Good News Everyone: Subaru's See-Through BRZ Concept gets a Lime Tint…

If you were expecting Subaru to shed some light on its upcoming rear-wheel drive coupe with its BRZ Prologue concept, get ready to be disappointed.

The study shown in Frankfurt is the same clear-bodied display model we saw at the Geneva Salon this past March with the only difference being in the different tint on the plastic body.

Read more »

Subaru Continues Slow Striptease of Impreza-Based XV Crossover

The slow drumbeat carries on in advance of the official world premiere of the new 2012 Subaru XV crossover at next month's Frankfurt auto show, with the latest teaser photo providing us an unobstructed view of hatchback model's rear and side profile.

The Impreza-based XV, which could make it into North America as a replacement to the Impreza Sport Outback, was displayed as a concept model at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show earlier this year.

Read more »

Subaru Signs MoU to Manufacture Compact SUV in Malaysia

Subaru’s parent company Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI) today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Tan Chong Group for the local production of an unnamed compact SUV in Malaysia.

The only compact SUV in Subaru’s current range is the Forester, though the vehicle in question may be the upcoming Impreza-based crossover that was previewed by the XV Concept (pictured above) at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show in China this past April.

Read more »

Subaru XV Concept is a High-Riding Impreza Crossover

We’re going to see both the four- and five-door versions of the all-new 2012 Impreza at the New York Auto Show this week, but at the Shanghai motor show, Subaru lifted the wraps off a concept version of the hatchback model in a crossover guise. Named the XV Concept, the study essentially offers us our first glimpse at the successor of the North American market Impreza Outback Sport as well as the Impreza XV that is offered in Japan.

The lime-green XV Concept combines Subaru’s all-wheel drive system with a jacked up suspension and an array of SUV-like styling cues. The five-door model measures 4,450mm in length, 1,800mm in width and 1,620 mm in height sporting a 2,635mm long wheelbase. It is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine linked to a CVT.

Read more »

ISIS AM01 is a Subaru STI-Powered Coachbuilt Sports Car [with Videos]

This odd-looking creation is the AM01 and it’s the work of a Dutch company named Isis Cars that is led by Anton van Nunen and Max Alting Siberg. In an even stranger twist, the AM01 is based on another coachbuilt sports car from the Netherlands called the Saker.

Underneath the composite body shell lies a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine sourced from a Subaru Impreza WRX STI. The four-cylinder unit churns out 275HP and a peak torque of 350 Nm (258 lb-ft), with power being transferred to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox.

Read more »

New Subaru XV Concept Teased Ahead of 2011 Shanghai Auto Show

In the run-up to the Auto Shanghai 2011 that takes place in China from April 21 through 28, Subaru has released the first official photo of a brand-new crossover study called the XV Concept. The Japanese company did not give out many details on the concept simply stating that the XV is a stylish proposal for a crossover model. Read more »

Subaru Showcases its Upcoming RWD Coupe's Platform Enwrapped in a See-Through Plastic Body

If you were waiting to see a concept of the Subaru flavored version of the rear-wheel drive Toyota FT-86 at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, tough luck because the Japanese automaker simply displayed the car's chassis in a clear plastic body. Subaru didn't comment on exterior wrap, though there's a good chance that the shape may hint at the styling of the production coupe.

Read more »

First Official Photos of Subaru's Rear-Wheel Drive Coupe Concept

Subaru has released the first-ever teaser picture of its eagerly anticipated rear-wheel drive sports car concept ahead of its debut at the 2011 Geneva motor show on March 1. Even though Subaru's original ghost sketch of the car shows only a darkened outline of the front end, we managed to significantly brighten up the photo through some photoshop trickery and reveal the coupe's shape in full detail. At least from this picture, the Subaru study appears to differ in styling from its Toyota FT-86 sibling sporting a more curvy and less angular design.

The Subaru variant will keep the same front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout as the FT-86, which will also be revealed in a more production ready form at the Geneva Salon. Power of course will be provided by Subaru's horizontally opposed boxer engine, but we'll have to wait until the Geneva Salon for more specific details.

Read more »

Subaru to Finally Present its RWD Coupe Concept at Geneva Motor Show

It's been a long time in the making but we're finally going to get our first glimpse of Subaru's version of the Toyota FT-86 RWD Coupe, which is a joint project from the two companies, at the upcoming Geneva Salon in March. The somewhat blandly named “Subaru Rear Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept” will share the spotlight with the Impreza Concept (pictured above) and the Trezio mini MPV, both of which will receive their European premiere at the Swiss motorshow.

