With the glamor of the Goodwood Festival of Speed behind us, car enthusiasts in Britain will no doubt turn their attention to the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power. This annual event is held at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire.

At this year’s event, which runs from July 15 to 17, a very special Subaru is hoping to take the crown as the fastest car on this challenging 1.2-mile track. This special Subaru is an Impreza STi that has been tuned by Cosworth. The model is called the STi CS400 and produces 395-hp. Apart from the power gain over the standard model, the car also gets lighter 18-inch wheels by Pro-Race, and six-piston caliper brakes by AP Racing.

Taking the fastest car crown at this track won’t be easy, since there will be some other fast machines hoping to take the glory. Cars such as the Ariel Atom V8, Lamborghini Gallardo LP-570-4 Performante, and the McLaren MP4-12C are just some of the other cars taking part. Last year, a Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera set the fastest time ever on this circuit with a time of 62.68 seconds.

To give the Cosworth STi its best chance of winning, the car will be piloted by British Rally Champion Mark Higgins. He recently set the fastest timed lap of the Isle of Man TT circuit in a Impreza STi. So they have the right man for the job, but will the car deliver? That we have to wait and see.

With seven years of roaming the streets (in Japan), the second generation Subaru Impreza body became a familiar sight to many. And now that the third generation Impreza STi is out, we’re expecting to see less and less of the second gen bodies. But leave it to the crazy tuners in Japan to come up with this idea: taking a second generation model and outfit it with a front end from the the current model.

Some of us here at AutoGuide think it’s just too weird. The second-gen STi is notorious for its boxy shape and large headlights while the new generation is more streamlined and bubbly. Pairing the two together doesn’t quite flow well. (Some other crazy folks here in the office are big fans and made me write this sentence).

Complementing the transformation is also a full body kit from Charge Speed, which definitely gives the car a much sportier and more aggressive profile. Thumbs up for being unique, but much like the R35 front end on an R34 Skyline, we think they should belong on their respective bodies.

GALLERY: Car Service Hiro Converted Subaru Impreza STi

[Source: Farm Of Minds]

GST Motorsports and their venerable 1996 Subaru Impreza “L” had a perfect weekend at Round 6 of the Redline Time Attack Championship at Willow Springs Raceway (Rosamond, CA), claiming the Super Modified AWD class and Overall victories with a blisteringly fast lap of 1:20.759 (just 0.3-seconds off the AWD track record set by the Sierra Sierra Mitsubishi Evolution last year).

Mystery driver G-Stig then went on to win the Super Session, where the top cars from the event participate in a 5-lap sprint race for bonus points in the championship. This put an exclamation point on the weekend for the GST crew, completing their clean sweep at Willow Springs and solidifying their lead in the Super Modified AWD class.

“The entire crew has worked very hard on the back of the engine issues we encountered during the previous round”, said G-Stig, driver of the GST Time Attack Subaru L. “With the motor working flawlessly all weekend it allowed us to start concentrating on the handling aspect of the car. We’re getting close and I look forward to testing the changes the team is making to the chassis and aero for the next event.”

Mike Warfield, owner and engine tuner of GST Motorsports, added, “The new engine internals from Brian Crower really did the trick for us this past weekend. The motor ran strongly all weekend and we’re confident we have the powerplant in place now to start pushing things that much harder. We have always had fantastic grip from the Hankook Ventus 214 C91’s and now we’re going to start pushing the chassis and aero that much harder. The win this weekend was attributed to the reliability of the engine in the extreme heat coupled with the tires’ ability to maintain constant grip levels throughout our sessions.”

For in-car evidence of GST’s amazing 1-minute 20-second lap around Willow Springs, check out the video after the jump.

[Source: GST Motorsports]

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Subaru’s Impreza WRX and STI models are some of the best performance cars money can buy, but customers in the United Kingdom will now have an extra incentive to buy one of Subaru’s boxer-engined hatchbacks. Prodrive, a British motorsports engineering firm long associated with Subaru, is offering a free upgrade package for the WRX and STI (valued at £3100) that adds a revised ECU, upgraded mufflers and 18-inch wheels.

No new power numbers are available, but the increases are expcted to be in the 30-hp and 30 ft-lb range for each model. Subaru claims the upgrades are expected to shave 0.6 seconds from the 0-60 mph time of the WRX (bringing it down to 5.9 seconds) and 0.4 seconds from the STI’s time (helping it reach the mark in 4.8 seconds).

[Source:  World Car Fans]

Official release after the jump:

PRESS RELEASE

To help promote Subaru’s in-house performance tuning department, the automaker build a custom WRX STI using only parts from the Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) and STI catalogs. Unveiled at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the SPT WRX STI makes 315-hp (up from 305-hp), thanks to an SPT exhaust system. Otherwise, the factory turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four remains untouched.

Under the hood, there’s an SPT turbo heat shield and a selection of shiny bits, including a billet oil cap and battery hold down. Outside, the car also gets some extra style with a new front lip spoiler and exhaust finishers. Oh, and let’s not forget the 19×8.5-inch Prodrive GT2 wheels in Glitter Gold.

Wrapped in wear Michelin Pilot Sport rubber to help the car’s cornering abilities, the STI also gets some assistance from STI performance springs, an SPT strut tower brace and lower chassis brace.

Inside, the car is mostly stock with an added SPT boost gauge, a media hub audio system, an STI shift knob and some all-weather floor mats.

GALLERY: Subaru Performance Tuning WRX STI

S

Kept under wraps until today, Subaru used the 2009 SEMA Show to showcase the tuning possibilities for the new 2010 Legacy with a VIP-styled Legacy 2.5GT. In true Japanese VIP fashion, this Legacy 2.5GT gets a deep purple paint job, an air ride suspension and a set of 20-inch wheels wit a 4-inch lip.

To fit the big wheels, the car’s fenders had to be flared wit other modifications including a long list of JDM Legacy parts like a hood, bumper, grille as well as HID headlights and fog lights. The car also gets a roof spoiler as well as a rear decklid spoiler. In order to fit the smooth JDM hood, the Legacy’s top-mount intercooler was replaced with a Mishimoto front mount intercooler.

Factor Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) parts were also included like an oil cap and battery tie-down.

The cabin gets a complete diamond-stitch leather treatment. The rear seat area was changed significantly with two bucket seats, two LCD screens and a huge audio setup.

Be sure to check out the full gallery below:

GALLERY: Subaru Legacy 2.GT VIP

Out of all the tuned vehicles at Subaru’s 2009 SEMA Show booth, we have to say the Legacy Wagon GTk is our top pick. Designed to bring together the best aspects of the Legacy sedan and the Outback wagon/crossover, the Legacy Wagon GTk was built as a capable autocross vehicle that can also carry a go kart in the back. And that’s just what it does with enough cargo room to fit a Coyote Motorsports XP kart.

Built by Specialized Vehicles, Inc. (SVI), with several parts like the rear spoiler and HID headlights donated from the Japanese domestic market (JDM) Legacy, the GTk also gets custom SVI parts like a new front bumper, quad-tipped exhaust system and a new vented hood.

Under that hood you’ll find the Legacy GT’s turbo 2.5-liter boxer engine that has been modified with a new exhaust system and a reprogrammed ECU to make 300-hp and 350 ft-lbs of torque – up from 265-hp and 258 ft-lbs. There’s also a six-speed manual transmission – yummy!

Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) and STI parts were also tossed on, including an STI shift knob and SPT short shifter.

To make it a real autocross champ, the Legacy gets an SPT strut brace, Bilstein shocks, STI “pink” springs, 6-piston Brembo brakes up front and a 4-piston setup in the rear, along with a set of 19-inch HRE Comp wheels and 245/50/19 BF Goodrich Force-KDW 2 tires.

In the past, Subaru did offer a Legacy wagon, so here’s hoping this concept car creates enough interest for them to consider bringing it back.

GALLERY: Subaru Legacy Wagon GTk

We were really excited when we started reading Subaru’s latest SEMA press release, as it listed things like a 400-hp WRX STI, the word’s “rally-prepped” and “Ken Block.” That was all well and good, but entirely too normal for a SEMA show car. And that’s what we discovered upon continued reading as we downloaded the solitary photo from Subaru’s media site. Yikes!

