First live photos of Subaru Boxer Sports Car Architecture (216A) from Geneva

More photos after the jump!

First teaser photo of Subaru’s 216A (FT-86) concept!

So, here is the first glimpse of Scooby's new rear-drive sports coupe concept ahead of its Geneva debut!!!

Rear view of Subaru 216A (FT-86) STi rendering!

OK, we have seen the specific rendering by BC several times (earlier post), but this is the first time I came across with a rear view!

Best Car Super Scoop Special issue arrived!!!

The BC Super Scoop Special issue has just arrived from Japan, so stay tuned for a lot of news!!!

New FB20 engine fitted in 2011 Subaru Forester

Subaru has launched its third-gen boxer design, which is fitted in the 2011 EUDM Forester. The new boxer engine is badged as FB20, replacing the EJ20 one, and according to Subaru, it's around 10% more fuel efficient. The specific version of the engine doesn't come with direct injection, but Subaru has improved a lot of other areas.

The combustion chambers have been redesigned and they are now more compact, there are chain-driven cams and intriguingly "bent" connecting rods (they allow installation and maintenance work without separating the block). The piston stroke has been increased and the valvetrain has been modified. The block and head have been also redesigned and the oversquare layout of the EJ engine (92 x 75 mm) has changed now to an undersquare layout of 84 x 90 mm. Those changes have resulted to improved low and mid-range power delivery and the FB20 engine fitted in the new Forester delivers 148 hp.

I really look forward what else Toyota and Subaru will change in the FB20 version which will be fitted in the FT-86.

More photos after the jump!

Another rendering showing new Subaru Impreza coming this year

The new Impreza (earlier post) is coming at the end of the year, and most Japanese magazines have already published their impressions of how it's going to look like. So, this is another rendering coming from Japan, showing the hatchback version.

[Source: Subaru-tech blog]

Facelifted Subaru Exiga coming in June

The Exiga (エクシーガ) is Subaru's medium MPV, which is sold in Japan, Australia, Singapore and Indonesia. A facelifted model is expected to be launched in June this year, prior to the introduction of the new Impreza towards the end of the year. A new grille is very likely, which will feature the new corporate design as seen in the Impreza concept, and based on information published by Mag-X, the new generation of Boxer engines will be used, displacing 2.0L (FB20). A CVT transmission is also very likely to be introduced.

Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 216A: G's / STi versions to get turbocharged engine

BC's article about the upcoming FT-86 doesn't reveal much new info, just that the top versions, badged as G's and STi, are very likely to be powered by a turbocharged engine. The naturally aspired FB20 engine, which will power the standard versions, will produce 180 ps and 20.5 kgm of torque. That's less than the expected 200 ps, but I guess as the launch date approaches, more accurate info will be revealed.

The low weight should enable the FT-86 to be among the "greenest" cars in its class (earlier post), and the estimated fuel efficiency is 17.5 km/L (10.15 mode). The overall dimensions of the FT-86 (L x W x H) are 4,160 x 1,760 x 1,260 (mm).

All new Subaru Impreza coming at end of 2011

Similarly to what Mag-X claims (earlier post), BC has published an article stating that the new Subaru Impreza will be launched at the end of this year (most likely in December).

The new-gen boxer engines will be fitted, e.g. FB20, which will enable the new Impreza to achieve a much better fuel efficiency (11.5 km/L). In terms of dimensions, it will be bigger with the most noticeable difference being the width, which will increase to 1,820mm.

Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 216A: Debut at 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, sales start in April 2012

President of Fuji Heavy Industries Mori Ikuo, has already confirmed that the Scoobi version will be revealed at the end of 2011 (earlier post), and rumors have suggested that both versions (detailed post) will make their debut at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

Well, it seems that Mag-X claims the same and according to the report, sales are expected to start in April 2012!

New Subaru Legacy coming in 2014

Hmm, it seems that 2014 will be a busy year for the Japanese car manufacturers... According to Mag-X, Subaru is planning to introduce the all-new Legacy in May 2014. Unfortunately, I cannot make much sense out of the text, except from the dimensions, which are (length x width x height) 4,770 x 1,785 x 1,535 (mm).

Subaru considering production of Trezia STi concept

Subaru is considering the possibility of producing the Trezia STi concept, fitted with a number of STi parts (aero kit, STi tuned suspension and light weight wheels), which was presented at the Tokyo Motor Show. 

