Subaru Vortex Reviews

There's nothing like leaving it to the last minute to maintain suspense. From the moment Subaru announced the new Impreza WRX STI last year we've been on the edge of our seats

That their idol has been defiled by marketing executives.

The world's first common-rail, horizontally opposed turbodiesel has just arrived in Europe in the Liberty and Outback. In Europe diesel is cheaper and demand for diesel-powered cars is high. In the UK

This is despite new STi's ability to sprint to 100km/h in about 5.0 seconds, a little quicker than its predecessor.

It was put to use last week for the pricing of the new Impreza STi (right), which is going to put huge pressure on the new Mitsubishi Evo X with its predicted pricing in the $70,000 range.

Subaru officially launched the third-generation 2008 “Rex” today to motoring writers at Simmons Plains Raceway.

A select band of journalists gathered for the first Australian glimpse of the latest Subaru sports car — but in a twist that reflects the rapidly changing nature of marketing, it was computer game wri

Expected high demand for the new turbodiesel Subaru engine in Europe has effectively ruled it out of the Australian market this year.The world's first common-rail, horizontally opposed turbodiesel has just arrived in Europe in the Liberty and Outback. In Europe diesel is cheaper and demand for diesel-powered cars is high.In the UK, diesel Libertys and Outbacks are expected to account for about 80 per cent of sales.The new Forester receives the engine in September and Impreza three months later.Subaru Australia had initially hoped to get the diesel into the Forester when it's launched in March. Now this is unlikely, according to spokesman David Rowley.However, the redesigned Outback and Liberty due next year are tipped to have the engine. The 2.0-litre TD Subbie engine develops 110kW at 3600 revs and 350Nm at 1800 revs.Subaru set out to make the common-rail engine exceptionally smooth, quiet and refined.It is similar in size to the 2.0-litre petrol engine.Like its petrol cousins, the turbodiesel sits low in the engine bay, providing a low centre of gravity.The company says the Liberty TD will hit 100km/h in 8.5 seconds and has a top of 202km/h. The Outback takes 8.8 seconds to reach 100km/h and has a fractionally slower top of 199km/h.The engine is Subaru's first diesel developed in-house after more than 40-years expertise in boxer engine technology.Compared with Subaru's 2.0-litre petrol engine, the 2.0-litre diesel has a 11mm longer stroke and 6mm smaller bore for a capacity of 1998cc versus 1994cc.Thanks to a bore pitch shortened from 113mm to 98.4mm, the overall engine block length is only 353.5mm, compared with 414.8mm in the petrol engine. The block is made of an extremely rigid design, and all five main bearings in the alloy cylinder block use metal composite supports for strength and durability.The diesel has liquid engine mounts, with the body benefiting from extra soundproofing. The five-speed manual gearbox has higher ratios to suit the diesel's stronger torque and lower engine speed.The variable-vane turbocharger is mounted under the engine for low centre of gravity, and a fast-warm catalytic converter is also mounted under the engine.The power-steering is electric, to improve fuel economy, yet is tuned for strong feel and response.The front spring rates and front brakes have been beefed up to cope with the extra weight.Even the airconditioning unit has been modified to provide hot air earlier in the engine's warm-up cycle.Visually, the Liberty and Outback diesels share the same bonnet scoop as the turbocharged petrol models.The Liberty TD will hit 100km/h IN 8.5 seconds and has a top of 202km/h. 

Only 550 of the Brooklands model Bentleys are available worldwide."They are tailor-made to the exact specifications of each customer,” said Sue Young, the spokeswoman for Queensland Bentley.Ms Young said the Brisbane buyer wanted to remain anonymous, as did two other Queenslanders who have expressed an interest in getting one of the luxury coupes.She said all three currently own a Bentley Arnage T, worth about $545,000.Maserati's latest GranTurismo will be seen in Australia for the first time at the show, which opens at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre at noon on 1, February 2008.The sports car's appeal seems to have outweighed its $293,000 price tag, because 150 Australian orders have already been taken for the new model, including 20 from Queensland, according the company's Australian general manager, Edward Butler.No other Maserati has sold as quickly and the waiting list for the 2008 GranTurismo is greater than the firm's Australian and New Zealand sales last year, Mr Butler said.Luxury-car sellers say their models have become increasingly popular with younger professionals."The 20 to 35-year age group is taking a much bigger slice of the market share,” said Audi Centre Brisbane dealer principal Greg Willims. “There is no doubt the prosperity in Queensland is growing.”Adam O'Brien, of Brisbane Prestige Cars in Fortitude Valley, said manufacturers were working harder to attract young customers in a bid to keep them for life.Danny Singh, 31, of Brendale in Brisbane's northwest, recently bought a luxury H3 Hummer from Brisbane Prestige Cars for $70,000 then spent a further $15,000 on modifications.Also making their Australian debuts at the show will be new-look versions of cult street machines the Subaru WRX STi, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — known as the Evo X to fans because it is the 10th in the series.Both are expected to be in the $60,000 bracket.Australia will be represented in the go-fast stakes by a Ford Performance Vehicles version of the Territory SUV, the yet-to-be-released F6 X all-wheel-drive wagon.Brisbane International Motor Show, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Bank, runs from Friday to February 10; Monday to Saturday, 10am-10pm; Sunday, 10am-6pm. Adults $17.50, children $10.

