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Subaru STI display celebrates the division's high-performance history in New York

Subaru Tecnica International is really getting to celebrate itself at the 2015 New York Auto Show. Not only is the Japanese brand's performance division showing off a turbocharged take on the BRZ in the Big Apple, it also set up a small exhibit commemorating four past achievements. The oldest car of the group is a 1996 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type RA wearing full rally garb. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder kicks out 270 horsepower, but this specific one isn't a competitor. Instead, Subaru used the vehicle to promote the launch of the 1998 Impreza 2.5RS. STI also has one of the most coveted Subarus ever on display, a 1999 Impreza 22B STI. These limited two-door models were made to celebrate the company's World Rally Championship victories. Each one was plucked off the assembly line and fitted with a curvaceous, wider body and adjustable rear wing. Power was provided by a 2.2-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder with 280 horsepower. The final two members of this mini museum are a bit more modern. The 2004 WRX STI should be familiar to performance fans in the US with its 300-horsepower boosted 2.5-liter four-cylinder and six-speed manual. There's also the 2015 WRX STI that blitzed the Isle of Man last year to set a new lap record of 19 minutes and 26 seconds around the island course. With STI planning a US expansion over the coming years, this is a fantastic reminder of the division's past. Hopefully, it can keep living up to these high standards. Related Video:

How new car shortages may impact your buying experience

If you want further proof that the auto industry is bouncing back, look no further than the empty lots and forecourts of your local dealership. According to a story by The Wall Street Journal, continued high demand for mainstream cars is overtaxing automakers' ability to produce enough models. Several dealers interviewed for the story are reporting two-week supplies as opposed to the typical two-month allocations.
With sales expected to hit 1.4 million units when August numbers arrive shortly and incentive spending down to its lowest amount since January, these limited supplies are pushing prices even higher. For example, according to the WSJ, the average price of a Ford Fusion is up past $26,000. Unfortunately, it's difficult for manufacturers to increase production quickly. If it invests in its facilities, as many manufacturers have done, it risks wasting cash if growth suddenly slows. At the same time, the momentum gained over the past several years could be short lived if vehicle supplies continue to dwindle. "Manufacturers are in a precarious situation," notes Karl Brauer, a senior director at Kelley Blue Book.
Low interest rates and a wealth of desirable features are also allowing customers to purchase more expensive vehicles while justifying their higher overall price tags, a situation that is compounding supply shortages. Even now, during the annual end-of-summer clearance season, deals on new vehicles are remarkably difficult to come by. According to the report, the Toyota Corolla is in a self-inflicted state of shortage, as Toyota clears out inventory in anticipation of the new 2014 generation arriving in dealers. Ford's supplies should rebound as Fusion production comes on line at its Flat Rock, Michigan factory. The Chevrolet Impala, Honda Odyssey, Civic, and Accord and Subaru Forester are also facing shortages.

Subaru prices limited edition Hyper Blue models

In the market for a new Subaru BRZ or WRX STI but aren't interested in World Rally Blue or any of the other shades on offer? Prefer your car look like a very loud, boxer-powered smurf? Then get in line for one of the limited-edition Hyper Blue models. We've covered these two before, but now, Subaru has released the pricing details on the rare models. All 500, manual-only Hyper Blue BRZs will be sold for $28,845, or just $655 more than the 2016 BRZ Limited 6MT. If you prefer more power and an extra set of doors, the 700 special-edition STI demands $39,790, which is $4,300 more than the base STI, but $1,000 less than the range-topping Limited model. In addition to their paint, the Hyper Blue models add black alloy wheels – 17-inchers for the BRZ and 18-inch BBS-branded hoops for the STI – black badges, and black wing mirrors. In the case of the BRZ, the cabin even gets Hyper Blue accents throughout the cabin, including contrast stitching on the seats, shift boot, and emergency brake handle. Read on for the full press release from Subaru detailing the pricing and equipment options. SUBARU ANNOUNCES PRICING ON LIMITED EDITION 2016 SERIES.HYPERBLUE BRZ AND WRX STI MODELS Production limited to 700 WRX STI & 500 BRZ BRZ receives upgraded SUBARU STARLINK® Multimedia Rear Vision Camera now standard on BRZ Exclusive Hyper Blue exterior paint and interior trims Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. has announced pricing on 2016 Series.HyperBlue limited edition BRZ and WRX STI models. Production is limited to 700 WRX STI and 500 BRZ cars for the United States. Vehicles arrive in retail locations this fall. The $38,995 Series.HyperBlue WRX STI brings exclusive Hyper Blue stitching to the standard Alcantara® seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, manual transmission shifter boot, and console as well as carpeted floor mats with the traditional Cherry Red STI logo. The Series.HyperBlue WRX STI wears 18-inch BBS® Black Alloy wheels and black exterior badging as well as exterior mirrors. SUBARU STARLINK 7.0" Multimedia Navigation System comes standard on this trim with 9 Harman/Kardon® speakers and 440-watt amplifier. Powered by a 305-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged/intercooled BOXER engine, the WRX STI helped to pioneer the sport compact segment with a rally-bred drivetrain and Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.