Along with all that good stuff, is a truly SEMA-rific TRAX system, provided by Mattracks, which replaces the car’s tires for some even more serious off-roading.

The car was built by Subaru Rally Team USA’s technical partner, Vermont SportsCar, and features a stripped down shell, roll cage, carbon fiber door panels and carbon/Kevlar Recaro racing seats with a HANS device. It makes 400-hp and 400 ft-lbs of torque and uses a KAPS 5-seed gearbox.

Even sillier than the TRAX system is the fact that the car comes with its own sleigh.

Subaru says the WRX STI TRAX is just in time for the holidays. We’re pretty sure this monstrosity just officially marked the start of SEMA.

See AutoGuide’s live SEMA Coverage here!

Official release after the jump:

Subaru Showcases the Ultimate Snow-Ready Performance Car at 2009 SEMA Show
Just in Time for the Holidays, a 400-Horse (-powered) Sleigh

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ — The Subaru WRX STI, when equipped with proper tires, is capable of impressive all-weather performance. But when even snow tires are not enough, Subaru offers a solution – a 400-hp WRX STI equipped with a snow tracks system, as showcased at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Nov. 3-6.

Starting with a rally-prepared 2009 WRX STI, Subaru Rally Team USA’s technical partner, Vermont SportsCar, built the one-off 400-hp TRAX STI envisioned by, and built for, DC Shoes co-founder and SRT USA driver Ken Block. The WRX STI TRAX is ready for the half-pipe, with a Yakima FatCat 4 Snowboard Rack up top, a Yakima Landing Pad rack base and DC Shoes XFB-C Snowboards. Naturally, there is a custom matching sleigh to go with it.

With the exception of the Mattracks rubber track system, the car is rally-prepared and similar in specification Block’s #43 SRT USA competition STI. Starting with a stock 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Vermont SportsCar stripped the car’s interior bare, lightened the shell and then fully seam-welded it for added strength, also installing a multipoint roll cage manufactured from T45 steel. Major differences from the stock STI include the addition of lightweight carbon/Kevlar RECARO SPA ProRacer competition seats with the Head and Neck Restraint System (HANS), carbon fiber door panels and an onboard fire suppression system.

Under the hood, the ultimate Subaru snow machine sports a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder, turbocharged and intercooled STI engine tuned with a MOTEC M800 ECU. The engine, which kicks out approximately 400 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque, is teamed with a KAPS 5-speed close-ratio dog-engagement gearbox and the Subaru programmable DCCD (Driver Controlled Center Differential) all-wheel drive system. Employing custom machined hubs, the drivetrain – which has been dropped three inches – is mated to Mattracks 105M1-A1 rubber track conversion. The car also features Group N competition rally dampers made by EXE-TC.

And Now for Something Completely Different

The WRX STI TRAX can bring four more friends along for the fun with its one-of-a-kind custom sleigh. Constructed with hand-laid fiberglass using sandwich-core construction, the sleigh runs on custom built steel skis with torsion bar suspension. Yakima FatCat 4 snowboard racks carry Qty 2 DC XFB Snowboards.

Protected beneath the padded roll bars are four heated and embroidered leather RECARO Speed seats with Sabelt 4-point harnesses. For music on the slopes, a marine grade water resistant Alpine digital media receiver is coupled with marine grade Kicker speakers and a 10-inch subwoofer. The rear of the sleigh features a large cooler and a grab-bar for towing snowboarders. Cup holders and LED lighting finish off the interior.

The sleigh also features a carbon fiber dashboard, center tunnel cover and rear-cooler cover. Tucked into a glovebox within the carbon fiber covered dashboard are two Viosport POV.1 camera systems. One camera lens is flush-mounted within the dashboard to film passengers, and the other is mounted high on the roll bar to record action around the sleigh.

Along with a more traditional modified STI and a wild Legacy show car, Subaru is set to debut a stunning Legacy wagon at the 2009 SEMA Show. Called the Legacy GTk, this wagon is designed to be an autocross champ and can also carry your family and an autocross secret weapon. Subaru designed the car so that it would fit a racing go kart in the back and that’s where you’ll find a Coyote Motorsports XP kart.

As for the Suby, it was built by Specialized Vehicles, Inc. (SVI), with several parts like the rear spoiler and HID headlights donated from the Japanese domestic market (JDM) Legacy. SVI then built its own custom parts like a new front bumper, quad-tipped exhaust system and a new vented hood.

Under that hood you’ll find the Legacy GT’s turbo 2.5-liter boxer engine that has been modified with a new exhaust system and a reprogrammed ECU to make 300-hp and 350 ft-lbs of torque – up from 265-hp and 258 ft-lbs. There’s also a six-speed manual transmission – yummy!

Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) and STI parts were also tossed on, including an STI shift knob and SPT short shifter.

To make it a real autocross champ, the Legacy gets an SPT strut brace, Bilstein shocks, STI “pink” springs, 6-piston Brembo brakes up front and a 4-piston setup in the rear, along with a set of 19-inch HRE Comp wheels and 245/50/19 BF Goodrich Force-KDW 2 tires.

It might just be a SEMA Show car, or could Subaru be using this vehicle to see how interested the U.S. public is in a wagon version of the Legacy? Subaru already offers the Outback, but the Legacy wagon is on sale in Japan and Europe and perhaps there is space in the North American marketplace for Subaru to bring back a sporty Legacy Wagon. Please do!

See AutoGuide’s live SEMA Coverage here!

Official release after the jump:

Subaru Reveals Ultimate Sport/Track Wagon at SEMA 2009

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ — Subaru of America, Inc. is showcasing the Legacy GTk, a concept for a track-ready sport wagon, at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Nov. 3-6. A unique design and “added bonus” in the cargo area make the Legacy GTk the perfect car for a family day at the track.

If a turbocharged, lowered, beefed-up Subaru sport wagon sounds like a great car for taking to the track for some autocross action, then wait until you open the rear liftgate. In the generously sized cargo area, you’ll find a Coyote Motorsports XP kart (the “k” in GTk), also ready for track duty — in this case, SCCA Solo autocross. The Subaru Legacy GTk is a car you can drive to the autocross track, and then compete against your kart-driving teenager in a handicapped point system on the same track — with no trailer necessary.

The one-of-a-kind Legacy GTk, constructed to Subaru’s specifications by Specialized Vehicles, Inc. (SVI), probes the outer limits of what a sport wagon can be. The GTk Concept combines the power and presence of a performance-tuned Legacy with the cargo capacity of the all-new 2010 Outback. The cargo area is large enough to haul a complete race kart, which weighs about 160 lbs. with engine and ready to race.

SVI worked with other suppliers to integrate individual sub-systems and components. Developed by JAC Products with input from Subaru, the roof cargo management hardware on the Legacy GTk wagon provides a sleek profile while offering a fully functional cross bar system. The liftgate spoiler, midgate spoiler and blackout-style HID headlights were sourced from the Japanese domestic market (JDM) Legacy. SVI applied its own custom parts, including a front air dam with fog lights; lateral hood vents; custom window tint, and, at the rear, smoked tail lights and a diffuser. The final touch from SVI is a custom black-over-red paint scheme.

Subaru Turbo Boosted to 300 HP

The Legacy GTk powertrain, including the new 6-speed manual transmission, is borrowed from a 2010 Legacy 2.5GT Sedan. With a modified exhaust system and reprogrammed ECU — but no bolt-on performance parts — the 2.5-liter turbocharged and intercooled engine produces 300 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque, up from the stock model’s 265 hp and 258 lb.-ft.

The Legacy GTk draws from the Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) and STI catalogs. An SPT short-throw shifter with STI shift knob controls the 6-speed. The Continuous version of the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system uses a viscous coupling locking center differential. The system splits the torque 50:50 and can transfer more power to the wheels with the best traction.

