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Subaru to return to Isle of Man with 2015 WRX STI hoping to set new record [w/videos]

This is what it looked like when Mark Higgins set the lap record at the 37.75-mile TT Mountain Course on the Isle of Man in 2011 in a Subaru WRX STI. And it will probably look much the same when Higgins returns to the chunk of land in the Irish Sea to with the aim of breaking his record, set at an average speed of 115.36 miles per hour, but he'll do so in a 2015 WRX STI. As in 2011, he'll drive a mostly stock US sedan fitted with a roll cage, race harness, fire suppression system and upgraded springs and dampers. We're sure he'll be hoping to avoid a repeat of "The biggest moment of my life," though. There's a press release below with more information on the coming attempt, including dates, and we've included a video of that "moment" as well as one of the whole record run. Godspeed, Mr. Higgins. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. SUBARU TO DEBUT NEW 2015 WRX STI AT THE ISLE OF MAN TT COURSE AND ATTEMPT NEW FASTEST LAP Thursday 17th April 2014 -- Subaru of America, Inc. announced today that Subaru will return to the fabled Isle of Man TT Races and attempt to beat its own fastest car lap time. The current record of 115.36mph for the iconic 37 3/4 mile TT Mountain Course was set three years ago by Mark Higgins in a (2011) Subaru WRX STI. Higgins will return to drive the new 2015 Subaru WRX STI. The car Higgins will drive is a stock U.S.-spec 2015 WRX STI, with the exception of a roll-cage, race harness, fire suppression system and modified springs and dampers to handle the sustained high speeds of the course. Subaru will also return as a partner with the Isle of Man, renewing its sponsorship of the race. "We are very excited to return for another attempt of the TT course and to be the official car of the TT," said Dominick Infante, National Manager of Product Communications, Subaru of America, Inc. "The Isle of Man is paradise for anyone who appreciates motorsport and there is nothing like the TT road course anywhere else." In his previous attempt on the course, Higgins created one of the most memorable race videos when he had a self-described "moment" at the bottom of Bray Hill at 150 MPH. The video has received almost 10 million views via various media outlets.

'Kingsman' Subaru WRX isn't your typical rear-engined stunt car

The Subaru WRX has been a hot choice for movie cars as of late. The most popular is the rear-wheel-drive Subie from " Baby Driver," of which two stunt car examples have been sold off. But a lesser known appearance was in the movie "Kingsman: The Secret Service." Now the car used in that film is up for sale, and it's got a custom twist we've never really seen before. As the photos show, this is no ordinary WRX. Although the exterior looks like any other car, the secrets are held within. Open the trunk and there lies the engine. Look inside the cabin and there are not one, but two separate steering wheels: one in the normal right-hand-drive spot for a U.K. car, the other in the rear passenger-side seat. For those who have seen the movie (if you haven't, we recommend it), it should have clicked by now why the car has this setup. For those who haven't, there is a fairly simple explanation. In one of the scenes, the main character is seen escaping the police by driving the car backward through a narrow street at a high rate of speed. Rather than trying to accomplish this task by actually driving the car backward, the movie makers apparently cut off the body of the WRX, flipped it 180 degrees, and reattached it. So, the steering wheel that appears to be in the normal spot is actually an imposter added after the fact. The real driver's seat, steering wheel, six-speed gearbox and pedals are the ones seen in the rear seat facing the trunk. According to the seller, there are several other additions to the car, which is claimed to be an STI Spec D. The seller says the engine has several upgrades to the engine, as well as a welded-in roll cage. The car apparently does not start with the key but was bump started and ran okay. Though listed on eBay, this is not an auction. The seller has posted the car, which has 67,000 miles on it, for GBP5,950.00 (about $7,605). He also claims to have two other Subarus that were used in the movie. This would be a perfect car to charge for appearances at local events and parades. Just beware of the gremlins that are sure to pop up. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Related Video: News Source: eBay Auto News Weird Car News Subaru Car Buying Used Car Buying Special and Limited Editions Performance Sedan eBay movie cars sti

Subaru mulling three-row utility, upscale versions of existing models

Subaru was one of few automakers whose sales actually picked up during the recent recession. But now that auto sales are back on track (and expected to hit pre-recession numbers this year), Subaru is trying to come up with new products to fill voids in its current lineup. Wards Auto had a chance to talk to Subaru's director-product manager Ken Lin, who indicated that the automaker is planning to introduce new models this year that will help it attract new buyers without alienating current ones.
The biggest void, of course, is a competitive three-row crossover, a role the Tribeca does not fill in one a very popular segment. Lin said that while there's no current plan to kill off the Tribeca, Subaru is looking at creating a larger three-row CUV with more interior space. In addition to to something big, Subaru is getting ready to bring its customers more luxury with new touring models, but does not anticipate going toe-to-toe with Mercedes-Benz or BMW.
By the end of this year, Subaru will be introducing a new hybrid model, although we don't yet know on which model it will be based. What we do seem to know is that the car will get its power from a nickel metal hydride battery rather than a more modern lithium-ion pack for the sake of simplicity. Finally, Lin mentioned a new product being brought into the sports car segment, but while the article takes this as a hint toward a possible BRZ Turbo, it could also be a reference to the next generation of the WRX and WRX STI.