Subaru WRX as a Rally Car

Why is the WRX a good rally car?

The Subaru WRX is bred for rally racing due to its famous symmetrical all-wheel drive system and famed boxer engine. The all-wheel-drive system on all Subaru cars has been tested and developed through rally racing over the past decade, so the cars are very reliable and very capable. Additionally, a vast amount of parts through SPT (Subaru Performance Tuning) and STI (Subaru Tecnica International) are available.

How much horsepower does a rally car have?

This really depends on what class the rally car runs in. For example, the rally cars of Subaru Rally Team USA run in the Open Class, where they are required to fit a 34mm intake restrictor on the turbocharger. This limits horsepower to around 350hp. Other rally cars in the Group N or PGT class of Rally America are fitted with 32mm restrictors which limit power to between 220hp to 275hp.

What is a ride in a rally car like?

When the driver uncorks the rally car and your body is pressed into the seat with heavy g forces, you know you’re in for a wild ride. Being on a roller coaster without a set metal track, it’s up to these skilled professionals to guide the car through a never-ending set of twists and turns. Using time-honored rally skills like left foot braking, Scandinavian flicks and hand brake maneuvers, the car does things you never thought possible. Big air, churning dirt and huge puddles await you deep in the woods.

How can my friends and I see a Rally America National Championship event?

First, check this website to see which event is next on the schedule. The event’s website will most likely have spectator information available or will list local locations where you may pick up spectator information. However, the best way to see a rally is to volunteer to help with the event. Please visit http://www.rally-america.com/volunteer.php to learn more. Being a volunteer is the ultimate experience for a rally fan. You’ll be a part of the rally and meet all of the drivers and crews. Best of all, the volunteers get as close to the action as the drivers do!

How do I become a rally driver?

The first step to becoming a rally driver is to educate yourself. You wil first need to learn everything about the rules and regulations associated with the sport, as well as budget and logistical requirements. There are many rally events held across North America, and Subaru of America supports and recommends Rally America events. Please visit Rally America at www.rally-america.com for a complete schedule and other series information. Be sure to read their rule book before investing any money in building or purchasing a rally car.

A new Rally America rule requires that new drivers start off in a Group 2 or Production Class car. Both of these classes are two-wheel-drive classes only. That means you wont be able to start off in a Subaru; instead you’ll have to finish a few events and gain some experience before being allowed to drive a high powered rally car like a Subaru. Again, refer to the Rally America rule book for details on how this works.

There are also a few rally schools a driver may attend. Subaru recommends the Team O’Neil Rally School (www.team-oneil.com), located in New Hampshire. There may be other schools available and it is recommended that a new driver contact Rally America first to learn which schools are available.

Volunteering and working at the various local events in your area will give you good opportunities to learn what these events entail and how they are run. Check the Events schedule on this site to find when and where a Rally America National Championship race will be in your area. Visit each venue’s web site to get specific information on that event.

Where can I purchase Subaru apparel?

A current selection of Subaru branded apparel, including SWRT, is available through a partnership with LL Bean and can be found online. The selections include polo shirts, caps, anoraks, Gore-Tex jackets, T-shirts and much more.

Nissan Auto Show News

Nissan Introduces All-New Nissan GT-R Supercar and 2009 Murano Crossover at Los Angeles Auto Show

– Highly Anticipated 480-Horsepower Nissan GT-R Makes North American Debut –

LOS ANGELES (November 14, 2007) – Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO, Nissan Motor Co., today unveiled two all-new 2009 Nissan production vehicles – the Nissan Murano crossover and the Nissan GT-R – at a press conference at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show. The second-generation Murano, which features new exterior and interior designs, along with enhanced performance, goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide beginning in January 2008. The Nissan GT-R, which will be available for the first time ever in the United States beginning in June 2008, makes its North American debut at the L.A. Auto Show, following its global introduction at the Tokyo Motor Show last October.

Pricing of the 2009 Nissan GT-R was also announced – $69,850 for the Base model and $71,900 for the Premium model, which adds a standard Bose® audio system, heated seats and side air bags.

Nissan’s 2007 sales are up through October a total of 4.9%, and Nissan has the largest year-over-year gain of the top six U.S. manufacturers in October.

