Get Enough G's?? Kazuhiro Tanaka Brings a Fan to Tears

Team Orange driver, Kazuhiro Tanaka brings some original "G's" with this 2008 clip from the Japanese drift team. It doesn't look like he's even trying!

Subaru Australia puts their own Twist on the New Subaru

The Aussies just released this latest commercial featuring the new 2011 WRX. Lets see how they do things, 'down-under'!

Subaru Awarded 'Most Adoption-Friendly' Company in the US!

Subaru was named the most 'Adoption-friendly' company recently by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's "Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces in America" list. With Subaru of America Inc's reputation for building family-friendly vehicles, it's little wonder; this signals the 4th consecutive year that SOA has taken home this award. AutoTalk has more on this story:

Subaru of America, Inc., known for its reputation of building family-friendly vehicles, is continuing to build a reputation for generous adoption assistance benefits for its employees. Subaru, for the second year in a row, was ranked #1 in the automotive industry category on the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's "Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces in America" list.
This special achievement marks the fourth consecutive year that Subaru has been honored by the foundation. The list, categorized by industry and size of business, names Subaru of America, Inc.:
#1 in the auto industry category
#2 in the medium-sized company category
#7 out of all companies in the United States
"Subaru remains extremely proud to support its employees and our adoption assistance program allows them to make a special difference in the lives of children," said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc. "As a family-focused organization, we are thrilled to provide employees with the financial assistance necessary to welcome children into their homes."
The primary ranking criterion for the Dave Thomas Foundation is the maximum amount of financial reimbursement per adoption, including any additional support for special needs adoption. The secondary criterion is the maximum amount of fully or partially paid leave for adoption. Companies with a combination of both criteria rank higher than those with just one. Honorees include the top 100 companies, the top ten by size and the top five in each industry. The foundation compiled the results from survey data collected from more than 900 U.S. employers, several survey partners and through subscriber and member participation.

Read the original story, HERE!

Subaru Announces their NEW Boxer motor!

Earlier this month, Subaru announced that it would be releasing their latest incarnation of the the famous 'Boxer' 4-cylinder motor, named as such because as the cylinders rotate, it resembles a boxer punching. This represents the first dramatic change to the Boxer motor in 21 years! The motor will still be a 2.5 liter, however, the cylinder bore will be smaller, and the crankshaft stroke will be longer. This allows the new motor to have the same displacement as the older motor, but reportedly improves gas mileage, and increases low/midrange torque. It'll first be available in the United States, in the 2011 model Forester. Paultan.org has more on the story:

Following the announcement of Subaru’s third generation boxer engine, the company has shed initial details of the 2011 Forester, which will debut with the new engine. The engine is in a form of a 2.5 liter, with different bore and stroke configurations that give a larger displacement, 2,498 cc to be precise.


The engine it replaces has a 2,457 cc displacement. The new engine also benefits from a chain-driven cam, instead of belt.


Power remains the same at 170hp while torque increases to 236Nm from 230Nm. This peak torque is achieved at 4,100 RPM, lower by 300 RPM. Fuel efficiency has been


slightly improved. Both manual and automatic models offer 21 MPG for city and 27 MPG for highway respectively. This compares to 20/27 MPG for the manual and 20/26 MPG for the automatic in the 2009 model.


Pricing in the US starts from $20,495 for the base 2.5X with a manual transmission and tops out with the 2.5XT Touring with a $29,995 price tag. The 2.5XT models retain the 224hp turbocharged engine. Features that will be offered include Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), remote keyless entry, HD radio with 4.3-inch LCD screen and 6 speakers (standard for 2.5X Limited), rear-view camera (optional) and the list goes on.

Click here for the original story!

Get more G’s… on your phone!

In their latest stroke of "Get More G's" genius, the people of at Subaru have developed their latest APP for the iPhone. If you've always wanted to see what your face would look like if you were in the cockpit of a high-horsepower rally car, all in the comfort of your own home, their latest app is right up your alley.

According to their website, this APP does the following:

Features:

• A G-meter that rates the level of g-forces applied.
• Share pictures with your friends via email or Facebook and Twitter.
• A post-to-Flickr function that allows you to add the photos to your photostream.

Before:

After:

Check it out on Apple's website, here!

