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  • Subaru Unveils Track-Ready Legacy GTk Concept At SEMA

    Subaru Unveils Track-Ready Legacy GTk Concept At SEMA November 2nd, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, November 2nd, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 2 Comments

    Subaru Unveils Track-Ready Legacy GTk Concept At SEMA

    Hot on the heels of last week’s tease of Subaru’s WRX STI and Legacy VIP concept cars planned for this week’s 2009 SEMA Auto Show comes a third concept from the Japanese automaker, once again based on the new 2010 Legacy.

    If a turbocharged, lowered, beefed-up Subaru sport wagon sounds like a great car for taking to the track or for some autocross action, then this is one concept you should definitely take a close look at if you happen to be attending SEMA this year.

    Described as the “ultimate” track-ready sporty wagon, the new Subaru Legacy GTk concept car is aimed directly at performance enthusiasts who may...

    Hot on the heels of last week’s tease of Subaru’s WRX STI and Legacy VIP concept cars planned for this week’s 2009 SEMA Auto Show comes a third concept from the Japanese automaker, once again based on the new 2010 Legacy. If a turbocharged, lowered, beefed-up Subaru sport wagon sounds like a great car for taking to the track or for some autocross action, then this is one concept you should definitely take a close look at if you happen to be attending SEMA this year. Described as the “ultimate” track-ready sporty wagon, the new Subaru Legacy GTk concept car is aimed directly at performance enthusiasts who may possibly have a family-lift the tailgate and you’ll find a Coyote Motorsports XP go-kart for the kiddies. The concept was developed by Specialized Vehicles Inc. (SVI) and features a modified roof, blacked-out headlights, a custom front bumper with integrated fog-lights, hood vents, smoked tail lights and a fully custom black-over-red paint scheme. The powertrain was also boosted up and now includes a new six-speed manual gearbox, a modified exhaust system and recalibrated ECU, all of which liberates a healthy 300 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque from the vehicle’s 2.5-liter ‘boxer’ engine. To make sure all that grunt reaches the ground safely, designers also added a short-throw shifter, a viscous coupling locking center differential, a new strut tower brace, a Bilstein suspension kit and a full Brembo brake package with six-piston calipers up front and four-piston calipers in the rear. [Subaru] Read More

  • Subaru Teases WRX STI And Legacy SEMA Concepts

    Subaru Teases WRX STI And Legacy SEMA Concepts October 30th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, October 30th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 0 Comments

    Subaru Teases WRX STI And Legacy SEMA Concepts

    Subaru today announced two tuner models along with one of the automaker’s classics, which are all set to debut at next week’s 2009 SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas.

    Working closely with its own in-house performance accessories line, Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT), Subaru has built a custom 2010 Impreza WRX STI and Legacy aimed at enthusiasts at two different ends of the aftermarket spectrum.

    The WRX STI by SPT demonstrates what a WRX STI owner can build at home using just the SPT catalog as a source for bolt-on parts. The concept vehicle offers more power along with even sharper handling response, aiming it squarely at performance...

    Subaru today announced two tuner models along with one of the automaker’s classics, which are all set to debut at next week’s 2009 SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas. Working closely with its own in-house performance accessories line, Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT), Subaru has built a custom 2010 Impreza WRX STI and Legacy aimed at enthusiasts at two different ends of the aftermarket spectrum. The WRX STI by SPT demonstrates what a WRX STI owner can build at home using just the SPT catalog as a source for bolt-on parts. The concept vehicle offers more power along with even sharper handling response, aiming it squarely at performance enthusiasts looking for aftermarket upgrades. The drivetrain in the WRX STI by SPT is essentially stock, which means a 2.5 liter turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder ‘boxer’ engine. An SPT exhaust system, however, boosts output to 315 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque. The 2010 Legacy VIP concept, on the other hand, is a one-of-a-kind vehicle inspired by the VIP rides found on the streets of Tokyo, Los Angeles and New York. VIP is a style known for a clean, yet heavily reworked, luxury theme with an emphasis on impossibly low ride height and huge, aggressively styled wheels. To ride low, the Legacy VIP gets air suspension system from Universal Air. Subaru has also sourced a number of body parts from the Japanese domestic market (JDM) Legacy, including the hood, bumper faces, sport grille, front and rear under spoilers, HID headlights and fog lights. The third vehicle announced for Subaru's SEMA display is also one-of-a-kind: A special SPT delivery van that promises to deliver go-fast parts very slowly. That's because it only has 25 horsepower. The 1969 micro van (emphasis on "micro") was one of the first models sold by Subaru of America. Its two-cylinder, two-stroke engine musters 25.3 pound-feet of torque. [Subaru] Read More

  • Subaru Talks About Hybrid Plans In Tokyo

    Subaru Talks About Hybrid Plans In Tokyo October 23rd, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, October 23rd, 2009 Nelson Ireson 0 Comments

    Subaru Talks About Hybrid Plans In Tokyo

    We've covered Subaru's hybrid plans for well over a year now, and this week's details dropped at the Tokyo Motor Show confirm what we've heard before: Subaru has plans for a hybrid car, to be built with aid from corporate partner Toyota. Leveraging Toyota's already excellent hybrid platform is a no-brainer, but Subaru will have to do a lot of engineering work to develop a system suitable to its own cars.

    Speaking from the show floor, Fuji Heavy Industies president Ikuo Mori told Automotive News that Subaru won't be able to just lift Toyota hybrid systems directly--a simple transplant won't work. But that's nothing new from Subaru, with the...

    We've covered Subaru's hybrid plans for well over a year now, and this week's details dropped at the Tokyo Motor Show confirm what we've heard before: Subaru has plans for a hybrid car, to be built with aid from corporate partner Toyota. Leveraging Toyota's already excellent hybrid platform is a no-brainer, but Subaru will have to do a lot of engineering work to develop a system suitable to its own cars. Speaking from the show floor, Fuji Heavy Industies president Ikuo Mori told Automotive News that Subaru won't be able to just lift Toyota hybrid systems directly--a simple transplant won't work. But that's nothing new from Subaru, with the strong design and engineering background that's driven all of the company's automotive products. The impetus for the latest flash of discussion on the subject is Subaru's Hybrid Tourer concept, which demonstrates in a much more realistic fashion Subaru's design and platform directions for its hybrid passenger cars. Previous proof-of-concept designs like all-electric and plug-in hybrid R1 and Stella have shown off technology and future city car themes, but the Hybrid Tourer concept features a layout that's more likely to be seen here in the U.S., and in the near future. Powered by a direct-injected turbocharged 2.0-liter mill and twin electric motors, the all-wheel-drive hybrid combines the best of the fuel-saving technology with the best of Subaru's go-anywhere attitude in an attractive and spacious package. The modality of the hybrid's function is somewhat unique as well, with factors like hill ascent or descent determining the role of the gasoline and electric powerplants. Like almost all modern hybrids, the Tourer concept features stop-start technology and brake energy regeneration. Key elements of any production Subaru hybrid will be retaining the performance and utility associated with the Subaru nameplate as well as maximizing fuel efficiency and minimizing emissions. There will, of course, be compromises in the name of practicality, but we're keen to see what Subaru has in store for a final production vehicle. We don't expect to see a Subaru hybrid on the road before 2012, however, so we'll have to be patient. [Auto News - sub. req.] Read More

  • Report: Subaru Working On Hot STI Version of Joint Sports Coupe

    Report: Subaru Working On Hot STI Version of Joint Sports Coupe October 21st, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, October 21st, 2009 Nelson Ireson 0 Comments

    Report: Subaru Working On Hot STI Version of Joint Sports Coupe

    Spy shots have caught the car running around in what looks a lot more like Subaru guise than the Toyota FT-86 concept version revealed earlier this month, and talk of a special high-output model has been around almost as long as rumors of the new Subaru coupe have. But a new report cuts through the innuendo and claims an STI--Subaru Tecnica International, Subaru's in-house performance division--treatment that's good for 250 horsepower is already in the works.

    According to the newest report, the up-rated car still won't be turbocharged, however, with a 2.5-liter boxer engine doing the work. The extra half liter over the expected standard...

    Spy shots have caught the car running around in what looks a lot more like Subaru guise than the Toyota FT-86 concept version revealed earlier this month, and talk of a special high-output model has been around almost as long as rumors of the new Subaru coupe have. But a new report cuts through the innuendo and claims an STI--Subaru Tecnica International, Subaru's in-house performance division--treatment that's good for 250 horsepower is already in the works. According to the newest report, the up-rated car still won't be turbocharged, however, with a 2.5-liter boxer engine doing the work. The extra half liter over the expected standard 2.0-liter engine will translate into not very much more weight, so the extra 50 horsepower will be easily felt. Adding the cost, weight and complexity of a turbocharger would likely push the price too high and require output closer to 300 horsepower in order to achieve the desired performance. On the other hand, turbocharged cars are more easily modified for greater performance, and adding to the stock Subaru configuration is a long-standing tradition with die-hard brand loyalists. One possibility is that Subaru will introduce two up-rated models, much like the Impreza line features the WRX and STI. A 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated 250-horsepower car could slot between the base 2.0-liter car and a turbocharged version rated at up to 300 horsepower. In this scenario, the highest-performance model, much like the Impreza WRX STI would be targeted at a limited audience, and would command a premium price. We don't expect to see the new Subaru version of the joint sports coupe until the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, but it should appear in concept form before then. The Subaru version hasn't yet been officially approved for production, however, meaning that all of these plans might yet come to naught. If the car is built, expect it to feature a standard six-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive and a starting price under $25,000 for the base 2.0-liter car. [Auto Express] Read More

