Video: Subaru G4e EV Concept

Subaru’s electric-powered mini concept made its debut at the Tokyo Show a couple of weeks ago (click here for images). The concept, which could potentially lead to a production version in the near future, is equipped with a high-performance lithium-ion battery that can be fully charged in less than 8 hours, allowing the G4e to travel a distance of around 200 km - 124 miles.

Subaru Exiga Concept Video

Unveiled at the Tokyo Show a couple of weeks ago, the Exiga is a mid-size, station-wagon-like concept that’s powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer engine mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission (see images here). Hard to say whether the Exiga concept previews the future Legacy Station Wagon or the next-generation Forester.

Video: Subaru Impreza WRX STi

Undoubtedly, the most significant debut at this year’s LA Auto Show, the Tiguan Concept is just one-step away from production. Based on the Golf V / Rabbit platform, VW’s answer to the Toyota RAV-4 and Honda CR-V will officially make its premiere as a production model in September 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Till then, take a few minutes off and enjoy this 4 min long video that we've taken the courtesy to dress with Manu Chao’s 1998 “King of the Bongo” song.

Subaru Impreza WRX STi Video

Our friend Chris might be busy today finishing off his paper, which is due tomorrow, but he managed to find some time to send us a video from “Car Online” with the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi being tested in Nurburgring. And yes, as we pointed out in our previous post with the brochure scans, Subaru will unveil the new Impreza WRX STi next week and specifically, . The countdown has begun!

Via: Car Online - Thanks for the tip Chris!

Subaru Impreza WRX: The Japanese Car The German’s Wish They Made

This funny TV ad, created by “DDB Canada”, focuses on the envy of German car engineers who wish they had made the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX, tooting the Japanese car’s stellar reliability and driving performance. Interestingly, the song that the four German engineers are listening to, the 1985 hit “Rock me Amadeus” was actually performed by an Austrian pop star, Robert Falco, but who the hell remembers. Wouldn’t it be cool if a German carmaker came out with a counter ad of the type “The German car the Japanese wish they’d designed”?

Subaru Impreza WRX Receives Mediocre Reviews

Widely accused for its sober looks, the Subaru Impreza WRX is nevertheless a WRX deep down under that boring outfit. Or isn’t it? The guys at Edmund’s don’t think so describing the latest WRX as slower, softer, pricier and worst of all (in our opinion), more family orientated than its predecessor. Overall, while they think the new Impreza WRX features a unique combination of utility and speed, they feel as though it lacks an attitude which was ever present in the previous WRX.
Via: edmunds

Subaru Impreza WRX The Legend Reborn: Episode 1

After teasing us with the preview video of the three-part action film "2008 Impreza WRX: The Legend Reborn", Subaru released the first part of the series that carries the name “The Return”. As you can see, Subaru’s animated commercial is inspired from the world of video games combining a tad of mystery music with plenty of jungle scenes and a scent of driving action. Not a bad idea but we’re certainly not overtaken by the final result. I don’t know if they did it on purpose, but the 3D animation makes the replays on Gran Turismo 1 look like the real thing! What did you think about the first episode?

Subaru Releases Three Part-Epic Series: "2008 Impreza WRX: The Legend Reborn"

Don’t matter if it’s a Lada or a Ferrari, everyone needs a good promotion to kick off sales. Subaru on its behalf is betting on the online community to promote the all new Impreza WRX by releasing what it describes, as a “three-part epic-series” dubbed “The Legend Reborn”. The first part of the mini-series is called “The Preview” and it takes place in Japan. Not much, but we’ll wait for Subaru to release the next two episodes for our conclusions.

Video: Subaru Impreza WRX & 2.5i

Subie’s promo video for the much criticized Impreza models is as uninspiring as the designs themselves. Apart from merging the 2.5i & WRX clips we added music so you can withstand the torture. And oh yeah, we also dropped in pictures of the Impreza’s and of a few cars the we think inspired Subaru’s imaginative design team.

SPY VIDEO: 2011 Toyota FT86 - Subaru Prototype Captured on the Nurburgring

The oddly shaped coupe covered in layers of metal and camouflage tape that you see in this spy video undergoing tests at the Nurburgring race track is none other than a test mule for the upcoming Toyota / Subaru co-developed rear-wheel drive sport coupes. Understandably, there's no way of knowing if it's a prototype for the Toyota-badged model that will be previewed at this week's Tokyo Motor Show with the FT-86 Concept or for Subaru's derivative that has yet to be revealed or even named.

Not that it matters as both compact sport coupes will share the same mechanical underpinnings including a modified version of Subaru's 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine said (but not officially confirmed) to produce up to 200HP.