In the Subaru world, the Outback is King! If you're thinking of getting one, check out this review!

These are dire times for the auto industry, but Subaru has been successful thanks to its small lineup of all-wheel-drive vehicles and faithful owners who keep coming back whenever a model is redesigned. Last year, the Forester SUV was completely retooled, and it has sold briskly. For 2010, the long-running Outback gets its overhaul, and it's a doozy.

The Outback has gone from a car-like station wagon to an SUV-like crossover, just like that. It's bigger in nearly every exterior and interior dimension, which resolves the issues past owners had with interior space and gives it a much more comfortable ride. It may not be as fun to drive as before, but it's a better family vehicle that still exudes ruggedness and foul-weather capability.

Exterior
At first glance, the 2010 Outback — with its beefy dimensions, large grille and sharp-edged design — looks nothing like the previous model. Look closer, though, and you'll see the two front ends are nearly identical: The new one is just...bigger. The new design is not as classically handsome as the previous generation; it's geared at getting attention and exuding substance, which it does.

Sixteen-inch wheels are standard on the base 2.5i, with 17-inch alloys becoming standard on all other trim levels.

Interior
A lot has changed inside, as well. As an owner of the previous-generation Outback, I immediately missed the grab handles on the doors. They might have been convenient when getting in, but at least the padding on the door armrests is much better. The center armrest is also much bigger, offering substantial support while the previous version was too small to use.

The layout of the dash has changed quite a bit, with the clock and trip computer raised to the top of the dash. They're still easy to read in direct sunlight. Below them rests a new stereo unit or optional navigation system. There are also convenient cubbies for cell phones, CDs or other items.

Overall, the materials are a step up from the previous model and stand up to most of the competition, but they still lag behind the relatively upscale Toyota Venza.

The most extreme alteration for the 2010 models is the interior's overall spaciousness. Anyone who sat in the old model knows it can be cramped, especially in the backseat. Subaru stretched the wheelbase of the 2010, adding nearly 4 inches of rear legroom. Now I can place both of my children's safety seats in the back without having to move the front passenger seat forward. The rear seats also recline using a lever at hip level.

While the front seats add hip and shoulder room, legroom is actually slightly less. What's the deal? There has been a drastic change in the seating position. Instead of sitting in a slung-back, car-like seat, you now sit upright, with more of a bend in your knee. That's why it doesn't feel cramped. In fact, your knees have much more room, both left and right, than they did before.

There is ample headroom — 40.8 inches to be exact — and you can raise the seat quite high without bumping your head. The upright seating style is an SUV trait for sure, and it's the No. 1 attribute of the new Outback that makes it feel less like a car. My wife really enjoyed the ride height compared to her daily driver, an '08 Outback. I found it a good compromise: It felt like you were driving a much higher vehicle, but you still had an easy step-in height, which makes loading kids and cargo easier than a traditional SUV.

The leather seats in my Limited model could have been a bit more padded. Our 2008's cloth seats aren't the most comfortable, either. At least with the new model I didn't feel any back discomfort until a full hour into my commute.

Performance
There are only two power plants offered for the Outback in 2010. The 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder is carried over from the last model; it's now teamed to a continuously variable automatic transmission, which returns 22/29 mpg city/highway, or a six-speed manual rated at 19/27 mpg. The CVT is a big benefit in the mileage department, boosting ratings by 2 mpg compared with the 2009 Outback 2.5i, which had a four-speed automatic.

In my few hundred miles of commuting and weekend errand running, I got exactly 2 mpg higher than my wife's Outback, which covered similar routes. Of course, my combined mileage was just below 22 mpg, which is pretty dismal with our mild summer weather and the air conditioning only lightly used. Again, this is better than the mileage we've gotten for two years in the previous generation, but the all-wheel drive takes its toll on efficiency.

Power is adequate in the four-cylinder. The addition of standard shift paddles on the CVT models allows for energetic launches from a stop because you can control gear shifts — created by a computer, not the transmission since it is essentially gearless — for crisper acceleration. Otherwise, the CVT releases power in a linear way with no discernable shifts. It's an odd sensation to most drivers, and it isn't as smooth as other CVTs I've tested in some Nissans. However, after a week of driving I was completely comfortable with it.

