Vintage Japanese Cars Gaining a Strong Following in the U.S.

When you hear the term “classic” car, you surely think of something old but rare and most likely expensive, like an Aston Martin, a Ferrari or perhaps even some good ol' American iron.

The sole Japanese model that fetches serious money in the classic car market is Japan’s first supercar, the Toyota 2000GT. Collectors pay more than US$400,000 for the road versions while a 2000GT racer is currently being offered for US$1.7 million.

Whatever you think about the insane prices that some people are willing to pay for them, you would never apply this term to 30-year-old run-of-the-mill Japanese compact cars.

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Subaru to Debut European BRZ and Impreza Hatchback in Geneva

The upcoming 82nd Geneva International Motor Show in March will host the European debuts of two new Subaru models, the BRZ sports coupe and the latest generation of the Impreza hatchback.

The BRZ, which recently went on sale in Japan after its world premiere at last year's Tokyo Motor Show, is expected to reach European showrooms this summer, with more detailed information including pricing to be released in Geneva.

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Only in Japan: New Stripped Down Toyota 86 RC and Subaru BRZ RA

The Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ go hand in hand, in whatever they do. The two brands have launched stripped down variants of their respective models in Japan offering a low cost solution for those buyers looking to use the coupes for track racing, as a blank canvas to create their own project or simply to own the most affordable variant.

The Toyota 86 RC and the Subaru BRZ RA are very similar, the only main difference being that the Toyota model gets unpainted front and rear bumpers. From there on, on the outside, both models come with unpainted door handles and mirror caps, 16-inch steel wheels, while there are no fog lights up front.

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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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New Subaru XV Crossover Pricing Released for Britain

The already heavily populated C-sized SUV segment has a new contender from Subaru, the XV, which slots right under the Forester in the Japanese firm's lineup.

The XV is in essence a crossover version of the Impreza hatchback with a reworked body with plenty of plastic cladding and a jacked up suspension. It arrives in the UK with a choice of three engines and an equal number of trim grades with on the road prices ranging from £21,295 to £29,995.

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Subaru BRZ Black Edition by Prova from the Tokyo Auto Salon [Video]

Prova, one of the more notable Subaru tuners in the Land of the Rising Sun, teamed up with the Japanese automaker to display a bespoke edition of the new BRZ sports coupe at this past weekend's 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon.

The BRZ Black Edition is supposed to be a more mature tuning take on the rear-wheel drive model that goes on sale worldwide this spring.

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2013 Subaru BRZ Sports Coupe's U.S. Debut Confirmed for Detroit Motor Show

We can't say that we weren't expecting it, but in any case, Subaru made it official today that the production version of its BRZ rear-wheel drive sports coupe will make its first public appearance on U.S. soil at the 2012 North American International Auto Show at Cobo Hall in Detroit on January 9.

Subaru's latest press release doesn't really add anything as we already knew that the BRZ will come with a 200-horsepower 2.0-liter boxer engine that revs up to 7,400 rpm and will be matched to either a six-speed manual gearbox or automatic transmission.

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Subaru to Debut New Impreza G4 STI Concept Plus BRZ Black Edition and STI Studies at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon

Subaru has outlined its presence at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon 2012 with NAPAC (Japan Car Parts and Aftermarket Promotion Association) that takes place at the Makuhari Messe from January 13 to 15, 2012.

The new Impreza G4 STI Concept and a pair of new BRZ studies will highlight the Japanese automaker's stand at the show.

Starting with the Impreza G4 STI Concept and before you get overly excited, you may want to know that it is based on the regular JDM Impreza G4 2.0i-S sedan with the company's STI division adding several styling and performance goods.

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Next Subaru WRX to get a Turbocharged Version of the BRZ's 2.0-Liter Engine with Around 270HP

The pundits over at Motor Trend magazine are reporting today that a spokesperson from Subaru of America has confirmed that the next iteration of the WRX will mark a return to a smaller displacement 2.0-liter flat four engine instead of the 2.5-liter motor used on the current model.

