Tag: subaru

Subaru’s reborn rally team beaten by privateer at season-opening Sno*Drift [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Subaru, Racing

Sno Drift Rally

Sno Drift Rally – Click above to watch the video after the jump

After losing both Ken Block and Travis Pastrana last year, Subaru’s American rally efforts are undergoing a bit of rebuilding. The factory-backed Pleiades team took to the stages for the first time this season at Sno*Drift 2011 in Atlanta, Michigan, and despite a solid effort, driver Dave Mirra found himself three minutes and 53.1 seconds behind the father and son team of Travis and Terry Hanson in their 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI. Their win made United States rallying history as the duo became the first Super Production class effort to win a National Rally America event.

Day one saw Sno*Drift favorites Antoine L’Estage and David Higgins both forced to retire, leaving the Hanson duo to widen the gap between themselves and their closest competitors. Mirra, meanwhile, was handicapped by a tire puncture that saw the factory Subaru team fall all the way to fifth place before clawing its way back to take the silver.

The Hanson team was joined on the podium by Joseph Burke, another Super Production class contender. Burke was last year’s Rookie of the Year, and managed to give Mirra a solid fight for second place despite limited experience on snow and ice. Hit the jump for an excellent recap video.

[Source: Rally-America]

Continue reading Subaru’s reborn rally team beaten by privateer at season-opening Sno*Drift [w/video]

Subaru’s reborn rally team beaten by privateer at season-opening Sno*Drift [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru adds WRX-powered Forester S-Edition for Australia

Filed under: Crossover, Subaru, Australia

2011 Subaru Forester S-Edition

2011 Subaru Forester S-Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery

Before your heart goes all aflutter at the thought of a factory Subaru Forester XTI, cool your jets a bit. It’s true that Subaru Australia has just pulled the sheets off of a more powerful Forester complete with nearly 260 horsepower and 256 pound-feet of torque, and yes, the high-rider packs a new five-speed automatic to replace the archaic four-speed slusher found on most Forester models. Drivers can even control shifts via a pair of paddles should the mood strike them. But this isn’t some slammed hardcore grocery getter. Instead, the Forester S-Edition, as it’s called, wears a slightly revised suspension cooked up from the minds at STI along with a few subtle aero tweaks outside.

Jump indoors and those from down under will enjoy a cabin trimmed in Alcantara bits, navigation and a rear view camera, all for a just a bit more than what you’d typically pay for a Forester XT in those parts.

Will we be getting anything similar? It certainly wouldn’t hurt our feelings, but we’d be surprised if Subaru suddenly decided to lay another model on top of its range-capping XT here in the land of the free. We’ve got our digits crossed for that five-speed transmission, though. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: 2011 Subaru Forester S-Edition

2011 Subaru Forester S-Edition

[Source: Subaru Australia]

Continue reading Subaru adds WRX-powered Forester S-Edition for Australia

Subaru adds WRX-powered Forester S-Edition for Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Motor Trend goes to Australia, chronicles Subaru Outback road trip

Filed under: Wagon, Videos, Subaru, Australia

Subaru Outback Motor Trend road trip

Subaru Outback Motor Trend road trip – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Manufacturers can get pretty cocky when it comes to naming their products. We can say with near-certainty that a Chrysler Sebring never turned a tire in anger at the legendary Floridian track and that we’d be surprised if a Pontiac Le Mans ever went fender to fender in France. Motor Trend has set about putting the Subaru Outback up against its Australian namesake in a 30-minute long web special hosted by none other than Editor-in-Chief Angus MacKenzie. This isn’t your typical man-against-nature flick, though. Instead, Motor Trend has gone about creating an in-depth travel video that would be right at home on the Discovery Channel.

