Toyota buys another chunk of FHI, Subaru

Back in April, Toyota announced that it would be gobbling up a larger percentage of Fuji Heavy Industries, makers of the Subaru brand of vehicles. Today, that deal has been made official as Fuji announced the sale that increases Toyota's voting rights in the automaker to 16.16 percent from 9.50 percent. This deal had been made possible by a newly revised Japanese law that went into effect last year. Toyota had initially purchased about nine-percent share of the company from General Motors, which no longer owns any part of Fuji Heavy.
According to reports, Toyota paid about a ten-percent premium for the increased share, as well. Its total outlay of cash for the new shares is 31.11 billion yen ($291.1 million), for which it receives 61 million additional treasury stocks. Here's hoping that this new deal ushers in the upcoming new AE86 all the more quickly.

[ Via: Straightline ]
[ Tag: fuji heavy, fuji heavy industrie..., fuji heavy industries, FujiHeavy, FujiHeavyIndustrie..., FujiHeavyIndustries, subaru, toyota ]

Subaru Exiga: Up close and personal

When we showed you Subaru's new MPV last week your response was pretty much unanimous: man that is fugly. The car's reception on the other side of the Pacific has been a lot warmer though, particularly for the headlights' signature blue flash; the only criticism is that it's taken Subaru way too long to get this car to market.
Make the jump to read our initial impressions of the Subaru Exiga.

[ Via: Autoblog (Subaru) ]
[ Tag: 2008 subaru exiga, 2008SubaruExiga, exiga, featured, mpv, station wagon, StationWagon, subaru ]

Official Subaru Exiga photos, info released

If you want a seven-passenger vehicle in the States, your choices are few. Those of you shopping for just such a vehicle can longingly gaze at the Subaru Exiga. It goes on sale today in Japan, but in the latest press release from Subaru, there are no plans for U.S. export mentioned.
The Exiga's naturally-aspirated 2.0L engine outputs 146 hp, while the sportier GT model with intercooler and turbocharger makes 221 hp. Passengers are treated to a huge panoramic roof that rivals even the new Jetta Sportwagen.
Around the Autoblog office complex, there are several wagon fans who love to get their hands on one of these. But for now, we have no reason to believe Subaru will bring the Exiga over here. Check out our gallery for more high-res shots of the Subaru Exiga and read the full press release after the jump.

[ Via: Autoblog (Subaru) ]
[ Tag: Exiga, seven seats, SevenSeats, Suaru Exiga, SuaruExiga, Subaru wagon, SubaruWagon ]

Subaru and L.L. Bean end partnership

For the last eight years, Subaru and L.L. Bean have partnered on high-end versions of Subaru's line of all-wheel-drive vehicles. No longer. According to Subaru spokesman Dominick Infante, the duo have decided that it's in the best interests of both brands to call it quits. Infante notes that the Subaru brand has done rather well for itself in areas where snow and winter outdoor activities are common but has lacked appeal in more sun-rich states where the L.L. Bean brand isn't very common. It shouldn't be too difficult for Subaru to shed its rugged but staid image. With awesome models like the STi, Subaru seems entirely capable of making vehicles with which to scorch asphalt as opposed to the ski slopes.
In lieu of using the L.L. Bean nomenclature, Subaru will instead endow its higher-end models with the 'Limited' badge. With the last of the L.L. Bean models currently sitting on dealer lots, those outdoorsy individuals aching for one had better act fast.

[ Via: Kicking Tires ]
[ Tag: l.l. bean, L.l.Bean, ll bean, LlBean, subaru, subaru l.l. bean, SubaruL.l.Bean ]

Subaru WRC2008 takes second in debut at Acropolis rally

Sebastian Loeb and Citroen had a comfortable win at the Acropolis Rally in Greece this past weekend, but much of the attention was paid to the race debut of the Subaru WRC2008. With Petter Solberg behind the wheel, the new Subie took ten top-five stage times the first two days and captured second place overall. The result was Solberg's first points since February and his first podium finish since last year's Acropolis Rally. The problem-free weekend and the fast pace were encouraging for the Subaru team, who see the new race car as a turning point. "This is it, we're coming back!" Solberg declared after the race. The next rally in Turkey will determine whether the initial success of the car was a fluke or for real. For now, check out the gallery below of the WRC2008 sliding its way to a second place finish.

[ Via: Straightline ]
[ Tag: Acropolis Rally,AcropolisRally,Subaru,Subaru WRC2008,SubaruWrc2008,WRC,WRC2008 ]

Subaru Legacy STI rumored to have 450 hp

When another batch of spy photos of the upcoming Subaru Exiga surfaced yesterday, we didn't give it much thought. We pretty much know the styling direction and dimensions of Subaru's new people mover, but one portion of AutoExpress' article caught our attention. In addition to the Exiga joining a new Legacy sedan and Outback wagon in 2009, Subaru's future drivetrain plans include dropping the 3.0-liter boxer and reworking the 2.0- and 2.5-liter engines to increase efficiency and power. The naturally aspirated 2.0-liter will supposedly produce 200 hp, while the current turbocharged 2.5-liter will exceed 300 hp. While neither of which is huge news, AE also mentions that a Legacy STI is on the way with a turbo'd 3.7-liter producing close to 450 hp. Whether or not such a beast will actually come about is open to debate, but when it does, we hope that Subaru has the foresight to make it available in the U.S.

[ Via: AutoExpress ]
[ Tag: 2009 subaru legacy sti,2009SubaruLegacySti,legacy,sti,subaru,subaru legacy sti,SubaruLegacySti ]

Subaru Impreza coupe coming in 2010

Subaru and Toyota's rear-wheel-drive lovechild is on its way, and AutoExpress has tapped Larson to render the new coupe to give us an idea of what we'll be saving up for come 2010.
As previously reported, both versions will be sporting separate sheet metal to differentiate the two coupes from one another. We'd suspect that the Toyota version will be fitted with a traditional trunk, while the Subaru version will get a hatch similar to that found on the WRX/STI. The image above takes all the right cues from the current Impreza, particularly the aggressive roofline and hunkered stance, and ratchets it up a notch with a new front bumper, swept back headlamps and bulging fender flares.
As we're already aware, both the Toyota version (which supposedly won't make it to U.S. shores) and the Subaru variant will be powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter boxer, sending around 180 hp to the rear wheels. AutoExpress claims that a 300-hp version equipped with the turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four is also destined for production, along with an all-wheel-drive version further down the road. For those of us that have been dreaming of an STI-powered GC8 coupe, this could spare us the considerable headache and expense when it goes on sale in 2012.

[ Via: AutoExpress ]
[ Tag: 2010, 2010 subaru impreza coupe, 2010SubaruImprezaCoupe, coupe, impreza, subaru ]

Subaru releases Impreza WRC2008 ahead of launch at Acropolis rally

Next week's Acropolis Rally in Greece will be the first event in the 2008 WRC season to feature Subaru's new rally car. The Impreza Rally WRC2008 car was originally previewed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, but Subaru has yet to announce the final specifications of its new rally rocket. Obviously, Prodrive has had its hand in developing the new racer, but a BOS sticker indicates that Subaru will be utilizing the French outfit's dampers. Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson will pilot the new Impreza in Greece and Prodrive head David Richards is convinced that this is "the most radically different Subaru World Rally Car in 15 years." We're looking forward to seeing how it fares next week.

[ Via: WRC ]
[ Tag: acropolis,breaking,greece,greek,impreza,impreza rally wrc2008,ImprezaRallyWrc2008,sti,subaru,wrc,wrx ]

Inside Line pits the Nissan GT-R against The World

Inside Line has done what all of us have dreamed about at some point in our lives. They've contacted the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and had a 1.8-mile section of twisting mountain road closed off for the explicit purpose of running some of the hottest machinery in the world in the Mother of All Performance Tests.
What machines could be worthy of such a fantastical feat? Let's start with the Nissan GT-R and follow it up with the Audi R8, Mitsubishi Evolution X MR, Porsche 911, Subaru Impreza WRX STI and Lotus Elise SC. Josh Jacquot's engaging prose is coupled with some stellar photography to make this incredible story come to life. But no serious performance test would be complete without hard numbers, so the crew at Inside Line equipped each vehicle with a Racelogic VBOX to log everything from 0-60 sprints (both from a standing start and a one-foot rollout) to timed laps of both the mountain road assault and a run around the Streets of Willow Springs. Which machine reigns supreme? Click here to find out.

