13-Year-Old Indonesian Masters Subaru Impreza Group N Rally Car

While other children his age try to complete a rally stage from the comfort and ease of their computer, a 13 year old Indonesian schoolboy, called Sean Galael is going for the real deal. The promising youngster has attracted media attention after winning the first two rounds of the KFC Junior Rally Sprint in Indonesia in a Prodrive Impreza Group N rally car. And yes, we're talking about the same spec high-powered Impreza as used in the Production World Rally Championship. Impressive to say the least.

In 2008, aged at just 12, Sean co-drove Prodrive's own works test driver, Dave Maslen, and former Australian rally champion, Cody Crocker, to victories in the Indonesian Rally Championship. For this year, the young Indonesian will once again sit in the passenger's side co-driving the Serge Motorsport Prodrive Impreza N14 in the Indonesian series.

2010 Subaru Outback Pricing Announced, Starts from $22,995

As well as revealing prices for the new 2010 Legacy, Subaru also announced pricing for the sedan's crossoverish sibling, the 2010 Outback. According to the Japanese automaker, prices for the Outback start at the same level as the outgoing model, at $22,995 for the 2.5i that is powered by a revised 170-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Boxer engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. If you prefer the ease of a CVT transmission, it will cost you another $1,000.

This base model comes with 60/40 split-folding and reclining rear seats, floor mats, cargo tray, electronic parking brake with Hill Holder system, auto on/off exterior lights (autolights), audio system with single-disc CD player, auxiliary input jack and 4 speakers, dual lit visor mirrors, updated gauge cluster with 'eco' gauge, multi-function display with outside temperature, overhead console with sunglass holder and remote keyless entry system.

For those that want more, there's the 2.5i Premium that is priced at $24,295 when equipped with a manual gearbox and at $25,295 for the CVT model. In addition to the base model's standard equipment, the Premium adds fog lights, cargo cover, privacy glass, 10-way power driver's seat, driver's side window with automatic up/down, leather-wrapped steering wheel, instrument storage bin w/door, overhead console with sunglass holder and ambient light, body-colored mirrors and 16-inch alloys.

Moving up the price ladder, buyers will find the 2.5i Limited that is offered only with a CVT and costs $27,995. It includes all 2.5i Premium model features plus dual zone climate controls, paddle shifters and a 6-speed manual shift mode, P215/50 R17 all-season tires with 17-inch alloys, perforated ivory / off black leather-trimmed upholstery, 4-way power front passenger seat, All-Weather Package and a Harman/Kardon audio system.

The new range-topping Outback 3.6R, which replaces the 3.0R model, is powered by a 256HP 3.6-liter 6-cylinder Boxer engine matched to a 5-speed electronic automatic transmission. Prices start from $27,995, which according to Subaru, is $4,000 less than the 2009 6-cylinder Outback. The 3.6R gets all 2.5i model features plus P225/50 R17 all-season tires with 17-inch alloy rims, paddle shifters, driver's side window w/automatic up and down, instrument storage bin w/door, overhead console with sunglass holder and ambient light, privacy glass and fog lights.

The 3.6R Premium will have a starting price of $28,995 and includes all 3.6R base model features along with 10-way power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and All-Weather Package.

If you don't mind paying $30,995 for the 3.6R Limited you'll get all the features of the 3.6R Premium model plus perforated ivory / off black leather-trimmed upholstery, 4-way power front passenger seat, and Harman/Kardon audio system.

According to Subaru, destination and delivery charge is $695 for all 2010MY Outback models in the Contiguous 48 States.

2010 Subaru Legacy Priced from $19,995: Up to $1,600 Less than '09 Models

As a rule, new models usually enter the market priced higher than their predecessors, but blame the faulty economy and Subaru decided to charge less for its brand-new 2010 Legacy. More specifically, the entry-level 2.5i version is priced from $19,995 or $800 less than the equivalent MY09 Legacy 2.5i while the range-topping 3.6R starts from $24,995, a $1,600 reduction over the less powerful outgoing 3.0R. Note however that all prices don't include a $695 destination and delivery fee.