SVI built a custom quad-tipped exhaust system for the Legacy GTk, giving the Subaru Boxer growl a track-inspired tone. Under the hood, the engine compartment is dressed out with braided stainless hoses and brake lines and SPT anodized aluminum parts.

Track-ified Chassis

Bolt-on chassis mods make the Legacy GTk is track-ready, starting up front with an SPT strut tower brace. Suspension is lowered using Bilstein(®) struts and suspension calibration, along with STI “pink” springs. A full Brembo(®) brake upgrade uses 6-piston monobloc calipers in front with 355 x 32 mm 2-piece floating cross-drilled discs and billet aluminum hats. The rear setup is the same, but with 4-piston calipers. Getting the power to the pavement are BF Goodrich P245/50 R19 Force-KDW 2 tires mounted to HRE custom 19-inch Comp wheels.

Custom Interior and “Garage” are Enviro-friendly

Driving a track car is no cause to forgo comfort, convenience and onboard entertainment. The Legacy GTk interior combines fun and functional. Coming under the “functional” banner is the custom-made “kart friendly” cargo area with rubber decking, tie-down points, and LED lighting. Under the “comfort” column, there is a full custom Ultrasuede(®) and leather trimmed interior, including Recaro(®) Sportster custom front seats and custom matching rear seats.

The maker of Ultrasuede, Toray, employed its latest EcoDesign™ product to comply with Subaru of America’s policy to minimize waste. (The Subaru of Indiana Automotive plant that builds Legacy, Outback and Tribeca models has achieved Zero Landfill status.) The EcoDesign product is made using 100-percent recycled Ultra Microfibers; the base material comes from the manufacturer’s post industrial-sourced polyester film.

The Legacy GTk instrument panel and doors feature carbon fiber patterned trim. Custom boost, temperature and oil pressure gauges provide vital engine information, and STI aluminum pedals add a rally car feel. The harman/kardon(®) custom surround-sound audio system drives 18 speakers with an 11-channel high efficiency GreenEdge processor/amplifier. Compared to conventional mobile audio systems, harman/kardon GreenEdge components are lighter and consume less power to produce even higher acoustic output levels. The system is controlled by a harman/kardon AM/FM/XM/single-CD head unit with a 7-inch touch-screen display.

The Kart: Fully Functional, Ready to Race

Subaru designed the Legacy GTk as a fully functional vehicle. The idea was to build a car that would facilitate family racing fun. In this case, the GTk also highlights a motorsport that enables a parent to compete against his/her teenager in the same venue — a rarity in any sport.

Since no trailer would be used, Subaru chose a kart that would not only fit into the cargo area, but would be suitable for a child old enough to ride in the front seat, in compliance with child seating laws. The SCCA Junior Driver kart program offered just that opportunity, its Formula Junior A class specifically intended for the 12-15 age bracket. Built by Coyote Motorsports in Spencerport, N.Y., the XP kart is powered by a Yamaha KT-100 two-stroke engine and can reach up to 50 mph in SCCA Solo racing and up to 120 mph in road racing.

Subaru will showcase three vehicles at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas next week, including one vehicle that owners can replicate, thanks to the company’s Subaru Performance Tuning division. That car is a WRX STI, which has been completely outfitted with a long list of SPT parts straight out of the factory catalog. The car retains its turbocharged 2.5-liter engine but gets an SPT exhaust system to raise power slightly to 315-hp – up from 305-hp. Under the hood, there’s an SPT turbo heat shield and a selection of shiny bits, including a billet oil cap and battery hold down. Outside, the car also gets some extra style with a new front lip spoiler and exhaust finishers. Oh, and let’s not forget the 19×8.5-inch Prodrive GT2 wheels in Glitter Gold.

Wrapped in wear Michelin Pilot Sport rubber to help the car’s cornering abilities, the STI also gets some assistance from STI performance springs, an SPT strut tower brace and lower chassis brace.

Inside, the car is mostly stock with an added SPT boost gauge, a media hub audio system, an STI shift knob and some all-weather floor mats.

