Autoblog

Subaru releases JDM-only 20th Anniversary Edition Impreza WRX STI

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Hatchback, Subaru, Specialty

Click either image for a high-res gallery of the Impreza WRX STI 20th Ann.

Celebration and disappointment -- that's what the Subaru Impreza WRX STI 20th Anniversary edition brings to the party. Celebration because it marks two decades of low-mounted, boxer-powered, all-wheel-drive fun and disappointment because the Takumi concept we saw earlier this month - assumed to be a glimpse of the future Spec-C WRX - was just an early unveiling of this limited edition Impreza.

To make matters worse, the 20th Anniversary WRX doesn't get much in the way of modifications. The only substantive changes to the STI's dynamics come from a new set of coilovers with retuned springs and shocks to offer a more planted ride, along with thicker front and rear anti-roll bars and a set of 18-inch aluminum wheels to compliment the only available hue (white). Body mods are also kept to a minimum, with only a black lip spoiler and rear wing subtly proclaiming the STI's special status.

No special edition would be complete without the prerequisite badging, so in addition to leather Recaros with red stitching and a matching shift knob, a commemorative plaque on the center console and a new set of door sills are the only thing letting people know that the Impreza is one of the 300 limited edition examples. Oh, and there's a special red pouch for the key fob too.

Sales are beginning in Japan as you read this, carrying a price tag of 4,126,500 yen.

Gallery: 20th Anniversary Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Subaru releases JDM-only 20th Anniversary Edition Impreza WRX STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Those teens that do get their license prefer Mustang

Dan Roth — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Etc., Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Jeep, Toyota, Volkswagen

Research International USA's TRU branch has polled the youth of our country and discovered that they'd like a fun, stylish car more than anything (duh) -- namely the Mustang. Twenty-somethings posed the same question picked the Honda Civic above all else, mainly because they've had a dose of reality, and are now paying their own insurance and fuel.

So what exactly does this study say? As you mature, your experience leads to more practical decision making, perhaps? That there's a whole subset of spoiled brat high schoolers who have their insurance and fuel paid for and also expect that being handed the keys to a 3,500 pound wheeled liability is a birthright? Probably a bit of both, we suppose, but the fact remains that the Mustang is a flashy, fun car that even non-car people could point out in a crowd and undoubtedly has decent youth appeal.

The rest of the teens choices weren't earth shattering. Besides the Mustang, the cars that young drivers most desire are posted below the fold.

[Source: KickingTires]

Continue reading Those teens that do get their license prefer Mustang

Those teens that do get their license prefer Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sydney 2007: HSV turns 20, celebrates with anniversary-edition Clubsport R8

John Neff — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Misc. Auto Shows, Holden, Australia

click above image to view gallery of 20th Anniversary HSV Clubsport R8

Holden Special Vehicles, the performance arm of Holden in Australia, turned 20 years old this year. It was at the same Sydney Motor Show back in 1987 that HSV debuted its first vehicle, the VL Group A SS Commodore or "Walkinshaw" as it's commonly known. So it's fitting that HSV used the 2007 Sydney Motor Show to debut a special 20th Anniversary edition model of its Clubsport R8. The Clubsport R8 is a hot number on its own, so the anniversary edition adds exclusive cosmetic touches like special Sandstorm paint, 20th Anniversary sill plates, black accents on the body, leather seats with a 20th Anniversary logo and special chrome shadow wheels and brake calipers painted black and gold. That's certainly not a lot but should be enough to make the special edition Clubsport R8 a collectible. For those wishing to add one to their collection, the cost is $65,990 AU. We're sure we speak for most inhabitants of the island continent when we say here's to twenty more.

[Source: HSV]

Gallery: HSV Clubsport R8 20th Anniversary Edition

Continue reading Sydney 2007: HSV turns 20, celebrates with anniversary-edition Clubsport R8

Sydney 2007: HSV turns 20, celebrates with anniversary-edition Clubsport R8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Purrrrformance Upgrade: Arden pets the Jaguar XK

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 15:56:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Jaguar

German tuning house Arden, a specialist in massaging British cars for over 30 years, has just taken the collar off its latest effort: the AJ 20 Coupe, a modified Jaguar XJ. As if the svelte panther wasn't adored enough in autodom, Arden is now offering a long list of enhancements to the engine, suspension, exhaust, body and interior to turn the XJ's stealthy purr into a screaming growl.

We'll start by popping the hood (or the bonnet, as our friends in the isles would say), where Arden has squeezed ninety-six extra horsepower out of the XK's 4.2-liter 298-hp V8 by boring it out to 4.5 liters and fitting new connecting rods and pistons, bringing peak output up to 392 horsepower. Buyers can also opt for a who-needs-an-XKR supercharger from Krefeld to bring the power up again to 480. Either way, Arden also upgrades the lubrication and cooling systems to cope with the extra catnip and tinkers with the engine management system. The naturally-aspirated 4.5-liter Arden drops nearly a second off the sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) at 5.3 seconds; the supercharger takes off another half second, with top speeds of 285 and 295 km/h respectively. That places the modded XK squarely in Porsche territory, where its big-brother Aston V8 Vantage had once dreamt to play.

At the four corners, Arden fits new springs to drop the suspension by 30 mm. They're also working on a full sports suspension with custom shocks. The AJ 20 comes fitted with 21-inch "Sportline" competition-style rims. Around back, Arden has installed a new silencer system with either two tips or four, and offers a full exhaust refit with new catalytic converters.

The body also gets its share of tweaks to make clear the car's more aggressive intentions. A new front airdam and spoiler, side sills down the rocker panels and a rear apron are all fitted with bigger air intakes. Arden also incorporated contrasting air vents on the hood (like the XKR) and on the front fenders (like the XJ Portfolio). There's also a pronounced rear lip spoiler on the tail to keep the cat's rear end planted.

Inside, Arden's interior department offers a host of options including reupholstering the seats in leather or Alcantara and a choice of custom wood-veneer or carbon-fiber dashboard trim, depending on the customer's tastes.

All in all, Arden's modifications to the Jaguar XK sharpen this cat's claws in a way that scratches us just right. (If only they could have done something about that unfortunate Ford Taurus nose.)

Follow the jump for a couple more pics.

[Source: Arden]

Continue reading Purrrrformance Upgrade: Arden pets the Jaguar XK

Purrrrformance Upgrade: Arden pets the Jaguar XK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Dec 2006 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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