I wonder why Subaru’s calling it the Takumi Concept. If it’s a reference to that lead guy in that hit anime series, Initial D, I’d say this is a cheap way for Subaru to get some buzz on their latest attempt in redeeming themselves from making the Impreza WRX STi look that way.

Anyway, the Takumi Concept is supposed to be an improvement on the Impreza WRX STi. Known for their tradition in making cars sideways in the WRC, well, we could trust that Subaru knows what they’re doing.

They’ve taken the STi and slapped on some new suspension components including new springs, dampers and stiffened suspension arms. They’ve also improved on the brakes, engine and the AWD system. The car sits on 18-inch aluminum wheels. Not much details were leaked though.

Outside, the Takumi doesn’t offer much changes to the STi’s body. Changes include a black front lip and rar spoiler in contrast to its shiny white body. Inside, the Concept gets a new shift knob and race-y Recaro seats.

Source: Inside Line

The Subaru Impreza WRX STI is designed to be pushed to the limits. As the road-going version of the rally car, many a driver would try and take this car to the edge and back during track days (or during daily drives for some maniacs out there). And the car can handle it, especially with all the electronic doohickeys slapped on it.

Too bad, now it needs a bit of tweaking to address a combustion issue that comes up when the car’s engine is revved past the 6,700 RPM redline and this is likely to happen when constantly pressing the pedal to the metal. Abnormal combustion (over lean air-fuel mixture) would occur that may result in engine damage. The issue was discovered by Subaru during a quality review.

To fix it, Subaru has to tweak the engine control unit (ECU). The fix will improve the combustion management above red-line speed and will not affect the other system controls. Owners will receive a notice from Subaru and can have their cars serviced for free.

Now, I wonder how many time you’d be going over the red-line anyway. Isn’t there a reason for that red-line - meaning that you can blow your engine going over it. Or is this a case of “you can still push it past the warning light though we just don’t tell everyone”?

Source: Subaru of America

I’ve always been a Subaru fan and I’m just hoping that they redeem themselves after . After a long time of trying to reconcile my fanboy whims over the reality that the new Impreza does indeed suck (compared to my ever-hated Evo). And probably that’s why they’re reconfiguring their models to deal with the Mitsu infestation.

They will be marketing the Impreza GT and the Impreza WRX. The Impreza GT, which will get a 224 hp and an automatic tranny, will be aimed at Mitsu’s poorman’s Evo - the Lancer Ralliart. But what’s the real deal with all of this is the WRX - the 2.5L turbocharged boxer engine will get boosted for 41 more horses and upgraded suspension. Perhaps a desperate move to make the WRX just more palatable.

Still, I’m not seeing Subaru winning the fight against Mitsubishi this round. Both the Evo variants and quite possibly, the Lancer Ralliart offers just so much for these Impreza variants to take head on. Still, die-hard Subie fans will be delighted. As for me, I’m a realist.

Source: Autoblog

I really get excited when news about the Toyota-Subaru RWD coupe comes up. And as fast as Internet buzz goes, we have supposed spy shots of a test mule. I know they’re really pushing for the project but I never did think that a test mule was readily in order.

With the shape of this car, it’s a bit of a stretch to think of it as a resurrection of the famed AE86/Corolla GT but if you start thinking hard, you may be able to make the connection if you take into consideration the current look of the Corolla. It does have shades of being a burlier Subaru legacy but since most of it is still under wraps, it’s pretty hard to tell.

The car still looks Frankenstein’s monster-y but so far, I think I like what I’m seeing. It would probably attract those into rice rockets. with the car having undeniable Japanese car looks but it is shaping to be a sportier and burlier car.

Inside Line has been gracious to share more information about the Toyota- Subaru tie-up on the rumored replacement to a line of Toyota RWDs (one of which would be the Corolla GT/AE 86). But you have to ask about the branding impact and direction this project is taking. Will it really be a Toyota - Subaru thing?

So far, the car is shaping up to be an Impreza that would go through Toyota’s process. The platform will be Subie. The engine will be Subie. The transmission will be Subie. And don’t those gold rims scream Impreza at yoy? So why not just get a WRX STi and slap on a Toyota badge? Not that it would matter since both companies will offer their own stylings on the car.

Uhm, okay. So the Impreza is a 4WD car and this one will definitely be a RWD. A slight modification on the powertrain will be done to accomplish that. A joint effort will be put into creating a modified version of the 2.0L boxer engine for it to generate 220 hps at 6,500 rpm.

The car is slated to be debuted in 2011 and will be priced at sub-$20,000. Still, it’s a tie-up between two of my favorite automakers. I might just have to save up for one. And I have 3 years to do it.

Nissan and Toyota seem to be duking it out in producing cars targeted at the same market. Just last month, an interesting take on whether or not the Lexus LF-A (Toyota’s first proper sports car) was pulled out of testing around the Nurburgring for improvements so that it wouldn’t pale in comparison to what Nissan has done and accomplished with the GT-R.

While the LF-A is still undergoing improvements, the GT-R is now achieving sales success. This battle of the Japanese supercars have still yet to start. But what’s this? Are the two companies set to pit every car they now develop against each other?

Late last year, there was buzz going around that Nissan will be resurrecting their street racer classic - the 240SX (which shares the same platform with the Japanese Silvia). This was after the Toyota-Subaru tie-up to build an entry-level FR sports car which was initially reported as the replacement for the drifting classic Corolla GT (Trueno Sprinter and Levin AE86 in Japan). It now seems that Nissan will really be putting the pressure on Toyota as they expect the Silvia resurrection to be released earlier that the Toyota-Subaru car.

Source: 7Tune

Yey! Another Subaru WRX STi video. Anyway, after talking to another Subaru fan friend of mine. We sort of agreed that we liked the sporty four-door-with-a-trunk look of the WRX STi and that the new hot-hatch look makes it appear less fierce and aggressive. But this video made me double-back on that take. And take note of the warning at the bottom of the vid. It just plainly means that stock STis are possibly not equipped enough to be this crazy.

Via Autoblog

This buzz/news has been around for months now, with initial rumors about the resurrection of the famed AE86/Corolla GT and the news of co-development between Subaru and Toyota. Now, when two of my favorite auto makers tie-up, I’ll definitely be watching out for developments and the latest is that they’re confirming it. 1) Toyota upped its stakes in Subaru’s parent company and 2) Subaru and Toyota will be developing a sports car.

And it would be back to basics - a stripped-down two-seater with RWD. And since we have two great automakers merging technologies here, expect to have some amazing stuff here. The Impreza will be used as basis for this car with the boxer engine as probably the core of this car as it will be using the WRX’s turbocharged 2.5-litre motor.

What I’m not too sure about is whether this one they’re building will be the one dubbed as the resurrected GT. But by the looks of it, this could be highly likely.

Oh man, this is surely interesting news. Imagine what these companies could to build economical cars with performance that can shame what their European and American counterparts. How about Daihatsu (partly owned by Toyota) kei cars being slapped on with Subie technology.

Source: Top Speed

I’m more of the Top Gear guy with all of their “Ambitious but Rubbish” stuff never failing to crack me up. But hey, we still have to wait quite a while before we get to see more of the blokes (save for the last bit they did for Sport Relief). Since it’s Fifth Gear that’s on air right now and with this latest bit featuring Tiff Needell with the Subaru WRX STi, it’s definitely worth the watch.

A few years ago, diesel engines were almost exclusively for SUVs and larger vehicles all because diesels were too sluggish for cars. But developments have made it possible for cars to sport diesel engines and have the same zippy performance provided by gasoline. Probably the stop-gap solution for the rising gas prices. Diesel is cheaper and gives just a bit more mileage perfect for those who think hybrids aren’t too fun.

BMW and Mercedes are some of the manufacturers that have went into the development of zippy diesel engines which they’ve put into their lines and to good effect. Here we have Subaru launching their own line of diesel-powered cars.

Geneva will serve as the stage for Subaru’s release of the Legacy and Outback diesels. Powered by the new 2.0L CRD Boxer Engine that produces 147 horses and pulls 258 lb-ft of torque. And refinements have made sure that emissions will pass Euro 4 standards with 148 g/km of CO2.

No real improvements on the Legacy and the Outback save for the engines and the D (for diesel) badge.

Source: RevMods