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Subaru

Has Subaru bottled it with its new WRX?

Subaru WRX prototype

It’s only a couple of weeks since Subaru raised hopes that they were about to, finally, release a very nice looking WRX. Alas new, if not unexpected, evidence suggests the stunning WRX Concept could be little more than a cock tease.

To be fair it’s a little hard to tell under all that camouflage, but this prototype 2014 Impreza WRX, or possibly even a WRX STi, seen lapping the Nürburgring doesn’t appear to resemble too much of what we saw at the New York Auto Show.

Please Subaru, do it right, just press copy on the concept model you’ve already teased us with.

For a better look at the WRX prototype make sure you check the full Pistonspy gallery using the link below.

[Source: Pistonspy]

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Motor Shows Subaru

New York 2013: Subaru WRX Concept

2013 Subaru WRX Concept

So the leaked images were bang on the money; this is the new Subaru WRX Concept, we shall call it the Sexy Rexy—there’s never really been one of those before. It was revealed a few days ago at the New York International Auto Show.

We’re grateful to Subaru for providing some nice hi res pics, but in true concept form there’s next to no detail on what lies beneath the skin of the Sexy Rexy. Certainly, we know nothing of the engine or its specs.

We can tell you that the colour is called ‘WR Blue Pearl III’ and that the 20″ one-piece forged duralmin wheels are made by BBS. The model name of the wheels is RI-D if you’re really keen and they’re wrapped in specially produced 245/40R20 Dunlop rubber.

But that’s it. No more firm details, aside from a few basic dimensions (length 4520mm x width 1890mm x height 1390mm; wheelbase 2760mm). In fact, Subaru, at this point in time, hasn’t even committed to a production schedule for its newest WRX.

Let’s hope they don’t take too long and, more importantly, that the Sexy Rexy loses little in translation to production model.

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Subaru

Do you like this Subaru Impreza WRX concept?

Subaru Impreza WRX leaked concept

In recent years Subaru’s design team has lost its way. They’ve been responsible for some of the most awkward looking cars for some time. Things might be on the up, though, if these images of an Impreza WRX concept are to be believed. It looks bloody good!

The images have been leaked, of course, ahead of an expected unveiling at the New York Auto Show. Power is expected to be in the range of 275–300hp (205–223kW). When we know more we’ll be sure to let you know.

In the meantime there’s another seven images after the break including some close-up details. The overall coupé-like side profile gives the car an excellent base which Subaru’s designers have complemented well with a pleasing mix of aggressive styling; just look at those flared guards!

We can’t wait to find out more.

[Source: Blog Automobile]

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2013 Geneva Motor Show in pictures – part 2

2013 Geneva Motor Show

You can have your fancy pants limited-edition Lambo, or your stonking new LaFerrari, even the McLaren P1; we’re not really interested. The car of Geneva, for us, is the Porsche 911 GT3. That’s the one we’d like to take home and get intimate with. And so begins the second and final part of our Geneva Motor Show image gallery. There’s over 120 new  images to see and enjoy.

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Motorsports Subaru Video

Mineshafted!

Leigh Gotch crashes out of Rally Canberr at the Mineshaft

Spare a thought for driver Leigh Gotch and co-driver John McCarthy who spectacularly crashed out of Rally Canberra on the weekend. The incident happened at the notorious Mineshaft jump where discretion is usually the better part of valour. It’s fair to say Gotch made a meal of the jump, even though the in-car footage (see video after the break) looks relatively tame.

Gotch explained he wanted to take a conservative approach to the jump but an equipment failure complicated things, “I was trying to judge my speed, I wanted to take it at about 60, but our speedo wasn’t working, so I just had to guess what 60 felt like,” he said.

“Later on when I looked at the race GPS it showed we were doing 75. That is what the problem was, we just took it too fast.”

Thankfully Gotch and McCarthy escaped unharmed but their Subaru Impreza WRC STi was unable to continue. The rally was won by Honda driver Eli Evans.

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New vehicle sales report – December 2012

FCAI banner

A round of applause for Australia’s car buying public who achieved an all-time record of 1,112,032 sales in 2012. It’s only the fifth time Australians have bought more than 1 million cars in a calendar year. Last year’s results represent an overall increase of 10.3% (103,595 sales) compared with 2011.

FCAI Chief Executive, Tony Weber, explained demand for a wider range of vehicles helped to fuel the record result. “Reduced tariffs as well as changing consumer preferences have contributed to making the dynamic and innovative automotive industry that we have today,” he said.

“The 2012 sales result bears that out. Customer demand has been high and the industry has responded with a wide range of vehicles powered by a range of different fuels.”

When you read the material after the break it seems that almost everyone’s a winner except Holden and Ford. The General returned a 9.1% drop in sales compared with 2011, but managed to hold its position as the country’s second-best seller. Although, Mazda is snapping at its heels. Meanwhile, Ford held station, to a degree, returning a 0.9% drop in sales against 2011.

However, when you consider market-leader Toyota increased its annual sales by 20.1%—coupled with strong improvements from other top 10 selling brands like Honda (+18.9%), Mazda (+17.6%), Nissan (+17.4%), Subaru (+18.2%) and Volkswagen (22.6%)—we can’t imagine there’s too many smiles in the boardrooms at Fisherman’s Bend and Broadmeadows.

