SUBARU OVER THE YEARS  
News Articles, Magazine Reviews, Links, Comments and more
Subaru Tribeca, Outback, Legacy, Forester, Impreza, WRX STI,  Baja, Hybrid, Concept Cars...

General comments and links. Specific models are below

3/21 Today at the NY Auto Show, the X Prize and Progressive Insurance announced a $10 million purse for the renamed Progressive Automotive X Prize, an international competition designed to inspire a new generation of super fuel efficient vehicles. The independent and technology-neutral competition is open to teams from around the world that can design, build and bring to market 100 MPGe (miles per gallon energy equivalent) vehicles that people want to buy, and that meet market needs for price, size, capability, safety and performance. more on the X Prize

3/17 Happy St. Patricks Day
3/2  a hard week for musicians.. legendary drummer Buddy Miles (Hendrix's Band of Gypsies) died in Texas at 60 years old. Also Mike Smith, Dave Clark Five's lead singer/keyboardist just died, from pneumonia, at 64. He was to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. Canadian musician Jeff Healey died March 2 after a long battle with cancer.
2/23   Democrats like Subarus and Volvos, Republicans like GMC Yukons. The political machines dissect everything.
 '...  from Steve Schmidt, a Republican political operative who's worked for Bush, Schwarzenegger and now McCain. He was just talking as the (McCain straight-talk) bus cruised along the highway between stops not long ago when he said: During one conversation, he explained that in 2004, when he was working for Bush’s re-election, “we targeted voters not where they lived but how they lived their lives, in the same way that credit-card companies do... And so we know, for instance, that among independent voters there are life styles and behaviors that identify them as Republicans or Democrats. For example, the GMC Yukon is a Republican vehicle, and Volvos and Subarus are the most Democratic vehicles..' more
2/21 0% interest announced on all 08 models, for 24mos oac
2/1 New lower Subaru interest rates, Impreza lease specials. Check here
1/24 New lower interest rates. The Fed dropped the bank rate and Subaru lowered their special rates. Click Rates
1/15 new January 15-31: 0.0%x24 months available on new 08 Foresters, plus rebate.

1/14 2009 Forester page has a few updates
1/13  Fuji is planning no new car assembly plants before 2011 and instead will add capacity in Japan to meet its goal of expanding sales by 17% by 2010. Under its four-year business plan ending in March 2011, the automaker aims to reach sales of 683,000 a year against 583,000 in the 2007 calendar year. Current capacity is 505,000 cars a year in Japan and up to 120,000 in Indiana.
1/13 Car of the Year Chevrolet Malibu sedan and Mazda's CX-9 SUV were named the North American Car of the Year and Truck of the Year by auto industry journalists.
1/10/2008 Wow, how times change! 'Americans bought more Toyota Prius hybrid gas-electric hatchbacks in 2007 than Ford Explorer sports utility vehicles, the top-selling SUV for more than a decade... Prius sales soared 69% in 2007, demand for the Explorer was less than a third of its 2000 peak  more

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Subaru Tribeca news and reviews

2/7 Tribeca 3.6L engine Block Heater is finally available for the 2008 models! 1/12/08 Tribeca review from Canada: 'New Tribeca a true-blue Subaru. Updated '08 SUV loyal to brand, drivers with top safety ratings, distinctive styling... Subarus are most common in the Northeast, Northwest and along the Front Range of the Rockies. In college towns such as Boulder, Colo., and Eugene, Ore., every third car is a Subaru, it seems. The all-wheel drive systems standard on every Subaru are especially useful in those wet and snowy climates...' more  (top)

