Subaru Sambar Dias, page #7

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4 automakers agree to $553M settlement of Takata airbag claims

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Four automakers agreed to a $553 million settlement to address class-action economic loss claims covering owners of nearly 16 million vehicles with potentially defective Takata airbag inflators, according to court documents filed on Thursday. Toyota's share of the settlement costs is $278.5 million, followed by BMW at $131 million, Mazda at $76 million and Subaru at $68 million. According to a press release from Plaintiffs' Committee for Takata Airbag Product Liability Litigation, the funds for the settlement are aimed at getting more cars with faulty airbags fixed. At the time of writing, Toyota had the greatest recall completion percentage of 31.89 percent followed by Subaru with 31.37 percent. Mazda has completed repairs on 18.16 percent of affected cars, and BMW brings up the rear with 16.48 percent completion. Some settlement funds will go to an outreach campaign to increase awareness, while other funds will be used to reimburse people for any costs accrued to get their cars fixed. These costs can include rental cars, child care, lost wages, or any other reasonable costs associated with bringing in a vehicle for repairs. Furthermore, a customer support program will be funded with settlement money to handle any additional repairs or adjustments that could become necessary in the 75,000 miles following the airbag replacement. Lawsuits against Honda, Ford and Nissan have not been settled, lawyers said. Takata inflators, which can explode with excessive force and unleash metal shrapnel inside cars and trucks, are blamed for at least 16 deaths and more than 180 injuries worldwide. The safety defect has prompted recalls worldwide of about 100 million inflators by more than a dozen major automakers. Reporting by David Shepardson, additional details by Autoblog's Joel StocksdaleRelated Video: Government/Legal BMW Mazda Subaru Toyota

The refreshed 2018 Subaru WRX starts at $27,855

Subaru has always staggered the release of new versions of the WRX and STI performance twins from that of the more pedestrian Imprezas. While the latter just received a ground-up redesign for 2017, the once and future kings of all-wheel-drive performance sedans make do with some new options and massaged over styling. Pricing for the new cars, which go on sale sometime in the next few months, has finally been announced. Pricing for the pair is on the high-side of the competition. The 2018 Subaru WRX starts at $27,855. That nets you a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder making 268 horsepower, a six-speed manual, and Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive with torque vectoring. For comparison, the Ford Focus ST starts at $25,650 while the Volkswagen GTI starts at $26,415. Pricing for the new Honda Civic Si hasn't been announced, but expect it to be somewhere in the mid $20,000 range. Stepping up to the STI will set you back at least $36,955, though you get a more powerful 305-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer four and a more advanced version of Subaru's all-wheel-drive system. Plus, you get the big rear wing, and that's worth it's weight in Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution owner tears. The far more powerful Ford Focus RS meets the STI dollar for dollar at $36,955 while the Volkswagen Golf R retails for an eye-watering $40,195. Like the Civic Si, pricing for the Civic Type R has yet to be revealed. Both the WRX and STI get updated styling on the front bumper, with larger grilles and new black trim. Additionally, the $32,455 WRX Limited and all STI models feature new LED headlights. The STI also gets new 19-inch wheels and upgraded Brembo brakes. The WRX Premium has an optional $2,050 performance pack that adds Recaro seats with an 8-way power driver's seat, red-painted brake calipers with Jurid brake pads, and deletes the moonroof to reduce weight. Other changes include the latest version of Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, a larger infotainment screen, new EyeSight driver assist features (only on CVT-equipped WRX models), upgraded sound deadening, and upgraded interior materials. Both models receive new roof rack mounting brackets. Look for the 2018 Subaru WRX and 2018 Subaru STI to hit showrooms in the next few months. Related Video:

