LiNk Cars

Yesterday, we brought you a first look at the redevelopment of Subaru’s Impreza Sedan and Hatchback from its world premiere at the 2011 New York International Auto Show. Today we have the first videos of the redesigned compact model in both four-door saloon and five-door hatchback guises, thanks to the official B-roll footage from Subaru.

Bypassing the somewhat disappointing styling as the visual impact of last year’s LA Show Impreza Concept was lost in the translation from concept to production car reality, Subaru’s Honda Civic rival boasts a roomier passenger area despite the fact that exterior dimensions remain the same.

The New York auto show hosts the world premiere of the fourth generation Subaru Impreza, showcased in both 4-door and 5-door body styles. Developed under the Subaru’s concept of “Redefining Value, Redefining Class”, the new Impreza is allegedly more fuel-efficient and fun to drive, while offerings better interior space, despite having the same exterior dimensions as the outgoing model.

We’re going to see both the four- and five-door versions of the all-new 2012 Impreza at the New York Auto Show this week, but at the Shanghai motor show, Subaru lifted the wraps off a concept version of the hatchback model in a crossover guise. Named the XV Concept, the study essentially offers us our first glimpse at the successor of the North American market Impreza Outback Sport as well as the Impreza XV that is offered in Japan.

The lime-green XV Concept combines Subaru’s all-wheel drive system with a jacked up suspension and an array of SUV-like styling cues. The five-door model measures 4,450mm in length, 1,800mm in width and 1,620 mm in height sporting a 2,635mm long wheelbase. It is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine linked to a CVT.

This odd-looking creation is the AM01 and it’s the work of a Dutch company named Isis Cars that is led by Anton van Nunen and Max Alting Siberg. In an even stranger twist, the AM01 is based on another coachbuilt sports car from the Netherlands called the Saker.

Underneath the composite body shell lies a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine sourced from a Subaru Impreza WRX STI. The four-cylinder unit churns out 275HP and a peak torque of 350 Nm (258 lb-ft), with power being transferred to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox.

In the run-up to the Auto Shanghai 2011 that takes place in China from April 21 through 28, Subaru has released the first official photo of a brand-new crossover study called the XV Concept. The Japanese company did not give out many details on the concept simply stating that the XV is a stylish proposal for a crossover model. Read more »

The Subaru Outback is one of the best known model of cars of all time. The Subaru Outback model has revolutionized - and many say even started - the crossover style of vehicle. The 2011 model hasn't changed much from the 2010 model, although there are subtle differences that should be noted.

Every model includes anti-lock brakes, seatbelts with pre-tensioners, side curtain airbags, stability control and all wheel drive - to ensure that you remain in control of the vehicle at all times. The Subaru Outback model has consistently earned top honors in many safety tests and measures.

If users do desire more power, the six cylinder model should provide adequate power to get the job done.

The 2011 model is basically the same as far as styling goes when compared to the 2010 model. The 2011 Subaru Outback retains many of the great features that the 2010 model had.

The 2011 Subaru Outback continues to offer value and versatility. Unlike previous generations, the latest Outback diverges further from its wagon roots and embraces the crossover trend.

Redesigned for the 2010 model year, the 2011 Subaru Outback receives only a handful of small changes.

The Outback’s pleasant interior carries over for 2011. Despite a sales hike of $200 for all 2011 Outback’s over their 2010 counterparts, the Outback still represents a terrific value. Reviewers say drivers accustomed to light off-roading or snow will greatly appreciate the Outback’s standard all-wheel drive system

Somewhere amid the parade of crossovers and wagon-like vehicles is the Subaru Outback. The Outback's formula for success is no secret. Trim levels include the four-cylinder Outback 2.5i and six-cylinder Outback 3.6R, each of which come in three versions: base, Premium and Limited (compare them here). As with all Subarus, all-wheel drive is standard. The Outback was redesigned for 2010; you can compare that version with the 2011 Outback here. We evaluated the four-cylinder Outback last year; this time around we tested a six-cylinder Outback 3.6R Limited.

Loaded with passengers, the four-cylinder drivetrain requires patience reaching highway speeds, and it strains to keep up under hard acceleration.

The combined EPA gas mileage estimates range from 20 mpg with the six-cylinder and automatic to 24 mpg with the four-cylinder and automatic.

