Riding on the success of the first Gymkhana Practice video that grabbed the attention of over 20 million viewers worldwide, the Gymkhana TWO video takes infomercials to the next level. Unlike other infomercials, this one sells the products with great action, cinematography, and a dramatic driving performance—and, no stereotypical cheesy informercial pitchman!

Produced specifically to market Blocks first-ever Rally TeamWorks Collection, the new video is filled with great driving stunts, surprises, explosions, and a guest appearance from DC team rider, Rob Dyrdek. Filmed at the Port of Los Angeles, expect non-stop motor sport eye-candy as Block hits the all-new course in a custom tuned, high performance, and brand-new Subaru Impreza WRX STI. Visit dcshoes.com/gymkhanatwo for more photos and info on the high-performance video and Blocks complete Teamworks Collection.

Lars Martensson’s Subaru Impreza WRX STI concept – click above for a high-res gallery

It’s fair to say that Subaru has enjoyed a run of strong product in recent years, as well as an exponential credibility increase in enthusiast’s eyes, essentially ever since the automaker began shipping over the Impreza WRX back in 2001. Those considerable achievements aside, it’s likewise fair to say that Subaru has yet to well-and-truly crack the aesthetics portion of the modern carbuilding equation, having produced some daring (if ungainly) entries like the origina B9 Tribeca and a series of aggressive yet unpretty Impreza variants. And while we applaud originality, we think the folks at Fuji Heavy Industries could use a consistent design force, a man (or woman) with a mission that’s out in the public eye as something of a known quantity. Think: General Motors’ Ed Welburn, former Mazda-turned-Tesla wunderkind Franz von Holzhausen, former BMW lightning rod Chris Bangle, etc.

All of this is not to say that the man behind the WRX STI rally car renderings shown here has the answers, and these images come courtesy of one Lars Martensson (apparently better known on the interwebs by his handle ‘GRID)’, a man who spends his days crafting 3D renderings for videogames (Rallisport Challenge 2 for xBox, Battlefield 2 for PC). To us, this Swede has a handle on what the STI needs to be: Squat, mean, and purposeful. Okay, so perhaps the cut-down greenhouse wouldn’t leave much room for taller folks (much less a helmet), but if one of these were parked in our driveway, well… we’d happily squat a little.

The Rebel Alliance vehicle seen above was apparently spotted at Guardsman Pass in Utah: a Subaru Impreza WRX rolling on a mighty set of treads wearing Ken Block’s number and sponsorship paintjob. We have no idea how, why, or where he acquired such a vehicle, but we do know this much: Ken Block gets to have a lot more fun than the rest of us.

Rally fans who were troubled by the rumors yesterday that Subaru was preparing to do the unthinkable and scrap its WRC team will be disappointed to learn that the speculation has proven to be true, as parent company Fuji Heavy Industries has announced it is pulling its participation effective immediately.

Not unlike its fellow Japanese automaker Honda, which has canceled its Formula One program, Fuji Heavy points to cost-cutting measures amidst the current global economic crisis as its reason for canceling its motorsport program. Still, it’s a shocking move for the automaker that earned its reputation on the rally circuit, even if they haven’t won a single stage since 2005. The move also means that Prodrive, the racing consultancy firm that has operated the Subaru WRC team for over 20 years, will need to find a new partner for next season and beyond as the WRC moves ahead withnew regulations. But Prodrive may find the rally circuit a lonely place after Suzuki also canceled its participation, leaving Ford and Citroen as the only manufacturers fielding factory teams in the top level of rallying. Follow the link to the forums for the official press release.

Gallery: Subaru Impreza WRC2008

Gallery: Subaru WRC2008 Race Debut

According to Nick Senior, Managing Director of Subaru Australia: “Controlled aggression sums up the MY09 Impreza WRX – it performs better across the board, from power and torque to carbon footprint, which is a major engineering achievement.” Another Subaru source states that Subaru “put the boot in for Model Year 2009, adding power, torque and a raft of other aggressive ingredients.” About time!

So, does the MY09 WRX deliver what Subaru promises?

Firstly, according to Subaru testing, the new WRX does the 0-100kmh sprint in 5.31 seconds compared to the MY08 which did it in 5.8 seconds. Our testing didn’t reveal the same numbers, but we were being a quite sympathetic to the driveline and clutch of the loan car that we had, yet still happily posted sub 6 sec times. The car is most certainly quicker than the outgoing model, and Subaru’s testing times are believable if you have less mechanical sympathy than we did.

Interestingly though, whilst the car is most certainly quicker to 100kmh, at higher speeds the additional 26kw of power and 23Nm is less noticeable. There’s also noticeably more punch when coming out of corners as a result of the added torque but its less than you would expect.

The big improvement is the handling grip, thanks to the revised suspension and wider Dunlop SP Sport 01 225/45R17 tyres. The car feels a lot tighter than the previous car, with better turn it, less understeer and improved body roll, yet it still lacks the directness of earlier models and doesn’t feel quiet as sharp as Mitsubishi’s new Lancer Ralliart. Its a huge improvement however, and Subaru credits this to the stiffened coil springs, stabilizers and top mounts and increased roll rigidity to improve maximum lateral G and turning ability.

So what else is improved?

The WRX now runs the larger turbocharger from the STI, and boost has been increased from 11psi to 13psi. It definitely gives more power, but low range is slightly less explosive than beforehand due to the larger turbo. However, mid range power is more usuable, so no complaints here. The new turbo is combined with a revised exhaust system providing a 30 per cent reduction in gas flow restriction, to match the turbo performance and increase engine power.

The transmission has improved shift feel through use of a ball type key for the first and second gear synchro hubs and a change to the key groove on third and fourth synchro sleeve. The end result is a gearbox still with the characteristic Subaru notchiness, but far less pronounced.

Hardened materials are used for the main shaft and first driven gear, while operation of the clutch slave cylinder now incorporates an orifice valve to protect the drivetrain during rapid clutch engagement.

Kickback in the steering is also better with the use of a damper valve being added to the steering gearbox. We noticed the improvements on parts of the Old Pacific Highway north of Sydney where the kickback was less noticeable than previous models.

Other enhancements feature a new mesh grille and WRX badges front and rear, for added visual distinction and the WRX sedan features a boot lid spoiler and the hatch a rear roofline spoiler. Red brake calipers differentiate WRX from other Impreza variants.

For the first time, the car is available with the options of leather with sunroof, satellite navigation or the combination of leather, sunroof and SatNav. A 60/40 split/fold rear seat optimizes cargo carrying options.

So, how does it handle around the track? Subaru’s internal testing on an undisclosed 1km track has the MY08 WRX completing a lap in 49.55 seconds whilst the MY09 does it in 47.7, a difference of 1.85 seconds.

Head to the Forum for the Subaru Press Release.

 

MY09 WRX Highlights

• 0-100 km/h time improved from 5.8 seconds (MY08) to 5.31 seconds
• 26 Kilowatts more power
• 23 Newtonmetres more torque
• Increased boost
• Enhanced suspension package – sharper, more aggressive handling
• Better fuel efficiency (combined cycle/ADR 81/01)
• Carbondioxide emissions reduced
• Options of leather trim with sunroof, and satellite navigation
• New mesh grille, with WRX badges front and rear
• Distinctive red brake calipers
• Wider tyre
• Red stitch seating and steering wheel adds to sporty appearance
• WRX logos on front seats
• Pricing maintained at MY08 levels – simple choice between hatch or sedan, as prices are identical

There are a remarkable number of crap car videos floating around the intertubes, so it takes a special breed of driving deity to make something that catches our attention. Card-carrying member of the automotive master race, Ken Block, did just that by setting up an utterly insane Gymkhana course around El Toro and then proceeds to flog the life out of his Crawford-prepped Subaru Impreza STI through countless turns, drifts and 360s to create over four minutes of pure motoring bliss. The video speaks for itself, so hit the jump to check it out. And if you want to get inside the mind of the man, head over to 0-60 to read a brief interview of Block and his madcap run.

[Source: 0-60]

]]> http://www.mackaywrx.com/2008/11/09/video-how-not-to-unload-your-car-from-a-trailer/feed/ 0 http://www.mackaywrx.com/2008/10/27/subaru-propose-an-ecu-update-for-my08-sti/ http://www.mackaywrx.com/2008/10/27/subaru-propose-an-ecu-update-for-my08-sti/#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:44:27 +0000 Admin http://www.mackaywrx.com/?p=138 In an unusual move, Subaru are proposing an update of the ECU ROM update for the MY08 STi. Subaru Australia generally don’t make changes to the ECU ROM, indeed the only other times this has been done recently for turbo-charged Subaru’s was for the Liberty B4s back in 2002 and the MY00 (Version 6) STis in 2000.

The ECU update makes changes to the mid range fueling (mildly richer) as the comes on the boost, and some minor changes around redline to reduce throttle opening before the car hits the rev limiter (effectively softening the impact of the rev limiter when hit).

Also, the changes make fuel cut (which occurs when either preset boost levels have been exceeded or RPM limiter has been hit) effectively last longer by halting fuel delivery (and therefore engine operation) until boost drops to a lower level (MAP levels shown in absolute levels, not more commonly quoted gauge pressure). In simple terms, previously as long as manifold pressure was below 24 Psi when fuel cut had been triggered, engine operation would resume within a few hundred milliseconds, now manifold pressure must be below 10 Psi. This is to prevent the driver banging the car off the rev limiter repeatedly, with the longer pause in engine resumption ensuring the engine is at much lower torque levels when operation resumes.

These changes are designed to rectify some issues that have been mainly experienced by some MY08 STis that are seeing track time.

The next meet is on the 26th of October, if your keen to meet us or catch up feel free to come along.

Click here to download the flyer to hand out to other subarus you might feel want to come along.