In 2008, Iron Man came out with Robert Downey Jr. playing the fitting role of Tony Stark. Previews and trailers have been swarming all over the Internet for Iron Man 2 where Downey will once again assume the role of Iron Man with new friends and villains at his side. One of the trailers show Stark passing time racing in an open-wheel car and taking a hot lap before Whiplash spoilers his fun on the track. It seems as if this scene has sparked some interest with Royal Purple, manufacturer of synthetic oils, to team up with Marvel Studios and cross promote on the new movie. The result is The Stark Motor Racing Team, a brilliant marketing program that now ties a comic book to a movie to reality.

The team is comprised of five different racers from five different demographics, all campaigning Royal Purple, Stark Motor Racing and Iron Man 2 sponsorship decals on their weapons of choice while on the track. Chris Prey will be leading the way in Grand AM Road Racing in his Porsche Boxster 986, while Stephen Verdier will be campaigning his 2008 Subaru STI sideways in the Formula DRIFT series. Speed isn’t reserved for just things with four wheels however, as David Hope and Melissa Paris will be campaigning their motorcycles in NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycles and AMA Road Racing, respectively. Last but not least, Joey Stathas Jr. will have his hands full in Monster Trucks in his 2009 Chevy. All of these racers will be seen nationwide for 2010 all racing under the Stark Motor Racing Team program. We’ve also spotted Iron Man 2 branding on Royal Purple products.

Hopefully these type of sponsorships will lead to bigger and better things for all forms of motorsports. We feel that this was a real cool opportunity with the movie-makers taking a comic book to the big screen and now marketing gurus taking the movie into reality. Who would have ever thought Stark Motor Racing Team would be a reality?

[Source: Stark Motor Racing Team]

Gallery: Stark Motor Racing Team

Subaru is reportedly looking to scrap plans for an AWD version of the Toyota FT-86 in favor of a rear-drive only model. This is sure to have the marketing department at Subaru up in arms with the accountants, as Subaru’s whole brand identity is based on the company’s Symmetrical AWD setup.

Japan’s Best Car is reporting that the cost of making the Toyobaru AWD has become prohibitive as so only a rear-drive model is now planned. So with Toyota already scheduled to bring a rear-drive FT-86 to market, the only difference between the two models is likely to be slightly different bodywork and interior design.

Based on a modified AWD Legacy platform we still find this news hard to believe and as much as we’d love a more entry-level Toyota model, a high-powered Subaru would be plenty of fun and most likely worth the added cost.

See more Toyota and Subaru FT-86 news at FT86Talk.com

[Source: Best Car via 7Tune]

While Subaru has already announced it would deliver a hybrid model in 2012, it now looks as though the first Suby hybrid will be an Impreza and not a Legacy. According to a report by Road & Track, the Impreza is likely to get the hybrid treatment after it was decided the Legacy chassis isn’t well-suited for hybrid duty.

In Subaru’s latest hybrid concept, the Hybrid Tourer Concept, the hybrid setup works with a direct-injection 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine. The concept version uses lithium ion batteries and uses two electric motors (one for the front and one for the rear), to help deliver optimum all-wheel drive performance. The setup uses only the rear electric motor at low speeds, while under normal driving conditions, the gasoline engine is used. When more power is needed, the rear electric motor again kicks in. And finally, for optimum grip, the front motor will be engaged when needed – for example when accelerating up a hill.

There’s eve the possibility that Subaru will follow Mitsubishi in delivering a hybrid high-performance model. Several reports have already pointed to a hybrid EVO XI model and considering how closely Subaru and Mitsubishi compete in that particular segment, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a hybrid STI.

[Source: Road & Track]

Subaru will use the 2010 Geneva Auto Show to debut a new Impreza XV model in Europe and judging from the car’s description we think we’ve seen it before. In a brief press release Subaru describes the Impreza model as having many of the items featured on the U.S.-spec Impreza Outback Sport. What that means are special fender flates, roof rails, a roof spoiler and a new front grille. In Europe, the Impreza XV will come with either a 2.0-liter boxer 4-cylinder or Boxer Diesel.

At the Geneva show, Subaru will also show-off its Hybrid Tourer Concept, the Plug-in Stella electric car, as well as a selection of models equipped with the automaker’s Boxer Diesel.

AutoGuide’s live coverage of the 2010 Geneva Auto Show begins March 2nd.

Official release after the jump:

While Toyota, Japan’s largest automaker, announced recently that it is pulling out of the Korean marketplace, Subaru is moving in. Subaru has just announced that starting this April it will begin selling the Forester, Legacy and Outback models in South Korea.

Initially sales targets are set at just 600 vehicles annually, but Subaru has an ambition goal to grow that number exponentially to 3,000 units by 2015. Over the past year, Subaru has grown its share of the marketplace in North America considerably, with a revamped lineup of vehicles.

In a statement, Subaru said it believes its unique product offering with AWD standard on every vehicle will be attractive to consumers in Korea, where mountains are spread throughout the country and where the temperature varries much more than in Japan.

We’re surprised to learn the Subaru won’t offer it’s volume model, the Imprezza, in Korea and we’re certain more than a few enthusiasts are hoping Subaru will bring over the STI.

[Source: InsideLine]

While Subaru-fans in North America love the STI-tuned Impreza WRX, they are deprived of other STI cars offered in Suby’s home-market of Japan. One such model is the STI-tuned Legacy Wagon, sold as the Exiga 2.0 GT STI in Japan.

Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer engine, the Exiga 2.0 GT STI makes 221-hp and 240 ft-lbs of torque. Additional highlights include an STI sport exhaust, 17-inch wheels, a leather shift knob, Alcantara seats, a subtle STI aero kit and a MOMO steering wheel.

This was also our first chance to see Suabru’s new Impreza WRX STI R205. The R stands for “Road Sport” and positions this model as the top STI in Suby’s lineup. Under the hood there’s a new turbo and ECU, along with a new exhaust system to deliver 316-hp and 319 ft-lbs of torque. The suspension has also been upgraded, as have the brakes, with new shocks and springs, as well as a a new front strut tower bar and lower arm brace. The brakes are six-piston front and four-piston rear units, with 18-inch cast aluminum wheels and special Bridgestone Potenza RE070 245/40/18 tires. Outside the R205 gets some new aerodynamics include a new front lip spoiler, new rear diffuser and rear spoiler, while inside the car remains stock except for some R205 badging.

The entire package has also been tested on the Nürburgring, where Subaru ran an R205 spec STI at last year’s 24 Hour race.

Just 400 Impreza WRX STI R205 models will be offered in Japan at a price of 4,510,000 yen (roughly $49,000).

Sadly, but not surprisingly, neither of these will be offered in North America.

GALLERY: Subaru Legacy Wagon STI

GALLERY: Subaruy Imreza WRX STI R205

Subaru has announced two new option packages for the Forester compact crossover for 2010 as the Japanese automaker looks to expand its share of this highly competitive market segment further in 2010. For 2009, the Forrester was Subaru’s best selling model with a 28 percent increase over 2008.

First up is a new Special Edition Package for the Forester 2.5X, which adds 16-inch wheels and roof rails for a bargan price of just $400, on top of the model’s base price of $20,295.

A Navigation and Convenience Package is new for 2010 and is priced at $2,300. Costing $500 more than the standard Nav system, it included HID headlights, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, one-touch folding rear seats and a cargo cover.

Additional added features for 2010 include a 10-way power driver’s seat for 2.5X Premium models and Bluetooth capability for Limited trim levels.

For 2010, the Forester is offer in five trim levels. The Forester 2.5X, gets a 170-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine. The 2.5X Premium adds a 10-way power driver’s seat, a panoramic power moonroof . The Forester 2.5X Limited includes the All-Weather Package (heated front seats, heated side mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer). The top-trim 2.5XT Premium and 2.5XT Limited get a 224-hp turbocharged boxer engine.

Official release after the jump:

In the tradition of launching higher performance versions of its cars for the domestic Japanese market, Suabru has just announced its latest limited edition performance version of the Impreza WRX STI. Called the WRX STI R205, the R stands for “Road Sport” and positions this model as the top STI in Suby’s lineup.

Under the hood there’s a new turbo and ECU, along with a new exhaust system to deliver 316-hp and 319 ft-lbs of torque.

The suspension has also been upgraded, as have the brakes, with new shocks and springs, as well as a a new front strut tower bar and lower arm brace. The brakes are six-piston front and four-piston rear units, with 18-inch cast aluminum wheels and special Bridgestone Potenza RE070 245/40/18 tires.

Outside the R205 gets some new aerodynamics include a new front lip spoiler, new rear diffuser and rear spoiler, while inside the car remains stock except for some R205 badging.

The entire package has also been tested on the Nürburgring, where Subaru ran an R205 spec STI at last year’s 24 Hour race.

Just 400 Impreza WRX STI R205 models will be offered in Japan at a price of 4,510,000 yen (roughly $49,000).

GALLERY: Subaru Impreza WRX STI R205

Official release after the jump:

In a year where most automakers saw staggering sales losses that pushed many to the brink of bankruptcy, and some over it, Subaru is one of a handful of companies sad to ring in the New Year and see 2009 fade into history.

With an onslaught of new products designed at a wider segment of the market, Subaru managed to move 216,652 units in 2009, up a solid 15 percent from last year and topping the company’s previous best year (2006), where it sold 200,703 vehicles.

With continual good news almost ever month in 2009, Subaru ended the year on a high note with December sales up 33 percent to 23,074 units, as compared to last year.

“We really owe this tremendous success to both our retailers and employees, who executed the business plans we set in place. Along with our vision and their belief in the Subaru brand, they helped make that vision a reality,” said Tom Doll, EVP and COO of Subaru of America.

“Subaru is well-positioned to continue its success into 2010,” said sales VP Tim Colbeck. “We have the right products, marketing and dealer network providing us with a strong foundation for future growth.”

Official release after the jump:

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

The short list for North American Car & Truck of the Year just got a lot shorter and the list of finalists includes one GM product and one Ford product in each category. The three finalists for 2010 North American Car of the Year include the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Buick LaCrosse and Volkswagen Golf. As for Truck of the Year, the three nods go to the Ford Transit Connect, the Chevrolet Equinox and Subaru Outback.

The winner will be announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 11th. The North American Car & Truck of the Year is decided by a panel of 49 journalists from both the U.S. and Canada.

Last year the winners included the Hyundai Genesis and Ford F-150, marking the first time a Korean automaker had won Car of the Year. Domestics have won Car of the Year eight times, with European countries taking the award four times and the Japanese three times. Truck of the year has long been dominated by domestic automakers, taking the award 10 times, compared to four for the Japanese and two for the Europeans.

AutoGuide will be covering the 2010 North American Car & Truck of the Year awards live at the Detroit Auto Show starting January 11th.

[Source: Automotive News]