Japanese automaker Subaru is recalling almost 5,400 model year 2013 Outback and Legacy vehicles because the steering column might disengage.
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Subaru is recalling its 2012 model year Outback and Legacy models for an issue with the windshield wiper motor.
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Bland Like Unsalted Popcorn
Are you self-conscious? Don’t like to stand out in a crowd? Would you rather blend into the background than be the center of attention? Well, when it comes to the automotive world, you are in luck. Some vehicles seem to have skipped class when it came time for their styling lesson. This is not to say they are ugly, but more that they lack any style whatsoever.
We’ve all heard the clichés to describe these anonymously styled cars; plain vanilla, beige, white bread, etc. We like to think of them as stylistically-challenged. Regardless, if you don’t want to draw any undue attention towards yourself, here are ten vehicles that are guaranteed to blend into the landscape.
Subaru has announced its lineup for the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon, where enthusiasts will undoubtedly be interested to see its BRZ Premium Sport Package Concept, Forester Sport Concept, and XV Sport Concept.
It might be weird to think that mundane brochures could be dynamic and exciting, but Subaru is aiming for exactly that with its new ‘Dynamic Digital Brochures’ for its 2013 Legacy and Outback models.
Heading to Auto China in Beijing next month will be the 2013 Subaru Legacy which the Japanese automaker has announced will sport “extensive modifications” compared to the typical yearly model updates.
The recently facelifted Subaru Legacy debuted at the New York Auto Show, but the one making an appearance at Beijing will be specifically made for the Chinese market. The interesting part about the teaser image however is that it hints that the Legacy may have a raised height version, pointing at the possibility of an Outback sedan.
“In the view of the market characteristics, the 2013 Legacy model for Chinese market was specially designed not only to enhance its great presence but also to embody the bold and dynamic design with its raised ground clearance,” Subaru said in a press release.
The automaker also announced that the BRZ will be displayed in China for the first time in addition to a Chinese rally car.
NHTSA issued out a recall for 2012 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles due to an issue with the side curtain airbags. According to the report, an incorrect propellant mixture for the initiator component was used that can result in an insufficient output of compressed gas.
As a result, the side curtain airbags may not deploy. The vehicles impacted by this recall are those that were manufactured in between December 1, 2011 and December 23, 2011. Subaru will be contacting owners of the affected vehicles, 381 in total, and will replace one or both side curtain air bag modules for free. The safety recall will begin during or before early April 2012. Concerned owners can reach Subaru at (800) 782-2783.
Subaru announced today that they’re stopping sales and issuing out a recall on 2012 models of the Impreza, Legacy and Outback due to complaints about increased brake pedal travel. Around 3,000 cars will be recalled with notices being sent to vehicle owners within the next couple of days. A stop-sale was also put into affect on November 25th with Subaru making it a priority to fix the 3,000 recalled vehicles and those still in inventory.
Those that own the vehicles have no serious reason to be concerned, as the brakes do work but the pedal travels farther than it should due to a faulty master cylinder. There has been no failure issues or accidents as a result, and the fix will take about an hour at a local dealership.
Subaru also believes that the production line in both Indiana and Japan’s plants have already been fitted with the new brake cylinders. Subaru expects the sales freeze to be lifted by early next week, once they’re assured all vehicles affected on the lot are fixed.
Subaru is issuing a huge recall affecting close to 500,000 vehicles. The first recall affects 300,000 cars and crossovers registered in 20 different states, including the 2002-2007 Impreza, 2003-2008 Forester (including the 2005-2006 Saab 9-2x) to replace potentially rusted brackets on the underside of the vehicles. The complaints were received when front lower control arms broke at hanger brackets due to corrosion caused by road salt. The 300,000 owners that are affected will either have their front lower control arms rust-proofed or replaced with new ones. Those customers will be notified by early November.
The second recall affects 195,000 2010-2011 Legacy and Outback models and has been issued to replace the bottom cover on the windshield wiper. Though it might not sound major, the faulty cover can catch fire or stop working. Owners that are impacted by that recall will also be notified by November.
Tommy Kaira may be more popularly known for their Nissan GT-R accessories and their Toyota Prius styling kits, but they are also extremely popular among the Subaru Legacy crowd. While most Subaru enthusiasts are seen rolling around in an Impreza WRX or STi, there are quite a few that opt for the Legacy’s more elegant appearance while retaining the same performance a WRX or STi has to offer.
The new Subaru Legacy may be a tad too tame for some, opting more to be a family sedan than a sporty sedan. But Tommy Kaira is looking to change that entirely, current working on a styling kit and wheel package for the new Legacy. The render reveals a much more aggressive rear bumper and diffuser, fully complemented by an STi-inspired trunk spoiler. The final product looks to retain the Legacy’s true form without going too aggressive or out-of-the-box, which Tommy Kaira is sometimes known to do with their styling kits.
GALLERY: Tommy Kaira Subaru Legacy
[Source: The Real JDM]
Looks like cars of the future will have cameras everywhere. Subaru has just announced EyeSight, a camera-based driver assist option not unlike Volvo City Safety.
It works in conjunction with Subaru’s new “pre-collision braking control” system — if the cameras detect an object or person in danger of being mowed down, an alarm will sound to warn the driver. If the driver is an idiot and does nothing, the car will try to stop itself. If the speed difference is below 18.5 mph, the car can stop itself — any faster and the braking system will try to reduce the force of the impact.
We suppose that’s the cool tech. The less-than-flashy technology Subaru also introduced is brake assist, which provides additional boost for the braking system in a panic stop. It’ll be available in Japan next month, and we’ll likely see it in North America on the first refresh of the Legacy / Outback twins.
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]
Damned if we report another body kit manufacturer but DAMD’s Styling Effect is highly worth mentioning. (Groan… we know). DAMD showed off a selection of its latest products at the Tokyo Auto Salon, with two new aero kits for Subaru products as well as one for, you guessed it, the Toyota Prius.
As the most popular car sold in Japan last year, the car’s style and hybrid efficiency have made it popular and now owners are looking to personalize their car to hel it stand out from the thousands of others on the street.
DAMD decided to take its Prius in a “VIP” luxury direction, slamming it low with glossy black paint and wheels. There’s also a beautiful custom tan leather interior.
As for the Subarus, we’re not huge fans of the “Oreo” themed WRX STI, but the new Legacy kit looks to be a perfect fit, especially for the North American market.
GALLERY: DAMD Modified Prius, WRX STI and Legacy
As promised, Subaru debuted its 2010 Legacy model at the New York Auto Show and there’s a lot to talk about.
The car is based on an entirely new platform that has a 3.2-inch longer wheelbase than the previous model for a total of 108.3-inches. Height and width are also up by 3.2-inches and 3.6-inches respectively. Vehicle length has increased by just 1.4-inches.
The benefits of the platform are seen mostly inside, with rear seat legroom increasing by 4-inches.
Also new for 2010 are several of the engines.
The Legacy 2.5i models (the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and 2.5i Limited) will all get a 2.5-liter boxer engine that makes 170 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 170 ft-lbs of torque at 4000 rpm. A new six-sped manual will come standard with a“Lineartronic” CVT transmission optional. Subaru says both trannies will offer better acceleration and fuel economy.
Legacy 2.5GT models (2.5GT Premium and 2.5GT Limited) will come equipped with a new turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine with the turbocharger mounted below the engine for better response, improved emissions and a better center of gravity. Power is rated at 265hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque, an increase of 22hp and 17 ft-lbs of torque over the outgoing model. Subaru says the 2.5GT will be able to hit 60 mph in under 6 seconds.
The 2.5GT models will also come standard with a new 6-speed manual transmission that is more than 50 lbs lighter than the one in the 2009 Legacy 2.5GT spec.B.
As for the top level 3.6R models (3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited), they will feature a new 3.6-liter boxer engine that makes 256hp and 247 ft-lbs of torque – an increase of 11hp and 32 ft-lbs over the ‘09 model. All 3.6R models get a five speed automatic transmission and only require regular octane fuel (not premium).
The suspension setup for the 2010 Legacy also gets an adjustment – as promised. The front maintains it’s MacPherson-type strut setup, while the rear gets a double-wishbone setup (as opposed to the old multi-link design). This, says Subaru, gives the 2010 Legacy a better ride, along with improved stability and handling.
GALLERY: 2010 Subaru Legacy
More on the 2010 Subaru Legacy after the jump:
Subaru has decided not to wait until the show floor opens in New York next week to unveil the 2010 Legacy.
The new Legacy isn’t quite as bold a beast as the concept car first shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, but it is quite a looker – which is rare from Subaru.
The car is based on an entirely new platform that has a 3.2-inch longer wheelbase than the previous model for a total of 108.3-inches. Height and width are also up by 3.2-inches and 3.6-inches respectively. Vehicle length has increased by just 1.4-inches.
The benefits of the platform are seen mostly inside, with rear seat legroom increasing by 4-inches.
Also new for 2010 are several of the engines.
The Legacy 2.5i models (the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and 2.5i Limited) will all get a 2.5-liter boxer engine that makes 170 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 170 ft-lbs of torque at 4000 rpm. A new six-sped manual will come standard with a “Lineartronic” CVT transmission optional. Subaru says both trannies will offer better acceleration and fuel economy.
Legacy 2.5GT models (2.5GT Premium and 2.5GT Limited) will come equipped with a new turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine with the turbocharger mounted below the engine for better response, improved emissions and a better center of gravity. Power is rated at 265hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque, an increase of 22hp and 17 ft-lbs of torque over the outgoing model. Subaru says the 2.5GT will be able to hit 60 mph in under 6 seconds.
The 2.5GT models will also come standard with a new 6-speed manual transmission that is more than 50 lbs lighter than the one in the 2009 Legacy 2.5GT spec.B.
As for the top level 3.6R models (3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited), they will feature a new 3.6-liter boxer engine that makes 256hp and 247 ft-lbs of torque – an increase of 11hp and 32 ft-lbs over the ’09 model. All 3.6R models get a five speed automatic transmission and only require regular octane fuel (not premium).
The suspension setup for the 2010 Legacy also gets an adjustment – as promised. The front maintains it’s MacPherson-type strut setup, while the rear gets a double-wishbone setup (as opposed to the old multi-link design). This, says Subaru, gives the 2010 Legacy a better ride, along with improved stability and handling.
We’ll bring you more details from the New York Auto Show starting April 8th.
GALLERY: 2010 Subaru Legacy
More on the 2010 Subaru Legacy After the jump: