2005 Subaru Outback Xt Lim Wag-4cyl-turbo-awd-rare 5 Speed Leather No Reserve on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Listen, the Type R and the WRX STI don't look alike. Here's why.

So following the reveal of the new Honda Civic Type R, we've seen quite a few commenters issuing all kinds of accusations about the Type R looking like a WRX STI. And you know what? They're right. Both cars have four wheels, four-passenger doors, big wings, and scoops. In all seriousness, aside from a passing similarity because they're both flashy sport compacts, they really don't look alike. Let's start with the front and the profile. These areas are technically the most similar, since both cars feature high beltlines and have lower fascias defined by large inlets and a deep chin spoiler. And admittedly, the little kick-ups on the lower rear portion of the side windows are reminiscent of each other. But that's where the similarities end. Up front, the grille is by far the clearest indicator that the Honda is most certainly a Honda. The wide "blade" shape that spans the nose from light-to-light is unmistakably from the company that gave us VTEC. After all, just about every Honda today uses some form of that grille. The Subaru, on the other hand, has a traditional grille that is distinctly separated from the lights. It's not a bad thing, Subarus have had rather anonymous designs in the past, and we've still liked them. It's a Subaru thing. Moving to the scoops, we find more differences. For once, the Type R is more restrained, with a small, low-profile inlet far back on the hood. It will not be mistaken for the massive one on the STI, which looks like it could suck up low-flying fowl. View 58 Photos Along the side, the distinctions continue to pile up. The key here is in the fenders. While the STI has proud, pumped-up fenders compared with its distant Impreza cousin, they aren't nearly as pronounced as those on the Type R. The Honda's flares clearly show that they protrude from the standard hatchback's sheetmetal and closely follow the curve of the wheelarches. The STI's fenders proceed along the body's lines more closely and blend in more. Finally, we come to the rear, where no one should ever get these two vehicles confused. Yes, they both have enormous rear wings and diffusers, but that's it. For starters, one car is a hatchback, and the other is a traditional sedan. Not only that, but the Type R's hatch has a distinctive split rear window. I mean, based on the criteria people have used to compare the Type R with the STI, they should've actually been comparing the Honda to a Prius.

Subaru puts China production on hold amidst slowing growth

Subaru's 2015 sales and production forecast estimates the Japanese brand to sell about 60,000 vehicles in China this year, a 10 percent rise. However, a recent decision not to build a factory there might make future growth more difficult. Given the changing state of the market, the automaker doesn't seem concerned by the potentially lost sales. According to Bloomberg, even if the Chinese government gave permission for Subaru to build its planned joint venture factory with Chery, the Japanese brand would not take advantage of it. "Since the profits are split with your partner, you would have to double the sales to maintain the profits you earn by exporting from Japan," said Akira Mabuchi, the company's executive in charge of China, according to Bloomberg. Subaru is in the odd position of being the only major Japanese automaker without a joint venture partner to build cars in China, but the massive year-over-year growth there seems to be slowing. Auto sales in China were up 6.9 percent in 2014, according to Bloomberg, compared to 14 percent in 2013. Also, Chinese consumers have been famously averse to buying Japanese vehicles with only half of the consumers there even willing to purchase one. Instead, the company is focusing on the US market, according to Bloomberg. The decision makes sense. While Subie's sales in China shrunk 2 percent in 2014 to about 55,000 vehicles, the company grew 21 percent in the US to 514,000 units. The automaker already has plans to add capacity to its factory in Indiana. News Source: BloombergImage Credit: Jae C. Hong / AP Photo Plants/Manufacturing Subaru

Everything we know about the Subaru BRZ STI

May 30, 2017: It seems an STI-tuned Subaru BRZ was even closer than we thought. Subaru posted to its official Twitter page a teaser image of the upcoming car. It's a shot of the trunk lid with a big STI logo on the endplates. If that weren't enough confirmation of the car, the tweet included the hashtag "#STI." The only other information given was the date of June 8, 2017, and the promise of more information. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. May 23, 2017: Spy shots reveal our first look at a new STI-tuned Subaru BRZ, and it will likely come to the US. The reason we say this is that the car was spotted near a Subaru office in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We also know this is an STI badge because we can make out the distinctive logo underneath pieces of tape at the front and back. It features a huge wing that isn't found on any other BRZ, though the body kit appears to be the optional one available on regular models. There aren't any obvious signs of forced induction on the car either. No top-mounted intercooler scoops or front-mounted intercoolers are visible anywhere. We hope Subaru will give this car more power, but we're not optimistic, especially when the last STI-badged BRZ for Japan didn't get any power upgrades. April 1, 2015: Subaru reveals an amazing STI-tuned BRZ concept. Like the Subaru BRZ tS by STI, this STI Performance Concept has a huge rear wing, and subtle, functional-looking aerodynamic parts. Most importantly for BRZ fans, it also has a more powerful engine. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four used by the GT300-class race car. It makes about 300 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. However, Subaru said that it's unlikely a turbocharged model like this will come out soon. We expect that Subaru will first launch a tS-style BRZ in the near future, and possibly introduce a turbocharged BRZ variant with a new generation of the car. Subaru STI Performance Concept | 2015 NYIAS View 24 Photos April 19, 2013: Subaru announces the first STI-tuned BRZ, and it's not quite what we were hoping for. It's called the Subaru BRZ tS, and it has the same naturally aspirated engine, and thus, the same amount of horsepower. It's furnished with suspension upgrades, Brembo brakes, a front spoiler, and on the GT model, a big rear wing. Only 500 units will be made - and they're all for Japan. View 27 Photos