Apparently, visitors' reaction was very positive and Subaru has hired also an external company in order to conduct a research and then decide whether to make it available in the domestic market.

Subaru Exiga tS concept at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

This is the third Subaru concept (earlier post) presented at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon.

More photos after the jump!

Trezia STi & Legacy tS concepts at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

So, those are some photos of the Trezia STi concept and Legact tS concept presented at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon. 

More photos after the jump!

Subaru's mighty racing machines at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

Subaru's booth at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon has all the new tS models on display, as well as three STi concepts (earlier post), and some impressive racing machines. One of them is the Impreza WRX STi Nurburgring Edition 24H test car, which will compete in this year's race and Subaru aims to win its class.

Another impressive machine on display is the Legacy Super GT race car, powered by a Boxer engine, competing in the GT300 class.

More photos after the jump!

Subaru to showcase FR sports car technology concept (FT-86) at Geneva Motor Show!!!

Subaru has just announced what it will exhibit at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, opening on May 1. The Impreza concept presented at LA will be unveiled, along with the new Subaru Trezia, Toyota's Verso-S (aka Ractis) brother. The new Trezia will be available with a 1.3 L petrol egnine, as well as a 1.4 L turbo diesel one.

However, since the launch of the production FT-86 is not very far away, Subaru will present a rear-wheel drive sports car technology concept! According to Subaru, the concept will show how Subaru  proposes to integrate its expertise into a rear-wheel drive car to offer a new and highly enjoyable, Subaru-like driving experience. The technology concept will demonstrate how the all-new car platform  makes full use of Subaru’s engineering and Boxer technology.

Current-gen Impreza to be short-lived - new model comes in Nov 2011

Following the post showing a rendering of the next-gen Subaru Impreza by Mag-X, now it's time for another picture with some more info. The current model, although it was launched just in 2007, is going to be replaced soon (do you wonder why...?). The typical life cycle for Impreza used to be 7-8 years. A full model change is sceduled in November 2011 and a new generation of boxer engines (FB20) will be fitted, which will be more fuel efficient. Of course, the styling of the new model will be inspired by the concept already presented at LA.

[Source: Mag-X via CarSensor]

Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 216A: They come at the end of 2011 indeed!!!

In an interview with the President of Fuji Heavy Industries Mori Ikuo, it was revealed that the Subaru version will be presented at the end of 2011, and from what I could understand from the Japanese text, it will be revealed in December. Toyota is expected to launch it also at the same time.

The article also reveals that testing, as well as the body of the car have been almost completed, and tests are been carried out at the moment in order to fine tune the car for foreign markets. Mori revealed that the car is very comfortable and fuel efficient. The low seating position, in conjunction with the low centre of gravity, result in feeling very confident in driving it.

The price will be around 2,500,000 ¥.

I am glad that my detailed post has proved to be right, as the facts above confirm what I have written about the FT-86! If you want to read all the posts regarding the FT-86, you can use the "FT-86 variants FT-86のバリエーション" tag which is used for all upcoming versions of the model (Toyota FT-86, Subaru 216A, Scion FR-S etc).

[Source: 東京新聞; Source of photo: Subaring Days]

Rendering of next-gen Subaru Impreza WRX STi

This is the second rendering of the next-gen Subaru Impreza WRX STi (earlier post) I have came across so far, and as you can see, it is based on the concept presented at the LA Auto Show. As I have written before, Subaru... just don't cock it up....

A glimpse of the new Japanese models coming in 2011!!!

The latest issue of Best Car magazine has a very interesting cover showing all the important new Japanese models coming in 2011!!!

So, here is what's coming (... I am missing a couple of Nissan sedan models):

• Daihatsu's small car based on the concept e:S (earlier post)

• Honda Fit - aka Jazz - wagon (earlier post)

• Honda Freed Hybrid 

• Honda Insight (facelift with design cues from  FCX Clarity)

• Lexus CT (looks like a spicy version... a CT-F perhaps?) 

• Lexus GS-F (earlier post)

• Mazda CX-5 (Mazda's variant of the Ford Kuga)

• Nissan Tiida - aka Versa - (earlier post)

• Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 216A (related posts)
  

• Toyota Prius V (related posts)