[ Via: Inside Line ]
[ Tag: ]

Subaru Exiga heading to production, teaser leaks out

We received word from a little birdie last week that Subaru was gearing up to release its brand-new Exiga into journalist's hands in Japan. Coincidentally (or not), a teaser shot of Subaru's new pseudo-CUV popped up on the NASIOC forum over the weekend and it's clear from the darkened profile that many of the elements from the show car have migrated over to the production model.
The Exiga, which appeared at last year's Tokyo Motor Show as a lightly veiled concept, will likely form the basis for the new Outback, slotting in between the Legacy and the Tribeca CUV. However, it's doubtful that when the Exiga (or Outback) makes the trek across the Pacific it will be sporting seven full seats. Its closest competitor here in the States is the forthcoming Toyota Venza, which aims to define a new segment between wagon and crossover, but in reality, both vehicles own their inspiration to the AMC Eagle, the original wagon on stilts.

[ Via: Straightline ]
[ Tag: breaking, crossover, cuv, exiga, subaru, subaru exiga, SubaruExiga, suv, toyota, toyota venza, ToyotaVenza, venza ]

Mitsubishi Evo MR and lightweight Subaru STI Spec-C coming

Mitsubishi and Subaru are entering round two of the newest battle for all-wheel-drive supremacy and AutoExpress has ringside seats. Both automakers are preparing hard-core versions of their turbocharged, rally-bred road rockets and that means more power, more aerodynamic mods and, in the case of Subaru, less weight.
The Lancer Evolution X MR is on the way, with a new fascia equipped with extra venting and a new air intake, while a revised rear wing, side skirts and blacked-out wheels complete the exterior makeover. Output is increased by 20 hp (in JDM spec) to 305 hp and the mid-range has been tweaked to provide more low-end torque, dropping the 0-60 time to under five seconds. The paddle-shifted SST twin-clutch transmission transfers over from the GSR model (likely with some software revisions) and the body has been stiffened to maximize the MR's handling.
Subaru is taking a different tack, keeping power upgrades to the STI's turbo'd 2.5-liter boxer to a minimum and instead focusing on weight reduction. The Impreza WRX STI Spec C will get a slightly revised aero kit, with a roof scoop (functional?), standard gold wheels, a lightweight roof, aluminum trunk lid, compact battery, smaller fuel tank and thinner compartment glass all around. All that work is expected to result in a 154-pound drop in weight, so the Spec C will tip the scales at just over 3,000 pounds.
Subaru is also planning to equip the new Legacy with the STI's drivetrain, a revised suspension and slapping on an "S402" badge on the back, along with a sporting interior with more grippy seats. All of this is only for JDM consumption at the moment, but we'd expect to see both the MR and Spec C hit the UK next year, with sales in the U.S. of the MR coming around the same time.

[ Via: AutoExpress ]
[ Tag: evo,evolution,impreza,mitsubishi,mitsubishi evo x mr,mitsubishi evolution x mr,MitsubishiEvolutionXMr,MitsubishiEvoXMr,mr,spec c,SpecC,sti,subaru,subaru impreza sti spec c,SubaruImprezaStiSpecC,x ]

Subaru Outback wears its boxer diesel engine on the outside

While automakers spend huge amounts of money paying marketing firms to come up with memorable advertising campaigns, sometimes something relatively simple does the job just as well. Take this Subaru Outback. Dreamed up by Stan Palmer Sales of Carlisle, a Subaru dealership in the U.K., this particular Outback appears to be see-through and was developed to promote the marque's new diesel boxer engine, the first such engine in the world. An image in a Subaru brochure was snapped with an eight megapixel camera, blown up and plastered onto the full-sized car.
Though the whole project took just one day, the effort has drummed up plenty of interest. According to Dealer Principal Ian Armstrong, "The reaction has been fantastic, with people almost tripping up as they walk past." Considering that the Outback isn't exactly a fresh model, the added interest has caught the attention of Lawrence Good, Managing Director of Subaru Limited in the U.K, who said: "This car has become quite a talking point back here in head office and is a fantastic and cost-effective advertising initiative. It should inspire other dealers to either copy the idea or come up with their own innovative campaigns." Sounds like they love it.

