IAA 2011: Subaru Launches Impreza-Based XV Crossover

Subaru lifted the wraps off its new competitor in the small crossover segment at this week's Frankfurt Motor Show. The Japanese firm's Nissan Qashqai rival is based on the Impreza, but comes with a different body style and a jacked up suspension that provides close to 220mm or more than 8.5 inches of ground clearance.

The compact sized model measures 4,450mm in length, 1,780mm in width and 1,570mm in height and will launch in Europe with a choice of three boxer engines, including 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter gasoline units, and a 2.0-liter turbo diesel.

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Categories: Diesel, Frankfurt Motor Show, New Cars, Subaru, Subaru Impreza, Subaru XV

SPIED: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C Sedan Scooped at the 'Ring

The new 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI sedan was officially revealed at the New York Auto Show earlier this month, but our spy photographers have captured the Japanese maker's big-winged saloon testing at the Nurburgring.

At a first glance, it appears that the car is nothing more than the European specification version of the high-performance sedan.

However, a closer look reveals small but important differences clearly suggesting that the STI seen here may very well be a prototype for a limited edition Spec C model.

These include the blacked out alloy wheels, gold colored brake calipers (quite possibly "brembo"), fog lamp covers and the front lip spoiler, all of which were not shown on the New York Show car but are standout features on the JDM Impreza STI Spec C hatchback (see here).

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Categories: Scoops, Subaru, Subaru Impreza, Subaru Scoops, Subaru STi

2011 Subaru Coupe: Speculative Renderings and Rumors for AWD and Turbocharged Engines

The Toyota FT-86 coupe concept was only just introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show last week, but the internet-grapevine is already abuzz with speculation and chatter on its Subaru twin. These new speculative renderings of the Subaru-badged coupe that are based on Toyota'sFT-86 concept model were published in the latest issue of Japan's 'Best Car' magazine. The CGI's are accompanied by rumors of all-wheel drive and a turbocharged boxer engine for the Subie.

However, let us remind you that when Toyota and Subaru first announced that they jumped into bed together to give birth to an affordable pair of compact sports cars, the two Japanese automakers were pretty clear about both models featuring a rear-wheel drive setup.

Here's what the two companies said in a joint statement about the coupes in April 2008:

"Toyota Motor Company (TMC) and Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) - Subaru's parent company - are to jointly develop a compact rear-wheel-drive sports car that will be marketed by both TMC and FHI."

"The compact rear-wheel sports car to be jointly developed by TMC and FHI is envisioned to offer a new "fun to drive" experience based on an all-new vehicle platform powered by an FHI core-technology horizontally-opposed engine. Market introduction is targeted for the end of 2011. Production is to take place at a new plant to be built at FHI's Gunma Manufacturing Division in Japan's Gunma Prefecture. TMC will consign production to FHI."

We're not saying that AWD or even more plausibly, a turbocharged version, are out of the question, but we won't take anything for granted until we see an official statement or better yet, a concept version from Subaru that will give us an idea of the company's intentions.

The only thing that we can be sure about now is that Subaru will market its own version of the coupe. If it will be available in all markets or if Subaru will offer the option of AWD and/or a turbocharged engine is something that remains to be seen.

Photos: Best Car

Categories: Reports, Scoops, Subaru, Subaru Scoops, toyota, Toyota FT-86

SPY VIDEO: 2011 Toyota FT86 - Subaru Prototype Captured on the Nurburgring

The oddly shaped coupe covered in layers of metal and camouflage tape that you see in this spy video undergoing tests at the Nurburgring race track is none other than a test mule for the upcoming Toyota / Subaru co-developed rear-wheel drive sport coupes. Understandably, there's no way of knowing if it's a prototype for the Toyota-badged model that will be previewed at this week's Tokyo Motor Show with the FT-86 Concept or for Subaru's derivative that has yet to be revealed or even named.

Not that it matters as both compact sport coupes will share the same mechanical underpinnings including a modified version of Subaru's 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine said (but not officially confirmed) to produce up to 200HP.

Both the Subaru and Toyota variants of the rear-wheel drive 2+2 coupe are to be produced in Japan at Subaru's Gunma factory with the first examples due to arrive in the market in late 2011.

Via: Jalopnik , Source: Ft86club

Categories: Nurburgring, Scoops, Subaru, Subaru Scoops, Subaru Videos, Toyota FT-86, Toyota Scoops, Toyota Videos, video

Official (?) Sketches of Subaru's Version of the Toyota FT-86 Coupe Hit the Web

Now that the Toyota FT-86 sports coupe has caught our attention with its sleek looks, compact dimensions, rear-wheel drive configuration and the icing on the cake, its price which is said to be in $20,000 range when it goes on sale in 2011, it's time for the media to speculate on the appearance of its Subaru twin. More specifically, a series of supposedly official sketches that are said to depict numerous design proposals for Subaru's variant of the coupe made their way onto the internet today.

Even if it is confirmed that these renderings are indeed sourced from Subaru, you don't need to be designer to see that these are rough sketches drawn on a very early stage of the development of the car. Still, feel free to express your thoughts on the design proposals in the comment section below.

Details on Subaru's version of the rear-wheel drive compact sports car that is been jointly developed with Toyota, remain scarce. All we know is that both models are based on the same platform and use Subaru's horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine.

We'll have to wait to see if Subaru's version, which is also set to hit the market in late 2011, will get a rear-wheel drive layout and/or the option of an all-wheel drive system. However, it is almost certain that Subaru will give us a taste of its proposal by unveiling a concept model at one of the next major international auto shows.

Via: Worldcarfans , Source: Autocar

Categories: Japan, Scoops, Subaru, Subaru Concepts, Subaru Scoops, Toyota FT-86

New Subaru Justy Rumored to Premiere at 2009 Tokyo Motor Show in October

The curtains won't be falling on the Frankfurt Motor Show extravaganza until the end of this weekend, but the automotive world is already getting prepared for the next big car meeting, the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show in Japan at the end of October. One of the cars that are rumored to make their debut at the Japanese show is the new Subaru Justy. Citing inside sources, Japan's Best Car magazine claims that the next Justy will be a rebadged Toyota Ractis with its own unique fascia. The current generation Justy is a... rebadged Daihatsu Sirion with a different front-end treatment.

Confused? Well, it's even more complicated than you think. See, both the Daihatsu Sirion (which by the way, is sold in Japan also as the Toyota Passo...) and the Toyota Ractis are based on the underpinnings of the Toyota Yaris. Kinda like a Japanese automotive incest fest...

If the story about the Justy-Ractis turns out to be true, we can't wait to find out what Toyota has in store for us next.

Via: Best Car

Categories: Daihatsu, Japan, Scoops, Subaru, Subaru Justy, Tokyo Motor Show, toyota

Scooped: JDM 2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon

If the overly secretive teaser image of the JDM 2010 Subaru Legacy that is scheduled to be officially revealed in the Land of the Rising Sun on May 20th wasn't enough for you, Japan's Car Mode magazine has a full blown photo of the Touring Wagon version in its latest issue. Stylistically, the differences between U.S market 2010 Subaru Legacy that was unveiled in New York and the JDM model are limited to minor details like the prolonged air intakes at the corners of the front bumper and the redesigned exterior mirrors.

The Legacy Touring Wagon that is featured in these scoop photos is in effect an Outback stripped out of its 'crossoverish' doodads and plastic add-ons for a more conventional look. If you happen to prefer the simplicity of the Touring Wagon over the Outback then tough luck because while the Estate is scheduled for a European launch, Subaru has no plans of bringing it to the States.

Pics via: Car Mode

Categories: Japan, Scoops, Subaru, Subaru Legacy

Japanese-Spec 2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon Teased

In about a month's time, Subaru will proceed to the launch of the Japanese domestic market (JDM for short) version of the new Legacy that made its first global appearance at the New York Auto Show last week. For the time being, Subie has released a teaser shot of the JDM 2010 Legacy Touring Wagon which is essentially a USDM 2010 Outback without the raised ride height, roof rails and fancy-pansy plastic body cladding. Just for the record, the Legacy Touring Wagon will not be offered in the States.

From what we can tell by comparing the teaser photo of the JDM Legacy Touring Wagon to the US-spec Legacy, the Japanese version will also feature restyled exterior mirrors, a different headlight assembly and larger air intakes at the corners of the front bumper.

However, what we're all really interested in finding out is what will be hiding under the hood of the JDM Legacy and in particular, if Subaru will be revealing any details and photos on the STi versions of the sedan and estate variants of the model.

Categories: Japan, Scoops, Subaru, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback

New 2010 Subaru Legacy Renderings

In a couple of weeks time, Subaru will end all guesswork for the 2010 Legacy with the unveiling of the model at the New York Auto Show. Still, this has not deterred Japanese car magazines such from continuing to release speculative renderings of the new Legacy even as we speak. In their latest issue, Carmode's artists have come up with a new set of CGIs for both the sedan and station wagon variants of the Legacy. As with all previous renderings, these too are based on the near-production Legacy concept that was shown in Detroit earlier this year.

Pics: Carmode - Thanks for the photos Alan!

Categories: New York Auto Show, Renderings, Scoops, Subaru, Subaru Legacy

2010 Subaru Legacy and Legacy Outback Artist's Impressions

In spite of the fact that the revealing of the close-to-production Legacy Concept at the 2009 Detroit Show in January hasn't left much to the imagination, nevertheless, Japan's Best Car rendering artists have attempted to tone down the design of the study to give us a more accurate view of the 2010 Legacy that is rumored to be unveiled at this April's New York Auto Show.

As well as performing a few minor changes on the sedan to make it look more production ready, Best Car's artists also drew up a couple of renderings of the station wagon and Outback variants of the 2010 Legacy.

Via: NASIOC , Source: Best Car

Categories: Renderings, Scoops, Subaru, Subaru Legacy