Not for U.S.: Subaru Launches 259HP Forester S-Edition in Australia

First unveiled in the 2010 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last October, the Subaru Forester S-Edition has now gone on sale in Australia, alongside the revised lineup of the Japanese compact SUV. Boasting a turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine delivering 259HP (193kW) and 347 Nm (256 lb-ft) of torque, the new range-topping model is the most powerful Forester ever to be sold down-under.

“We have had increasing customer interest in a more powerful Forester and are delighted to be the first export market for S-Edition, which made its worldwide debut at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last October”, said Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia. “It combines the best of two winning Subaru formulas – WRX and Forester, the latter of which is firmly entrenched as Australia’s favorite compact SUV.”

The flat-four is coupled to a 5-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, which sends power to all wheels through Subaru’s Variable Torque Distribution all-wheel drive system. To improve handling, engineers fitted the S-Edition with sport suspension and 17-inch Subaru Tecnica International (STi) alloys, wrapped around in 225/55 R17 Yokohama rubber.

With plenty of torque available from down low – and constant between 2,800-4,800 rpm –, the Forester S-Edition sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.5 seconds and can reach a top speed of 228 km/h (142 mph).

Wringing this car's neck will surely result in some scary consumption figures, but, according to the official fuel economy estimates, a laidback driving style can result in the burning of just 10.5 lt/100 km (22.4 US mpg) in a combined cycle, which is downright acceptable.

Compared to its more mundane siblings, the S-Edition also comes with a black grille, various chrome accents, silver roof rails and, for a limited period, World Rally Blue color option.

Inside, sport seats clad in a combination of alcantara and leather, S-Edition seat embroidery complemented by blue stitching, sporty instrument display and special gear shifter set this model apart.

The Forester S-Edition’s base price is AUD $50,990 (about US $51,301 at today’s exchange rates).

As previously reported, the revised Forester lineup benefits from the new naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine, capable of 170HP (127kW) and 235 Nm (174 lb-ft) of torque.

All new models feature a redesigned front grille, while inside the dashboard has a darker finish with matching metallic accents. The standard equipment list now includes seats clad in a more water resistant cloth trim, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, while XS models and above receive reversing cameras as standard.

*Note: The Subaru Forester S-Edition study is featured in the photos below

By Csaba Daradics

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Subaru VIVIO, 1992

Subaru VIVIO, 1992

The Subaru Vivio was a keicar that was introduced in March 1992, and manufactured by Subaru.

The name "Vivio" is a reference to the numbers 660 written in Latin numerals, and also inspired by the word vivid. The Vivio replaced the Subaru Rex. It was available in 3 and 5-door versions. The "Vivio Bistro" was a variation with a retro theme, with Mini-esque front and rear fascias, matching upholstery and modifications to the dashboard. The Bistro series was popular and Japan would see a string of modern retro-styled cars.

The Vivio with a variety of supercharged 4-cylinder engines.

Subaru Alcyone SVX, 1991

Subaru Alcyone SVX, 1991

The Alcyone SVX, also known in the United States simply as the SVX was a mid-sized sports-touring coupe sold by Subaru from 1991 to 1997.

History and sales
Subaru introduced the SVX in the United States in July of 1991, following up the U.S. debut with a Japanese market introduction in September of that year. The model was designed and marketed as the replacement for their aging Alcyone XT and Alcyone XT6 coupes. US sales were good and topped 3,859 units in 1993, although it is reported that Subaru intended to sell 10,000 SVXs each year. Sales dropped significantly for the next few years before falling to just 640 units in 1997, at which point Subaru discontinued the vehicle.

Overall sales of the SVX were 14,257 in the United States and a total of approximately 25,000 worldwide. 2,478 SVXs were sold in Europe (with 854 headed directly to Germany). Roughly 7,000 of all SVXs sold were right-hand drive models.

Body
In contrast to the boxy XT, the SVX had curvy, almost futuristic lines designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign and an unusual all-glass canopy with 2-piece side windows. The windows are split about 2/3 of the way from the bottom, with the division being parallel to the upper curve of the door frame. These half-windows are generally seen on vehicles with "gull-wing" or "scissor" doors such as the Lamborghini Countach and the De Lorean DMC-12.

Drivetrain
Unlike the previous model, which had been available with either a turbocharged 4-cylinder (as XT) or a naturally aspirated 6-cylinder (as XT6), the SVX debuted with and remained available with only one engine, the EG33 model 3.3 litre flat-six. The engine was an indirect development of the ER27 model, 2.7 litre unit that had powered the Alcyone XT6, although the new 3.3 litre variant was equipped with dual overhead camshafts and 4 valves per cylinder, and had an increased compression ratio of 10.0:1, bringing power up to 230 hp (172 kW) at 5,400 rpm and 228 ft·lbf (309 Nm) of torque at 4,400 rpm.

Unlike Subaru's newer models, which are all sold exclusively with all-wheel drive, the SVX was available in both all-wheel and front-wheel drive.

Though it was considered to be a very powerful vehicle at its debut, the SVX was heavy, weighing in at about 3600 pounds (1600 kg), and was only available with a 4-speed automatic transmission, both of which adversely affected performance.

No Really, this is a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider and it's Powered by a Subaru Turbo Boxer!

Don't let the Nissan 350Z snout and the Infiniti G35 Coupe (JDM Nissan Skyline V35) rear end design fool you; the glitzy painted roadster model you're gawking at is in fact a JDM Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider - possibly a third generation model. But before you try to digest all that info let us quickly add that Paint Star's Tokyo Auto Salon project car also hides a Subaru-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine under its 350Z-shaped hood. See the rest of the photos in our image gallery after the break.

Photos: Phil Alex / Carscoop

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2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Sedan Pictures

2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Sedan Pictures

2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Sedan Specifications

Body
Wheelbase	103.3 in.
Chassis
Wheels	17 x 8-in. aluminum
Engine
Type:	H4, 2.5-liter, DOHC, turbocharger and intercooler, AVCS variable valve timing
Engine & Transmission
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM:	244 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
Exterior
Tires F-R	235/45 R17 summer performance
Length	4-door: 180.3 in.
Weight	3,208 lbs.

Subaru to Finally Present its RWD Coupe Concept at Geneva Motor Show

It's been a long time in the making but we're finally going to get our first glimpse of Subaru's version of the Toyota FT-86 RWD Coupe, which is a joint project from the two companies, at the upcoming Geneva Salon in March. The somewhat blandly named “Subaru Rear Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept” will share the spotlight with the Impreza Concept (pictured above) and the Trezio mini MPV, both of which will receive their European premiere at the Swiss motorshow.

Despite rumors suggesting that Subaru may present an all-wheel drive version of the coupe project, the Japanese carmaker is keeping the rear-wheel drive setup, at least for now.

Not surprisingly, the Subaru coupe will be powered by a boxer engine, possibly the same four-cylinder unit lent to Toyota for the FT-86. Subaru did not release any photos nor any additional information on the Coupe concept model.

As for the company's two European premieres, the Impreza Concept was first shown in LA last November and previews a new design direction for the production model, while the Trezio is a re-badged version of the Toyota Verso-S mini MPV, which will be offered in Europe with a 1.3-liter gasoline and 1.4-liter turbo diesel engines.

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Subaru Justy, 1984

Subaru Justy, 1984

The Subaru Justy is a Subaru compact hatchback automobile in production since 1984.

The Justy family consists of four versions.

The first one, introduced in 1984, was updated in 1989, but the changes were small. In 1994 a rebadged Suzuki Swift was sold as Justy in most European countries; in 2004 it was replaced by a rebadged Suzuki Ignis (the Subaru G3X Justy).

Initially, the Justy was equipped with a 1.0 or 1.2 litre three-cylinder engine and either a manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission with either front wheel drive or on-demand four wheel drive. The CVT technology (a pushbelt system) was employed because with a conventional automatic transmission, performance would have been unacceptable, due to the small 3-cylinder engine.

The manual transmission version of the Justy was known for excellent mechanical reliability and fuel economy. It was reported to give 50miles per gallon as a new car. However, it was small and noisy as one would expect of a compact hatchback. The five-speed manual transmission worked reliably, but was far from smooth to operate because its synchronizers were not very good.

The CVT version was able to get reasonable acceleration out of the small engine. In the United States, because of the long distances, the CVT was considered not reliable, but this has not been the case in other countries.

In the United States, the car was not sold after 1994, in Europe, Suzuki Motors built the Justy for Subaru at its Hungarian plant. However, it was merely a rebadged Suzuki Swift. In 2004, the Justy name continued in European markets on a rebadged Suzuki Ignis.

In some countries the Subaru Justy was sold under the name Subaru Trendy.

Subaru Domingo, 1983

Subaru Domingo, 1983

Subaru Domingo, 1983

Subaru Leone, 1972

Subaru Leone, 1972

Subaru Leone

The Subaru Leone is a compact automobile produced by Subaru from June 1971 to February 1989 when it was replaced by the Subaru Loyale, which was essentially the same car, only with a different name. The Leone was known as the "GL/DL" in North America. The Leone was offered in sedan and hardtop coupe format from launch and station wagon format starting in September 1972.

The nameplate covered three generations of compact Subaru;

• 1972 model year - GF hardtop coupe offered alongside existing G-series sedans and wagon.
• 1973 model year; G series replaced by new (Loyale) two- and four door sedans and 5-door wagon.
• 1975 model year - All-wheel drive wagon offered.
• 1978 - AWD-only pickup added, marketed as Subaru Brat in North America and Subaru Brumby in Australia. Sedans and wagons offered in plainer DL and fancier GL trim.
• 1980 - SECOND GENERATION - restyled body for passenger cars. Two-door sedan dropped, replaced by 3-door hatchback on a shorter wheelbase than the others, available with AWD. Pickup continues on old body. 5-speed manual transmission supplied with 2WD GL sedans and wagon and GLF hardtop.
• 1982 - Pickup now restyled, catches up with passenger cars.
• 1983 - GL now midlevel trim, fancier GL-10 trim for all bodystyles replaces hardtop-only GLF. Turbocharged engine ("Turbo-Traction") available on AWD GL-10s. AWD now available on sedans and hardtops, and with 5-speed or automatic transmission for the first time. Minor trim changes for all models include "honeycomb" grille texture, Mercedes-style ribbed taillight lenses, and plastic-covered bumpers (except North American 2wd models). GL and GL-10 now have quad headlights.
• 1985 - THIRD GENERATION sedan and wagon with larger, angular body. Quad headlights now on base DL, composite headlights on GL and GL-10. Hardtop discontinued, second gen. hatchback and pickup continue without change.

The Leone  became a success in areas where people wanted four wheel drive (4WD), but didn't want a larger car. It soon became the world's top-selling 4WD.

A nice feature about the car is that you can enable/disable the 4WD as you drive with a button on the gear shifter. When the car is not in 4WD mode it is in FWD (Front Wheel Drive) mode. This is much more economical since the engine doesn't have to power both the front and rear axle. So if you are getting to a steep hill you just enable 4WD and you climb up the hill with ease.

Another smart feature is the hill-holder. With this you don't have to hold the break when standing in a hill. You only hold in the clutch and press the breake once, the car will then automatically hold the break, helping you get a better start. The car is powered by a water-cooled, horizontally-opposed, 4-cylinder OHV engine.

The first Subaru Legacy was originally intended to be a Leone replacement, but the car was moved upmarket. The Leone remained in production until 1993, when the slightly smaller Subaru Impreza replaced it.

Subaru R-2, 1969

Subaru R-2, 1969

 

Subaru R-2, 1969