Subaru Performance Tuning has prepared a custom Impreza WRX STi and a Legacy VIP concept specifically for the SEMA show.  The show, which starts today in Las Vegas, will be housing some of the most spectacular modified vehicles in the world, so companies must bring their A-Game.  Perhaps that's why Subaru is also debuting their WRX Trax car.

The Legacy VIP is a one-of-a-kind vehicle inspired by the VIP rides found on
the streets of Tokyo, Los Angeles and New York. It uniquely blends parts from
SPT and the Japanese domestic market (JDM) with custom features for the "full
VIP treatment." VIP is a style known for a clean, yet heavily reworked, luxury
theme with an emphasis on impossibly low ride height and huge, aggressively
styled wheels.

Pictures of the inside of the Subaru Legacy VIP can be found below, along with Subaru's special edition 2010 WRX STi.

Snow tires not cutting it out in Colorado so far this year?  Perhaps Subaru has the answer for you, at least in theory, a WRX STi equipped with snow tracks!  And not just any WRX, a 400 horse power version was shown at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA).

Right now the snow track WRX is a modified rally version of Subaru's popular all wheel drive car.

Under the hood, the ultimate Subaru snow machine sports a 2.5-liter,
4-cylinder, turbocharged and intercooled STI engine tuned with a MOTEC M800
ECU. The engine, which kicks out approximately 400 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of
torque, is teamed with a KAPS 5-speed close-ratio dog-engagement gearbox and
the Subaru programmable DCCD (Driver Controlled Center Differential) all-wheel
drive system. Employing custom machined hubs, the drivetrain - which has been
dropped three inches - is mated to Mattracks 105M1-A1 rubber track conversion.
The car also features Group N competition rally dampers made by EXE-TC.

Subaru WRX STi Trax

Sorry guys, this is a one off, so no chance of catching this on the Subaru show room anytime soon.  But I'm sure someone with deep enough pockets could contact Mattracks, which is responsible for the rubber track system pictured here.

Subaru has announced that they will be opening 9 more Zone Offices in the United States.  Zone Offices are what Subaru calls their dealer support offices, to help create a localized market presence.  The total number of Zone Offices will be 12, once these 9 are opened.

Unlike the usual automotive manufacturer news, Subaru has actually seen an increase in sales over the past 3 months.

"We have made great strides over the past few years improving our
performance in a challenging marketplace. We have our best ever product
line-up, a marketing strategy that is successfully building the brand and
increasing dealership traffic, and we are continually improving our dealer
network. The increase in the number of SOA zone offices will allow us to work
even more closely with our dealers and help us meet our medium and long-term
business goals and sales objectives."

According to Subaru, these new offices will be functional come January 1st, 2010.

It's time to start talking about Subaru, especially posting figures that sound like a 34% increase in sales for 2009.  One of the key models in the Subaru lineup responsible for such gains is the Forester.  Unlike other competing brands, the Subaru Forester sales have increased over 32% compared to figures in 2008.  But why?

The closest comparable competitors to the Subaru Forester would be the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Toyota Rav4.  Looking at these comparables the Forester is the least expensive to offer all wheel drive, starting at just over $20,000.  Other experts believe the success of the Subaru Forester lies in the fact that it is just the right size, not overwhelming large, and not so small as to put it in another class.

Subaru hopes to continue to the success of the Forester in the 2010 model year.  Pricing has already been set and for a baseline automatic expect to pay around $22,000, compared with $23,000 and up for the other competing manufacturers.

Another driving force behind the success of the Subaru Forester is it's ability to offer utility and still provide adequate gas mileage in this competitive and green conscious market.  The 2010 Forester checks in at 24mpg with the 2.5l Turbo Charged 4 cylinder engine.  Pretty impressive, especially considering the 2010 Forester produces over 220 horsepower.

2010 Subaru Forester

Save on previous year model Subaru Foresters.

Subaru Forester L 2001 SUBARU FORESTER5 SPD MANUALAWDCLEAN    US $4,000.00

Subaru Forester S NO RESERVE LEATHER S VERY CLEAN ALL WHEEL DRIVE AWD    US $500.00

Subaru Forester 1999 Subaru Forester S Runs for parts or repair    US $1,099.00

I'm not a huge fan of foreign cars, tuners, or even rally inspired sedans, but the new WRX liftback got my attention.  It's rare that a car peaks my interest without the assitance of a throaty V8.  But how could anyone even slightly interested in good engineered performance from a handling perspective.  Not to mention a platform that has  been tried and true on and off the track.

Enter the 09 Subaru WRX STi 'liftback', which is a nice way of saying a 5-Door hatchback curve cutter.  And that throaty V8 sound I mentioned earlier, think turbo charged 4 cylinder capable of 300+ horsepower at 6,000 rpms.  Knowing it's not all about the horsepower, can you imagine they are pumping over 290 ft lbs of torque through this light weight aluminum power box?

What has reviewers singing the praise of this rally worthy WRX is it's ability to tune itself to the driver.  That's right, the 09 WRX STi is capable of adapting to the type of driving or abuse the driver puts the WRX through.  Furthermore the 09 WRX is equipped with a control center where you can tweak the performance at the flip of a switch.  There are 3 options that allow for different types of clutch and throttle response, which can make getting groceries a lot more exciting.

Although price can be relative, I think of all the other vehicles that could be had for a $40k price tag.  Hell, taking a $20k car and dumping $20k in modifications would be more my style, but I don't think the STi is targeted at me.  Rather the European market, with money to burn, and more curves to carve.

09 Subaru WRX STi

09 Subaru WRX STi

The results are in and the 09 Subaru Forester is named Motor Trends SUV of the year.  However, Motor Trend is quick to point out that they did not make the choice for the Forester based on pump prices alone.  Although it would be hard to ignore a 4 wheel drive SUV that gets consistent 16 miles per gallon, make that 19 on the non-turbo versions.

09 Subaru Forester

Instead Motor Trend sites the 09 Forester ability to be fast, with only a 4 cylinder and 4 speed transmission, and it's massive interior storage capacity.  In addition, they were quick to mention how fun the Forester actually was to drive, especially for those who venture off road.  The 09 Forester ride height is enough to take it almost anywhere, at least compared with other similar models that it was pitted against.

Last but not least Motor Trend discussed starting prices with the 09 Subaru Forester in comparison to other SUV's in it's class.  For a standard Forester the starting price is only $20,660 and if you want the super optioned out 09 Forester 2.5XT it's $31,523.  In a contest where being compared to $80,000 Lexus SUV's the 09 Forester shined and won the hearts of those at Motor Trend.

09 Forester on eBay

Subaru Forester All Wheel Dr 09 Forester 13K Mi Carfax Cert Florida Car WHOLESALE    US $19,995.00

If you are in the market for a Subaru Forester, then I'd strongly recommend holding out for the 09 model year and go with the turbo option.  Unfortunately it looks like the 09 Forester standard motor actually comes with less horsepower than 08 and can make for some sluggish acceleration, even more so when loaded down with your fat friends.

The Turbo Charged 09 Forester engine is the tried and true 2.5 liter four banger, which will produce 224 horsepower and 226 lb/ft of torque.  Expect this setup to deliver 19 miles per gallon, no 30 mpg gas savers need apply.  What possibly sets this apart from the competitors like the Honda CRV and Rav 4 is the fact that the 09 Subaru Forester comes all wheel drive standard and nicely equipped at only $20,660.

Subaru has plans of 'boosting' the Subaru WRX Impreza's power output for their 2009 model year.  A new buyer can expect stock gains of up to 41 horsepower over the 08 WRX model, which will place the horsepower at around 265.  This kind of power numbers will make the WRX just under it's STi brethren.

As usual, all wheel drive is standard on the 09 Subaru WRX.  In addition, the same 2.5 liter boxer engine will also be used, making this one sexy four door.  The additional power is just one of the changes coming in 2009 to the WRX, there will also be a number of cosmetic differences as well.  The one I'm looking most too is the addition of Gun Metal Gray rims, as seen in the picture below.

09 Subaru WRX