Tokyo: Subaru G4e Concept

Subaru is set to unveil the G4e Concept alongside the redesigned Impreza WRX STi and the Exiga Touring Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. The G4e, a showcase of Subaru's electric car technology, is powered by a 65kW motor that is coupled to a lithium-ioni battery that sits under the car. The G4e Concept can achieve 200km or 124mph on one single charge. A quick 15 minute plug-in charge can regain 80% of the capacity of the battery. The car is 2.65m long and Subaru claims 5 passengers can sit in the car comfortably.

If Subaru were to build this car, not necessarily with the electric technology, it would be one of the loads of kei-cars that Subaru currently sells in Japan. The electric technology is still a long way from making it into everyday production, but we're confident that we'll at lease see the design come to life in Japanese driveways in the future.

[Source: Subaru]

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Tokyo: Subaru Exiga Touring Concept

Along with the redesigned Impreza WRX STi, Subaru will unveil the Exiga Touring Concept at this year's Tokyo Motor Show held this month. The exterior looks very production-ready and we speculate it will be converted to a production car sometime next year. However, we speculate it won't replace any current model. The car is too low to be the successor of the Forester compact SUV. It's a tad too high for it to be the Legacy Touring's successor. The Exiga is more of a combination of two, or otherwise called crossover, a popular segment these days.

The Exiga Touring Concept is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. It's also equipped with Subaru's Symmetrical AWD system, providing better traction and stability for the vehicle. Subaru calls the Exiga a "7-Seater Panoramic Touring", signifying the massive panorama roof featured in the vehicle. We'll know about it more when it is formally unveiled later this month in the Land of the Rising Sun.

[Source: Subaru]

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OFFICIAL: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

The totally redesigned Subaru Impreza WRX STi was officially released by Subaru yesterday. After a trio of teasers released throughout the month and the month before, Subaru decided to turn on the lights in their photo studio for the complete release of the highly-anticipated car. The new WRX STi is all-wheel drive just like its 4-door predecessor.

The nee WRX STi is powered by an exclusive 2.0L horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder turbo that produces "an excess of 300 horsepower." The car is also equipped with SI-DRIVE (SUBARU Intelligent Drive) which offers stability during extreme driving conditions. The WRX STi rides on Subaru's Symmetrical AWD drivetrain and is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The longer, wider, and more powerful STi will be officially unveiled to the public for the first time at the Tokyo Motor Show this month.

[Source: Subaru]

Continue reading to view the official preliminary press release and a hi-res image gallery.



PRESS RELEASE: 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI

Subaru offers the new AWD performance icon

Concept

The new WRX STI was developed with the eternal theme and essence of the driver’s car, the “total driving control,” that the preceding WRX STI models also pursued. This AWD sports model gives maximum driving pleasure through its combination of power, performance, handling and ride capabilities thanks to engineering exclusively designed for the WRX STI and its five-door package. It also balances excellent safety and environmental aspects at a high level.

Styling

Using a new five-door body style developed from the Impreza model, the new Impreza WRX STI displays a powerful design language that speaks directly to its performance credentials, integrating function and beauty. Adopting shortened front and rear overhangs, a longer wheelbase and widened body flares, the Impreza WRX STI clearly embodies driving performance in dynamic exterior design that delivers as overwhelming presence and beauty.

Performance

The new Horizontally-Opposed 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo charged engine was developed exclusively for the new WRX STI. By further improving the basic performance of the engine, and mating it to SI-DRIVE (SUBARU Intelligent Drive), the WRX STI offers not only outright performance as might be expected, but also delivers excellent handling under extreme as well as normal driving conditions.

Featuring Subaru’s unique Symmetrical AWD and specially developed in-house 6-speed manual transmission as its base technologies, multi mode DCCD* and VDC**, which control traction and stability more precisely, have also been added to WRX STI. To complete its performance credentials, the evolved chassis by “Subaru Dynamic Chassis Control Concept” has dramatically improved road-hugging capability and will provide exhilaration and confidence in every driving situation.

Initial Specifcations

Body size

- Length - 4415mm
- Width - 1795mm
- Height - 1475mm
- Wheel-base – 2625mm

Track

- Front - 1530mm
- Rear - 1540mm

Engine Type

- Horizontally-Opposed 4-cylinder Dual AVCS 16Valve DOHC twin scroll Turbo

- Capacity - 1994cc

Suspension

- Front - Reverse type strut
- Rear - Double wishbone

Tire Size

- 245-40R18

Equipment

- 6MTSI-DRIVE SUBARU Intelligent Drive
- Multi mode DCCD-Drivers Control Center Di

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Impatience: Subaru teases crowd with third teaser of WRX STi

Subaru likes to play tricks with its enthusiasts and it has been evident for the last few days. With two teaser images of the redesigned Impreza WRX STi already released, Subaru only heated the suspense with a third teaser image of the car. Showing the front 3/4 view of the car, we can vaguely shape how it's going to look like in our heads now. The WRX STi will be powered by a 2.5L 4-cylinder turbo with horsepower in excess of 300.

The Impreza WRX STi will present itself in a hatchback form when it is formally unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, coming this month. For now, all you gotta do is wait like everyone else.

[Source: Subaru]

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Subaru unleashes new teaser of Impreza WRX STi

Subaru has released the second teaser image of the new Impreza WRX STi, showing the rear-end of the anticipated car. The Impreza WRX STi is set to be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show this month. The car is said to be powered by a 2.5L 4-cylinder turbo, producing an excess of 300 horsepower. It is speculated the car will do a 0-to-60 time of only 4.5 seconds. From this image, we can tell Subaru added larger wheels, enlarged the fenders, added a huge rear spoiler, and the prominent quad-exhausts we're all too familiar with high-end sports cars.

We'll have more information on this car on the 11th of this month, when the Tokyo Motor Show opens its doors to the media.

[Source: Subaru

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