Of scary-sounding sliding doors and surprises...

Hello everyone. It's me again, Leopaul.

Earlier, when I joined my daddy to take my Lolo and Lola to the Group Health Medical Center at Broadway, Seattle for some checkup, I just notice something strange about the sliding door at the North Building of the Group Health Medical Center...

When the door slides, that sound coming from the sliding door is like a panther roaring. I never thought that this sliding door from Group Health medical center has a sound of a wild animal. Now that's scary. Hope some mechanics better fix that sliding door from the Group Health North Building or there will be some serious trouble that people think that there's a wild animal at the hospital.

Okay, enough of that scary sliding door from Group Health North Building at Broadway, Seattle for now. Also earlier, I saw something even better...

This is the 2012 Subaru Impreza G4. When I said G4, no. It's not G4U. It's not THE IDOLM@STER G4U. This is G4. Subaru Impreza G4. A few moments ago, I just saw the 2012 Subaru Impreza Sport just a few blocks near my home but here, this G4 looks good. It looks more like a decent competitor to the Mazda Axela sedan, I think....

While peeking on the Impreza G4, we were taking too long at a parking garage until Daddy gets my Ate Elise. It's 4:00PM. I got to go to Seattle Central before 5:00PM because I have a class. When Daddy came back with my Ate Elise, I went to school. By 9:30PM, I left school and when I went home, I came into this.

This is it. SUDA 51's SDATCHER -Inspired by SNATCHER-. A drama CD in collaboration between Kojima Productions and Goichi Suda, the man behind the No More Heroes fame. I bought it via CDJapan and I put most of it on my iPod Touch for convenience. By now, I should be listening to the whole story...

Thanks for reading!

Forza 4 meets WRX STi 4-door

Chakkari-san's not going to like this
car passing by her March.

I'm fairly confident that you've seen one of these before. It's the 2011 Subaru WRX STi 4-door. Of course most of you know all this. You've pre-ordered Forza 4 at Amazon.com to get this car, which unfortunately I didn't because I bought it at Gamestop. That gave me a long waiting list until now, the Launch Bonus Car Pack is now made available worldwide for us to try the 2011 Subaru WRX STi 4-door. The WRX STi 4-door maybe a familiar car for me but it's absolutely bonkers in the corners.

GVF in Tsukuba

I said bonkers because why? The WRX STi 4-door has much greater G's than the regular 5-door variant and not only that, it's lighter as well because while the 5-door weighs 3,395 lbs, the WRX STi 4-door weighs about 3,384lbs, which sounds slightly good but there's a bit of a problem. While both come with the same 2.5L boxer turbo engine, the WRX STi 4-door has less torque than the regular 5-door because while the WRX STi 5-door comes with 335lb-ft of torque, the WRX STi 4-door comes about  290lb-ft of torque. Also, it's 7,000 CR more expensive than the 2008 Subaru WRX STi. Still, it's a good value that you want to sacrifice for a better cornering Subaru that once lapped the Nurburgring in 7:55:000.

Sorry, wrong set! Your WRX STi
has a "Top Gear Korea" plate on it!

General fact that a WRX STi 4-door with a wing is labeled "GVB" while the WRX STi 4-door without a wing is labeled "GVF". Well, this is considered GVB, so when I take out the wing at the "Aero and Appearance" section, it resembles the look of the GVF. Not just that, there are available bumper parts courtesy of Chargespeed available to personalize your WRX STi 4-door just the way you like it.

Just a trivia though; at the 2011 Nurburgring 24 Hour race, Subaru achieved an SP3T Class victory with their #155 Subaru WRX STi tS, eclipsing the likes of Team Raeder Mortorsport’s Audi TT S, Kissling Motorsport’s Opel Astra GTC and Michael Kraus’ Mitsubishi Lancer CTO.

Subaru Impreza Sport spotted nearby!

This is the 2012 Subaru Impreza Sport. I recently spotted this kind of model just a few walks in my house and I'm sure know that this really is the new, 4th generation model of my absolute favorite Subaru.

I guess this new model looks better than the Mazda Axela but the front view needs a bit more styling because that looks rubbish. However, it's still a great value.

Subaru receives 7000 orders for the new Impreza range!!!!

2012 Subaru Impreza Sport

The new 2012 Subaru Impreza Sport and the new 2012 Subaru Impreza G4 is the evolution of one of the most recognizable Subaru models ever made and when it went on sale since December 2011, it scored a record-breaking 7000 units sold across Japan, exceeding the 2200 unit per month target and making this latest generation a complete success.

