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Expected to go on sale late this year, Subaru will launch the vehicle with models parallel to the hatch range. This will include the R, RX, RS. Eventually, the WRX and possibly even WRX STi will follow.

Pricing will start at $24,490 for the R, $26,490 for the RX and $29,490 for the RS model pictured here in red.

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Having just set a record for the largest gathering of Subaru’s, the group also created another two official Guinness World Records.

These were for creating the largest parade of Subaru’s in the world and by writing out ‘COLIN MCRAE’ with their cars in a sign nearly half a mile long, visible to anyone flying into nearby Birmingham International airport.

“We had Subarus joining us from all over Europe, from Poland and the Ukraine to France and Spain, while some fans are flying in especially from Australia and Argentina to be part of this memorable occasion.”

The event was sponsored by the Subaru World Rally Team who donated items for auction such as Petter Solberg’s 2008 rally overalls signed by the man himself.

Prodrive also supported the event, arranging for many of McRae’s original rally cars to make an appearance at the event as well as a number of current generation Subaru world rally cars.

For more information visit the McRae Gathering website.

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Subaru says there are no current plans for a production run but following the London motorshow, if the interest is high, it may come out as a special edition before the year’s end.

The car is put together by Prodrive, who have rebuilt the entire engine which includes a bigger turbocharger and a more thoroughly tuned engine control unit.

Apart from that, the WRX STI 380S also comes with a body kit and upgraded suspension and exhaust system.

More importantly, it regains the blue and gold status, riding on gold (or silver) 18×8.5 ins BBS alloy wheels with 245/40 tires.

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The biggest update will be the availability of an automatic WRX (Impreza GT), we are unsure whether this will be a five-speed or the four-speed currently available in the lower spec Imprezas.

The all-new Impreza GT will keep the current 169kW 2.5-litre turbocharged boxer engine from current WRX but, the memo says the new manual MY09 model will have a massive power boost to bring it closer to 198kW!

We are not willing to say this is true, Subaru Australia has been contacted for comment, however, such a massive powerboost would put the car much closer to its more hardcore brother the Impreza STi (221kW).

 Although, given the Ralliart Lancer is expected to be powered by the EVO X engine and have nearly 200kW of power, we suspect Subaru may be preparing for a showdown.

The standard manual transmission models will also feature a new suspension system as well as an STI-type front grille (although given AU models have a slightly different grille already, this may not happen here). Other modifications include new alloy wheels and the option for a new moonroof in the premium package.

Would 198kW of power change your mind about the WRX?

Make sure you read the following reviews:

• 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi review
• 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX review

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But it’s not just Honda who is putting itself on a diet, with Nissan, Toyota and Mazda all setting weight reduction as a priority for all new models in the pursuit of economy.

Nissan has set the benchmark, aiming to make its entire fleet at least 15 percent lighter on average by 2015 while Toyota is aiming for a 10 percent weight loss in its mid-sized cars by 2010. Finally, Mazda aims to trim 100kg from new vehicles starting in 2011.

“Generation by generation, we usually have to add more weight because of new safety regulations or emissions matters,” says Nissan’s Mitsuhiko Yamashita, head of Nissan r&d. “But our philosophy is not to increase vehicle weight. That’s why I’m proposing the 15 percent reduction.”

Now obviously whilst shaving grams off here and there is thoughtful, it will certainly take more than this to achieve each company’s goals.

To generalise the process, the Japanese carmakers will focus on three key areas: using lightweight materials, developing more efficient engineering and design methods and finally decreasing the overall size of vehicles.

“Unless you really reduce weight, you will never be able to reduce auto emissions. We therefore intend to bend over backward to achieve this,” Toyota R&D chief Masatami Takimoto says.

The Prius is getting special attention from Toyota, with the next generation featuring a motor one-sixth as heavy as the first generations and a battery only half as heavy.

Cost is the obvious constraint, with materials such as aluminium, magnesium and carbon fibre costing far more than steel, however spiralling steel costs are whittling away the metal’s price advantage - as seen with the Tata Nano.

The Japanese diet has already begun, with phrases like hybrid and power-to-weight ratio overtaking traditional performance adjectives like horsepower and torque for cars like the Honda CR-Z, Nissan FF Coupe and Toyobaru.

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Model tested: 2008 Volkswagen Tiguan 103TDI

Recommended Retail Price: $35,990.

Options fitted: Satellite navigation - RNS510 ($3490)

Looks; impressive fuel efficiency; handling; RNS510

Boot space; short first gear

CarAdvice rating: (4.25)

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Model tested: 2008 Honda CR-V

Recommended Retail Price: $31,990

Options fitted: Five-speed automatic ($2000)

Space, quality, refinement, standard ESP

No Sat/Nav or Bluetooth, performance boost would help

CarAdvice rating: (4.00)

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Model tested: 2008 Subaru Forester X

Recommended Retail Price: $30,490.

Options fitted: None fitted.

Off road ability, space, utility

Interior styling, performance, urban utility

CarAdvice rating: (3.50)

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- Review by Paul Maric, David Twomey and Matt Brogan, photographs by Paul Maric.

• Introduction
• Subaru Forester
• Honda CR-V
• Volkswagen Tiguan
• She Says
• Conclusion

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The engines on offer are also borrowed from the Impreza, with a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre boxer engine featuring across most the range whilst the flagship GT variant features a turbocharged 2.0-litre unit producing 165kW.

A 4-speed automatic is standard on all basic models, whilst the turbocharged GT is equipped with a 5-speed automatic with sportshift which blips the throttle on down-shifts.

Subaru’s SI-Dive system also makes an appearance on the GT, offering three different modes as per the Impreza WRX STi: Intelligent, Sport and Sport Sharp.

The Exiga also features double-wishbone rear suspension, newly designed cross-members and stabilisers, as well as a Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) system - ensuring uncharacteristically responsive handling for this type of vehicle.

All models also feature four-wheel ABS disc brakes with EBD,Brake Assist and dual SRS air bags as standard.

A key feature of the new Exiga is its large panoramic glass roof which spans the first two rows of seating.

All up, the Exiga boasts seating for seven - three rows at gradually elevated heights to provide a better view for people in the back seats.

The Exiga is currently a Japanese Domestic Market offering only, however there are plans to introduce the car into Europe. No word yet on Australian availability.

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Anthony - When I planted my right foot into the throttle of the first Subaru WRX I ever drove, back in 1994, I would have done back flips, had I had the talent to perform such physical manoeuvres. I didn’t, so I just smiled – a lot.

But then I got busy with work and ended up with an SV5000, the first Australian sedan to have 200kW under the bonnet. It was a great car, but it didn’t go around corners like a WRX.

Some years later Subaru started preparing ‘super’ versions of the WRX in the guise of the WRX STi. Now, this was a car I aspired to, but the price increase of around $20,000 over a standard REX, meant that I had to either get a new job, or sell our home (unit actually).

Again, fate stepped in, and I was offered a mint 1981 Porsche 3.0 911SC, for less than a song. Still no STi but then, that was probably a good thing, given the car’s impending dark times.

Subaru’s finest tarmac weapon, had risen to newfound notoriety, as the best getaway vehicle ever made. The “Ram Raiders” as they were known, endorsed the WRX STi, with more successful escapes than the police had cars.

It’s also the reason I had lost interest in acquiring what I considered the Holy Grail of affordable super cars. Chances are, you would be pulled over by the boys in blue, every time you took the car out for a drive. That’s something I didn’t need.

Crash cut to 2008. Some would argue that Subaru have gone way too pedestrian with the design of the new WRX. Not me. It’s a hatch, so it’s got practicality on its side and performance wise, its still a very quick car, into and out of corners.

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Only 250 Liberty tuned by STI vehicles will be built of the current update shape and prices start at $65,990 for the manual sedan.

Suspension is taken care of by Bilstein shock absorbers, that are designed with damping ratios unique to STi. The STi variant sits 5mm lower than the regular GT model. The rear suspension setup contains partial ball bearing-jointed bushes, which combined with the improved front shocks further improve the GT’s already outstanding handling characteristics.

Brakes are inspired by the Impreza STi with Brembo four pot brakes and the front and two pot at the rear. Although, unlike the Impreza, the callipers are painted black, complementing the sports styling. Subaru has also added a stainless steel mesh-type brake hose for better braking performance.

The wheels are what really sets the car apart, 12-spoke, 18-inch ENKEI wheels with STI badging are not only a whole lot sexier than the standard GT’s, but they also wiegh 2.5 kilograms less. This time around, the wheels are also available in luminosity silver.

As for the exterior, there are subtle STi badgings around while the front lip and rear boot STi spoilers suppress lift, improve aerodynamics and increase stability when driving enthusiastically. Meanwhile a sporty note comes out of the STi’s sports muffler with new tip design.

The interior also gets its share of new features. The seats are covered in gorgeous leather and alcantara with a cherry red STI logo while the driver’s seat now has an eight-way power system with memory settings.

The dash and instrument cluster also get a minor update with the speedometer featuring STI logo and new STI sill plates are used on all door openings.

The 2008 Subaru Liberty GT tuned by STI is available in both sedan and wagon. Buyers can pick between the unbreakable six-speed STi manual gearbox or the five-speed SPORTSHIFT automatic. The car is only available in black, silver, grey and white.

• Manual sedan $65,990
  SPORTSHIFT automatic sedan $65,990
• Manual wagon $67,990
  SPORTSHIFT automatic wagon $67,990

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We are leaning towards another minor facelift with these images given the rear has not changed all that much.

The Japanese brand has recently launched the new Impreza, updated the Tribeca and its best selling model, the Forester, so the new Liberty is now high on the agenda.

Exterior changes appear to be more of an evolution than a revolution on the current shape, which is not a bad thing given the Liberty has always been the best-looking car in the Subaru lineup.

The images are from Subaru Magazine and were posted by Nihon Cars.

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