Autoblog UK

At the SEMA convention in Las Vegas, one vehicle in particular is attracting a lot of attention: the TRAX Subaru WRX STI. This automotive creation, the brainchild of artist and snowboard virtuoso Ken Block, is making its public debut in Las Vegas.

Responsible for the actual construction work are rally experts Vermont Sportscar. The WRX STI comes equipped with a set of special EXE-TC Group N shock absorbers, a modified 400bhp 2.5L four-cylinder boxer engine and a KAPS five-speed automatic gearbox. Particularly eye-catching are the four snow-cat tracks in place of wheels. These turn the TRAX WRX STI into an awe-inspiring apparition capable of undreamt-of performance, even on the toughest terrain. And as a sort of bonus, this Subaru comes with a sort of sleigh in tow, the ideal solution for a family snowboarding trip.

Subaru are unveiling a gull-winged car called 'Hybrid Tourer Concept' at the Tokyo Motor Show. This vehicle features two electric motors and a 2.0-litre direct-injected flat-four horizontally opposed engine, which permanently power all four wheels via a new Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) drive train. The 4.63-metre concept car has two gull wing doors, giving access to both rows of seats. There are no B-pillars. Extremely narrow A-pillars provide for a greenhouse-like expanse of glass. Chunky C-pillars emphasise the rear three-quarter.

From July, Subaru plan to offer a small electrically-powered car in their native Japan under the name Stella EV. With its lithium-ion battery, the four-seater should manage distances of up to 55 miles at a stretch. Top speed is quoted as 100kph (62mph). The battery plugs straight into a wall socket. Thanks to a fast-charging system, at least 80% of battery capacity should be available after only 15 minutes. An initial 170 units of the Stella small electric car were due to have been produced by mid-March.

Subaru is now bringing the fourth generation Outback to the European market in the autumn. They see it as their top model with off-road capability. The vehicle is on offer in the variations of 2.5i, the 3.0R with 245bhp and the 150bhp 2 litre horizontally-opposed diesel. The 2.5i will again be available with an LPG fuel option. The Outback has grown by 5cm in width and 10.5cm in height, with its ground clearance increasing from 19.5 to 22cm.

Prior to its US market launch, the new Subaru Legacy had its premiere at the New York Auto Show. The car is due to reach American dealers in the summer and then to make its first appearance in Europe around twelve months later. The flagship model from Subaru has been lengthened to 4.73 metres and its wheelbase extended by eight centimetres to give its five passengers more legroom. The new Legacy makes a more impudent and aggressive impression than its predecessor, with the bodywork of this mid-range family car now looking much sportier. They have obviously kept the four-wheel drive and also the horizontally opposed engine delivering either 170 or 265 horsepower. For Europe, they are also planning to offer a 150bhp boxer diesel. Alongside the notchback version of the Legacy, there will also be an estate as well as an off-road version called Outback.

The Subaru Legacy seems to have become veiled in mystery. While the new Subaru Boxer Diesel had the odd mention in despatches in the trade press some time back, that doesn't seem to have done much for the Legacy itself and somehow, Subaru seem to be hiding in their own shadow. O.K. - this Japanese company has its traditional engine concept, but in terms of design, there is absolutely nothing that makes Subaru unique, unlike their engines. If you asked me which design characteristic were typical for Subaru, you would have to put up with a ponderous and vacuous stare.

The new Legacy presented in Detroit was supposed to represent the first step in the direction of a unified visual identity. This led to an an attempt to stamp all current car design trends into steel, leading to something that lacked harmony and looked clumsy. The Mercedes R-Class style headlamps look sharp and aggressive and the air inlets arranged to the left and right of the main radiator grille could be seen on an Audi.