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Subaru allegedly developing mid-engine hybrid sports coupe

A mid-engine, hybrid sports coupe could give Subaru a high-performance halo model in the coming years. According to Car and Driver, "a source close to Subaru" let slip the company has been testing the prototype powertrain underneath a BRZ at its proving grounds in Japan. "Whether the end result will be a two-door sports coupe or some kind of sports crossover/CUV is still in the evaluation stage," the anonymous source told Car and Driver. "A coupe seems more likely, though." The vehicle's layout allegedly uses a mid-mounted 1.6-liter turbocharged boxer engine with hybrid assist to spin the rear wheels, and two electric motors at the front would power that end. The resulting all-wheel drive powertrain would have about 330 horsepower or more, Car and Driver claims. If a production version happens, it would use the upcoming Subaru Global Platform. Rumors about Subaru's increased development of hybrids offer some support for this alleged sports coupe. The company reportedly might use electrification to boost the next-gen STI. In 2014, a story also suggested the automaker could revive the SVX as a performance-oriented hybrid shooting brake. More recently, even its Viziv GT Vision Gran Turismo concept combined a turbocharged boxer with three electric motors. While a Subaru sports coupe piques our interest, we are taking the prospect with a grain of salt for now. The Japanese brand has a tendency of teasing performance models but not actually delivering on them – like the STI Performance Concept (above) or the aggressive styling of the last WRX Concept. There could also be a long wait before we see what the company is developing. According to Car and Driver, a concept is at least two years away. Then it would take even more time for execs to okay production. Related Video:

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.

Subaru's BRZ STI Sport Concept is not quite what we've been waiting for

Subaru announced its lineup for the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon, and at the tippy top is yet another STI-badged BRZ concept car. But unlike the Performance Concept from the 2015 New York Auto Show, the new BRZ STI Sport Concept isn't so extreme. While it's hard to predict what this car means based on the limited information Subaru has released, we can get an idea of where the company is going by looking at its last STI Sport production model – the not-for-US Levorg. Essentially, the BRZ STI Sport Concept sounds like a lukewarm example of the lovable rear-driver, taking parts of the tS driving experience and marrying it with some interior and exterior enhancements. We can see those latter elements in the sole image the company released – the silver concept car gets a fresh body kit that's less aggressive than 2015's Performance Concept. The sole exterior image shows a subtle chin spoiler and a more prominent upgrade to the side sill. Smaller changes include STI badges in the lower grille and side grilles. In the cabin, Subaru apparently added dark red upholstery. All of this gels with the aesthetic the Levorg pioneered. On the performance front, we see what look like Brembo-branded red brake calipers, but that's about as certain as we can get with mechanical upgrades. What we can't see are likely modest performance tweaks, focusing on the suspension. The Levorg STI Sport, for example, got adjustable Bilstein dampers, firmer springs, and a tweaked power steering system. A similar STI Sport concept, based on the WRX S4, will share the Tokyo show stand with the BRZ. Subaru's racing entries in Super GT, Japan Rally, and the 24 Hours of Nurburgring will also go on display. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.