Tag: Impreza

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Motor Shows Subaru

LA 2010: Subaru Impreza Concept

Subaru Impreza Concept

What’s this – has Subaru got its mojo back? You’re looking at a new Impreza Concept, which was revealed by Subaru overnight at the LA Auto Show. As you can see it’s nowhere near as bad as you might think. Recent designs from Subaru have been, well, let’s be honest, pretty ugly, but this new direction could launch Subaru into new heights.

Okay, the details around the front grille are a little fussy. And it’s pretty clear Subaru just put a sheet of tracing paper over the Mazda 6 to create those chunky wheel arches. But, the general look is very successful. In side profile the car looks smart, sharp and very stylish. From the front three-quarter angle you see that strong shoulder line which gives the car a great presence.

Just don’t look at the back. No, really. Don’t.

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Subaru

MY11 Subaru WRX STI information

MY11 Subaru WRX STI

Subaru UK has released new info on the 2011 WRX STI. We’ll update you with local details as soon as Subaru Australia has something to say, but for now you can check out the UK release after the break.

The key points with the MY11 WRX STI are a stiffer chassis, a lower ride height with “Spec C” suspension improvements, lighter alloy wheels and enhanced exhaust note. The 300PS 2.5 litre boxer engine now meets Euro 5 emissions standards, as well.

Cosmetic changes have been made to the bumpers and the rear quarter panels have been beefed up a bit more. Inside the car, Subaru say they have improved the quality of materials along with adding some new Recaro bucket seats.

And, of course, the new WRX STI (yes, they have intentionally dropped the Impreza badging) is fast. It currently lays claim to being the fastest four-door production car around the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

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Ford Subaru

Ken Block – Gymkhana Threepeat

Ken Block - Gymkhana Threepeat

It’s been a week since Ken Block’s Gymkhana Three video hit the tubes. Now, for your viewing convenience you can can watch all three Gymkhana videos in the one place. The YouTube clips for Gymkhana One, Two and Three are available after the break.

Following an average of 1 million hits per day since last week’s launch Ford has finally woken up and issued a press release to piggy back off Block’s internet success. Also included are three wallpaper sized images from Gymkhana Three.

Enjoy!

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News

Behind the scenes with Subaru at the Nürburgring

Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Following the earlier news about the Subaru Impreza WRX STI here is a behind the scenes look at Subaru’s time at the Nürburgring. The clip runs for just under four minutes and gives a bit more insight into the STI sedan setting a new Nürburgring record for a four-door car.

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Subaru

Subaru Impreza WRX STI sedan sets Nürburgring record

Subaru Impreza WRX STI sedan

Subaru brings us news that Tommi Mäkinen has driven an MY11 Impreza WRX STI sedan around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes 55 seconds. Which is a new (unofficial) lap record for a four door car, beating the previous best time of the Cadillac CTS-V by four seconds.

Speaking after the lap Mäkinen said, “The car was controllable with precise and faithful handling even on tricky corners. I could easily predict the car’s behaviour. That is exactly what Subaru is offering: confidence.”

Interestingly, the same car was seen at the Ring a few days before the record was set (16 April 2010) by Dale from Bridge to Gantry.

A couple of extra pics can be seen after the jump, along with the all important video. Slightly better quality footage is available direct from the Subaru Global website as well.

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Subaru

Impreza STI sedan sighted at Nurburgring

Subaru Impreza STi sedan

One of the great things about living and working in Nürburg is getting to see what the manufacturers are up to during their test sessions at the famous Nordschleife. Dale from Bridge to Gantry, and also RSR Nürburg, doesn’t like to waste such opportunities. As well as his BMW ‘M1’ sighting, he also saw this Subaru Impreza STI sedan throwing its hat into the Ring, so to speak.

Apparently the driver was lapping with plenty of aggression, and interestingly, in the video clip below was also tailing an Audi TT RS. A coincidence, or something more?

[Source: Bridge to Gantry]

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Subaru

Subaru announces STI sedan

Subaru Impreza STi sedan

Subaru Australia have confirmed a sedan version of the high-performance Impreza WRX STI will go on sale before the end of the year. The news was announced at the New York International Auto Show and follows the introduction of flared panelwork to the regular WRX range. Previously the widebody look was available on the STI hatch only.

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Subaru

Cosworth announces Impreza STI CS400

Cosworth Impreza STI CS400

Leading UK motorsport and tuning outfit Cosworth have worked their magic over the Subaru Impreza STI. They said no to the standard STI’s miserable 300PS and 5.2 second 0-100km/h time. They seem to think an STI should have 400PS (295kW), and that it should be able to despatch 100km/h in under four seconds, 3.7 to be precise.

Such belief has led to the birth of a new creation—the Cosworth Impreza STI CS400. Clearly such an impressive boost in power needs more than a few Cossie badges and the lads have turned their attention the engine. The CS400 is not due for release in the UK until June and as such they’re allowing hype to build and aren’t giving away any official details on engine or exhaust mods. We’ll have to stand by for that (or do we?).

Stopping power, on the other hand, has been confirmed to have been developed in partnership with AP Racing. Cosworth seem quite confident that the 355mm six-pot calipers they have fitted to the CS400 will be up to the job.

There will only be 75 Impreza STI CS400s made and we’ll have more details for you sometime between now and June. Like the Focus RS500, though, we’ll just have to admire the pretty pictures and make do with watching TV reviews. There’s about as much chance of the Cossie Rex finding its way down under as there is of Channel Nine making a good version of Top Gear Australia.

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Subaru Video

Look mum, no hands!

This clip from the Bettega Memorial, held during the Bologna Motor Show, captures a rather embarrassing moment for former WRC champion Petter Solberg. The event was run in mid-December, and the news was about to get a whole lot worse for Petter and Subaru.

(Thanks to Tiaan for the tip.)

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Subaru

Subaru to give Impreza the boot

Subaru Impreza sedanWell, maybe that shoud read ‘Subaru to give Impreza a boot’. Or so the lads at CarAdvice reckon, and they have the pics to prove it as well. They say the entry level pricing will come in under $25K and by the sounds of it we could see booted Imprezas on the road before Christmas now, apparently (thanks Revhed!).

As noted in Revhed’s comment below, check out the Subaru website for more details.

Source: CarAdvice.com.au

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Mercedes-Benz Top Gear

Top Gear – Series 11, Episode 2

Episode 2 of Top Gear’s Series 11 aired in the UK last night and the show closed with this great clip of Jeremy Clarkson behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK Black Edition. The episode began with a comparison between the new Subaru Impreza STi and the latest Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. Richard Hammond took the twin turbo V10 572bhp Audi RS6 to the French alps. A couple of dudes from Spooks were pitted against each other in the Chevy Lacetti. And the Top Gear Stuntman tried to recreate a James Bond movie stunt.

All standard Top Gear fare, but this in no way demeans the lads’ efforts. As Jeremy said in closing his AMG film, this episode embodies the show’s raison d’etre, presenting “the absolute joy of driving a great car, on a great road”. See you next week!

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Subaru WRC

All new Impreza WRC car to debut in Greece

2008 Subaru Impreza WRC

Subaru has unveiled its new generation All-Wheel Drive Impreza World Rally Car 2008, in time for its competitive debut at this month’s Acropolis Rally in Greece.

For the first time, Subaru World Rally Team will use a hatchback design. Following a successful research, development and testing phase, the Impreza WRC 2008 will be driven by Australia’s Chris Atkinson and Norwegian Petter Solberg in the Acropolis Rally starting 29 May.

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