2009 Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti on 2040-cars

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Japan may aid carmakers facing U.S. tariff threat

TOKYO — Japan is considering giving carmakers fiscal support including tax breaks to offset the impact from trade frictions with the United States and a sales-tax hike planned for next year, government sources told Reuters on Wednesday. Going into a second round of trade talks with the United States on Sept. 21, Japan is hoping to avert steep tariffs on its car exports and fend off U.S. demands for a bilateral free trade agreement that could put it under pressure to open politically sensitive markets, like agriculture. "If the trade talks pile pressure on Japan's car exports, we would need to consider measures to support the auto industry," a ruling party official said on condition of anonymity because of sensitivity of the matter. The auto industry accounts for about 20 percent of Japan's overall output and around 60-70 percent of the country's trade surplus with the United States, making it vulnerable to U.S. action against Japanese exports. Japan's biggest automakers and components suppliers fear they could take a significant hit if Washington follows through on proposals to hike tariffs on autos and auto parts to 25 percent. Policymakers also worry that an increase in the sales tax from 8 percent to 10 percent planned for October 2019, could cause a slump in sales of big-ticket items such as cars and home. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has twice postponed the tax hike after the last increase from 5 percent in 2014 dealt a blow to private consumption, which accounts for about 60 percent of the economy. To prevent a pullback in demand after the tax hike, the government may consider large fiscal spending later when it draws up its budget for next year, government sources said. "One option may be to greatly reduce or abolish the automobile purchase tax," one of the government sources said. The government is also considering cuts in the automobile tax and automobile weight tax to help car buyers, the source added. Reporting by Izumi Nakagawa and Tetsushi KajimotoRelated Video: Image Credit: Getty Government/Legal Isuzu Mazda Mitsubishi Nissan Subaru Suzuki Toyota Trump Trump tariffs trade

Subaru prices limited edition Hyper Blue models

In the market for a new Subaru BRZ or WRX STI but aren't interested in World Rally Blue or any of the other shades on offer? Prefer your car look like a very loud, boxer-powered smurf? Then get in line for one of the limited-edition Hyper Blue models. We've covered these two before, but now, Subaru has released the pricing details on the rare models. All 500, manual-only Hyper Blue BRZs will be sold for $28,845, or just $655 more than the 2016 BRZ Limited 6MT. If you prefer more power and an extra set of doors, the 700 special-edition STI demands $39,790, which is $4,300 more than the base STI, but $1,000 less than the range-topping Limited model. In addition to their paint, the Hyper Blue models add black alloy wheels – 17-inchers for the BRZ and 18-inch BBS-branded hoops for the STI – black badges, and black wing mirrors. In the case of the BRZ, the cabin even gets Hyper Blue accents throughout the cabin, including contrast stitching on the seats, shift boot, and emergency brake handle. Read on for the full press release from Subaru detailing the pricing and equipment options. SUBARU ANNOUNCES PRICING ON LIMITED EDITION 2016 SERIES.HYPERBLUE BRZ AND WRX STI MODELS Production limited to 700 WRX STI & 500 BRZ BRZ receives upgraded SUBARU STARLINK® Multimedia Rear Vision Camera now standard on BRZ Exclusive Hyper Blue exterior paint and interior trims Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. has announced pricing on 2016 Series.HyperBlue limited edition BRZ and WRX STI models. Production is limited to 700 WRX STI and 500 BRZ cars for the United States. Vehicles arrive in retail locations this fall. The $38,995 Series.HyperBlue WRX STI brings exclusive Hyper Blue stitching to the standard Alcantara® seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, manual transmission shifter boot, and console as well as carpeted floor mats with the traditional Cherry Red STI logo. The Series.HyperBlue WRX STI wears 18-inch BBS® Black Alloy wheels and black exterior badging as well as exterior mirrors. SUBARU STARLINK 7.0" Multimedia Navigation System comes standard on this trim with 9 Harman/Kardon® speakers and 440-watt amplifier. Powered by a 305-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged/intercooled BOXER engine, the WRX STI helped to pioneer the sport compact segment with a rally-bred drivetrain and Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

Which is quicker in the standing mile, a Subaru WRX STI or a Porsche Cayman?

The 2015 Subaru WRX STI and 2014 Porsche Cayman are both saddled with unfair reputations. The STI with its huge wing and gold wheels has the title of the ultimate boy-racer. On the other hand, Porsche brand snobs look down on he base Cayman as just a wannabe 911. In reality, they are both pretty fantastic performance cars. But what would happen if the two of them lined up at a stoplight, and maybe the guy in the suit in the Cayman started throwing some revs at the young man in the STI? Automobile decided to find out in a recent video pitting the two stereotyped hot rods against each other in a standing-mile drag race.
In terms of raw numbers, they are surprisingly close. Both use flat engines and six-speed manual transmissions here, but the Subaru has more power and torque. However, the Porsche makes up for it with 300 pounds less weight. Neither should have a problem with traction either thanks to the STI's sophisticated all-wheel-drive setup, and the Cayman's mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout.
The comparable specs certainly show themselves in the real world for the race. We're not going to give away the winner here because it's too exciting, but let's just say the finish is very, very close. Scroll down to watch both of them shrug off their stereotypes and show off their real performance.