2000 White Subaru Impreza 2.5rs Rs Coupe Mt M T on 2040-cars

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If your TV rats you out, what about your car?

Vizio, the TV manufacturer, recently had to pay a $2.2-million fine to the FTC recently because it was discovered that its sets were collecting data about viewers' watching habits and then using the information for its own benefit. Last year, it was revealed the Samsung smart TVs were busy listening to what was being said, even if the conversations in question had absolutely nothing with switching the channel away from the Matt LeBlanc Top Gear. Nowadays, auto manufacturers seem to be tripping over each other pointing out that they offer Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto. And more recent phenomenon are announcements—from companies including Ford and Hyundai—that they are offering Amazon Alexa capabilities. You talk. It listens. In late January, General Motors said it is releasing a next-generation infotainment software development kit (NGI SDK) to software developers to write apps for GM cars. The NGI SDK includes native Application Program Interfaces (APIs) that allow access to expected things - like oil life and tire pressure and whether lightbulbs are burned out - but unexpected things, as well. Like the presence of passengers in the vehicle. When your TV set is ratting you out, isn't it likely that your car will? In making the announcement of the NGI SDK, GM pointed out that it has the largest connected fleet on the road, some 12-million vehicles. The company also noted: "From 2015 to 2016, GM has seen data usage by customers increase nearly 200 percent. Mobile app use for GM vehicles also hit an all-time high in 2016, with more than 225 million interactions." Is it not plausible that they know more those interactions than simply the number of them? GM's privacy agreement is like most privacy policies, which boils down to: You use it (the device, software, etc.), you potentially give up a portion of your privacy. While on the subject of apps, coincident with this year's CES, Subaru announced that it has added eight cloud-based apps to the STARLINK multimedia system in the 2017 Impreza. Some are familiar, like Yelp. Some are a bit narrow in focus, like eBird, which was developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for birdwatchers. And one ought to give a bit of pause: RightTrack. According to Subaru, "RightTrack Test Drive from Liberty Mutual Insurance monitors driving habits and provides customers with tips on driving safer to help lower their insurance rates and improve their safe driving skills." Or said more simply: You drive. It watches.

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:

Subaru brought back its best rally racing look

Every car has a color combination that suits it best, one that just fits and flatters. For the Subaru WRX STI, it's blue and gold. At the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Subaru revealed it is bringing back its iconic motorsports livery for the 2019 season with a modern interpretation of the blue and yellow star cluster graphic, complemented by gold wheels. It also announced it is reorganizing its motorsport division's structuring. The WRX STI has been seen in numerous colorways throughout the years. One of the main patterns last year was a graphic-heavy assortment of gray and white, accented by either yellow, red or blue. But for 2019, Subaru is following its heart and returning to one of the brand's most classic looks. According to Subaru, the colorway is inspired by the World Rally teams of the '90s and '00s. It features WR Blue Pearl and 13-spoke gold wheels. A massive yellow star cluster logo stretches across the front and rear doors and bleeds onto the rear arches. The sweeping comet design starts at the front quarter and across the B-pillar and roof. Furthermore, the red STI logo is seen all over the car, in places such as the front air intake, the roof scoop, and on the rear wing panel. Small dark blue star clusters on the front and rear sides of the car add more texture to the design, as well as bright yellow Subaru and Subaru Motorsports banners. After Subaru's performance division Subaru Technica International celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, Subaru is renaming its motorsports arm. Now aptly called Subaru Motorsports, Subaru plans to expand into more racing divisions, beyond its typical participation. Fans will have to wait a couple of months to see the gorgeous blue, yellow, and gold scheme. Subaru will debut the new car March 15 at Missouri's Rally at the 100 Acre Wood as part of the American Rally Association's 2019 National Championship Series. Related Video: