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2016 Subaru BRZ Series.HyperBlue Quick Spin

On its own, there's not much to "review" about the Subaru BRZ's new Series.HyperBlue trim. Limited to just 500 units, the coupe wears a new shade of blue, its 17-inch wheels and exterior badges are painted black, and inside, the HyperBlue color carries over to the accent stitching and logos on the seats. I love – no, love – this color. If you're a fan of the BRZ, like cool blues, and are thinking of picking up a 2016 model year example, this is the one to get. Plus, this car doesn't have all that bolted-on visual stuff from last year's Series.Blue. HyperBlue aside, it's the same BRZ it's always been. Yes, Subaru's updated Starlink infotainment system is now available, and there's a frameless rearview mirror inside the cabin. That's about it in terms of 2016 model year updates. But it's still worth revisiting. I've driven the BRZ at home in Detroit, and it's lovely. It's got a great chassis, it uses rear-wheel drive, and it's powerful enough to have lots of fun at legal speeds. (Seriously, why does everyone keep complaining about "only" 200 horsepower? That's plenty for this lightweight.) But until now, I've never had the chance to experience this coupe on a truly great road. So during a recent trip to southern California, I took a jaunt out to Angeles Crest Highway for a day of HyperBlue antics. On the right road, this car is even more charming than I remember. Driving Notes I think the reason why some people complain about a supposed lack of power is because they aren't driving it correctly. Peak horsepower arrives at 7,000 rpm, and the full 151 pound-feet of torque is delivered at 6,400 rpm. So for spirited driving, don't even bother revving below 3,500 rpm. No, it's not the best sounding engine (what naturally aspirated flat-four is?), but don't let the noise fool you. Keep the 2.0-liter boxer on boil, and you'll find salvation in this 200-hp mill. To me, the BRZ's steering feel is second only to the Mazda Miata. The car's lightness is accurately communicated through the wheel, but it's direct, nicely weighted, and never void of feedback. Combined with a firm, balanced chassis, you get a great sense of what all four wheels are doing at any given time. Grip level and weight distribution is easy to sense while cornering, making it easier to push the car harder and harder. The tail steps out a smidge, and you know exactly how much corrective input to give. I love a car that works so seamlessly with the driver.

Subaru recalling 32K Imprezas for potential airbag fault

Following a preliminary evaluation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in April 2015, Subaru is recalling 32,400 examples of the 2012 Impreza sedan and hatchback to repair the Occupant Detection System. The affected vehicles have production dates between April 21, 2011, and February 16, 2012. However, the WRX and STI are excluded from this campaign because they use a different part. The Impreza's problem concerns the front passenger seat's Occupant Detection System. In these models, the part uses capacitance to determine if someone is present and activates the airbag. According to the documents submitted to NHTSA (as a PDF), if the person sitting there uses a device plugged into the accessory outlet or touches an electrically grounded part like the metal seat adjuster, the ODS recognizes an increase in capacitance. It can then deactivate the airbag. Obviously, this could be a hazard in a crash, but there would be a warning light showing the safety device as off. To solve the problem, dealers will install a modified Occupant Control Unit. The initial investigation was prompted after 26 complaints to NHTSA about the ODS not working properly. In 2012, Subaru also issued a technical service bulletin that attempted to repair the issue. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Front Passenger Air Bag may not Deploy Report Receipt Date: JUL 01, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V419000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 32,400 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) SUBARU IMPREZA 2012 Details Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc. SUMMARY: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012 model year Subaru Impreza 4-Door and Station Wagon vehicles (except WRX/STI models) manufactured April 21, 2011, to February 16, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may deactivate if a front seat passenger operates a device that is plugged into the power outlet such as a music player or cell phone, or touches a metal part of the vehicle such as the forward/rearward seat adjuster lever. CONSEQUENCE: If the ODS deactivates, the front passenger air bag will be turned off and the front passenger air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant. REMEDY: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Occupant Control Unit with a modified one, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

2015 Subaru Impreza gets visual tweaks, added refinement

While our love for the Subaru Impreza is mostly reserved for its turbocharged WRX and STI models, there's still a fully competent, well-rounded package in the base model, now in its fourth generation. In order to keep it competitive, Subaru has given the Impreza a light refresh for the 2015 model year, and while the car hasn't changed much mechanically, there are a number of thoughtful updates in store for the revised model.
Most noticeably, the front end has been touched up, with a revised lower fascia that's a bit more aggressive than before, nicely incorporating foglamps on higher-end models. Around back, not much has changed, though there's a new lip spoiler on sedan models to improve aerodynamics. Inside, a new infotainment system is available, with a seven-inch color touchscreen, and Subaru's EyeSight driver assistance package can now be had on the Limited models. There's also an updated instrument cluster with an LCD color display, new door and shifter trim, a standard rearview camera, and a few tuning enhancements that allow for a quieter ride, according to Subaru's release.
Under the hood is the same 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine as before, with 148 horsepower on tap, mated to either a five-speed manual or continuously variable transmission. Subaru notes that there's a quicker ratio for the electronic power-assisted steering (that's a good thing), and reminds us that the Impreza is still pretty fuel-efficient considering its standard all-wheel drive, able to achieve 28 miles per gallon in the city, 37 mpg highway and 31 mpg combined.