2004 Subaru Outback Base Wagon 4-door 2.5l on 2040-cars

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Should Subaru stay niche or go mainstream? [w/poll]

Out of all the automakers doing business in the US, Subaru is the one that has carved out the most interesting niche for itself in the minds and lifestyles of buyers. Outdoorsy types, dog lovers and active families alike flock to Subaru's rugged nature and all-wheel-drive utility - and they're fiercely loyal, which is probably why Subaru has become a success story.
But Subaru is still a relatively small player in the US market, and with recent profits surging, parent company Fuji Heavy Industries is facing a dilemma: continue on with the successful niche market Subaru has carved out for itself, or attempt to go mainstream and give big players like Nissan and Toyota a run for their money. According to Carscoop, Japan Times and Bloomberg News are reporting that Fuji Heavy is beginning discussions this month to determine which direction Subaru will take.

Subaru celebrates 4-millionth vehicle built in Indiana

Subaru has produced its four-millionth vehicle at its Lafayette, Indiana factory. The Deep Indigo Blue 2014 Outback is pictured above, alongside the very first Subaru to leave the Lafayette facility, a first-generation Legacy. Formally known as Subaru of Indiana Automotive, SIA opened its doors in 1989 and currently produces the Outback, Forester and Tribeca for Subaru, in addition to the Toyota Camry.
The plant, which was originally a joint venture between Subaru and Isuzu, has produced nine different models for four different manufacturers over the years, and is getting ready to add a tenth as Impreza production will be coming to SIA. Subaru announced plans to move Impreza production to Indiana when it made a $400-million investment in the facility earlier this year. As production continues, the Lafayette Journal-Courier reports that SIA will produce another million units by the end of 2017.

Subaru looks back on record-setting WRX STI from 2011 Isle of Man

In what we can only presume/hope is a precursor to the launch of the next-gen WRX STI, Subaru has released three videos now giving us a look back at the history of the STI-badged WRX models. In this third video, Dominick Infante, national manager of product communications at Subaru of America, got ahold of the automaker's 2011 WRX STI that broke records for the Isle of Man TT Challenge a couple of years ago.
In 2011, rally driver Mark Higgins piloted this car to a lap speed record of 115 miles per hour and a lap time record of 19:56.7 around the 37.8-mile course. The race-prepped STI, which Infante refers to as an "STI on steroids," features a beefed-up suspension, a wonderful-sounding open exhaust and the removal of the speed limiter to go with full roll cage and racing seats and harnesses.
Scroll down to see - and hear - new driving footage of this 2011 WRX STI with Infante behind the wheel as well as some race footage from 2011 - including a near-disaster Higgins averted at 150 mph. Also, be sure to check out the previous videos from Subaru for the 1998 Impreza 22B STI and a 2004 WRX STI.