The Subaru rep said that new engine would be a turbocharged version of the firm's FA20 unit found under the hood of the newly revealed Subaru BRZ and its Scion FR-S and Toyota 86 siblings, with a targeted output of around 270-horsepower.

The FA20 engine, which in naturally aspirated form produces 200-horses and 205Nm (151 lb-ft) of peak torque, is more compact than the 2.0-liter boxer from the FB family of engines used on the latest Impreza and Forester, while it also benefits from Toyota’s “D-4S” direct injection and port injection technology.

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Report: 2013 Subaru BRZ Prices to Start from Around $24,000 in the U.S.

According to Motor Trend's newly appointed editor-in-chief Ed Loh who spoke to Subaru representatives during the first media drive of the 2013 BRZ in Japan, the rear wheel drive sports coupe will be available in the States in two flavors, the Premium and the Limited, and similar pricing to the Impreza WRX.

Subaru's people told Loh that they estimate the base BRZ Premium to start in the States from around US$24,000 (€17,900), and the better equipped BRZ Limited from approximately US$27,000 (€20,150).

To get an idea of what these prices mean, the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro has an MSRP of US$23,200 (€17,300) with a 323HP V6, and US$32,750 (€24,450) with the 426HP V8. The Nissan 370Z that's fitted with a 332HP V6 starts from US$31,450 (€23,480).

The current 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata with a 167HP 2.0L engine stickers for US$23,190 (€17,300) while the 2011 RX-8 with a 232HP rotary unit for US$26,795 (€20,000).

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Subaru BRZ GT300 Fires up on the Track: First Official Video

Only a select few will be able to get behind the wheel of the new BRZ GT300, but Subaru hopes to create a strong link between the production and the racing versions of its new rear-wheel drive coupe, both of which made their world premiere at this week's Tokyo Motor Show.

The impressive looking BRZ racer will compete in the in the GT300 class of the 2012 SUPER GT series in Japan. The GT300 cars are much more regulated than the vehicles in the GT500 class with their output limited to 300-horsepower, which means we may see Subaru opting for a turbocharger to increase the standard model's 2.0-liter boxer engine's output.

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If Looks Could Kill: Meet the 1999 Subaru Impreza Casa Blanca Limited Edition

Subaru is one of those automakers that will either bore you to death or irk you with the styling of its products, but scarcely, if ever, cause any excitement with its designs.

The Impreza series is a characteristic example going from boredom to controversial and vice versa not only with each new restyling, but sometimes even within the same generation.

Time to meet the Impreza Casa Blanca - a special edition version of the first generation Sport Wagon with the 1.5-liter boxer engine that was introduced in Japan in 1999 to address the craze consumers had for retro styled cars at the time.

And yes, you read that correctly: the Casa Blanca isn't a abomination creation from some unknown coachbuilder but an official Subaru product and it was produced from 1999 to 2000 in a limited run of 5,000 units!

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Subaru BRZ Joins its Toyota Sibling at the Tokyo Motor Show [Live Photos + New Videos]

Danny de Vito and body builder-turned actor-turned California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, were probably the only twins that were completely different to one another. On the other hand, that was a comedy film in which artistic freedom allows the producers to do anything they please.

In the real world, human twins may indeed differ, mostly in character – though not as much as Arnie and Danny by any stretch of the imagination. In the automotive world, however, when two manufacturers jointly develop a vehicle, 99.9% of the times it ends up being identical to its sibling.

Even Subaru and Toyota are not pretending that their BRZ and 86/GT86 are anything but the same car. They clearly admit it in their press releases and even inscribe it on the engine cover. It’s badge engineering, pure and simple.

Therefore, all the hoopla about the extremely low center of gravity, the compact dimensions, the fun to drive RWD configuration et al is repeated in the BRZ which also made its premiere today at the 42nd edition of the Tokyo Motor Show.

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Subaru's New JDM Impreza Sport Hatch and G4 Sedan Break Cover in Tokyo

While the new BRZ coupe and the Sports Advance Tourer concept are the ones to watch out for at Subaru's Tokyo Motor Show stand, the Japanese automaker also revealed the much more important from a sales perspective, domestic market versions of its new Impreza. Read more »

Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept Hints at Standalone Hybrid Wagon

The Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept made its debut today in the flesh at the 42nd edition of the Tokyo Motor Show.

