2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Subaru brings back the Barkley dogs in new TV spots

Who let the dogs out? Subaru did. And they're bringing them back. The company announced it's bringing back the Barkley family of Labradors and Golden Retrievers for a new series of TV spots called "Dog Tested. Dog Approved." Subaru aired the four 30-second ads during the 24th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, which it has sponsored for 14 years. They'll repeat on network and cable broadcasts and feature in targeted digital and social media promotions. Subaru used the Barkleys most recently to unveil its new Ascent three-row SUV during its "Welcome to SubaruVille" event at the L.A. Auto Show late last year. The stunt was widely deemed adorable. The family of dogs have appeared in the automaker's ads as far back as 2009. "With more than half of Subaru drivers having pets, we believe it is important to celebrate the love of pets shared by our owners," Alan Bethke, senior vice president of marketing at Subaru of America, said in a statement. "Pets are considered members of our Subaru family and utilizing the Barkleys in our campaigns allows us to connect with our customers in an authentic, fun and entertaining way." The new ads are "Car Wash," embedded atop this post; "Drop Off," about the first day of obedience school; "Driving Lesson," in which a parallel parking lesson is complicated by passing geese; and "Drive Away," about a teenage dog being picked up by his father at the Dog Bowl. Subaru said it will also sponsor this year's "Puppy Bowl XIV," which airs February 4 on Animal Planet on the same day as the Super Bowl, and it plans to partner with BuzzFeed and Funny or Die on custom content branded with the hash tag #MakeADogsDay later on in the campaign. Subaru partners with animal welfare organizations like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as part of its Subaru Loves Pets campaign.Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Subaru Auto News Marketing/Advertising Subaru Crossover SUV dogs subaru ascent

2018 Subaru Crosstrek still gets a manual transmission in the US

When Subaru revealed the next generation Crosstrek, known as the XV in Europe, at the Geneva show, the company only announced the inclusion of a CVT. Fortunately, American Crosstrek buyers will still have the option to operate a clutch and shifter for themselves. It even comes with an extra gear compared with the previous generation, for a total of six cogs. The 6-speed manual will be standard equipment on base and Premium Crosstrek 2.0i models. Subaru's offering of a manual will also allow drivers to make the most of the 152 horsepower the direct-injected 2.0-liter engine makes. However, if you do still desire an automatic option, the European CVT is available as an option on base and Premium trim. It's also standard on the Limited model. The CVT can be manually shifted, too, with seven set ratios to choose from. Only the CVT is available with Subaru's "X-Mode," which incorporates hill-descent control. Regardless of configuration, every Crosstrek comes with standard alloy wheels and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Moving up to Premium adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, along with an option for a sunroof. The decked-out Limited model comes with LED headlights that illuminate corners, power leather seats, keyless entry and start, and a larger 8-inch infotainment screen. Subaru also offers various driver assists on different trims including the EyeSight system with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Pricing for the Crosstrek hasn't been announced, but the model will arrive at dealers this summer and will be on display at the New York auto show. Related Video:

Subaru BRZ gets updates, limited-edition Series.Blue model for 2015

The popular complaint about the Subaru BRZ is that its 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter-boxer engine is underpowered compared to other, modern sports coupes. Subaru isn't doing anything to address that for the 2015 model year BRZ, but the company does have some aesthetic upgrades ready for its rear-wheel-drive two-door and a limited-edition version with a more aggressive body.
The big news for the 2015 BRZ is the Series.Blue Special Edition (pictured above) that is limited to 1,000 units for the US with 500 of them in the brand's famous WR Blue Pearl and the other 500 in Crystal White Pearl. Mechanically, the special models are unchanged with the 2.0-liter boxer engine and a six-speed manual, but they wear an exclusive, black, STI-branded body kit that includes a new lower-lip front spoiler, rear spoiler, side sills and underbody panels. Subaru claims the whole setup increases front downforce and decreases the car's coefficient of drag from 0.28 to 0.27. To match the new kit, the limited-edition cars feature black, 17-inch wheels from STI with contrasting red brake calipers hiding behind them. The interior sees nearly as many changes as the outside with black and blue leather sport seats with blue stitching, and a similar motif for the steering wheel, shift boot, parking brake and kneepads. The illuminated engine start button gets an STI logo, as well. The Series.Blue arrives at dealers in July for $30,285, after the $795 destination charge.
The rest of the BRZ lineup isn't left out and has some minor upgrades of its own, with revised damper settings, stainless steel exhaust tips, a body-color shark fin antenna and a simulated carbon fiber dashboard panel - similar to the upgrades found on the 2015 Scion FR-S. Two new colors are available - Ice Silver Metallic and Crystal White Pearl. Prices are up $100 across the board for 2015. After destination, the Premium trim is $26,490; the Limited is $28,490; the Limited with an automatic transmission is $29,590. The 2015 models hit dealers this summer. Scroll down to read the full announcement.