2013 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Limited on 2040-cars

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Subaru is bringing a trio of STI concepts to the Tokyo Auto Salon

The Tokyo Auto Salon is almost upon us (or our Japanese counterparts at any rate), and Subaru has no intention of sitting it out. To that end, its performance division Subaru Tecnica International is preparing a slate of new show cars for the tuner expo. Of the trio that STI has in store for the show, the only one it is showing us so far is the STI Performance Concept pictured above – and we've already seen that one. Based on the BRZ and festooned with all manner of performance upgrades (and an enticing matte blue wrap), it was presented at the New York Auto Show this past April. But there are two more that we have not seen yet. Most intriguing is the proposed XV Hybrid STI Concept, but ostensibly combines the rugged approach of the XV Crosstrek – in hybrid spec no less – with the performance upgrades we've come to expect from the WRX STI. Where STI show cars typically appear in blue, this one is slated to appear in white with orange accents and an interior in orange and beige. It still promises a slew of aero enhancements, along with an upgraded suspension. Alongside the BRZ and XV concepts will be a Levorg STI as well, based on the wagon that Subaru sells in Japan and Europe. This one'll appear in WR Blue Pearl with a sportier front end, 18-inch alloys, specific dampers, and a two-tone interior in burgundy and black. Joining the concepts at the Subaru stand will be a quartet of racing models – two based on the BRZ and two on the WRX STI. Related Video: Exhibition Outline of Tokyo Auto Salon 2016 Tokyo, December 24, 2015 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), together with Subaru Tecnica International Inc. (STI)*1, announced its exhibition at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon 2016 with NAPAC (Japan Car Parts and Aftermarket Promotion Association), which will be held January 15th to 17th, 2016 at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba prefecture. At the Subaru booth will be concept models such as the "STI Performance Concept" which signifies STI's core business areas, "Levorg STI Concept" and "Subaru XV Hybrid STI Concept". The "WRX STI NBR Challenge 2016", a racing car for 24 Hours Nurburgring endurance race in 2016 and the "Subaru BRZ GT300 2016" for Super GT race will also be exhibited. At the press conference on January 15th, 2016 Subaru Motorsport Activities will be announced. The special site for Subaru Auto salon (http://www.subaru.jp/tas2016/) will be opened.

2013 Subaru WRX STI Special Edition

Despite my best efforts to convince myself otherwise, I think I'm finally getting too old for this car. I remember the days when I would go ga-ga over the winged Subaru WRX STI sedan, my inner boy racer caring only about its turbo thrills and not taking into account things like price, packaging or interior quality/comfort. Even now, as someone who generally appreciates offbeat color choices, I'm having a hard time getting behind the Tangerine Orange paint of this Special Edition tester, a unique version of the STI sedan limited to just 100 cars. (West Coast Editor Michael Harley recently spent time in the Special Edition WRX sedan, which will see a production run of 200 units.)
To give it The Full Halloween, this limited-edition Subie comes with black accents on its mirrors and fender badges, not to mention black alloy wheels and special graphics on the rocker panels. Special Edition cars also come standard with foglights, and there are orange accents found throughout the interior. All in, this flashier Subaru will set you back $34,795 plus $700 for destination, or $500 more than the standard version.
No, $35,000 isn't chump change, and many will argue that there are far better vehicles to be had at that exact same price point. And while my aging brain is beginning to think more toward that side of the rational thought spectrum, there's still a lot about this car that makes my more youthful self endlessly happy.

2016 Subaru WRX makes IIHS TSP+ fun

We write about boring, utilitarian compacts being named to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick+ list pretty regularly. Today, we've got yet another fun car to add to the tally – the Subaru WRX. Thanks to the inclusion of the company's impressive EyeSight active safety system, the WRX was able to score a "Superior" rating on IIHS' frontal crash prevention test, which is the highest score possible. Vehicles are required to score at least an "Advanced" rating to earn the TSP+ mark. In addition to the active safety system, TSP+ vehicles must also record "Good" ratings across the four basic crash tests – front, side, rear, and rollover – and a "Good" or "Acceptable" rating the small-overlap crash test. Of course, Subaru is no stranger to IIHS' biggest honor – the Legacy and Outback were named Top Safety Pick + vehicles in April 2014. We're still scouring the Internet for the actual crash test video from IIHS. Once we uncover it, we'll update this post. Until then, scroll down for the official press release from Subaru. 2016 Subaru WRX Awarded IIHS' Highest Standard of Safety "2015 TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) +" ? "EyeSight" achieved the highest possible rating of "Superior" for front crash prevention. ? Seven models have earned 2015 safety awards from IIHS. Tokyo, September 14, 2015 - Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, today announced that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS; a nonprofit organization supported by auto insurers in the US) has awarded the highest standard of safety, 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) along with the highest possible rating of "Superior" for front crash prevention to the 2016 Subaru WRX (US specs.), equipped with Subaru's EyeSight* driver assist technology. By adopting the EyeSight for 2016 model, WRX earned 6 of 6 points for front crash prevention. Including 2016 Subaru WRX, Subaru has seven models that have earned 2015 safety awards from IIHS - six with TOP SAFETY PICK+ and one with TOP SAFETY PICK. The EyeSight was the first system ever to use only stereo camera technology to detect the objects such as vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Since its Japanese debut in May 2008, features available on this system have been highly praised; they included pre-collision braking control and all-speed range adaptive cruise control tracking function.