MacKenzie and his crew seem to trek across Australia’s wild bits with relative ease despite large mud holes and plenty of soft sand, and we’re left to enjoy the vast scenery of one of our planet’s most beautiful continents. The finished product is less about power figures and 0-60 times and more about the actual trip. It’s well worth taking some time during your lunch break for a quick watch. Hit the jump to take a look for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Motor Trend goes to Australia, chronicles Subaru Outback road trip

Video: Motor Trend goes to Australia, chronicles Subaru Outback road trip originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota-based Subaru Trezia hatchback headed to Europe

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Subaru, Toyota

Subaru Trezia hatchback

Subaru Trezia hatchback – Click above for high-res image gallery

When we think about Toyota-Subaru collaboration, the first thing that comes to mind is the highly anticipated rear-wheel-drive “Toyobaru” project. But while the FT-86 and its Subie sibling are first in our thoughts, it wasn’t number one to market.

Automotive News reports that Subaru is set to unveil the Trezia hatchback in March at the Geneva Auto Show. The roomy five-door, which closely mirrors the Honda Fit in most every measurement, will be a near spot-on match of the Toyota Verso it’s based on, but with an Impreza-style grille slapped on the front clip and some Subaru badging sprinkled throughought. Both the Toyota Verso (named Ractis for JDM consumption) and Subaru Trezia are being sold in Japan now, and both vehicles are destined for Euro showrooms this spring.

In Japan, the Trezia is powered by a choice of 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter inline-four cylinder gasoline engines mated to a CVT, but in Europe the 1.5 will be replaced with a 1.4-liter diesel. In Japan, the Trezia can be had with all-wheel-drive provided car buyers check off the box for the more powerful engine, which will likely be the turbodiesel in Europe.

With its roomy interior and diminutive footprint, the Trezia will likely do well overseas. But will we ever see Subaru’s Fit-fighter in North America? With gas prices once again on the rise, it might not be a bad idea.

Gallery: Subaru Trezia

[Source: Automotive News sub. req.]

Toyota-based Subaru Trezia hatchback headed to Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Choose Your Own Cam with 2011 Subaru WRX STI rally car

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Videos, Subaru, Off-Road, Racing

Subaru WRX Rally Car in-car camera view

Subaru Canada’s version of Choose Your Own Adventure – Click above to watch video after the jump

Remember the Choose Your Own Adventure books? The series, which sold over 250 million copies between 1979 and 1998, allowed you to choose your path through the story, but not every path led to a happy ending. The rally team from Subaru Canada must have read a few of these books yet decided to make any and all choices lead down the same awesome path, just from a slightly different viewpoint.

Strapping a gaggle of HD cameras onto a 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car, the team was able to load all the footage up to YouTube, where the viewer can select the viewing angle of his or her choice, be it the dash cam, bumper cam, clutch cam or side cam.

The driver is Pat Richard, the navigator is Alan Ockwell, and the quartet of camera angles is the Choose Your Own Adventure book we wish we could have read as a kid. Slide over the crest to view the clips.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Choose Your Own Cam with 2011 Subaru WRX STI rally car

Video: Choose Your Own Cam with 2011 Subaru WRX STI rally car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Toyota Highlander to form basis for new Subaru Tribeca?

Filed under: Crossover, Subaru, Toyota, Rumormill

2010 Subaru Tribeca

2010 Subaru Tribeca – Click above for high-res image gallery

From the sound of things, Subaru and Toyota are getting cozier than ever. According to Motor Trend, the two companies are currently exploring ways to integrate platforms, and the fruit of that exploration may very well be the next Tribeca. MT is reporting that engineers are currently looking for ways to base the next-generation Subaru crossover on the bones of the Toyota Highlander. Both models are slated for replacement in 2014, and there’s some indication that the two vehicles will share more than a few bolts when they debut.

According to MT, the project isn’t without hiccups, however. As with the FT-86, both companies need to find a way to work around the Subaru 3.6-liter flat-six found in the nose of the current Tribeca. MT points out that the FT-86 avoided this issue by simply using the Subaru engine in the Toyota variant of the sports coupe, though at this point it’s unclear how the Tribeca/Highlander will overcome that particular hurdle. In addition, the crossover platform will also need room for the Highlander hybrid model’s battery packs, which may mean that Subaru will jump into the gas-electric game as well.

