Subaru Revealed Behind 2011 Mediocrity Marketing Hoax; What do you Say Kia?

As some of you pointed out, Subaru was the culprit hiding behind the week-long 2011 Mediocrity campaign, which showed a beige-cladded first-generation Kia Optima in a scoop-like series of photos. Upon looking at the first set of images that arrived in our mailbox (read here), we knew that this was some sort of devious viral marketing campaign.

It is true that these type of campaigns can be rather cheap and yet extremely effective. However, they can also backfire. And in our opinion, that's the case with Subaru's effort to promote / convince us that the latest Legacy is the opposite of the so-called 'beige' mid-size sedans.

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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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Another Safety Recall for 2010/2011 Subaru Legacy and Outback

Following two previous recalls on unrelated issues in May and June, Subaru has announced a third recall on its new Legacy sedan and Outback vehicles. July's [...] recall affects a total of 809 of its 2010-2011MY Legacy and Outback models manufactured from April 28 through June 23, 2010, because an oil lubrication hole was not drilled on the 6-speed manual transmission.

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Subaru Issues Another Recall for 2010 Legacy Sedan and Outback Models

Many owners of the 2010 Subaru Legacy sedan and Outback will soon receive a second recall notification for their cars in a period of a little over two months. In May, the Japanese company recalled both models over a problem with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). This latest recall concerns a "defect in the steering roll connector".

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New JDM Subaru Legacy B4 2.5GT tS [as in Tuned by STI]

Subaru's in-house tuning arm STI has added some flair to the latest generation of the Japanese market Legacy B4 sedan and its Touring Wagon brethren. The limited production Legacy 2.5GT tS (Subaru talk for Tuned by STI) models come with various cosmetic and performance enhancements, but unfortunately, no upgrades to the 2.5-liter flat-four turbo engine.

The list of performance goodies includes a Bilstein suspension, strut tow bars, sport exhaust system, and 18-inch multispoke alloy wheels shod in 225/45 R18 rubber.

On the outside, STI's team added a front lip spoiler on both models, along with a discreet boot lid spoiler for the B4 sedan and a roof spoiler for the Touring Wagon.

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Subaru Issues Safety Recall for 2010 Legacy and Outback Models

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a recall for the 2010 model year Subaru Legacy sedans and Outback crossovers equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The recall affects a total of 29,443 vehicles in the States.

Subaru said in statement that there's a possibility a crack or split can occur in the CVT cooler hose resulting in a fluid leak. According to the Japanese maker, "if the fluid is completely leaked during driving, the vehicle will come to a stop, possibly resulting in a crash."

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Minor Updates for 2011 Subaru Legacy Sedan and Outback

The 2011 model year brings some subtle equipment updates and a modest price increase for Subaru's Legacy sedan and Outback.

Both vehicles receive equipment enhancements including manual-folding exterior mirrors, while Premium and Limited models equipped with Harman/Kardon audio now feature XM Satellite Radio and a three-month trial subscription. There are also new available colors for both cars.

Prices for all Legacy models aside from the Limited trim versions remain unchanged for the 2011MY, and range from $19,995 for the base 2.5 to $24,995 for the 3.6R.

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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.

SEMA Show Debut for Subaru's Bling-Bling Legacy VIP Concept

The SEMA Show was never about subtle or elegant tuning projects but we reckon that Subaru kinda overdid it with its Legacy 2.5GT VIP concept car. A mishmash of body parts from the Japanese domestic market (JDM), and custom-made / SPT accessories, the Legacy 2.5GT VIP is one of those creations that can spark a feisty conversation over its looks on the net.

We don't even know where to begin from: the eye-popping quilted red leather that not only covers the vehicle's interior but also makes an appearance in the engine bay and the luggage compartment; the side window curtains that would look quite cosy at your aunt Thelma's kitchen or the chromed exterior mirrors? Take your pick...

Other mods include the widened fenders that house custom-made 20-inch wheels, an air suspension system from Universal Air that allows the car to get really intimate with the road, the Shinjuku Black Plum paint finish and the onboard entertainment system. Thanks but we'll hastily pass on this one.

SEMA Show: Subaru gives the 2010 Legacy 2.5GT the Low Rider Treatment

The 2009 SEMA Show in Sin City this week will see Subaru taking the veils off a 'low-rider' style 2010 Legacy GT that blends parts from SPT and the Japanese domestic market (JDM) with custom features for the full "VIP", or as it's called in Japan, "bippu" treatment. According to Subbie, "VIP is a style known for a clean, yet heavily reworked, luxury theme with an emphasis on impossibly low ride height and huge, aggressively styled wheels."

So what does this translate in terms of style? Subaru started off by replacing the stock intercooler and the hood scoop with a Mishimoto front mount intercooler with custom piping for a smoother look while the turbo Boxer is dressed up with a custom full engine bay cover, SPT billet oil cap v2.0 and SPT billet battery hold-down v2.0.

Next they lowered the ride with an air suspension system from Universal Air and added custom made 20-inch MC3 Enterprises Trinidad alloy wheels shod in 235/30R20 Falken FK452 tires.

The car is also said to feature a number of body parts from the Japanese domestic market (JDM) Legacy, including: hood, bumper faces, sport grille, front and rear under spoilers, HID headlights and fog lights plus new Roof and decklid lip spoilers. Other features include rolled and flared fenders along with chrome tid bits on the exterior.

As you can see in the single picture issued by Subaru, the Legacy VIP's interior has been customized with diamond stitch seats and door trim finished in Togarashi Red, an illumination kit and STI Duracon shift knob while other goodies include rear a pair of bucket seats at the rear and a multimedia system.

European-Spec 2010 Subaru Legacy and Outback to Debut in Frankfurt

Already available in North America and Japan, the all-new 2010 Subaru Legacy and Outback will have their European premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which will be held from September 17 through 27. Compared to their American counterparts, both models get a restyled front grille along plus redesigned lower part of the front bumper and larger exterior mirrors housing the turning signals.

The new Legacy Sedan and Station Wagon are 65 mm and 55 mm longer than their predecessors respectively while the wheelbase in both cases is expanded by 80 mm, allowing for greater rear legroom. In Europe the Legacy will be offered with two four-cylinder petrol engines, a 2.0-liter and a 2.5-liter unit, and Subaru's 2.0-liter turbo diesel boxer engine that makes 150 horsepower.

The fourth-generation Outback which is the crossover version of the Legacy Station Wagon featuring improved ground clearance and SUV-like protective body cladding will be sold in Europe with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol and a 2.0-liter turbo diesel while certain markets will also get a range-topping 3.6-litre boxer 6-cylinder petrol model.

New Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon Debuts in Japan

Coinciding with the Japanese market launch of the new Legacy Sedan and Outback models that were revealed for the first time to the public at the New York Auto Show in April, Subaru today performed the world debut of the Touring Wagon version of the Legacy that will be available in key international market including Europe but not in the States. In essence, the Touring Wagon is the same car as the Outback, minus the increased ride height, roof rails and SUV-like body cladding.

Visually, the only differences between the North American and Japanese market Legacy concern a few minor details like the prolonged air intakes at the corners of the front bumper and the redesigned exterior mirrors.

In Japan, the Legacy Touring Wagon is offered with a naturally aspirated and turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine while the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder boxer is available only on the sedan and Outback model.

The European market model that will be unveiled along with the sedan and Outback at the Frankfurt Show in September should get a 2.0-liter boxer petrol unit as well as Subaru's new four-pot diesel.