The base 2.5i Legacy that's powered by a 2.5-liter normally aspirated four-cylinder boxer with 170HP and mated with either a 6-speed manual transmission ($19,995) or the all-new Lineartronic CVT ($20,995) comes with electronic parking brake with Hill Holder system, auto on/off exterior lights, audio system with single-disc CD player, auxiliary input jack and 4 speakers and remote keyless entry system as standard.

The better equipped 2.5i Premium that costs $20,995 when combined with a manual gearbox and $21,995 with a CVT, adds 10-way power driver's seat, driver's side window w/automatic up and down, leather-wrapped steering wheel, instrument storage bin w/door, overhead console with sunglass holder and ambient light, bright exhaust tip, body-colored mirrors and 16" alloys wheels.

The 2.5i Limited is offered exclusively with a CVT and will have a starting price of $24,995. Additional features over the Premium trim include paddle shifters and a 6-speed manual shift mode, P215/50 R17 all-season tires with 17" alloys, perforated ivory / off black leather-trimmed upholstery, 4-way power front passenger seat, All-Weather Package and Harman/Kardon audio system.

The new Legacy 2.5GT Premium and Limited that are powered by a 265HP turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine mated to a new 6-speed manual gearbox, are priced at $27,995 and $29,995 respectively. The 2.5GT Premium includes all the 2.5i Premium model's features plus hood scoop, P225/45 R18 summer tires with 18" rims, dual chrome exhaust tips and All-Weather Package. The 2.5 GT Limited adds perforated ivory / off black leather-trimmed upholstery, 4-way power front passenger seat, and Harman/Kardon audio system.

The range-topping Legacy 3.6R, which replaces the 3.0R model, is powered by a 256HP 3.6-liter 6-cylinder Boxer engine matched to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Prices start from $24,995 with the basic equipment including all 2.5i model features plus P225/50 R17 all-season tires, 17" alloys, paddle shifters, driver's side window w/automatic up and down, instrument storage bin w/door, overhead console with sun glass holder and ambient light, and dual chrome exhaust tips.

The 3.6R Premium starts from $25,995 and includes all 3.6R model features plus a 10-way power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and All-Weather Package. Finally, the 3.6R Limited is priced from $27,995 and further includes perforated ivory / off black leather-trimmed upholstery, 4-Way power front passenger seat, and Harman/Kardon audio system.

Scooped: JDM 2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon

If the overly secretive teaser image of the JDM 2010 Subaru Legacy that is scheduled to be officially revealed in the Land of the Rising Sun on May 20th wasn't enough for you, Japan's Car Mode magazine has a full blown photo of the Touring Wagon version in its latest issue. Stylistically, the differences between U.S market 2010 Subaru Legacy that was unveiled in New York and the JDM model are limited to minor details like the prolonged air intakes at the corners of the front bumper and the redesigned exterior mirrors.

The Legacy Touring Wagon that is featured in these scoop photos is in effect an Outback stripped out of its 'crossoverish' doodads and plastic add-ons for a more conventional look. If you happen to prefer the simplicity of the Touring Wagon over the Outback then tough luck because while the Estate is scheduled for a European launch, Subaru has no plans of bringing it to the States.

Pics via: Car Mode

My Two Dents on the new Subaru Legacy's Styling

Well, it's official. The new Subaru Legacy didn't make the transition from concept to reality as smoothly as we would have hoped. Whereas the chunky concept seemed to have its proportions pretty much in order, the production car appears bloated if not downright overweight. But that's being a bit too vague, isn't it? Many things can be bloated and attractive, especially if you happen to have a fetish. So, other than looking fat, what is wrong with this car? Let's take a look, starting at the front and moseying on toward the back. Then we'll hop inside.