The second vehicle is definitely one that won’t be offered in the SPT catalog. It’s a VIP styled 2010 Legacy 2.5GT. Sure you can get the SPT oil cap and battery tie-down, but the air ride suspension and 20-inch wheels (with a 4-inch lip) are most certainly one-off items. To fit these wheels on the car’s body, the fenders had to be flared. Other body mods include a long list of JDM Legacy parts (overnight parts from Japan anyone?) like a hood, bumper, grille as well as HID headlights and fog lights. The car also gets a roof spoiler as well as a rear decklid spoiler. In order to fit the smooth JDM hood, the Legacy’s top-mount intercooler was replaced with a Mishimoto front mount intercooler.

And if the exterior seems extreme, just take a look at the interior, which gets a complete diamond-stitch leather treatment. The rear seat area was changed significantly with two bucket seats, two LCD screens and a huge audio setup.

A third vehicle will also join these two Subys. It’s a Subaru SPT Parts Delivery Van, that’s based off a fully restored 1969 Subaru 360. This is no performance machine with a 356cc engine that makes 25-hp and 25 ft-lbs of torque. But hey, it does get 66 mpg.

We’ll be sure to bring you more on all of Suabru’s SEMA show vehicles with live coverage from Las Vegas starting next Tuesday, November 3rd.

See AutoGuide’s live SEMA Coverage here!

Official release after the jump:

Subaru Concepts Push the Limits of the Fast, the Low and the (Very) Slow for 2009 SEMA Show

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ — Subaru of America, Inc. today announced two tuner models along with a “blast from the past” Subaru classic that will debut at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center Nov. 3-6. Further models will be announced in due course.

Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT), Subaru of America’s in house performance division, built a custom Impreza WRX® STI® and Legacy® VIP concept especially for the 2009 SEMA Show. The WRX STI by SPT demonstrates what a WRX STI owner can build at home using just the SPT catalog as a source for bolt-on parts. The WRX STI by SPT offers more power along with even sharper handling response, making it the ideal machine for high style street performance or track driving.

The Legacy VIP is a one-of-a-kind vehicle inspired by the VIP rides found on the streets of Tokyo, Los Angeles and New York. It uniquely blends parts from SPT and the Japanese domestic market (JDM) with custom features for the “full VIP treatment.” VIP is a style known for a clean, yet heavily reworked, luxury theme with an emphasis on impossibly low ride height and huge, aggressively styled wheels.

Those connected to this scene don’t say “V-I-P” but rather call it “bippu” in a nod to its Japanese roots. “Traditional” VIP rides are based on rear-wheel drive vehicles; the Subaru Legacy VIP breaks the mold by applying the look to an all-wheel drive sedan with an extra dose of East Coast flair.

The third vehicle announced for Subaru’s SEMA display is also one-of-a-kind: A special SPT delivery van that promises to deliver go-fast parts very slowly. That’s because it only has 25 horsepower.

The 1969 micro van (emphasis on “micro”) was one of the first models sold by Subaru of America. Its two-cylinder, two-stroke engine musters 25.3 lb.-ft. of torque. Less than 10 feet long and barely more than four feet wide, the Subaru micro van could be used to deliver SPT parts inside Subaru’s headquarters campus. Nearly as impressive as its 66-MPG economy is the patience needed to drive it for 66 miles.

Details: 2010 Subaru WRX STI by SPT

The drivetrain in the WRX STI by SPT is essentially stock, which means a 2.5 liter DOHC, 16 valve, turbocharged and intercooled 4-cylinder Subaru Boxer® engine with Dual Active Valve Control System. Backed by a 6-speed close ratio manual transmission, it gets power to the road via Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD), limited slip helical front differential and TORSEN® rear differential.

The engine remains stock, including 14.7 PSI max. boost. An SPT exhaust system boosts horsepower to 315 hp @ 6,000 RPM (up from the stock 305), while peak torque remains stock at 290 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 RPM. There is also an SPT turbo heat shield. For that extra dose of style under the hood, the car features an SPT billet oil cap v2.0 and SPT billet battery hold down v2.0; an STI front lip spoiler and SPT exhaust finishers complete the look.

