Travis Pastrana Calls out Ken Block right before XGames… and we love it

Long time past teammates, Travis Pastrana and Ken Block, have been battling each other all season and the rivalry is getting hotter.

Check out the link to see what we’re talking about! CLICK HERE TO VIEW

Video: Want a lap with Tommi Makinen at Nurburgring? Shotgun!

Here’s a video from our friends at GT Channel on a lap with world famous Tommi Makinen around the infamous Nurburgring in the 2011 STi.

Press Release: Subaru of America’s new 2011 STi Rally Cars released!

As the clock ticks down to the XGames (Don’t forget that we have our very own meet / caravan to the XGames) we get more and more juicy intel about the 2011 STi’s! Now these STi’s aren’t your typical showroom examples.

Of course the whole care has been race prepped with a spec cage and fuel cell. The most surprising element of this car is that it is running an EJ20 (per the rules… WRC Possibly?) instead of the factory EJ25 that we all love here stateside. Heck, I even run an EJ25 in my WRX! But it’s been able to push out an amazing 500hp and 560 ft/lbs of torque! That’s right! Out of a EJ20 with a restrictor plate! Enough fan-boy blabbering from me, check out the press release:

“Subaru Rally Team USA Debuts New 2011 Rally Cars at Speed with X Games Stars Travis Pastrana and Dave Mirra
— Cars will compete this Saturday at X Games 16 —
— Drivers Travis Pastrana, Dave Mirra and Sverre Isachsen pilot new 500-plus HP Subaru STI Rally Cars –

CHERRY HILL, N.J., July 29 — Subaru Rally Team USA unveiled its new 2011 Impreza WRX STI rally cars to journalists in dramatic fashion at the Pala Raceway in Pala, California. The team provided full speed ride-alongs to journalists during practice for the ESPN Summer X Games 16. Travis Pastrana, Dave Mirra and new teammate, European Rallycross Champion Sverre Isachsen, demonstrated that they were ready for the SuperRally X Game competitions, being held at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Saturday, July 31st.

“The team has worked very hard to get these vehicles ready for the X Games,” said Pastrana. “The competition is going to be tough but I am confident that our STIs will be the cars to beat.”

The team’s technical partner, Vermont SportsCar, first began with a stock 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI right off the showroom floor. The car’s interior was then stripped bare and the shell lightened then fully seam welded for added strength. A multipoint roll cage, manufactured from T45 steel, was then welded into place.

Major differences from the stock STI include the addition of a competition fuel cell — which keeps race fuel contained within a flexible Kevlar bag tank — and lightweight carbon/Kevlar RECARO SPA ProRacer competition seats (w/HANS- Head and Neck Restraint System). Other interior additions include a custom STI dashboard, carbon fiber door panels, a Coralba C-Giant Rally Odometer, and an onboard Fire Suppression System.

The stock dampers are swapped out for heavy-duty rally dampers made by EXE-TC competition suspension. The rally dampers are fully adjustable and are built to take the abuse that off-road gravel rallying entails. Under the hood sits a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, turbocharged and intercooled STI engine running VP Racing fuel and producing in excess of 500 horsepower and 560 lb/ft of torque (running with 45mm restrictor for X Games). The clutch is a high performance-racing clutch provided by EXedy. Launch control, a turbo anti-lag system and a hydraulic handbrake are just a few of the features at the driver’s disposal.

A 5-speed, close-ratio dog-engagement gearbox is used, which allows Subaru Rally Team USA drivers to shift without depressing the clutch. The DCCD (Driver Controlled Center Differential) is similar to the system in a stock STI street car, but with a competition ECU for the differential, which allows for greater control of the torque delivery between all four wheels.

The exterior of the car remains close to stock, with the simple addition of mud flaps and a 1/4-inch aluminum skid plate. A roof-mounted carbon fiber air scoop aids in cooling the cockpit and the stock rear wing is replaced with a larger vertically slotted wing, which greatly improves down force to the rear of the car, even as it slides sideways. Lastly, auxiliary HID driving lights, made by Vision-X and housed in carbon fiber light pod, are fitted for night rallying.

“Learning a new car can be a challenge,” Isachsen said, “but having seen the result of the Subaru team’s preparations and practiced in my STI, I am very much looking forward to driving in the X Games SuperRally. Though the ERC (European Rally Championship) is somewhat different from SuperRally, I think my experience will place me in a competitive position for this event.”

The SRT USA will again compete in the Rally Car competition, which they have won 9 out of the 13 possible medals in the past 4 years. The event features two rally cars at a time running on a stadium based parallel course. New for this year X Games will debut SuperRally, which is based on the European Rallycross. SuperRally features direct head-to-head competition with four cars at a time on a tight dirt course within the massive LA Coliseum, in downtown Los Angeles. The new format should prove especially exciting for America fans as the rally cars will bump, jump and slide together in a furious sprint of just a few short laps.

Subaru.com/Rally will post daily updates on the progress of Subaru Rally Team USA throughout X Games weekend.”

Everyone from Subie-life.com would like to wish the whole Subaru Rally Team America the best of luck and we’ll be cheering you on in the stands!

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Mystery Subaru Rally Team America Driver / Car spotted!

Not sure who this is or why this Subaru has a “Tron” theme to it but it’s a pretty cool looking Subie!

Seems like a lot of the sponsors on the car are shared with the other Subaru Rally Team America cars. Anyone have more info on this car?

XGames 16 Cruise with Subie-Life.com and Subaru of America featuring NX Energy Drink!

