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(from Subaru Press Release) Subaru today unveiled the production version of its highly anticipated BRZ sports coupe. With 200PS and 151lb/ft maximum torque in a car weighing just 1,220kg, the BRZ has been designed for maximum – and accessible – driving enjoyment.

The result of a Subaru-led joint-engineering venture with Toyota, the BRZ delivers a sensational and engaging driving experience, thanks in large part to an engineering and development programme that focused on achieving the lowest possible centre of gravity.

Concept

The Subaru BRZ was designed and developed from the outset to deliver driving fun and exceptional handling, combined with reliability and safety.

Carefully conceived powertrain packaging allows the celebrated horizontally-opposed Boxer engine to be positioned lower than ever before. This, in conjunction with its advanced lightweight chassis and use of cutting-edge lightweight materials, endows the BRZ with exceptional handling characteristics.

The low-slung, naturally aspirated engine allows for a low and wide stance: 1,300mm tall and 1,775mm wide. However, the 2+2 sports car still offers ample luggage space, ensuring it is adept as a weekend touring companion and as an enthralling daily driver.

Exterior styling

The BRZ’s styling – instantly recognisable as a Subaru – conveys the car’s fun-to-drive attitude.

At the front, the low-slung engine facilitates a low, purposeful bonnet line, which in turn accentuates the bulging front wheel arches. Signature design features – such as the six-star badge, distinctive headlights and hexagonal lower grille – give the BRZ a fresh, striking appearance.

The clean flanks of the BRZ are punctured by neat air vents either side, pierced by a chrome dart. A visually striking diffuser dominates the lower edge of the BRZ’s tail, with twin exhaust pipes prominently penetrating on each side, representing a final flourish of stylish functionality that conveys the performance intentions of Subaru’s newest model.

Interior

The interior of the BRZ is designed to ensure that the driver enjoys the behind-the-wheel experience to the full. The steering wheel is deliberately compact to aid rapid inputs and to ensure the driver can fully enjoy the BRZ’s lightning-quick responses.

The instrument binnacle features a tachometer with a digitally displayed speedometer at its centre, ensuring that the time required to view vital information is kept to an absolute minimum, and that time concentrating on the road is maximised.

The BRZ’s specially designed sports seats feature ergonomically optimised bolsters to hold the driver and passenger securely and comfortably.

Powertrain

Fully exploiting the best design features of the current-generation Boxer engine, the newly developed 2.0-litre powerplant is exclusive to the BRZ. The joint development programme with Toyota Motor Corporation allowed Toyota’s ‘D-4S’ direct injection and port injection technology to be incorporated into the BRZ’s power unit, improving efficiency. The powerplant achieves a maximum output of 200PS and 151lb/ft torque.

The transmission was engineered for exceptional gearshift feel and response. The six-speed manual features a short-stroke gear lever, which is optimised in rigidity, shift accuracy and weight. The six-speed automatic transmission has a ‘Sports’ mode for immediate shift response. Its ‘Manual’ mode allows the driver to use the steering wheel-mounted paddles and features a downshift ‘throttle blipping’ system to ensure the BRZ delivers maximum driver satisfaction.

Chassis and body

BRZ boasts a lightweight yet highly rigid body, developed to maximise the advantages of the car’s low centre of gravity. The rigid and durable chassis structure employs the latest lightweight, high-tensile steel technology, and helps the car’s driving characteristics while also enhancing occupant safety. The aluminium bonnet helps to minimise the BRZ’s weight, while the structure is also designed to maximise pedestrian protection.

The front suspension employs struts for optimum rigidity, while a double wishbone layout at the rear provides superb shock absorption and compliance. The 215/45 R17 tyres are mounted on lightweight and highly rigid 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.

All BRZ variants are equipped with electronic stability control to ensure that driving pleasure and safety are delivered hand-in-hand.

The Subaru BRZ is scheduled to go on sale in the UK in July 2012.

Subaru has announced pricing for the 2011 Subaru Impreza models, with the new range consisting of the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and Impreza Outback Sport, as well as the new widebody Impreza WRX and WRX STI models.

The well-equipped Impreza 2.5i maintains an aggressive starting price of $17,495, with the five-door available at $17,995. All naturally-aspirated Imprezas come with Subaru’s 2.5-liter SOHC horizontally-opposed boxer engine with i-Active Valve Lift System. This engine puts out a reasonable 170 horsepower at 6,000 rpm.

Two new colors are available for the 2011 model year, Marine Blue Pearl and Sky Blue Metallic, while Newport Blue is being phased out.

The Impreza 2.5i Premium maintains its starting price of $18,495–the five-door is $18,995. The 2.5i Premium trim level adds alloy wheels, a leather wrapped shifter and steering wheel and audio control switches on the steering wheel.

The Special Edition Package on the Impreza 2.5i Premium is renamed the Power Moonroof Value Package for 2011 and still includes the All-Weather Package, fog lights and power moonroof for just $500.

The audio system for the 2.5i Premium and Outback Sport models is upgraded for the 2011 model year and now includes standard Bluetooth connectivity, a standard USB port with iPod control capability, a single-disc CD Player with MP3/WWA capability and six upgraded speakers.

The Outback Sport maintains its starting price of $19,995 and includes items such as standard 17 inch alloy wheels, raised suspension, fog lights, All-Weather Package and a cargo tray among its many upgraded features.

Note, all prices exclude a $725 destination charge.

[Source:MotorAuthority]

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Power comes from Subaru’s 2.0-L, 4-cylinder Boxer , which has been given a turbo boost.  Specs are not yet known, although there is speculation that it could share similar numbers with the Boxer found in Japan’s Limited Impreza R205.  Ride height has been lowered by 30mm, compared to the original FT-86, and grip is provided by a set of Bridgestone Potenza RE050s on 19″ rims.

The G Sport also gets an interesting bit of technology.  A GPS unit allows the driver to record the car’s movement around a track and replay the lap virtually, using a PS3.  Users can simply observe a replay of the lap, or race against themselves, with a visual representation of their actual car and lap-time.  Pretty sweet, but don’t most gamers play video games because driving their cars on the actual track is just a fantasy?  I mean, if you can blast around the track in your real-deal FT-86, why bother with the PS3?  Still very cool though.

Source: Autocar

From Subaru:

1. Concept

Subaru has condensed its DNA, developed over many years around the Subaru’s core technology of “Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD)” and “Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Engine”, into the integration of a luxurious and high-quality cabin atmosphere and an eye-catching sculpted body. The concept car features Subaru’s latest evolutions in handling agility, riding comfort and superior safety performance. It proposes Subaru’s vision of a future grand touring car that excels in environmental friendliness thanks to Subaru’s unique hybrid system.

2. Design and packaging

(1) Exterior
Subaru imagined wings with a feeling of freedom and confidence for driving far and wide in any environment. A luxurious and comfortable cabin, and advanced driving performance are contained within a sculpted aerodynamic form. The design features a combination of bright, open glass areas with a solid, reliable body.

(2) Interior
The original point of the ideal grand touring car is its interior design, featuring four independent and comfortably positioned seats. Passengers are enclosed within an atmosphere that provides a surpassing feeling of openness and stress-free reassurance, through the further pursuit of a human-centered philosophy, the essence of Subaru car design, and the incorporation of functions that are friendly to passengers.

The top of the dashboard is movable up and down to provide an optimal driving environment for the driver according to driving conditions.

A flat floor in the rear seat was achieved even with the implementation of AWD, for improved use and movement inside the cabin.

Specialized shielding is incorporated in the windshield to reduce eyestrain on the driver.

New leather covering developed with superior breathability and a ventilation function is used in the seats for improved comfort and texture.

3. Mechanisms

In addition to refinements to Subaru’s core technology such as Symmetrical AWD and Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Engine, further enhancements were made for improved environmental friendliness, driving performance and high safety performance by offering a next-generation power unit system and advanced safety technologies.

(1) Next-generation power unit system
2.0-liter Horizontally-Opposed direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline engine

The Horizontally-Opposed turbo gasoline engine, with a reputation for powerful acceleration, is combined with a direct fuel-injection system for improvements in fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, and improved torque and response in practical range. This evolution in Subaru turbo technology excels in both environmental friendliness and engine performance.

Lineartronic (CVT)  Lineartronic, Subaru’s new generation automatic transmission, achieves further improvements in both fuel efficiency and driving performance by reinforcing parts for use with the high-power output of a turbo engine.

These tank like tracks can actually be purchased through a manufacturer called “Mattracks”. No pricing information is listed, but these treads are heavy duty and can support vehicles up to 8,000 lbs! Say good bye to the days of being locked out or in your cabin due to heavy snow. With Ken Block’s Trax Sti fitted with Mattracks, there is no stoping you! Suitable for other terrains beside snow, these are suitable for all the avid offroad fans out there who love to get their Subaru dirty.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTDNLUzjkpg]

Source: Tampa Sports Car Examiner

Have a British actor, a TV host, and a Subaru rally car and what do you get?

A funny video courtesy of Fifth Gear.

Video game designer Lars Martensson has put his digital skills to better use by amusing the automotive community and, more importantly, me.  Martensson (or “GRID,” as he enjoys being called) has joined the Subie resistance in fighting against the current styling of the Impreza.  Martensson’s vision for the next Impreza employs an aggressive and angular surface, a wider fascia, and narrowed headlamps.  He’s received a lot of applause for his vision.  See it and judge for yourself the merits Martensson’s digital hatch.

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In a followup to the Legacy preview, Subaru has put out the official numbers for its 2010 Outback.

On the whole, the Outback’s specs aren’t drastically different from its sedan counterpart.  The Outback will include the base 2.5 L flat-four, along with the attached six-speed manual gearbox or optional CVT.  The Outback will have also have the upgraded mid-range V-6 for the 3.6R.  Cargo room has been increased to 71.3 cu. ft., factoring in the 60/40 split-folding rear seats.  Subaru will add to that the routine offer of rear compartmental layouts and accoutrement.

The base price will be $23,000 (same as the outgoing model) and $28,000 for the 3.6R.  The 3.6R Limited will top the line off with a price of $31,000.  All-wheel-drive is standard.  Comfort options will include the typical moonroof setup; bluetooth connectivity; a 440 wt Harmon-Kardon audio system; and an extensive navigation pack with a backup cam, USB link, and iPod integration.

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Click on the image above for full-image gallery

Official data on Subaru’s production-ready 2010 Legacy is out, and the results look promising (albeit in step with the preceding model line).  To start off the good news, the 2010 edition will undercut the ’09 starting price at just under $20,000 (not factoring the $700 destination fee).  That comes to $800 less than the preceding model.  The sedan’s wheelbase has been lengthened, leading to an extra four inches of leg space for rear passengers.   The trim levels remain the same: a base 2.5i, a mid-range 3.6R, and a sporty 2.5 GT.

The 2.5i will start the line off.  It comes equipped with Subaru’s carryover 170 hp 2.5 L boxer flat-four, all-wheel-drive setup, and a six-speed manual-shift.  Subaru will include its new “Lineartronic” CVT for the lazy, but at a $1,000 premium.  The 3.6R will start off under $25,000, and include a naturally-aspirated V-6 pushing out 256 hp.  The downside?  The CVT will be unavailable; instead, Subaru’s leaving the more placid five-speed automatic with padel-shifters.

View the images after the jump…

The GT will run you at least $28,000, and include a hood-scoop, summer tires, 18″ alloy rims, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an optional 440 wt Harman-Kardon premium-grade audio system.  The real meat behind the GT is its turbocharged 2.5: output is up to 265 hp, owed to a turbocharger mounted below the engine for quicker response and delivery.

Whatever you make of it, it’s more interesting than an Accord.

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