Both the Subaru and Toyota variants of the rear-wheel drive 2+2 coupe are to be produced in Japan at Subaru's Gunma factory with the first examples due to arrive in the market in late 2011.

Via: Jalopnik , Source: Ft86club

VIDEO: 2010 Subaru Legacy JDM Commercial Starring Robert De Niro

The Japanese market 2010 Legacy isn't due for release until May 20, but Subaru has already filmed a TV spot for its new car starring Robert De Niro. The famous actor appears only for a couple of seconds - at the most- in the commercial that shows a white JDM 2010 Legacy Touring rolling around a mountain road. The estate version featured in the advert will be offered in Japan, Europe and other international markets but not in the U.S. which will have to do with the more crossover-like

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Hatch Concept Study

Needless to say, it doesn't take much effort to come up with a better design than Subaru's original Impreza hatch, but that wouldn't be fair to the creator of this independent concept study. This realistic computer generated proposal for a more distinct and sporty-looking Impreza WRX STI with a wedgy-shaped three-door hatchback body is the work of an artist that goes by the alias 'Grid'. Check out the rest of the photos in the gallery after the jump and tell us what you think about the study by leaving a comment below.

Video: Subaru Impreza WRC at the Acropolis Rally Shakedown

Our friend Chris just sent us this video compilation from today’s Shakedown test for the Acropolis Rally in Greece where the all-new Subaru Impreza WRC2008 made its racing premiere. Behind the wheel of the Subaru Impreza WRC were drivers Chris Atkinson and Petter Solberg who managed to set the fifth and sixth fastest times respectively at the Acropolis Rally pre-event shakedown.

Just for the record, Citroen's Daniel Sordo was the fastest of them all in the shakedown completing the 3.44 km test stage in 2 minutes 26.3 seconds. We’ll have more videos from the Acropolis Rally later in the day

Subaru Impreza WRX 265Hp & STI Promo Video?

The Subie loving chaps over at the Nasioc forums have discovered an official video with raw footage of what seems to be the Impreza WRX sedan -check out the STI grille. According to a leaked memo (read all the details here), the WRX models are said to be equipped with a more powerful version of the 2.5-liter turbo boxer engine delivering 265Hp The video that was shot in April features both WRX Sedan and WRX STi hatchback models flogged around at Willow Springs by Subie’s race drivers Travis Pastrana and Ken Block. Check out the video after the jump and tell us what you think.

Video: Subaru Forester Gets Sensual Wash From Sumo Fighters

Unconventional to say the least, Subaru’s TV advert for the all-new 2009 Forester crossover substitutes your usual sexy, big “airbaged” gals with a bunch of overweight yet freakingly playful Sumo fighters. Check out the video right after the jump.

Video: Subaru Exiga 7-Seater Crossover

While we still have to wait a couple of weeks before Subaru takes (all) the wraps off the 2009 Exiga that we first showed you earlier today, the Japanese carmaker has added a teaser video on its dedicated site that reveals a few more details on the new crossover/MPV that will go on sale in Japan (initially) later in the year. See the video right after the jump.

Subaru to Start Selling Cars in South Korea

Even though Kia and Hyundai are present in most countries around the world, you'll be surprised of the number of automakers that are absent from the South Korean market for one reason (import taxes) or another (legislation).

Subaru is one of them, but that's going to change soon as the Japanese automaker announced today that it is joining Toyota in South Korea's recovering market for imported cars. The company said that that sales of Subaru-brand vehicles will start from April in the country working through its local distributor, Subaru Korea Co., Ltd.

The automaker's range will initially comprise of the Legacy, Outback and Forester. Unfortunately for Subaru fans in South Korea, the Impreza series, and by that, we actually mean the WRX and STI, won't be offered.

Subaru's newly formed Korean division said that it has set an initial sales target of a mere 600 units in the first year but aims to increase that number to 3,000 units by 2015.

The company stated that it is the process of developing its own dealer network and is planning to open Subaru outlets first in Seoul and Pusan and then to other metropolitan areas in South Korea.

Prodrive Launches New Subaru Impreza Group N Rally Car

Longtime Subaru specialist, Prodrive, has unveiled the Impreza N2010 rally car that complies with the Group N regulations. The five-door hathcback comes with a bevy of mechanical and chassis upgrades including a larger 33mm air restrictor, high flow fuel injectors and recalibrated ECU that help increase the 2.0-liter boxer engine's output by 20 horsepower and strengthened suspension that employs revised Ohlins dampers with extra travel front and rear.

"The engine and suspension changes make the N2010 far more competitive," said Graham Prew, Prodrive sales manager.

"On gravel the Impreza is certainly a match for any Super 2000, but it is on tarmac, that the additional engine performance will really come into its own and make the N2010 a competitive alternative to a Super 2000, but at about half the price and with significantly lower running costs," Prew concluded.

