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Subaru bringing new XV concept to Geneva

The high-riding, Impreza-based Subaru Crosstrek is due for an update. So to whet our appetites, Subaru's showing a concept that previews the new XV. The concept will debut in Geneva, and it's being teased today in the image above. The Japanese automaker isn't saying much about what will go into the new XV Concept, and the teaser doesn't give us much to go on aside from an impression of body-cladded ruggedness. But it isn't hard to see what direction Subaru is going in here. It already revealed the Impreza 5-Door Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, and the Impreza Sedan Concept in LA shortly thereafter, each previewing different bodystyles for Fuji Heavy's compact model. Like the Outback Sport before it, the Crosstrek is essentially a beefed-up version of the current Impreza. So we'd expect the new XV concept to follow a similar path, building upon the show cars we saw recently in Japan and California and taking them down a more rugged path for the European show. We'll look forward to seeing how it shapes up, but more than that, to seeing how Subaru implements the designs for production. Related Video: Subaru to Debut "Subaru XV Concept" at 2016 Geneva International Motor Show Tokyo, February 9, 2016 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, today announced that the "Subaru XV Concept" will make its world debut at the 86th Geneva International Motor Show to be held in Switzerland (Press day: March 1 – 2 / Open to the public: March 3 – 13, 2016). The Subaru XV Concept will be unveiled at the press briefing scheduled for 11:15 AM (Central European Time) on March 1 at Subaru booth. The special site will opens today on the Subaru Global Site. http://www.subaru-global.com/2016geneva.html The site will feature information updates relating to the Geneva International Motor Show including Subaru's press conference.

Subaru WRX STI Type RA NBR Special is nearly as fast as a Porsche 918 Spyder at the Nurburgring

Subaru now claims to have the fastest sedan to circle the Nurburgring. Its (deep breath) WRX STI Type RA NBR Special finished a lap of the famed German racetrack in an incredibly fast 6:57.5. That's just half a second behind the Porsche 918 Spyder hypercar. Of course, this WRX STI is a specially-built racecar, a rather distant cousin of the WRX STI Type RA production car that takes its name from this race car. The Type RA NBR Special is an upgraded version of the car Subaru took to the Isle of Man time trial last year, where it broke Subaru's old record. The car was built by Prodrive, and it features a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four made for rally use. It now makes over 600 horsepower at 8,500 rpm, which is 50 more than it made last year. The aerodynamic aids have been updated, and they provide 650 pounds of downforce at the car's top speed. The car still has the power-adjustable rear wing from last year. At the press of a button, the driver can change the angle of the rear wing to reduce drag and increase speed on straights. Supporting the power and aerodynamic upgrades are 9-inch wide slick tires at each corner, and a rally-spec sequential transmission that can shift gears in 20 to 25 milliseconds. Related Video:

Subaru XV concept: Just more wishful thinking?

Subaru has long been criticized as being rather weak-kneed when it comes to styling. That's not entirely true. In recent years they have displayed some really attractive-to-stunning concepts. The last-generation Impreza concept was very attractive, as was the most recent Legacy concept. The WRX concept shown a couple of years ago was a visual knockout, and the same can be said for the most recent Impreza concepts—as well as this new XV (Crosstrek) concept. The problem has been much of the visual excitement of those concepts got lost in the translation from concept to production. So we know that Subaru has great design talent; the concepts have proven that. The problem, as I see it, is those in a position to approve design for production don't seem to understand design. Now I'm sure it's a lot more complicated than just that. It involves marketing folks, engineers, as well as those suits that call the shots at FHI. Many of those in decision-making positions just don't seem to get it. However I do have to say that each succeeding generation of Subaru has got better looking. So slowly (very slowly) they are making progress. The problem is, the competition has gotten better too — much better. Hyundai, Kia, Honda and Mazda have been hitting it out of the park when it comes to styling; all the while Subaru has been hitting solid singles along with a few walks. That said I do have a good feeling about this new XV concept. It really does look close to being production-ready. The proportions are right, there is nothing outrageous or impractical here. There are even small non-roll-down (visually distracting, but absolutely necessary) side windows, which I rarely if ever see on concepts. The proof will be in the pudding when the new Impreza debuts at the New York Auto Show later this month. Fingers crossed.