The only compact SUV in Subaru’s current range is the Forester, though the vehicle in question may be the upcoming Impreza-based crossover that was previewed by the XV Concept (pictured above) at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show in China this past April.
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For now, all we get is a single view of the 2012 Impreza sedan’s side and the promise from Subaru that the new design will provide “a roomier interior and improved levels of comfort and refinement” with the company adding that it will deliver up to 36mph on the highway (equal to 6.5 lt/100km).
The Subaru variant will keep the same front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout as the FT-86, which will also be revealed in a more production ready form at the Geneva Salon. Power of course will be provided by Subaru's horizontally opposed boxer engine, but we'll have to wait until the Geneva Salon for more specific details.
Even though there's a familiar resemblance with the latest Subaru Legacy, the concept features more aggressive and taut lines and a lower, almost coupe-like roofline. As Phil pointed out in our previous post, let's just hope that the next Impreza will keep if not all, most of the key styling elements seen on this concept model. For now, hit the break to watch a pair of promotional videos as well as a clip from the LA Show presentation of the Impreza Design Concept.
As we already told you, the Impreza concept is powered by a 2.0-liter boxer engine and uses a Lineartronic transmission to drive the wheels through a Symmetrical All Wheel Drive system.
Outside, the face is all "new Subaru", while the the rear is home to some seriously fresh lines (like those rising from the diffuser) that continue the geometric theme from up front. The four-door compact coupe also gets cameras mounted on the A-pillar instead of mirrors, but for now those are still being relegated to the world of concepts.
Starting with the Impreza STI's 2.5-liter boxer unit, Cosworth's engineers installed new high-performance pistons, connecting rods, head gasket and bearings. The tune-up also includes a remapped ECU, modified turbocharger and wastegate, and a custom exhaust system.
Subaru engineers widened the WRX's front and rear tracks by 1.5-inches while the car also gets firmer rear subframe bushings and wider 17-inch wheels and tires (235/45R17 vs. 225/45R17).
Along with the widened fenders, the 2011 WRX models feature sharpened bumper corners and wider, blacked-out fog lamps and a newly designed grilled. Subaru says that these changes increase the curb weight of the 2011 WRX by 33 pounds.
Subaru said that information about performance, specification and pricing will be made available closer to the special edition model's March on-sale date.
Subaru is one of them, but that's going to change soon as the Japanese automaker announced today that it is joining Toyota in South Korea's recovering market for imported cars. The company said that that sales of Subaru-brand vehicles will start from April in the country working through its local distributor, Subaru Korea Co., Ltd.
The automaker's range will initially comprise of the Legacy, Outback and Forester. Unfortunately for Subaru fans in South Korea, the Impreza series, and by that, we actually mean the WRX and STI, won't be offered.
Subaru's newly formed Korean division said that it has set an initial sales target of a mere 600 units in the first year but aims to increase that number to 3,000 units by 2015.
The company stated that it is the process of developing its own dealer network and is planning to open Subaru outlets first in Seoul and Pusan and then to other metropolitan areas in South Korea.
"The engine and suspension changes make the N2010 far more competitive," said Graham Prew, Prodrive sales manager.
"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," Prew concluded.
Pricing for the Impreza N2010 starts at £120,000 or about US$196,000 / €136,500 at today's exchange rates.
For the first time Prodrive also offers buyers an alternative financing option to lease the Impreza for a period of two years with the option to buy the rally-prepped car at the end of the agreement.
N2010 specification
Engine:
Flat 4-cylinder boxer:
Capacity: 1994 cc
Bore: 92.0 mm
Stroke: 75.0 mm
Turbo charger:
IHI twin scroll with new design regulation 33 mm restrictor with new roller bearing.
Electrical:
Spark plugs: BRISK
Lightweight battery: Odyssey
Controllers and displays:
Engine: Prodrive-Pectel programmable with removable data storage card.
Centre diff: Prodrive-Pectel programmable fully CAN compliant with selectable diff maps.
Driver's screen: GEMS CD25 5.5" colour VGA screen with multiple pages including engine, transmission and steering information. Increased integration of control systems and co-driver's screen.
Exhaust
Hi-flow motorsport catalyst with silencer options available in stainless or titanium.
Fuel system
FIA approved FT3-99 95 litre safety tank centrally mounted under floor.
Transmission
Gearbox: Prodrive-Hewland five-speed manual dog engagement with revised gear linkage and 2-stage shift light.
Front diff: Plated limited slip
Centre diff: Electro mechanical locking
Rear diff: Plated limited slip
Clutch
STI, 240 mm six paddle competition, single plate homologated STI cover.
Roll cage
Prodrive manufactured rollcage to FIA compliant MSA homologated.
Suspension
Revised Öhlins dampers with improved travel, strengthened rear cross-member high performance uprated suspension bushes.
Front: Prodrive-Öhlins TPX 44 MacPherson strut, three-way adjustable with front hydraulic bump stop.
Rear: Prodrive-Öhlins TTX 44 coil-over damper, three-way adjustable on multi-link rear suspension.
Steering
Power assisted quickrack (13:1) for left and right hand drive.
PAS cooler (optional)
Wheels: Speedline or Work
Tarmac: 18" x 8" or 17" x 8"
Gravel: 15" x 7"
Snow: 16" x 5.5"
Brakes: AP Racing
Tarmac: front: four-piston 355 mm rear: two-piston 285 mm
Gravel: front: four-piston 295 mm rear: two-piston 285 mm
Handbrake: WRC style vertical lever using STI/AP homologated piston.
Dimensions
Front track: 1,550 mm
Rear track: 1,540 mm
Length: 4,415 mm
Weight: 1,350 kg
As well as revealing prices for the new 2010 Legacy, Subaru also announced pricing for the sedan's crossoverish sibling, the 2010 Outback. According to the Japanese automaker, prices for the Outback start at the same level as the outgoing model, at $22,995 for the 2.5i that is powered by a revised 170-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Boxer engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. If you prefer the ease of a CVT transmission, it will cost you another $1,000.
This base model comes with 60/40 split-folding and reclining rear seats, floor mats, cargo tray, electronic parking brake with Hill Holder system, auto on/off exterior lights (autolights), audio system with single-disc CD player, auxiliary input jack and 4 speakers, dual lit visor mirrors, updated gauge cluster with 'eco' gauge, multi-function display with outside temperature, overhead console with sunglass holder and remote keyless entry system.
For those that want more, there's the 2.5i Premium that is priced at $24,295 when equipped with a manual gearbox and at $25,295 for the CVT model. In addition to the base model's standard equipment, the Premium adds fog lights, cargo cover, privacy glass, 10-way power driver's seat, driver's side window with automatic up/down, leather-wrapped steering wheel, instrument storage bin w/door, overhead console with sunglass holder and ambient light, body-colored mirrors and 16-inch alloys.
Moving up the price ladder, buyers will find the 2.5i Limited that is offered only with a CVT and costs $27,995. It includes all 2.5i Premium model features plus dual zone climate controls, paddle shifters and a 6-speed manual shift mode, P215/50 R17 all-season tires with 17-inch alloys, perforated ivory / off black leather-trimmed upholstery, 4-way power front passenger seat, All-Weather Package and a Harman/Kardon audio system.
The new range-topping Outback 3.6R, which replaces the 3.0R model, is powered by a 256HP 3.6-liter 6-cylinder Boxer engine matched to a 5-speed electronic automatic transmission. Prices start from $27,995, which according to Subaru, is $4,000 less than the 2009 6-cylinder Outback. The 3.6R gets all 2.5i model features plus P225/50 R17 all-season tires with 17-inch alloy rims, paddle shifters, driver's side window w/automatic up and down, instrument storage bin w/door, overhead console with sunglass holder and ambient light, privacy glass and fog lights.
The 3.6R Premium will have a starting price of $28,995 and includes all 3.6R base model features along with 10-way power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and All-Weather Package.
If you don't mind paying $30,995 for the 3.6R Limited you'll get all the features of the 3.6R Premium model plus perforated ivory / off black leather-trimmed upholstery, 4-way power front passenger seat, and Harman/Kardon audio system.
According to Subaru, destination and delivery charge is $695 for all 2010MY Outback models in the Contiguous 48 States.
As a rule, new models usually enter the market priced higher than their predecessors, but blame the faulty economy and Subaru decided to charge less for its brand-new 2010 Legacy. More specifically, the entry-level 2.5i version is priced from $19,995 or $800 less than the equivalent MY09 Legacy 2.5i while the range-topping 3.6R starts from $24,995, a $1,600 reduction over the less powerful outgoing 3.0R. Note however that all prices don't include a $695 destination and delivery fee.
The base 2.5i Legacy that's powered by a 2.5-liter normally aspirated four-cylinder boxer with 170HP and mated with either a 6-speed manual transmission ($19,995) or the all-new Lineartronic CVT ($20,995) comes with electronic parking brake with Hill Holder system, auto on/off exterior lights, audio system with single-disc CD player, auxiliary input jack and 4 speakers and remote keyless entry system as standard.
The better equipped 2.5i Premium that costs $20,995 when combined with a manual gearbox and $21,995 with a CVT, adds 10-way power driver's seat, driver's side window w/automatic up and down, leather-wrapped steering wheel, instrument storage bin w/door, overhead console with sunglass holder and ambient light, bright exhaust tip, body-colored mirrors and 16" alloys wheels.
The 2.5i Limited is offered exclusively with a CVT and will have a starting price of $24,995. Additional features over the Premium trim include paddle shifters and a 6-speed manual shift mode, P215/50 R17 all-season tires with 17" alloys, perforated ivory / off black leather-trimmed upholstery, 4-way power front passenger seat, All-Weather Package and Harman/Kardon audio system.
The new Legacy 2.5GT Premium and Limited that are powered by a 265HP turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine mated to a new 6-speed manual gearbox, are priced at $27,995 and $29,995 respectively. The 2.5GT Premium includes all the 2.5i Premium model's features plus hood scoop, P225/45 R18 summer tires with 18" rims, dual chrome exhaust tips and All-Weather Package. The 2.5 GT Limited adds perforated ivory / off black leather-trimmed upholstery, 4-way power front passenger seat, and Harman/Kardon audio system.
The range-topping Legacy 3.6R, which replaces the 3.0R model, is powered by a 256HP 3.6-liter 6-cylinder Boxer engine matched to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Prices start from $24,995 with the basic equipment including all 2.5i model features plus P225/50 R17 all-season tires, 17" alloys, paddle shifters, driver's side window w/automatic up and down, instrument storage bin w/door, overhead console with sun glass holder and ambient light, and dual chrome exhaust tips.
The 3.6R Premium starts from $25,995 and includes all 3.6R model features plus a 10-way power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and All-Weather Package. Finally, the 3.6R Limited is priced from $27,995 and further includes perforated ivory / off black leather-trimmed upholstery, 4-Way power front passenger seat, and Harman/Kardon audio system.
The car pictured above is the Prodrive Impreza WRC2008 with which former World Rally Champion Marcus Gronholm will return to the WRC for a one-off race at the Rally of Portugal. Gronholm will test the Impreza in Wales this week, before undertaking a full two day pre-event test in Spain next week. This means the two-time World Rally Champion will have three days to familiarize himself with the race car before starting his first World Rally Championship event in nearly 16 months.According to Prodrive, the Impreza WRC2008 is virtually identical to the car used by the Subaru World Rally Team at last season's WRC. "We have only been able to make minor changes to the car because of homologation restrictions, with the most significant difference being the Ohlins dampers," said Prodrive technical director, David Lapworth. "In a perfect world, Marcus would have had far more time behind the wheel, however, with his years of experience, I am absolutely confident he will very quickly find a rhythm in the Impreza," he concluded.
Needless to say that the Ferrari Micro Pickup Truck pictured above isn't actually a Prancing Horse model, but a 1969 Subaru Sambar II (also known as the Domingo in some markets) kei-segment truck comically modified to resemble a Ferrari. Badges, hub caps and three-part tail lamps aside, the "Ferrabaru" mini pickup is also distinguished by its revamped interior that features Ferrari-style leather trim, gauges, gearbox knob and aluminum pedals. From what we gather, power (...) is provided by a stock 2-cylinder engine.
Link: eBay , Thanks for the tip Mark!
