2010 Subaru Forester 2.5x Limited All Wheel Drive Automatic Red Leather Sunroof on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Subaru WRX STI gets all gymkhana slidey in new European ad

A good partner makes sacrifices for a significant other. They aren't always fun, but sometimes chores have to be done. Subaru's European ad for its new WRX STI clearly understands that dynamic, as it shows what to what lengths a guy is willing to go in order to get his lady some bread in time for breakfast. Of course, running errands in a turbocharged, all-wheel-drive sports sedan down picturesque roads is hardly drudgery.
The wordless ad for the WRX STI says everything you could ever want to know about the winged blue Subaru. It expertly mixes some fantastic gravel rally footage with just a bit of inspiration from Ken Block's Gymkhana videos, as well. The automaker makes the right choice of actually letting the audience hear the growly exhaust and squealing tires over the music, too.
If this was your daily route to the bakery, you'd probably be prepared for a round of the World Rally Championship within a couple of months. Scroll down to watch the Subaru ad about a very polite WRX STI owner making sure breakfast is on the table.

California adapts ZEV mandate with PHEVs for smaller automakers

California is the nation's largest market for zero-emissions vehicles with over 100,000 of them estimated to be on the roads there. The state's goal is to keep that number growing every year. To that end, the California Air Resources Board is now tweaking its rules in a way that might not boost ZEVs but could mean more plug-in hybrids for the Golden State. Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, and Volvo asked for an exemption to the state's zero-emissions vehicle mandate last year due to their relatively small development budgets compared to larger automakers. CARB denied their request but did craft a compromise, according to Automotive News. Rather than being required to offer a ZEV in the state, companies with an annual global revenue of less than $40 billion, like those in this group, may instead sell plug-in hybrids to earn ZEV credits. The companies aren't completely off the hook, though. If these plug-in hybrids don't earn enough credits, the corporations must buy them on the market to make up the difference. Automakers with popular electric models like Nissan and Tesla have made a big business through this trading system by selling their surplus to rivals. Tesla alone pocketed $51 million in the first quarter from this part of its business, according to Automotive News. The changes to the regulations also aren't set in stone, yet. CARB is meeting in 2016 and could adjust things further at that time. Related Video: News Source: Automotive News - sub. req. via Hybrid CarsImage Credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Government/Legal Green Jaguar Land Rover Mazda Mitsubishi Subaru Volvo Emissions Electric Hybrid California zev credits zero emissions vehicle

Subaru BRZ tS makes its brief video debut

Ever since Subaru released the BRZ, fans have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the STI version. But despite the recent release of the tS package, the brand faithful will have to wait a little longer, because the tS stops short of the full STI treatment. But at least it looks the part.
Though the BRZ tS doesn't encompass any major engine mods to speak of, it does benefit from a number of enhancements: a new driveshaft, aero kit, Brembo brakes, Recaro buckets and more. Which may be more than enough for some, but to tip the scales of disappointment, Subaru will only make 500 such examples, and they'll only be available in Japan. So chances are you won't be getting your hands on one, but at least you can admire it from this brief video clip below. It's not much to go on, but that seems about par for the proverbial course.