[ Via: Autoblog (Subaru) ]
[ Tag: clear car,clear-car,ClearCar,see through car,see-through-car,SeeThroughCar,subaru diesel,subaru outback,subaru-diesel,subaru-outback,subaru-outback-diesel,SubaruDiesel,SubaruOutback ]

Subaru releases Exiga teaser

After a flurry of rumors circulated last week, Subaru has officially confirmed that a production version of the Exiga seven-passenger wagon is on its way. To sate our appetites before the official reveal on June 17th, Subaru has released a teaser image of the Exiga, along a micro-site dedicated to the automaker's newest people-mover.
Judging by the Japanese-language site, Subaru appears to be positioning the Exiga as a luxury alternative to the traditional wagon or crossover, with a well-appointed interior and a panoramic roof. Then again, our impression might be skewed by the up-beat techno soundtrack on the site (people at work, beware).
Click the image above for a high-res version of the teaser, along with a photochopped image that lightens up the pic to reveal a few more of the Exiga's details.

[ Via: Autoblog (Subaru) ]
[ Tag: 2009,2009 subaru exiga,2009SubaruExiga,breaking,exiga,japan,jdm,subaru,subaru exiga,SubaruExiga ]

JDM Goodness: Subaru Legacy STI S402

Subaru is taunting us again with yet another limited-edition model that we'll likely never see Stateside. The Legacy STI S402 will be limited to (appropriately) 402 units in both sedan and wagon trim, featuring the STI's turbocharged, 2.5-liter flat-four. Unlike some of the other "special" Subies, the S402 Legacy means business. To begin with, the front fenders have been widened by 20mm, the steering ratio has been reduced to 13:1 and Bilstein shocks are fitted at all four corners, along with 18-inch BBS wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza RE050A rubber. The brakes have been upgraded to units from Brembo, with six-piston calipers up front and two-pot calipers in the rear gripping upgraded rotors. Aside from all the required badging, Subaru has fitted new gauges to the IP, along with a MOMO steering wheel and aluminum shift knob.
Sales begin in Japan on June 27th, with prices starting ?5,491,500 for the wagon and ?5,355,000 for the sedan. We'll take one of each, thank you very much.

[ Via: Autoblog (Subaru) ]
[ Tag: legacy,s402,sti,subaru,Subaru Legacy STI S402,SubaruLegacyStiS402 ]

JDM Goodness: Subaru Legacy STI S402

Subaru is taunting us again with yet another limited-edition model that we'll likely never see Stateside. The Legacy STI S402 will be limited to (appropriately) 402 units in both sedan and wagon trim, featuring the STI's turbocharged, 2.5-liter flat-four. Unlike some of the other "special" Subies, the S402 Legacy means business. To begin with, the front fenders have been widened by 20mm, the steering ratio has been reduced to 13:1 and Bilstein shocks are fitted at all four corners, along with 18-inch BBS wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza RE050A rubber. The brakes have been upgraded to units from Brembo, with six-piston calipers up front and two-pot calipers in the rear gripping upgraded rotors. Aside from all the required badging, Subaru has fitted new gauges to the IP, along with a MOMO steering wheel and aluminum shift knob.
Sales begin in Japan on June 27th, with prices starting ?5,491,500 for the wagon and ?5,355,000 for the sedan. We'll take one of each, thank you very much.

[ Via: Autoblog (Subaru) ]
[ Tag: legacy,s402,sti,subaru,Subaru Legacy STI S402,SubaruLegacyStiS402 ]