a deep breath, and check out motorauthority.com.

Warning: some readers may find the following scenes disturbing.

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Subaru Video

Look mum, no hands!

This clip from the Bettega Memorial, held during the Bologna Motor Show, captures a rather embarrassing moment for former WRC champion Petter Solberg. The event was run in mid-December, and the news was about to get a whole lot worse for Petter and Subaru.

(Thanks to Tiaan for the tip.)

Categories
Carmageddon News Subaru WRC

Subaru withdrawal creates World Rally Crisis

Subaru pulls out of WRC

More news to shock to the motorsport world with confirmation that Subaru has pulled out of the World Rally Championship, with immediate effect.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Chief Executive of Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru’s owner), Ikuo Mori said, “Our business environment has changed dramatically due to the rapid deterioration of the global economy.”

“In order to optimise the management resources and to strengthen the Subaru brand further, Fuji Heavy decided to withdraw from WRC activities at the earliest time,” an emotional Mori explained.

Subaru’s latest rally car only made its debut in May, at the Acropolis Rally in Greece. The company has a strong and loyal following in the WRC and it draws heavily on its rallying heritage to promote its brand. Subaru’s withdrawal leaves just two major manufacturers chasing the world title in 2009. Suzuki also quit the WRC earlier this week. Now, only Citroen and Ford remain with factory backed teams. It will be fascinating to see how the WRC copes with these latest developments.

Australia’s Chris Atkinson now joins Jenson Button in looking for a drive, after Honda’s withdrawal from Formula One.

Factory backed racing teams seem to be dropping like nine pins. With the US Government keeping its auto industry on life support, it begs the question, will Ford be next?

UPDATE: Statement from SWRT website can be read below.

UPDATE (17 December): Statement from Subaru Australia has been added to the end of this article.

Source: Reuters & Subaru World Rally Team

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