So much Subaru news has been coming out, it's hard to keep up with it all! Here's a smattering of the Subaru news you need to know!
The Subaru WRX is getting EyeSight
EyeSight is part of what makes Subaru unmatched in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Picks (see the the rankings here, where Subaru is the best of the best). Torque News seems pretty excited:
WRX Limited (with Sport Lineartronic transmission) when ordered with EyeSight, comes in a package with Navigation and Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The upgraded tech package also includes a harman/kardon amplifier and 9-speaker premium sound system plus Keyless Access and Push-Button Start with Pin Code Access. WRX models equipped with EyeSight also come with Steering Responsive Fog lights.
What makes 2016 WRX safer?
This system is one of the best safety systems of any automaker and was rated the highest of any system and excels in crash avoidance. EyeSight uses two charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras mounted inside the car on the upper edge of the windshield. The EyeSight system processes stereo images to identify the vehicles traveling in front, as well as obstacles, traffic lanes and other items. The video information is relayed to the EyeSight computer, which is also networked with the car's braking system and electronic throttle control.
Other safety features on 2016 WRX
The new generation 2016 WRX also gets a driver’s knee airbag, reversing camera and better visibility, with wing mirrors located on the doors, reducing blind-spots. All this safety equipment combined with EyeSight helps the 2016 WRX maintain Subaru’s commitment to become the number one automaker in overall vehicle safety. The 2016 Subaru WRX is one of the safest performance compact sedans on the planet.
Subarus are the safest cars you can get
Keri Potipcoe got to see the IIHS testing facility in action:
A voice announces, "in 3, 2, 1 we're underway." The whir is now
deafening, and nothing I can write will describe just how fast a crash
happens. I can still hear the sound it made - that haunting sound of an
instant negative life experience, one that's probably expensive, and
possibly irreversible - a week later.
We take off running down the stairs and over to the car, documenting the dummy's wounds and inspecting the damage.
I then push through the exit door and I see a giant chart on the wall,
of all test vehicle ratings, separated by segment. It's quite something
and I freeze in place staring, and then my breath sucks in when I see
it.
My answer, and Subaru's reason for this trip, is to show that they are
in the number one position for every model they make. Better still,
Subaru is the only manufacturer with TSPs for all its models.
Still frozen, further analyzing patterns, I find the most impressive one
- no other manufacturer comes close to these claims. Like, the
difference is so glaring I'm not sure any other automaker could have
hosted this press trip, what would they say? "Thanks for coming
everyone, hopefully one day we'll achieve the same results as Subaru."
I turn to Joe Felstein, Subaru Canada's manage of public relations, and
say "come on Joe, every model?!" He smiles as he says, "yes Keri, a TSP
for every model ... for six consecutive years at that."
photo by Keri Petipcoe (don't miss the Subaru's topping the mid-size chart on the right!)
Subaru Rally driver Dave Higgins is undefeated
Subaru Rally Team USA driver David Higgins and co-driver Craig Drew
claimed victory at the 2015 Olympus Rally, marking their tenth
consecutive Rally America victory and fourth consecutive win in the 2015
championship season. Higgins led from the first stage in his 2015 Subaru WRX STI rally car and pulled away from a chasing field throughout the challenging two-day event.
The Olympus Rally, held in scenic western Washington, has a storied
past. The rally was part of the first US Rally Championship in 1973 and
later ran as a World Rally Championship event from 1986-1988 during the
sport’s legendary Group B days. The Olympus Rally returned to the
championship calendar this season after a two-year hiatus and was as
grueling as ever with over 130 miles of technical, tree-lined forest
roads.
Higgins dominated the first day of competition winning all but one stage
when a punctured tire slowed his progress. He further added to his
lead at the start of the second day before a late rally mechanical issue
forced Higgins to give up a large chunk of his lead. However, Higgins’
buffer to second place was big enough that he was able continue to
victory after making repairs. The podium was an all-Subaru sweep for
the third time this season after four rounds, with Adam Yeoman in 2nd
place and Nick Roberts in 3rd.
“The last few stages went really well, the boys did a great job in the
last service to get us back out there. A great rally, a great win for
us and the team, it wasn’t easy,” stated David Higgins after the
conclusion of the race. “The 2015 Subaru STI is undefeated thus far and
it is only getting better. We keep making small improvements with each
mile, the car is a joy to drive, Subaru and the team have done a great
job with this new car.”
“We’re proud of the team’s result and overcoming the setbacks we had
during the rally” started Rob Weir, Subaru Motorsports Marketing
Manager.”Through the hard work of the Vermont SportsCar and Subaru
Tecnica International, Subaru Rally Team USA has maintained its strong
lead in the Rally America Championship.”
Subaru will launch a BRZ STi
Automotive News wrote up the Subaru performance concept car debuted at the New York Auto Show:
Subaru debuted an STI Performance Concept car this month at the New York auto show. It not only showcases STI's potential but foreshadows an STI edition of the BRZ sporty coupe due in America.
Subaru Tecnica International has been around since 1988. But Subaru now aims to step up marketing of its offerings to build performance cred as part of parent company Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.'s 2020 business goal of enhancing overall brand value.
"The United States is the highest priority for STI," STI President Yoshio Hirakawa said here. "We'd like to create a car that drivers can control like their own legs so they can push the car to the limit."
...
Subaru's STI business has three pillars: Complete cars, performance parts and motorsports. STI editions usually mix and match special chassis tuning, responsive steering, heavy-duty brakes, bigger wheels, aero kits and pipped engines.
In the U.S., the biggest market for complete STI vehicles, Subaru sold 6,500 WRX STIs in 2014. It was the only STI model offered.
But as part of the expansion plan, the U.S. will get an STI version of the BRZ in "a couple years." The exact branding of this vehicle and its specs haven't been decided. But it may be billed as a BRZ "tuned by TSI," spokesman Michael McHale said.
photo by Automotive News