Strange iPhone discovered in guy's Subaru sparks internet mystery

Things can get pretty crazy on the internet, and even the smallest thing can catch people's attention and blow up in an instant. A lot of it is totally bogus or blatant attention seeking, but that's what makes the internet great. Well, that and cat videos. Recently, a story popped up on the internet that is both cool and real. It's the story of a mysterious iPhone, some pro-tier internet detective-ing, and the Takata airbag recall. The story started innocently enough. A guy named Alex Tom took his trusty '09 Subaru Forester into the shop to replace a faulty passenger side airbag under the Takata recall. When he picked the car up, there was a white iPhone 4s sitting on his dashboard. Thing is, the phone wasn't his. The phone was stone dead, but took a charge and booted right up. To complicate matters, it was locked and stuck in airplane mode. When he asked the shop about it, they said they found it behind the dash under the airbag. So now he had a mysterious phone that he couldn't get into to identify. So, like any modern tech-savvy individual, he turned to the internet for help. He posted a picture of the phone on Facebook along with a message asking for help tracking down its owner. What followed was a long, rambling, often hilarious collection of facetious advice, earnest help, photoshops, dumb memes, weird off-topic screeds, and everything else you might expect in a comments thread. Eventually, after getting a name from the phone and enlisting the help of an online dating site, the owner was found and the mystery solved! I'm not going to spoil the ending for you here, because you really need to read the whole saga for yourself. Lets just say that our man Alex had the answer with him all along, and the real treasure was the friends they made along the way. Related Video News Source: The Huffington Post Auto News Humor Subaru iphone Takata airbag recall mystery

Autoblog sell-it-yourself highlight: 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca

Introduced for 2006 and built in Lafayette, Indiana, atop a Legacy platform, the B9 Tribeca was Subaru's first attempt at a three-row crossover. Like the smaller Mazda5, the B9 provided seating for your kids but cramped quarters for adults. Add to that the controversial styling and upmarket pricing (before Subaru was regarded as upmarket), and you had a tepid response from the buying public. While the styling – specifically the B9's nose – was controversial, I liked its Euro-inspired profile on the outside and really enjoyed the design execution on the inside. The third row was optional, and for the occasional extra kid or small adult, useful. It's the utility of the footprint, however, I really like, and with a 3.0 liter Subaru six, it's perfect for your urban or suburban adventures. Autoblog's 'For Sale' example, located in Woodland Hills, Calif., has average miles for an 11-year-old vehicle and looks to be in good cosmetic condition. Despite Subaru's reputation for rugged reliability, a vehicle of this age will inevitably need some attention. A pre-purchase inspection should be mandatory, and you would hope for a clean CarFax. At $6,500, the asking price is at the low end of typical for a clean example with this mileage and may reflect its Sunbelt location, since Subaru resale is historically higher in the Northeast and Northwest. Related Video:

Subaru Ascent three-row SUV set for 2018 launch

Subaru revealed a three-row SUV concept Wednesday at the New York Auto Show in a surprise move that signals its return to the large utility segment in 2018. Called the Ascent concept, the show car had a turbocharged boxer 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and will be revealed in production trim next fall at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Ascent will be built in Lafayette, Ind., and is exclusive to the North American market. It will have room for up to eight passengers, offer all-wheel drive, and will be based on a modified version of Subaru's latest global platform. A hybrid is possible on those underpinnings, but a Subaru spokesman wouldn't comment on that prospect. Subaru has not had a three-row ute since the Tribeca was killed off in 2014. View 17 Photos With Volkswagen adding the Atlas and existing SUV makers like Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and others all putting greater emphasis on the large utility segment, Subaru felt compelled to respond. The company also expects the Millennial generation to make up a significant portion of Ascent buyers. "This is a product that allows that generation that grew up liking Subaru to stay with us," Subaru of America president Tom Doll said at the show. The Ascent concept's styling cues have evolved from the previous Visiv-7 concept and offer a better look at what the production model will look like. The Ascent concept measures 198.8 inches long, 78.3 inches wide and 72.4 inches tall. The wheelbase is 117 inches - signaling Subaru is serious about competing with large SUV producers. Subaru is spending $140 million and adding more 1,200 jobs at Lafayette to support the Ascent and bolster its US manufacturing footprint. Related Video:

What grownups drive (fast) | 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring Review

If you look at the 2017 Forester XT Touring and don't notice the changes compared to the 2016 model, we won't blame you. They're subtle. The naturally aspirated models get a new front bumper that matches the surrounding body color, but the turbo model we drove still has the black gap in the middle. The grille gives up the wide mesh look for a pattern that subtly accentuates the Pleiades badge. Look into the updated Forester's eyes, though, and you might see a new spark of beauty, with a redesign that prominently features a surrounding strip of LEDs. There's also a new color; our test vehicle came in the new-for-2017 Sepia Bronze Metallic paint, a tasteful brown(-ish) that might let you get away with going longer between washes. On the inside, this Forester had the new Saddle Brown leather interior exclusive to the Touring trim. It's the rich sort of brown that reminds one of a rustic but well-appointed hunting lodge, where one would expect to catch a whiff of pipe tobacco and whiskey. It just smelled like a normal car, though, at least before we got in it. Touring spec also offers up a heated steering wheel and seats, the automotive equivalent to a chair in front of the fireplace. Most touch points are attended to with sturdy-feeling materials, and the most important one – the wheel­ – feels grippy and comfortable without being overwrought. The front seats are firm but comfortable, with an upright seating position. They're a bit reminiscent of those moderately expensive high-back office chairs, except in this case, the office rolls around with the seat. Sitting behind them isn't bad, either, as they're shaped in a way that carves out extra room for the knees. The door openings are large enough to make ingress and egress an easy task, which is a merciful thing, especially when wrestling a car seat into the back. As for our own rear-facing kid carrier, it fits in the Forester just fine, but, when clipped in the passenger side, means the front occupant is just one click closer to the dash than they'd be ideally. Their knees won't be crunched into the glove box, though (that's a position some of us have learned to live with in other cars with a rear-facing car seat installed). The view from the driver's seat is exceptional. Tall, wide windows let you keep track of everything that's going on around you. They also bring in a lot of light, and piloting the Forester is a bit like driving a greenhouse on wheels.

2018 Subaru Outback to show fresh new face in New York

The refreshed and facelifted 2018 Subaru Outback was revealed today, just ahead of its debut next week at the 2017 New York Auto Show. While not all new, the Outback gets a more aggressive appearance, improved ride and handling, and some new standard and optional equipment. Pricing hasn't been announced, but the 2018 Outback will go on sale sometime later this year. While there haven't been many changes to the overall body, the Outback's front and rear fascias have been updated to fall in line with the rest of Subaru's lineup. The C-shaped headlights and wide grille recall the new 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. According to Subaru, the shape is supposed to remind you of the boxer engine design, with the lights moving outward from the grille. The LED headlights are available with a feature that points them in the direction of the steering wheel. Limited and Touring models come with automatic high beams courtesy of Subaru's EyeSight safety suite. New cladding on the front is intended to better protect the body from dirt and rocks when soft-roading. There will be new wheel designs across the entire Outback range. 2.5i base and Premium models come with 17-inch wheels, while Limited and Touring models come with 18-inch wheels. All models except the range-topping Touring come with roof rails with retractable crossbars. The Touring comes with low-profile rails and detachable crossbars. Subaru claims improvements to the Outback's chassis and suspension provide a smoother, quieter ride than the current model. The brakes and the electronic power steering have also been retuned for a more linear response. Improvements to the CVT, the door mirrors, side glass, and wheel wells should help quell some road noise. There have been upgrades to the interior, including a redesigned center console. Backseat passengers now have access to two USB ports. New materials and colors will be available for both the seating surfaces and trim pieces. Subaru also says an improved air conditioning system will cool the cabin more quickly than before. The 2018 Outback gets the latest version of Subaru's Starlink infotainment system. That means Bluetooth phone and audio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a TomTom navigation system with three years of map updates in the top level models. The standard touchscreen is 6.5 inches, while an 8-inch system is an available option. Premium, Limited, and Touring models get over-the-air WiFi updates.

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:

Toyota recalls another 2.9 million vehicles over Takata airbags

Subaru, Mitsubishi and Hino doing recalls, too.

2018 Subaru Ascent three-row crossover SUV spotted showing off its shape

These images give us our best look so far at the Subaru Ascent, a new-for-2018 three-row crossover to fill the hole in Subaru's product lineup since the unloved Tribeca was discontinued after 2014. This prototype is lightly coated in a body-hugging camouflage wrap and appears to take its design from the Highlander-on-steroids Viziv-7 Concept that debuted at November's Los Angeles Auto Show. An exec from Subaru's parent company said at the time that "the next three-row from Subaru will be the biggest Subaru vehicle ever." That's for sure: The wheelbase is 117.7 inches and the overall vehicle measures 204.7 inches - a bit longer than a Chevy Tahoe. Subaru may well debut the production Ascent at the New York Auto Show in April. In the meantime, check out the spy shots above. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. View 14 Photos Related Video: