Subaru
Cosworth and Subaru to debut tuned-up Impreza STi in Geneva
Subaru UK has confirmed that a tuned-up Impreza STi will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show. This high-performance model has been co-developed with Cosworth. This is a one-off project and it will go on sale in March. Subaru and Cosworth has re-worked the handling as well as styling, apart from enhancing the engine. Some reports are suggesting that it will produce up to 500hp. Above is a teaser image released by Subaru.
Subaru Impreza XV Crossover to go on sale in Europe by summer, debut in Geneva
Subaru has revealed that it will present the Impreza XV Crossover at next month’s Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland. The XV Crossover is based on the 5-door Impreza and measures 4,430 mm in length, 1,770 mm in width and 1,520 mm in height while wheelbase is figured at 2,620 mm.
It has exclusively designed front grille and wheel arch and specially equipped roof rails as well as a roof spoiler. The XV is also powered by a 2.0 liter petrol boxer unit as well as by a force inducted diesel boxer unit.
Prodrive Impreza N2010 Group N rally car
Prodrive, the British engineering firm famous for its association with Subaru’s World Rally Team has come up with the Impreza N2010, an FIA spec group N rally car. The N2010 was designed with performance to match Super 2000 rally cars but with a lower pricetag.
“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,” said Graham Prew, Prodrive sales manager.
Upgrades to the 1,994cc boxer engine include a 33mm diameter air restrictor (from 32mm), introduced by FIA to help balance the performance of Group N and the unrestricted Super 2000 cars. That, plus the fitment of high flow fuel injectors and recalibrating the ECU increases peak power by 20 bhp and improves torque and responsiveness throughout the rev range. The Scooby’s dynamics is improved too – its Ohlins dampers have been revised with extra travel, while the suspension bushes have been strengthened.
You can buy one at £120,000, but there’s also a two-year lease programme with an option to buy the car at the end of the term. Best of all, the package includes insurance and system rebuilds.
More pictures after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
320 PS Subaru Impreza R205 goes on sale in Japan
Subaru’s high performance division, STI has unveiled a new variant of the Impreza called the R205. The R205 is based on the Impreza STI and is now the top performance model of the WRX STI family. Using performance parts of the WRX STI spec C model, this new variant has STI tuned dampers, coil springs, flexible type strut tower bar, flexible type lower arm stiffener of front suspension and Bridgestone’s specially designed RE070 tires.
Power is also rated at 320 PS and 431Nm of torque can be produced thanks to an ‘exclusively’ designed turbocharger with ball bearings for the turbine axle bearing and a tuned ECU. There is also a sport muffler with lowered back pressure exhaust.
To improve aerodynamics, the R205 also has a front under spoiler, newly developed rear under spoiler and a black rear spoiler. Other features include new 18-inch alloy wheels, different colored front grille and side STI garnish. There is also Subaru’s SI-DRIVE (SUBARU Intelligent Drive) system. The 320 PS 2.0 liter 4-cylinder boxer unit is mated to a 6-speed manual cog box and only 400 R205’s are planned with each costing 4,510,000 yen. Look for more images after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Subaru joins the Intercontinental Rally Challenge
Subaru is synonymous with rallying. And we’re happy to hear that the blue and gold team is back in the world stage of the sport a year after Subaru announced that it would be leaving the World Rally Championship. It’s not returning there though, but the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC). Fuji Heavy Industries has declared that it will sign up as a manufacturer for the 2010 IRC season. It’s no big budget works team, but Subaru will provide customer cars and is eligible to collect points.
The IRC seems to be gaining momentum to unseat WRC as the premier rally series, and it already has eight automakers signed up to compete next year – the Group N Impreza will be joining rivals from Abarth (Fiat), Honda, Mitsubishi, Proton, Peugeot, Skoda and Volkswagen. The 2010 calendar will include classic events such as the Safari Rally and Rally Monte-Carlo, which kicks off the season on 19 January 2010.
Lightweight Subaru Impreza WRX STI Carbon shown in Tokyo
A new variant of the Subaru WRX STI was launched at the Tokyo Motor Show. The word Carbon is added to the designation as it signifies the carbon fibre roof featured on the car. According to the automaker, a lower center of gravity is achieved hence handling should be improved. This new variant is based on the STI A-Line that has a 300 PS 2.5 liter boxer engine. Other upgrades include a 5-speed manual transmission as well as a full-suede interior. More images are available after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Subaru Exiga 2.0GT tuned by STI: Starts from 3,591,000 yen
Subaru has unveiled the STI-prepped Exiga 2.0GT wagon at the Tokyo Motor Show. The Exiga STI is powered by a force inducted 2.0 liter powerplant that can output 221hp. Exterior wise, the sporty wagon is treated to 17-inch alloy wheels, a sports exhaust as well as a front lip spoiler and side skirts. Inside, there are sport seats which are finished with leather and alcantara and outlined with red stitching.
Carbon fiber trim, aluminium pedals, STI gauges in the instrument panel and STI badging on the steering wheel, gear knob, seats covers and on the engine start-stop button make up the rest the updates. The tuner also improved the handling with work done to the suspension and steering systems. Only 300 units are planned and all will be available only in Japan. Each costs 3,591,000 yen (about S$55,000). Look for more images after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Subaru likely to come up with an STI version of the Toyota FT-86
The recently announced Toyota FT-86 Concept is not entirely a Toyota. It was co-developed with Subaru and the highlight of the joint venture (from Subaru’s end that is) is the WRX-maker’s 2.0 liter EJ20 boxer unit fitted with a D-4S direct injection system. The fuel sipping system combines both direct injection and conventional port injection, hence two injectors per cylinder. The system will select between the two according to driving scenarios.
The engine is mated to an Aisin-sourced 6 speed manual transmission. A quick check on Aisin’s website revealed that the company has an AY6 High Torque Capacity 6-speed manual for rear wheel drive cars like the Toyota FT-86 although there is a possibility that a new or a different version is being used. Apparently, the FT-86 also features a Lexus IS-sourced rear differential. The above mentioned powerplant is expected to output up to 200HP but some are claiming that the engine will only produce about 160HP.
According to Holiday Auto, apart from producing its version of the FT-86 with slightly revised exterior and interior styling, Subaru will also roll out an STI version that may be shown at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show at the earliest. According to HA, the STI treatment would include wider tracks along with wider front and rear ends as well as a sportier suspension setup.
The STI version should also feature additional aerodynamic parts and restyled bumpers. Most importantly, Subaru is likely to drop in an EJ25 2.5 liter that would be able to crank out between 240HP and 250HP. There is also a possibility that a turbo variant of the engine will be used.
