Beautiful '97 Outback Wagon Only 109k Miles! Awd Auto 61 Pics No Reserve on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2015 Subaru WRX STI

In December, I put the 2015 Subaru WRX through its paces along some incredibly challenging roads in northern California, and to say I walked away impressed wouldn't really do my feelings justice. Say what you will about the way it looks, the new 'Rex is an awesome car, full stop. When it comes to all-weather sports sedans that won't break the bank, it's very tough to beat the WRX.
But then there's its big brother - the STI. The winged wonder. The rally superstar. The car that, to many - and to me - represents all that is right in the world of dirt-and-gravel thrills. Sharp as the WRX has always been, the hardcore STI model has always been a little bit sharper. But in recent years, that hasn't always been a good thing. What I've liked most about the WRX is the fact that it's not an always-on attack missile - it can be forgiving, easy to drive, and if I'm honest, reasonably comfortable. Because of that, in the WRX/STI debate, I've preferred the former for daily driving activities. I've always had a thing for That Wing, but in the outgoing car, the STI was never really far and away a more rewarding car to drive, and it offered exactly zero upgrades in terms of comfort or refinement.
The 2015 WRX is easily the finest example of Subaru's hot hatch sedan to date. But what happens when you try to turn the dial past 11? I headed back to NorCal, including a stop at the historic Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, to find out.

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

You can buy the last Subaru rally car driven by Colin McRae

Colin McRae continued entertaining the fans for years after retiring from competing full-time in the World Rally Championship – though sadly not for enough of them. His last public appearance was at the 2007 Goodwood Festival of Speed, driving the car you see here to the crowd's delight. And now it could be yours. Though it may look mostly like any ordinary Subaru Impreza WRX STI, this is a full-on S12B rally machine. Petter Solberg drove it for the factory Subaru World Rally Team throughout most of the 2007 World Rally Championship, scoring two podium finishes. That would make it desirable enough as it is, but then McRae drove it up Lord March's front lawn (see the video below) to cement its place in history. It was the last time McRae drove in public before he died in a helicopter crash near his home in Scotland just months later. The vehicle has since been stripped down to its shell and completely rebuilt to showroom condition. It has only put on a little over 200 miles since the engine was rebuilt, and the clutch was replaced just 50 miles ago. It has new seats and harnesses, fire extinguishers, brake discs and pads, the suspension has been fully rebuilt, the wheels powder-coated afresh.... top-notch, in other words. C&M Motors out of Omagh, Northern Ireland, has it listed on RallySales.com with an asking price of GBP159,500 – equivalent to just over $230k at current exchange rates. That would put it in contention as one of the most expensive Subarus we've ever seen, rivaling the $238k which Sports Car Market records as having been paid for another ex-McRae Impreza just this past October. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.