Scoop: http://www.carview.co.jp/green/news/0/4523/

Subaru New Impreza Sport (GP2/GP3/GP6/GP7) and Impreza G4 (GJ2/GJ3/GJ6/GJ7)

Back in the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, Subaru unveiled the Impreza Concept, which they refer that this is the next Impreza, then on the following, at the 2011 New York Auto Show, the fourth-generation Impreza was revealed in sedan and hatchback form. With the concept "New Value Class", the all-new fourth-generation Subaru Impreza provides customers with new value design, new value performance, new value safety, and new value economy.

2012 Subaru Impreza Sport

2012 Subaru Impreza G4

The 5-door Impreza hatchback is labeled as "Impreza Sport" while the 4-door Impreza sedan is called "Impreza G4". In case we're wondering what's up with the G4 name in this 4-door version, there's a huge possibility that you may end up mistaking this as G4U, which is a limited edition IDOLM@STER video game where you can take pictures of your favorite 765 idols.

This car is not all about "Gravure four You", but the new Impreza uses Subaru's new signature design as seen on the Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept with some hints derived from the 2010 Subaru Impreza Concept. This new design really adds sportiness and glamour at all sides.

2012 Subaru Impreza G4 interior

2012 Subaru Impreza Sport interior

The new interior provides better refinement than the previous Impreza thanks to the improved wheelbase while retaining the same height and width as the original. What drives the attention of the new Impreza's interior is the new Center Display that checks real-time information, which is essential for the drivers. However, even if the interior is all new for the new Impreza, you'll regret that it's not somewhat of a big clarity because it looks rather dull and lacks luxury features. Oh well, that's the way this new Impreza's capable of. As for the Impreza Sport model, the rear seats can be folded for luggage capacity, which is great for today's lifestyles.

Firstly, the new Subaru Impreza is fitted with the newly-developed FB16 and FB20 engine, in natural aspiration guise. The new FB16 engine produces 115PS of power and 148Nm of torque. The FB20 engine, lifted from the Subaru Forester, produces 150PS of power and 196Nm of torque. Most models come with the Lineartronic CVT lifted from the fifth-generation Subaru Legacy series. This Subaru-developed CVT with 6-speed Manual Mode provides smooth operation, fuel efficiency, improved response, and (it claims to be) fun to drive. When equipped with this transmission, it promises to accumulation of 17.6km/L JC08 of fuel economy on 1.6L variants and 17.2km/L JC08 on 2.0L variants, making the new Impreza the most fuel-efficient car in its class, beating out the likes of the Mazda Axela (especially with SKYACTIV Technology). This is the first model that comes with a Subaru-developed idling stop system that shuts off the boxer engine automatically when stopped, reducing emissions and optimizing fuel economy. There's also a 5-speed manual transmission offered at some models but it'll cost you.

Like most Subarus, the trademark SYMMETRICAL AWD is the driving force of the Impreza, providing better distribution of power, enhanced stability, and traction that is beyond compared to conventional 4WD layouts. For the first time ever, the Eyesight Ver. 2, lifted from the fifth-generation Legacy, is now offered on the new Impreza Sport and Impreza G4. The "Eyesight Ver. 2" is a driver assistance system that provides Active Cruise Control, Emergency Braking, and Lane Departure Warning systems.

Available in seven colors; Satin White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Obsidian Black Pearl, Camellia Red Pearl (Sport only), Deep Cherry Pearl, and Plasma Blue Silica.

My comment:
What we've seen now on this new, 4th-generation, Subaru Impreza (in Sport & G4 guise) is the future of Subaru. To sum up, we are impressed with its fuel efficiency, new look, and that's it. What we're not impressed that the interior's a bit more similar to the Mazda Axela and there are no turbo versions yet. So what we're saying is that this new Impreza is now focused on practicality than performance. It's no longer the rally-born sports car we adorned for, it's now just a baby Legacy.

Sales start this December 20, 2011, at all Subaru dealerships in Japan!

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.

On November 30...

2012 Subaru Impreza teaser

On November 30, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries will launch the all new 2012 Subaru Impreza in Japan.

Using the "New Value Class" concept that best describes the new model, the 2012 Subaru Impreza will feature two versions at first. The hatchback version will be called Impreza Sport while the sedan version will be called Impreza G4. The Impreza Sport provides sportiness as a hatchback while the Impreza G4 is a Genuine 4-door.

I repeat, the new 2012 Impreza series will arrive this November 30, 2011. Stay tuned for more...