Employing a car-based four-wheel-independent suspension since its mid-1990s inception, the Outback displays admirable ride quality. Driving enthusiasts will appreciate the steering wheel's heavy weight at low speeds, while average drivers will want more power assist for easier parking-lot maneuvers. Find a winding road, however, and the Outback handles well. Credit the standard all-wheel drive, whose power distribution skews slightly rearward in six-cylinder Outbacks. All automatic Outbacks distribute power between the axles electronically; the manual Outback uses a simpler viscous coupling that's less proactive in doling out power when the wheels start to slip. We've driven previous Outbacks on trails, and the all-wheel drive — along with an impressive 8.7 inches of ground clearance — make for better capability than you'd expect in a crossover.

Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes are standard, with larger discs installed on six-cylinder Outbacks. Loaded down with some 500 pounds of cargo, our test car took significantly farther to come to a halt.

Cargo volume behind the rear seat is a competitive 34.3 cubic feet, and the Outback's wide, rectangular cargo area accommodates large cargo better than many.

In crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Outback received the highest score, Good, in front, rear, side-impact and roof-crush tests. The Outback 2.5i comes with power windows and locks, remote entry, cruise control, air conditioning and a CD stereo with an auxiliary jack and steering-wheel audio controls. A conventional moonroof (not the dual moonroof available in prior Outbacks) and the navigation system are optional.

The six-cylinder Outback 3.6R comes standard with a five-speed automatic transmission; the CVT automatic runs $1,000 in the 2.5i and 2.5i Premium (it's standard on the 2.5i Limited). Load up a six-cylinder Outback, and the price tops out around $34,000.

At last year’s LA Auto Show, Subaru unveiled an impressive concept for the new Impreza hinting at the production model that would follow. Now it’s time for the Japanese company to give us our first glimpse of the all-new 2012 Impreza, which will receive its world premiere in both 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback version at the 2011 New York International Auto Show (April 22- May 1).

For now, all we get is a single view of the 2012 Impreza sedan’s side and the promise from Subaru that the new design will provide “a roomier interior and improved levels of comfort and refinement” with the company adding that it will deliver up to 36mph on the highway (equal to 6.5 lt/100km).

Subaru has a treat in store for its UK buyers as the Japanese company is offering its Impreza WRX STI with a power upgrade and a satellite navigation system as standard with no increase to the on-the-road price of £32,995, albeit for a limited period only. Read more »

The 2011 Subaru Legacy is available in 3 different engine choices. The 2.5 liter four cylinder offers 170 horsepower with 170 foot pounds of torque. All Legacy models, regardless of engine size, feature all wheel drive to make handling smoother. A 6 speed manual or automatic transmission is available, which allows drivers to pick their preference of driving experience.
You will find most safety features standard regardless of package options, which really says something for Subaru. The 2011 Subaru Legacy offers only one optional safety feature and that is the parking assist.

The Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Mazda6 all offer very similar safety features, options, and performance. The Camry’s base model offers 169 horsepower, while the Accord and Mazda6 offer 180 and 170 respectively.

Choices abound with the Legacy, which comes in many trim levels and offers three engine types and three transmissions.

The 2.5 GT Premium model is gone, leaving the 2.5 GT Limited as the lone turbocharged model. Exterior features include:
Standard 16-inch wheels
Available 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels
Functional hood scoop on 2.5 GT
Projector beam headlights
Interior features include:
Standard keyless entry
Standard 60/40-split folding rear seats
Available Bluetooth audio streaming capability
Available dual-zone climate control

Under the Hood
Three engines — a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a turbocharged 2.5-liter and a 3.6-liter six-cylinder — make 170 horsepower, 265 hp and 256 hp, respectively.
170-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder
265-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder
256-hp, 3.6-liter six-cylinder
Six-speed manual transmission
Five-speed automatic (3.6-liter six-cylinder)
Standard all-wheel drive

Reviews of the 2011 Subaru Legacy are generally mixed. Like all Subarus, the Legacy has standard all-wheel-drive, a unique feature that helps provide added safety and security. In 2.5i Legacy models, reviewers note slow acceleration, though the more powerful 2.5GT or 3.6R models solve this problem.

Consumers checking out the 2011 Subaru Legacy should be sure to check out other affordable midsize cars with all-wheel-drive options. The Suzuki Kizashi is also available with an all-wheel drive option.

For 2011 the Legacy 2.5GT is only available in Limited trim. New for 2011, the Legacy comes standard with folding rear-view mirrors.

The situation in Japan for the country’s automobile industry appears to be much worse than originally believed with many carmakers struggling to resume domestic output following the magnitude-9 earthquake and tsunami on March 11 that killed thousands of people and damaged factories as well as infrastructure.

Following yesterday’s announcement from Toyota, Subaru said today that it will extend closures at all five of its automobile assembly plants in Japan until Monday, March 28. The automaker’s parent company Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI) had previously announced its production suspension until March 24.

The massive earthquake followed by the even more devastating tsunami that struck the north-east coasts of Japan last week has brought together the country’s biggest automakers including Honda, Nissan and Toyota, which announced today that they will donate $3.75 million each for relief and recovery efforts in communities affected by the disaster.

There was a special guest at Manchester Subaru in New Hampshire last week, and it wasn’t some B-list celebrity slumming it for a free car. No sir, it was a one of a kind 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STi convertible. You read that correctly, and we have the gallery to back it up.

And all I can say is wow. Remember when the boys over at Top Gear UK converted an old Renault Espace into a convertible? This is like that, but better. It’s somewhere between the ASC Helios (nee Chrysler 300C) and the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet in the, “so crazy it’s just might be cool” category.

Daihatsu isn't the only Japanese brand to add a rebadged Toyota model to its European lineup as Subaru did the same with the Trezia which is nothing more than a Toyota Verso-S with different logos. With a length of just under four meters, the small MPV is Subaru's newest proposal in the European minivan B-segment.

Subaru's designers only made a few changes to the front of the car, adding the brand's signature grille, a revised bumper and rounding up the headlights. As for the rest, it is virtually identical to Toyota's Verso-S. On the inside, changes are hard to spot too, with only the logos differentiating the two models.

If you were waiting to see a concept of the Subaru flavored version of the rear-wheel drive Toyota FT-86 at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, tough luck because the Japanese automaker simply displayed the car's chassis in a clear plastic body. Subaru didn't comment on exterior wrap, though there's a good chance that the shape may hint at the styling of the production coupe.

Subaru has released the first-ever teaser picture of its eagerly anticipated rear-wheel drive sports car concept ahead of its debut at the 2011 Geneva motor show on March 1. Even though Subaru's original ghost sketch of the car shows only a darkened outline of the front end, we managed to significantly brighten up the photo through some photoshop trickery and reveal the coupe's shape in full detail. At least from this picture, the Subaru study appears to differ in styling from its Toyota FT-86 sibling sporting a more curvy and less angular design.

The Subaru variant will keep the same front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout as the FT-86, which will also be revealed in a more production ready form at the Geneva Salon. Power of course will be provided by Subaru's horizontally opposed boxer engine, but we'll have to wait until the Geneva Salon for more specific details.

First unveiled in the 2010 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last October, the Subaru Forester S-Edition has now gone on sale in Australia, alongside the revised lineup of the Japanese compact SUV. Boasting a turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine delivering 259HP (193kW) and 347 Nm (256 lb-ft) of torque, the new range-topping model is the most powerful Forester ever to be sold down-under.

Subaru Foresters S-Edition Review

The new flagship “performance” model includes a range of WRX STI components and is the most powerful model in the compact SUV range in Australia.

The Subaru Foresters S-Edition is listed at $50,990, which is $3500 more than the XT model, but it has 24kW more power, 27Nm more torque, leather upholstery and STI 17-inch wheels, turbocharger, intercooler and suspension.

The base model petrol Foresters get the new FB naturally aspirated horizontally opposed boxer engine, replacing the EJ unit introduced in 1989. Only Subaru anoraks will notice the exterior changes. Forester X, XS and XT have black-finish roof rails, while S-Edition gets silver. S-Edition gets some extra badging, black and blue alcantara seats, drilled alloy pedals, luminescent instruments and STI wheels.

With nearly 150,000 Subaru Foresters sold in Australia, the time has come for an ultra-high performance variant. Say hello to the Subaru Forester S-Edition.

Those of you that know your Subarus might be wondering why there is now a Forester XT and an S-Edition in the one model range?

Subaru has built a great deal of its brand heritage on Forester and Impreza models and their performance variants. The Subaru Forester S-Edition uses the same 2.5-litre turbocharged engine from the MY11 Impreza WRX which has a gutsy 193 kW and 347 Nm of torque. More power (24 kW), more torque (27 Nm), a better automatic transmission, 17-inch STI alloy wheels, choice to buy it in world-rally blue (WRX blue), unique seats and a few other things. The only reason to buy an XT now is if you must have a manual, as the S-Edition is only available with the STI five-speed.