The other engine is a 256-hp, 3.6-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder teamed to a standard five-speed automatic rated at 18/25 mpg.

Of course, the reason many people would even consider a Subaru is its symmetrical all-wheel drive, which is standard across the company's lineup. Unfortunately, I was blessed with sunny, 70-degree days during my test and couldn't simulate the disastrous winters our own Subaru has handled, but I assume it'll offer similar confidence. However, the 2010 is more than 2 inches taller overall with 8.7 inches of ground clearance versus 8.4 in the old model. Those numbers may sound small, but the new model feels a lot taller and exhibits a very slight tipsy feeling on tight, high-speed corners like highway cloverleafs that I've never experienced in our 2008 model. It's not a dangerous feeling, but just enough that you realize you're really driving a crossover rather than a car.

There's been a big improvement in terms of ride comfort and road noise. The new Outback is a much more serene driving machine than before, with a ride that dampens bumps better and isolates road noise to a level close to Toyota, which is a master at it. Toyota decided that for looks it would put large 19-inch wheels as standard on its Venza crossover, which makes the ride less comfortable than you'd expect from a road-tuned crossover. The new Outback, which is quite capable off-road, is smoother on the road than the Venza, too.

There's still plenty of connection to the street and the steering is sharp, but it's not nearly as exhilarating as the previous model.

Cargo
Cargo space in the back has grown slightly to 34.3 cubic feet, which is just a hair behind the Venza's 34.4 cubic feet. At first it didn't look much larger than my car's hatch area. Then I tried to lean in to attach the top tether anchor of my son's child-safety seat, and I was surprised that I could barely reach the back of the seat. The load floor protrudes really far, so my thighs bumped against it more than I'd like as I leaned in and out. You can also tell it's a bit taller inside. During my test I bought a medium-sized armchair and it fit in the back perfectly — without its legs attached.

Although I can reach the back of the rear seats, the latches to lower them are no longer within anyone's reach. The same hip-level handles that recline the rear seats also lower them flat, and you'll have to walk around to the back doors to access them. More than a few SUVs these days have levers near the hatch that lower the seats, and it's unfortunate Subaru didn't use those.

A small amount of underfloor storage remains. As in the past generation, Subaru offers a out-of-the-way spot to store the retractable cargo cover so you don't take it out and leave it in your garage.

The 2010 Outback features an innovative standard roof rack. The crossbars fold into the rails when not in use, making the car slightly more aerodynamic. Putting them in place is a simple two-step process that doesn't require tools. In addition, the bottoms are soft, so that they won't scratch your roof when you swing them across the roof of the car.

Features & Pricing
Thankfully, Subaru keeps things pretty simple with its trim levels. There are six — three for each engine. The 2.5i and 3.6R are the base models, then there's a Premium level and a top trim called Limited. The 2.5i starts at $22,995 before a $695 destination charge. That's relatively affordable; not many other all-wheel-drive crossovers cost that little and offer as much room. Toyota's Venza with a four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive starts at $27,425, but it's equipped with a standard automatic transmission. The CVT costs an additional $1,000. The Venza is also better equipped, and it's closer to the 2.5i Premium, which starts at $24,295 with manual transmission. So, you'd pay a few thousand less for the 2.5i Premium than for the Venza in the equivalent trim level.

If you want to go the basic 2.5i route, you'll forego body-colored mirrors, fog lights, one-touch driver's window and the retractable cargo cover, which is standard on all the other models. Move up to the Premium trim level ($24,295), and it adds a power driver's seat, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Limited models ($27,995) get windshield wiper de-icer and heated side mirrors, a power passenger seat, heated leather seats, wood trim, standard CVT, dual-zone climate control and a Harman Kardon six-CD sound system with Bluetooth.

Most of the 3.6R trim levels are equipped identically to their 2.5i counterparts. My test car was a 2.5i Limited with the optional navigation system and moonroof package ($2,995). Its final price was $31,685 after a destination fee. A similarly equipped Venza comes in at more than $35,000.

