Autoblog

Subaru WRX... official escape vehicle of the zombie apocalypse?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Subaru, Off-Road

What's more fun than running through a five-kilometer obstacle course in the woods? Running through a five-kilometer obstacle course in the woods... while being chased by zombies!

The event is called Run For Your Lives, and while it doesn't actually involve, you know, "real" zombies (which fortunately only exist in movies - we think), it does the next best thing. Participants pick a path through the woods, littered with man-made obstacles, with a flag belt tied 'round their waists. They've got to run the distance, overcome the obstacles and avoid loosing their "health flags" to the legions of make-believe zombies chasing after them.

The first such event is scheduled for October 22 in Baltimore, with more locations to follow. So what does this have to do with cars, you ask? Well, it's got zombies, so what more excuse do we need? It also happens to be sponsored by Subaru, which is building an advertising campaign around it, billing its go-anywhere-and-fast Impreza WRX as "The official escape vehicle of the Zombie Apocalypse".

Cute, but when push comes to shove, there probably aren't many vehicles we'd take over a WRX if we were, you know, actually being chased by the brain-hungry undead. What would you pick? Share your opinion in the Comments section below and follow the jump to watch the video.

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Subaru WRX... official escape vehicle of the zombie apocalypse? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Subaru WRX flips end-over-end at Global RallyCross Championship

Drew Phillips — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

Jimmy Keeney's crash at the Global RallyCross Championship - Click above for high-res image gallery

Marcus Grönholm put on an impressive display at the inaugural Global RallyCross Championship by winning both races, but one of the more talked about happenings of the weekend was a spectacular crash by Jimmy Keeney in his Subaru Impreza WRX STI.

Matched up with Hyundai driver Marcus Dodd in the Friday elimination rounds, Keeney had lost ground and was trying to make up time when he came up short for the 70-foot jump. The result was that the back end of the Subaru catapulted over the front, flipping end-over-end twice before finally landing on its side with smoke pouring from under the hood. Fortunately, Keeney climbed out of the wreckage unhurt, but the same couldn't be said for the car.

With ESPN covering the event and plenty of photographers on hand, there was bound to be some good footage of the event. Sharp shooter John Rettie has been kind enough to let us publish his photos of the wreck, and we've also embedded a video of the crash after the jump.

Gallery: Subaru WRX crash at Global Rallycross Championship

Photos copyright (C)2011 John Rettie

[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading Video: Subaru WRX flips end-over-end at Global RallyCross Championship

Video: Subaru WRX flips end-over-end at Global RallyCross Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2010: Subaru Impreza WRX flaunts new widebody flares for 2011

Drew Phillips — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Subaru

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

The Subaru press conference at the New York Auto Show isn't until tomorrow, but with the new 2011 Impreza WRX sitting out in the open, we headed right over to snap a few photos. Just as it has done the past few years, Subaru couldn't resist tweaking the looks of the WRX and has given it a broader stance thanks to a 1.5-inch wider track both front and rear and flared fenders like those seen on the current generation STI model. The visual upgrades are rounded off with a reworked front fascia and bumper as well as standard 17-inch wheels.

Powertrain options remains the same as the 2010 model - 265 horsepower and 244 lb-ft torque is nothing to complain about - and the interior remains unmolested as well. Check back tomorrow for more Subaru updates when the 2011 Impreza WRX STI is unveiled (the wing is back!). Until then check out the high-res gallery below or read through Subaru's press release after the jump.

Gallery: New York 2010: Subaru Impreza WRX

Gallery: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX

Continue reading New York 2010: Subaru Impreza WRX flaunts new widebody flares for 2011

New York 2010: Subaru Impreza WRX flaunts new widebody flares for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York Preview: Subaru WRX goes widebody for 2011

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:01:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Hatchback, Subaru

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

Since the introduction of the third-generation Impreza, Subaru has been making incremental improvements to the rally-bred WRX, first with a significant bump in output for the 2009 MY and now the adoption of the STI's widebody design for 2011. And not only does the five-door model benefit from its pumped-up sibling's sheetmetal, but the sedan gets a much-needed testosterone injection to boot.

