subaru impreza wrx sti spec c

Subaru Takumi Concept Previews New Impreza WRX STi Spec C

This version of the Subaru Impreza WRX STi, known as the Takumi concept, gives us a hint of what's in store for the upcoming Spec C hardcore version. Visually, there's not much to distinguish this car from a normal STi besides the 12-spoke rims, though it's said the production Spec C will feature subtle body tweaks including a roof scoop. Rest assured, the important changes are under the skin, with beefed-up drivetrain components, springs, shocks and other suspension bits. No word on exactly how much power this hardened version will make, but it's sure to be a much more focused driver's car no matter what. Of course, if even the standard STi feels like overkill to you, there's always the newly improved 2009 Impreza WRX.


[leblogauto via MotorAuthority]

novelties

How To Make A Subaru WRX STI Rally Car In 800 Hours

This is a damn awesome video of how the guys at Subaru Rally Team USA tear down and build up a stock Subaru WRX STI into a snarling rally beast in about 800 hours of work — all compressed into three minutes. The only thing that would make this better is if it was scored with "Flight of the Bumblebee," as obviously clichéd as that is. We were most impressed with the speed with which these guys tore the little Subie down to bare frame; it's like the car just fell apart when they touched it. Amazing. [PistonHeads]

subaru wrx sti

New 2008 Subaru Impreza WRC Racer Revealed

Originally created as a homologation special for the World Rally Championship, the Subaru WRX has always had its roots deep in rally competition. So from the moment we first laid eyes on the 2008 Impreza WRX STI, we were anxious to see what was in store for the full-on WRC-spec race car. Subaru teased us in Frankfurt last year with a concept, but now we finally get to see the real deal.

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saab turbo x

2008 Saab Turbo X Hits The Track, Goes Head-To-Head With The Subaru WRX STi, BMW M3, BMW 3-Series And Audi A4

We'd read somewhere that at the height of the Cold War, the U.S. locked in the struggle against the evil Commies, Sweden was considered as a potential candidate for location of a Northern European base for F-117A Night Hawk Stealth fighters. Obviously that didn't happen as the decision was made to base all 59 of the arrow-headed black-as-night fighters stateside at Holloman Air Force Base after testing completed at the Toponah test range. And now, well, now they've all been retired. But we're going to imagine for a moment that maybe a couple of them were sent over to Sweden for some leave time. It's the only way we're able to explain the 2008 Saab Turbo X — because if Saab claims they're born from jets, we're of the impression this jet-black baby meatball's daddy has to be an F-117A. Earlier this week our intrepid Editor-in-Chief and I were invited over to Gingerman Raceway on Michigan's western coast to watch as Saab attempted to prove that pedigree by taking on the limited-edition Turbo X's competitors — the Audi A4 3.2 Quattro and the BMW 335 Xi. In addition, and just to see how it stacked up, the Swedes also brought along a new 2008 Subaru WRX STi and a brand spanking new 2008 BMW M3. So what happened? Well, hit the jump.

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tuner cars

Mine's GT-R Runs 59.4sec Lap of Tsukuba, Coming To US?

No, I'm not saying that I personally have a Nissan GT-R. I'm talking about Mine's, the Japanese Tuner of Gran Turismo and Best Motoring fame. Recently, they brought their R35 GT-R with all the Mine's go-fast goodies to the Tsukuba Circuit to do some testing, and they left with a best lap of 59.367 seconds. To put this in perspective, a normal R35 GT-R will run a lap of about 1:02, and a new Mitsubishi Evo X or Subaru STi will do it in about 1:06. To run a sub-one-minute lap is a benchmark for turbo-crazed JDM tuners. Of course, with a notable lap time, there are always factors (weather, driver) that have little to do with the actual car. Either way, the Their's Your's Mine's GT-R is indeed an impressive piece of kit. They've upgraded the suspension, exhaust, brakes, intake, rear spoiler, and the computer chip. Still in development are parts to further aid the aerodynamics of the mirrors, hood, front canards, front spoiler and side outlets. And what's even better— we hear they're bringing it to the US.

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racing news

Woodland Creature Costs Pastrana Victory At Sno*Drift Rally This Weekend

You're all well aware that we think racer Travis Pastrana is a bad ass. Sadly, superior driving skills don't exempt you from bad luck. This Pastrana learned during the last stage of the Sno*Drift Rally. All that stood between the Team USA WRX STI and victory was about 11 miles of icy Michigan roads and one adult deer. Christian Edstrom may be a talented co-driver, but there's no navigating around that at high speed, in the dark. Better luck next time guys. [Break.com and Sno*Drift]

tokyo auto show

The 2009 Subaru WRX STI Teases Us With A Second Dark Photo

The folks at Subaru enjoy torturing us, releasing a second official murky image of the WRX STI — this time some hot rear action in the dark to complement the hot up-top shot we saw last week. Neither of them are as good as our last set of spy shots for the new STI'ed WRX, but whatevs, we guess we'll take what we can get until we see this for reals on October 24th — right at the start of the Tokyo Auto Show.