Subaru Legacy and Outback news and reviews

2008 3/20 New stereo systems in coming 09 Outback and Legacy. Subaru will start offering upscale Harman-Kardon amplifier and speaker systems in the 09 Legacy and Outback. 2/26  Outback review '... Outback is the Rodney Dangerfield of the crossover segment – no respect... Subaru launched the crossover category back in the fall of 1994 when they introduced the Outback for the 1995 model year... An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick” in the midsize car segment.. highest rating (“Good”) in IIHS frontal offset, side and rear impact tests... five-star ratings for the driver and front passenger and rear passengers in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash tests...'  more  1/31/08 Outback review  '.. For once, I didn't dread the forecast of snow because our automotive guest du jour was none other than a tony-looking 2008 Subaru Outback Wagon. It's a car that lives for snow, and it showed as we drove...functions not only well in bad weather, but it surrounds passengers in creature comforts of every description. Subarus, in case you haven't driven one in years, are not the rather modestly appointed tough little cars of old. Legacies and Outbacks have evolved into luxurious, decently priced, upscale automobiles that should be on the shopping lists of practical, value minded consumers who don't want to be punished behind the wheel every day for having thought about function and usefulness first...'  more more

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Subaru Forester news and reviews

2008 3/28  Forester review: '...A tip of the hat, then - preferably an outdoorsy, Indiana Jones-type felt fedora - to Subaru product planners. They were very attentive to input from current Forester owners who said not to go overboard in making the 2009 model all that much bigger and more powerful, and consequently more expensive. What emerged from those customer focus sessions was a vehicle that is very much like the first- and second-generation Foresters, only more so. And it's even cheaper than before. Yes, it is larger, but not substantially... has enough grunt to power up hills, through mud holes' more 3/27 Forester review  'Of the modern-era Subarus, the Forester has been the model that most closely reflects the character that the brand was built on: inexpensive, capable, utilitarian, slightly unconventional, and unconcerned with appearances. A Subaru among Subarus, this grungy earth child has been happily chugging along on the crunchy fringe of the compact SUV market. For 2009, the Forester has undergone a redesign that has made it larger, more SUV-like, and, well, more normal. And although the new Forester looks a lot different from the previous model, it manages to retain many of its predecessors strengths while expanding its appeal...' more from automobilemag.com 3/25 Forester review, '... Many of us like our cars, but Forester owners seem to love theirs.. the third generation Forester is off to a good start. Forester has always been about getting the job done.. Subaru has done a commendable job.. They’ve kept the utility, improved the styling, made it quieter and lowered the price. Buyers shopping the usual suspects in the compact SUV market are cheating themselves if they overlook Forester..' more 3/23 many more 09 Forester  photos 3/19 09 Forester review:   '... we'd go so far as to say this new Forester is the most handsome and stylish Subaru in years. But don't worry: They've made sure to improve the practical aspects of this cult favorite by equal measures... both manual and automatic Foresters had an easier time traversing the roughest legs of the trail than the Honda CRV... On pavement, the Forester feels more substantial but just as car-like as before. The steering is quick and responsive, and the ride is smoother and better isolated than the last Forester we drove. Inside, its noticeably roomier and upscale..' more from popular mechanics 3/14 09 Foresters arrriving. This is the first redesign in it's 10 year history. The ride is smoother, there's more back seat room, automatic Sportshift is now available, privacy glass is standard on all except X model. The models are X, Premium, LL Bean, and XT turbo.  They are based on the Legacy platform and longer, wider, taller than previous versions but not too long or tall or wide. All good things. Check Forester page for specs, measurement, prices and photos and more 3/12 The 2008 Forester is #3 in the US News Best Affordable small SUV category behind the CRV and Rav. Will the redesigned 09 do better?  Reviews are very positive. read more about the 09 from US News 3/12 09 Forester review part 3 from Jalopnik 'Why you should buy this car: You are sickened by the sight of Chevy Suburban. You are a vegan who just loves Home Depot. You would sooner saw your right arm off with a rusty tree saw than vote Republican. Your wardrobe consists almost entirely of stuff made by Patagonia and The North Face. You are in an unconventional relationship. You are, deep down, a good person with a family of four who is unsure about minivans... ' read part 3 from Jalopnik 3/11 09 Forester review, part 2 from Jalopnik, 'The original Forester design sought to stuff an SUV into downscaled packaging more palatable to the food co-op set. The 2009 model abandons its predecessors' upright, boxy vibe for something closer to a streamlined crossover approach. Sleeker, yet still oozing functionality ... Not a perfect update ... but a definite improvement that serves up outstanding value while coming off as more capable than the competition when the going gets rugged.  read part 2 from Jalopnik 3/10 09 Forester review, part 1 from Jalopnik, 'Subaru has all kinds of weird shit going on with their brand. That's why we love them--because they aren't Toyota or Honda. They're got the aforementioned hoon-mobile, the justly thrilling WRX STI. Then there's the lesbionic Outback, and the completely baffling Tribeca (Is it a Porsche Cayenne for people who aren't buttholes or a VW Touareg for people who hate Germany but just can't swing with Volvo no more?). I won't remark on the Legacy....' read part one from Jalopink  3/9  New 09 Forester review '...  A Forester with off-road abilities that shames its nearest competitors, demonstrated on a steep, rutted trail on Catalina Island that stopped a Honda CR-V dead in its tracks. Next we hopped in behind the wheel of the Forester and motored right up the hill with no difficulty due in part to the active torque split system that automatically transfers more power to the wheels with the best grip as slippage occurs, a most impressive performance, demonstrating its superior abilities. On the inside Subaru’s engineers took advantage of its extra 3.6 inches of wheelbase to address the previous version’s most serious shortcoming, lack of rear seat legroom. Combined with rounded lower seat cushions and doors that open wider than ever before, rear seat access is dramatically improved, especially for parents who have to deal with bulky child safety seats...' more 2/22 Rebates on 2008 Foresters increased, increased $2000 on X... 2/21 2009 Forester prices announced. PZEV for CA, CT, MA, ME, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT, WA. Now expected early March. 2/12 2009 Forester, pre-order now for late March-early April delivery... 1/28 2009 Forester page updated with some dimensions, engine specs. 12/26 The first 2009 Forester information is available. Here are a few early photos. Standard on all models are side-curtain airbags with rollover sensor and VDC Vehicle Dynamics Control. Wheelbase increases 3.6" (from 103"), ground clearance up to 8.9" depending on model. New double-wishbone rear suspension increases cargo room similar to the 08 Impreza. Manual transmissions have Incline Start Assist (replaces the old Hill Holder).  Both the 2.5i and 2.5i turbo engines will be offered, both tweaked to improve torque for better normal performance. More info to come as available.    (top)

Subaru Impreza news and reviews

2008 3/31 Impreza 2.5i review: 'The 2008 Subaru Impreza boasts one of the largest (2.5 liters) and mightiest (170 horsepower) engines in its class, as well as standard all-wheel drive. At the dragstrip, though, the 2.5i Premium Impreza model we tested unintentionally had us singing Zs, posting slow 0-to-60 (9.5 seconds) and leisurely quarter-mile times... That said, zeroing in on the Subie's lack of zip would be missing its merits. Thanks in part to an all-new multilink rear suspension, which replaces the previous struts, the Impreza not only delivers a plush ride, but also commendable handling and braking.. The structure is Lexus-solid, the chassis Audi-capable, and the base price, at $19,140, is among the best in its class. Now if only the acceleration and transmission were the best...' more from motortrend,com 3/12 Diesel WRX?  'A senior brand insider has revealed to Autocar that Subaru UK wants to sell a hot diesel-powered version of the Impreza WRX in the UK. Subaru’s new diesel boxer engine, currently only on offer in the Legacy, is likely to be offered in the Impreza in its current state of tune before the end of the year – and Subaru has already hinted that more powerful versions of the engine will follow....  the diesel engine will also spread throughout the Subaru range, including the new Forester later this year.'  read more 3/8 STI review  '... pulling out of the hotel parking lot, I switched the throttle mapping into Sport Sharp, the differential to max, the traction control off and gunned it. By the time we reached the first hairpin, the STI and I had already found the rev-limiter and arrived at an agreement. I was going to drive it hard, and it was going to let me. At about 4,000rpm, the turbo starts spooling up and the STI begins to make real power. Its mad rush forward is accompanied by a roar...'  more from Jalopnik 2/18 Comparison STI,  EVO and R32  '... we find that Subaru delivers on the promise of a more refined and civil STI, but when the road turns all spaghetti-like, the STI comes up short...'  more from caranddriverde 2/14,  2008 STI and all coming 2009 models have the new Subaru Super Coolant. This new coolant is blue in color and can not be mixed with any other coolant and has a 10 year life... 2/8, Impreza review:  '... new four-door sedan larger than before, and the new five-door model replacing the previous wagon, yet combining sportiness with surprising utility...  The 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i four-door sedan is pleasing on all fronts. It's not exceptionally emotional in terms of its styling mind you, but it's certainly much nicer than previous models..  if you really want to fly, the WRX STi presents itself in a totally new body style for 2008 and hauls the mail like the wind..' more 2/4 WRX STI review '... the Impreza WRX STI I’m driving this week is about as close to an off-the-showroom-floor race car that money can buy. For the folks who think Subaru only makes dependable all-wheel drive family station wagons like Outback and Forrester, this is a big surprise.. The WRX STI is about maximum performance for minimal cash out... the question on everyone's mind is which is better, Evo or STI. They’re both great cars. I like Mitsu’s Twin Clutch transmission a lot, plus the Recaro seats hold me more snugly in hard cornering. Those living in the real world will appreciate the more useful hatch design of the Sube and a larger cargo hold....'  more  1/26 Impreza Outback Sport review: 'It's difficult to mention a Subaru Impreza without thinking of the WRX, the turbo performer introduced in 2001 that proved to be the master of all road and weather conditions. The 2008 Impreza Outback Sport has a m much different shape ... big enough for four adults on a daylong outing with plenty of gear. That capacity is impressive making the interior feel family-size... standard heated seats, side mirrors, and windshield-wiper resting pad...' more 1/18 Canadian STI, priced at $44,995 1/16 STI review '...Subaru's decision to build the STI on the Impreza's five-door wagonette body style rather than the sedan is easy to question, but ultimately tough to fault. It's hard to call it a pretty car, with a longish snout topped by a gaping scoop, swollen fenders, and a pinched rear end that sports quad exhuast tips, clear-lens LED taillamps, and an awning-like spoiler over the rear glass. And yet, there's no frivolity here, nothing added that doesn't support the car's raison d'être. And when you're done risking your driver's license for the day, it's awfully handy to lift the hatchback, drop the rear seats, and load 'er up. We slotted in a six-foot stepladder, gobs of groceries, and various other whatnots with no trouble. This is a Subaru, after all.... In the end, however, this latest iteration of Subaru's rally-inspired hero car is just dizzyingly great. Has it grown up a bit? Absolutely. Call it more comfortable, call it quieter, call it better-equipped. Just don't call it soft.' the article  1/11/08 WRX review,  '..Subarus have, as a rule, lived in relative obscurity. In many respects, it is because there has always been a touch of the weird and/or wacky. The latest version of Subaru's WRX comes in from left field and runs with its mainstream competition...  stylistically contemporary... shades of the Mazda3... but at least it no longer resembles an AMC Pacer. A perkier package that features framed windows.. packs enviable bang for the buck... fast, dynamic, refined.. ' more 1/7/08 STI brochures are now available at dealers. (top)

Baja news and reviews

Subaru halted production of the Baja sport-utility truck in mid-April 2006

SVX, Loyale, 360, Brat etc and all other models including non-US market  models news and reviews

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Subaru Hybrids and Concept Cars Fuel Eonomy Issues Safety Crash Tests, Safety Ratings, Recalls Subaru and Toyota Advertising Sales News, Sales Reviews and more