The headlights appear to have lost their aggressive lines in favor of a Sebring-esque pinched look, and apparently it was decided that the front fascia needed the obligatory smiley-face wide-mouth opening found on at least one car from every brand out there. It looks like a slow child about to drool all over itself, once more reminding me of that "Don't worry, drive happy" commercial. What they were selling I can't recall, but two things are certain: 1) That song will be in my head forever, and 2) I hate that song.

Moving along the side we have those absurd fender flares; this is a family sedan, Subaru, not a rally car. It doesn't need to be an STI (cheap shot alert: didn't you drop out of WRC?). Appropriately-sized wheels would be a plus, but looking at the 2.5GT we see larger wheels only go so far.

The rear would lose points strictly for the fact that a more realistic trunk was needed, but we can hardly fault them for that. What we can fault them for (cha-ching!) is the fact that it looks like Honda humped a Lexus GS's rear.

As for the interior, there isn't anything downright terrible about it, but at the same time there is nothing exceptional. Oh ok, I can't resist. Just to be an ass, I don't like that shift knob on the 6-speed stick; it looks like it belongs in a modded '95 Civic or something. Also, I am tired "aluminum-look" trim (otherwise known as silver plastic). Whether it's in a Subaru or a Porsche, it still screams cheap.

Positive aspects are limited to drive train improvements - which provide buyers with the usual upgraded engines and transmissions (including a CVT) – and an increase in space all around. Aaaand.... nope, no complaints there; none at all.

For me, this car is just boring, unattractive, and a little confused. If it's possible to be blandly extreme, the new Legacy would be exactly that; overwrought sides with a boring front and back. To ever compete with the Camry or Accord, Subaru needs to realize that purchasers of these cars are socially beige; the Legacy's flares alone will scare them off the lot. If, however, someone wants a spacious, all-wheel-drive family sedan and isn't concerned with style, they should definitely take a gander.

By Phil Alex

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985, yet for reasons unbeknownst to him moved to South Carolina. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had a strange obsession with cars and travel. When not back in Sparkle City, he resides near Japan's international airport in Narita. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded. Oh, and if for any reason you are inclined to vent some more, check out more of his posts on the Examiner here.

Subaru to Race Impreza WRX STI at 24h of Nurburgring

Fans of Subaru will be happy to know that the Japanese firm's STI motorsport division will take part at next month's 24-hours of the Nurburgring endurance race with a specially-prepped Impreza WRX STI hatch that will be campaigning in the SP3T class for cars with 2.0-liter turbo engines. Among other improvements, the race-spec Impreza WRX STI features numerous body stiffening components, the necessary safety equipment and weight-reduction measures.

Behind the steering wheel of the Impreza WRX STI will be four professional Japanese drivers: Kazuo Shimizu, Toshihiro Yoshida, Naoki Hattori and Koji Matsuda

Entrant name	SUBARU TECNICA INTERNATIONAL(STI)
Participating car	SUBARU Impreza WRX STI(GRB type)
	Horizontally opposed 4-cylinder EJ20 2.0litter DOHC turbo / SYMMETRICAL AWD
Suspension	Front - strut, rear - double wishbone
Vehicle manufacturer	STI
Team director	Hideharu Tatsumi (STI General Manager of Vehicle Experiment Division)
Drivers	Kazuo Shimizu, Toshihiro Yoshida, Naoki Hattori, Koji Matsuda

Source: Subaru , Via: Worldcarfans

Subaru Impreza Comfort Selection II: Not so Special Edition JDM Models

Released for the Japanese market only, the new Subaru Impreza Comfort Selection II is a supposedly special edition model that is available in both hatchback and sedan forms with a choice of a 1.5-liter or 2.0-liter boxer engines. If our googlish translation is correct, the Comfort Selection II models are distinguished by their revised interior trim and upgraded equipment which includes tinted rear windows, leather steering wheel and gearknob and other not so special features. We'd better stop here before you start the 'slow day' commentary...