2015 Subaru Forester 2.5i on 2040-cars

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Subaru confirms 3-row crossover for Indiana plant for 2018

There's a new vehicle coming to Subaru's Lafayette, IN, factory, as the all-wheel-drive specialist confirmed the site will build a new three-row crossover. The vehicle, which will actually be larger than the long-departed, three-row Tribeca, will begin construction in 2018. This announcement from Subaru follows a report from Automotive News last week that the company would introduce a US-specific seven-passenger CUV. That same report pointed to the Indiana factory as the source of the new model. It's unclear if this new model will revive the Tribeca name. All the company would say is that it "will likely carry a name synonymous with outdoor adventure, consistent with the company's other successful crossovers." "We are delighted to be bringing even more Subaru manufacturing to the US," Subaru of Indiana Automotive executive vice president Tom Easterday said in a statement. "The new model will also result in increased investment at SIA and at several of our suppliers across the country." Alongside the unnamed new CUV, Subaru's Lafayette, IN, factory already builds the Legacy and Outback. By the time the full-sizer arrives, the factory will also be responsible for the redesigned Impreza. Read on for the official announcement from Subaru. November 9, 2015 SUBARU CONFIRMS NEW 3-ROW CROSSOVER TO BE MADE IN U.S. AT INDIANA PRODUCTION PLANT Subaru of Indiana Automotive will receive 3-row in 2018 as its fourth model Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru has confirmed that a new 3-row crossover model, effectively replacing the retired Tribeca, will be produced at its SIA plant in Lafayette, Indiana. The all-new crossover is expected to be built beginning in 2018 and will be a larger vehicle than the Tribeca, with full third-row capability. The new vehicle has not yet been named, but will likely carry a name synonymous with outdoor adventure, consistent with the company's other successful crossovers; Outback, Forester and Crosstrek. When production of the new model begins, Subaru will have four models produced in the U.S.: Legacy, Outback, a new Impreza compact sedan and 5-door model beginning production in late 2016, and this new crossover. Subaru production in Indiana is projected to be approximately 228,000 units in 2015, and annual capacity is scheduled to grow to 394,000 with the introduction of the Impreza model. Subaru is currently enjoying its seventh consecutive year of sales records and expects to close 2015 with over 550,000 sales, with sales tripling since 2007.

2015 Subaru Outback offers more room and better econ behind that new face

While its new front fascia makes the biggest obvious impact, Subaru says changes to the entire 2015 Outback package make it roomier, more powerful, more efficient and quieter. The hexagonal grille gets it in line with the corporate template, to go along with a new shape to the lower grille and fog light cladding, a sharp crease for a shoulder line and a faster rake to the windshield. The rocker panel cladding and its 'toothed' molding remain, but it now also doubles as a step for when you want to place items on the roof rack.
Under the aluminum hood will either be a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine with 175 horsepower and a carryover 174 pound-feet of torque, or a 3.6-liter inline-six-cylinder with 256 hp and 247 lb-ft exclusively in the 3.6R Limited model. Paired to the lower-friction Lineartronic CVT that is the only shifting choice, and aided by features like the active grille shutter system and electric power steering, Subaru estimates fuel economy for the four-cylinder at 25 miles per gallon city, 33 highway and 28 combined, an increase of 1/3/2 mpg over the outgoing car. The sixer is pegged at 19 city, 27 highway and 22 combined, an increase of 2 mpg across the board.
The Outback has grown in every dimension, but never by more than 0.7 of an inch. The passenger cabin grows by 2.7 cubic feet, though, so occupants have more shoulder, hip, elbow and legroom. The cargo hold is enlarged by 1.2 cu-ft with the rear seats up, by 2.0 cu-ft with them down and the load floor is flatter. Accessing it is made easier by the memory height function on the power tailgate and new release handles for the rear thrones. Cabin ambiance is improved by sound abatement measures like an acoustic windshield, thicker panels and more noise-insulating foam.

Toyota GT86 turbo, convertible, sedan variants back on the table

Okay Toyota, make up your mind. Figure it out. Quit playing games with our heart. Either build a bunch of variations of the excellent GT86 (also known as the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ) or don't. At this point, we're just tired of the back and forth. After no shortage of denials, an Australian website is claiming that Toyota is reconsidering convertible, four-door, turbocharged and all-wheel-drive hybrid variants of the GT86. Kindly pass all the salt.
It's not that we don't want to believe the Aussies; we do. But when the story lists the same "sources in Japan" as a lot of the other denials and confirmations about GT86/BRZ/FR-S variants, well, there's a certain sense of the "Boy That Cried Wolf," here. Ignoring all that, then, what does Motoring.com.au claim to know?
Sources claim the GT86 Convertible will arrive in October 2014, while the turbocharged and hybrid sedans are slated for 2016.