Scoop: http://www.subaru.jp/impreza/teaser/index.html

Is this the 2012 JDM Subaru Impreza?

Is this the 2012 JDM Subaru Impreza?

Is this the 2012 JDM Subaru Impreza?

Is this the 2012 JDM Subaru Impreza?

Is this the 2012 JDM Subaru Impreza?

The 2012 all-new Subaru Impreza already made its world premiere at the 2011 New York Auto Show but a certain Minkara blogger leaked some photos that what it claimed to be the all new, fourth-generation, Subaru Impreza. The exterior and interior details look somewhat similar to the ones shown at the New York Auto Show.

For the Japan-spec 4G IMPREZA, the hatchback model will be labeled as IMPREZA SPORT (スバル・インプレッサスポーツ) while the 4-door sedan model will be labeled as IMPREZA G4 (スバル・インプレッサG4).

G4? R U KIDDING ME? OWWS? HINDI NGA?! Whoa there. Looks like the Impreza G4 is what's too similar to the Legacy B4. Previous Impreza sedan was called Impreza Anesis but for the 4th generation Impreza sedan, it is called G4? Impreza G4? Geez...

Also, the new Impreza will be powered with two newly developed FB boxer engine. One is the all-new FB16 engine that produces 114PS of power and 150Nm of torque while the FB20 engine (as seen on the Forester), produces 150PS of power and 196Nm of torque. Available transmission variants will be a Lineartronic CVT or a 5-speed Manual transmission, depending on the variant.

It will also have Eyesight (アイサイト) system as well too. This system can discern other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists using twin cameras. It can also adapt automatic braking too just like the naughty Volvo S60. Looks like both the new "Impreza Sport" and the "Impreza G4" are going to be naughty.

Both the new Impreza Sport and the new Impreza G4 will be making a premiere next month with sales commence this late December 2011, some sources say.

Photo Source: http://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/1180397/blog/24101890/

Additional Info for the Subaru Impreza Sport: http://carstadium.net/Notebook/Subaru/Impreza_s.html

Additional Info for the Subaru Impreza G4: http://carstadium.net/Notebook/Subaru/Impreza_g4.html

Subaru stops selling XV and DEX in Japan!

2009 Subaru DEX

2011 Subaru Impreza XV

The current-generation Subaru Impreza XV and the Daihatsu Coo-based Subaru DEX is about to say farewell to Subaru lineup. Why? Here's the point:

Scoop: https://members.subaru.jp/catalog/catalog_apply.php

Okay, now what? I guess they'll pulled out the XV but it was been there for one year since its debut in June 2010. The reason why they pulled out the XV because there was a new XV that was been debuted in Frankfurt last month. Do you think there will be an all new XV to join alongside with the all new Impreza coming to Japan soon? Hope so but we're not sure...

The Subaru Dex, launched since late 2008 as a 2009 model, got pulled out because of poor sales. Do we think that the Toyota bB and Daihatsu Coo/Materia became too old? I'm not sure...

Remembering the "Arch Rivals"

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

Yes, both the Subaru WRX STi and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution are both arch rivals but I surely miss those rides since I first encounter them in 2007 when both the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X and the third-generation Subaru Impreza WRX STi (GRB) emerged in the Japanese market and later landed in the world market in 2008.

Both of these are fun to drives but with ages pass by, I think I surely forgotten the Arch Rivals, even I still remember one wild card I've encountered last July 2010.

2011 Subaru WRX STi 4-door (GVB)

That was the Subaru WRX STi 4-door (GVB/GVF). It was in Japan since July 2010 and I'm impressed about this one. Turns out, this one's can be easily forgotten because of the incoming fourth-generation Subaru Impreza coming soon.

A special web anime movie created in collaboration between Fuji Heavy Industries and GAINAX

Of all the automobile manufacturers created web specials that made car enthusiasts interested for more such as BMW Korea's BMW Meets Truth starring Rain, Lexus CT 200h's Dark Ride, Toyota Mark X Samurai Code drama starring Koichi Sato, True Power Should Be Shared starring the Aston Martin Rapide, Audi A1's The Next Big Thing starring Justin Timberlake, Kia Motors' The Lotze Identity starring Kim Joo-Hyuk, Nissan Note's Teinenpi Shoujo Heidi, and other web specials made possible by automobile manufacturers, it seems that Fuji Heavy Industries joined the bandwagon for a very special web special to keep fans of the Subaru brand alive and kicking by offering a short anime film titled Houkago no Pleiades (日本名：放課後のプレアデス)

Subaru and GAINAX presents Houkago no Pleiades

Created in collaboration between Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (behind the Subaru brand), and GAINAX, this special web movie made its debut in February 1 ,2011 and wow! This is the first time a famous Japanese carmaker team up with a famous Japanese anime studio for a surprise treat for Scooby fans all over Japan. I guess its true that Love is what makes a Subaru, a Subaru, especially this web special!