With a 1.5 inch-wider track front and rear, the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX's stance is decidedly more aggressive, and with firmer rear subframe bushings pulled from the STI and wider 17x8-inch wheels wrapped in 235/45R17 rubber, the 2011 'Rex is assuredly stickier than its predecessor.

The cosmetic mods don't end with the widened fenders, as the front fascia receives a restylized front lip spoiler, partnered with a larger, blacked-out grille and intakes. The whole package only increases the curb weight of the WRX by 34 pounds, and coupled with the "265-horsepower" turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four, the 2011 WRX has the goods to back up its looks... no matter which body-style you choose. Full details in the press release after the jump and expect a slew of shots from the floor at the New York Auto Show.

Gallery: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX

Continue reading New York Preview: Subaru WRX goes widebody for 2011

New York Preview: Subaru WRX goes widebody for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There Will Be Mud: An express course in ice racing with Subaru

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Subaru

Subaru Ice Racing School - Click above for high-res image gallery

John Haugland, the man tasked with turning us flacks into ice racers, advised us to do several things the night before our instruction. For whatever reason, being "water positive" stuck with me the most. So before heading to bed I chugged a bottle and a half of water, woke up in the middle of the night, downed the other half and then drank another bottle before heading out to the makeshift circuit. When the time came to man-up in one slightly modified Subaru WRX, I had to liberate some liquid... badly.

Exacerbating my bursting bladder was the near-freezing temps of Park City, Utah, but despite the mid-30s weather and an early morning departure, by the time I rolled up to the staging lights, a fair amount of the course had succumbed to the sun. The result was a circuit comprised of equal parts snow and ice, with a few mud pits thrown in for dramatic measure.

But no matter the state of terra firma, sliding is sliding, grip is grip and opposite lock antics were mine for the taking, so after a quick trip to the port-o-potty I dialed in a few thousand revs, dropped the clutch and sped my way towards the first chicane. It took all of two turns and several muffled orders from Haugland to begin to see the allure of ice racing and understand what our man Tim has been proselytizing in his ongoing series.

My first go-round was suitably slow and occasionally sideways, but for the most part it was an exercise in anticlimactic understeering. And then... epiphany!

Gallery: Subaru Ice Racing School

Continue reading There Will Be Mud: An express course in ice racing with Subaru

There Will Be Mud: An express course in ice racing with Subaru originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Block Rockin' Beat: 100 Acre Woods rally results

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Hatchback, Ford, Subaru, Off-Road, Racing

Ken Block wins 100 Acre Wood Rally in Ford Fiesta shown in testing above

He did it. Ken Block made it five-in-a-row at the 100 Acre Wood Rally, showing that his new Ford Fiesta is doing just as good for him as his old Subaru. Block and Alex Gelsomino were the overall winners of the Open Class in their Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta, but it wasn't easy for them. Block started the second leg more than a minute behind Subaru Rally Team USA's Travis Pastrana after having a bit of trouble on stage one. Although the Ford was pretty quick, Pastrana was quicker, as was Antoine L'Estage, the Rockstar Mitsubishi Evo driver who now leads the Rally America championship race with 34 points.

Pastrana was leading until he broke his left rear control arm on the Super Special Stage in Potosi. That put Block into the lead with L'Estage barreling down on him - that is until L'Estage also hit some bad luck, getting a flat on the second stage and battling low visibility conditions at a water crossing. Block charged on and never looked back, crossing the finish some 20 seconds ahead of the Evo. Privateer Bill Bacon grabbed the last step on the podium in his last-gen 2006 Mitsubishi Evo IX. Despite some difficulties this year, Bacon has at least been consistent, and finds himself in second place in the championship standings with 28 points. Dave Mirra nabbed 4th, his best finish yet in Subaru Rally Team USA's 2010 STi.

Next up for Rally America will be the Olympus Rally in Olympia, Washington on April 24-25. Full results in the official press release after the jump. Hat tip to Jason!

[Source: Rally America]

Continue reading Block Rockin' Beat: 100 Acre Woods rally results

Block Rockin' Beat: 100 Acre Woods rally results originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Introduction to Ice Racing: Part 3 [w/video]

Tim Stevens — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Subaru

HITTING THE ICE

The time has come to do it for real. We've walked you through the various classes offered by the club we'll be racing with, and we've shown you what it's like to drive at speed on the ice, so there's nothing left but to do it in anger. In this installment of An Introduction to Ice Racing we'll hit the first event of the season, tell you how to get ready to race once you're on the ice, and dazzle you with plenty of in-car video from first event's three heats - including footage of a few unfortunate incidents that left fenders crumpled and tensions flared.

It's all below, so click on through and check out the action. We promise not to put a single dent in your monitor.

Gallery: Ice Racing at Caroga Lake, NY

Continue reading Introduction to Ice Racing: Part 3 [w/video]

Introduction to Ice Racing: Part 3 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2009: Subaru Impreza WRX STI Special Edition is sportier, less expensive

Drew Phillips — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:29:00 EST

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

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

So often, the tag of "Special Edition" comes with a not-so-special price increase. Fortunately for Subaru fans, the newly-introduced Impreza WRX STI Special Edition is actually less costly. At $32,995 it's actually $2,000 cheaper than the base price of the standard STI.

Of course, buyers of the Special Edition will have to go without certain features, namely HID headlights, premium audio, and automatic climate control. It's not just a de-contented package, though, as the car also comes with the suspension from the spec C model in Japan that includes a thicker rear stabilizer bar, stiffer bushings and stiffer springs.

Initially, each car will be painted in Aspen white with the charcoal-colored 14-spoke wheels also cribbed from the spec C. Just 125 examples will be built in the first quarter of 2010, although Subaru says that more will be available later in the year in additional colors. High-res gallery below, pricing press release available after the jump.

Gallery: LA 2009: 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Special Edition

Continue reading LA 2009: Subaru Impreza WRX STI Special Edition is sportier, less expensive

LA 2009: Subaru Impreza WRX STI Special Edition is sportier, less expensive originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: DC Shoes teases Ken Block's new gymkhana Subaru WRX STI

Noah Joseph — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Subaru

Ken Block's new Gymkhana STI - Click above to jump to the teaser video

Autocross enthusiasts claim their form of motorsport is the most challenging in all of auto-dom. But chasing pylons around a parking lot is nothing compared to Gymkhana. Sometimes referred to as the "car rodeo", Gymkhana is practiced (in the same way that a marshall art is "practiced") in Japan, the UK, South Africa and right here in the good ol' U.S. of A. The idea is essentially the same as autocross, but with some drifting, turn-on-a-dime pivots and J-turns thrown in for good measure. It's what Subaru Rally Team USA driver and DC Shoes co-founder Ken Block, the new name behind the Dirt video game franchise, uses to keep sharp in between rally stages.

The car Block currently uses is a fire-breathing monster. Starting life as a previous-generation Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Block's Gymkhana car was originally prepared for the 2005 Gumball 3000 with 426 horsepower and adjustable suspension, then retuned for One Lap of America 2006 before being thoroughly revamped, complete with 529 hp Crawford rally engine, for rodeo duty in 2007. But for this year's circuit, Ken's got his crew working on an all-new beast. We'll have to wait until June 1 for all the details, but to keep out appetites whet, DC has released a teaser video, which we've posted for you after the jump. Thanks to Khanh for the tip!

Continue reading VIDEO: DC Shoes teases Ken Block's new gymkhana Subaru WRX STI

VIDEO: DC Shoes teases Ken Block's new gymkhana Subaru WRX STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 May 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Driven: Subaru Forester XTI concept, WRX and WRX STI with SPT mods

Michael Harley — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Crossover, Hatchback, Subaru, First Drives, Specialty

Subaru Forester XTI concept, WRX and STI with SPT mods - Click above for high-res image gallery

Subaru invited us out to the track to sample some of its Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) components, fitted to the company's Forester XTI show car, as well as the Impreza WRX and STI models. While we applaud any manufacturer that engineers a line of factory-approved aftermarket parts, we hand out additional kudos to the few who welcome us to a local racing circuit to put them to the fire. What add-ons did Subaru bring to Willow Springs, and how did they perform on the track? Come with us to find out...

Gallery: Subaru WRX with SPT

Continue reading Driven: Subaru Forester XTI concept, WRX and WRX STI with SPT mods

Driven: Subaru Forester XTI concept, WRX and WRX STI with SPT mods originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart to have 260 HP engine, Evo IX's AWD

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Europe, Mitsubishi, UK

It's been generally accepted that the sales success of the first generation Subaru Impreza WRX caused Mitsubishi to rethink its policy of keeping the Evo off U.S.-bound boats. The Evolution's introduction in the States was quickly followed by the STI's, and all was right in the AWD performance segment. Not quite. Mitsubishi needs a direct competitor to the base WRX and as we've seen already, the Ralliart moniker is coming back, and it won't be limited to a couple of stickers and 15-inch O.Z. wheels.

Some European journalists were assembled by Mitsubishi this week (likely an Evo X ride and drive) and it was revealed that a five-door version of the Lancer would be made available abroad sporting a 260 hp engine and the Evolution IX's all-wheel-drive system. If this is the same setup as the Ralliart Lancer we'll be getting in the U.S., that pegs the 2008 Subaru WRX with a 36 hp deficiency, not to mention the wizardry of the last generation Evo AWD system.

Also noted in the article were three different versions of the Evolution X that our friends across the pond will get in the coming years, with models creating 295 hp, 330 hp and 360 hp. No surprise, since they've been blessed with a number of FQ-models over the course of the Evo's lifespan.

[Source: 4Car]

Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart to have 260 HP engine, Evo IX's AWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Nov 2007 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru teases the Impreza WRX STI's tush

Alex Nunez — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:34:00 EST

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

Click image for photo gallery

Subaru's not officially revealing the new Impreza WRX STI until October 24 (place your bets on who'll blow that embargo to smithereens before then), but it has released a teaser shot of the car's rear end. (We showed you the official teaser of the front end last week.) With the number of high-quality spy photos being churned out now, there's little mystery left anyway, but we'll take what we can get from Subaru. The new shot, as posted on the Subaru website, is very dark. We lightened it up a bit so you can better see the fender bulges, dual twin-tipped exhaust outlets, and the roof wing. Between this and the spy shots flying around, it's looking as if the STI will boast an appropriately muscled-up appearance compared to the far more reserved-looking WRX. It'll be shown to the public for the first time at next month's Tokyo Motor Show, and we'll be on hand for the festivities.

Thanks for the heads-up, Dustin!

[Source: Subaru]

Gallery: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

Subaru teases the Impreza WRX STI's tush originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York Preview: Official Subaru Impreza pics and info surface

John Neff — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 07:02:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hatchback, Subaru

click above image to view both pics of the 2008 Subaru Impreza

The amount of time that's passed since we first laid eyes on the 2008 Subaru Impreza has not served to sooth our gag reflex upon seeing it again. Though cast in a different hue this time, the general shape of the new hatchback body style in conjunction with the new chrome grille make the '08 Impreza look like the bastard offspring of a Kia Spectra5 and Toyota Camry. Since Motor Trend spilled the beans this week, Inside Line decided to drop with all the details they have on the new Impreza so far, and unfortunately there's no silver lining to report on this storm cloud.

[Source: Inside Line]

Gallery: 2008 Subaru Impreza

Continue reading New York Preview: Official Subaru Impreza pics and info surface

New York Preview: Official Subaru Impreza pics and info surface originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Mar 2007 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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