All-new 2012 Subaru Impreza Awarded IIHS 2012 TOP SAFETY PICK

-Subaru remains only manufacturer with IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK Winners for All Models-

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced that for the third consecutive year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has recognized it as the only manufacturer with a 2012 TOP SAFETY PICK winner for all models.  The all-new 36 mpg 2012 Impreza, the most fuel-efficient all-wheel drive vehicle in America, was awarded in the "Small Car" category.

"Our customers take their safety very seriously and so we are very pleased that IIHS has recognized us again with a TOP SAFETY PICK winner for all our qualifying models," said Tom Doll, executive vice president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc. "To be able to include the redesigned 2012 Impreza to the list is an outstanding success and a tribute to the engineering that goes into our products. The IIHS reinforces to our customers that Subaru maintains the highest standards to produce vehicles that are fun-to- drive, durable, reliable as well as safe."

The TOP SAFETY PICK recognizes vehicles that, in IIHS testing, do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rear, and now rollover crashes based on 'good' ratings in each category. The IIHS ranks in terms of Good, Acceptable, Marginal and Poor, with 'good' as the top rank possible in Institute tests. Winners also must have electronic stability control.

"Subaru once again has a TOP SAFETY PICK winner for all models," said IIHS president Adrian Lund. "It's tough to win, and we commend auto manufacturers for making safety a top priority."

About IIHS

The Institute's frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on results of 40 mph frontal offset crash tests. Each vehicle's overall evaluation is based on measurements of intrusion into the occupant compartment, injury measures recorded on a 50th percentile male Hybrid III dummy in the driver seat, and analysis of slow-motion film to assess how well the restraint system controlled dummy movement during the test.

Side evaluations are based on performance in a crash test in which the side of a vehicle is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph. The barrier represents the front end of a pickup or SUV. Ratings reflect injury measures recorded on 2-instrumented SID-IIs dummies representing a small (5th percentile) woman, assessment of head protection countermeasures, and the vehicle's structural performance during the impact.

Read More: http://media.subaru.com/index.php?s=43&item=282

Chicago Subaru Impreza

AUTO SHOWS: First Look: Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept

Yes, Subaru says this slick wagon is the Advanced Tourer Concept, and that it will debut at next month's Tokyo Motor Show. But could the sleek, muscular wagon give a peek at what's to come for the next-generation Legacy and Outback? Perhaps.

The Advanced Tourer Concept continues Subaru's latest design language, which aims to inspire confidence by means of muscular haunches, crisp character lines, and the brand's signature six-sided grille. Oversized, split-spoke wheels, along with LED head- and taillights lend to the futuristic look of the Tourer. It's a sleek and muscular look for a midsize station wagon; we expect that a toned-down version of this car will make its way to become the next-generation Legacy. After all, Subaru has a history of previewing forthcoming production models with tarted-up show cars.

There is a full-length glass roof to brighten the cabin, and passengers will each have their own floating captain's chair. Subaru has integrated a screen into the steering wheel to display maps, internet, and other telematics. The concept is also equipped with Subaru's EyeSight Version 2 driver assistance system that includes things like active cruise control, emergency braking, and lane departure warning.

The Advanced Tourer Concept also makes use of a new hybrid powertrain. A direct-injection, turbocharged 1.6-liter boxer-four-cylinder is paired with a single electric motor through a continuously variable transmission. Details are fleeting, but Subaru says the system is used in combination with its Symmetrical All-wheel-Drive system, leading us to believe a through-the-road hybrid is out of the question.

Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/tokyo/2011/1111_subaru_advanced_tourer_concept/index.html#ixzz1eYzq9GQJ

Subaru Advanced Tourer Hybrid Concept: 2011 Tokyo Motor Show Preview

Subaru might be better known for its world-rally-inspired gas-guzzling Impreza WRX and STI, but the Japanese automaker is just about to jump on the green bandwagon with an all-new hybrid wagon concept due to be unveiled later this month at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

At the moment, we’ve only got some teaser images to go by, along with the information that the mid-size wagon concept is designed to be a meeting point between Subaru’s legendary performance, environmental awareness and the practicality of a wagon.

Sticking with what it does best, Subaru has married a 1.6 liter direct-injected horizontally-opposed boxer engine with its own hybrid drivetrain system and all-wheel drive system.

Rather than use multiple motors in its hybrid as is the case with cars like the 2012 Toyota Prius, Subaru engineers have chosen a single motor which operates to provide zero-tailpipe emission low-speed driving. When braking, the motor turns into a generator, recapturing excess energy and storing it in the car’s battery pack.

Subaru hasn’t said if its new concept car will plug-in, but we think its unlikely given its past hybrid concepts, not to mention its unceremonious axing of its only all-electric car -- the Stella mini-car -- earlier this year.

That said, the latest from Subaru suggests that its Advanced Tourer Hybrid Concept will be  at least capable of all-electric travel at low speed, meaning its drivetrain would be a series-parallel hybrid similar to the hybrid drivetrain found in Toyota and Lexus cars rather than the mild hybrid drivetrain we previously thought it would be adopting.