Despite rumors suggesting that Subaru may present an all-wheel drive version of the coupe project, the Japanese carmaker is keeping the rear-wheel drive setup, at least for now.

Not surprisingly, the Subaru coupe will be powered by a boxer engine, possibly the same four-cylinder unit lent to Toyota for the FT-86. Subaru did not release any photos nor any additional information on the Coupe concept model.

Read more »

Video Presentation of Subaru's tasty Impreza Design Concept

One of the head-turners at this year's edition of the Los Angeles Auto Show is Subaru's new Impreza Design Concept. As the name suggests, the purpose of the study is to tease the next generation of the Impreza.

Even though there's a familiar resemblance with the latest Subaru Legacy, the concept features more aggressive and taut lines and a lower, almost coupe-like roofline. As Phil pointed out in our previous post, let's just hope that the next Impreza will keep if not all, most of the key styling elements seen on this concept model. For now, hit the break to watch a pair of promotional videos as well as a clip from the LA Show presentation of the Impreza Design Concept.

Read more »

2010 LA Auto Show: Subaru Teases Next Impreza with Concept Study

After bringing you a preview sketch earlier today, we now have some live images of the Subaru Impreza Design Concept from the LA Show floor. Taking Subaru's compact design in a new direction, the language of "Confidence In Motion" doesn't disappoint. In fact, this may preview the first good-looking Subaru in a long time. Hopefully it won't jump from concept to reality with as many "real-world" changes as the chubby/fugly Legacy.

As we already told you, the Impreza concept is powered by a 2.0-liter boxer engine and uses a Lineartronic transmission to drive the wheels through a Symmetrical All Wheel Drive system.

Outside, the face is all "new Subaru", while the the rear is home to some seriously fresh lines (like those rising from the diffuser) that continue the geometric theme from up front. The four-door compact coupe also gets cameras mounted on the A-pillar instead of mirrors, but for now those are still being relegated to the world of concepts.

Read more »

2010 LA Auto Show: Subaru Impreza Concept aims at Audi

[Update: High-res picture added] Subaru appears to finally be getting on the stylish compact sedan bandwagon with its sleek, new LA Show-bound Impreza concept. Spearheading the brand's "Confidence in Motion" design language, the low and wide concept wears a more stylish interpretation of the Legacy's nose while losing the awkward lines found on previous Imprezas.

Read more »

Subaru Teases Mystery Concept Model Model Ahead of LA Show

At this month's Los Angeles Auto Show (November 19 -28), Subaru will lift the wraps off a never-before seen concept model that is claimed to embody the firm's new global brand statement, called "Confidence in Motion". Aside from the single teaser image, we don't have anything else on the concept model as the press release concentrates on explaining the new slogan. So until we get more info and/or a better picture of the study, follow the jump to check out Suabru's P.R. and why not, speculate on the type of car that the company is preparing for the LA Show.

Read more »

Artist Creates Three-Door, Rear-Engined Subaru Impreza WRX

In the digital world of photoshop, the only limit is the imagination and talent of the person using the graphics editing program. This piece of work was created by the chaps over at Digimods and it shows a proposal for a three-door version of the latest Subaru Impreza WRX fitted with a rear-mounted engine. A wide bodykit with bulging fenders, new alloy wheels and a bevy of air scoops including one on the roof that supplies air to the engine complete the mods.

Source: Digimods , Via: Zerothundred

Subaru to Unveil Legacy Concept at 2009 Detroit Show

Well it looks like Subaru won't be giving us a glimpse of its highly anticipated Toyota co-developed RWD compact coupe the Detroit auto show in January. Instead, the Japanese carmaker will perform the global debut of the Legacy Concept that showcases the styling direction of the next generation Legacy sedan that is expected to arrive in U.S. dealerships in the first quarter of 2010.

The teaser image doesn't tell us much other than that the Legacy Concept will boast a more aggressively styled front fascia and flared wheel arches. As for the interior, Subaru claims that "it embodies modern, high-tech architecture while delivering a comfortable environment for occupants". Subaru Spartan press release also informs us that the concept car will be powered by a 3.6-liter Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine and that it will feature the firm's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.

