Cry Me a Tear: Subaru New Japanese Commercial for the BRZ Coupe

Subaru has released a new 2+ minute long spot for the freshly launched BRZ coupe in its home market of Japan. And it's pretty dramatic, but not in the way you'd expect an ad showcasing a rear-wheel drive sports…

Apparently, Subaru's marketing folks in Japan believe that healthy doses of drama can create some sort of emotional connection between buyers and its cars. As you can see in the videos after the break, Subaru has whipped up similar ads for its Forester and Legacy models.

And oh, don't forget to blow your nose and while your tears away after you're done watching the three spots.

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Subaru Signs MoU to Manufacture Compact SUV in Malaysia

Subaru’s parent company Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI) today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Tan Chong Group for the local production of an unnamed compact SUV in Malaysia.

The only compact SUV in Subaru’s current range is the Forester, though the vehicle in question may be the upcoming Impreza-based crossover that was previewed by the XV Concept (pictured above) at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show in China this past April.

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Not for U.S.: Subaru Launches 259HP Forester S-Edition in Australia

First unveiled in the 2010 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last October, the Subaru Forester S-Edition has now gone on sale in Australia, alongside the revised lineup of the Japanese compact SUV. Boasting a turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine delivering 259HP (193kW) and 347 Nm (256 lb-ft) of torque, the new range-topping model is the most powerful Forester ever to be sold down-under.

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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.

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Photo Gallery of 2011 Subaru Forester with New Grille and 2.5L Boxer

Last month we told you about the revised for the 2011 model year, Subaru Forester SUV, which benefits from an all new naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter boxer engine with a chain driven double overhead cam and an output of 170HP and 174 lb-ft. of torque.

As you may remember from our previous post, we didn't have any photos of the 2011MY, but now, the Japanese automaker has released a gallery giving us the chance to see the new grille and alloy wheel designs -but oddly enough, not the revised instrument panel- of the updated Forester models. Follow the jump to check out all the pictures.

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Sydney Show Subaru Forester S-Edition Study Hints at Sportier Production Model

At the 2010 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, Subaru unveiled the Forester S-Edition, a concept study that points to a new Forester variant for 2011. Built on the existing turbocharged Forester XT, the S-Edition produces an additional 32 hp and 20 lb ft (24 kw and 27 Nm) over the Australian market XT's 227 hp and 236 lb ft (169 kw and 320 Nm) lifting the 2.5-liter boxer engine's output to 259-horsepower.

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2011 Forester Info released, First Subaru to Gain New 2.5-liter Boxer

While pics of the 2011 Forester have yet to make it out the gates (the car pictured above is a 2010MY) , here is a run-through of the new lineup for the U.S. market. Other than some minor styling updates such as the new grille design and a revised instrument panel with softer materials, the big news is Subaru's brand-spanking new boxer engine we first told you about earlier today.

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Subaru Announces First All-New Boxer Engines in 21 Years

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), Subaru's parent company, has released details on its third-generation four-cylinder boxer engine that will be available in 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter displacements. This is the first overall renewal since the second generation was introduced in 1989. The horizontally opposed flat 4 has been a mainstay of Subaru's Impreza, Forrester and Legacy models for some time.

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Subaru to Update its Lineup to help welcome the Toyobaru Coupe into the fold

Besides adding its upcoming unnamed coupe to the lineup, Subaru will be working to get a little pep back in its step by bringing out some new designs over the next few years. What can we expect from the all-wheel drive anti-SUV brand? Autoweek had an interesting article charting the upcoming changes in Subaru's lineup.

Starting with the chunky-monkey Legacy and Outback models that are relatively new, the only update to be expected is a mild refresh/facelift coming in the next three or four years.

Hopefully Subaru will decide on a corporate face that doesn't look like 'meh' and throw it on those two, because right now they're as beige as a Camry. I mean, if Volvo and Audi could make their crossover cars (the Cross Country and Allroad) look cool, why can't Subaru?

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What the Pruck? Toyota Prius and Subaru Baja form kinky bond

This is what happens when you have a Toyota Prius with rear end damage, a Subaru Baja (pickup truck version of the Outback) with front end damage, a lot of free time, and a very weird sense of aesthetics - or a sick sense of humor. This freak-o-mobile is the creation of a salvage Prius cars and parts company called "Auto Be Yours" located in Scottsburg, Indiana. And yes, the name given to the Baja-tized Prius is Pruck. If by any sheer ridiculous chance you're interested, the Pruck is up for sale for somewhere around "mid $20k". Skip the jump for more photos.

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Subaru to Start Selling Cars in South Korea

Even though Kia and Hyundai are present in most countries around the world, you'll be surprised of the number of automakers that are absent from the South Korean market for one reason (import taxes) or another (legislation).

Subaru is one of them, but that's going to change soon as the Japanese automaker announced today that it is joining Toyota in South Korea's recovering market for imported cars. The company said that that sales of Subaru-brand vehicles will start from April in the country working through its local distributor, Subaru Korea Co., Ltd.

The automaker's range will initially comprise of the Legacy, Outback and Forester. Unfortunately for Subaru fans in South Korea, the Impreza series, and by that, we actually mean the WRX and STI, won't be offered.

Subaru's newly formed Korean division said that it has set an initial sales target of a mere 600 units in the first year but aims to increase that number to 3,000 units by 2015.

The company stated that it is the process of developing its own dealer network and is planning to open Subaru outlets first in Seoul and Pusan and then to other metropolitan areas in South Korea.

Yema SQJ6451: Seriously, it's not a Subaru Forester...

You probably think that we're pulling your leg, but the vehicle pictured above is not a second-generation Subaru Forester, it's actually Yema Auto's all-new SQJ6451 CUV.

The awkwardly named five-door cloneover crossover will make a cameo appearance at this month's Shanghai Auto Show with sales scheduled to begin in China in May with a base price of around 60,000 Yuan or about $8,800 or €6,500 with the current exchange rates.

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2009 Subaru Forester 2.0 Turbo Diesel in Detail

At next month’s Paris Show, Subaru will unveil the first-ever diesel-powered versions of the Impreza and Forester models. The Japanese automaker has very high hopes for the Forester 2.0D as it expects it to account for a massive 80 percent of sales and eventually turn the SUV into the company’s best-selling model in Europe. First introduced in the Legacy and Outback in the beginning of the year, the 2.0 litre, four-cylinder horizontally-opposed Boxer Diesel engine delivers in the Forester 147 PS at 3,600 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 1,800 rpm. -Continued

Apart from the new engine, key improvements over the 2.0 litre petrol Forester include a new six-speed manual gearbox, uprated front suspension and firmer-feeling steering. Top speed and 0-60 mph (96 km/h) times are at 115.5 mph (185 km/h) and 10 seconds respectively while the extra engine torque over the petrol model allows a full 2,000 kg or 4,010 lbs braked towing limit.

Fuel economy in the Forester 2.0D is rated at 44.8 mpg UK (37.3 mpg US or 6.3lt/100 km) with average CO2 emissions of 167 g/km. Meanwhile, thanks to the diesel version’s enlarged fuel tank (from 60 to 64 litres compared to the petrol models), the compact crossover can theoretically cover a distance of more than 1,000 km or 620 miles before the need for refueling.

In the UK, the new Boxer Diesel Forester range will arrive later this month where it will be available in three specific trim levels – the 2.0D X priced at £20,295, the 2.0D XC at £22,495 and the 2.0D XSn at £25,495 (all on-the-road).

Standard features for the entry-level Forester 2.0D X include: symmetrical all-wheel drive; Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control; self-levelling rear suspension; fuel-saving electric power steering; front, side and curtain airbags and 16’’ alloy wheels with 215/65 tires.

Other features include four electric windows; 60/40-split rear seats with reclining back-rests; climate-control air-conditioning; radio/CD player; front fog lamps; vehicle information display; height and reach-adjustment steering wheel; leather-covered steering wheel, handbrake and gear-lever; heated front seats, mirrors and windscreen wipers plus cruise-control.

