There are many among us who harbor fetishes for the unexpected, the ironic, and of course, the stupidly fast. It’s all the better, of course, if a vehicle combines all three qualities. Not surprisingly, most of us love fearsome cargo carriers like the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG wagon, the silly Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, and the dearly departed Dodge Magnum SRT8. Basically, count us in for anything that has no business being fast but is anyway.

And so we were all over Subaru’s invitation to Willow Springs racetrack near Lancaster, California, to chuck a few laps in one of last year’s SEMA specials: the Forester XTI concept, which is basically a Forester crossover with WRX STI running gear. Since the car isn’t street-legal—and there aren’t enough people like us who could prompt Subaru to actually build something like this for real—this probably will be our only chance to drive it and to see if Subaru can transform the innocuous Forester’s package into something as beguiling as the STI. Read more »

Subaru has lifted the covers on the all-new, 2010 Legacy ahead of the mid-size sedan’s world premiere at next week’s New York International Auto Show. The production version of the Legacy Concept that was shown in Detroit earlier this year comes with new looks inside and out, a revised engine line-up that includes a new 3.6-liter 6-cylinder boxer and improved space for passengers and their luggage alike.

As was expected, Subaru’s designers toned down the Legacy Concept’s exterior styling with the production model looking much less aggressive and yes, the car’s rear-end does bring to mind the Lexus GS. Inside, the new Legacy has been updated from ground up though Subaru’s clientele will most likely feel right at home which isn’t a bad thing at all.

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Subaru ups performance with a 265-hp WRX and introduces a new model for ’09.

Having just refreshed the Impreza for 2008, Subaru is now announcing an improved WRX and an all-new model—the 2.5GT—for 2009.
Teaching the Not-So-Old Dog New Tricks

At the heart of the improvements to the WRX is a 41-hp bump to 265, shrinking the power gap between it and the bewinged and devilish STI—not to mention out-powering the new Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. Torque increases 18 lb-ft, to 244. Available exclusively with a five-speed manual transmission, the new WRX gets its gusto thanks to a larger turbo and exhaust, in addition to a more free-flowing catalytic converter.

While the added power is sure to be the focal point for many, Subaru hasn’t ignored the enthusiast’s love for the turns, re-tuning the suspension for more aggressive handling, something the softer-for-2008 model desperately needed. Spring rates and anti-roll bar diameters are increased all around and damping is improved. Subaru says the new WRX will be more responsive with sharper turn-in, a claim we look forward to verifying.
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A forum member at NASIOC has posted a corporate communiqué supposedly sent to North American Subaru dealers announcing the forthcoming arrival of the 2009 Impreza WRX. Two models are outlined in the release, the first, a new model dubbed the Impreza GT, will only be available with an automatic transmission and the 224 hp engine from the WRX. But that’s not the real news…

The 2009 WRX’s turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer will get a boost in output to 265 hp (41 hp more than the 2008 model) and will only be available with a manual gearbox. The ’09 WRX will also feature an upgraded suspension (no details), an STI-style front grille, standard aero kit and a new grey wheel package, along with red stitching on the steering wheel and seats.
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