Subaru to Present New Concept Car at 2009 Detroit Auto Show

At a time when many carmakers are pulling out of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) due to the economic crisis, Subaru has not only confirmed that it will be present in Detroit this January, but also that it will stage the world debut of a concept vehicle. As we speak, we have no official information concerning the type of car that Subaru is preparing to unveil at Detroit's Cobo Centre. However, we wouldn't be surprised at all if the Japanese automaker presented a concept version of its forthcoming rear-wheel-drive compact coupe that is being developed in collaboration with Toyota and is scheduled for a 2010 /2011 market launch. We'll keep a close eye on this story and will pass any information on as soon as we come across it.

Subaru will showcase the following vehicles at NAIAS:

• Legacy 2.5i Limited 4AT-S
  
• Legacy OUTBACK 2.5i Special Edition MT5
  
• Legacy 3.0R Limited 5AT-S
  

• Impreza 2008 WRC Replica Vehicle
  
• Impreza 2.5i 4-Door Premium 4AT-S
  
• Impreza WRX 4-Door Premium MT5
  
• Impreza WRX STI 5-Door MT6 - Silver BBS Wheels
  

• Tribeca 7-Passenger Special Edition
  

• Forester 2.5X Premium with AWP MT5
  
• Forester 2.5XT Limited with NAVI

• Feature Reveal Concept Vehicle

SEMA: Subaru’s Mountain Rescue Forester Concept

Along with the STI-prepped Forester XTI Concept that sports a modified 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine from the ’09 Impreza WRX STI, Subaru will also display a second concept version of its crossover model at SEMA called the “Mountain Rescue Forester”. Built in cooperation with Detroit-based Specialized Vehicles for the National Ski Patrol (NSP), the concept is based on the '09 Forester 2.5XT. The all-wheel-drive crossover has been modified to cope with rescues in difficult terrain and weather conditions delivering more than 14 in. of ground clearance (stock Forester: 8.9in.) through an Air Lift custom adjustable ride height air suspension system.

Added off-road and snow traction is provided by Yokohama Geolandar MTS 30 x 9.5-in. tires on special 15-in. Subaru custom-reversed, near-zero offset steel wheels. For protection, the Forester has been equipped with custom front and rear skid plates by DeeZee and custom trail armor by Bushwacker, including fender flares, lower door cladding, a rear gate guard and tail light guards.

Other modifications include an emergency light package an Ultimate Performance 9.5i Thermometric 9,500-lb. winch by WARN, remote rear door openers and external quick-access utility compartments.

SEMA: Subaru Forester XTI Concept with 315HP STI Turbo Engine

Just as we we're starting to worry about the lack of any official Subaru proposals for the SEMA show the Japanese automaker revealed the Forester XTI Concept. Designed and built by the folks at Subaru of America, the concept features the engine and entire drivetrain from the Impreza WRX STI. Thanks to the addition of a custom stainless steel cat-back exhaust system, the 2.5-liter intercooled turbo engine develops an output of 315HP (+10HP) and 300 lb.-ft. of torque (from 290 lb.-ft. stock). With this engine, Subaru claims that the Forester XTI Concept can hit the 0 to 60mph (96km/h) mark in under 5,0 seconds - not bad at all for a crossover. -Continued

As with the Impreza WRX STI, power is channeled through a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission and the Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) version of Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive which offers three selectable automatic performance modes in addition to six manual center differential-locking settings.

Subaru technicians borrowed the WRX STI's Brembo brakes with 4-piston front calipers and 2-piston rear calipers and while they were at it, they also added an adjustable coil-over suspension by STI.

The Forester XTI Concept's styling has been enhanced with a two-shade custom paint scheme, a JDM body kit that includes side skirts, a rear skirt and a gate spoiler and of course, a set of 18-inch STI alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama Advan Neova 255/40R18 performance tires. We dont; have any photos of the interior but Subaru said that the Forester XTI features leather and Alcantara sport seats, a special instrument cluster, front dash and center console and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI 380S Concept – Heading for Limited Production

Unveiled at this week’s British Motor Show in London alongside the Impreza WRX-S 255PS and WRX STI 330S, the WRX STI 380S Prodrive concept is Subie’s hardest incarnation of the Impreza to date. And the good news is that the Japanese carmaker is actually thinking of putting it into production before the end of the year. While its final specifications will be finalised following customer input, Subaru says the STI 380S features a complete engine rebuild by Prodrive with many up-rated components that delivers 380 PS. -Continued

Other improvements over the standard Impreza WRX STI will include uprated suspension and exhaust system, an enhanced body kit plus the option of either gold or silver-coloured 18x8.5 ins BBS alloy wheels with 245/40 tires. No word yet on whether or not the WRC colour theme will be available as standard.