Auto blog

Subaru teases Impreza sedan concept for LA

When the doors open at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month, Subaru will be on hand to preview its upcoming Impreza. But before it does, it's giving us an idea of what to expect. Although we can only see so much of it from the teaser image above, the Impreza Sedan Concept pictured here for the first time looks similar to the Impreza 5-Door Concept we saw in Tokyo mere days ago. It seems to bear the same headlights and the same sculpted flank as the hatchback show car. Only as you might have discerned by now, it has a trunk instead of a tailgate. And instead of that blueish-silver, this one's done up in metallic red. For more than that, we'll have to wait. And it's entirely possible that even when it does arrive, Subaru won't tell us much about the technical specifications. Many of these concepts don't actually have engines, after all, When the new Impreza does reach production, it will in all likelihood feature a boxer four engine and all-wheel drive. Subaru to Debut "Impreza Sedan Concept" at 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show Tokyo, November 10, 2015 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, today announced that the "Impreza Sedan Concept" will make its world debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show (Press day: November 17 – 19 / Open to the public: November 20 – 29, 2015). The Impreza Sedan Concept will be unveiled at the press briefing scheduled for 2:35 PM PST on November 18 at Subaru booth following a speech by FHI President & CEO, Yasuyuki Yoshinaga. The special site opens today on the Subaru Global Site. http://www.subaru-global.com/2015la.html The site will feature information updates relating to the Los Angeles Auto Show including Subaru's press conference. Related Video:

NHTSA, IIHS, and 20 automakers to make auto braking standard by 2022

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and virtually every automaker in the US domestic market have announced a pact to make automatic emergency braking standard by 2022. Here's the full rundown of companies involved: BMW, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo (not to mention the brands that fall under each automaker's respective umbrella). Like we reported yesterday, AEB will be as ubiquitous in the future as traction and stability control are today. But the thing to note here is that this is not a governmental mandate. It's truly an agreement between automakers and the government, a fact that NHTSA claims will lead to widespread adoption three years sooner than a formal rule. That fact in itself should prevent up to 28,000 crashes and 12,000 injuries. The agreement will come into effect in two waves. For the majority of vehicles on the road – those with gross vehicle weights below 8,500 pounds – AEB will need to be standard equipment by September 1, 2022. Vehicles between 8,501 and 10,000 pounds will have an extra three years to offer AEB. "It's an exciting time for vehicle safety. By proactively making emergency braking systems standard equipment on their vehicles, these 20 automakers will help prevent thousands of crashes and save lives," said Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx said in an official statement. "It's a win for safety and a win for consumers." Read on for the official press release from NHTSA. Related Video: U.S. DOT and IIHS announce historic commitment of 20 automakers to make automatic emergency braking standard on new vehicles McLEAN, Va. – The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced today a historic commitment by 20 automakers representing more than 99 percent of the U.S. auto market to make automatic emergency braking a standard feature on virtually all new cars no later than NHTSA's 2022 reporting year, which begins Sept 1, 2022. Automakers making the commitment are Audi, BMW, FCA US LLC, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Tesla Motors Inc., Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo Car USA.

Drive looks at a pair of STI-ified Subaru Impreza RS Coupes

Among tuners, the legions of Subaru fans are hard to top, displaying all the fanaticism of English soccer fans and a dedication to their vehicles that borders on obsessive. These are compliments, by the way. In the latest video from Drive, Matt Farah takes a look at a pair of very special Imprezas - early Impreza 2.5RS Coupes that have had some serious heart transplants.
The first, a traditional blue model, sports the 2.5-liter, turbocharged flat-four from the 2004 WRX STI, which is good for around 300 horsepower. The other Impreza is a bit more hardcore - the engine is a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder from the JDM WRX STI, which we suppose makes it more of an Impreza 2.0RS Coupe. Besides the different engines, both cars represent the unique ideas and style of their owners.
The 10-minute video explores this, digging into why people tune, and how it's a reflection of their own personal driving style and character. Take a look below for another fun vid from the team at Drive.