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2019 Subaru Ascent pricing announced, starting at $32,970

Pricing for the 2019 Subaru Ascent three-row crossover SUV has been announced. Including destination, the base trim carries an MSRP of $32,970. That's with standard eight-passenger seating, and like every Ascent, a 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer-4, a CVT and all-wheel drive. As a refresher, here are 15 fast facts about the 2019 Ascent. You can also see how it compares to the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Standard equipment on the base Ascent includes 18-inch alloy wheels, tri-zone climate control, EyeSight accident avoidance tech, four USB ports, and Subaru's 6.5-inch Starlink touchscreen that brings with it Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Ascent Premium starts at $35,170 and can be had with either 7- or 8-passenger seating (the latter includes second-row bench seating). It adds blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems, privacy glass, heated mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, a power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, stain-resistant upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear climate controls, and an upgraded 8-inch version of StarLink. Towing capacity is also raised to 5,000 pounds. There are two optional packages available on the Premium that adds some of the upper trim levels' features. View 14 Photos The Ascent Limited starts at $39,970 with either 8- or 7-passenger seating. It adds 20-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, LED foglights, a power liftgate, leather seating, proximity entry and push-button start, second-row sunshades and two additional USB ports. An optional package including a panoramic sunroof, a cargo cover, integrated navigation and a Harman Kardon sound system can be added for $2,950. The top Ascent Touring costs $45,670. It includes the Limited's options plus chrome exterior trim, automatic wipers, unique Java Brown leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, wood trim, ventilated front seats, even more USB ports (up to eight), a Cadillac-like rearview camera mirror and a 180-degree front view camera. The 2019 Subaru Ascent will arrive in dealers this summer. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Subaru WRX STI Diamond Edition is the most powerful ever offered

The U.S. is no stranger to seeing Subaru create special-edition WRX STI models that are significantly more potent than what it sells here. Just in the last few years, we saw the W208 and the Type RA-R with over 320 horsepower, compared to the 300 in the standard American STI. That latter one particularly stung, since our Type RA just had 310 horsepower. But what we're not accustomed to seeing is Subaru's home market of Japan being cut out of a special-edition STI, which is exactly the case with the 2018 Subaru WRX STI Diamond Edition. This special STI was developed by Subaru South Africa of all places. And it's a serious machine. It makes a whopping 349 horsepower and 342 pound-feet of torque, which means it's the most powerful WRX STI offered by Subaru to the public. The car also features Brembo brakes with 6-piston calipers up front and 2-piston calipers in the back. The car stands out from regular STIs with its florescent yellow body kit. The car was created by Subaru South Africa to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Subaru Technica International, the company we all know as STI. Because of that, the Subaru branch is only offering 30 for sale. Prospective customers can register for a chance to have one of the cars at this official website. Also interesting is that this isn't the only ultra-limited edition STI from Subaru South Africa. The company did the same thing for the fifteenth anniversary, and only sold 15 examples of that car. It had a remarkable pun for the name: Subaru Impreza WRX STI STImulating Edition. Really, we're not making that up. Related Video:

Subaru planning modular platform, seven-seat SUV, plug-in hybrid

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles isn't the only big name in the auto industry releasing details on its future plans. Subaru, and its parent company Fuji Heavy Industries, is aiming to bump its North American sales up from 478,000 to 600,000 by 2020. Now, that seems pretty reasonable, especially in the face of FCA's hugely ambitious goals for Alfa Romeo and Maserati. It's how Subaru will go about increasing the sales, though, that has us intrigued.
A focus on more fuel-efficient, direct-injection engines will complement a new platform, while the company is contemplating expanding capacity at its Indiana factory, which will now have more room since Toyota Camry production will be ending there.
As for that new platform, it's called the Subaru Global Platform. Original, we know. It's a modular deal and will eventually underpin a vast range of future Subies following its debut in 2016. The new platform may also end up underpinning a seven-seat SUV, which would serve as the successor to the Tribeca and debut between 2016 and 2020, according to Automotive News.