Subaru tagged posts

For the moderately priced AWD sedan market (starting MSRP ~$20k), currently there are not many choices in the US. Among those candidates the Subaru Legacy is the only model that comes with AWD system as standard.

Above image: the 2015 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited trim test car

Subaru offers two engine options on the 2015 Legacy (both are naturally aspirated): a 2.5L flat-4 producing 175hp and 174 lb-ft of torque; and also a 3.6L flat-6 engine with 256hp and 247 lb-ft of torque.

We have tested the 3.6L engine version, which is only available on the 3.6R Limited trim. The 2015 Legacy is a completely-new design, which marks the beginning of the 6th-generation of this model.

M...

Two days ago, Ford announced the all-new 2016 Focus RS, which has more than 315hp from the 2.3L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, mated to an AWD system.

This effectively puts the Focus RS into the competition with other hot hatches in the market, such as the Subaru WRX STI and also the Volkswagen Golf R. The current 2015 WRX STI is in the sedan form, but we can safely bet the hatchback version is coming very soon, therefore we include it into our discussion here.

Generally speaking, Subaru WRX STI is the most hardcore vehicle for rally purpose, while it has lower refinement; the VW Golf R has the best refinement, but its AWD system is the weakest among the three candidate...

US Auto Sales: Key Factors

For an automobile consumer, the key factors that affect the decision to purchase a new vehicle is:

1. How easy he/she can get access to the funding (auto loan)
2. How old is his/her current car
3. How good is the new car model

The below chart is sourced from WSJ.

For factor #1, it looks like financial institutions have lowered the bar for approving car loans. According to the credit-monitoring firm Experian, now 20.4% of all auto loans are sub-prime loans, which is granted to borrowers in the lowest credit score range. Banks are even providing longer term loans. Get this, the average long term loan now reaches 5.5 years...

The All New 2015 Crosstrek

Yesterday, Subaru released the pricing and option list for the 2015 model year XV Crosstrek, for the US market. Below are major changes for the new model year:

– Entry-level model added: the XV Crosstrek 2.0i, only 5-speed manual transmission offered, starting at $21,595
– The Subaru EyeSight technology is available
– New multimedia system
– Backup camera is now standard on all trims

See below press release for more insights.

“Hot hatch” is the high-performance variant of a hatchback car model, which can be either a 3 or 5-door. One key feature of the hot hatch is its higher-output engine. Due to typical size and weight of a hot hatch, its engine output rarely goes above 400hp. At this moment, a hatchback with more than 300hp can be considered a “serious” hot hatch.

Below are a list for hot hatches that with at least 300hp (same model with different drivetrain options are listed separately).

Audi

RS3 Sportback, 5dr, 340PS 2.5L turbo I5, 7DCT, AWD
S3, 3dr, 300PS 2.0L turbo I4, 6MT, AWD
S3, 3dr, 300PS 2.0L turbo I4, 6DCT, AWD
S3 Sportback, 5dr, 300PS 2.0L turbo I4, 6MT, AWD
S3 Sportback, 5dr, ...