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Subaru WRX STI vs. Audi S3 in compact AWD dustup

It's not every day that a Subaru and an Audi can be reasonably compared head-to-head; the two brands tend not to compete directly in their respective segments. However, the latest WRX STI and the S3 Sedan offer the perfect chance to find out if the working-class Scooby can beat its upper-crust competitor.
The UK's Auto Express gets behind the wheel of these two all-wheel drive performance sedans, or saloons as the Brits call them. Across the pond, both of them are rated at an identical 296 horsepower, but the Subaru edges out the Four Rings on torque. Like in the US, British buyers have to pay a little more to get the Audi, but it comes with a nicer interior and more brand cachet, if that means anything to you.
The video starts out with a fairly standard road test comparing the two of them back-to-back - all fairly subjective. But then Auto Express takes the trip to the drag strip, and the results there are much more conclusive. There's a definite winner when they cross the line, but you have to scroll down to see which of these turbocharged models with rallying heritage wins out.

Subaru teases new Viziv Tourer concept ahead of Geneva

Subaru has released a teaser image of the Viziv Tourer concept due to be shown at Geneva next month. The name Viziv, which in Subaru concept car speak means "Vision for Innovation," has been tacked on quite a few concepts in recent years, including the Viziv Performance and Performance STI shown in Tokyo. Those offered a glimpse of what the upcoming new WRX and WRX STI could look like, and the Tourer version could then well prepare us for a new longer-roof WRX (or the next-generation Levorg that other markets get). The current car has been with us from 2016, meaning the next-generation car could hit production in 2020. The structure underpinning the next generation car would be the Subaru Global Platform, which debuted with the current-generation Impreza. The Tourer's design language teased with this shot matches the sharp detailing of the Viziv Performance STI seen at the Tokyo Auto Salon, including the taillights. We would expect the front to be a dead ringer, too. The WRX has been with us for over half of Subaru's 50-year history, and it's definitely a core part of the brand's aesthetic. "Pretty" hasn't always been the word that would best define every single WRX generation, but they have always been distinctly Subaru — the five-door variants included. Here's hoping the Tourer makes for a good-looking production car. Related Video: News Source: Subaru Geneva Motor Show Subaru Wagon Concept Cars Future Vehicles Performance 2018 Geneva Motor Show subaru levorg

Subaru WRX STI Type RA-R has more power, less weight

Subaru is releasing yet another special high performance WRX STI that's only for its home, Japan. This time it's a variant of the WRX STI Type RA called the Type RA-R. Though it looks very similar to the version we get in the U.S., it has some key differences. Instead of the 310-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder in ours, the RA-R has a 324-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. It also produces 318 pound-feet of torque, a fair bit more than the 290 of ours. The Type RA-R also boasts additional weight savings. The company says it's about 66 pounds lighter than the WRX STI S208, another special STI similar to our Type RA. That model was already lightened thanks to a carbon fiber roof among other additions. Interestingly, the Type RA-R doesn't appear to have the Bilstein suspension of the S208 or the U.S. Type RA. It does still have Brembo brakes front and rear, though, with six-piston calipers up front and two-piston calipers in the back. Visually the Type RA-R looks fairly similar to its other special edition siblings. It has the extra "Cherry Blossom" red accents in the grille and the rear diffuser. It does have the option to go without the giant rear wing, though, for people who want the performance without shouting about it. The wheels are also downsized from 19 inches on the S208 and U.S.-spec Type RA to 18 inches. Unsurprisingly, this is a very limited edition vehicle. Only 500 will be sold, just like the U.S. Type RA. That is 50 more than the S208, though. The price before taxes is, at current exchange rates, about $41,500. Interestingly, that's a lower price than the American model. Of course it doesn't really matter because, as we already said, this car is for Japan only. Related Video: