Subaru’s 15 Fastest Cars of All Time

Source: Subaru

Subaru has long been known for building some of the most capable and versatile vehicles in the world. If you’re planning on doing some rally driving, chances are Subaru has been near the top of the list of vehicles to check out. Popular models like the Impreza, Forester, and Outback have long been favorites of outdoors enthusiasts, and every year their cars get more reliable and lively.
The Japanese company has long been known for producing fantastic, rally-inspired, performance-oriented vehicles to add to their pedestrian line-up. While it may not have production vehicles that can keep up with something like a Corvette Z06, this smaller automaker does still hold the advantage in the all-wheel drive performance car department.
Today we will focus on acceleration times from 0-60 for rankings, since most of the company’s cars are governed to specific top speeds with electronic limiters. Naturally we have excluded concept models, one-offs, and heavily-modified aftermarket builds from the list in order to keep it “production vehicle specific,” and since certain models like the WRX STI ts Type RA and the Legacy Turbo models from the early 1990s did not have reliable performance statistics available, they were omitted from the list.
*Editors’ Note: this article has been updated to address some factual errors that were present in the prior version. We appreciate our readers’ diligence, and thank them for pointing it out to us.

15. Baja Turbo

Source: YouTube/Town and Country TV

Remember the Baja? The short-lived Subaru that hearkened back to memories of the Chevy El Camino or Subaru’s very own Brat? Well, it wasn’t just known for its awkward appearance, as the turbo version actually had quite a bit of jump to it, and could make the sprint from zero to 60 miles-per hour in 7.3 seconds with a manual gearbox. The Baja Turbo was limited to a top speed of 130 miles-per hour, and produced 210 horsepower from a 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4 engine. Ugly never looked so good…

14. SVX

Source: YouTube/Cereal Marshmallows

Digging way back into the archives for some performance data, you will stumble upon an oddball Subaru bearing a badge that says “SVX.” Hitting sixty in 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 143 miles per hour, the SVX was a true Grand Touring (GT) car, and while it only came in automatic (which was prone to overheating), it did come equipped with a 3.3-liter flat-six engine, and rocked all 230 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque all the way to redline. With its wind-defusing side windows, funky interior styling, and undeniably Lancer-ish lines, this car was the quintessential 90s vehicle.

13. Legacy 3.6R

Source: YouTube/The Hooniverse

Of all the Legacy models that have hit the market over the years, the 3.6R is one of the easiest to overlook, as it looked just like a regular Legacy and was not aggressively styled at all. And yet it remains one of the quickest models Subaru has ever produced, with its 3.6-liter flat-6 engine hitting 0-60 times in 7.1 seconds. The odd part was that this model only kicked out 256 ponies, which is strange, since certain four-cylinder Legacy models produced even more power.

12. BRZ

Source: Subaru

One of the newest additions to the Subaru lineup, the BRZ breaks the monotony of the company’s classic designs by bringing a rear-wheel drive platform to the streets. Despite its sporty appearance, it fails to even crack the top ten of Subaru’s fastest models, since testing showed the BRZ made the trip from 0-60 in 6.4 seconds courtesy of 200 horsepower. As the BRZ evolves in coming years, performance numbers will surely improve, but for now, it only makes it up to the number twelve on our list today.

11. Legacy 2.5 GT Limited

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Another Legacy model to add to the list, the Legacy 2.5 GT Limited bested the much larger 3.6R flat-six by quite a bit, as it shared a lot of genetic make-up with the mighty STI. Making the trip from 0-60 in 5.8 seconds, the 2.5 GT Limited used a turbocharged flat-4 engine, was available with a manual transmission, and was limited to an overall top speed of 150 miles per hour. With 265 horsepower, and 258 pound-feet worth of torque this version of the Legacy was a real surprise win for performance seekers, and if you re fortunate enough to find a Legacy GT wagon somewhere with a clutch, buy it, because that is a high-powered unicorn right there.

