Motorsports being shaken to the core. Not stirred

If there is not a further sign that our economy is in peril, then look no further than to the motor sports community. In the last couple weeks we have seen most major forms changed. We have Honda pulling out of Formula 1. Then Suzuki pulls their World Rally Championship program. Followed a few days later by Subaru.

Next Audi and Porsche suspend racing in the American LeMans Series, with a triple blow by the announcement canceling the 2009 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix after its short two year stint after nearly a decade off the circuit.

Nascar is pretty much in shambles because of the Detroit Big 3 cutting spending.

And now off road racing is feeling the effects. Land Rover is canceling the G4 Challenge.

While we do hate to see this happen. But given the current economic conditions it is understandable to see major changes like this. Especially since that is the reason given in each case. Hopefully 2009 will be prosperous for the economy and many of these series will resume to normal operating procedures.

Detroit 2008: 2009 Subaru Forester

We have been seeing some spy and leaked photos of the third generation 2009 Subaru Forester from Japan for the last few weeks. Though they were always of the home market Japanese version. The U.S. version has finally been unveiled at NAIAS.

For the U.S. customers will have a choice between a naturally aspirated or turbocharged 2.5 liter boxer 4 cylinder. Horsepower and low end torque have been reworked for 2009 and come in at 170hp/170 ft-lbs and 224hp/226 ft-lbs respectively.

New for 2009 features include satellite navigation, Vehicle Dynamics Control(standard), traction control and incline start(manual trans).

The styling is fresh and is a nice break from the tired, boxy look of the second generation Forester. The wheelbase has been lengthened 3.6 inches for improved interior space and ride quality. The completely revamped platform now features a new double wishbone rear suspension, and improved crashworthiness.

The 2009 Forester features two different versions of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, both of which power all four wheels all the time and can transfer more power to the wheels with the best grip. Models equipped with the 5-speed manual transmission utilize a viscous-coupling locking center differential that distributes power 50:50, transferring more power to the wheels with the best traction should slippage occur.

Availability will begin in the spring, and pricing should be announced in the next few months.

Source: Subaru.

European autos have resale edge over domestics

Recent surveys show that the Detroit Big Three are starting to lose footing on their vehicles resale values. Kelly Blue Book is saying that the top five brands with the best overall predicted resale value are Volkswagen, BMW, Honda, Acura, and Porsche. The rest of the Top Ten are Lexus, Subaru, Toyota, Infiniti, and Audi. Of course, none of these are Big Three domestics. Many of those brands made up the 1o worst picks for resale value for 2008.

Why the big turn? Simple. Over production. The Big Three lean towards overproducing their vehicles. Then they slap on huge discounts and rebates. Those combined with the over abundant supply of Taurus, Impala, and Stratus fleet and rental cars. Helps to absolutely destroy the resale value of those cars.

Volkswagen is the surprise comeback kid on the survey list. They have steadily grown over the last 5 years. Thanks to big boosts in quality, fuel efficiency, European styling, and exceptional value.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

LA 2007: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

The WRX STi is an awesome car. Always has been . The brans new 2008 Impreza WRX STi is no exception.

The first thing you notice is that the new WRX is now a 5 door hatchback rather than a 4 door sedan as in the past. The entire car has been redesigned and engineered from the ground up. The top of the list is the new 305 horsepower 2.5 liter 4 cylinder boxer motor. Backed with 290 lb. ft. of torque.

The WRX STi of course features Subaru's famous symmetrical all wheel driver. But topped with the Driver Control Center Differential(DCCD) which is exclusive to this car. This offers three automatic performance modes and six manual differential locking settings, based off of driver response. Also new for 2008 is an entirely new double wishbone rear suspension.

Add in Brembo brakes, optional BBS wheels, standard 10 speaker stereo, ABS brakes, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, standard side curtain air bags, satellite radio, and the totally unique WRX styling and you have quite a race inspired machine.

I'm not totally sold on the styling, though I wasn't on the previous 2 generation WRXs either. They grew on me, which I'm sure the new WRX will also.

Pricing is set at $34,995 MSRP, though a release date has not been mentioned.

PRESS RELEASE:

SUBARU LAUNCHES NEXT-GENERATION IMPREZA WRX STI

• All-New Platform with Competition-Inspired 5-Door Body

• 305-HP Intercooled / Turbocharged Boxer Engine

• New Multi-Mode DCCD All-Wheel Drive System and VDC

• New Double-Wishbone Rear Suspension and 18-Inch Wheels

LOS ANGELES. – Subaru of America, Inc. debuts the all-new 2008 Impreza WRX STI today at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The ultimate performance Subaru is powered by a 305-horsepower Boxer engine and features a new level of driver-selectable powertrain- and dynamic handling-control. The 2008 WRX STI is built exclusively as an aggressively styled wide-fender 5-door model with a design strongly influenced by the brand's competition heritage.

The 2008 WRX STI is the third-generation of the rally-bred supercar, which Subaru of America first launched to the U.S. market in 2004. Developed by Subaru Tecnica International, the high-performance and motorsports subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the WRX STI features an exclusive engine, drivetrain, suspension and interior.

The WRX STI's revised 2.5-liter intercooled turbocharged Boxer engine, now with Dual Active Valve Control System (Dual AVCS), produces 305 horsepower (SAE) at 6,000 rpm, a gain of 12 over the previous model. The 290 lb.-ft. torque peak is the same as before but arrives at 4,000 rpm, which is 400 rpm earlier, for better response. Significantly, the more powerful 2008 WRX STI achieves the very stringent Bin 5 Tier 2-Federal (EPA) and LEV2-California Tier 2/Bin 5 emissions certification.

The Driver Control Center Differential (DCCD) version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive – which remains exclusive to the Impreza WRX STI – takes driver-controlled response to another level for 2008. The DCCD system now offers three selectable automatic performance modes in addition to the six manual differential-locking settings. For the first time, the DCCD AWD system integrates the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction control system, also with three driver-selectable positions. The 2008 WRX STI offers five-spoke 18 x 8.5-inch wheels as standard. Also available are optional 18 x 8.5 in. BBS® forged aluminum-alloy wheels. All 18-in. wheels wear Dunlop SP600 245/40R18 tires.

New side-curtain airbags are standard, and the new Incline Start Assist feature can momentarily prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when being driven away from a stop on an incline. Even with the new, roomier 5-door body, special chassis reinforcements, new double-wishbone rear suspension and added safety features, the 2008 WRX STI (with the available BBS wheel package) weighs just 22 lbs. more than the 2007 WRX STI sedan. In addition, the 2008 WRX STI offers the added refinement instilled throughout the next-generation Impreza model line that was introduced for 2007.

The new suspension with special STI tuning along with the stiffer platform give the 2008 WRX STI the agile responses that have made this model a performance superstar. At the same time, the new WRX STI exhibits a more refined demeanor on any road. The Brembo Performance Brake System employs ventilated 4-wheel Super Sport anti-lock (ABS) disc brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). The braking system is enhanced in the new 2008 WRX STI with slightly larger rotors.

The bulged fenders and rear quarter panels, along with the rear gate-mounted spoiler and aerodynamic ground effects, give the new WRX STI a direct link to Subaru competition cars. The hood scoop, brake-cooling air intakes and engine heat outlets are all functional. The standard high-intensity discharge (HID) low beams use manual height adjusters. Fog light insert covers add to the no-nonsense look, and fog lights are included with the BBS wheel option package.

Standard amenities include an automatic climate control system with cabin air filtration; a standard AM/FM premium stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and 10 speakers, plus a vehicle security system with engine immobilizer. The Radio Broadcast Data System can display a variety of information, including a song's title and artist. For the first time, the WRX STI is available with an optional navigation system, which integrates a vehicle information center. In addition to an input for MP3 players, the center console also includes video jacks that can accommodate portable gaming devices. The WRX STI comes pre-wired for XM® or SIRIUS® Satellite Radio.

Source: Subaru

Photos:autoblog.com

New drawing of redesign Subaru Forester emerges

Nothing official from Subaru yet. Other than the new Forester will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit come January.

That was until this artist rendering came to light over on edmunds. The styling definitely follows the style Subaru is going with these days. Detroit is coming up quickly, so we should see more from Subaru in the next few weeks.

Sourse: Edmunds Straighltine