When I first peeked on this web special, it was like OH MY! This web special is a sweet as a full tank of 100-octane gasoline! As a web special created in partnership between Fuji Heavy Industries and GAINAX, there are some Subaru-related references on this 4-part short anime film;

1) The main character, Subaru (すばる) is from her namesake, the brand itself.

2) The opening of a door using a key is somewhat like you're turning the ignition key on

3) Hear the engine start-up on the magic staff? That's the sound of the boxer engine, the pinnacle of Subaru engineering.

4) The shafts Subaru, Aoi, Itsuki, Hikaru, and Nanako used were derived from Subaru models. Look closely at their shafts on this short film and it has something similar from the Subaru trademark grille.

Subaru's shaft was derived from the Fifth-generation Subaru Legacy

2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon

Itsuki's shaft was based on the Forester

2011 Subaru Forester

Aoi's shaft was based on the third-generation Subaru Impreza

2011 Subaru Impreza 1.5i-S Limited (Special Edition)

Nanako's shaft was based on Subaru's Touring 7-seater, the Exiga

2009 Subaru Exiga

Hikaru's shaft was based on Subaru's latest compact, the Trezia

2011 Subaru Trezia

5) The areas marked on the bus stop were the names of areas Subaru manufacturing plants located, most notably, Ota, Gunma.

My impressions about this Subaru x GAINAX collaboration short film is tremendously superb. Two worlds combined to create something sweeter than a full tank of 100-octane petrol! Most Scooby fans wowed upon peeking at the web special, Houkago no Pleiades. This short anime film reprises the new Subaru slogan "Confidence in Motion" to a completely new level. I guess Houkago no Pleiades is the automotive web special that ends all automotive web specials since 2009's Nissan Note Teinenpi Shoujo Heidi and 2010's Toyota Mark X Samurai Code drama!

Thank you Fuji Heavy Industries and GAINAX for making this short anime film possible! I guess the words "Love is what makes a Subaru, a Subaru" came to reality! (Applause)

The Iron Wing...

2011 Subaru WRX STi (GRB) Spec C

2011 Subaru WRX STi (GVB) tS

No, they're not made of iron, but these two special edition, Japan-only, WRX STi models truly have a iron heart inside.

First off, the Subaru WRX STi GRB returned the special edition Spec C by popular demand. The WRX STi Spec C looks like an ordinary WRX STi, only extraordinary because of its reduced weight, extraordinary front bumper, and a 2.0L 16-valve Dual AVCS twin scroll turbo which has the same power output as the normal WRX STi. It offers two rim sizes (from 17-inch to 18-inch) and its available only in 5 door hatchback form.

For the 4-door sedan, the WRX STi GVB and GVF received an exclusive limited-edition WRX STi tS. The term "tS" stands for "tuned by STi" and the WRX STi (GVB) and the WRX STi A-Line (GVF) is armed with the carbon roof. A Carbon Roof? Awesome but where's the wing? This somewhat be redundant but the carbon roof on the WRX STi 4-door looks fine to me.

Those Subaru fanatics living in Japan finally had something for this Christmas season; two souped up special edition WRX STi variants, but those special editions won't last long!

Scoop (Japanese only)

WRX STi Spec C: http://www.fhi.co.jp/news/10_10_12/10_12_21_3.html

WRX STi tS: http://www.fhi.co.jp/news/10_10_12/10_12_21_4.html

Subaru WRX STi 4-door (GVB) at GT5

I love this kind of WRX STi! Even at Gran Turismo 5, it still runs like the real thing! The Subaru WRX STi 4-door is truly an eye-catching Subaru built for thrill-seekers. I gotta admit it, I love the rear wing of the GVB. It represents tradition from the past Impreza STi models from the first to second generation (the generation underwent two facelifts).

Driving the WRX STi 4-door (GVB) on GT5 feels like I'm driving the real thing! I even try to beat the car's Nurburgring Lap Time of 7:55:000 by myself, but everyone wants to beat that time with that car.

I really love to say that the WRX STi 4-door is much better than the original 5-door WRX STi!

The next Impreza?!

Could this be the next Impreza?! As I know, this is a 2010 Subaru Impreza Concept as seen in this year's Los Angeles Auto Show.

This is kinda awkward that this could be the next Impreza in the future, but AFAIK, Subaru tries to implement its new design philosophy under the  Confidence in Motion strategy.

It is a concept, but with that new trademark design, what production car will Subaru strike first with this?!

Possible targets:

Subaru WRX STi GRB/GRF Minor Change and New WRX STi GVB/GVF 4-door

When the feud between the Subaru WRX STi and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution rages on, it seems that, the hatchback version of the WRX STi is not finally alone in the battle against the Evo, even when the hatchback is now facelifted. This time, the hatchback's minor change welcomes the return of the WRX STi sedan. It seems that the MItsubishi Lancer Evolution is now outnumbered by two Subaru WRX STi variants. This will leave loyal Subaru fans screaming "venceremos" all the time but how "hasta la victoria siempre" can the redesigned STi hatch and the new STi sedan is?











From its world premiere at New York, from the beginning of sales in Japan starting now, there are so many reasons how Subaru loyalists love to take advantage on these two WRX STi variants. Considering the hatchback gaining a new bumper and a strikingly aggressive face, the new sedan variant boasts a striking poise and a cool beauty beyond limits. Without the wing on the STi sedan, it looks somewhat redundant, but with the wing attached, the WRX STi sedan shows its true self. Now, all that is left are the gold rims to complete the entire puzzle, but never mind. Oh, and one more thing, the interior of the WRX STi remains intact.

There are two performance types available on both the hatchback and the new sedan, a 2.0L BOXER DOHC Turbo engine with 6-speed manual transmission and the 2.5L BOXER DOHC Turbo Engine with Subaru Dynamic 5AT and Paddle Shifters. Every WRX STi loyalist knows that the 2.0L variant is better than the 2.5L variant because of the power output and the transmission. All variants are equipped with Subaru's finest SI-DRIVE that allows the driver to choose from three modes depending on ride, comfort, and power. Both are not complete without Symmetrical AWD, which is the main skeleton of all Subaru models.

My thoughts about the WRX STi:
A JDM sports car's redundancy is not the main objective for the new WRX STi variants, its main priority is to show who has the right judgment to say "judgment desu no (judgment indeed)" to the JDM fanatics. There is no wonder how this star of the show gained the Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time of 7:55:00 and henceforth dubbed as the fastest Subaru ever made. This will surely rock the hearts of every Subaru loyalists in the world and henceforth this will start a revolution where you are here to drive this hand-made beast. Once you tried, you might scream yourselves "venceremos" while running with the heart of the Pleiades.

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries

Subaru Impreza XV

ack in 1995, Subaru released the crossover version of the first-generation Impreza, known as the Impreza Gravel EX (Express) that combines the ruggedness of the sport utility vehicle and the quality of a sports car. However, in 1997, it was discontinued, in favor of Subaru's first SUV, the Forester.

Subaru Impreza XV

This year, the rebirth of the Gravel EX is now in the form of the hatchback version of the Impreza, giving the unique attributes of a SUV and the sports car at the same time, suited for the down-to-earth adventurers. This crossover Impreza is named the Impreza XV.

Previewed at the Geneva Motor Show since March and now on sale in the Japanese market, the Impreza XV is the newest addition from the Impreza family, ranging from the hatchback, Anesis sedan, WRX STi hatchback, and the soon-to-be-released WRX STi sedan (coming next month). If you managed to come to the XV's exterior, it is familiar from the USDM Impreza Outback Sport, except the front grille that is almost similar to the latest BR9F Legacy Outback crossover. It also sports a roof rail and a side clothing to bring out its SUV look on this fresh new comer.

Two available engines are available for the Impreza XV, including the fuel efficient, approved for Japan car tax laws, 1.5L boxer engine that has a clean 17.6km/L of fuel economy. With this fuel economy, it will make the Mitsubishi RVR declare surrender, but not well enough to outclass the fuel efficiency of the Nissan Juke, even with the optional 2.0L boxer engine. When equipped with Subaru's trademark Symmetrical AWD, the Impreza XV can take you further from rain to shine, almost.

My thoughts about the Impreza XV:
To battle the Mitsubishi Outlander, you need the Subaru Forester for this operation. If you want to pick fights against the Mitsubishi RVR and the Nissan Juke, consider using the Impreza XV because this crossover version is a worthy contender to these rivals. The rebirth of the Gravel Express is quite obviously a topic regarding the release of the new Impreza XV, but how can the new XV suit enough for the adventurous drivers? Find out when you get behind the wheel of this active crossover.

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries