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Subaru will cap sales, introduce US-only SUV and PHEV

With Subaru's meteoric growth over the past few years, it seems like the company would double down on the success and expand. However, the Japanese brand has announced that it will take the opposite approach. Rather than continually increasing global deliveries, the automaker will instead cap annual volume to between 1.03 million and 1.1 million units, according to Automotive News. While the strategy will keep Subaru's niche status, the brand's lineup certainly won't stagnate. After abundant rumors, a US-only, seven-seat crossover will eventually be assembled in Indiana, and Impreza production will reportedly move there in 2016. In addition, the company will launch a plug-in hybrid around 2018, but it'll only be sold where necessary to meet zero-emissions requirements. While the Japanese brand is widely known for crossovers and wagons, Subaru isn't forgetting its performance fans, either. Fuji Heavy Industries President Yasuyuki Yoshinaga confirmed yet again that a second-gen BRZ is under development. "We have already agreed with Toyota we will do a full model change. We have not decided when it will be introduced," he said to Automotive News. Subaru has been considering whether to grow for years, but the planning eventually favored maximizing the current factories. For example, Subaru decided not to build a plant in China but has chosen to boost capacity at the line in Lafayette, IN. Yoshinaga sees the strategy as a way to maintain the brand's soul. "Many companies try to be bigger or sell more vehicles. If Subaru does the same thing, we will lose our characteristics," he said to Automotive News. Related Video:

Impreza 5-door concept headlines Subaru's Tokyo lineup

Subaru is planning a whole raft of new debuts for the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. One of them we've already seen in the updated Forester crossover. But that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to Fuji Heavy Industries' plans for the Japanese expo. Leading the lineup will be two brand-new concepts. Subaru will be showcasing a conceptual preview of the next-generation Impreza. The five-door hatchback is so far only being shown in sleek and shapely design renderings, so we'll have to wait as the show approaches to see more. But from what little we can see so far, the hatchback looks promising. Along with the Impreza is the hybrid Viziv Future concept, which builds on previous Viziv design studies in a crossover form that just might preview the upcoming replacement for the Tribeca. The sporty crossover concept is rendered in a muscular-looking take on typical Subaru style, in white with metallic and orange accents inside and out. A full glass sunroof lets the light into the thoroughly modern cockpit, with a large dashboard monitor and four individual bucket seats accessed by conventional front doors and what look like van-like, pillar-less sliding rear door like you might see on a Ford B-Max. The concept is fitted with a bike rack, automated driving is provided by the next-generation EyeSight system, and motivation comes from a turbocharged hybrid setup. This being a Subaru, it naturally features all-wheel traction, but it's provided through the road thanks to the electric motor on the rear axle. Other features of the Subaru pavilion in Tokyo include a luxed-up version of the WRX S4 dubbed SporVita, with an Italian leather interior. Other interior trim, 18-inch wheels, and a raft of otherwise optional equipment comes part of the package which will also bee seen on the Legacy. There'll be a few more new debuts – including new versions of the XV, Levorg, and WRX STI S207 – to be revealed later this month, along with the BRZ GT300 that Subaru fields in the Super GT series. Related Video: Subaru Exhibition Outline of the 44th Tokyo Motor Show 2015 October 7, 2015 Tokyo, October 7, 2015 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, will unveil two new concept cars at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show 2015 (Press Days: October 28 and 29; General Public: October 30 to November 8).

Drive looks at a pair of STI-ified Subaru Impreza RS Coupes

Among tuners, the legions of Subaru fans are hard to top, displaying all the fanaticism of English soccer fans and a dedication to their vehicles that borders on obsessive. These are compliments, by the way. In the latest video from Drive, Matt Farah takes a look at a pair of very special Imprezas - early Impreza 2.5RS Coupes that have had some serious heart transplants.
The first, a traditional blue model, sports the 2.5-liter, turbocharged flat-four from the 2004 WRX STI, which is good for around 300 horsepower. The other Impreza is a bit more hardcore - the engine is a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder from the JDM WRX STI, which we suppose makes it more of an Impreza 2.0RS Coupe. Besides the different engines, both cars represent the unique ideas and style of their owners.
The 10-minute video explores this, digging into why people tune, and how it's a reflection of their own personal driving style and character. Take a look below for another fun vid from the team at Drive.