Individually, the Mazda3 managed to top the charts for 2012, notching up 44,128 sales. Close behind were Toyota’s HiLux (40,646) and Corolla (38,799).

It used to be that one in every four cars sold in Australia was either a Commodore or a Falcon. Not anymore. The Commodore was the fourth-best selling model (30,532 sales), while the Falcon didn’t even make it into the top 10.

Despite 2012’s record result Tony Weber expects a small drop in annual sales for 2013. “During this election year, and with production now having caught up with back orders, FCAI forecasts a national automotive market of 1,075,000 for 2013,” he said.

Categories
News Subaru Toyota

Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 named Wheels COTY

Subaru BRZ

The Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 twins have been awarded the Wheels Car of the Year award. It joins a host of other awards collected by the Toybaru, including the Carsguide top honour.

Wheels editor Stephen Corby acknowledged the success of the Subaru–Toyota partnership, “Seldom do joint projects produce something remarkable like this.”

The magazine went on to describe some of the key attributes for the winning pair: “Never before has pure driving pleasure been so accessible. Affordable, remarkably rewarding to drive, efficient and safe, the collaboration between Toyota and Subaru left the competition behind and drove—with just a dab of oppo—onto the Wheels COTY podium.”

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Subaru

No turbo for Subaru BRZ STi?

Subaru BRZ Concept

Word via Auto Epxress suggests you’ll be able to buy a Subaru BRZ STi at some stage in 2013. They elaborate with the details that the BRZ STi’s peak power will be around 230hp (approx 170kW). If correct that’d be an increase of some 16% over the 200hp in the standard BRZ.

What’s most interesting is the claim that the BRZ STi will be normally aspirated. This is despite an earlier rumour from the States suggesting Subaru have been developing a 200kW+ turbo engine for the the BRZ.

According to the Auto Express report the BRZ’s engine bay cannot accommodate the intercooler required for turbocharging. Instead they’ll increase the 2.0 boxer engine’s beyond its current 7500rpm limit to help increase power.

STi enhancements such as suspension, wheels and body kit will apply, as you’d expect. And, of course, the Nürburgring already has and will continue to feature heavily in the car’s development cycle.

[Source: Auto Express]

Categories
Subaru

Subaru Australia increases BRZ supply

Subaru BRZ

Subaru Australia has good news for its customers waiting for a BRZ sports coupé. An extra allocation of 140 cars has been secured which should mean a cut in waiting time for those with expected deliveries from May next year onwards.

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: “We’re delighted that Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) has recognized the enormous demand for BRZ in Australia and allocated additional production.”

If you’re one of the BRZ customers who may be affected by this generally good news expect your local dealer to be in touch soon. And if you’re one of the many people waiting up to 18 months for a Toyota 86, don’t be too despondent. Your time will come. Eventually.

Categories
Subaru

Is this is a Subaru BRZ STi?

Subaru BRZ STi prototype at the Nurburgring

Autoblog brings a great series of spy shots showing what is likely to be an STi version of the Subaru BRZ sports coupé. With a more aggressive body kit, including that large rear wing, this is clearly not a regular BRZ.

STi badging is clearly available on the wheel centre caps, so too on the front brake calipers (follow the source link below). We wonder if the rumoured turbocharged engine is beneath the bonnet. Certainly a pair of fatter exhaust tips indicate the performance has been beefed up.

Either way, this shapes as being one of the most aggressive factory Toybaru models seen to date. Subaru is bringing a new Forester to the LA Auto Show at the end of the month. What chance they may sneak a BRZ STi onto their display as well?

[Source: Autoblog | Pics: KGP Photography]

Categories
Subaru

Subaru developing BRZ Turbo

Subaru BRZ

Word on the street says Subaru is developing a high-powered turbo BRZ. Good news for all those Toybaru fans out there wanting moar powaaaah!

According to Automotive News, Subaru’s 2.0 litre boxer engine will be good for 280hp (208kW) after having its twin scroll blow dryer bolted on. Torque should go from a miserly 200Nm to beyond 330Nm. Now we’re talking!

It’s expected Subaru will ditch the DI/port-injection developed by Toyota in favour of their own in-house direct injection.

The report states the BRZ Turbo could arrive as a 2014 model, which given the US market’s propensity to make everything seem a year earlier than reality, could even mean we’ll be seeing the Toybaru that everyone has always wanted as soon as next year.

Bring it on!

[Source: Automotive News]

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AIMS 2012 gallery: Best of the rest

2012 Australian International Motor Show

To close out our 2012 Australian International Motor Show coverage we bring you the highlights and lowlights from the rest of the manufacturers on show.

Our top three highlights:

  • Ford Evos concept—stunning lines
  • Kia Track’ster—actually very, very cool
  • Subaru BRZ by Possum Bourne Motorsport—track cred for the BRZ

Our top three lowlights

  • Holden Malibu—return to sender
  • Ford Focus ST—they must be taking the piss with that central dash
  • Isuzu D Max advertising—someone signed that off

And a special mention to the Nissan Pulsar SSS. My first new car was an Australian built N14 SSS, it was awesome and is still better to look at than this comeback horror story. AUSmotive’s assistant on the day described it as the ugliest car he’d ever seen. I put forward the new Honda CR-V as an alternate suggestion, but he wouldn’t be swayed.