The navigation system only comes with the moonroof included. The moonroof separately is $995. As nav units go, the Subaru's touch-screen model is in the middle of the pack. It's important to note, though, that it's the only way the Outback comes equipped with a USB/iPod adapter to listen to your portable music in digital quality. However, the computer will not allow you to change albums, artists or playlists while moving. Come to a stoplight and the software then allows you to pick a new selection. Sure, you can jump tracks within whatever playlist or album you have selected, but that's it. Imagine being limited to just one band or album during a road trip. Subaru says this is for safety reasons so you won't be distracted while driving, but it still doesn't work when you have a passenger sitting up front. A dealer installed iPod connectivity system is also available.

The nav system also comes with Bluetooth streaming audio, which works with many smart phones like the iPhone. So you can distractedly play with your iPhone while driving, just not your plugged in iPod via an easy-to-reach nav screen.

Outback in the Market
There aren't many traditional, midsize or full-size station wagons on sale in the U.S. The Outback was iconic as a wagon, while the new one might be trying to play it safe by straddling a few different segments and not besting any of them. However, because of its low starting price, standard all-wheel drive and spacious interior, buyers may not care whether they're looking at a wagon or an SUV.

For the original review, visit CARS.com here!

Husbands Unite! 2011 STi as a Potential Family Car? You Decide!

 Car.com consultant Kristin Varela reports on the 2011 STi from her blog "Mother Proof". If you've been considering purchasing one of the new 2011 STi's, but aren't sure if it'll accommodate your family, read the story here!

Driving the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STi transported me to a world that was completely foreign. It's a world that's less centered on booster seats and storage cubbiesandmore focused on rally racing heritage, speed and oversized rear spoilers. I tried to make the two worlds coexist harmoniously during my one-week test drive, but the truth is the Impreza WRX STi isn't exactly a car you'd go out and buy for a growing family. However, if you already have the STi and the family just sort of happens upon you (do we need to have a birth-control discussion?), you can probably make it work for a bit before needing to upgrade.
The STi is aimed at those interested in attending organized track days. STi stands for Subaru Tecnica International, which supplies high-performance versions of Subaru vehicles. I've been to a couple of rally racing schools and know just enough about it to realize how much I don't know. However, I couldn't resist trying a little corner slide or two as I skipped the highway in favor of the twisty, curvy dirt frontage road. I didn't have much luck, though. Subaru's legendary all-wheel-drive system, which is standard, kept this baby bolted safely to the road.
The WRX STi starts at $33,995 for the new base sedan model, which is what I drove during my test drive, and $35,995 for the base hatchback model. The sedan's Limited trim rings in at $37,345.
The closest competitor to the STi is probably the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, which I drove briefly at a recent Mitsubishi event. The STi's suspension was definitely softer than the Evo; however, switching into the Sport Sharp mode in the STi took away that added bit of comfort and injected more road feedback. I'm sure it's great for the hobby rally racer, but since I was transporting little ones all over the place, I opted for comfort. 

EXTERIOR
The 2011 STi oozes speed. My test vehicle was the new four-door wide-body sedan with an intimidating-looking rear spoiler intended to amplify the car's aerodynamics. The spoiler definitely took a little getting used to since it was such a prevalent feature in my rear sightline.
Delivered to our house in a shocking racing red, my kids exclaimed, "Whoa, I didn't know we get to test racecars!" Nobody dared try to take us in our "racecar" at a stoplight. I tried to give a "wanna-race-me" scowl to the drivers of the cars next to me. Maybe it was the two kids in high-back booster seats in the back or my intimidating 5-foot-3-inch frame, but for some odd reason, I just couldn't seem to engage any competitors. Wimps. All of them. I bet they wouldn't take on the challenge of hosting five screaming little girls at a slumber party, either. 

The WRX STi has a 305-horsepower, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine teamed with a six-speed manual transmission. That's definitely more power than I'd ever use or even know what to do with, but I'm not complaining. There is a downside to the STi's powerful engine: It gets an EPA-estimated 17/23 mpg city/highway and requires premium gas. 

The great news about a car this grounded is that the low step-in height makes it easy for little ones to get in and out of the STi independently. I had a little more trouble getting in and out of the slightly bolstered driver's seat during my test drive since I was recovering from a back strain. I also had a tendency to knock my left knee on the underside of the steering-wheel column, which by the way both tilts and telescopes, every time I got in or out. Those with the seat pulled a little farther back won't have a problem with it. 

SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Not Really
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Good Times 

INTERIOR
The first thing I noticed upon entering this car was the sporty-looking black-checkered seat upholstery inset in a black suedelike border with sexy red stitching. It reminded me of this awesome pair of shoes with black patent leather and red corset lacing up the back of the heel. As a mom, the very next thing I noticed was all the little pieces of kid crud – crumbs, scraps of paper, etc. – and dusty footprints that show up so perfectly on the black interior.
The front seats in my test car were heated. However, I didn't test them since it was approaching 100 degrees the entire time I drove this car, but with seat heat and all-wheel drive, it's too bad I didn't get to drive this sexy red beast in the winter.
In the backseat, there's a center armrest, but it didn't have cupholders or a storage cubby in it. The rear cupholders are located near the floorboard on the backside of the front center console. Those cupholders are unreachable for little ones in child-safety seats, but that's not really who this car in intended for. Large bottleholders located in all four doors make up for the backseat's cupholder location. There are two cupholders in the front row.
Although this is a little sedan, the amount of trunk space is impressive, even for family-sized loads. That's because of the layout of the car's double-wishbone rear suspension, which allows for a wide, deep trunk. I had tons of stuff in there while taking my girls to a slumber party, in addition to three small sets of golf clubs. Impressive! 

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample 

SAFETY
Although the STi wasn't designed as a family car, all of the family-centric safety features on the Impreza sedan are in it. The STi has four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with brake assist, stability control, traction control and six airbags, including front- and side-impact airbags for the front row and side curtains for both rows. 

For those with young children, you'll be excited by the ease of use of both the lower anchors and top tether anchors of the Latch system. The lower anchors in the seat bight, which is the where the seat's back and bottom cushions meet, are accessible via a flap that pulls down to expose the Latch anchors. The flap closes with Velcro to keep it concealed when not in use. The top tether anchors are easy to reach; they're just behind the rear head restraints and won't obstruct the rear view while in use.
Slightly older kiddos in booster seats will appreciate the seat belt buckles. Although they were on flimsy bases rather than stable ones, they were easy for my girls to buckle.
Get more safety information about the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STi here.

Want to read the original story on Cars.com? Click here!

The Top 6 Insurance Myths

Insure.com listed up the Top 6 Insurance Myths. Before you buy insurance for your next car, make sure you read this article!

Insurance can be complicated enough. Don’t let a flood of misinformation drown out the facts. Since misunderstandings can be costly, here are the most common carinsurance myths debunked.

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Myth: Red cars are the most expensive to insure

Fact: Red will not cost you more green. Roughly 25 percent of drivers surveyed by Progressive Insurance believe that the color of their car is a factor in determining their insurance rate — especially if the car is red. But the belief that drivers of red cars pay higher car insurance premiums is a myth. Insurance companies will likely not even ask the color of your car when they’re calculating your auto insurance quote.
"The idea that the color of a car enters into what you’re going to pay for insurance is a myth that’s been around for a long time," says Jeff McCollum, spokesperson for State Farm Insurance. "I wouldn’t be surprised if it came from the fact that people with red sports cars have the image of being wild and reckless, but it certainly isn’t based on any type of reality."
Car insurance companies are interested in the year, make, model, body type, engine size and age of your vehicle. The color may be important to you, but it really doesn’t matter to your insurance company.

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Myth: Thieves prefer to steal new cars

Fact: It’s the other way around. Statistics show that thieves actually prefer to steal older cars. According to a 2009 National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) report, the top 10 most-stolen vehicles reported in 2008 were the ‘94 Honda Accord, ‘95 Honda Civic, ‘89 Toyota Camry, ‘97 Ford F-150 pickup, ‘04 Dodge Ram pickup, ‘00 Dodge Caravan, ’96 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee, ‘94 Acura Integra, ‘99 Ford Taurus and ’02 Ford Explorer.
"The reason we see so many older vehicles on the list is because they are easier to steal," says Frank Scafidi, spokesperson for the NICB. "Also, people are keeping their cars longer (in the faltering economy). That creates a good market for used parts. A lot of times, when they are stolen, they don’t make it back on the street intact."
If you have an older vehicle and have dropped comprehensive coverage to save money, you are not covered for theft and do not qualify for rental car coverage. NICB’s report reveals that thieves have different preferences from state to state. Crooks in California and Florida prefer imports like Hondas and Toyotas. Texas crooks select pickup trucks. Criminals in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan have a thing for domestics (Dodges and Fords).

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Myth: My insurance will cover me if my car is stolen, vandalized or damaged from hail or fire.

Fact: Unless you have comprehensive coverage, you are not covered for any of these things. A bare-bones policy in most states only requires you to buy liability coverage. This pays only for damage you cause to others. You need to purchase both collision and comprehensive coverage in order to fully protect your vehicle from all types of damage situations.
Comprehensive coverage covers pays for damages to your car that are not the result of a car accident. That includes theft, vandalism, hail, fires and accidents involving animals. Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle from a car accident.

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Myth: If my car is totaled, my insurance will pay off what I owe on my loan or lease.

Fact: When your car is totaled, your policy does not promise to pay off what you owe. It will pay you the actual cash value of your car, minus your deductible. Actual cash value is the amount your car was worth before the accident, factoring in depreciation. You are still responsible for any amount outstanding on the loan or car lease.
The only way to cover the difference between the car's cash value and the amount you owe on a loan is to purchase gap insurance. Available to cover both auto leases and loans, gap insurance covers you if your car is totaled before you’ve paid off the loan, or before the lease term expires. Here’s how to save yourself some grief: buy gap coverage.
Your insurer will decide if your car is "totaled." Generally a total loss is declared when the repair costs exceed a certain threshold of the car’s value, generally 70 percent. At that point, the insurance company will tow the car to the salvage yard and offer you the actual cash value of your car.

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Myth: My insurance company will pay for a rental car if my car is stolen or damaged in an accident.

Fact: Even if you have comprehensive and collision coverage, it may not include a rental car. Rental car reimbursement is not automatically included in most car insurance policies, but you can add it at an affordable cost. According to the Insurance Information Institute, rental reimbursement coverage is available for $1 to $2 a month with most insurers.
Even if you have this coverage, it won’t necessarily last until your stolen car is recovered or your damaged car is fixed. There’s a limit on how much your insurance company will reimburse you per day, plus a cap for a maximum amount per accident. For example, GEICO charges $20 per year for a maximum $750 in rental reimbursement, with no deductible to pay. In this case, GEICO would reimburse you up to $25 per day but no more than $750 per accident.

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Myth: Drivers of sports cars get more tickets and thus pay higher insurance premiums.

Fact: That’s not necessarily the case. According to a study released in 2009 by Quality Planning Corp., leading the pack with the most violations are drivers of the Hummer H2 and H3. Hummer drivers have almost five times the number of violations compared to the average. Drivers of three different Scion models (tC, XB Station, XA) also made the Top 10 list. Others on the list include drivers of two models of the Mercedes-Benz (CLK63 AMG, CLS63 AMG), two Toyotas (Solara, Matrix) and the Subaru Outback Station Wagon and Audi A4.
At the other end of the spectrum, the study also includes a "well-behaved vehicle list." Topping that list are drivers of the Jaguar XJ, followed by the Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet C/K-3500/2500, Buick Park Avenue, Mazda6, Buick Rainier, Oldsmobile Silhouette, Buick Lucerne and GMC Sierra C1500 pickup truck.
While insurers don’t base their car insurance rates on this study, the insurance loss history for the model you drive and your own driving history factor into how much you will pay for car insurance. Here's how your car drives your insurance premium.

Visit the original story, here!

The New 2011 STi Scales Mt. Washington VERY Quickly!

Originally from Foxnews.com

The maximum speed limit in New Hampshire is 65 mph, but that didn't stop Travis Pastrana from driving the full length of the Mt. Washington Auto Road at an average speed of 72 mph on September 9th, breaking a 12-year old record in the process.

Piloting a specially-prepared Subaru WRX STI performance car, the 4-time American rally champion and extreme sports star covered the historic 7.6-mile mix of asphalt and gravel in 6 minutes 20.47 seconds, 20 seconds faster than the previous record holder, Frank Sprongl, did in 1998.