Gallery: 2010 Subaru Tribeca

[Source: Motor Trend]

Next Toyota Highlander to form basis for new Subaru Tribeca? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: How not to tow your modified Subaru

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Subaru

Subaru Towing Fail

A lesson in how NOT to tow – Click above to watch video after the jump

Sometimes you have to tow a car. It’s generally not a big deal and most of us have been a tower or towee at some point. One rule of thumb when manning the car being towed – leave the keys in the ignition so you don’t lock the steering wheel. If you fail to heed these words, as do the chaps you’ll see after the break, you might ended up causing some serious damage to your modified Subaru non-operational vehicle

The two gents riding in the Subaru seen in this video were very lucky they only managed to hurt the car. This adventure in towing could have gone way worse… click past the jump and watch the clip to see what we mean, but be warned there is some NSFW language involved.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: How not to tow your modified Subaru

Video: How not to tow your modified Subaru originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Subaru 2.5-liter coffee table makes excellent Christmas gift, turbo sold separately

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Subaru, Humor

Subaru EJ25 Coffee Table

Subaru flat-four coffee table has better ‘Ring time than IKEA version – Click above to watch video after the jump

Using an engine as the base for a table isn’t new. Gearheads have been turning four, six, eight and even 12 cylinder mills into furniture for a long time. However, someone has taken the engine-table idea a step further though by affixing a glass top onto the flywheel and allowing the table to rotate. The fact that you can watch the pistons turn as it rotates only serves to up the cool factor.

The power source of choice for this application? An EJ25 workhorse from a Subaru. Hopefully its not an early EJ25D though – the head gaskets could leak and ruin the carpet. Check it out in action after the jump.

[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading Video: Subaru 2.5-liter coffee table makes excellent Christmas gift, turbo sold separately

Video: Subaru 2.5-liter coffee table makes excellent Christmas gift, turbo sold separately originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru WRX STI Spec C launched in Japan

Filed under: Performance, Japan, Hatchback, Subaru

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lighter, more responsive engine performance and increased stiffness – three descriptors that provide the basis of information regarding the all-new Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C. We supposed we could also throw in the longer name, but you can already see that. The Spec C, which is quite sadly a Japan-only model for the moment, receives a host of upgrades compared to the non-spec STI and that list includes; an aluminum hood, reduced-friction ball bearings for the twin-scroll turbo, optimized ECU programming, a mechanical LSD and a host of other features.

The STI Spec C is positioned as a more focused Impreza WRX for those seeking an even more engaging driving experience. Weight has been reduced all over the car, while the front crossmember has been reinforced and large 245-series Bridgestone Potenzas have been wrapped around all four wheels.

Take a look at the Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec in the gallery below but be warned that too much staring can lead to a sudden desire to move to Japan. Be sure to click past the jump and read the full press release as well. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Gallery: Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec CSubaru Impreza WRX STI Spec CSubaru Impreza WRX STI Spec CSubaru Impreza WRX STI Spec CSubaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C

[Source: Subaru]

Continue reading Subaru WRX STI Spec C launched in Japan

Subaru WRX STI Spec C launched in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: How to railslide a front-drive 1992 Subaru Legacy

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Subaru, Humor

1992 Subaru Legacy railslide

Wyatt Knox creating a new Winter X-Games event – Click above to watch video after the jump

The extreme sports and motorsports worlds have collided in recent years, with the X-Games set trading in their small wheels for much larger ones. In that same spirit, rally driver Wyatt Knox is looking to reverse that trend and bring rallying into the action sports world. Take a front-wheel drive 1992 Subaru Legacy, a well-placed log on Team O’Neil Rally School’s closed course, a couple of HD video cameras and you have the recipe for an automotive railslide.

The end result actually turns out pretty well because Knox knows what he is doing behind the wheel. His backside car slide can be seen in the video after the jump.

[Source: YouTube via Jalopnik]

Continue reading Video: How to railslide a front-drive 1992 Subaru Legacy

Video: How to railslide a front-drive 1992 Subaru Legacy originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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