10. Impreza WRX Sport Wagon

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How do you improve on the WRX base model? Turn it into a wagon, of course! Although it’s no longer in production, the WRX Sport Wagon was a lean and mean rally machine that could jet past the original WRX back in the day as it hit sixty in 5.8 seconds. Now, more than a decade after it first hit American shores, the Sport Wagon is officially defunct. But when it was around, the WRX Sport Wagon’s turbocharged flat-4, made 227 horsepower and conjured up 217 pound-feet of torque, which was more than enough for a trip to soccer practice.

9. Legacy GT spec.B

Source: YouTube/subaruwrxfan

Subaru only made 500 Legacy GT spec.B sedans, they cost quite a lot for what you got, and they were only available in one color: dark silver. They also shared the same 250-horsepower powerplant with the previously mentioned Legacy GT version, and according to Car and Driver, it had a navigation system that cost $1,200 more than the identical one drivers found in the normal GT model. But it did have better suspension, bigger brakes, wider wheels, and was able to fly to 60 miles per hour from a standstill in 5.3 seconds for some reason. And while some may attribute these gains to the spec.B’s fatter wheels and increased grip, we relish in the fact that it was only made available with a six-speed manual gearbox and had one super slick limited edition interior.

8. Forester 2.5 XT

Source: Subaru

It’s pretty wild to think that a Forester model can outperform everything you have seen thus far, but at least on paper it’s true. The Forester 2.5 XT was the variant to consider too, as it was able to hit 60 miles-per hour in just 5.2 seconds courtesy of its 4.44 gearing. With its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower, this car is still a great sleeper option for anyone looking for an unassuming around town ass-kicker.

7. WRX

Source: Subaru

Here’s the model everyone has been waiting for, the storied WRX. Long a favorite of daily-driven enthusiasts and rally drivers alike, the WRX has seen numerous incarnations over the years, and the base model is still able to hold its own in the top ten of Subaru’s fastest. The newest 2015 WRX can jet from 0-60 in 5.2 seconds according to Car and Driver, utilizes a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, and makes around 268 horsepower in base trim. And while it often gets overshadowed by its bigger twin, the STI, there is no arguing with the price point of one of these little cars, and how good they have become.

6. WRX STI

Source: Subaru

A glance at the picture above accurately summarizes the experience of driving the WRX STI. This suped-up version of the WRX is capable of hitting the 160 miles per hour mark, along with quickly sprinting from 0-60 in 4.8 seconds according to Road & Track’s test results. The STI offers the DNA of a rally car, with the practicality of an every-day vehicle, and while the WRX base model offers more or less the same experience,the STI and its half-liter larger engine cranks the fun up to frenzied as you confidently rocket through snow, mud, tarmac, and treacherous terrain.

5. Impreza 330S

Source: YouTube/Murat Gormex

The Impreza 330S is not one of the company’s more well-known models, but it sure does have some impressive performance stats. The 330S blasted from rest to 60 in 4.8 seconds, and used a beefed-up 2.5-liter turbo flat-four that created 325 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque, which are not small numbers by any measure. As the five-door hatch combined a six-speed manual gearbox with Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system, this British specialty version of the Impreza made for one of the best Subaru models ever built.

4. WRX Special Edition

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Perhaps the most “specialized” variant of the WRX to ever see release was a Special Edition. With its signature “Punkin Orange” color and blistering acceleration speed of 4.7 seconds to sixty, this decal-laden tangerine dream was a highly coveted machine when it first came out. Built with a wider body and bigger, blacker wheels, this limited run offering was a real beast on and off the track.

3. Impreza 22B STI

Source: YouTube/Subaru

“The Subaru from hell” as Car and Driver so eloquently puts it, was a 4.7 second car that put up startling numbers for something that looked so dated. Rocking the boxy, early 1990s look, the 22B STI was only made in a batch of 424 cars, and was designed to commemorate Subaru’s 40th anniversary. Limited to an overall top speed of 144 miles-per hour, and rocking an unorthodox 2.2-liters of engine displacement, this obscurity rode its 280 horsepower motor all the way to infamy.

2. WRX STI S206

Source: YouTube/HiroRRR

Somehow Subaru engineers keep topping themselves with WRX variations, and the WRX STI S206 is one of the best. While most Americans remain unaware of its existence, the Japan-exclusive neck-snapper has been ratcheted-up to 316 horsepower, and makes sixty look slow in just 4.5 seconds. Couple this with 318 pound-feet of torque and some serious “JDM swag,” and suddenly you’ve got a car that is designed to make any high school ricer drool.

1. WR1

Source: YouTube/WannaBeEssex

The WR1 may be similar in looks to  most of its milder brethren, but it is extremely advanced in the performance department. Producings 342 horsepower from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is no easy feat, and Subaru got this little demon to hit a top speed of 155 miles-per hour without issue. Zero to 60 was timed out at 4.3 seconds, and since the WR1 was a limited-run reproduction of a Subaru rally car, many people cried foul over its price and rarity. Originally used to win rally championships in its hayday, this car serves its purpose here today as the fastest production car Subaru ever turned out.

Subcompact CUVs Square Off for Millennial Buyers - SPOLIER ALERT-Subaru XV Crosstrek Wins!

In a recent article in Motor Trend Magazine, The Big Test - Subcompact CUVS, which pitted the Checy trax, Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-3, and the Nissan Juke against the Subaru XV Crosstrek. In short, the XV Crosstrek came out on top being noted for its spacious interior, ride and handling, and having the lowest 5-year cost of ownership!

Here are some highlights from that article:

On Ride and Handling:

 "On the ride front, it's tough to beat the Subaru XV Crosstrek. Thanks to the longest wheelbase and the most ground clearance in the group, the Crosstrek's ride impressed us on our driving loops. "Most comfortable ride yet," logged associate editor Scott Evans."

On Efficiency:

 "...after three weeks of testing we have no reason to doubt the XV's 26/34/29 mpg city/highway/combined EPA score."

On Safety:

 "...and the XV is a Top Safety Pick +, thanks to its available EyeSight active safety technology."

On Value - Cost of Ownership:

 "You can see the full cost of ownership breakdown below, but the Subaru was far and away the cheapest vehicle to own. It starts at the dealer, where XV buyers will benefit from its $29,650 target purchase price, the second-lowest of the group. Subaru buyers further benefit from the second-lowest insurance and fuel costs, third-lowest repairs cost, and—here's the kicker—the lowest depreciation of the group."

Conclusion

 

The XV offers the best ride and Cost of Ownership; a roomy, high-utility interior; near-top fuel economy; and a Top Safety Pick+ rating, all of which easily overshadow its weak objective performance.

Read the whole article here: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1506_the_big_test_2015_2016_subcompact_crossovers/

 

2016 WRX the safest performance compact on the planet

The new 2016 Subaru WRX launches this summer and it will be even safer. What makes the performance sedan safer than the outgoing model?

 

Subaru will feature the new-generation EyeSight safety system on the 2016 WRX for the first time here in the U.S. Up until now, it’s only been available on the new Legacy sedan and Outback Wagon. Subaru did launch the 2015 WRX S4 in Japan with the advanced prevention crash system and it now comes on the U.S. spec 2016 performance sedan.

Subaru’s EyeSight safety system and driver assist technology is now available on WRX when equipped with the Sport Lineartronic automatic transmission. Lane Keep Assist has now been added to the 2016 WRX EyeSight system which uses the vehicle’s electric power steering system to help the driver keep the vehicle within its lane when driving on the highway.WRX Limited (with Sport Lineartronic transmission) when ordered with EyeSight, comes in a package with Navigation and Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The upgraded tech package also includes a harman/kardon amplifier and 9-speaker premium sound system plus Keyless Access and Push-Button Start with Pin Code Access. WRX models equipped with EyeSight also come with Steering Responsive Fog lights.

What makes 2016 WRX safer?

This system is one of the best safety systems of any automaker and was rated the highest of any system and excels in crash avoidance. EyeSight uses two charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras mounted inside the car on the upper edge of the windshield. The EyeSight system processes stereo images to identify the vehicles traveling in front, as well as obstacles, traffic lanes and other items. The video information is relayed to the EyeSight computer, which is also networked with the car's braking system and electronic throttle control.

EyeSight will bring WRX to a complete stop

Below speeds of approximately 19 mph, EyeSight is capable of detecting pedestrians in the WRX’s path and can activate to mitigate or even avoid the collision. Under certain circumstances, EyeSight is able to bring the car to a complete stop, thus avoiding a collision.
The new generation Subaru WRX is a IIHS Top Safety Pick for the first time. Last year, WRX had been rated a top pick, and then in May, IIHS gave the 2015 WRX/STI the award for good performance in each of the Institute’s crashworthiness evaluations, including the small overlap front test. This is the first time IIHS has rated the WRX and WRX STI, and both came through the test with flying colors.

This is a result of Subaru engineers improving the already effective ring-shaped reinforcement frame used in all Subaru vehicles. Subaru's ring-shaped reinforcement frame has been used for more than a decade and has proven very effective. The 2015 WRX/STI was enhanced even more to provide better protection in the structure increasing cabin rigidity and absorbing impact energy from any direction. This is the design that gives the superior protection that enables all their vehicles to keep achieving these safety awards year after year.

 Other safety features on 2016 WRX

The new generation 2016 WRX also gets a driver’s knee airbag, reversing camera and better visibility, with wing mirrors located on the doors, reducing blind-spots. All this safety equipment combined with EyeSight helps the 2016 WRX maintain Subaru’s commitment to become the number one automaker in overall vehicle safety. The 2016 Subaru WRX is one of the safest performance compact sedans on the planet.

Subaru Earns a 5 Star Award from the Japan New Car Assessment Program !

Five 2015 Subaru vehicles win 2015 JNCAP “Five Star Award” 

Subaru has five models, the 2015 Outback, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Levorg that have achieved JNCAP’s top safety rating. Why is Subaru rated so high?

 

Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, announced that the 2015 Subaru Outback, Legacy, Forester, WRX and Levorg won the top rank “Five Star Award” from Japan New Car Assessment Program (JNCAP). 

All five Subaru vehicles earned the maximum five star overall rating in the 2014-2015 JNCAP crash safety evaluation tests conducted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the National Agency for Automotive Safety and Victim’s Aid (NASVA) in Japan.

Subaru scores high in pre-crash safety performance

Subaru vehicles have been highly rated by JNCAP for their pre-crash safety performance as well: the 2015 Outback, Legacy, Forester, WRX S4, Levorg, Impreza, Subaru XV and Subaru XV Hybrid, equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist system, have earned the top rating of Advanced Safety Vehicle-Plus (ASV+) under the JNCAP preventive safety performance assessment introduced in 2014.

When Nobuhiko Murakami, Corporate Senior Vice President Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), unveiled the new European Levorg sports tourer last month, he made an interesting statement to the press. He said, “We aim to become the number-one brand for overall safety.”

EyeSight could be a game-changer

Subaru’s new EyeSight safety system could be an auto-industry game changer. This is due to the system moving from keeping occupants safe, to crash avoidance. Business Insider said, “That's big, and here's why: If enough automakers succeed at designing cars that can successfully, and autonomously, avoid a collision, accident rates will fall, and eventually so will insurance premiums.”

Look for Subaru to continue to enhance its primary, active, passive, and pre-crash safety technologies under its “all-around safety” principle. The 2015 Subaru Outback, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Levorg have achieved JNCAP’s top safety rating. It doesn’t look like Subaru will stop advancing their safety systems and will become the overall safety leader around the globe.

Nasty 560hp Subaru STI powered VW double cab bus will blow you away

What happens when you take a nasty looking Volkswagen double cab bus and swap the air-cooled powerplant for a Subaru 2.5-liter WRX STI boxer engine? Check out the drag video!

Take a rusted out old 60s style Volkswagen Double Cab bus with a pickup bed and swap the old air-cooled engine with a Subaru WRX STI powerplant and it becomes a drag star at Santa Pod Raceway in the UK. We are told that this Subaru-powered VW bus is putting out 560hp from the 2.5-liter STI boxer engine. 

Watch the owner of this drag machine pull three impressive runs down the strip and manages to rip off a 12.91 second at 108.9 mph quarter mile run. As the driver pulls up for the first run, he does an impressive burnout that shakes the entire vehicle and rattles those front split windows

The engine sits in the back of the ugly double cab bus and gives the VW plenty of traction even with those ugly stock VW wheels. The VW driver is able to get all the traction he needs to rip off some impressive hole shots out of the gate.

In 2004, STI received some major updates for its U.S. debut in Detroit in 2003. Subaru wanted to trump Mitsubishi’s performance model, the 271 horsepower Lancer EVO, and needed to come out with something very special. The all-new 2004 STI came with a new powerplant that was developed just for this car.

This VW owner didn’t spend a ton of money on the bus’s exterior, but he must have done a good job with the engine and drivetrain swap. The Volkswagen double cab bus with the 2.5-liter Subaru WRX STI engine doesn’t look like much on the outside, but it’s sure impressive underneath.

Subaru Forester wins "Mid-size SUV" of 2015 award........................in Russia

 

The 2015 Subaru Forester wins "SUV of the Year 2015" in one of the most popular categories, "Mid-size SUV." How many vehicles did Forester beat?

The 2015 Subaru Forester wins another award in Russia. Just yesterday we reported that the 2015 Forester SUV was chosen “Light Off-Road” Car of the Year. Now Forester wins the hotly contested "Mid-size SUV" of 2015 award in Russia. The contest covers eight categories of vehicles, from Full-size SUVs, Mid-size SUVs, Compact Crossovers, Subcompact Crossovers, Pickups, Universal Terrain, Premium Class and Premiere of the Year categories.
The 2015 Subaru Forester wins the "SUV of the Year 2015" in one of the most popular categories, "Mid-size SUV." There were more vehicles in this category than other with 44 cars competing for the top honors. Organizers of the annual professional award was magazine Club 4X4 in Russia who provided the professional jury. Readers of the magazine were able to vote for their favorite vehicles across the eight categories and were the Grand Jury. 
  

Forester had the most competition 

During the five months that readers can vote on the website, off-road enthusiasts voted for the best cars in eight categories, and the list of winners was revealed today. The total number of all-wheel drive off-road vehicles competing across the eight categories was 116 vehicles. Forester had much competition with 44 of them coming in the "medium-sized SUV" category alone. 

There are four reasons active buyers in Russia like the Forester SUV better than any other vehicle in the mid-size segment. Forester is functional and practical, and provides comfort on long journeys regardless of driving style. The SUV also has the necessary equipment that is suitable for off-roading. These are Forester’s attributes that have made it Subaru’s best seller not only in Russia, but also around the globe. All-wheel-drive off-road enthusiasts in Russian think the new generation 2015 Subaru Forester is the best in its segment.

CLICK HERE to look at some New Foresters in the Orlando Area

$15,000 Raised by Sport Subaru for Local Charity

We are pleased to announce that our Share the Love Event was a great success! Our customers helped us raise over $15,000 for a local Charity, Pet Rescue by Judy.


Pet Rescue By Judy is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the rescue cats and dogs. Many of the animals are brought in with medical needs. They are cared for and doctored to the best of their ability and resources. 



http://www.petrescuebyjudy.com/