2012 Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti on 2040-cars

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Here's why the most-ticketed cars story is junk

A recent study from Insurance.com found that owners of the Subaru WRX were the most likely people in the US to be ticketed for traffic infractions, with 33.6 percent of them receiving a citation in the last three years. Coming in a close second and third were drivers of the Pontiac GTO at 32.7 percent and the Scion FR-S at 32.6 percent. At first glance, this report looks like just a mildly interesting anecdote to tell your friends during a lull in conversation, but there seems to be a serious problem with the methodology here that might be blowing these numbers way out of proportion. Insurance.com explains that it based the study on 557,238 drivers who requested online insurance quotes from its service from January 1, 2013 to July 2014. To make it onto the list, a vehicle needed over 50 quotes, and in the end that left 526 models. However, these facts are almost useless because the list isn't based on percentages from the whole pool. The study's ranking comes from owners of specific vehicles, and these numbers aren't mentioned anywhere in the company's press release. All we know about the sample size for each model is that it's higher than 50. Assuming that amount for the WRX means it would only take about 17 people with tickets using the site to put the sporty car in first place. These unknown model sample sizes might explain some of the extremely odd entries on the list. For example, the long-discontinued Mercury Topaz is in seventh place with 28.8 percent of its drivers receiving tickets. The GTO and Toyota Supra are also in the top ten and out of production. Just a few people searching for these vehicles could be the reason for these strange results. Obviously automotive studies have their place, but this one just appears to have gotten confused along the way. Scroll down to read the report to see what we mean. Ticket magnets: The cars with the most violations September 30, 2014 (Foster City, CA) – One in three drivers of the Subaru WRX has a recent traffic violation, according to a study by Insurance.com, the car insurance comparison-shopping website, putting the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive sport-compact atop its ranking of cars that get the most tickets. The most-ticketed brand overall was Scion, with 27.5 percent of all owners reporting a traffic violation. Insurance.com looked at data from 526 models and more than 557,000 recent customers.

Subaru XV Crosstrek gets special edition model, retina-searing paint

It's not going to be hard to spot the buyers of the upcoming 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Special Edition driving around town thanks to the model's exclusive, blazing Sunrise Yellow paint. But you can think of the loud color as Subaru's way of celebrating a record year in 2014 with 513,693 vehicles sold, easily beating its half-million-car goal. The Crosstrek was also the company's third-best-selling vehicle last year, behind the Forester and Outback. Limited to 1,000 units that begin arriving in the spring, the Special Edition is priced at $25,290, plus $850 destination and delivery. For that money, Subaru gives buyers a compact crossover based on the 2.0i Premium with some extra kit. In addition to the sunny paint, all of these models come with a power moonroof, body-color folding mirrors and blackened headlight bezels. The all-weather package is also standard with heated exterior mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer and heated front seats. The biggest upgrade inside is Subaru's Starlink multimedia system that includes a seven-inch touchscreen with voice-activated controls, multi-touch support and two USB ports. Keyless access with push-button start and leather wrapping for the shift lever and steering wheel also come with this version. There's nothing new underneath the bright paint and improved interior, though. The Special Editions get the same 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine making 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque as the rest of the lineup. As expected, power is routed through a CVT to Subie's all-wheel drive system. Read more below about Subaru's limited take on the Crosstrek. SUBARU ANNOUNCES XV CROSSTREK SPECIAL EDITION - Limited edition production model with 1,000 units - Based on 2.0i Premium trim - New exterior color Sunrise Yellow - Priced at $25,290 Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc., which has posted record-breaking sales every year for the past six years, today announced the introduction of the 2015 XV Crosstrek Special Edition. The Special Edition will be limited production of 1,000 models arriving into retailers in Spring 2015. Based on the well-equipped 2.0i Premium trim, the Special Edition is priced at $25,290 (plus $850 d&d). The versatile, fun-to-drive XV Crosstrek combines bold five-door design, a highly capable chassis, best-in-class fuel economy and in-demand multimedia features.

Subaru Viziv Performance STI Concept has us dreaming of a future WRX STI

Subaru has revealed the Viziv Performance STI Concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon, and it's pretty much what you would expect. It's very closely related to the Viziv Performance Concept from the Tokyo Auto Show last year, but it's been given a bevy of flashy STI parts to make it aggressive. Up front, a deep lip spoiler complements a redesigned front bumper that does away with the two outboard air intakes and opens up the center one. According to a Subaru designer, it improves the cooling and aerodynamics. Having the blocked-off intakes on each side with STI logos is also a nice throwback to old Impreza STI models that often had blank panels with the logo over the foglight openings. Around the side are side skirts, and at the back are small extensions to the same diffuser from the earlier Viziv concept. And of course, there's a massive wing at the back. What's interesting is how much of the normal Viziv remains under the STI logos, decals and wings. The fenders look nearly untouched, and the hood scoop is the same size and shape as the standard concept. Even the exhaust, taillights and headlights are all the same. Then again, between the production WRX and WRX STI, the only real visible differences are the rear wing, wheels and front spoiler. And, if the Viziv Performance concepts preview future WRX and STI models, following that model makes sense. Of course the big differences between WRX and STI models are under the skin. Unfortunately, Subaru doesn't reveal a thing about what hypothetical powertrain is under this STI. Maybe we shouldn't be so surprised though, since the company didn't say anything about the regular one either. Only the use of a flat-four and all-wheel drive are certain. For that matter, even the styling isn't truly certain. While we can hope that the next WRX and WRX STI have the muscular look of these concepts, we have reason to be skeptical. But instead of getting cynical and sad, let's just enjoy this for what it is: a cool STI concept. Related Video: