Subaru promises BRZ, Impreza STI concepts plus rally return at Tokyo Auto Salon

Noah Joseph — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Hatchback, Subaru, Tokyo Auto Salon, Racing

Unlike most cities, Japan's capital city plays host to two major automotive exhibitions: the Tokyo Motor Show and the Tokyo Auto Salon. While these terms may be interchangeable when it comes to European expos, in Tokyo, they connote two different shows altogether. The first is the Motor Show, where new concepts and production models are unveiled by the world's automakers. The Auto Salon is more of a tuner expo along the lines of the SEMA show in Las Vegas. So after Subaru made its long-anticipated splash at the Tokyo Motor Show with its new BRZ, now it's heading to the Salon with some modified versions.

First up is a version of the BRZ Concept STI, packing some prototype carbon-fiber components, suspension upgrades, Brembo brakes and more. Subaru has also teamed up again with aftermarket tuner Prova (which shares its name with the traditional license plates carried by prototypes in italy) for a BRZ Black Edition. And you can bet there will be a handful or two of other tuners eager to show what they can do with the new rear-drive sports coupe, as well.

Subaru itself will also be showcasing an upgraded Impreza called the G4 STI with all manner of performance enhancements, and will, at long last, announce its return to a number of different motorsport disciplines. The Super GT300-spec BRZ, which we already know about, will be displayed alongside the Legacy-based racer it replaces. But there will also be a WRX STI that's slated to be fielded at the Nürburgring 24, and Subaru will also be announcing its return to professional rally competition, though not the World Rally Championship series it left years ago, it will contest the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Subaru promises BRZ, Impreza STI concepts plus rally return at Tokyo Auto Salon

Subaru promises BRZ, Impreza STI concepts plus rally return at Tokyo Auto Salon originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru reveals more about BRZ Concept STI

Zach Bowman — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Subaru, Design/Style

UPDATE: View live images of the Subaru BRZ Concept STI from the 2011 LA Auto Show by clicking here.

As we've already reported, Subaru is showing up at the 2011 LA Auto Show today with its BRZ Concept STI. The Japanese automaker has already released new official images and information we thought we'd share before the car is unveiled live in Los Angeles later today.

The BRZ Concept STI looks plenty similar to the slinky Scion FR-S Concept we've already seen, though the Pleiades version packs more go-fast hardware than its Toyota brethren. Along with an STI-developed front fascia and splitter, the BRZ wears a carbon fiber roof to reduce weight and lower its center of gravity. A Subaru 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine sits under the hood, though no output figures have been offered as of yet. Subaru does say that the engine comes equipped with a direct-injection system borrowed from Toyota, so the BRZ Concept STI should be as efficient as it is powerful.

The vehicle sits a full 120 mm lower to the ground than anything else currently available in the Subaru stable, which should help the machine provide impressive handling should a production STI version ever make it to market. STI engineers rolled in a specially tuned suspension to that end, and Brembo brakes help bring the machine down from speed. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Subaru reveals more about BRZ Concept STI

Subaru reveals more about BRZ Concept STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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