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2020 Subaru WRX Series.White Road Test | Making the case for an STI

For 2020, Subaru has launched another round of color-themed limited-edition WRX and STI models. They’re called Series.White, and, big surprise, come in a bright white paint scheme. TheyÂ’re also limited to 500 units a piece, and in the case of the WRX model we tested, it comes with a variety of performance upgrades including an exclusive Bilstein suspension. ItÂ’s an attractive model that makes a strong case in a vacuum, but itÂ’s a questionable value even against other Subaru variants. The 2020 Subaru WRX Series.White is basically a WRX Premium with the Performance Package, plus a few extra things. That means it has the Recaro power seats, Brembo four-piston front calipers and two-piston rear calipers, and no sunroof for weight savings. Specific to the Series.White is the aforementioned Bilstein suspension as well as the exclusive Ceramic White paint, dark bronze wheels, steering-adaptive LED headlights and LED fog lights. The price for all this is $34,895. ThatÂ’s just $1,450 more than the Performance Package-equipped WRX Premium, and youÂ’re getting exclusivity, a stylish color combo and ostensibly better suspension, so things seem pretty good starting out. The good feeling sticks around when you take the WRX Series.White out for a spirited drive. What really shines is the chassis and drivetrain. ItÂ’s solid as a rock and super responsive. Every little input from the fast, accurate steering gets an immediate and eager response from the car. It feels neutral on back roads, something helped by the all-wheel drive that has a splits power 50/50 front/rear and features a viscous limited-slip center differential. With minimal body roll and maximum grip, the WRX eggs you on, asking you to push it harder and faster through corners. And when itÂ’s time to slow down, the Brembo brakes provide excellent feedback and a solid, firm pedal feel. Speaking of pedals, theyÂ’re laid out nice and close to each other for easy rev-matched downshifts. Be careful of the clutch, though, as itÂ’s on the long side and has light-switch engagement, but works great when youÂ’re driving hard. And yes, the six-speed manual is the only transmission available. The engine is more of a mixed bag. With the same 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque as any other WRX, the 2.0-liter turbo flat-four puts up good numbers, but the delivery isnÂ’t great. At low rpm, it feels sluggish as you wait for the boost to build, and at high rpm, you can tell itÂ’s running out of huff.

2015-18 Subaru Foresters recalled because front airbag may not deploy

Subaru is recalling 366,282 Foresters from model years 2015-18 because the front passenger airbag may not go off when it should during a crash. The problem stems from Subaru’s “Occupant Detection System,” which may not be able to detect a person sitting in the seat due to a loose connection. ThereÂ’s an electrical connection under the passenger seat that may loosen over time, according to Subaru. That connection is necessary for the detection system to function. Subaru says that only cars equipped with heated front seats are subject to this recall, as those are the only ones equipped with the specific harness where this would be possible. If your Forester is experiencing this problem, Subaru says you may see the “airbag warning” light illuminate on your dash. The “Passenger airbag off” indicator will also be illuminated, so that makes two different lights to check to see if your airbag is working. In turn, the seat wonÂ’t recognize the presence of a person in the front passenger seat, and the airbag may not deploy in a crash. Subaru will inspect the vehicles it recalls and replace the sensor mat harness if necessary. If you own a 2015-2018 Forester with heated front seats, look out for a note in the mail informing you of a recall. YouÂ’ll need to take the car in to the dealer, where the recall work will be done free of charge. As of now, Subaru isnÂ’t aware of any injuries or fatalities associated with this problem.

Climb to the Clouds returning thanks to Subaru title sponsorship [w/video]

The Mt. Washington Hillclimb, otherwise known as the Climb to the Clouds, hasn't been done since 2011. That year, Subaru Rally Team USA driver David Higgins set a new record for the event first held in 1904, running the 7.6-mile vertiginous course in 6:11.54. The race will be return in 2014 with the help of that very carmaker, Subaru of America having stepped in to the title sponsor role for what will be the Subaru Mt. Washington Hillclimb.
Taking place from June 26-29, 75 modern and vintage cars will spend three days racing up the 6,288-foot-high mountain. It's not as long nor as high as Pikes Peak, but it does have something that the Colorado competition doesn't: gravel; about 13 percent of the Mt. Washington Carriage Road still hasn't been paved.
If you want to know what a record-breaking run up the northeast's highest peak looks like, check out Higgins behind the wheel in the video below.