Auto-Tech HQ

Subaru has done it again.  They combined all the best parts from Spec C and added all the great parts and what did they get, an all new Impreza STI R205.  Some of these additions include six-pot (front) and four-pot (rear) brakes with slotted rotors, cast 18-inch aluminum wheels wrapped with Potenza RE070 (245/40R18) tires, inverted strut and coil springs, a front strut tower bar, and a lower arm stiffening brace.  

Engine was not left alone as you could have imagined.  A remapped ECU, new exhaust and turbo, complete this beautiful car.  The outcome is a very healthy 316 horsepower and 319 pound-feet of torque.

To differentiate it from a standard STI, the exterior has been modified with an accented black front grille, front and rear diffusers and a black spoiler.  

If you are the lucky one who lives in Japan, you can have this beautiful vehicle for a mere 4,510,000 yen (A little under $49k US), and even that is not a guaranty because Subaru only plans to produce 400 R205 vehicles.  For a complete press release please read below.

[View with PicLens]

Click here to read more…

Mugen has revealed some new information and couple of photos of the Euro-spec Honda Civic Type-R hatchback.  The picture of the car shows a new body kit consisting of a new front and rear bumpers, side sills, a big rear wing and two big exhaust pipes.  No more news has been given so far.

[View with PicLens]

Another cool video from Ken Block in his Subaru WRX STI prepped by  Crawford Performance has been released.  Beautiful stunts and great drift skill is all there.

So with out any more words and further a due here is the video.

Seat introduced as newly debuted sporty Seat Ibiza Bocanegra hatchback.  An of course this is another one of the Euro only hatches that we will not be getting here at US.

It stands on 17-in. Sira’ wheels that compliment its already athletic looks.  

The beautiful interior really stands out with red, white, and black theme.  Bolstered sport seats wear unique rhomboidal stitching and beautifully matched flat-bottom, stitched, steering wheel.  Some of the other beautiful accents include aluminum pedals, black trimming, and a number of badges indicating its special self.

Under the hood it caries a VW-sourced twin-turbo 1.4L four-cylinder making either 148-hp or 187-hp powers the front wheels, while a with a help of seven-speed DSG transmission.  What are the chances you’ll see it here, probably None, Again.

Source: SEAT 

[View with PicLens]

Who says you have to be big or global or green to survive? A handful of car models, such as the Jeep Wrangler and the Smart, are maintaining their sales Despite the general auto collapse, a handful of car models and manufacturers are doing well.   Who said you have to be green to survive?  Look at Jeep, Smart, Subaru, Hyundai, and Kia.  They seem to be holding their own quite well. 

The Koreans have the advantage due to the dollar sharp decline, which leaves some room for greater incentives.  

But what about Subaru, how do they do it?

They have no hybrids or electric cars, the fuel efficiency is nothing spectacular, and to top it off, Subarus are definitely not the prettiest cars.

The company sells around 600,000 vehicles a year worldwide, making it roughly the 20th largest automaker.

Its major markets are Japan and then the U.S., with 187,699 sales here last year, outselling only Mitsubishi, and Suzuki.  Subaru’s idea is that you don’t have to be huge to hold your own in the world of giants.

Subarus that are sold in the U.S. are all-wheel-drive, somewhat even dull looking, family-type wagons and sedans, for the exceptions of the WRX and STI models. They are not the hottest cars ether, but these models are not for the faint of hearts.  People usually fall in to the category of you ether love them or hate them. 

So why the success?  Subaru has good quality vehicles, and they are always recommended by Consumer Reports.  They were one of the first to market with all-wheel-drive vehicles.  You can not forget one of the most important factors of Subaru cars, and it’s their 4 or 6 cylinder horizontally opposed “boxer” engines.

But the main reason to Subaru success is not only the pricing scheme (between $20,000 to $35,000 for the most cars, and up to $40,000 for a selective few models).  I personally think that Subaru crowd is very loyal to their brand, and hardly ever hear a bad word about them.  I just really hope Subaru will be true to their roots and their loyal customers, and stay that way with out trying to sway in to the wrong direction.