The sleek looking station wagon with the taut surface forms is a proposal for a standalone C-segment hybrid model that measures 4,580mm (180.3-in.) long, 1,840mm (72.4-in.) wide and 1,430mm (56.3-in.) tall. Its exterior dimensions place it between the current Impreza (4,415mm long) and the Legacy (4,775mm).

The concept's design language both inside and out is believed to preview the forms and styles of the next generation of Subaru's models, though don't expect to see the scissor-style front doors on a production model any time soon.

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Subaru BRZ Makes its Video Debut, Plus New Photo Album with First Shots of the Interior

The production versions of the jointly developed Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 twins are making their world premiere today at the Tokyo Motor Show.

We’ve already brought you the news on the BRZ, but for those of you interested, Subaru has unleashed a promotional video as well as a second round of pictures including the very first images of the coupe's interior that is identical to the 86 right up to the digital clock that brings back memories of the go-go 1980s. Oddly, Toyota and Subaru ditched the cassette player…

As a reminder, the BRZ runs on very low mounted 2.0-liter flat-four with direct-injection technology and an output of 200 ponies that are directed to the rear wheels through a choice of 6-speed transmissions (manual and automatic).

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Subaru's Untamed BRZ GT300 Racer Breaks Cover

Meet the new BRZ sports coupe's much, much wilder racing brother with which Subaru and its STI division will compete in the next season of Japan's Super GT championship in the GT300 class.

Sadly, while Subaru released the first rendering of the BRZ GT300, the Japanese automaker is still holding back on the details (though we assume a boxer engine should be in the mix), but we'll keep you posted on any information we get in our hands.

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New Subaru BRZ Sports Coupe: First Official Pictures of Production Model

After the unveiling of the Toyota 86 (GT 86 in Europe) on Saturday, it's time for Subaru to take center stage with the presentation of its version of the jointly developed rear-wheel drive sports coupe in production guise.

The new BRZ was revealed today less than two weeks after Subaru exhibited the STI-badged concept model at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and just before the sports coupe makes its first public outing under the spotlight at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show on Wednesday, November 30.

To the surprise of no one, the production BRZ loses the concept’s neat aero-kit with the large rear wing and carbon-fiber parts, but no need to worry as it's almost certain that Subaru's STI division will offer either the same or similar components as an option in due time.

Even though we knew from day one that the Subaru BRZ, the Toyota 86 and the upcoming Scion FR-S were all jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, we had some hope that the cars might differ in appearance and flavor. As you can see for yourself, this never happened – at least with the BRZ and the 86.

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Fiat Abarth 500 Takes on Subaru Impreza WRX STI on Italian Track [Video]

The Abarth 500, especially when fitted with the 'essesse' performance package that lifts the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine's output to 160-horses, is a capable little beast for its size and price, but is that enough to challenge a previous generation Subaru Impreza WRX STI on the racetrack?

Well, as any driver with some experience on the circuit will tell you, it’s as much about the car as it is about the person sitting behind the wheel. That said, the Abarth 500 shouldn't come close to an STI in the right hands but it's plausible under certain circumstances.

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Subaru Unleashes Crown Jewel of JDM Impreza STi Series with New S206 [51 Photos]

The good news for those wanting to burn some cash on a hot set of wheels is that Subaru has unwrapped a new special edition version of its Impreza STI sports sedan called the S206. The bad news isn't that only 300 will be built, but that all cars will be only available in Japan.

Billed by Subaru as the "crown of STI tuned cars", the new Impreza WRX STI S206 follows on from previous “S” versions, such as the S203, S204 and S205.

So what's special about the new STI model? Well, for starters, the S206 employs exclusive Bilstein dampers, STi coil springs, a flexible front tower bar and draw stiffener, which promise to further improve the car’s precise and quick cornering response.

The S206 rides on a new set of 19-inch BBS aluminum wheels, which have been designed exclusively for this model, and are shod in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

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