But the time has come to send two of our long-term garage residents back home. Kia's surprising Sorento and the polarising Subaru WRX are on their way after giving sterling service. Numerous shopping trips, commutes to work and longer drives down the coast gave the Sorento every chance to prove itself a reliable companion. And on the whole, it did just that.With the high equipment level, high passenger satisfaction in terms of comfort and high seating position, there was little to complain about. In appearance, it's not the most glamorous SUV around, with its no-frills looks, but it's not really trying to be. The Sorento diesel starts at an affordable $34,990, but our model was the range topper at $44,990.The only real problem encountered was the “wake up Jeff” cruise control, that would frequently decide to go to sleep on the job.Cargo room in the rear is good for those successful shopping trips, and packing the whole family on board doesn't turn into a back seat scrum, as there's enough room to ensure everyone rides in reasonable comfort.The noticeably diesel model averaged about 600km around town on one tank — meaning a fortnightly fuel bill of about $80.Equipment levels were good with an MP3-compatible CD player, leather trim, a sunroof, dual-control aircon and lots of good safety equipment, including stability control — which, curiously, only works in 2WD — and plenty of airbags. The 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engine isn't the most exciting drive, but is adequate and is at its best when cruising.The biggest discovery from time spent with the WRX was that you could, indeed, spend time with the WRX. Subaru copped plenty of flak over the decision to “soften” its performance Impreza, but most of that would have to be from those who haven't driven the car and certainly don't use it as a daily drive. Comfortable, compliant, spacious for its class and a stylish interior are things you couldn't have said with a straight face about the previous WRX models.The little WRX served bravely as a family car, spending most of its time pottering around the shopping centres and schools of suburbia protesting not a whit at being utilised so far inside its performance capabilities. When asked to step up for a country run or a sprint to an appointment the WRX showed it is still an athlete at heart. Overall fuel consumption was a touch higher than the claimed 10.7litresper100km but not excessive and the only issue was a remote key fob that occasionally forgot its job description.There are no two ways about it, we are really going to miss the WRX.Staying with us for the while is Chrysler's 300C Touring — cruelly dubbed the Mafia staff car. Living with the 300C is like being in a fishbowl. As you move around you are under constant scrutiny. And, in this fish bowl you're the whale.The gangster-mobile wagon with its monstrous grille, 18-inch alloy wheels and small rear windows is not easily missed.Indeed, it's hardly missed at all given the number of heads turning as we have driven it around Sydney over the past few months on this long-term road test.At first, people usually ask if it is the high-performance SRT-8, a 6.1-litre V8 supercar. However, when they find out it is the V6 diesel with surprisingly good fuel economy their interest grows noticeably stronger.We've been filling the 71-litre tank about once a fortnight and it's proven good for about nine litres per 100km. The low-down pulling power of the diesel engine and its amazing 510Nm of torque is impressive.There's no sprightly spring away from traffic lights; instead there is a feeling of tremendous power, ever-increasing as it gradually pulls away. Living with the car has revealed a few problems, such as the awkward set up of driver controls around the steering wheel and dash, poor rear visibility, and the feeling that you are driving a really big car is fairly pronounced at shopping centre car parks.The leather interior is grey and plain and the rear loading space in the wagon is reduced by side intrusions. However, the second row seats fold down very easily creating much more room.And while the economic benefits of diesel engines are leading to an upsurge in sales across most market segments, many Sydney service stations haven't moved with the times.We have found that many diesel pumps are dirty with spilt diesel underfoot and diesel residue on the hoses and nozzles.All very well if you are in your work overalls refilling a truck, but not so great when you are dressed to the nines heading for a night out in a 300C Touring with its limousine looks. SNAPSHOTS CHRYSLER 300C TOURINGPRICE: $60,990ENGINE: 3.0L/V6 CRD turbo diesel, 160kW/510NmTRANSMISSION: 5-speed autoECONOMY: 8.2L/100km combined claimed  SUBARU IMPREZA WRXPRICE: $39,990ENGINE: 2.5L/4-cyl turbo, 169kW/320NmTRANSMISSION: 5-speed manualECONOMY: 10.7L/100km  KIA SORENTO CRDiPRICE: $44,490ENGINE: 2.5L/4-cyl turbo diesel, 125kW/392NmTRANSMISSION: 5-speed autoECONOMY: 9.4L/100km