Pricing for the Impreza N2010 starts at £120,000 or about US$196,000 / €136,500 at today's exchange rates.

For the first time Prodrive also offers buyers an alternative financing option to lease the Impreza for a period of two years with the option to buy the rally-prepped car at the end of the agreement.



N2010 specification

Engine:

Flat 4-cylinder boxer:

Capacity: 1994 cc

Bore: 92.0 mm

Stroke: 75.0 mm

Turbo charger:

IHI twin scroll with new design regulation 33 mm restrictor with new roller bearing.

Electrical:

Spark plugs: BRISK

Lightweight battery: Odyssey

Controllers and displays:

Engine: Prodrive-Pectel programmable with removable data storage card.

Centre diff: Prodrive-Pectel programmable fully CAN compliant with selectable diff maps.

Driver's screen: GEMS CD25 5.5" colour VGA screen with multiple pages including engine, transmission and steering information. Increased integration of control systems and co-driver's screen.

Exhaust

Hi-flow motorsport catalyst with silencer options available in stainless or titanium.

Fuel system

FIA approved FT3-99 95 litre safety tank centrally mounted under floor.

Transmission

Gearbox: Prodrive-Hewland five-speed manual dog engagement with revised gear linkage and 2-stage shift light.

Front diff: Plated limited slip

Centre diff: Electro mechanical locking

Rear diff: Plated limited slip

Clutch

STI, 240 mm six paddle competition, single plate homologated STI cover.

Roll cage

Prodrive manufactured rollcage to FIA compliant MSA homologated.

Suspension

Revised Öhlins dampers with improved travel, strengthened rear cross-member high performance uprated suspension bushes.

Front: Prodrive-Öhlins TPX 44 MacPherson strut, three-way adjustable with front hydraulic bump stop.

Rear: Prodrive-Öhlins TTX 44 coil-over damper, three-way adjustable on multi-link rear suspension.

Steering

Power assisted quickrack (13:1) for left and right hand drive.

PAS cooler (optional)

Wheels: Speedline or Work

Tarmac: 18" x 8" or 17" x 8"

Gravel: 15" x 7"

Snow: 16" x 5.5"

Brakes: AP Racing

Tarmac: front: four-piston 355 mm rear: two-piston 285 mm

Gravel: front: four-piston 295 mm rear: two-piston 285 mm

Handbrake: WRC style vertical lever using STI/AP homologated piston.

Dimensions

Front track: 1,550 mm

Rear track: 1,540 mm

Length: 4,415 mm

Weight: 1,350 kg

Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S: More Stylish Version of Automatic Model

Together with the top-spec Impreza WRX STI R205 325HP, Subaru also released another special edition version of its sport hatchback for Japan, the WRX STI A-Line Type S. But unlike the R205, the Type S isn't about performance or handling improvements, it's about cosmetic upgrades.

Based on the Impreza WRX STI A-Line which was launched in early 2009 and combines Subaru's 300-horsepower 2.5-litre turbocharged Boxer engine with a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifts, the Type S adds Recaro seats treated in Alcantara and leather.

In addition, the seats, the leather steering wheel and the door panels are accented by contrasting red stitching while the package is rounded off with new lightweight alloy wheels in a gunmetal gray finish and gold-colored brake calipers.

Available for order now in Japan, the Type S is priced from 3,255,000 YEN which comes to around US$34,800 or €24,400 at today's exchange rates.

New Subaru Impreza R205: High-Performance Version of WRX STI with Improved Handling and More Power

The good: Subaru has revealed a successor to its Impreza S203 and S204 special performance models with the new S205 that benefits from chassis, engine and styling upgrades. The bad: at least for now, it's only available in Japan.

Billed as the top performance model of the WRX STI lineup, Subaru says that the R205 -where "R" stands for "Road Sport"- makes full use of specially designed features and performance parts of the "WRX STI spec C" model.

In the handling department, the R205 adopts STI tuned dampers, coil springs, flexible type strut tower bar, flexible type lower arm stiffener of front suspension, and 18-inch alloys wrapped in Bridgestone's specially designed RE070 tires size 245/40 R18.

Stopping power is provided by a Brembo brake system with 6-pot calipers up front and 4-pot calipers at the back.

Subaru also tweaked the Impreza WRX STI's engine by adopting an exclusively designed turbocharger with ball bearings for the turbine axle bearing, specially tuned ECU, and a new sport muffler with lowered back pressure exhaust. The result is an increased output of 325-horsepower and 431Nm or 317.9 lb-ft of peak torque.

As for the R205's looks, aside from the different alloy wheels, Subaru added newly designed front under spoiler, rear apron and black roof wing, as well as specially colored front grille and side STI garnish.