Autoblog

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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Report: Cosworth getting its magic mitts on Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, Japan, Hatchback, Subaru

Here's some extra happy news, especially if you're into that whole turbocharged, AWD rally thing. Autocar reports that legendary English engine tuner Cosworth has gotten its mitts all over the mighty Subaru WRX STI. Described as a "one-off, special project," it sounds as if Cosworth will be tweaking the engine, suspension and body. Long story short: YES!

As for details, we don't have any. Autocar says that specifications and pricing will become available when closer to the car's on sale date in March. A Cosworth spokesperson has said that the improved upon STI, "will raise the bar for all-wheel-drive, high-performance motoring." Sounds good to us, especially as the current STI has always felt about 85 percent finished to us. For what it's worth, Cosworth has a pretty special history when it comes to tuning rally cars. Ford RS200 anyone? We'll let you know more as soon as we can.

Gallery: 2010 Subaru WRX STI Special Edition

[Source: Autocar, CAR]

Report: Cosworth getting its magic mitts on Subaru Impreza WRX STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo Preview: Subaru WRX STI Carbon doesn't make sense

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:29:00 EST

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

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

Subaru has announced a new version of the WRX STI that will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. We've looked at this one six ways 'til Sunday (maybe seven) and we still can't make sense of it. But, hear us out. One of the main knocks against the STI has long been that it's a little too porky. But, when you base a performance car on a plebeian chassis, that's the price you pay. Another knock is that the STI - while potent - is just not as hardcore as the Mitsubishi EVO, even though the EVO X is a little, well, less hardcore than the EVO IX. So obviously Subaru's going to address these concerns with a special, lightweight edition STI, right? Well...

Meet the WRX STI Carbon. It has a carbon fiber roof. And a five-speed automatic transmission borrowed from the Legacy - no manual. And... suede seats. Yup, that's it. Now, we like the roof, don't get us wrong. Removing weight and lowering the center of gravity is exactly what the STI needs. But, a slushbox? For reals? Subaru says the five-speed auto is there to offer, "distinctive driving pleasure to a wider range of customers." Ah, the old dumbing it down so you can sell more trick. Hey, it worked for Porsche (see: Cayenne).

Let's see here, the last time Subaru tried this maneuver was in 2008 with the GE/GH third generation WRX. That went so well that Subaru was forced to relaunch the car twelve months later and rename to the 2008 WRX as the auto-only 2.5 GT. In other words, we just don't get the STI Carbon. Maybe in a year's time, Subaru will be forced to rename it the Carbon GT. That would at least make some sense. Right?

Gallery: Tokyo Preview: Subaru WRX STI Carbon

Continue reading Tokyo Preview: Subaru WRX STI Carbon doesn't make sense

Tokyo Preview: Subaru WRX STI Carbon doesn't make sense originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Gymkhana 2.1 - Electric Boogaloo: Block vs. Dyrdek

Chris Paukert — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Subaru, Humor, Specialty

Gymkhana 2.1 - Block vs. Dyrdek - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Driftmeister Extraordinaire Ken Block is at it again, only this time, with a bit more of a sense of humor on display. The tire-immolating Subaru WRX STI rally driver has teamed up with pro skateboarder Rob Dyrdek for a "Me and My Shadow" video extravaganza dubbed Gymkhana 2.1.

While we have to admit that the finished product isn't filled with as many jaw-slackeningly awesome moments as the pair of videos that proceeded it, it's an amusing coquet while we wait for Gymkhana 3.0, a film that will presumably involve a borrowed space shuttle, a runway full of banana peels, and at least one octogenarian goat herder. The 3:49 production is worth watching just for Dyrdek's custom "Mini Me" go-kart, which we want parked in our lawnmower shed yesterday. Enjoy watching the video after the jump, and be sure to check out the slightly less-than high-res images in the gallery below. Hat tips to Adam and Christian!

Gallery: Gymkhana 2.1 - Block vs. Dyrdek

[Source: DC Shoes]

Continue reading VIDEO: Gymkhana 2.1 - Electric Boogaloo: Block vs. Dyrdek

VIDEO: Gymkhana 2.1 - Electric Boogaloo: Block vs. Dyrdek originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Vintage VW Bug with Subaru STI power is a hybrid we can get excited about

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Subaru, Volkswagen

Subaru WRX STI-powered Volkswagen Beetle - Click above to watch the video after the break

Somehow, we doubt this is what Dr. Ferdinand Porsche had in mind when he set out to design a horizontally-opposed four cylinder engine powering the rear wheels of his so-called "People's Car." No matter, we're happy to see the good ol' Beetle is still getting its due after all these years, in this case courtesy of a worked-over turbocharged 2.5-liter engine making over 350 horsepower yanked from a Subaru WRX STI.

As you might imagine, this little bugger of a powerplant has no problem moving its rounded Volkswagen wrapper at warp speed. While some may bemoan the lack of the donor car's all-wheel drive powertrain, the Beetle's rear-mounted engine placement and super short gearing equals loads of traction, making for an excellent drag racing platform.

Fortunately, the rest of the package has been appropriately beefed up and customized to handle the Beetle's newfound power. Modifications include a narrowed and dropped front beam, four-wheel disc brakes, a heavy-duty clutch, wide rear rubber and a touchscreen digital dash enabling on-the-fly tuning adjustments. Check out the gallery below and hit the jump for a couple of videos.

Gallery: Subaru STI-powered VW Beetle

[Source: Caradisiac]

Continue reading VIDEO: Vintage VW Bug with Subaru STI power is a hybrid we can get excited about

VIDEO: Vintage VW Bug with Subaru STI power is a hybrid we can get excited about originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru hatches hardcore JDM Impreza WRX Spec C

Noah Joseph — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Japan, Hatchback, Subaru

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

If you're one of the many enthusiasts on this side of the ocean who pine for a choice crop of hot hatches that never make it to the States, we've got some bad news for you: the Subaru Impreza STI Spec C -- a limited run of 900 units packing an assortment of enhancements to give it the edge over the stock versions -- is finally going on sale in Japan.

For starters, the whiz kids over at Subaru Tecnica International have reprogrammed the ECU and fitted smoother ball bearings for the turbocharger to boost output to 304 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. They've also retuned the suspension, reinforced the chassis, recalibrated the power steering's lubrication, fitted new rims on Bridgestone Potena RE070 rubber and reduced the curb weight with lighter body panels, windows, battery and tire kit. You can check out the images in the gallery below and all the details in the press release after the jump, but sadly that's about as close as you're likely to get without boarding a flight to Tokyo.

Gallery: 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C

[Source: Subaru]

Continue reading Subaru hatches hardcore JDM Impreza WRX Spec C

Subaru hatches hardcore JDM Impreza WRX Spec C originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Ken Block works it out on Top Gear with Captain Slow in tow

Chris Paukert — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Subaru

Click above to watch video after the jump

If there had been awards handed out to the preeminent forces in online automotive video over the past few years, surely Top Gear and rallyist Ken Block would have been shortlisted for the honor. Naturally, you'd expect that pairing the two Internet institutions would result in an amazing bit of film... and you'd be entirely correct.

What follows in the video posted after the jump is 6 minutes and 45 seconds of gobsmacking automotive artistry and top-flight production, with Block's 380-horsepower Subaru WRX STI drilling in and around an airport in California with a bug-eyed James May cinched into the passenger seat. Did we mention the appearance of Ricky Carmichael, perhaps the winningest motocross racer of all time? Click through the jump to witness the gorgeously controlled display of mechanical mayhem. Hat tip to absolutely everybody!

[Source: Top Gear via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ken Block works it out on Top Gear with Captain Slow in tow

VIDEO: Ken Block works it out on Top Gear with Captain Slow in tow originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: More Toyobaru scuttlebutt comes to the surface

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Subaru, Toyota, Rendered Speculation

A "Toyota insider" has supposedly spilled a few more beans to 7Tune about the upcoming front-engine, rear-wheel drive coupe the automaker is collaborating on with Subaru, and according to the source, the 2+2 will carry a few of the Lexus LF-A's design cues when it hits the market next year.

Although Lexus' "L-Finesse" styling has remained exclusive to Toyota's luxury brand, certain elements of the language have begun to filter down to the automaker's mainstream models, specifically the recently released Venza CUV. The rendering above hints at some of the lines that could make the cut on the production version of the "086A," but contrary to past reports, 7Tune's tipster says that the Toyota and Subaru versions won't be remarkably different - only the front grille, headlamps and taillights will be unique. The report goes on to say that Toyota is desperately trying to keep the price below the two million yen mark (a little over $20,000) and, coinciding with earlier rumors, Subaru is actively considering offering an STI version of the coupe.