2009 Nissan Murano
Making its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2009 Murano, elevates its unique position in the marketplace through a “super-evolution” of the original design. The all-new Murano features new exterior and interior designs, enhanced technology and a new premium driving feel resulting from a new, advanced platform and continued refinement of Murano’s standard 3.5-liter V6 engine and advanced, second-generation Xtronic CVT ™.

The most striking visual element of the 2009 Murano is its new body, which imparts a “modern art” feel while still maintaining its distinctive “Murano-ness.” The new Murano design also includes an available dual panel power sliding glass moonroof and 2 nd row skylight. Inside, the 2009 Murano lives up to its “mobile suite” design theme with new levels of warmth and luxury.

Other available Murano features include a new foldaway cargo organizer, heated front and rear seats, power liftgate, rain-sensing front wipers and RearView Monitor.

All 2009 Muranos feature a VQ-series 3.5-liter DOHC V6 rated at 265 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque and an advanced Xtronic CVT ™ with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) that provides a sporty and smooth driving experience. 2009 Muranos are available in front-wheel drive or with an advanced all-wheel drive system, and all Muranos come standard with Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with a Traction Control System (TCS) for all-weather confidence. The 2009 Murano features a new “D” platform, first introduced on the 2007 Altima, which provides a solid foundation and new, lighter suspension components with increased stiffness.

2009 Nissan GT-R

One of the most anticipated vehicles ever created by Nissan is coming to the U.S. in June 2008 – the 2009 Nissan GT-R. No longer the unobtainable object of desire on a video game or in the movies, the GT-R will be available on sale for the first time in North American in June 2008.

GT-R is a multi-dimensional performance machine that lives up to the concept of “the ultimate supercar that can be driven by anyone, anytime, anywhere” and achieved a lap time of 7:38 around the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife, one of the fastest times achieved by a production-spec vehicle to date.

Under the hood, the Nissan GT-R features an all-new 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 producing 480 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque (estimated), while meeting ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standards. The engine is backed by an all-new, paddle-shifted GR6 sequential 6-speed dual clutch rear transaxle .

The new Nissan GT-R is built on an exclusive all-new Premium Midship platform. This new platform enables the use of a world’s first independent rear transaxle ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system, which places the transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle, optimizing weight distribution and maximizing handling capability.

Suspension is a special multi-link Bilstein DampTronic system, and the braking system is made up of Brembo full-floating drilled rotors, low steel high stiffness brake pads and Brembo mono block six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers. Tires are nitrogen-filled Bridgestone high-performance run flat or optional Dunlop high-performance all-season tires, on exclusive GT-R 20-inch wheels.

The Nissan GT-R’s functional styling utilizes advanced aerodynamics, evoking the lines of a well-trained athlete. GT-R’s hybrid body construction combines steel, carbon fiber and die-cast aluminum, and features a low coefficient of drag of 0.27, while achieving high front and rear downforce.

GT-R’s interior balances functionality with a sense of ease and comfort. It features sculpted performance bucket seats for an optimal driving position, a cockpit-style instrument panel with a large center-mounted tachometer and multi-function display – which includes mechanical and driving information, as well as an on-board driving recorder.

Total vehicle adjustability is provided by a “set-up switch” located in the center of the instrument panel, enabling the driver to adjust transmission shifts, shock absorbers and the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC-R) in three settings – Normal, Comfort or “R,” for ultimate handling. Available is a specially designed 11-speaker Bose® sound system, with speakers mounted in rigid aluminum die cast panels, which provides sound quality suitable for a supercar.

About Nissan

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissannews.com.

2008 KIA SEDONA AWARDED "TOP SAFETY PICK" BY INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY

2008 KIA SEDONA AWARDED "TOP SAFETY PICK" BY INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY

Kia Minivan Wins Top Honors for Third Year in a Row!

See these award winning mini vans at our favorite Colorado Kia Dealers:


IRVINE, Calif., November 15, 2007 – Already having earned a five-star crash rating in all four seating positions from the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2008 Sedona was selected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as one of only 34 vehicles to earn the "Top Safety Pick" award for its impressive performance with top ratings in frontal, side and rear impact crash tests.

