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Subaru’s STI-tuned Exiga 2.0GT revealed in Tokyo

October 21, 2009 at 8:04 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under 2009 Tokyo Motorshow, Cars, Subaru

Subaru has revealed a limited edition Exiga 2.0GT that has been prepped by the auto maker’s STI division. The 7-seater station wagon has a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine under its hood. The 4-cylinder boxer unit that is linked to a 5-speed automatic transmission is able to churn out 221hp.

The exterior of the new Exiga variant is treated to features including 17-inch alloy wheels, a sports exhaust as well as a front lip spoiler and side skirts. Inside, you would be surrounded by sport seats finished with leather, alcantara and red stitching, carbon fiber trim, aluminium pedals and STI gauges in the instrument panel. STI-badging on the steering wheel, gear knob, seats covers and on the engine start-stop button make up the rest of the interior upgrades.

Apart from the upgrades above, STI also worked its magic on the chassis with tuning performed on areas like the suspension and steering systems. Unfortunately the Exiga 2.0GT STI is only planned for the Japanese market and only 300 units will be rolled out. Each costs 3,591,000 yen (about RM 133,000). Look for more images after the jump.
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Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept with gullwing doors

October 1, 2009 at 9:27 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2009 Tokyo Motorshow, Cars, Concept Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Subaru

subaru-hybrid-tourer-1

Wanna know what the latest fad in Japan is when it comes to concept cars? Putting really funky doors on what are essentially very stylish people movers.

The Honda Skydeck had scissor doors in addition to its rear sliding doors, and this new Subaru concept called the Subaru Hybrid Tourer has twin gullwing doors! Apparently the designers penned the concept after imagining “wings of freedom” giving its driver and his family a feeling of freedom and confidence in driving the vehicle.

subaru-hybrid-tourer-2

Taking a cue from the 5-Series GT, the Subaru Hybrid Tourer seats only four. With these new ‘tourer’ vehicles the seats are limited but each seat is supposed to do its job really well – we’re talking about the best padding, legroom and entertainment that money can buy (in whatever pricerange the car is in of course). Subaru takes the driver’s comfort one step ahead by letting the top of the dashboard be movable up and down according to the driver’s wants.

I’ve heard of seats being adjustable infinite ways but never of an adjustable dashboard! Or at least that’s what the press release says as Subaru doesn’t exactly have any videos of how it works. Maybe they’ll release more nearer to the motorshow.

subaru-hybrid-tourer-3

Under the hood is naturally a boxer engine – it’s a real Subaru after all isn;t it? There’s also symmetrical all-wheel drive, another Subaru trademark. The boxer engine is turbocharged and of a 2.0 litre displacement. It also has direct fuel injection. The turbo-boxer is mated to a Lineartronic CVT. But that’s not where it stops – the boxer engine is only one part of a hybrid powertrain that complements the combustion engine with another two motors.

One 10kW power/drive motor is at the front together with the engine while there is another 20kW drive motor at the rear. At start-up and slow speeds, the rear drive motor is used primarily to move the vehicle while the combustion engine stays shut off. Under normal driving, the primary power source is the combustion engine. Then when there is extra power needed, the rear motor kicks in. Finally, at maximum power needs, the front motor kicks in.

subaru-hybrid-tourer-4

At other times the front motor functions primarily as a power generator, charging a lithium ion battery that powers the motors. There’s also auto start-stop and brake energy regeneration.

The styling looks pretty appealing actually, though I can see some hints of Audi at the rear. Look after the jump for the initially released photos of the concept.
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Do you prefer the Impreza hatchback or sedan?

September 30, 2009 at 6:23 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Subaru

subaru-impreza-hatch

The latest model Subaru Impreza has been in our market for quite sometime now, but I don’t know about you but I have yet to see one on our road.

Perhaps I’ve just been in the wrong places at the wrong times. The previous generations on the other hand can be seen nearly once a day and it’s a joy to hear it burbling past, thanks to its turbocharged boxer engine.

subaru-impreza-sedan

The Subaru Imprezas that we get here in Malaysia is unique in the sense that they are European spec models brought in from Europe instead of the JDM models that the grey importers bring in. This means no speed limit!

But I’m just curious on why has the takeup of the Impreza been slow compared to its arch-rival the Lancer Evolution? Is it because the Impreza has traditionally been viewed as a hot rally-going sedan instead of its current hatchback incarnation?

There are of course sedan versions of the car. Personally what do you think – do you prefer the sedan variant of the Impreza WRX or the hatchback version? Do vote above and share your opinion in the comments section – I’m pretty sure the people from Motor Image are watching.

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Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C: hardcore Impreza limited to 900 units in Japan

July 24, 2009 at 11:11 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Subaru

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C

The Spec C has always been a more hardcore version of the Impreza, somewhat like a track special. A Spec C is usually lighter, more powerful, and stiffer in the handling department.

The latest Impreza hatch finally gets its Spec C variant. The turbo has been upgraded with new ball bearings, and the intercooler gets a water spray to prevent higher intake air temperature after long periods of hard driving. The 2.0 litre boxer puts out 308 PS at 6,400rpm and 422Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. A new fuel pump has been supplied to enable stable fuel delivery even during hard driving.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C

Handling improves via various chassis enhancements such as the reinforcement of the front suspension crossmember thus improving steering response. The suspension damping force, and spring rate have been revised along with the specifications of the rear stabilizer and rear subframe bushes, all to provide tighter handling and road-holding ability. The rear LSD has been changed from a Torsen (torque sensing) type to a mechanical type.

Weight has been shaved off via the use of an aluminium engine hood, a smaller battery, laminar glass for the front and side windows, lighter 18 inch alloy wheels, and a flat tyre repair kit instead of a spare tyre. The tyres supplied are Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tyres with 245/40R18 size all-round.

The new Impreza WRX STI Spec C is limited to 900 units in Japan.
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New Subaru Legacy Wagon completes new family!

May 21, 2009 at 2:33 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Subaru

Subaru Legacy
New Legacy family clockwise form top: wagon, Outback and sedan

Subaru has unveiled the wagon body version of the new Subaru Legacy in Japan. We’ve already seen a wagon body new Legacy in the form of the new Subaru Outback but this is a wagon without all the off-roader bits.

Like the new Legacy sedan and Outback, the Legacy wagon will carry over all the improvements that the new Legacy has over the outgoing model – the increased length, width, height, widened tailgate, better engines (2.5 SOHC boxer, 2.5 DOHC turbo boxer, 3.6 DOHC boxer), better interior, the works!

New Subaru Legacy

It still looks pretty boring though so hopefully the drive makes up for it, or maybe this is one of those cars that simply look better in real life, like the F01 7-Series. We’ll probably see only very few of these only through special requests from the grey importers or perhaps none at all in Malaysia as wagons don’t do well in Malaysia and Motor Image is concentrating on the Subaru Forester.

Look after the jump for a full gallery of the new Legacy wagon.

Related Posts:
2010 Subaru Outback makes an appearance at NYIAS 2009
2010 Subaru Legacy production car unveiled!
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2010 Subaru Outback makes appearance at NYIAS

April 12, 2009 at 12:34 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Subaru, Videos

2010 Subaru Outback

Probably part of the reason why the new Legacy looks so bad is likely because they designed it as an Outback first, then converted it to a sedan, or at least that’s how it looks like to me. The front as you’ve previously seen is rather fat and tall and made worse by the upward curving headlamps but it looks fine on a vehicle that’s meant to have a tall stance like the Outback.

Having said that, Subaru is still definitely abit lost in the design department here. While the Legacy had cues from the Lexus GS and the Accord, the Outback ends up looking like a Hyundai Santa Fe. This has been ongoing ever since the “flying vagina” grille of the previous generation Impreza and the pre-facelift Subaru Tribeca, which they promptly “fixed” in the facelift. Some people think any coverage is good coverage, so is any unique design a good design to Subaru?

2010 Subaru Outback

The Outback is a wagon version of the Legacy but has a 8.7 inch ground clearance for some minor offroading, together with its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive capabilities. It has a swing-out roof rail, said to be the first vehicle in its segment to have one. Despite being bigger with a longer wheelbase its actually shorter than the outgoing model thanks to reduced overhangs.

The engine options are largely the same as the Legacy – a 170hp 2.5i mated to a 6-speed manual or the Lineartronic CVT, and a 256hp 3.6 litre boxer-6 engine mated to a 5-speed automatic. The boxer-6 car uses a planetary gear-type center differential with electronically controlled continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch to divide engine power 45:55, adjustable in response to driving conditions. No 2.5 GT for this American model.

Look after the jump for more pix of the Outback.
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2010 Subaru Legacy production car unveiled!

April 2, 2009 at 8:52 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Subaru

2010 Subaru Legacy

Lots of Toyota DNA is slowly creeping into Subaru, looking at the new Subaru Legacy here, which reeks of the Lexus GS when viewed from the rear. It’s different from the concept version shown at the NAIAS earlier this year which featured sharper lines.

The new Legacy sits on a longer platform than the outgoing model, in line with customer demands for more metal for their money these days, but it’s still not grown to over 2,800mm, instead keeping to 2,751mm, and that is only 80mm longer than before.

2010 Subaru Legacy

Despite a longer wheelbase it only grows only 35mm, which means Subaru is getting better at packaging their cars, as the overhangs are shorter now and more space is dedicated to the interior room. The car is also 90mm wider and 80mm taller than the outgoing car.

The Legacy uses a MacPherson strut at the front and a double wishbone for the rear suspension, mounted to the rear subframe. The front suspension is mounted to the new engine cradle, and Subaru says this improves steering response and adds to overall rigidity.

The new Subaru Legacy now comes with the option for a CVT transmission that Subaru calls the Lineartronic CVT, mated to Subaru’s traditional boxer engine and symmetrical all-wheel drive. It uses a chain-type system which Subaru says has higher torque capacity and lower friction, thus is more efficient than belt CVTs. There is a manual mode with 6 pre-defined virtual gear ratios, swappable via paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

2010 Subaru Legacy

A few engine options are available. The baseline Legacy 2.5i uses a 2.5 litre single cam boxer putting out 170 horses at 5,600rpm and 230Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. You can have this in either a 6-speed manual or the CVT. Subaru’s baseline engine uses a resin intake and has some better cooling design in the head to help improve fuel economy. The catalyst has also been improved to reduce emissions and the engine is now lighter.

In the middle is the 2.5GT, also featuring a 2.5 litre engine but this is turbocharged to produce 265 horses and 350Nm of torque between 2,000 to 5,200rpm. This is only available with the 6-speed manual. The turbocharger system has been updated to raise performance and reduce emissions. The torque curve is smooth and flat, while it doesn’t start kicking you back into your seat at 1,xxx rpm ranges it’s pretty close at 2,000rpm. The turbo is placed directly under the forward part of the crank to shorten the distance that the exhaust gas must travel, and lower the vehicle’s center of gravity.

2010 Subaru Legacy

For those who prefer normally aspirated power and an automatic gearbox, there is the Legacy 3.6R, featuring a boxer-6 3.6 litre engine with 256 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 335Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. It is only available with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The 3.6 litre engine is said to be packaged in the same dimensions as the earlier 3.0 litre.

Last but not least, for those looking to have a bit of fun with the new Legacy, the absence of a real parking brake that’s been replaced by a new electronic parking brake will be kinda disappointing. What’s with car manufacturers these days, heck even the Z4 doesn’t have one. Oh well.

Check out a full photo gallery after the jump.
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2010 Subaru Legacy rumored to be launched at the New York Auto Show

March 12, 2009 at 12:03 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Subaru

Words are being exchanged within the automotive fraternity that Subaru will launch the 2010 Legacy at the New York Auto Show which will kick start next month. With its design to be heavily influenced by the Subaru Legacy Concept which was previewed at the Detroit Auto Show, the production version is expected to be offered with a turbocharged 2.5 litre 4-cylinder or a 3.6 litre 6-cylinder boxer power plant, which should be mated to either a 6 speed manual or a CVT transmission.

Also expected to be offered in GT Premium and Limited trim levels, the new Legacy should feature, among others an electric parking brake, 18-inch wheels, iPod interface, Bluetooth connectivity as well as six new body colours. Both the Legacy and Outback models are also expected to be wider by about 3.6 inches compared to the outgoing models. Looks like we just have to wait to find out!

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Subaru Justy: Rebadged Daihatsu Sirion/Perodua Myvi gets racy upgrades!

February 24, 2009 at 10:20 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Daihatsu, Perodua, Subaru

Subaru has revealed a newly improved Justy 1.0R which is basically a re-badged version of the Daihatsu Sirion which is known in Malaysia as the Perodua Myvi.

This newly “improved” version, designated as the Justy 1.0 Twin Cam Special Edition carries a limited production run of 100 units only, with 50 finished in Black Mica and another 50 in Shinning Red.

With a base price of £9,995 which is about £700 more than the standard 1.0R, the Twin Cam Special Edition is powered by the same 68HP 3 cylinder engine found in the 1.0R, and is treated to a rear roof spoiler, twin exhaust system, over roof ‘viper stripes’ and side decals, leather and alloy gear knob and rear privacy glass.

As standard, just like the 1.0R model, it features ABS with EBD, radio/CD player with AUX input, four electric windows and remote central-locking. There are also driver, passenger, front side and curtain airbags. Potential buyers can also opt for 15-inch Monza R alloy wheels wrapped with Toyo 185/55R15 tires for an extra £ 600.

Just the Myvi we have back at home, it is also one of the cheapest vehicles to run in Europe with a 64.2 miles to the gallon fuel consumption figure based on the Extra Urban Cycle and an annual £ 35 Road Fund License fee. Subaru also further revealed that “The new Justy 1.0 Twin Cam now offers even more, and offers a racy alternative for the younger, and the young-at-heart, motorist”.

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New Subaru Legacy Concept at the NAIAS 2009

January 12, 2009 at 12:24 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Subaru

Subaru Legacy Concept

The new Subaru Legacy has been previewed in concept form at the 2009 NAIAS, or the Detroit Auto Show as it is frequently referred to as. From what was previously a sleek luxury cruise with that ever subtle tinge of sportiness, the new Subaru Legacy has grown rather large and has a noticeably high roofline, which Subaru says is designed to improve headroom in the interior. The car even has a little Hoffmeister kink at the C-pillar, so the Accord isn’t the only one doing that now!

Subaru Legacy Concept

The new car is larger, with a 2,751mm wheelbase that is longer than its predecessor, and even slightly longer than the large Subaru Tribeca. Like all proper Subarus (as in those that are not Daihatsu supermini rebadges), the Subaru Legacy Concept has Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive thats hooked up to a 3.6 litre 6-cylinder boxer engine. Subaru did not quote any power figures for this concept’s engine but it’s probably safe to assume that it is similiar to the EZ36 boxer-6 in the Subaru Tribeca that can produce 256hp.

Subaru Legacy Concept

The concept car has a few characteristics that probably won’t make it into the production model, and some of these include the tiny aerodynamic wing mirrors that use cameras instead of a mirror, as well as the 4-seater seating position which is most likely to be traded with a more practical 5-seater that uses a bench at the rear. There is a very comprehensive in-car entertainment system there too, and while it’s not likely to become a standard feature (or even a feature at all), it shouldn’t be too hard for any experienced accessory shop to reproduce it.

Check out a whole hi-res gallery and a video after the jump.
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