We just got word that NX Energy Drink will be at our caravan / meet this Saturday in Torrance, CA for the X Games Meet at K1 Speed! NX Energy Drink will be handed out to every single person in attendance! Thanks to our friends at NX Energy Drink for their support!

Speedhunters gives us a tour of the STi Gallery and we are jealous

There are moments in life where, as a Subaru fan, you will do just about anything to see, feel, touch, and experience anything to do with Subaru and this STi Gallery that Speedhunters has featured is one of them.

The STi Gallery is right outside the actual STi facility in Japan. It’s a bit of a preview of what goes on in there.

24 hours of Nurbugring STi which I’ve seen in person in Japan made its way into the gallery.

The Rally car was driven by the great Colin McRae.

Oh how I love this car. I hope there will be a revival of this coupe in the near future with the Subaru Line up!

STi Parts and goods… on our side of the Pacific a lot of this stuff is special order only and takes 6-8 weeks to get to us!

Legacy tS that we featured recently was on display at the gallery. Subaru of America, we need this car! You hear us?!

A timeline of events and success that STi has had in the past since 1988.

Next time I go to Japan I have to see this in person. Check out more photos at Speedhunters here and let them know that we sent ya!

Source: Speedhunters

Press Release: 2011 WRX and STi prices revealed!

A lot of people have been talking about the new STi and we’re part of that group. We received the latest updated for the pricing for the new WRX and STi. Check it out:

CHERRY HILL, N.J., July 23, 2010; Subaru of America, Inc. today announced pricing for the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI models. Arriving in dealerships in September, the aggressively redesigned 2011 WRX starts at $25,495 for both the 4-door and 5-door models. The 2011 WRX STI 4-door is $1,000 less than the starting price of the 2010 5-door (non-Special Edition) STI at $33,995.

Beginning at $25,495 – a modest $500 increase for the 4-door and the same starting price for the 5-door – the aggressive body style changes for WRX include new front & rear bumpers, wide front fenders and quarter panels, and a WRX logo side fender badge. The sedan adds a rear chrome satin finish and quad tailpipe outlets. The WRX receives new gunmetal gray alloy wheels paired with wider summer-performance tires. Additionally, all WRX models now have six upgraded speakers and come with steering wheel control switches for audio and Bluetooth functions.

The Subaru Impreza WRX Premium starts at $27,995 (both 4- and 5-door) and adds the All-Weather Package, power moonroof, and fog lights. The sedan also includes a standard rear trunk spoiler. The Subaru Impreza WRX Limited is available from $28,995 (both 4- and 5-door) and features HID headlights and leather-trimmed upholstery. A GPS touch-screen Navigation system is available on Premium and Limited trim levels and includes a 7″ touch-screen and standard Sirius Satellite Radio.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI

The Subaru performance leader, the WRX STI, returns as a 4 door sedan – along with the 5-door for the 2011MY. The Subaru Impreza WRX STI 4-door starts at $1,000 less than the 2010 WRX STI 5-Door (non-Special Edition) at $33,995. In addition to its wide-body style, the WRX STI sedan also brings back its signature impressive rear trunk spoiler. All WRX STI models include the All Weather Package.

The WRX STI is powered by a 2.5 liter, turbocharged and intercooled Subaru Boxer® engine pumping out 305 horsepower. To further improve its performance, the 2011MY WRX STI has a retuned suspension that includes improved suspension bushings, larger front/rear stabilizer bars, and stiffer front/rear coil springs that provide tighter handling, less body roll and improved steering feel. All WRX STI models are available with optional GPS Touch-Screen Navigation with a 7″ LCD touch-screen for $1,800. Additionally, all WRX and WRX STI models also receive a new mesh-type grill along with an upgraded audio system that includes standard Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, iPod Control capability, an auxiliary input jack, USB port, and XM/Sirius capability with a roof mounted antenna.

A new trim level, the Subaru Impreza WRX STI Limited 4-door, is added with a starting price of $37,345 and includes leather-trimmed upholstery, 18-inch BBS alloy wheels, power moonroof and fog lights.

The Subaru Impreza WRX STI Limited 5-door starts at $35,995, and includes 18-inch BBS alloy wheels.

The Destination and Delivery charge for these and all 2011 Subaru models is $725 (Alaska D&D is $875). Complete WRX and WRX STI model information and prices can be found at www.media.subaru.com.

Subaru of America continues to enjoy record sales after its best-ever sales year in 2009, with June sales up 35-percent year-to-date.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.

Video: New England Forest Rally, Rally America Finale Recap

Another season of Rally America has ended with mixed results for the Subaru Rally Team America. Check out the finale recap video of the New England Forest Rally!

Don’t forget, next week is XGames where we will be there to cheer on our friend Stephan Verdier, and the Subaru Rally Team America!

More woes for the Outback and Legacy: Recall on the manual transmission

There has been yet another recall on the Outback and Legacy models following the most recent one that has to do with the wiring. The new recall has to do with the Legacy and Outback’s manual transmission that has to do with an oil guide leading into the transmission causing the gears to basically break apart.

The NHTSA has stated the following:

“If the transmission gears are not properly lubricated, a groaning sound may begin to develop, alerting the driver to a problem. If this sound is ignored and no action is taken, the gears will eventually break and this condition will lead to vehicle power loss, possibly resulting in a crash.”

About 800 units are affected by this recall and you can go to your local Subaru Dealership to have this handled. Drive safe out there!

Video: GT Channel gives us an inside look at the 2011 STi 4 door

Our friend Taro from GT Channel sent this to us via our Facebook Fan Page. A pretty interesting look at the 2011 STi 4 door.

Check it out!