Autoblog

Back in April, Toyota announced that it would be gobbling up a larger percentage of Fuji Heavy Industries, makers of the Subaru brand of vehicles. Today, that deal has been made official as Fuji announced the sale that increases Toyota's voting rights in the automaker to 16.16 percent from 9.50 percent. This deal had been made possible by a newly revised Japanese law that went into effect last year. Toyota had initially purchased about nine-percent share of the company from General Motors, which no longer owns any part of Fuji Heavy.

According to reports, Toyota paid about a ten-percent premium for the increased share, as well. Its total outlay of cash for the new shares is 31.11 billion yen ($291.1 million), for which it receives 61 million additional treasury stocks. Here's hoping that this new deal ushers in the upcoming new AE86 all the more quickly.

[Source: Thomson Financial News via Straightline]

Now that its ground offensive has taken control of the battlefield, word comes that Toyota's field commanders might have an eye toward the skies. That's right: Toyota is reportedly considering an offer from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to get into the aircraft business. MHI would like to see Toyota invest in a new passenger jet project, which, if it goes forward, would set up an aerial dogfight with the HondaJet, which is already in the segment. Mitsubishi already produces its own plane, the Regional Jet. Is this the beginning of a new battle for air supremacy? Hmmm. Somebody cue the Kenny Loggins.

UPDATE: Post erroneously referred to Fuji Heavy instead of Mitsubishi Heavy. The error has been corrected.

[Source: AFP/Breitbart]

A report in Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper states that Toyota and Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru's parent) are mulling over the possibility of jointly developing what many have been referring to as the successor to the classic AE86. The entry-level sports car would be branded as a Toyota but would feature a FHI-sourced boxer engine of 2.0 liters or less underhood. As far as pricing, the goal would be to keep the car at ¥2,000,000 or lower. Asahi says that the car would target a 2010 release (not 2008, as previously reported by Japan's Best Car magazine) and that talks between the two entities won't commence in earnest until this Fall.

The Asahi report comes in the wake of the aforementioned Best Car magazine story, which also said Fuji Heavy would factor into the equation, but that a price of ¥1,500,000 was the target. While the two outlets differ on some of the specifics, the basic stories match up, and you know the saying: "Where there's smoke..."

In other news, Asahi reports that Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu will begin supplying its Coo compact wagon (a.k.a. Toyota bB) to Fuji Heavy, and that a Subaru-branded version should go on sale in Japan next summer.

[Source: Asahi Shimbun via Motor Authority]

The earthquake that struck Japan on Monday is affecting several automakers, most notably Toyota, as damage to a key supplier's manufacturing facility has interrupted the flow of parts required to build cars. Riken Corp's plant at Kashiwazaki is the one that got hit by the 6.8 magnitude quake, and the facility is offline while the company works feverishly to complete the necessary repairs.

Until it does, however, the impact is being felt across the Japanese auto industry. Toyota announced that it's halted production at 12 plants as a result. In addition, Mitsubishi is shutting down three factories, Nissan has stopped a pair of lines, and Fuji Heavy has stopped production of five minicar models as it waits for Riken to become operational again. Honda could also join the list very soon..

[Source: AP via Yahoo! News]

Subaru is well-known for knocking out special edition models of their performance-minded lineup at the rate of about one every 15 minutes. Problem is, historically we haven't had access to them here in the U.S.-- they've largely been Japan-only, UK-only, or mainland Europe exclusives. For Stateside automobile aficionados, it's been tortuous stuff.

Fortunately, Subaru has been showing signs that it is ready to ingratiate itself more thoroughly with American enthusiasts. Last year, it brought a limited run of 500 units of its Legacy 2.5 GT spec.B to U.S. dealers, and this year, it returns as a regular production model. For 2007, the already excellent Scooby sedan gets a reworked version of the six-speed manual gearbox found in the WRX STi, along with Vehicle Dynamics Control (a stability control system previously only seen on the B9 Tribeca and high-end Outbacks) and a tire pressure monitoring system. Underneath, it also arrives with the Bilstein Sport Suspension of last year's spec.B, incorporating inverted struts up front and aluminum lower control arms. The rear architecture has been subtly reworked as well, incorporating aluminum rear arms and upper links (lesser Legacy models make do with cast iron bits).

(More impressions and press conference shots, plus dozens of stock images and press release after the jump!)

 

Prodrive, the engineering firm known mostly in the US for its rally exploits, has launched a series of Power Performance Packs (PPP) for the Subaru Impreza WRX, WRX STI, and Forrester XT. And guess what? They're not available in the US at this time, which goes a long way towards explaining Prodrive's relative obscurity.

Regardless of the model, the PPP costs £1,700 (about $3,000), and includes a new catalytic converter, cat-back exhaust system, and a reprogrammed ECU (the STI also gets a new fuel pump). Power improvements range from 29 HP for the Forrester to 39 HP for the WRX, with the STI picking up a healthy 38 HP. That's enough to lop 0.2 seconds off the 0-62 MPH performance of the STI, and 0.6 seconds for the same standing-start sprint in the WRX and Forrester. Even more impressive are the top-gear 30-50 and 50-70 MPH roll-on acceleration results, with the modifications yields improvements of over two seconds in some cases. Clearly, the modifications lead to improved flexibility and more power across the rev range, which is something that everyone should appreciate.

The price may seem a bit steep, but the full factory warranty is retained, and emissions compliance is unaffected. No word yet as to whether the French police will be getting PPP-equipped patrol cars.

[Source: Channel 4; acceleration stats from Carscoop]

Reuters reported Monday that Fuji Heavy Industries (parent company of Subaru) is developing a diesel powerplant that could debut in Subaru's European lineup as early as 2007.

After agreeing with major shareholder Toyota Motor last week to adopt Toyota's hybrid powertrain technology for Subaru's planned hybrid models, Fuji is shifting its product development focus to diesel engines. Subaru will launch diesel AWD powertrains before its upcoming hybrid models.

Diesels are key to expanding Subaru's market reach in Europe, where half of all new cars sold are diesel-powered. Subaru will likely launch its new diesel first as an option for the European market Legacy (pictured).

The company forecasts that half of Subaru sales in Europe will be diesels by 2010, and between 10 and 20 percent of its sales in Japan and the U.S. will eventually shift to diesel power.

[Source: Reuters] Thanks for the tip, Jeffrey!

Edmund's Inside Line has got the scoop on some interesting developments over at Subaru. The Fuji Heavy Industries concern is reportedly working on a diesel version of its "boxer" four-cylinder engine for the European market. The first 2007 models to receive the oil burner, possibly a 2.2L turbocharged engine, will presumably be the Legacy and the Forester, with other models possibly to follow. The move is necessary  for Subaru to be even a small player in the European market. Having said that, we can think of more than a few Americans who'd consider unhinging their checkbooks in celebration as well.

[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]

Last November, we posted news that Toyota (who had acquired General Motors's interest in Subaru), was considering supplying Fuji Heavy Industries (Scooby's parent company) with hybrid engines for its vehicles. Well, it appears as if those plans have changed.

Reuters is reporting that the two automakers have decided to jointly develop a new hybrid system instead. Apparently, Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive has proven too complex to simply plug Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system in.

[Source: Nihon Keizai Shimbun via Reuters]