Subaru to Bring "Fastest STI Ever" and Other Performance Cars to SEMA

For a company that builds the wildly popular in the tuning scene WRX and STI models, Subaru appears to be taking it easy at this year's edition of the SEMA Show.

According to the official announcement, Subaru's offerings on the Las Vegas Convention Center floor will be highlighted by the "fastest STI ever"; a pre-production test model that lapped the Ring in 7:55:00 in the hands of four-time World Rally Champion, Tommi Mäkinen this past summer (see video here).

The other cars on display will be Travis Pastrana's World Record Setting WRX STI, and three custom-tuned WRX STI's, while the company will also showcase the latest available Subaru Genuine Parts and Subaru Performance Tuning Accessories [no photos have been released yet].

"SEMA is the pinnacle of the aftermarket tuning world and the perfect place to show our new line of SPT parts," said Charlie Fishman, national accessory manager, Subaru of America, Inc. "With the launch of the new 2011 Impreza WRX and WRX STI, Subaru is having a record year for Subaru Genuine Parts and SPT accessory sales. The launch of the 4-door WRX STI has rekindled interest for the 2011 SEMA Show."

Subaru said that SRT USA drivers Travis Pastrana and Dave Mirra will be on hand to sign autographs at the firm's booth between 1 and 2 PM on November 2 and November 3rd, while Tommi Makinen will also attend the show this year.

Vehicles to be displayed include:

• Tommi Makinen's Nurburgring Fastest Lap WRX STI
  
• SRT USA Driver Travis Pastrana's World Record Setting WRX STI
  
• Get More G's Subaru Performance Tuning WRX STI 2010
  
• Kicker Audio WRX STI
  
• K&N Performance WRX STI
  
• Subiefest Best of Show Winner – Jamarri Whiteside – 2006 WRX STI

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Subaru unveils sportier Forester tS with STI parts in Japan

It might not be for "U.S.", or any other market outside of Japan, for that matter, but the new JDM Subaru Forester tS deserves our attention. Based on the Forester S-Edition, the tS has been upgraded with a raft of STi parts including a modified suspension that sits 15 mm lower than usual, 17-inch alloys, a front spoiler and the customary tS logos.

Inside there are STI sport seats wrapped in a combination of leather and Alcantara as well as a sports steering wheel and a modified instrument panel.

Power comes from a 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine matched to a five-speed automatic transmission.

Japanese customers will get to choose between four exterior colors and will have to pay 3,450,00 Yen (US $42,227 or €30,646) for the base model. Subaru said it plans to produce a total of 300 examples of the Forester tS.

By Csaba Daradics

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Subaru UK Presents 2011 WRX STI, Drops Impreza Name from Halo Model, Introduces Sedan Version

Subaru's UK arm has decided to make the WRX STI its own standalone model for 2011, dropping the "Impreza" reference from the road-going rally car's name. As in other markets, the UK's STI will again be available in sedan and five-door hatch variants and pack a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine making 300 horsepower and 407 Nm / 300 lb ft of torque.

For 2011, the UK's STI will get Subaru's "spec. C" suspension setup featuring a lower ride and wider tires wrapped around lighter wheels. Other than that, the car hits 100 km/h [62 mph] from standstill in 5.2 seconds, has a top speed of 158 mph [254 km/h] in sedan form, and meets Euro 5 emissions standards.

In Britain, the 2011 WRX STI will begin adding options at £32,995 for either the 4- or 5-door version. We're not sure yet if the "Impreza" name will be dropped from Subaru's halo car in other markets, but it could be a possibility as Fuji Heavy Industries' all-wheel drive automaker tries to revise its lineup.

An STI as a pronounced representative of the Subaru brand would be a bold move for a brand that has gone from unique and interesting to boring and non-competitive [WRX / STI models aside, of course] over the past few years.

By Phil Alex

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