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Showing posts with label Subaru Concepts. Show all posts

Subaru to Finally Present its RWD Coupe Concept at Geneva Motor Show

It's been a long time in the making but we're finally going to get our first glimpse of Subaru's version of the Toyota FT-86 RWD Coupe, which is a joint project from the two companies, at the upcoming Geneva Salon in March. The somewhat blandly named “Subaru Rear Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept” will share the spotlight with the Impreza Concept (pictured above) and the Trezio mini MPV, both of which will receive their European premiere at the Swiss motorshow.

Despite rumors suggesting that Subaru may present an all-wheel drive version of the coupe project, the Japanese carmaker is keeping the rear-wheel drive setup, at least for now.

Not surprisingly, the Subaru coupe will be powered by a boxer engine, possibly the same four-cylinder unit lent to Toyota for the FT-86. Subaru did not release any photos nor any additional information on the Coupe concept model.

As for the company's two European premieres, the Impreza Concept was first shown in LA last November and previews a new design direction for the production model, while the Trezio is a re-badged version of the Toyota Verso-S mini MPV, which will be offered in Europe with a 1.3-liter gasoline and 1.4-liter turbo diesel engines.

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Sydney Show Subaru Forester S-Edition Study Hints at Sportier Production Model

At the 2010 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, Subaru unveiled the Forester S-Edition, a concept study that points to a new Forester variant for 2011. Built on the existing turbocharged Forester XT, the S-Edition produces an additional 32 hp and 20 lb ft (24 kw and 27 Nm) over the Australian market XT's 227 hp and 236 lb ft (169 kw and 320 Nm) lifting the 2.5-liter boxer engine's output to 259-horsepower.

A flappy-paddle 5sp automatic gearbox, revised sports suspension and Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) all-wheel drive round out the mechanical package, whilst new styling and comfort features including STI sourced 17-inch alloys, Alcantara interior trim and drilled alloy pedals help further differentiate the S-Edition from the XT.

Subaru Australia's Managing Director is quite pleased with the Forester S-Edition concept: "We're delighted and honoured that Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) have chosen Sydney for the worldwide unveil of this Forester concept. It points towards an exciting development in our Forester range early next year." he said.

At the time of writing, the Forester is Australia's best selling compact sports utility vehicle, with its major rival - Toyota's RAV4 - trailing close behind. Carscoop will have more information on the possible production model variant of the S-Edition study as we get it.

By Tristan Hankins

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Subaru Impreza Berlinetta Rear-Engine Concept Study

For as long as we can remember, Subaru fans have been hoping and praying for a sports coupe from the Japanese maker. And from what we know up until now, they will get their wish when Subaru unveils its own version of the Toyota FT-86. But until then, here's a different conceptual study for a hardcore Subaru coupe from Italian design firm, Beestudio.

The idea behind the Subaru Impreza Berlinetta was to create a high-performance two-seater sports car using the Impreza STI as base, but with a twist; the sedan's platform would be turned around, meaning that the turbocharged boxer engine on the Berlinetta would reside at the rear-end of the car.

Beestudio says that the Berlinetta would make use of steel tubular chassis and body panels made of fibergrlass, aluminium or carbon fiber to further reduce the car's weight.

Being a design studio, the Italian company also came up with a blueprint for the body, but we can't say we're excited with the goofed-up Smart Roadster / Coupe look...

Source: Beestudio , Via: Virtualcar

Artist Creates Three-Door, Rear-Engined Subaru Impreza WRX

In the digital world of photoshop, the only limit is the imagination and talent of the person using the graphics editing program. This piece of work was created by the chaps over at Digimods and it shows a proposal for a three-door version of the latest Subaru Impreza WRX fitted with a rear-mounted engine. A wide bodykit with bulging fenders, new alloy wheels and a bevy of air scoops including one on the roof that supplies air to the engine complete the mods.

Source: Digimods , Via: Zerothundred

Rumor of the Day: Subaru's Hybrid Tourer Concept said to Preview SVX Successor

While some media outlets are questioning the viability of Subaru's own version of the FT-86 RWD Coupe that has been co-developed with Toyota due to the lack of cash, other magazines are claiming that, in addition to that car, the Japanese automaker is also planning to introduce a high-end coupe model. But hold on; doesn't that contradict the first report/s about the uncertainty of Subaru's FT-86 coupe? It sure does, so it's up to you to decide which of the two stories has more truth in it...

But anyhow. If you insist on learning the details, the second report comes courtesy of UK magazine Autoexpress which claims the range-topping Subaru coupe will be based on the Tokyo Show-bound Hybrid Tourer Concept (see photos and details here) and will serve as a spiritual successor to the long-gone, SVX.

The latter was a futuristic-looking four-seater GT designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign. The mid-size coupe, which was powered by a 3.3-liter 6-cylinder boxer engine, was introduced onto the market in 1991 and remained in production until 1997.

Via: Autoexpress

Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept with 2.0-liter DI Turbo Engine and Two Electric Motors [PHOTO UPDATE]

*Story Updated with 18 New Photos

Bypassing the Hybrid Tourer Concept's rear end that is remarkably similar in design to the Alfa Romeo Brera (...), Subaru's latest prototype model will be displayed to the public for the first time at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show in late October. The gullwing-door model features Subaru's first hybrid drivetrain that combines a 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline engine and the firm's trademark Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system with an electric motor at each axle and a high-performance lithium battery.

Power is primarily provided by the boxer engine that is linked to a new generation Lineatronic CVT (continuously variable transmission). According to Subaru, at start-up and extremely low speeds, the 20kW / 27HP rear electric motor can move the vehicle on its own while during acceleration, it kicks in to give an additional power boost to the gasoline engine.

As for the 10kW / 13HP electric motor located on the front axle, Subaru said that it is normally used as a power generator to recharge the lithium-ion battery while it also provides additional power for hill climbing.

Another special feature of the four-seater Hybrid Tourer Concept is the EyeSight + (yes, that stands for 'Plus'), a new driving assist system that utilizes "stereo camera technology" to detect any obstacles in the vehicle's path and advise the driver on appropriate driving maneuvers.

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