In a related story, ToMoCo's new president, Akio Toyoda - the exec who recently piloted the LF-A around the Green Hell during the 24 Hours of Nürburgring - told Auto Motor und Sport, "This sports culture, which we have neglected for so long, will again be maintained." Toyoda clearly wants to see the automaker back on the radar of enthusiasts and the first example of this newfound focus could find its way onto the stage at this year's Tokyo Motor Show.

[Sources: 7Tune, Auto Motor und Sport via Japanese Nostalgia Car]

Rumormill: More Toyobaru scuttlebutt comes to the surface originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Racing Legacy: Subaru STI preparing Super GT300-spec B4?

Noah Joseph — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Japan, Subaru

2010 JDM Subaru Legacy B4 Wagon - Click above for high-res image gallery

The boys over at Subaru Tecnica International must have some extra time on their hands lately. Sure, they opened a museum recently, and may have even lent a hand with Ken Block's new Gymkhana ride. But after canceling their iconic World Rally Championship program, we can mentally picture the tumbleweed rolling through their garage. Thankfully, if the latest rumors from Nihon Car are any indication, the STI crew may have a new project on their hands: a racing version of the new Legacy for the Japanese local Super GT series.

Although details are few and far between at this point, the Legacy STI would reportedly compete in the series' second-tier GT300 class, not in the top-level GT500. The GT300 category closely mirrors production car specs, so don't expect any wild conversions, but STI would surely push the envelope here, especially considering that their super-sedan would have to dice it with the likes of Porsche GT3s and race-prepped Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

Privateer team Cusco won a race last year at Sepang with a GT300-spec Impreza, where the all-wheel-drive proved an advantage, but there's no telling what could happen if Subaru throws the weight of its factory support behind a works racing effort.

[Source: Nihon Car]

Racing Legacy: Subaru STI preparing Super GT300-spec B4? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru opens STI Gallery in Tokyo

Noah Joseph — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:20:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Japan, Subaru

You remember turning 20? the end of teenage years, the beginning of adulthood...that's what Subaru Tecnica International - the performance division better known by its initials STI - celebrates this year, and to mark the occasion, Fuji Heavy is inaugurating the STI Gallery, a new museum in Tokyo that highlights the products and activities of its Subaru racing unit.

Located at 3-9-6 Osawa, Mitaka, Tokyo, the STI Gallery will be open every day (barring certain holidays) from 9:30 am to 7 pm, when visitors can stop by and scope out STI in all its glory. The car exhibition zone displays STI vehicles both past and present, race and road. (Colin McRae's WRC New Zealand-winning 1993 Legacy RS is currently on display to celebrate the launch of the new Legacy). There's also an exhibit of various components and memorabilia and a history section outlining the division's past activities. Seems like a worthwhile way to spend an afternoon if you find yourself in Tokyo with some time to burn.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Subaru opens STI Gallery in Tokyo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:20:00 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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Officially official: Subaru leaving World Rally Championship

Noah Joseph — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Subaru

Click above to view Subaru's 2008 WRC car in our high-resolution image gallery

Rally fans who were troubled by the rumors yesterday that Subaru was preparing to do the unthinkable and scrap its WRC team will be disappointed to learn that the speculation has proven to be true, as parent company Fuji Heavy Industries has announced it is pulling its participation effective immediately.

Not unlike its fellow Japanese automaker Honda, which has canceled its Formula One program, Fuji Heavy points to cost-cutting measures amidst the current global economic crisis as its reason for canceling its motorsport program. Still, it's a shocking move for the automaker that earned its reputation on the rally circuit, even if they haven't won a single stage since 2005. The move also means that Prodrive, the racing consultancy firm that has operated the Subaru WRC team for over 20 years, will need to find a new partner for next season and beyond as the WRC moves ahead with new regulations. But Prodrive may find the rally circuit a lonely place after Suzuki also canceled its participation, leaving Ford and Citroen as the only manufacturers fielding factory teams in the top level of rallying. Follow the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: Subaru Impreza WRC2008

Gallery: Subaru WRC2008 Race Debut

Continue reading Officially official: Subaru leaving World Rally Championship

Officially official: Subaru leaving World Rally Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:58:00 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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