  • Video: Travis Pastrana To Set Rally Car Record Jump On New Years Eve

    Video: Travis Pastrana To Set Rally Car Record Jump On New Years Eve October 19th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, October 19th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 0 Comments

    Video: Travis Pastrana To Set Rally Car Record Jump On New Years Eve

    Motorcyles, rally cars, jumping, racing and just about anything fast, extreme or both--you name it, Travis Pastrana's probably done it, twice. But even he has a few areas left to cover, and this this New Year's Eve, he'll be trying to set a new world record.

    The record will consist of driving a Red Bull-sponsored Subaru rally car to a 250-foot jump from Long Beach's Pine Street Pier onto a barge anchored in the harbor. If he's successful, he'll nab the title from his current Subaru rally teammate, Ken Block, who set the current record at 171 feet in 2006, also in a Subaru rally car.

    Pastrana's history with the water is infamous: he had his...

    Motorcyles, rally cars, jumping, racing and just about anything fast, extreme or both--you name it, Travis Pastrana's probably done it, twice. But even he has a few areas left to cover, and this this New Year's Eve, he'll be trying to set a new world record. The record will consist of driving a Red Bull-sponsored Subaru rally car to a 250-foot jump from Long Beach's Pine Street Pier onto a barge anchored in the harbor. If he's successful, he'll nab the title from his current Subaru rally teammate, Ken Block, who set the current record at 171 feet in 2006, also in a Subaru rally car. Pastrana's history with the water is infamous: he had his first X Games gold medal taken away for a celebration involving jumping his motorcycle into the San Francisco Bay--at age 15. This time around, he hopes to stay out of the water. Though the Subaru Pastrana will use for the stunt will be prepared for safety, he says he wants to keep it close to what people drive on the street every day. "Our goal is to make this as authentic as possible. I want to use a really close-to-production Subaru, not some super high-tech ramp or super high-tech car. Just a full-on, old-school stunt. And definitely I want to drive out of it, too," Pastrana told the AP. The stunt will be televised live on ESPN, following on a tradition of New Year's Eve stunts from other Red Bull motorsports greats like Robbie Maddison and Rhys Millen. [AP] Read More

  • Report: Subaru SVX Set To Return

    Report: Subaru SVX Set To Return October 13th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, October 13th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 4 Comments

    Report: Subaru SVX Set To Return

    The Alcyone SVX, known outside of Japan as the Subaru SVX, is a mid-sized GT coupe that was sold by Subaru from 1991 to 1997. It was the brand’s first major attempt to enter the luxury/performance car market but its styling failing to excite most buyers in the segment and the performance from its naturally-aspired engine was nothing special either.

    Total sales of the car topped a little over 25,000 units worldwide before the model was pulled. While not quite the success Subaru was hoping for, a successor to the car is reportedly in the works.

    According to a new report, Subaru is working on a new sports coupe based on the recently...

    The Alcyone SVX, known outside of Japan as the Subaru SVX, is a mid-sized GT coupe that was sold by Subaru from 1991 to 1997. It was the brand’s first major attempt to enter the luxury/performance car market but its styling failing to excite most buyers in the segment and the performance from its naturally-aspired engine was nothing special either. Total sales of the car topped a little over 25,000 units worldwide before the model was pulled. While not quite the success Subaru was hoping for, a successor to the car is reportedly in the works. According to a new report, Subaru is working on a new sports coupe based on the recently revealed Hybrid Tourer Concept. The production version will likely share the concept’s hybrid drivetrain and possibly even its gullwing door design. A Subaru insider said the car would target high-end performance vehicles and could be priced as high £40,000 (approximately $63,196). This latest model is in addition to the new sports coupe Subaru is developing jointly with Toyota and due next year. For more information on this model, check out our previous story by clicking here. [AutoExpress] Read More

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