Expected to be the best-seller, the Forester 2.0D XC adds: roof-rails; larger, 17’’ alloys with 225/55 tires; premium audio system featuring a six-stacker CD-player and seven speakers; roof spoiler; HID headlamps and a large, electrically-powered sun-roof.

Finally, the top-of-the range Forester 2.0D XSn adds: satellite navigation with single disc CD/radio; leather seats; electrically-powered driver’s seat and Smart-entry with push-button start.

Subaru Impreza & Forester with 2.0L Boxer Diesel Heading for Paris

After being initially launched on the Legacy and Outback earlier this year, Subaru’s new boxer turbo diesel engine will make its first appearance in both the new Forester and Impreza models at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed diesel engine, which benefits from a new closed-type diesel particulate filter, produces 147 PS and 258 lb ft torque in the Forester 2.0D and 150 PS and 258 lb ft in the Impreza. Both the Forester and Impreza Boxer Diesels feature new six-speed manual gearboxes. -Continued

According to Subaru’s preliminary figures, the Forester 2.0D will return an average fuel consumption in the combined cycle of 44.8 mpg UK (37.3 mpg US or 6.3lt/100 km). The new Forester Boxer Diesel will go on sale in Europe in late September with the Impreza Boxer Diesel following towards the end of the year. As much as we’d like to see any the diesel-powered Subies coming to the States, we doubt that will happen any time soon.

2009 Subaru Forester Gets 5-Star Ratings in NHTSA Crash Tests

Subaru today announced that its all-new 2009 Forester has passed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash tests with flying colors as it received a maximum five star rating in both the frontal and side-impact crash tests for all seating positions.

“Subaru customers have come to expect the highest level of safety in their vehicles,” said Thomas J. Doll, Executive Vice President, Subaru of America, Inc. “The Subaru Forester continues to deliver the highest levels of occupant safety as evidenced by its recent five star performance in the NHTSA NCAP tests.” -Video after the jump

Video: 2009 Subaru Forester Gets Sensual Wash From Sumo Fighters

Unconventional to say the least, Subaru’s TV advert for the all-new 2009 Forester crossover substitutes your usual sexy, big “airbaged” gals with a bunch of overweight yet freakingly playful Sumo fighters. Check out the video right after the jump.

Via: Le Blog Auto , Source: Subaru

Subaru Launches New Accessories for 2009 Forester

Just weeks after going on sale in the UK market, Subaru is offering a new accessory range for its all-new 2009 Forester. The range includes typical crossover accessories like the front under guard for £350, rear under guard for £275, fog lamp mouldings for £35 and door mouldings at £195. Other items available are a roof spoiler at £240, a stainless steel bumper protector at £85 and foldable cargo tray at £60. Note however, that these prices don't include painting and fitting where appropriate. -One more pic after the jump

2009 Subaru Forester: US Spec Version Image Gallery

As anticipated, the US spec version (details here) of the 2009 Subaru Forester doesn’t bear any differences from the JDM version (see 70 high-res pictures here) other than the removal of the hood mounted mirrors. Same goes for the interior which is exactly the same. You can check out all the images right after the jump. Set to make its global debut at the Detroit Show in January, the third generation Forester will be available initially in the US with naturally aspirated and turbocharged / intercooled 2.5-liter Boxer engines. -Continued

2009 Subaru Forester Prototypes: See What The Designers Disapproved

Along with BMW Group’s design team, Subaru’s designers must be among the most criticized people in their field of work. And even though critics weren’t as near as harsh on the 2009 Forester (click HERE for details and images) as they were on the 2008 Impreza, we heard and read a few negative opinions. But like it or not, the third-generation Forester is here to stay.

However, we thought it would be interesting to show you a set of images featuring various design propositions for the 2009 Forester, including several clay prototypes. Follow the jump to check out all the images and sketches and don’t forget to tell us what you think about them by leaving a comment below. -Continued