Subaru’s hints at going hybrid come hot on the heels of the news that the closest rival to the Subaru Impreza -- the mighty Mitsubishi Lancer Evo -- would adopt a turbocharged diesel plug-in hybrid drivetrain capable of accelerating it from rest to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

Subaru's concept may well be a wagon -- but we don't think it takes much imagination to make the link between the Advanced Tourer Hybrid Concept and a new, hybrid drivetrain for the new WRX and STI platforms Subaru is planning for 2013.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1068301_subaru-advanced-tourer-hybrid-concept-2011-tokyo-motor-show-preview

Subaru Reveals More About Production BRZ Sports Car With Teaser Pic and PDF

Leaked brochures of the Toyota version be damned, Subaru continues to prepare us for the Tokyo auto show reveal of its rear-drive sports car with information hors d’oeuvres.

On the latest silver tray, Subaru serves up a glimpse at the car’s front end—you can see that the grille is different than the one on the Toyota FT-86/Scion FR-S—plus some additional specifications. As we learned during our drive of a BRZ prototype, the boxer engine architecture is Subaru’s, but Toyota has contributed its dual port/direct-injection heads. (Engineering geeks take note: Subaru’s working on its own direct-injection tech, as previewed in the Advanced Tourer Concept, and it’s not licensed from ToMoCo.)

A PDF also rocketed in from the Pleiades (you can check it out here) and reported the BRZ’s length, width, and height. The big deal here is less that the car is 166.9 inches long, 69.9 inches wide, and 51.2 inches high, but that the numbers corroborate those in a spec sheet allegedly leaked from Japan. That sheet also reports weight estimates of 2668 to 2712 pounds, numbers given further credibility by the dimensional accuracy. Overall, the BRZ and its Toyota sib will be longer and wider than the Mazda MX-5, though a bit taller and between that car and the RX-8 in weight.

Online leaks, teasers, a decoy set for the L.A. auto show—it sounds like J.J. Abrams is writing the launch plan for the BRZ and Toyota FT-86. At least it will all be over a month from now, when the pair of heavily hyped cars are properly and fully presented to the public in Tokyo.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/subaru-reveals-more-about-production-brz-sports-car-with-teaser-pic-and-pdf/

2011 LA Auto Show Preview: Subaru BRZ Concept-STI

Subaru has released a sneak peak and some details of their new BRZ concept sports car, which will be shown in two weeks at the 2011 LA Auto Show.

Officially called the Subaru BRZ Concept-STI, the lightweight coupe will have rear-wheel drive, breaking from the brand’s all-wheel-drive tradition. The BRZ will likely use a more powerful version of the new naturally aspirated, direct-injection, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine first offered in the redesigned Impreza. The flat-four engine is mounted low and behind the front wheels to lower the car’s center of gravity, and thereby aid handling and weight distribution.

The concept car will have a suspension tuned by the STI performance/motorsports division; it will also come with Brembo brakes and 18-inch wheels and tires. The body shown in this picture has a carbon-fiber roof, aero-tuned lower front spoiler, and vented rear bumper. We’ll learn more about the production plans when we attend the upcoming LA Auto Show in two weeks, where the concept will make its public debut.

Meanwhile, we heard that the high-performance turbocharged WRX and STi versions of the Impreza will not move to the new Impreza design. Instead they will soldier on in their current form until the BRZ debuts in spring 2012. But there’s no word on whether the hot-rod sedans will be redesigned or even continue after that.

Read More: http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/11/2011-la-auto-show-preview-subaru-brz-concept-sti.html

Subaru Dealers

Subaru XV Crossover Coming to U.S. Next Year, May Get a Different Name

Subaru has already revealed the production version of the XV crossover concept from the 2011 Shanghai auto show, and the company has now told us that the high-riding Impreza hatch will come to the U.S. next year. What the car ultimately will be called when it’s traipsing around northern Vermont is up in the air, however, with Subaru spokespeople telling us the badge has yet “to be decided.” The crossover will replace the Outback Sport, but may not carry over that moniker.

The production XV that Subaru brought to the Frankfurt auto show featured three engine choices, including a gas 1.6- or 2.0-liter boxer four from the company’s new “FB” engine family and a new boxer diesel for Europe. Three transmissions are on offer: five- or six-speed manuals and an optional CVT. We’d expect the U.S.-market XV to mate the 2.0-liter four with the five-speed manual or the CVT, at least at first, as the same combos can be found in the 2012 Impreza.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/subaru-xv-crossover-coming-to-u-s-next-year-may-get-a-different-name/

Subaru Illinois

2012 Subaru Impreza: AWD, 36 MPG Highway, First Drive Report

Subaru is known for its no-nonsense, durable, all-wheel drive Forester and Outback crossover utility vehicles. What U.S. buyers don't seem to know is that the company also makes compact sedans and hatchbacks.

For 2012, Subaru has restyled its Impreza compact, increasing interior space while keeping overall length and width the same, lightened it, and fitted it with an all-new engine and the Impreza’s first continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The new engine and transmission combine with a weight reduction of 110 pounds to improve gas mileage considerably over the previous model. While the 2012 Impreza's 30-mpg combined rating is hardly the highest among compacts, it’s the highest figure for any all-wheel drive gasoline car sold in the States.

The company hopes the all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza will make it more of a player in the world of compact cars that get good gas mileage--with the added Subaru twist of standard all-wheel drive. The new model will compete most directly against the Mazda Mazda3 and the Volkswagen Jetta, on the sportier end of the compact spectrum.

Cleaner lines, recognizable face

The 2012 Subaru Impreza was designed from the outset to have more appealing lines than the previous model, which launched a number of new styling cues, not all of them successfully.

Subaru says outright that styling was one of two reasons shoppers turned their backs on the last-generation Impreza (the other was its gas mileage). And the company redesigned every panel of the new car to improve it.

At the front, the new Impreza returns to the traditional and recognizable trapezoidal Subaru grille and "hawkeye" headlamps. The 2012 model is no longer than its predecessor, but the wheelbase has been lengthened by 1 inch, shortening the overhangs. The windshield is more steeply raked, and the hood is shorter.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1066879_2012-subaru-impreza-awd-36-mpg-highway-first-drive-report

REVIEWS: First Drive: 2012 Subaru Impreza

The 2012 Subaru Impreza is lighter than its predecessor. It's better looking and its fuel economy is vastly improved. It's also faster and the exhaust pipe emits only ice cream. The ice cream is magic and if you eat it, you won't get fat and everyone will think you're sexy. Impreza? This car will influence so many people, they should've called it the Influenza.

There's no doubt that the 2012 Impreza is, in fact, better looking and stingier with a gallon of gas. But I'm not completely buying Subaru's assertion that it's also quicker. The revised car lost a maximum of 165 pounds. Meanwhile, the new 2.0-liter flat-four is down 22 horsepower and 25 lb-ft of torque compared to the old 2.5-liter. To the naked eyeball, it wouldn't seem that 165 pounds would cancel out that kind of power loss, and I'm pretty sure it doesn't. Subaru is careful to apply the "quicker" designation to cars equipped with an automatic transmission, and that transmission has morphed from a prehistoric four-speed automatic to a very nice CVT. So combine the diet with the new transmission, and you get a car that sneaks under the 10-second mark on 0-60 runs, a few tenths faster than its predecessor. But when you ask about the five-speed car, Subaru people suddenly go all Oliver North and can't really remember much about the numbers. Well, here they are: The lightest version of the old Impreza had a power to weight ratio of 17.96 pounds per horsepower. The new car is dragging 19.66 pounds per horsepower. That's a significant difference, and despite some tinkering with the ratios in the five-speed, I'd put my money on the 2011 model in a drag race.

Yes, I've devoted probably too much energy to thinking about power to weight ratios in naturally aspirated Imprezas. My official prediction is that the automatic car will be a little quicker, the manual car will be a little slower and in any case no one who buys a non-WRX Impreza will care. The librarians of Vermont don't race for pink slips.

But they do care about mileage, and in that respect the new Impreza embarrasses its predecessor. The CVT-equipped car actually gets better city mileage (27 mpg) than the four-speed automatic model could manage on the highway. With a combined economy rating of 28 mpg for the manual and 30 mpg for the automatic, Subaru says the automatic Impreza is the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive car you can buy in the U.S. And that newfound thrift carries benefits into other areas, too -- for instance, a smaller gas tank allows a flat load floor in the five-door, which is one of the ways that Subaru increased interior volume while maintaining the same footprint as the 2011 model.

That interior is also a much finer habitat than before. The dashboard is covered in soft-touch materials and leather is an option for the first time on a non-turbocharged Impreza. On cars with a navigation system, the route planner dispenses an amazing amount of detail. Want to know how many kilograms of CO2 you'll emit on the way to the Sierra Club meeting? The Impreza will tell you exactly how guilty to feel.

After spending a day attacking the low mountains of the Berkshires in both five-speed and automatic Imprezas, I'd say that this car absolutely owns the title for "chassis that could handle significantly more horsepower." On one long on-ramp, I kept feeding in power on the expectation that the tires would start howling and the front end would wash out. But by the time the rubber began to voice any protest, I was far exceeding the speed limit on the highway ahead and my driving partner was looking faintly concerned about his choice of companionship for the day. With all-wheel-drive, the boxer engine's low center of gravity and double wishbones out back -- what we around here refer to as "classy rear suspension" -- the base Impreza is a lot of fun in the corners. Which makes sense, since it's basically a WRX without the power.

The new 2.0-liter is smoother than growly old 2.5-liter, but you're regularly aware that the torque peak is north of 4,000 rpm, especially with the CVT. Normally CVTs cause me to make a face like someone who smelled a fart, but this one features shift paddles on the steering wheel that allow you to hold one of six preset ratios if, say, you're terrorizing an on-ramp in rural Connecticut. I'd still go for the five-speed, but if you bought the automatic, I'd understand.

The base Impreza 2.0i with a five-speed goes for $18,245, making it one of the nicest all-wheel-drive cars for under 20 grand, as well as one of the only all-wheel-drive cars for under 20 grand. In other words, Subaru probably could've cheapened it out and hit their sales targets anyway, so it's admirable that they went in the other direction. In particular, dropping weight costs money, and the new Impreza's diet included the increased use of pricier high-strength steel. The improved interior materials aren't free, either, so it's impressive that Subaru carried over the old base price.

Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1109_2012_subaru_impreza_first_drive/index.html#ixzz1a7tGSaUG

Subaru Motion-V Plan Calls For 30 Percent Gas Mileage Boost By 2015

Subaru has taken heed of customer complaints that its lineup wasn’t as efficient as those of its competitors, making its latest generation 2012 Impreza return an impressive 27/36 mpg city/highway gas mileage.

Not only is the car still offered with the extra safety of all-wheel drive as standard, it also comes better equipped than the model it replaces as well as more interior space.

But it’s not just volume sellers like the Impreza that will be receiving such substantial upgrades.

Under a new, all-encompassing mid-term plan dubbed “Motion-V”, Subaru plans to enhance its entire lineup in the hope of improving gas mileage by 30 percent by the year 2015 while also improving safety, performance and technology.

As part of the plan, Subaru will bolster its lineup with the introduction of three new models in addition to a hybrid variant of one of its existing cars.

The automaker remains shy as to which model will be its first hybrid, though we do know that it will be launched in 2013, initially in Japan but in the rest of the world before the end of that same year. Industry rumors peg the model as the Legacy mid-size sedan, though a hybrid Forester is also a possibility. Subaru of America officials said off the record that while the technology is finished, no final decision had been made on which U.S. model would launch the new gas-saving hybrid system.

However, hybrid technology is only one pillar of Subaru’s Motion-V plan. Others will include drivetrain and vehicle body improvements.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1066604_subaru-motion-v-plan-calls-for-30-percent-gas-mileage-boost-by-2015

Subaru Working on 1.6- and 2.0-L Turbo Fours and Own Hybrid, Seeks 30 Percent Fuel-Economy Gain by 2015

At the Frankfurt auto show, we chatted with Subaru about its plans to drastically increase the fuel efficiency of its cars while maintaining their current levels of dynamics. The Japanese company says it wants to improve fuel economy across its lineup by 30 percent by 2015. New engines and revised transmissions will contribute to two-thirds of the increase, while lightweight body and chassis technology will provide the rest.

1.6- and 2.0-Liter Direct-Injected Turbos
Turbocharged, lower-displacement engines are today’s new hotness for achieving improved efficiency—Ford’s EcoBoost technology is the most marketed example—but for most companies, widespread turbocharging is new. Subaru, on the other hand, has extensive forced-induction experience and intends to put that knowledge to work. The new-for-2012 Impreza sedan’s new, naturally aspirated 2.0-liter flat-four is part of a new FB engine family (click here for a dive into the new engine), as is the Forester’s current 2.5-liter flat-four. While the 2.0-liter has boosted the new Impreza’s fuel-economy numbers significantly—the Forester saw only minor gains—Subaru plans to add direct injection (which we’re told nets a two-percent reduction in fuel consumption on its own) and turbocharging to the FB mix in the near future, both to the 2.0-liter and a new 1.6-liter variant.

Turbo BRZ? Maybe, but Not Yet
Ah, you’re thinking, this means a turbo version of Subaru’s sports car, the BRZ! While that hasn’t been explicitly ruled out—and we believe one is in the works—this isn’t a confirmation either. The engine in Subaru’s forthcoming coupe actually is codenamed FA, and exactly how it differs from the FB—likely only in its use of Toyota’s port- and direct-injection heads—isn’t known at this point.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/subaru-working-on-1-6-and-2-0-l-turbo-fours-and-own-hybrid

Subaru Brings the "Power of Love" to the People

-Share the Love charity to be chosen on Facebook

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Aug. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. is offering the Facebook community an exclusive opportunity to select one of the charities to be a partner in this year's fourth annual Subaru Share the Love event. To date, Subaru has donated almost $15 million to Share the Love charities and hopes to donate an additional $5 million this year.

The Share The Love event donates $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from Nov. 19 through Jan. 3. The new Facebook voting program allows consumers to vote for a charity that will be designated "People's Choice." Online voting will be available exclusively to Subaru's Facebook community.  The eligible charities are:

Teach For America: Teach For America is the national corps of recent college graduates who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org.

The American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. For more information, visit www.redcross.org.