To showcase the all-new 2011 Subaru Forester range and allow us some time behind the wheel of the S-Edition, Subaru Australia brought the motoring press to Canberra, where the temperature was 38 degrees but the roads were perfect for our purpose.

If you want the ultimate handling Subaru, you can’t compromise. Around Canberra’s country mountain roads the S-Edition proved itself a neat package capable of excellent handling dynamics for a car its size. If you’re a car enthusiast and want performance but can’t convince the missus that you need Impreza WRX STI or you must have the practicality that the Forester offers, then the S-Edition is the ideal choice. It’s a harder ride than the standard Forester but still very much a family car.

The interior of the "2011 Subaru Forester" has been updated with a darker dashboard and highlights. S-edition (and XT) gain new luminescent instruments and the Japanese company says it has helped reduce cabin noise with better insulation. If you don’t have SatNav you get USB connectivity. The only other worthy criticism is the S-Edition’s brakes. The Forester comes with dual front and side airbags as well as full length curtain airbags for maximum protection.
The Subaru Forester S-Edition is an excellent package and at $50,990 represents a great choice for buyers looking for a performance orientated practical compact SUV.
Also snared from the newly introduced Impreza STI auto, the gearbox features paddle shifts.

Other S-Edition Concept additions include revised ‘sports’ suspension, Subaru’s ‘Variable Torque Distribution’ (VTD) All-Wheel Drive hardware, 17-inch STI alloys, “exclusive styling accents”, Alcantara seat trim, drilled alloy pedals, and unique luminescent instrumentation.

“We’re delighted and honoured that Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) have chosen Sydney for the worldwide unveil of this Forester concept,” he said.

Don't let the Nissan 350Z snout and the Infiniti G35 Coupe (JDM Nissan Skyline V35) rear end design fool you; the glitzy painted roadster model you're gawking at is in fact a JDM Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider - possibly a third generation model. But before you try to digest all that info let us quickly add that Paint Star's Tokyo Auto Salon project car also hides a Subaru-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine under its 350Z-shaped hood. See the rest of the photos in our image gallery after the break.

The STI sedan returns and retunes with suspension upgrades.
In the wake of the news that all 2011 Impreza WRXs would be getting wider tracks and STI-inspired wide-body styling, we figured the nails were already being driven into the STI’s coffin.

The upgrades made to create the 2010 STI Special Edition were only the beginning; the ’11 STI goes further with an even more aggressive suspension to reduce body roll and create more neutral handling. After our time in the STI Special Edition, we’re pretty confident this new STI will make good on its promise of improved handling. That thing we said about the STI being killed?
However, when the current car was launched in five-door hatchback form only for 2008, it polarized opinion, especially among Subaru enthusiasts. Well Impreza diehards, for 2011, Subaru has relented; reintroducing said bodystyle for the STI and one that quite appropriately has that monster wing mounted on the rear. It also gives the four-door a higher top speed than its hatchback counterpart (160 versus 155 mph).

Combined with the bulging fenders (the rears are noticeably more pronounced on the sedan) plus an aggressive (and functional) front air dam, the result harkens back to the golden age of Japanese performance cars and is very much a boy-racer look. Although the driveline remains essentially unchanged – the 2011 Impreza WRX STI is powered by the same 305 horsepower, turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four; delivering the same meaty 290 ft-lbs of torque at 4000 rpm – the suspension and tire upgrades result in a car that feels even quicker than before, especially through the corners.

Aided by the symmetrical all-wheel drive system and three differentials - helical limited slip front; Torsen rear and Driver Controlled Center Diff (which still allows the torque split to be adjusted manually from 50/50 to 30/70 front/rear), the 2011 STI is tremendous fun and grip seems almost never ending.

This truly is a serious performance car you can drive every day, no matter the distance or how bad the weather gets.

For years, the Subaru WRX has been one of the world's least pretentious performance buys. In either sedan or hatchback trim, the car has presented itself as a conservative economy car. Meanwhile, the car's big brother – the WRX STI – has been fitted with a completely reworked suspension and an all-new four-door body style.

"We managed to increase the track of the WRX by nearly 1.5 inches," says Martyn Harding, Impreza car line manager for Subaru North America. In reality, Subaru has spread the WRX by 1.3 inches compared to the 2010 model—a big number by anyone's count—thanks solely to the car's wild new bodywork.
Mated to a five-speed manual transmission and an all-wheel drive system, the combination returns 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Likewise, the WRX STI retains its old engine, though it produces a more muscular 305 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. Though the added width and wider wheels and tires (now up to 17 x 8 inches on all four corners) help to keep the car planted, we couldn't help but notice that the extra grip simply makes the driver more aware of the car's softer springs and dampers compared to the WRX STI.

While we can praise both the WRX and "WRX STI" all day long for their driving characteristics on a curvy strip of mountain pavement, neither is exactly designed for a buyer looking for a tomb-like luxury ride. The price of a low(ish) curb weight and sports car track prowess is a somewhat noisy cabin.

Specifically, the Japanese auto brand will showcase the Subaru Impreza Concept, which made its world debut at the recent 2011 NAIAS event, and the Subaru Trezia as European premieres, and the “Subaru Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept” as a world premiere.

Taken separately, the Subaru Impreza concept is powered by a 2.0-liter four cylinder Horizontally-Opposed boxer engine coupled with Lineartronic (CVT), a platinum-leather four-seat layout, the company’s driving assist "EyeSight" system.

The somewhat blandly named “Subaru Rear Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept” will share the spotlight with the Impreza Concept (pictured above) and the Trezio mini MPV, both of which will receive their European premiere at the Swiss motorshow.
Despite rumors suggesting that Subaru may present an all-wheel drive version of the coupe project, the Japanese carmaker is keeping the rear-wheel drive setup, at least for now.
Subaru did not release any photos nor any additional information on the Coupe concept model.

The "Subaru Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept" will also be showcased as a world premiere.

The Subaru Impreza Concept is the first concept model to be released under Subaru's new brand strategy.

PRESS RELEASE
Exhibition Outline of the 81st Geneva International Motor Show
Tokyo, January 14, 2011 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today

announced that it will exhibit the “SUBARU IMPREZA CONCEPT” and the “Subaru Trezia” as European premieres at the 81st Geneva International Motor Show slated for March in Geneva, Switzerland (Press day: March 1 and 2; Open to the public from March 3 through 13, 2011). The “Subaru Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept” will also be showcased as a world premiere.


The Subaru Impreza Concept is the first concept model to be released under Subaru’s new brand strategy.
Designed to show a possible direction for future Impreza models, the concept also embodies Subaru’s new brand statement “Confidence in Motion”. Expressing Subaru’s brand core value of “enjoyment and peace of mind”, the Subaru Impreza Concept fuses a sleek and lean form that exudes dynamism and elegance. It also features a spacious and plush four-seat interior for a safe and comfortable ride.
-Major specifications-
Length x Width x Height: 4,520 x 1,820 x 1,430 mm, Wheelbase: 2,640 mm Power Unit: New Generation Subaru Boxer engine (2.0-litre 4-cylinder Horizontally-Opposed engine) plus Lineartronic (CVT)

The Subaru Trezia represents a proposal of new value to meet the increasing demand for smaller and
environmentally friendly cars in Europe. The key phrase for this product is “New Compact Smart Wagon”. The model provides the benefits of the Subaru wagon-style in an overall body size of less than 4 meters in length. This touring compact car offers a string of other benefits, from the strong presence of the exterior to the highly efficient package of the roomy and quality interior and easy-to-use utility space. With CO2 emissions of 113 g/km*, the Trezia combines superior environmental friendliness and highly responsive SUBARU IMPREZA CONCEPT Subaru Trezia
driving.
A 1.3-litre petrol engine and 1.4-litre turbo diesel engine are available in the European markets.
*For the 1.4-litre turbo diesel models
-Major specifications-
Length x Width x Height: 3,995 x 1,695 x 1,595 mm, Wheelbase: 2,550 mm

A Subaru rear-wheel drive sports car is currently under joint development as part of the business alliance
with Toyota Motor Corporation. Based on an all-new platform, the vehicle will offer Subaru’s distinctive
trademark and core technology: the “Horizontally-Opposed Subaru Boxer engine”. The concept embodies
Subaru’s established know-how in manufacturing boxer-powered passenger cars; it shows how Subaru
proposes to integrate this expertise into a rear-wheel drive car to offer a new and highly enjoyable, Subaru-like driving experience. The technology concept will demonstrate how the all-new car platform
makes full use of Subaru’s engineering and Boxer technology.