DIESEL, HYBRID, ALTERNATE FUEL and CONCEPT CAR news 3/18 Subaru electric car:  Two Subaru R1e three-door electric hatchbacks will begin testing in the U.S. this summer under the care of the New York Power Authority. The R1e uses "fast-charge" lithium ion battery technology that allows for quick charges that do not decrease battery life, Subaru says. Charging the two-seater to 80 percent capacity in 15 minutes gets our attention, but with a top speed of 65 mph and a range of 50 miles, the R1e is definitely just a city car. A full charge, when plugged into a standard electrical outlet, will take eight hours. The small Subaru's lithium ion batteries are designed in layers so they can be recyled at the end of 10 years of service. With a typical charge said to cost less than $2, the R1e can be powered at a fraction of the cost of a similar gas-powered vehicle. The press release. 3/12 Diesel WRX?  'A senior brand insider has revealed to Autocar that Subaru UK wants to sell a hot diesel-powered version of the Impreza WRX in the UK. Subaru’s new diesel boxer engine, currently only on offer in the Legacy, is likely to be offered in the Impreza in its current state of tune before the end of the year – and Subaru has already hinted that more powerful versions of the engine will follow....  the diesel engine will also spread throughout the Subaru range, including the new Forester later this year.'  read more 3/1 Hybrid: Mercedes planning a S 400 BlueHYBRID next year using lithium ion batteries. Lithium-ion are used in laptops and other gadgets and are smaller but more powerful than the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in current gas-electric hybrids like the Prius. Other automakers are working on lithium-ion batteries including Toyota, and GM is developing the Chevrolet Volt, an electric sedan to be recharged by plugging it into a household outlet.  1/22 Subaru's 2.0L boxer turbodiesel engine will be available in the Europe in February in a Legacy and Outback, and later in the later in the new 09 Forester. The cars are all wheel drive of course, and get a combined est 50mpg, with 150bhp and 258 lb/ft of torque (that's a lot). 0-60mph in 8.5 seconds. Road noise at 70.5 decibels, less than a Rolls Royce Phantom (72 decibels). Legacy prices start at £19,995, Outback at £21,495. No word on what or when any US models will be available (sorry). 1/10/2008 Wow, how times change! 'Americans bought more Toyota Prius hybrid gas-electric hatchbacks in 2007 than Ford Explorer sports utility vehicles, the top-selling SUV for more than a decade... Prius sales soared 69% in 2007, demand for the Explorer was less than a third of its 2000 peak  more 12/27/2007 Electric car: Green Car Congress is reporting that the all-electric R1e micro-car will be available in Japan in 2009, a year ahead of schedule. The R1 has an electric motor and a set of lithium-ion batteries. The car can only reach 62 mph,  maximum range of 50 miles, but can be recharged to 80% capacity in 8 minutes - making it an ideal commuter car for Japan’s densely-populated urban cities. more FUEL  ECONOMY,  CAFE' news 3/30/08 California changes emissions requirements that are used by many states. 'California air regulators on Thursday (3/27/08) slashed the number of battery-powered and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that must be sold in the state, a setback for environmentalists and health advocates. The decision is expected to affect 12 other states that had adopted California's target for zero-emission vehicles (PZEV). The California Air Resources Board voted to lower by 70 percent the number of those vehicles that automakers must sell here and in the states that intended to follow California's get-tough rules for vehicle emissions.  Instead, the air board said the six largest automakers must sell nearly 60,000 hybrid vehicles while they develop the more advanced technology that will allow mass production of pure zero-emission vehicles. Board chairwoman Mary Nichols described the move as a major step toward putting cleaner cars on the road. The plug-in hybrids envisioned by the air board have yet to be designed, she said. "We're introducing a whole new category of vehicles to the public," Nichols said. "I don't think it's a step backwards in the real world." In essence, the air board took two steps on Thursday: It cut the number of zero-emission vehicles it wants on the road by 2014, while at the same time offering an alternative — the gas-electric hybrids. Environmentalists and health advocates criticized the lowering of the zero-emission goal for vehicles. They said the threats posed by global warming, combined with rising gasoline prices, lends urgency to greatly reducing vehicle emissions. "We are disappointed. We think this proposal doesn't take us on the road to meeting the state's long-term global warming goals," said Spencer Quong, a senior vehicles analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientist. Auto manufacturers said they could not meet the California standard and needed more time to make affordable hydrogen and battery-powered cars.' from the AP 1/4/2008 California spec emissions lawsuit: 'Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has followed up on a promise to join California's lawsuit against the EPA, lining up with more than a dozen states to defend tougher tailpipe emission rules. Washington is one of several states that have adopted California's vehicle pollution regulations, which would force car manufacturers to cut emissions by one-third in new vehicles by 2016, boosting efficiency to about 36.8 mpg. None of those states could put their laws into effect until California got permission for its law from the Environmental Protection Agency. But the EPA denied the program last month, rejecting California's arguments that it faced extraordinary threats from climate change... "It is our responsibility to challenge this ill-conceived decision by the Bush administration and move Washington towards a more sustainable future.'  more  12/20/07 Emissions:  Lawsuits were immediately filed over the EPAs decision to deny California and 16 other states the right to set their own standards for carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles! The list of states is below.   (top) SAFETY CRASH TESTS  safety news, including recalls etc 11/18 Crash test: 2008 Impreza gets Top Safety Pick award! Front, side, and rear tests and optional electronic stability control from IIHS, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more Subaru and Toyota. October 5, 2005, Toyota buys share of Subaru parent company Fuji. (top) News related to importing into Canada.  Model reviews from Canada are still in the model sections. 1/23 Total Canadian sales for 2007 16,504. Legacy-Outback 4,919; Impreza 7,480; Forester 3,303; Tribeca 801; Baja 1. January 2008 Canada sales total 1,202 for a new January record. Legacy 454, Outback sales 252, Tribeca 122. Thats +10.4% over January of last year, and Subaru Canada thinks US cross border sales hurt them?  Cross border sales was doubling the number of new Subarus registered in Canada each month and completely increasing brand visibility and awareness!!  ADVERTISING news 3/2 Advertising:  Subaru's Super Bowl ads introducing the then new 93 Impreza.  'At the time, the Subaru had been tortured for years by a little angel on one shoulder and a little devil on the other. Should Subaru be a “Big Car Company,” and continue to butt heads with Toyota, Honda and Nissan? The major players could easily undercut Subaru on the price of entry-level, front-drive cars. Or should Subaru stick to all-wheel drive, and be content to be a smaller, niche player? ... So Subaru decided to break out of its comfortable niche.. blew pretty much its entire annual ad budget for spots on the Super Bowl, to introduce the new Impreza.. Critics raked the Super Bowl ads over the coals, after which the brand was forced to “go dark,” having spent its ad budget. Much later, Subaru executives admitted to suffering from “Big Car Company-itis"..' more 2/15 Subaru continues its title sponsorship of the Subaru-Gary Fisher mountain-bike team for 2008. The team will return with its core group of North American and international riders. Heading up the squad for the third straight year are Americans Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Willow Koerbe, favorites to represent the US at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing... 2/15  SoA and American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) honors 4 authors and an illustrator of children’s science books with the 2008 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books, a prize intended to promote science literacy by drawing attention to the importance of good science writing and illustration. Winners are 'Where in the Wild? Camouflaged Creatures Concealed and Revealed' by David Schwartz and Yael Schy, illus Dwight Kuhn; 'Dinosaur Eggs Discovered: Unscrambling the Clues!' by Lowell Dingus, Luis M. Chaippe, Rodolfo Coria; 'The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring' by Richard Preston; 'Exploratopia' by Pat Murphy. 1/5/08 Advertising: Subaru sponsors PBS's Antique Roadshow for a 2nd year. Shows include Baltimore, Orlando, San Antonio, Louisville, Spokane and Las Vegas. Subaru brought a 1968 Subaru 360 and 2008 Subaru Tribeca. Subaru ads are at the start and finish of each episode. They start airing January 7, 2008 on your local PBS station. SALES (top) 2008 3/4/08 February US sales total 12,907, Outback 3786, Legacy 1469, Impreza 3642, Forester 2971, Tribeca 1038. Canada February total 1,168 2/2/2008 January 2008 US sales total 11,289. Legacy 1451, Outback 3435, Impreza 3091 (+15% over 07),  Forester 2402, Tribeca 910 (-19% over 07). Over sales -6.5% January 2008 Canada sales total 1,202 for a new January record. Legacy 454, Outback sales 252, Tribeca 122. Thats +10.4% over January of last year, and Subaru Canada thinks US cross border sales hurt them?  Cross border sales was doubling the number of new Subarus registered in Canada each month and completely increasing brand visibility and awareness! 1/3/08: sales total for 2007 year: 187,208 vehicles, down 6.7%. Adjusted for 1 more selling day in 2007, the total was - 7%. Baja 1,127; Tribeca 16,790 -10%; Legacy and Outback 78,428 units -7%; Forester 44,530; Impreza 46,333 +13%

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