Technically a test session in advance of next year's Climb to the Clouds Hillclimb competition - the first to be held on the private road in over a decade - the attempt was timed and confirmed by officials from RallyCar, the sport's top sanctioning body in the United States.

Pastrana was a fair bit quicker than the winner of the first Climb to the Clouds event held in 1904, who made it to the 6,288 foot summit in the then blistering time of 24 minutes 37 seconds.

Read the original story HERE

Cars.com review of the 2010 Subaru Outback

Interested in picking up one of Subaru's latest model Outbacks? Check out this Cars.com review of them for the pros and cons of this model over the previous years.

2010 subaru outback review

The Statesman Versus Celebrity Basketball Game

(From the Billings Gazette)

A charity basketball game for the Coalition of Dwarf Advocacy (CoDA) will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 6PM to 10PM at Montana State University Billings’ Alterowitz Gymnasium.

CoDA was formed to advocate for individuals with short stature (dwarfs) in the areas of medicine, vocation, education, adoption and public accommodation. The group also works with and assists other nonprofit organizations for the improvement of the lives of dwarfs and to increase public awareness of the needs and abilities of such individuals.
The game will feature the Statesmen, a team of celebrities put together by movie actor and stuntman Marty Klebba, against a team of Billings celebrities.

Among the celebrity players will be Klebba, who played Marty in “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and custodian Randall Winston on “Scrubs.” Other celebrity players will include Matt and Zack Roloff of The Learning Channel’s reality show “Little People, Big World,” former Detroit Pistons player Don Reid and former professional wrestler Scott “Flash” Norton.

Among the local celebrities are the Outlaws quarterback Chris Dixon, television sportscasters Scott Breen and Chris Byers, and Billings triathlete Jennifer Drinkwalter. Tickets are $10. A silent auction will begin when the doors open at 5 p.m. and the game will start at 6 p.m.

For information on the event, call Kelly Lee at 406-698-5000 or Colin McConnell at 586-337-7771.

(visit http://billingsgazette.com/entertainment/enjoy/article_f301ab3c-b6f4-11df-93bf-001cc4c03286.html for the original story)

Subaru of America Reports Records Sales in August!

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) reported on September 1st, that August was a record-setting month for sales. With 22,239 vehicles sold; this has been ones of Subaru's Augusts ever. This year, Subaru has sold 172,182 vehicles, representing a 20% increase over last year's YTD sales figures. SOA has more:

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Sept. 1, 2010 Subaru of America, Inc. today reported August sales of 22,239 units. With the exception of last year’s outstanding result during the CARS program this was Subaru of America’s best August ever. Year-to-date sales totaled 172,182 units – a 20-percent increase.

The Subaru Outback posted another record month with 8,053 units sold in August 2010, a 37-percent increase compared to August 2009.

“August was another great sales month for Subaru,” said Tim Colbeck, senior vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. “Since last August and the CARS program we’ve ramped up production but demand has continued to outpace supply for our products. Thanks to our strong product line up, we continue to grow and are looking at another record year for the brand.”


“The dedication and outstanding efforts of our employees and retail partners allow Subaru to continue to achieve new sales records,” said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president,Subaru of America, Inc. “We have a strong product line that appeals to today’s buyers, and we are on target for another record-setting year.”

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S.automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.

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History of the WRX!

Ever wonder about the roots of your WRX? Mark Miller Subaru has cooked up this quick video featuring the birth of the WRX all the way to the latest. Check it out! Also, visit us at Rimrock Subaru off of 24th to see the NEWEST incarnation of the WRX!

Toyobaru Test Mule Spotted in Death Valley!

While Toyota announced that they'll be pulling back their production of their FT86 (the Toyobaru), the new 2-door sport coupe that will signal the joining of forces between Subaru and Toyota, it seems that Subaru is blazing ahead.  ...literally.  The latest test-mule car was spotted recently by AutoBlog in Death Valley.

Subie-Life.com has more on the story, Click Here!

The 2010 Nurburgring Challenge; the 2011 STi hits Germany's Nurburgring in this Motortrend special, beating the previous record set by the 2004 STi by 4 seconds!

A little 2011 STi media!

A pretty cool commercial for the 2011 STi! Subaru’s fastest STi yet!