"We are extremely proud that Sedona was the first minivan ever to earn the IIHS 'Top Safety Pick,'" said Len Hunt, president and CEO of Kia Motors America. "To continue to earn this honor - now for the third year in a row – is yet another example of our dedication to providing quality vehicles equipped with the highest level of standard safety features available."

The Sedona builds upon a commitment to safety that was established with the first generation minivan, which earned the company's first five-star crash rating when it debuted in 2002. Since then Kia has earned an impressive list of safety accolades, including NHTSA five-star crash ratings in all four seating positions for Optima, Sorento, Sportage and Sedona, as well as the highest possible safety ratings from IIHS for Sedona and top ratings for front and rear impact crash tests for Optima and front and side impact crash tests for Amanti.

The 2008 Sedona continues to offer a high level of standard safety equipment, including six standard airbags, front active headrests, electronic stability control (ESC), ABS with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), a traction control system (TCS) with brake assist, and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov).

Your Kia Gas Mileage Squeezing the most out of your MPG

SQUEEZING THE MOST MILES OUT OF EVERY GALLON

It’s a harsh reality: well over three dollars for a gallon of regular, 87-octane gasoline. And if history is any indication, the trend in gas prices will forever continue upward. It’s enough to make a grown man walk.

Yet by selecting a Kia, you chose a vehicle that offers excellent fuel economy—nine of our ten models get 25 MPG or more on the highway. Even so, there are a few simple actions that can make a noticeable improvement in your Kia’s already excellent gas mileage.

HOW YOU DRIVE

According to the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, by driving sensibly you can improve your Kia’s fuel economy by 5 to as much as 33 percent. Here’s how:

The Turtle, Not the Rabbit

Hard acceleration consumes prodigious quantities of gas, and is hard on the engine, transmission, and tires. A light foot on the gas pedal will make a big difference. Observe what’s going on up ahead and anticipate; if you see a traffic signal turn red, back off the throttle and let your car gradually slow down rather than wait until the last second to slam on the brakes. This improves your gas mileage and your Kia’s brakes will last a lot longer. Your passengers may also thank you.

Be Especially Idle

If you are stuck at a railroad crossing counting the minutes as an endless freight train creeps by, shut off your engine. A car gets precisely zero miles per gallon when idling, and it’s easier on the vehicle and more economical to shut off the engine rather than let it idle for an extended period. There’s a myth that says it takes more gas to start your car than it does to idle for a few minutes. That is only a myth.

Cruise Control

Use cruise control whenever possible during highway driving. No matter how smooth a driver you think you are, the cruise control is better. Independent tests have shown highway gas mileage improvements of up to 14-percent by using cruise control.

No Need To Speed

If you are really concerned about maximizing your highway gas mileage (and driving safely), don’t exceed the posted speed limits. According to DOE and EPA data, your highway gas mileage drops 2 to 3 MPG for every 5 mile-per-hour increase in speed over 60.

Lose Some Weight

Don’t carry more dead weight in your Kia than you need to. The DOE and EPA say that every 100-pounds of extra weight in the trunk or cargo area exacts a fuel economy penalty of up to 2 percent.

MAINTAIN YOUR KIA

Keep your Kia maintained according to the factory recommendations. Change your oil and oil filter at the appropriate intervals, and keep your vehicle tuned-up: a properly tuned engine can give up to 4 percent better gas mileage. Proper tire inflation and wheel alignment can add as much as 3 percent to your Kia’s fuel economy. Check and replace the engine air filter regularly—a dirty and clogged air filter can affect fuel economy by as much as 10-percent. All of these small percentages add up.

High gas prices are not going away, but you may be able to spend a lot less by changing your driving habits. While your results may vary, if you follow the tips we’ve offered you will pay less of your hard-earned money for fill-ups, and you may just reap some unexpected bonuses like lower repair and replacement costs for brakes and tires. What’s to lose? Give it a go.

Check www.fueleconomy.gov for even more tips and information. EPA estimated fuel economy ratings for all 2007 Kias can be found at kia.com under the “SPECIFICATIONS” tab. Actual mileages may vary . To save money on your routine maintenance, use the coupons under Special Offers.