The stock WRX STI is already a master of the curves; the WRX STI by SPT ups the handling ante with readily available accessories: 19 x 8.5-in. Prodrive® GT2 wheels are finished in Glitter Gold and wear Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 245/35R19 performance tires. Suspension is tweaked with STI performance springs, an SPT strut tower brace and an SPT lower chassis brace.

Interior appointments and electronics are geared to what the average enthusiast can afford and use. So, you won’t find half a dozen 10-inch LCDs scattered around the interior. An SPT boost gauge, a media hub digital music integration system and an auto-dimming mirror with transflective display and HomeLink® transmitter, are all available from the SPT catalog. Final touches include an STI shift knob and all-weather floor mats (because Subaru drivers aren’t afraid of the weather.)

Details: Subaru Legacy 2.5GT VIP

The 2010 Legacy is all-new, built on a new platform that increases room and comfort while preserving the agility and fun-to-drive spirit of the previous model. Its new midsize roominess and comfort make Legacy an ideal candidate for the VIP (“bippu”) treatment. This transformation, however, is not for the faint of heart.

The 2010 Legacy 2.5GT starts out strong enough; its new 265-hp turbocharged/intercooled is teamed exclusively to a new 6-speed manual transmission for 2010 along with the Continuous Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (viscous coupling locking center differential). So, the Legacy can go on when the snowflakes fall. The stock torque curve (258 lb.-ft. at 2,000-5,200 RPM) makes city VIP-ing smooth and easy in this Legacy.

The turbo Boxer is dressed up with a custom full engine bay cover, SPT billet oil cap v2.0 and SPT billet battery hold-down v2.0. To go “bippu” is to go low, starting with the profile. The stock Subaru intercooler, which inhales through a hood scoop, is replaced by a Mishimoto front mount intercooler with custom piping, to allow a smooth hood.

To ride low, the Legacy VIP gets air suspension system from Universal Air®. The MC3 Enterprises Trinidad wheels were custom machine for this vehicle and measure 20 x 10-inch in front (30 offset) with a 3-inch lip; the 20 x 10-inch rear wheels have a 12 offset and 4-inch lip. The 235/30R20 Falken FK452 tires are “stretched a bit.”

Subaru sourced a number of body parts from the Japanese domestic market (JDM) Legacy, including: hood, bumper faces, sport grille, front and rear under spoilers, HID headlights and fog lights. The power folding signal mirrors with chrome caps and the vent shades likewise come from the JDM Legacy parts supply. Roof and decklid lip spoilers were added to keep the lines of the car clean.

Custom touches start with the rolled and flared fenders and add a chrome trunk garnish and door handles, along with puddle lights. The body is sprayed in Shinjuku Black Plum. The Legacy VIP interior is almost fully custom, featuring diamond stitch seats and door trim finished in Togarashi Red. An interior illumination kit and illuminated sill plates add a VIP glow.

SPT catalog parts include an auto-dimming mirror with transflective display and HomeLink transmitter and an STI Duracon shift knob.

The rear seat passengers enjoy the full VIP treatment, starting with bucket seats and a motorized compartment for valuables. Onboard entertainment is offered through a JVC KD-AVX77 touch screen head unit up front and twin rear seat multifunction displays in the rear. A custom carputer integrates the added subsystems. A pair of JBL amps (GT5-A604 4-channel and GT5-A3001 sub amp) powers six JBL speakers and two JBL 10-inch subs.

Details: 1969 Subaru SPT Parts Delivery Van

The Subaru SPT Parts Delivery Van is a fully restored 1969 Subaru 360 van and features prominent SPT livery. The restoration was undertaken by Subaru of Las Vegas and will be displayed in their showrooms after the show.

* Engine: 356 cc, 2-cylinder, 2-stroke, air-cooled
* Horsepower/torque: 25 @ 5,500 RPM / 25.3 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 RPM
* Length: 117.9 inches
* Width: 51.0 inches
* Height: 53.0 inches
* Curb weight: approx. 950 lbs.
* Fuel economy: 66 miles per gallon
* Smile factor: priceless

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of approximately 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru boasts the most fuel efficient line-up of all-wheel drive products sold in the market today based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy standards. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.