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Which is quicker in the standing mile, a Subaru WRX STI or a Porsche Cayman?

The 2015 Subaru WRX STI and 2014 Porsche Cayman are both saddled with unfair reputations. The STI with its huge wing and gold wheels has the title of the ultimate boy-racer. On the other hand, Porsche brand snobs look down on he base Cayman as just a wannabe 911. In reality, they are both pretty fantastic performance cars. But what would happen if the two of them lined up at a stoplight, and maybe the guy in the suit in the Cayman started throwing some revs at the young man in the STI? Automobile decided to find out in a recent video pitting the two stereotyped hot rods against each other in a standing-mile drag race.
In terms of raw numbers, they are surprisingly close. Both use flat engines and six-speed manual transmissions here, but the Subaru has more power and torque. However, the Porsche makes up for it with 300 pounds less weight. Neither should have a problem with traction either thanks to the STI's sophisticated all-wheel-drive setup, and the Cayman's mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout.
The comparable specs certainly show themselves in the real world for the race. We're not going to give away the winner here because it's too exciting, but let's just say the finish is very, very close. Scroll down to watch both of them shrug off their stereotypes and show off their real performance.

The 2017 Subaru BRZ Series.Yellow is, wait for it, yellow

Scion is fading fast, but it seems Subaru learned a thing or two from the Toyota offshoot during their short time together. This new BRZ, with its oddly punctuated and not very subtle name, continues a line of special-edition Subarus that pair special paint and interior trim with black accents. It's called the Series.Yellow, and Subaru will build 500 of them for 2017. The Series.Yellow starts with the mildly updated 2017 BRZ and stacks the new Performance Package ( Brembo brakes, Sachs dampers, black 17-inch wheels) on top of the Limited trim. The Series.Yellow will come with the six-speed manual only, as it's required to get the Performance Pack. That also means it has the new 205-hp boxer four and a different final-drive ratio to go along with it. Aside from the yellow paint, exterior differences include black Subaru and BRZ badging, and a black surface for the rear spoiler. The interior gets it some yellow as well, with stitching on the seats, door panels, dash, steering wheel, floor mats, and shifter and e-brake boots. The interior grab handles are yellow-ized, and there are yellow patches at the top of the seat bolsters. Oh, and the seats have Alcantara inserts, but those aren't yellow. As the second in the Series series, it follows in the footsteps of the BRZ Series.HyperBlue from 2016. There's also precedent for special yellow Subarus, as 1,000 XV Crosstrek Special Editions from 2015 got yellow paint and black cladding. Yellow! Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Subaru BRZ Series.Yellow Related Gallery 2017 Subaru BRZ Image Credit: Subaru Subaru Coupe Lightweight Vehicles Performance

Subaru debuts tougher-looking Outback for Australia [w/poll]

If you're going to name a car after a specific location or region, you'd better make sure it's taken seriously in the place it's named for. You're not likely to see a Chevrolet Monte Carlo in Monaco, and the Alfa Romeo Montreal was never even officially offered in North America, but the Subaru Outback is another story.
Subaru apparently takes the Australian market, whose wilderness its jacked-up Legacy wagon is named for, very seriously. So it is apparently rolling out a revised version of the current Outback in Australia itself. The updated Outback, which arrives less than a year before the all-new model is expected to bow, answers Aussie customer feedback with a more rugged look. It's got new roof rails, body cladding, wheel arches, mud flaps, underbody protection plates and blacked-out headlight surrounds and grille trim.
The Motor Report reports that the AUD $2,500 worth of extra equipment - around $2,300 USD - comes with just an AUD $500 ($468) price hike. As far as we can tell, though, there are no plans to bring this latest look to our shores - Subaru has already detailed North America's Outback for the 2014 model year, and these changes aren't mentioned. Should this look be offered in our market? Vote in the poll below and then have your say in Comments.