Autoblog

Rear-Engine Rendering: Student-styled Subie is the hot hatch of dreams, nightmares

Dan Roth — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Subaru, Specialty, Design/Style

Digimods Subaru Impreza - Click above to enlarge

In the real world of asphalt and hydrocarbons (yes, that's possibly redundant), the Subaru WRX STI is a common target for zealous mods. While much tuning can go on under the stock skin, which isn't exactly subtle on a Rex, it's de rigeur to go at the exterior with pieces of thermoplastic and visions of reshaping dancing in your head.

If you're not deft enough to translate inspiration to metal, or you don't have a WRX, or you just want to avoid getting gunk under your fingernails and cutting your hands all up while trimming out big pieces of sheetmetal, you can do it with bits and bytes instead. Of course, a digital mockup is a good way to test out ideas before taking the nipper to the roof, too.

Pete from Digimods has decided that the WRX could really use a rear-mounted engine, plenty more scoops, and a giant roof duct to supply air to the engine, and drown it if it gets taken out in the rainy season. It's a very nicely done rendering. Some will love, some will hate, all will likely have something to say. Have at it, kids!

[Source: Digimods via CarScoop]

Rear-Engine Rendering: Student-styled Subie is the hot hatch of dreams, nightmares originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prodrive sets up Essex police with 270hp Impreza interceptors

Noah Joseph — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Subaru, Police/Emergency, UK

If you watched the first episode of Top Gear's season 11, you likely smirked at the lackluster Vauxhalls that the British bobbies have to drive in pursuit of "the baddies". But once in a while the constables in the UK gets something special in their motor-pools, like the Caparo T1, Lotus Exige, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 and Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. While few officers have actually had the chance to drive any of these epic exotics since they're used purely for demonstration purposes, the latest addition is here to stay: Prodrive has prepared a fleet of Subaru Impreza GB270s especially for the Automatic Number Plate Recognition Team at the Essex Police department.

Not only did Prodrive set up the vehicle for the team, commonly known as "The Intereptors", but the 21 officers that make up their ranks received a day of special instruction on how to get the most out of their new 270hp all-wheel-drive speed machines. As you can see in the press release after the jump, however, "The day was not about driving these cars fast, but understanding how and when to use their capability in a safe way." Way to make something exciting very boring, guv'na.

[Source: Prodrive]

Continue reading Prodrive sets up Essex police with 270hp Impreza interceptors

Prodrive sets up Essex police with 270hp Impreza interceptors originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Alex Nunez — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Performance, Hatchback, Subaru

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Click above for high-res image gallery

I remember the last red Subaru I drove. I was in high school, and the car was my dad's - a new '88 GL wagon with an automatic and push-button 4WD on the shifter. I dug that Scooby. It wasn't powerful but it was fun -- especially when it snowed. Somehow I managed to avoid bouncing it off a lamppost while sliding it around corners. This had much more to do with luck than skill, as I was in high school and clearly an idiot. But I digress -- after all, this isn't about my dad's old GL. It is, however, about a red Subaru - the new Impreza WRX STI, to be specific. If this thing was around back during my neighborhood rally-pretender salad days, I'd probably just be getting my license back right about now.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Continue reading Review: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Review: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #79

Dan Roth — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Podcasts, Europe, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Chrysler, Ford, Pontiac, Subaru, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows, UAW/Unions, Australia, FPV

We lead off Autoblog Podcast #79 with the most important news of the week. Seriously, this rocked the car world. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker are returning to the Fast and Furious franchise for F+F IV. w00t! Moving on to more important news (like anything at all), we touch on the then impending and since finished Chrysler strike. See who was right, since the 'cast was recorded Tuesday, and the strike didn't launch until Wednesday. There's been lots of auto show action, and Tokyo caught our attention this week. The Impreza STi debuted, along with a bunch of other weird concepts from Subaru, Toyota, and Honda. One that caught our eye was the Honda CR-Z. Is it an Insight replacement, a new CRX, or both? Sydney's also having an auto show, and the VW Touareg R50 showed up there, packing a house-pulling 600+ foot pounds of torque. There was also a bunch of Ford wares in Sydney, but no Falcon Orion, apparently. Dang. Wrapping up, we touch on On Star's new service for perp-operated cars, which leaves John unsettled (something to hide?). Speaking of unsettled, our final item is the official pic of the 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT. We like it, but we're sure that it will stir debate, and it doesn't get an alphanumeric designator like G3 5/8. Weird. It's a value packed 53 minutes. See you next week!

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Autoblog Podcast #79 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Alex Nunez — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 01:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Subaru

Click image for hi-res gallery

The wait is finally over. Subaru has released official photos and initial info on the new JDM-spec Impreza WRX STI. Details remain scant, however, as Subaru only tells us that the new STI is powered by a 16v 2.0L boxer with a twin-scroll turbo mated to a 6-speed manual. SI-DRIVE, multi-mode Drivers Control Center Differential (DCCD) and Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) are also standard. All of these things have been widely speculated on and/or reported already. Specific power numbers are conspicuously absent, so we'll have to wait for the rest of it when the car bows in Tokyo in a couple of weeks. Based on what's already been leaked, look for 304 horses and 311 lb-ft of torque in the Japanese-market model. What's no longer a mystery is the car's appearance, which is muscular and aggressive -- a huge improvement over the base WRX. Head to the gallery below to see the car unmasked at last.

[Source: Subaru]

Gallery: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI (JDM)

Officially Official: Subaru Impreza WRX STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leaked: JDM Subaru Impreza WRX STI brochure

Alex Nunez — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 15:17:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Subaru

Click image for more brochure photos

NASIOC has long been a bonanza of leaked photos and info relatingng to all things Subaru, and today, user "fyinpig" keeps that tradition going with brochure shots of the JDM Subaru Impreza WRX STI ahead of the car's official debut later this month. As you can see, the muscled-up hatch will be available in 7 colors in Japan ("obshidian" black pearl,, anyone?), with three different wheel styles. Inside, there's no shortage of STI logos, so your passengers won't confuse your machine with the standard WRX. Key numbers you'll undoubtedly be interested in include:

304 hp @ 6400 rpm
311lb-ft @ 4400rpm (41:59 torque split)
Weight: 3263 lb (subtract an additional 22 lbs. if fitted with optional BBS wheels)

Head over to the NASIOC thread for all the info and an ongoing discussion.

[Source: NASIOC]

Leaked: JDM Subaru Impreza WRX STI brochure originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Oct 2007 15:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Third time's a charm: Subaru releases another dark image of STI

John Neff — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Subaru

click above image for more dark shots of the impending Subaru Impreza STI

It was a dark and stormy night... inside the studio where Subaru shot its first batch of Impreza STI images. Like the dutiful fanboys we are, Autoblog has already posted on each of the first two pics, a dark head-on shot and a dark rear shot. Here we have a dark 3/4 shot (check out the lightened version at left), and we don't know if it will be the last of the bunch before the Subaru Impreza STI is officially unveiled on October 24th at the Tokyo Motor Show. Hopefully at that time we'll be supplied with some properly lit photographs, and we'll of course have a slew of improperly lit live shots from the unveiling, as well.

[Source: Subaru]

Gallery: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

Third time's a charm: Subaru releases another dark image of STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Oct 2007 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Subaru Impreza WRX STi caught undisguised on 'Ring

John Neff — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:21:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Subaru

click above image to view all of our Subaru Impreza WRX STi spy shots

Though Subaru engineers took careful measures to ensure their Impreza WRX STi tester wasn't spotted en route to the Nurburgring or at the track's staging area, eventually the car cover had to come off. It appears Subaru engineers were forced to unveil the production body of the new STi in order to test how the final form affects cooling. Though we just showed you this official teaser shot of the STi, these spy shots show the car outside in perfect light where every detail of the new design is cleary visible. Aside from some black tape, the blue STi underneath is practically naked. Note what appear to be air extractor vents or intake scoops on the sides of the front bumper, a design element we weren't entirely aware of before. We can also clearly see the rear wing now, which is less ostentatious than we were hoping. The STi has always been known for sporting an obnoxious rear wing, but it looks like that tradition will end with the 2008 model. KGP Photography took shots of the STi from nearly every angle, all of which can be viewed in our high-res gallery.

[Photos: KGP Photography]

Gallery: Subaru Impreza WRX STi - spy shots

Spy Shots: Subaru Impreza WRX STi caught undisguised on 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru Impreza WRX STi: First official shot shows up

John Neff — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:41:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Subaru

click above image to enlarge

We've seen more spy shots of the upcoming Subaru Impreza WRX STi than we care to recount, but it looks like the first official image of Subie's road rocket has finally been leaked on the web. While there's been no confirmation from Subaru that this pic is the real deal, it has that official flavor that only press pics seem to have. Unfortunately, this particular pic is dark by nature and obscures many of the elements in which we're interested like the grille and lower front bumper. What we can see is gigantoid hood scoop, mega wide front fenders, and what appears to be a large rear wing out back. The official arrival of the Subaru Impreza WRX STi is imminent, as the debut will take place at the Tokyo Motor Show next month. Suburu will likely release its full batch of official images and specifications before then. Until then, chew on this.

[Source: Carscoop]

Subaru Impreza WRX STi: First official shot shows up originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru Impreza STI revealed? Possibly. Nope.

Alex Nunez — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 22:36:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Japan, Hatchback, Subaru

Click images for photo gallery

If Japan's Best Car isn't BSing everyone, the car you see in the magazine scans above is the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI. And while it's still a mortal lock to polarize people as much as the Impreza it's based on, we'll go out and say that this looks pretty killer. Sporting the expected high-mount wing, bulging fenders, quad exhaust tips, a substantial front spoiler, and a great-looking set of wheels, this is worlds better-looking than the regular WRX. From the looks of things, the car is also equipped with vented Brembos all around, which is not surprising. Where the WRX looks almost friendly, this thing's menacing, particularly in that dark gray finish.

According to the little chart shown on one of the scans, here's some of the key info you''ll want to know. All numbers pertain to the JDM model, obviously.

Engine/Transmission: EJ20 / 6MT
300PS (295 hp) @ 6500 RPM
45 kgm (325 lb-ft) @ 4400 RPM
10.5 km/l (24.7 US MPG) in the Japanese 10-15 mode test cycle

Unfortunately, we don't read Japanese, and that's about all we can glean at this time. If you can read Japanese and are able to add more, feel free to do so in the comments. Now we want to see how this bad boy stacks up against the new Evo. Fun times are coming, kids. Check out the gallery for large versions of the scans.

UPDATE: Drat. We have now spoken to our Japan-based contributor, Justin Gardiner. Justin tells us that these are renderings (sigh) done by Best Car that show what the mag believes the new STI will look like. We can only hope it looks this good.

[Source: AVOturboworld via Carscoop]

Gallery: 2008 Subaru Impreza STI in Best Car magazine

Subaru Impreza STI revealed? ~~Possibly.~~ Nope. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 22:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WRC loses the Loeb, gains the McRae

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

If we've said it once, we've said it a thousand times -- bicycling is dangerous. Possibly even more dangerous than piloting a turbo-charged, all-wheel-drive hatch through the tree-lined corridors of a World Rally Championship stage. We meant to leave this little nugget of information on Sebastian Loeb's answering machine, but alas, we were too late. The Citroen hot shoe broke his arm during a cycling accident and is unable to drive his Xsara in the World Rally of Turkey this October 12-15. A pity really, as Loeb is currently in first place for the driver's championship, towering over his nearest competitor with a 35-point lead.

Citroen however has called out the big guns, in the form of ex-racer extraordinaire Colin McRae and long-time co-pilot Nicky Grist. The three-time World Rally champion will pilot the Xsara during the race in Turkey, although his participation in future races has not been ruled out.

We know McRae is still on top of his game, with his last run in the WRC back in 2005 for Skoda and his recent antics competing in the X-Games, it's evident that he is in top form. Rumors are also beginning to circulate that he may make a full-time return to the WRC in 2007.

[Source: Channel 4 and WRC.com]

WRC loses the Loeb, gains the McRae originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Oct 2006 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru Impreza to go hatch hunting in 2008?

Erin Mays — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 12:33:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Performance, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Subaru

In an effort to move the Impreza to appeal more to family types, Subaru is taking its Impreza and turning it into a 'daring' hatchback. Or at least UK pub Auto Express says so, which doesn't completely rule out a sedan model for the U.S. market. Of course, with the sudden bumper crop of foreign-badged three-and-five doors available in North America (Volkswagen GTI, Audi A3, MINI Cooper, the soon-to-be Volvo S40, etc.), we wouldn't count on it.

According to AE, the next Impreza is expected to debut at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, with lower-rung Imprezas looking to convert buyers of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit (which we thought was the M.O. all along, no?).

For diehard Subie fans, rest assured that the automaker still plans on an STi putting out over 300 horsepower to balance the enthusiast's books.

(Thanks to ebm14 for the tip!)

[Source: Auto Express]

Subaru Impreza to go hatch hunting in 2008? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Apr 2006 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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