The Children's Miracle Network: Children's Miracle Network Hospitals started as a televised fundraiser and has grown into a leading children's charity. Millions of children benefit each year by the funds and awareness raised by the organization and its network of 170 children's hospitals across the US. For more information, visit http://childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation: The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 200,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information, visit www.wish.org.

"We are pleased to offer this opportunity to Subaru's online community," said Brian Johnson, National Advertising Manager for Subaru of America, Inc. "This lets our customers get directly involved with our partners and allows them to have a say in who Subaru partners with in this year's event."

Online voting runs from Aug. 25  – Sep. 15 and will be hosted on the Subaru of America Facebook page. The charity that receives the most votes during that timeframe will be announced as the fifth charity partner of this year's Share The Love event. In addition, for the first 200,000 votes, Subaru will donate 10 cents per vote to the charity receiving the vote.

Follow the Subaru of America Facebook page and subaru_usa on Twitter.

Read More: http://media.subaru.com/index.php?s=43&item=263

2012 Subaru Impreza: Same Price, More Gas Mileage, Still AWD

The 2012 Subaru Impreza, unveiled at the New York Auto Show this spring, has the highest projected gas mileage of any all-wheel drive vehicle on sale in the U.S. this year: 27 mpg city and an impressive 36 mpg highway.

Now Subaru has released pricing for its compact four-door sedan and hatchback models, and while the fuel efficiency has risen, the price hasn't.

Subaru held the line entirely, pricing the base 2012 Impreza 2.0i sedan with a five-speed manual gearbox at $17,495 (plus a mandatory $750 delivery fee on all models). That's exactly the same price as the comparable model last year.

The hatchback is $500 more, at $17,995. Adding a continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatic to either car, a new option this year, raises the price by $1,000, to $18,495 or $18,995 respectively.

The 148-horsepower, 2.0-liter flat-four engine is also new this year, producing the same power on less gasoline as last year's older 2.5-liter engine.

More upscale trim levels include Premium, Sport Premium, and Limited models.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1065197_2012-subaru-impreza-same-price-more-gas-mileage-still-awd

Production Subaru XV Crossover/Outback Sport Teased in Advance of 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show

Subaru will reveal the production version of the XV small crossover concept at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show in September. In the meantime, however, the automaker released the teaser sketch shown above, which details the look of the XV’s headlamps and wheels. Unsurprisingly, those bits look similar to the XV concept’s. The headlights appear to be identical to 2012 Impreza units, appearing in the teaser with less fanciful interior elements than on the show car. And we like the wheels, which look a lot like the attractive black 17-inch rollers available on the new Ford Focus.

The XV concept previews the next Outback Sport—a niche Impreza trim that features a slightly raised suspension and a two-tone exterior color scheme—and shares many styling elements with the upcoming 2012 Impreza hatch. Subaru promises that the rest of the XV should remain as true to the concept as what we see in the teaser, saying that it “combin[es] the latest distinctive Subaru elements with the commanding silhouette expected of a crossover.” The XV will go on sale in the U.K. in early 2012; if it comes here, it’s probably safe to add several months to that timetable and “Outback Sport” back into your vocabulary.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/production-subaru-xv-crossover-teased-in-advance-of-2011-frankfurt-auto-show/

2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited - Long-Term Road Test Wrap-Up

Date: July 2011
Months in Fleet: 16 months
Current Mileage: 40,164 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 22 mpg
Range: 407 miles
Service: $740
Normal Wear: $349
Repair: $68

After our 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6R spent 40,000 miles in our care, Subaru chose not to leave the car with us. This is, of course, always the case: Manufacturers whisk their cars away to poke, prod, and otherwise debrief them on what they saw and heard in their months with the Car and Driver staff. But the Legacy surely left a legacy.

It was a legacy of comfort, of open spaces and soft seats, the Scooby earning trunkloads of praise for its long-haul behavior and accommodations. Five people fit without much pinching, and four could stretch out for hours at a time and still feel fresh enough to rave about the plush seats. Speaking of fresh, the interior and lightly colored leather held up well during the car’s stay.

It also left a legacy of enthusiasm, a refusal on the Subie’s part to disappoint those looking for a little fun and adventure behind the wheel of their family four-door. In spite of its cushy suspension, the Legacy’s balance and quick steering relished playing cat and mouse over serpentine stretches. That’s not to say it was a thoroughbred sports sedan, but the jack-of-all-trades sedan was always happy to try.

And it was a legacy of quiet strength—as Teddy Roosevelt was known for saying, “Speak softly and carry a flat-six.” The snarling boxer isn’t the most powerful engine in this class, nor is the Legacy the quickest car among its peers. But after 40,000 miles, it found a 10th in our acceleration tests, dropping its 0-to-60-mph time from 6.4 seconds to 6.3 and its quarter-mile from 15.0 at 94 mph to 14.9 at 95. Although we wanted a bit more volume for its voice, that’s not a sentiment shared by many buyers in the Camry segment, and the flat-six’s unique sound at least held our attention. Its flood of torque was sufficient to keep complaints about the transmission’s having only five ratios—in an era of six or more—at bay. We found joy in the slushbox’s paddle shifters and impersonation of a rev-matching automated manual gearbox on downshifts.

