Autoblog

Subaru eschews Super Bowl for doggy ads

Jeff Sabatini — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Subaru

If we had to pick a Super Bowl advertising shtick that we're most susceptible to, it might just be dogs. Especially if they are driving cars.

But this is one ad campaign you won't actually see during the Super Bowl. Subaru will be holding its second annual Subaru Game Day Dog Walk instead, wherein owners pledge on Facebook to, well, walk their dogs. While we don't really want to think about what would happen if they didn't, Subaru sees value in appealing to animal lovers. Some 70 percent of Subaru drivers are pet owners, according to the company.

Subaru has also launched two social networking app as part of its marketing effort: Dogbook for Facebook and MapMyDOGWALK.

Do we even need mention that this is a brand that shares a nickname with a TV cartoon dog?

All four commercials and the press release are after the jump.

Continue reading Subaru eschews Super Bowl for doggy ads

Subaru eschews Super Bowl for doggy ads originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX fills out with big bro's wide body

Zach Bowman — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Subaru, First Drives

2011 Subaru WRX - Click above for high-res image gallery

My, how the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX has grown. The plucky little sedan has gone off to summer camp and returned as a full-figured looker. Now donning its bigger sister's widebody dress and uprated wheels at all four corners, there are few tells this thing isn't fully capable of stopping at a moment's notice. And all we can say is: It's about time.

Even though the WRX has always had plenty of pep and other worldly grip, its outer shell never quite managed to hint at the go-fast fun lurking underneath its sizable hood scoop. No more.

Gallery: 2011 Subaru WRX: First Drive

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX fills out with big bro's wide body

First Drive: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX fills out with big bro's wide body originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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John Haugland Rally School - Driver's education for the terminally slow

Zach Bowman — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Hatchback

John Haugland Rally School with Subaru - Click above for high-res image gallery

Our goal here is pretty simple: drive consecutive laps around a varied and technical rally training course without killing 63 year-old world rally competitor and all-around good guy John Haugland. You see, the man has been brave enough to strap himself into the copilot's chair of the same race-prepped Subaru WRX STI that we've been charged with wrangling, and judging from the relaxed look on his face and his calm tone of voice, he doesn't quite get the mortal danger he's placed himself in. He must have excellent life insurance.

Haugland has trained some of the world's best rally drivers, including the guano-crazy-fast Petter Solberg, but today, he's trying his best to impart a minute fraction of his encyclopedic knowledge on the art of going faster to a handful of journos just outside of Oslo, Norway. The idea here is that Subaru wants us all know as much as we can about flinging the beauty of all-wheel drive around a rally course before we get introduced to the 2011 WRX and WRX STI next month. To that end, we spent about 20 minutes in a classroom where the underlying message went something like this:

Forget everything you know about proper driving lines, car control, traction and speed. You're in our sandbox now.

Gallery: John Haugland Rally School

Continue reading John Haugland Rally School - Driver's education for the terminally slow

John Haugland Rally School - Driver's education for the terminally slow originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cosworth puts the spurs to Subaru's Impreza WRX STI

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 25 May 2010 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Hatchback, Subaru, UK

Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 - Click above for image gallery

This is the Cosworth Impreza STI CS400, the car Cosworth said would "humble" supercars. With a 0-to-62 sprint happening in just 3.7 seconds it'll be quicker than a whole bunch of exotics, and at £49,995 ($71,368 U.S.), it'll be a whole lot cheaper as well. If that sounds like a boatload of cash for a warmed-over WRX, well, it is. But bear in mind that thanks to factors like the 17.5 percent Value Added Tax, UK pricing is rather different than what pricing in the States would likely look like were Cosworth to sell the CS400 here.

The 395-horsepower, 398-pound-foot Cossie Scooby benefits from a thorough rework of its boxer-engined details, boasting new pistons, con-rods, turbocharger, exhaust and ECU mapping among its many modifications. Aiding the Impreza's all-wheel drive get power to the ground is a lowered suspension with components from Bilstein and Eibach.

Looks-wise, a different front bumper fitted with mesh inserts, a rear spoiler, a track widened by 12 millimeters, and 18-inch alloys over bigger AP brakes will make sure Subaru cognescenti don't confuse you with anything else. Identification will also be made easier by the fact that there will only be 75 made for the UK market only, and available it'll be available in red, silver, and dark gray. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Gallery: Cosworth Impreza STI CS400

[Source: Cosworth via Autocar]

Cosworth puts the spurs to Subaru's Impreza WRX STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 May 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Less wood, more sport

Chris Paukert — Fri, 21 May 2010 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Subaru, Long-Term Garage

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT - click above for high-res gallery

Over the last few months, we've had some time to come to grips with how comfy and capacious the interior is in our long-term 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT, but despite this, we think it could still do with a sportier feeling cabin. A big part of the staidness of the interior can be blamed on our test car's spears of orangey woodgrain trim - we would have gladly substituted the silver trim in lower-rung models, but it wasn't an option.

Thankfully, Subaru has recognized the incongruity - and the opportunity - and they're substituting faux carbon fiber for the 2011 model year, which ought to be a great improvement and help sell the 'performance' aura. Better still, they're adding aluminum pedal covers and silver seat stitching which should definitely liven up the place a bit.

Pricing for the 2011 model - now in 'Limited' trim only - goes up by $405 to $31,395. but includes Harman/Kardon audio with XM - two items that cost extra in our 2010. They're also adding folding side mirrors, which should make at least one AB commenter we've heard from very happy. Either way the modest price increase is money very well spent in our book. Now, if Subaru would only make its excellent xenon headlamps available as an option (they've already got the switch blank for the beam adjuster in place next to the power mirror controls), we'd be even happier campers...

Updates on our year-long experience with this Subaru can be found by checking out its long-term page. Bookmark it, subscribe to our RSS feed and follow our tweets (#ablongterm) as we travel along the road ahead with our Legacy 2.5GT.

Gallery: Long Term: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Less wood, more sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 May 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Long-Term Garage Introduction: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT

Chris Paukert — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Subaru

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Like others in our field, we pride ourselves on being able to offer our readers a surprisingly comprehensive assessment of a vehicle after only driving it for a few hours (as at an automaker's first-drive event) or living with it for several days (as with a normal media vehicle loan). But even though we've got our testing methodology down, there's simply no way to learn what it's like to live with an automobile without... well... living with the automobile.

Simply put, a year's worth of the day-in, day-out grind is likely to reveal more foibles and hidden charms than any number of test-drives could ever hope to expose. How does your backside feel after an 800-mile road trip? Does the clutch pedal feel like stirring molasses in subzero temperatures? How will the seat leather and interior plastics hold up over thousands of miles? Will the gearshift feel like a trusted old friend mile-after-mile? These are questions that can only be answered with a long-term driving experience.

To that end, we're pleased to introduce the first-ever entry into the Autoblog Long-Term Garage: The 2010 Subaru 2.5GT. We fell in love with this, the most sporting of Legacy models during its Vancouver launch over the summer, but the popularity of the model and its production-line companion, the Outback, has been so great that it's been impossible to secure a 2.5GT up until now. Subaru's Indiana plant has been so busy building the necessary volumes of the brand's bread-and-butter models that production of the 2.5GT - an enthusiast's sedan, when compared to its counterparts - has only recently started to come on-stream.

We suspect our loaded-up Ruby Red Pearl Limited model has been worth the wait, but we're prepared to take a year to come to grips with our final judgment. How will we feel about this rally-bred all-wheel-drive sport sedan after 365 days of everything from daily commuting to opposite-lock dancing on abandoned fire trails? Will its assertive flat-four thrum and newfound size win over converts - or leave us wishing we had picked a more obvious, safe-as-houses alternative?

More importantly - what do you want to know about life with the 2.5GT? We'll be regularly updating you on our new Subie's progress, passing its keys between our editors stationed around the country, putting its 265 horsepower through the paces in different climates and over various types of roads in order to see if it's worth the asking price. While you're pondering what questions to ask us in the Comments, feel free to check out our high-res gallery below as well as the spec panel after the jump laying out what makes the 2.5GT tick.

How to follow our Long-Term updates:

Twitter: Follow therealautoblog and look for tweets tagged #ablongterm.
Visit the Long-Term Garage category on Autoblog | Subscribe to RSS.
We'll be launching a new Long-Term model page for the 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT in the next couple of weeks that will contain all of the information, insights and updates we publish. Stay tuned!

Gallery: Long Term: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT

Autoblog Long-Term Garage Introduction: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keeping Up Appearances: Subaru launches JDM Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Japan, Hatchback, Subaru

Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S - Click above for high-res image gallery

Another day, another new special-edition Subaru Impreza. There are worse things, after all. This one, however, doesn't quite have the substance of the recently unveiled WRX STI R205. Whereas the R205 is a real fire-breathing monster of a hatch, the long-winded Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S (try saying that three times fast) is mostly a trim package.

That package includes 18-inch gunmetal rims, gold Brembo brake calipers and Recaro buckets in a cockpit decked out with contrasting red top-stitch and a 10-speaker audio system. It definitely looks sharp, but the Japanese consumers that are able to buy it shouldn't expect much in the way of heightened performance over the already stonking STI. The Type S commands a 3,255,000 yen (circa $35k USD) sticker price in its domestic market, so if you want to have a look and you don't live in the Land of the Rising Sun, you had better check it out in our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S

[Sources: Nihon Car and Le Blog Auto]

Keeping Up Appearances: Subaru launches JDM Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA Preview: Subaru WRX STI Special Edition headed for U.S. showrooms

Chris Paukert — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Performance, Hatchback, Subaru

2010 Subaru WRX STI Special Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

For U.S. Subaru enthusiasts, it has long seemed like the folks at Fuji Heavy forgot that we might be interested in special-edition WRX models too. New hotted-up variants of the all-wheel-drive hero car have been released in the UK and elsewhere on what seems like a monthly basis, but here in the States, we've largely done without. Thankfully, at last there is just such a U.S. model in the pipeline, and it's headed for the LA Auto Show.

The the 2010 WRX STI Special Edition starts by utilizing the suspension package form the JDM WRX STI Spec C (1mm thicker rear antisway bar, stiffer springs and more robust rear subframe bushings), and the model also inherits the charcoal 18 x 8.5-inch 14-spoke alloys from that car as well.

Interestingly, the Special Edition is decontented somewhat. Unlike the standard U.S. STI, the SE makes do with a downgraded stereo (single-disc CD/four speakers versus six-disc/10 speakers), manual HVAC controls, conventional halogen headlamps, and indicator-free side mirrors. It isn't immediately clear if this change in specification helps shave any weight, but the smaller stereo alone probably helps the car drop a few pounds.

Subaru says it plans to initially offer the Special Edition in a limited run of 125 units this Spring, all painted Aspen White. Later in 2010, the Special Edition will become a normal production model available in other colors. Pricing has not yet been released, but if you're at all interested in one of the first 125 examples, we'd suggest getting on a list with your local dealer now. Check out the full press release after the jump and the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Subaru WRX STI Special Edition

[Source: Subaru]

Continue reading LA Preview: Subaru WRX STI Special Edition headed for U.S. showrooms

LA Preview: Subaru WRX STI Special Edition headed for U.S. showrooms originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo 2009: WRX STi Carbon gets a weave

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:01:00 EST

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

Subaru WRX STi Carbon -- Click above for high-res image gallery

Most people we talked with don't seem to understand the point of the Subaru WRX STi Carbon unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show - but it's a JDM-only car, and frankly, there are a lot of things that outsiders don't understand about the Japanese market.

The carbon-roofed A-Line will come with two choices of engine, but since the model isn't earmarked for America, we probably don't need to worry about it. That said, the powerplants are as intriguing as the car: a 2.5-liter turbo with 296 horsepower, and a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo with 305 hp. Both will operate through the only tranny on offer: a five-speed automatic. If you got past that last sentence, there's also suede inside. So you'll be more comfortable shifting... your automatic. Have a look at it in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Subaru WRX STi Carbon

Tokyo 2009: WRX STi Carbon gets a weave originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru Outback fuel economy figures released, hits 29 MPG

Dan Roth — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Green, Subaru

2010 Subaru Outback - Click above for high-res image gallery

Subaru's new-for-2010 Outback ought to silence a few critics who contend that all-wheel drive sucks up too much fuel to be a worthwhile purchase for most consumers. According to the Japanese automaker, the tip-toe all-weather wagon has studied up for the EPA test, netting 29 miles-per-gallon on the highway. That's smaller front-driver territory from many automakers, albeit with a big dash of Subaru load-lugging capacity.

The good table manners are delivered by the combination of the new Lineartronic CVT and 170 horsepower 2.5 liter boxer four. Subaru's EPA numbers for the 2010 Outback are tops for such a roomy wagon, besting the typical SUV competitors, as well as the higher-end AWD wagons offered by Audi and Volvo. The $23,000 price of entry is attractive, too, although given our recent experience with the 2010 Legacy upon which it is based, we don't imagine it being a terribly spirited drive when so-configured. Even still, for all those bloviators who keep calling for a good-sized wagon that returns reasonable fuel economy for a sensible price, here's your ~~car~~ ~~wagon~~ thing. Official press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Subaru Outback

[Source: Subaru]

Continue reading Subaru Outback fuel economy figures released, hits 29 MPG

Subaru Outback fuel economy figures released, hits 29 MPG originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Subaru Legacy to start from $20,690*

Chris Paukert — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Subaru

2010 Subaru Legacy - Click above for high-res image gallery

Subaru has just stuck a Monroney on its 2010 Legacy, and the new all-wheel drive sedan will start at $20,690 (*$19,995 + $695 destination). According to the Japanese automaker, that's a handy $800 less than last year's model. For that hard-earned dosh, you will receive a 2.5i model with its standard six-speed manual - the company's "Lineartronic" CVT model starts at a grand more. The base Legacy looks to be quite well equipped, but for those with the wherewithal, a 2.5i Premium model adds a bunch of content (including 16-inch alloys, leather-wrapped wheel, 10-way power driver's seat, etc.) for another $1,000 on top of the standard 2.5i model.

Gearheads will likely be most interested in the 2.5GT model, which includes a turbocharged 265-horsepower mill backed by a six-speed manual. For your $28,690 (including dest.), you'll get 18-inch alloys, a hood scoop, and all the features of the 2.5i Premium model. There's a Limited model, too, which adds a leather interior, power passenger seat, and a Harman/Kardon audio system, but selecting that model will relieve you of a tidy $30,690 at your local dealer.

Alternatively, if you prefer more relaxed six-cylinder motoring, there's the normally aspirated 256-horsepower 3.6R model, but you'll have to settle for a five-speed automatic with paddle-shift control. That model starts at $25,690 (which Subie notes is $1,600 less than the 3.0R exit vehicle), and this time out, it only requires 87 octane at the pump.

Key options include a $995 moonroof and a navigation package with Bluetooth, an upgraded 440-watt stereo w/USB port and a backup camera for $2,000.

Load luggers take note: There appear to be no wagons bound for the U.S. market (as in recent years), so you'll have to wait for word on 2010 Outback pricing if your life or your preferences dictate a two-box setup. For the moment, however, click through to the jump for the complete press release with more information, or check out our coverage of the Legacy's New York Auto Show debut by clicking here.

Gallery: New York: 2010 Subaru Legacy

Gallery: 2010 Subaru Legacy

Continue reading 2010 Subaru Legacy to start from $20,690*

2010 Subaru Legacy to start from $20,690* originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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COBB Tuning takes wraps off supercharged Subaru B9 Tribeca

Chris Paukert — Tue, 16 May 2006 14:05:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Crossover, Subaru

Given the somewhat lackluster response by consumers to Subaru's B9 Tribeca, the automaker's first 'real' crossover could probably use a little help. Enter COBB Tuning, a Subie-specific tuning house best known for ratcheting up the performance envelope of the WRX and Forester, has stepped in to augment the controversially-styled vehicle with improvements in three areas: Power, Control and Styling.

To that end, the tuners put together a Rotrex compressor-based supercharger setup with a side-mount air-to-air intercooler. Along with a reworked programmable ECU, the 3.0-liter flat-six generates 320 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of twist. To give the force-fed Tribeca a properly sporting tone, a COBB-designed cat-back set of pipework was fitted.

Given the bonus chutzpah, COBB wisely added big brakes (four-piston, 13" units) and a lowered, retuned suspension, along with a set of 20" x 9" Advan Connoisseurs in a bronze finish.

Of course, the B9's Achilles heel has arguably been its aesthetics. In an effort to clean up its visuals, their stylemeisters have added black mesh grille inserts, modified headlamps, and shaved the roof rack rails. According to COBB, the changes were inspired by "older Soviet MiG fighter planes," which may be a bit of stylistic hyperbole, but there's no denying that the reworked schnoz looks a good deal more aggressive than the factory's take.

Autoblog's staffers haven't had the opportunity to sample any of company's handywork first-hand, but we were there to watch a COBB-prepped 2004 Forester XT make an improbable run to a 14th place finish in One Lap Of America two years ago, and if Subaru won't oblige enthusiasts with an STi variant, this aftermarket solution ought to do the trick.

[Sources: COBB Tuning; One Lap of America]

COBB Tuning takes wraps off supercharged Subaru B9 Tribeca originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 May 2006 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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