Subaru is now your radio playing nanny.

Subaru is getting mixed reactions on their newest in car product. The newer models of Subaru’s Legacy and Outback’s have a feature in which the SiriusXM satellite radio will change the channel when you turn off the vehicle.

When the owner is listening to “mature” content and they turn off the car the next time they turn it on the radio will revert back to SiriusXM channel 001, the preview channel. This is done so the next whomever enters the car they will not be subjected to something considered offensive.

Some owners claim that Subaru is censoring and monitoring what they are listening to, however this is not the case. 

“We don’t censor anything. We don’t put the kibosh on any channels. Nor do we monitor what you are listening to. It was added as a convenience feature which to some might not be convenient, but two clicks and your station is back on.”

–Michael McHale – Subaru Spokesman

Subaru’s “extra layer of protection” can neither be disabled nor changed by the owner. It only comes on the Outback wagon and Legacy sedan models that Subaru manufactures here in the US.

To shop our Subaru models check out our inventory or contact us today to schedule an appointment and get yours today.

Subaru's 600HP STi

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For the 2016 Isle of Man TT, Subaru put driver Mark Higgins in a special STi, with the express purpose of setting a course record that would be tough to beat, with this being Subaru's last year of sponsorship for the event. 

 

Two years ago, Subaru set a then-record with a lap time of 19:26 and 116.47 mph.  This year, they upped the ante with a beastly 600 horsepower STi, that Higgins pushed to a new-record time of 17:35.1 around the 37.7-mile Snaefell Mountain Course. 

 

The legendary Prodrive race shop, winners of four Lemans 24 Hours, three FIA WEC titles and the Le Mans series took a standard Subaru WRX STi, and turned it into a 600-horsepower monster.  Torque comes in at 590 ft-lbs from a production-based (stock block and heads) 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine out of the STi.  From there Prodrive got very creative with the engine, transmission (a six-speed semi-automatic) that Prodrive created along with transmission gurus at Xtrac.

 

The tires are 245/18 Dunlops that come straight from the British Touring Car Championship, and are mounded on Speedline rims.

 

Aerodynamics are mostly typical rally-car.  A deep front bumper and fender flares are used with a mostly stock body.  Prodrive added an active rear wing, which is activated by a button on the driver's steer wheel to reduce drag. 

 

Below is a short video of the record-setting lap.

 

 

Subaru, Zero-Landfill, and Why it Matters

Subaru has long been committed to the preservation of the planets resources.  The Subaru plant in Lafayette is the first of its kind to be designated as a zero-landfill factory.  This is an amazing achievement for a facility of its size and production. 

 

Now, Subaru has turned its attention to the U.S. National Parks Service and is working with them to help make our parks zero-landfill as well.  As one can imagine, this is a huge undertaking, considering the millions of visitors the parks host on a yearly basis.  The first such park in this project is Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska.

 

Denali poses unique challenges.  First is its massive size.  Denali is over 6 million acres, compared, for example, to Yellowstone National Park with 2.2 million acres.  Also, with it being in Alaska, there is little in the way of readily accessible recycling infrastructure because there are no major urban areas nearby.  The park sees roughly a half million visitors per year. 

 

 

 

The Denali community has rallied around the initiative, and are committed to its success.  If Subaru and the National Parks service can have success at Denali, there is no reason to think that it couldn't be accomplished across the country.  It is estimated that over 100 million pounds of trash are generated in our National Parks every year. 

 

The National Parks Zero Landfill Initiative is one more way that Subaru is "Showing the Love" by giving back to our country and the planet. 

 

 

Subaru WRX to Get a Power Boost for 2017

Much like it's Toyota-badged sister model, the Subaru WRX will receive a bit of a boost in the power department for 2017.  The 2.0-liter flat-four Boxer engine will get a new aluminum intake and redesigned exhaust that is expected to bump horsepower from 200 to 205 and torque from 151 to 156 lb-ft on the manual transmission models. 

New for 2017 will be a Performance Package, which according to autoblog.com "includes Brembo brakes with upsized rotors fore and aft, new Sach-branded shocks, and black 17-inch wheels." 

The Performance Package will only be available with the manual transmission Limited models, and will not be available on the Toyota 86- one more notch in the Subaru's favor. 

the Subaru WRX Premium and Limited will be available at Gurley Leep Subaru later this summer, but we will have to wait until the winter of 2017 for the Performance Pack vehicles. 

Subaru Named Best Brand for Re-Sale Value

Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com) has announced their 2016 Best Resale Value Awards, and Subaru was named a Best Brand, along with Lexus.

KBB applauds Subaru for their outstanding value, extensive lineup of all-wheel drive offerings, and overall performance.  According to their editors, "Subaru makes high-value, long lasting cars and SUVs that appeal to a range of car shoppers looking for Quality, safety, and comfort.  All-wheel drive is the hook, but enduring, all-around satisfaction is how Subaru continues to win loyal buyers and Best Resale Awards". 

Subaru placed two vehicles in the Top 10 for resale value, the 2016 Subaru WRX, and the 2016 Subaru Forester.  

In individual categories, the 2016 Impreza took top honors for Best Compact Car, the Subaru Legacy won for Best Mid-Size Car, the WRX for Sporty Compact Car, and the Forester was among the top for Small SUV/Crossover.

It is quite an impressive showing, and the awards demonstrate what an exceptional investment the Subaru brand delivers.  The combination of initial value, reliability, and outstanding resale value is tough to beat. 

Subaru Impreza Named "Best Compact"

Consumer Reports has released its 2016 list of "Best Cars", and the Subaru Impreza tops the rankings for the compact car segment.  

Consumer Reports describes the Impreza as a "smart, practical car".  "Despite its compact size, the car’s ride and overall comfort will surprise you. It has expansive window glass, lots of interior space for a car of its size, intuitive controls, a suite of available safety technology, great crash-test results, and an available hatchback version to haul bulky cargo. If you live where there’s heavy snowfall, you’ll appreciate its superb all-wheel-drive traction."

Features of the 2016 Impreza include the Subaru symmetrical all-wheel drive system, which delivers optimum distribution of power for maximum traction, and an entire array of available safety features.  The Impreza also boasts impressive fuel economy, with an EPA estimated range of up to 28 mpg in the city and 37 on the highway.  

The starting MSRP is just $18,295**, and Gurley Leep Subaru has a great selection of new and used models for you to browse.  Stop by and see us at 5302 North Grape Road in Mishwaka or give us a call at 574-258-7700 to schedule a test drive today.  

* EPA-estimated fuel economy. Actual mileage may vary.

** Manufacturer's suggested retail price does not include destination and delivery charges, tax, title and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options, features and models subject to change without notice.

 

Mid-engine Sports Concept for Subaru?

Subaru is looking to build on their momentum.  With sales up over 13 percent in the US, Subaru is on pace to produce over a million cars for the first time in company history.  Now word is out that Subaru is looking to get more adventurous, and the result may be a new mid-engine sports car.

Details are far from clear, but speculation could be that a new sports model would be in line to replace the Subaru BRZ.  Above is an artist's rendering (from caranddriver.com), and is obviously quite speculative. 

Going with "insider" belief, though, the thought is that the mid-engine concept would be an all-wheel drive vehicle.  Currently, the BRZ is the only rear-wheel drive car in the Subaru lineup.  It is assumed that the new model would be based on Subaru's brand new Subaru Global Platform, and a variation of the company's Japanese=market 1.6-liter turbo is the most likely engine.  Keep updated by checking in here regularly and visiting Gurley Leep Subaru.