Unfortunately, our Subaru’s legacy was also one of aggravation.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q2/2010_subaru_legacy_3.6r_limited-long-term_road_test_wrap-up

Consumer Report - Personal Picks: Best used cars under $20,000

Mike Quincy: I’m a big wagon fan. I understand that minivans are the best family vehicles ever made, but I want something a little smaller. So I searched for a Honda CR-V and found several 2007-2008 models that fit our price criteria. I think the CR-V is a good compromise of space and efficiency. I realize that all Hondas are pretty noisy on the highway, but the CR-V’s excellent reliability history makes up for some of the car’s downsides. But I’d also expand my options by looking for a Subaru Outback wagon, which I find a bit more comfortable and quieter than the CR-V. It is easy to find a number of 2007-2009 Outbacks under $20,000. Most model years have above-average reliability in our surveys, too. 

Read More: http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/07/personal-picks-best-used-cars-under-20000.html

REVIEWS: 2011 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited

I find Subaru's Outback and Legacy products to be quite interesting. There's a base model with a normally aspirated H-4, an H-6 model that's only available with an automatic transmission, and a turbocharged H-4 that's only available with a manual transmission. The turbo-4 produces the most power and costs the most, which is probably perplexing for Subaru shoppers not familiar with the WRX and STI models.

As an enthusiast, I don't care much for the Legacy or Outback 3.6R models. The six-cylinder produces adequate power but I don't want the automatic transmission. If I'm going to choose a two-pedal transmission, I'd go for the base engine and the CVT, which can deliver 31 mpg on the highway. If performance is a priority, I'd go with the 2.5GT model.

What really makes the Legacy stand out from its mid-size competitors is the standard all-wheel drive system. If you're in a snowbelt state, that's a boon. Buyers in the sunbelt states probably ignore the Legacy because they see no benefit in driving all four wheels. With the CVT, there's not much fuel economy penalty for having an AWD vehicle. Subaru's system is seamless under all driving conditions, so there's no reason to write it off just because you live in an area that rarely sees inclement weather.

Read More: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/editors_notebook/1106_2011_subaru_legacy_limited/index.html

REVIEWS: First Drive: 2011 Subaru Forester

Since the new version launched in 2008, the Forester has been a tremendous sales success for Subaru, easily outselling its slightly awkward-looking predecessor. Aside from its more regular proportions -- the previous version had an over-tall greenhouse atop a wagon-like body -- the biggest change with the redesigned Forester was its significantly more spacious rear seat. Unlike older Foresters, the new version can easily accommodate full-size adults, front and rear.

Sensibly sized, and priced

The Forester packs a lot of utility into a reasonably sized footprint, which has enabled it to hold its own in the burgeoning small-crossover field. Not only is there very good space for four people (it's a little narrow for five), but the cargo area is large, practically shaped, and easy to load thanks to the low liftover height. Four-wheel drive is standard on the Forester (as it is on all Subarus), so there's no price-leader, front-wheel-drive version. Even so, prices are very competitive with the class, starting at just over $20,000 and topping out at $30,000.

The Forester's two engines are denoted by the model suffixes: 2.5X and 2.5XT. The former signifies the base engine, which is new for 2011. A DOHC 2.5-liter boxer four, it makes 170 hp. 2.5XT designates the turbocharged version (the functional hood scoop is the visual giveaway); it makes 224 hp from the same 2.5 liters.

Read More: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1106_2011_subaru_forester_first_drive/index.html

Chicago Used Subaru

2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI tS - First Drive Review

To most people, the Subaru Impreza is a practical compact sedan with enhanced all-weather capability. But enthusiasts have long known its darker side. The WRX alludes to the WRC rally car, and for several years now, Subaru has offered Americans the STI with even more power. Sophistication, however, isn’t the STI’s thing: it is brash and loud, with a wing that makes it look like it's ready to launch into outer space.

Now, Subaru is trumping its STI with the tS, which stands for “tuned by STI” and strikes us as redundant. The model will only be sold on Subaru’s Japanese home turf, but we were invited to sample one on the back roads and autobahns near the company’s European Test and Development Center in Ingelheim, Germany. The "tuned by STI" addendum in mind, we fully expected an Impreza with even more outrageous wings and flares. What we were shown instead by the center's general manager, Hideki Arai, was a rather subtle evolution of the STI. We wouldn't exactly call it refined, but, even at first glance, it is visibly more mature and sophisticated.

Nine-Pound Fixation

For one thing, the STI tS loses the STI's massive rear wing, instead sporting a discreet lip spoiler. The carbon-fiber roof cuts nine pounds, as does an aluminum hood, and ultra-lightweight wheels with a unique design save another nine apiece. Arai-san points out a strut brace up front, and says that the suspension has been reworked extensively. The Impreza STI tS is only available as a four-door sedan.

The powertrain is unchanged from that in the Japanese-market STI: a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four making 304 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. Those who want an automatic can have one, but they get downgraded to a 296-hp 2.5-liter that makes only 258 lb-ft. Called “A-Line,” the automatic car is significantly cheaper than the manual tS.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/11q2/2011_subaru_impreza_wrx_sti_ts-first_drive_review

New Subaru Sports Coupe Spy Photos Show Interior, Nose

For us auto journalists, there’s a familiar face (and shirt, and shoes) in these latest spy photos, which show a Subaru rear-wheel-drive coupe prototype surrounded by company hangers-on. For everyone else, the important bit concerns the clearest shot yet of the cabin. There, a pretty plain shift lever is visible, as are a row of toggle switches on the center console. The steering wheel appears to be equipped with shift paddles, as promised.

The photos also provide a good look at what we can confidently say is the Subaru nose, which will in fact resemble the Toyota/Scion’s. The cars will share most if not all body panels and will differ minimally, possibly with unique front and rear fascias, but maybe in badge only. As we’ve reported previously, the cars’ overall shapes resemble a toned-down version of the styling seen on the most recent concept version, the Scion FR-S.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/new-subaru-sports-coupe-spy-photos-show-interior-specific-nose/

Subaru of America Takes on the Unpredictability of Mother Nature

--New Campaign Highlights Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Through Digital, Mobile and Social Integration--

CHERRY HILL, N.J., May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Predicting Mother Nature is never easy, even for the best weather professionals.  To help consumers, Subaru has launched a humorous new campaign, "The World's Worst Weatherman," to show that even when caught off guard by the weather, drivers can call on the confidence, safety and reliability of Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive to handle virtually any road condition.

Developed by Minneapolis ad shop Carmichael Lynch, Subaru of America's agency of record, the campaign uses TV spots, Subaru.com, the company's Facebook page as well as mobile applications and YouTube to help drivers in any region of the country understand the Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive advantage.  

"Our newest campaign puts a comedic spin on the way we all plan our activities based on the weather," said Alan Bethke, director of marketing communication for Subaru of America, Inc. "The World's Worst Weatherman campaign brings the unpredictability of weather to viewers in a fun and amusing way – and most importantly, touts the value of Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.  In other words, the weather really doesn't matter if you drive a Subaru."

Vehicle shoppers can watch two Subaru-produced videos – both independently certified by the United States Auto Club – that demonstrate how Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive outperforms  the competition from Toyota, Ford, Nissan and Honda.  The videos are available at subaru.com/weather, along with games such as "Conversation Starters," "Time Wasted" and "Weather Odds."  Conversation Starters features alternative options for beginning discussions rather than the overused line, "So, how about that weather today?"  Time Wasted calculates the amount of time a person spends worrying about the weather, based on age and frequency of weather chat.  Weather Odds predicts the probability of a person encountering inclement weather in their current location.

Another game on Subaru's Facebook page, "Forecast Showdown," allows fans to pit themselves against the actual forecast, as well as their friends' forecast predictions, to see who has the superior forecasting skills.

Read More: http://media.subaru.com/index.php?s=43&item=244

Feature Walk-Around of the All-New 2012 Subaru Impreza

Mr Takeuchi, project general manager of the Impreza line, from Fuji Heavy Industries explains some of the more unique enhancements that have been done to the all-new 2012 Impreza.

2012 Subaru Impreza Spied Completely Uncovered

Subaru’s brass was only prepared for us to see the silhouette of its new all-wheel-drive, 36-mpg compact sedan—but that hasn’t stopped our army of intrepid spy photographers from catching the 2012 Impreza in the buff today.

The new Impreza borrows quite a bit of styling from its older sibling, the Legacy—especially the headlights and the muscular rear haunches. Beyond that, picking out the design features that are reminiscent of other cars turns into a game of I Spy as played by the Micro Machines spokesman and his family. The grille looks like the Cruze’s! The greenhouse reminds me of the Saturn Ion’s!

In truth, the Impreza is one of the few cars with design that almost doesn’t matter. Most buyers will be more interested in the all-weather traction and the excellent claimed fuel economy. A smaller set of buyers will be drawn to the Impreza’s evil twin, the WRX. And while this new Impreza should clean up nicely when fit with a wide-body kit and massive rims, history tells us that even when the WRX is a bug-eyed beast, buyers are lured to its beautiful performance.

We’ll bring you full coverage of the new Impreza from the New York auto show later this month.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/2012-subaru-impreza-spied-completely-uncovered/

Subaru of America, Inc. Announces Takeshi Tachimori as Chairman, President and CEO Tachimori Replaces Yoshio Hasunuma in Customary Leadership Transition

CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) today announced that Mr. Takeshi Tachimori, corporate senior vice president and chief general manager of the Subaru Product and Portfolio Planning Division at Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. (FHI), will replace Mr. Yoshio Hasunuma as chairman, president and CEO of Subaru of America effective April 1, 2011.

"We have seen dramatic increases in our sales and profitability under Mr. Hasunuma's leadership.  While we are sorry to see him leave, we look forward to his continued work in our market," said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America.  "We are very pleased to welcome Mr. Tachimori in his new role as part of this regular business rotation and look forward to our continued success under his leadership."

In his two years as president and CEO of SOA, Hasunuma led the company to record market share (2.3%), record sales and unprecedented growth.  Currently, Subaru is the only automotive manufacturer with three consecutive years of sales increases.

Tachimori joined FHI in 1977 and achieved various leadership roles with the company throughout his career.  Tachimori has worked in the Subaru Product and Portfolio Planning Department since 2003 as:

• senior general manager (2003)
• corporate vice president, senior general manager (2006)
• corporate vice president, chief general manager; president and CEO, Subaru Tecnica International Inc. (2009)
• corporate senior vice president, chief general manager (2010)

Tachimori graduated from The University of Tokyo with a BA in aerospace engineering. 

Read More: http://media.subaru.com/index.php?s=43&item=232

Subaru Models Awarded Four 'Top Picks' From Kiplinger's Personal Finance

CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiplinger's Personal Finance recognized three Subaru vehicles for excellence in four areas:

• The Forester 2.5 XT Premium AWD was designated "Best in Class" for Small Crossovers.
• The Outback 2.5i LTD AWD won "Best in Class" and "Best Resale" in the Wagons category.
• The Impreza WRX AWD four-door was named "Best Resale" in the $25,000 to $30,000 category.

Kiplinger's evaluates "Best in Class" winners on performance, value and safety.  "Best Resale" winners were selected using the Kelley Blue Book's estimated trade-in price.

"We are very pleased that consumers who do their research with Kiplinger's Personal Finance will notice that Subaru vehicles stand out in several categories," said Tom Doll, executive vice president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc.  "We strive to bring unparalleled performance, value and safety to consumers.  We know that all three are important in the decision-making process, especially with big ticket purchases."

Kiplinger's notes that the Forester -- also recognized by the publication in 2009 as the "Best New Crossover" -- boasts "agile handling, high resale values, [and] loads of cargo space."  The Forester, like all other Subaru models, is also a 2011 IIHS Top Safety Pick.

2011 is the second year that the Outback was awarded "Best in Class." In addition to "stylish design, strong resale values and heaps of utility," the publication calls the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine "powerful without pushing down fuel economy."

Kiplinger's also explains that the "turbocharged version of the Impreza boosts the three-year resale value from the base model's 51% to 55% -- and bumps up horsepower by 95 to 265 horses. That's a feat few in this category can achieve with only four cylinders."

Read More: http://media.subaru.com/index.php?s=43&item=230

Pre-Game Road Trip

Referee Andrew gathers supplies and puppies in preparation for the Puppy Bowl.

Subaru Dealers

Subaru of America, Inc. Reports Record January 2011 Sales

--Sales continue to climb in fourth calendar year of growth --

-- up 21% year-over-year--

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On the back of record-breaking sales in 2010, Subaru of America, Inc. today reported a continued upward swing for the Subaru brand by posting record January sales of 18,858, up 21% versus January 2010.

The company finished 2010 as a top 10 sales brand, and the only manufacturer to show a sales increase for three straight years.  As in 2010, Legacy, Outback and Forester models led the January sales increases.

Now firmly established as a 2% plus market share brand, Subaru products continue to demonstrate their suitability for today's market, and with its innovative cut-through-the-clutter Marketing programs such as the upcoming "Super Sunday Dog Walk" where Subaru invites dog owners to get some exercise at half-time, awards for safety from the IIHS, resale values from KBB and residual values from ALG, the brand is clearly in a healthy position.

Read More: http://media.subaru.com/index.php?s=43&item=218

Subaru Dealers

Subaru Parts Ways with Toyota with First Hybrid

Reports are coming in that Subaru will be debuting its first hybrid vehicle by 2013.

Subaru first teased a hybrid vehicle almost six years ago. The automaker feels the fuel economy offered by its present models can weather any moderate increases in gas prices, but according to Tom Doll, COO of Subaru of America, the addition of a hybrid model will only strengthen its position as an eco-conscious automaker.

Details on the system — or even which vehicles will be offered with it — are still scarce, but if the final product resembles what the automaker previewed with its 2005 B5-TPH concept, expect Subaru’s hybrid system to sandwich an electric motor between the engine and transmission. Interestingly, the vehicle will not use a hybrid drive system adapted from that used by corporate parent Toyota. Instead, Subaru’s system will be unique, and most importantly, compatible with both boxer engines and all-wheel-drive systems. Seeing as how the automaker has been working with electronics giant NEC to develop lithium-ion battery packs since 2002, such a battery could very well make it into the production model. Subaru has also been tinkering with lithium-ion capacitor technologies for some time.

Read More: http://blogs.automotive.com/6708338/concept-cars/subaru-parts-ways-with-toyota-with-first-hybrid/index.html

Subaru Dealers