Tag Archives: Subaru

Subaru Previews Fully Electric STI E-RA And Three More STI Performance Concepts For Tokyo Auto Salon

Subaru will join the Tokyo Auto Salon 2022 with a bunch of interesting concept cars that were previewed today in a press release. The most important launch will be the STI E-RA Concept signalling the electric era of the performance brand, but we are also going to see “STI Performance” variants of the WRX S4, Levorg, and BRZ in concept form.

The STI E-RA Concept is described as a “study model of motorsport vehicles for the carbon-neutral era,” so don’t get your hopes up for a production vehicle anytime soon since this is probably a racing car prototype. However, as suggested by the teaser, the model will introduce new design elements that could be used in future Subaru vehicles like the C-shaped LED headlights mounted on the fenders, the double vented bonnet, the red illuminated STI badge on the low nose, and the front bumper with a prominent splitter. Subaru didn’t give us details on the powertrain, other than it will be fully electric.

See Also: 2023 Subaru Solterra Arrives In America With 220+ Mile Range And Standard AWD

Besides the motorsport concept for the new era, Subaru will also showcase three “STI Performance” concepts of the WRX S4, the Levorg, and the BRZ. The first one was previewed in an official picture showing additional aero components, which will likely be the case with the other two as well.

Compared to the WRX S4 STI Sport R that is already on sale in Japan and served as a base for the concept, the new aero includes a splitter, side sills and rear bumper extensions painted in pink, matching mirror caps and STI emblem, plus a large carbon-fiber rear spoiler. The bumpers seem to be slightly redesigned for a sportier look while there is a new set of black rims shod in performance tires. We are not sure if there will be any mechanical upgrades over the production model but Subaru also mentioned a performance muffler.

See Also: Subaru Unveils WRX S4 In Japan With STI Sport R Flagship Trim Level

Similarly, the Levorg STI Performance concept will be based on the recently announced Levorg STI Sport R trim. It will feature cherry red accents on the additional aero components, a performance muffler, plus items “that will improve the usability” of the performance-oriented wagon. As for the BRZ STI Performance concept, it will add performance parts to the BRZ S grade painted in the same cherry red shade.

Lastly, the BRZ GT300 2021 racing car that won the class victory this year will be also exhibited at the Subaru booth, where the automaker will make announcements for the 2022 motorsport team. A lucky visitor of the Tokyo Auto Salon 2022 will drive away in a brand new WRX STI Sport R EX that will be this years’ questionnaire prize.

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After 49 Years, Subaru Has Produced Their 20 Millionth All-Wheel Drive Vehicle

Subaru of America announced that the global total of Subaru all-wheel drive vehicles exceeded 20 million this past June. While the company has been making vehicles since 1953, their first foray into all-wheel drive came in 1972 with the introduction of the Leone 4WD Estate Van, which also happened to be Japan’s first mass-produced all-wheel drive passenger vehicle.

Three years later in 1975, the US got their introduction to Subaru all-wheel drive with the automaker’s “On-Demand” 4WD on the DL/GL wagon, which allowed drivers to switch from front-wheel to four-wheel drive on the fly by just pulling a lever. Soon after, Subaru debuted the second generation of this system in the late ’80s/early ’90s. Called Full-Time 4WD, this technology evolved into what we know today as their Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

Related: 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness Is A Meaner Off-Road Wagon With A Thing For Plastic Armor

In 1996, Subaru of America decided to make Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard across their entire lineup, serving as an integral part of their brand image. Today, that manifests itself as nearly an entire lineup of vehicles featuring Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive mated to a longitudinally-mounted, horizontally-opposed (boxer) engine, giving them the unique engine and driving characteristics they’ve come to be known for.

All-wheel drive models currently account for 98 percent of Subaru’s global sales (the BRZ being the only exception), and they only plan on continuing that tradition going forwards by offering all-wheel drive in their upcoming Solterra electric SUV. Like the BRZ, the Solterra will be a joint venture with Toyota, whose own version of the electric SUV will be called bZ4x. Both are expected to come to market some time next year.

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2022 Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition Teased, Debuts June 14th

Subaru appears primed to embrace the blackout trend as the company has released the first teaser of the 2022 Ascent Onyx Edition.

Set to be unveiled on June 14th, the model promises to be “darker” and “more dramatic” than the standard crossover. The company went on to say we can expect “stylish details as well as convenient interior upgrades.”

That isn’t much to go on, but the Outback Onyx Edition XT is based on the Premium trim and adds black exterior accents as well as black 18-inch alloy wheels. The model also has unique two-tone seats which are covered in a water-repellant StarTex material. Buyers will also find additional equipment, but how much will translate over to the Ascent Onyx Edition is unclear.

Also Read: 2021 Subaru Ascent Gains New Equipment, Starts At $33,345

While a lot of questions remain, we can expect a familiar turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 260 hp (194 kW / 264 PS) and 277 lb-ft (376 Nm) of torque. It should be connected to a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission and a standard symmetrical all-wheel drive system.

We’ll learn more next week, but the Ascent Onyx Edition will likely slot in between the $34,795 Ascent Premium and $39,595 Ascent Limited. That will presumably make the crossover more expensive than the 2021 Outback Onyx Edition XT, which begins at $35,145.

Travis Pastrana Races His Gymkhana Subaru WRX STI Against A 1,300 HP Altima Drift Car

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The Subaru WRX STI built for Travis Pastrana and Gymkhana 11 is a phenomenal performance machine and was recently brought out to Hoonigan’s drag strip for some races against an equally-as-unique Nissan Altima.

The Altima in question is owned by Formula Drift champion Chris Forsberg and has been comprehensively modified for drifting. However, that doesn’t mean it is a slouch in a straight-line as it recently proved when out-sprinting a modified Dodge Charger Hellcat with 1,000 hp and drag radial tires.

Watch Also: Take A Deep Dive Of Travis Pastrana’s Crazed Subaru WRX STI Gymkhana Car

Key modifications made to this Altima include the fitment of a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 from a Nissan GT-R that, depending on the state of tune, can deliver as much as 2,000 hp but is currently rocking around 1,300 hp. It absolutely loves to spin up the rear wheels and produces an intoxicating sound.

In the other corner is Pastrana’s WRX STI. It was built by Subaru Motorsports USA and Vermont SportsCar and features a custom boxer engine bored out to 2.3-liters complete with a billet engine block and the crankshaft from Subaru’s RallyCross program. It also has billet heads, a twin timing belt system and a huge turbocharger, and delivers no less than 862 hp. While that’s considerably less than Forsberg’s Altima, the Subaru has the advantage of being all-wheel drive.

Thanks to the Subaru’s better traction, it launches much better than the Altima and takes the first two races with ease. However, a rolling race is then held between the pair and in this case, it was the Nissan that pulled away from the Subaru and claimed the win.

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