According to reports, the Subaru Impreza and WRX STi models are being cut from the Japanese automaker’s lineup in the United Kingdom.
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Top 10 Track Specials Under $60,000
Driving is a mundane task for some people, but for others it’s a sport, and there’s no better proving ground than a track.
Automakers see that opportunity as well, and love to offer up cars that are designed specifically with track use in mind. Take a look at the latest offering from Subaru and Scion, the BRZ/FR-S twins. Both cars were designed with a priority on light-weight, and achieves an impressive weight balance. In true sporting fashion, it’s rear-wheel drive and can be had with a slick-shifting six-speed manual, or quick automatic with race-inspired paddle-shifters.
The FR-S isn’t the only car out there with racing in its veins. Here’s a list of factory-customized machines designed for time at the track.
10. Subaru WRX STI: 305-hp $34,095
One of the most wonderful sensations come when you command a whole handful of power just with the flexing of your right foot. Horsepower is an intoxicating element when it comes to driving, but that doesn’t mean that it’s saved for the most expensive vehicles out there.
After having just set the Isle of Man TT record, Subaru can now add another to its list after driver David Higgins smashed the official hillclimb record at New England’s highest mountain, Mt. Washington over the weekend.
The record for the 7.6-mile Mt. Washington “Climb To The Clouds” Hill Climb was last set in 1998, with a time of 6:41.99 in the legendary Audi Quattro. This year, Higgins shattered the record in a Subaru Impreza WRX STI with a time of 6:11.47—handily beating out Travis Pastrana’s unofficial 6:20.47 record from last year, as well.
As per the 6,288-ft. mountain’s reputation, weather provided additional difficulties. ”It was a very big challenge because the road was still wet in spots and would turn very slick suddenly,” said Higgins. “With the clouds the visibility was so low I could hardly see past the hood of my car.”
The Subaru Rally Team moves on to Maine for the New England Rally, through the weekend of July 15th and 16th, where Higgins will defend his honor as Rally America’s points leader.
GALLERY: David Higgins Mt. Washington Record Run
Subaru of America has announced the lauch of its new iPad applications based on its 2011 model digital brochures. The free apps allows users to explore the 2011 Outback, Forester and WRX/STI through the iPad utilyzing videos, interactive demonstrations and 360-degree views.
Apple has had tremendous success with its iPad, selling 4.69 million units alone in the second quarter of 2011. This success prompted Subaru to decid they coulde attract potential buyers by allowing them to learn about Subaru products through interactive means.
Alan Bethke, Director, Marketing Communications, Subaru of America, Inc. explained “Car shoppers are researching everything from financing to auto insurance on their mobile devices. Making these apps available gives car shoppers a convenient and interactive way to explore Subaru vehicles and technology, and it also aligns with our environmental efforts.”
The Subaru app encourages consumers to learn about the company’s zero-landfill manufacturing plants- by minimizing paper usage, energy consumption, inks and production wast. As well as Subaru’s green outlook, the app will enhance the auto research experience by offering trim simulators along with engineering and Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive feature demonstrations. App users can compare vehicle models and generally get a better understanding of what Subaru is and what the company is striving for with its new generation of vehicles.
Subaru is pushing ahead to differentiate the WRX and STI performance models from their lesser, Great-Dane-schlepping brethern.
Unlike their rivals at Mitsubishi, there’s no controversy to whether their rally monsters will see next year. With the new Impreza unveiled at the New York Auto Show, there’s set to be a gap between the models. The Impreza’s new 2.0-liter boxer engine will not be turbocharged, according to Subaru, which means that the WRX and STI will soldier on with the 2.5-liter EJ25 that’s been serving them well for the past 20 years.
The separation gives Subaru the chance to push the WRX and STI even further. Akihide Takeuchi, Subaru’s Product Manager, said that a replacement turbo engine is currently in development, and is not merely a turbocharged form of the 2.0. He also dropped the hint that, like the Evo, a hybrid version may be in the works.
When the WRX and STI throw off the shackles of its Impreza overlords, there’s no telling how far it can go. A two-door STI? A hybrid 22B convertible with a turbo? An all-new ground-up architecture? Subaru fans should be very excited right now.
[Source: Car Advice]
Subaru has teamed up with famed rally car builder Vermont SportsCar to prepare two rally cars for their X-Games drivers, Travis Pastrana, Dave Mirra and Sverre Isachsen.
Starting with a 2011 WRX STI, the Vermont SportsCar crew stripped everything out of the interior and did the requisite rollcage and seam welding jobs needed to make the car rigid enough to endure the stresses of rallying. A fire suppression system and fuel cell were also installed, as were EXE-TC coilovers.
Power is rated at 500 horsepower, an incredible figure from the 2.5L flat-four engine. The engine also makes 560lb-ft of torque, enough to alter the earth’s rotation, and that’s with a special restrictor plate fitted. And of course, it wouldn’t be a rally car with an ear-drum-shattering anti-lag system fitted.
With a new event called SuperRally coming to this XGames, Subaru needs to have its baddest rally car yet to fend off the challengers – SuperRally features four cars competing at the same time, and you can bet the Ford’s Fiesta, as well as a multitude of others, will be out for blood.
[Source: Subaru]
Hit the jump to read the official press release
Subaru has announced pricing for their 2011 Impreza WRX and STI models with the WRX starting at $25, 495 for both the 4-door and 5-door models, while the STI 4-door starts at $33,995, $1,000 less than last year’s 5-door model.
The STI 5-door, now available only in “Limited” trim, will run you $35,995. Big changes for this year include the adoption of the STI’s wide fenders and bumpers as standard on the WRX, and the aforementioned 4-door STI model.
Hit the jump to check out the official press release
[Source: Subaru of America]
British racing outfit Cosworth (calling them a tuner would be insulting) has a history of building some absolutely mental performance hatches, most famously the Ford Escort RS Cosworth, which had to be built on a seperate, rear-drive platform to accommodate the lofty goals set out for it.
Now Cosworth has turned their attention to the already potent Subaru Impreza STI, with a limited 75 car production run known as the Subaru Cosworth Impreza STI CS400. The name might be a mouthful, but you’ll be left speechless with a 3.7 second 0-60 time, courtesy of built-up engine block, a revised turbo system and a re-mapped ECU. Six piston AP Racing brakes, leather Recaro seats and bespoke badging help distinguish it from more plebian STI’s. Pricing was not announced, but expect to fork over some substantial paper, or a kidney, to get behind the wheel.
[Source: Carscoop]
Gallery: Subaru Cosworth Impreza STI CS400
