SUBARU BRAND EARNS TOP HONORS IN KELLEY BLUE BOOK 2015 BEST RESALE VALUE AWARDS

Subaru Earns Best Resale Value Brand and Three Vehicle Segment Awards for 2015

Smart ultra-practicality combined with one of the best
 low-traction all-wheel-drive systems around wins fandom
 with new-car buyers and when resale time comes.

Kelley Blue Book, the leading provider of new and used vehicle information, has announced that Subaru has won its prestigious 2015 Best Resale Value Brand Award. In addition, Subaru has an impressive three models that have won 2015 Best Resale Value Awards in their respective categories:

Compact Car Category: 2015 Subaru Impreza

Sporty Compact Car Category: 2015 Subaru WRX

Mid-Size Car Category: 2015 Subaru Legacy

The Best Resale Value Awards recognize 2015 model-year vehicles for their projected retained value through the initial five-year ownership period. Since depreciation (or loss of value) is typically a car-buyer’s primary expense during ownership, these awards, like all of KBB.com’s new- and used-vehicle information, are designed to help consumers make more informed car-buying decisions.

“We are proud to receive 2015 Best Resale Value Brand recognition, as well as multiple segment honors from Kelley Blue Book’s analysts,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “These awards underscore the inherent value in Subaru vehicles, value that stems from our class-leading safety, reliability and durability.” Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value Awards are in their 13th year and are based on projections from the Kelley Blue Book® Official Residual Value Guide. Kelley Blue Book® Residual Values are established by experienced automotive analysts that review statistical models built upon millions of transactions. Vehicles that earn the highest five-year residual values, expressed as a percentage of their original Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), are selected for these prestigious awards. Low-volume vehicles and vehicles with an MSRP of more than $60,000 are excluded from award consideration, except in the plug-in vehicle, luxury and high-performance categories.

For more information about Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value Awards, please visit http://www.kbb.com/new-cars/best-resale-value-awards/. 

2015 SUBARU WRX® 2.0-LITER TURBOCHARGED BOXER ENGINE NAMED TO WARD’S 10 BEST ENGINES LIST FOR 2015

- New 268-hp 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged BOXER engine
- 258 lb.-ft. peak torque from 2,000-5,200 rpm makes performance accessible
- Teamed to new 6-speed manual or new Sport Lineartronic™ transmission with manual mode

Subaru of America, Inc. has added yet another award to its expanding trophy case, with the 2015 WRX model’s 2.0-liter turbocharged /intercooled 4-cylinder BOXER engine named to the prestigious Ward’s 10 Best Engines list. Published by the respected automotive industry trade journal Ward’s, and watched closely by auto industry insiders and consumers alike, Ward’s 10 Best Engines is in its 21st year recognizing outstanding powertrain achievements in engineering, performance, drivability and efficiency.

The Subaru WRX, a global performance icon, was fully redesigned and re-engineered for 2015. The new-generation WRX debuted a new 268-horsepower 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo BOXER engine that’s teamed to a choice of the model’s first 6-speed manual transmission or a new, optional performance automatic transmission, the Sport Lineartronic® with manual mode. Each transmission is matched to a specific version of the brand’s renowned Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer of Subaru of America said: “We are proud of the new engine’s performance and honored it has been recognized by Ward’s.”

The new WRX powertrain produces more power and torque from less displacement (2.0-liter vs. 2.5-liter in the previous model) and also yields higher fuel efficiency than the previous WRX (manual transmission). A stiffer, better handling chassis, a bold new wide-body sedan design and a roomier interior with upgraded cabin and new user technology make the 2015 WRX the most exhilarating ever. Active Torque Vectoring comes standard on all models.

Chosen from among a field of 37 powertrains evaluated by the Ward’s editors, the 2015 Subaru WRX engine takes its place on a list that also includes some of the world’s top sports and luxury cars. Notably, the naturally aspirated version of the Subaru FA Series 2.0-liter BOXER engine, which powers the BRZ sports car, was named a Ward’s 10 Best Engine winner for 2013.

"Subaru delivers a new rally-car hotshot, the compact WRX sedan, and the 2.0L turbocharged 4-cyl. BOXER under the hood makes it, as one editor says, the best yet. Some editors achieved an outstanding 28 mpg (8.4 L/100 km), and this engine pairs up perfectly with a 6-speed manual that makes rowing through gears a thrill. This fleet-footed boxer steps into the ring with fire in its eyes,” said Tom Murphy, Executive Editor of WardsAuto World digital magazine.

Visit us at Kupper Subaru on Main in Mandan or view our 2015 Subaru WRX inventory here.

2015 WRX Boxer Details
The new WRX 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder BOXER engine uses a combination of direct fuel injection, high compression (10.6:1), Subaru Dual Active Valve Control System (D-AVCS), a twin-scroll turbocharger and an intercooler to achieve outstanding performance and high efficiency. The engine produces 268 horsepower at 5,600 rpm using 15.9 psi turbo boost, with a broad torque curve that peaks at 258 lb.-ft. over a 2,000-5,200 rpm engine speed range. With its equal 86mm bore and 86mm stroke dimensions, the WRX engine revs to a thrilling 6,700-RPM redline (6,500 rpm with Sport Lineartronic transmission) and sounds exciting through the special performance-tuned exhaust system.

SUBARU RECEIVES THREE 2015 ALG RESIDUAL VALUE AWARDS

• 15th Annual ALG Awards Honor 2015 Vehicles Predicted to Hold Value
• Legacy, WRX and Outback Top Respective Segments
   

Subaru of America, Inc. announced that it has received three Residual Value Awards from ALG, the analytics division of TrueCar, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRUE) and the industry benchmark for projecting future vehicle values and depreciation data. The annual ALG Residual Value Awards honor the vehicles and brands that are predicted to retain the highest percentage of their original price after a conventional three-year period.

Subaru, which is enjoying record sales in 2014, won awards in several segments:

• Subaru Legacy – Best Midsize Car
• Subaru WRX – Best Sports Car
• Subaru Outback – Best Midsize Utility 2 Row 

These three ALG Residual Value awards join nine other segment awards which Subaru has received over the years. Outback and Legacy received Residual Value honors in 2011 and 2012, along with the Forester in 2011. Subaru was also recognized by ALG as the Best Mainstream Brand in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

“This is exciting news for Subaru,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “We are pleased to receive awards in the three categories – midsize sedan, sports car and midsize utility – a testament to the inherent value in Subaru products.”

“Subaru's redesign for the 2015 Legacy and Outback make these vehicles some of the most refined in their segments,” said Larry Dominique, President of ALG. “There is little doubt that they'll continue to elicit the strong brand loyalty that Subaru is known for, while enabling the brand to conquest sales from other entries in their segments.” Speaking on the Subaru WRX, Dominique added, “The WRX is an incredible entry that kicks up the excitement significantly from the previous model.”

ALG recognizes 26 vehicles with segment awards, along with two brands representing the Mainstream and Premium sectors of the industry. This year’s awards are based on 2015 model year vehicles.

Award winners are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. Vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand, and pricing and marketing strategies represent key factors that impact ALG’s residual value forecasts.

Visit Kupper Subaru in Mandan to test drive one of these vehicles today. And, if you choose to purchase or lease any new Subaru vehicle now through January 2, Subaru of America is donating $250/vehicle to a charity of your choice during the annual "Share the Love" promotion. We've chosen the Central Dakota Humane Society as our "hometown charity." 

2015 SUBARU WRX AND WRX STI EARN IIHS 2014 TOP SAFETY PICK

Subaru of America, Inc. announced that  the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) announced the all-new 2015 Subaru WRX and WRX STI will earn the IIHS 2014 TOP SAFETY PICK award for good performance in each of the Institute’s crashworthiness evaluations, including the small overlap front test. This is the first time IIHS has rated the WRX and WRX STI, which was completely redesigned for 2015. 

With the addition to the 2015 WRX, Subaru now has six models that have earned 2014 safety awards from IIHS – three with TOP SAFETY PICK and three with TOP SAFETY PICK+ including its Legacy sedan and Outback models with optional EyeSight™. Subaru has more 2014 IIHS Top Safety Picks than any other brand. 
The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Subaru WRX is one of the brand’s performance models and comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder 268 horsepower engine, mated to a six-speed manual transmission, and is priced at $26,295. The higher-performance WRX STI model is priced at $34,495 and features a turbocharged, 2.5-liter boxer four cylinder engine that produces 305 hp.

In addition to the standard model, the WRX STI is offered in Launch Edition. Limited to just 1,000 units over the first three months of production, and offered exclusively in WR Blue with gold BBS® alloy wheels and blue trim throughout the interior. All WRX STI models feature Alcantara seating surfaces and standard LED exterior lighting, and the Limited trim adds leather, a power driver's seat, a moonroof and a premium Harman/Kardon audio system. Navigation and higher-end audio are optional on other models.

"Safety is one of our brand tenets and so we are extremely proud to have earned a TSP rating for our performance models" said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “we are committed to providing engaging driving together with safety and this award is testament to that commitment.”

About IIHS
The Institute's frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on results of a moderate overlap frontal and small overlap crash test. Each vehicle's overall evaluation is based on measurements of intrusion into the occupant compartment, injury measures recorded on a 50th percentile male Hybrid III dummy in the driver seat, and analysis of slow-motion film to assess how well the restraint system controlled dummy movement during the test.

Building on its long-running vehicle ratings program for consumer information, IIHS introduced the small overlap test in 2012 to further improve occupant protection in frontal crashes. Most automakers design their vehicles for good performance in the IIHS moderate overlap frontal test and the federal government’s full-width frontal test, but many haven’t addressed the problem of small overlap crashes. In a 2009 IIHS study of vehicles with good ratings for frontal crash protection, small overlap crashes accounted for nearly a quarter of the frontal crashes involving serious or fatal injury to front seat occupants. 

The small overlap test is a demanding crash that replicates what happens when the front corner of a car collides with another vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole. In the test, 25 percent of a car’s front end on the driver side strikes a 5-foot-tall rigid barrier at 40 mph. 

Side evaluations are based on performance in a crash test in which the side of a vehicle is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph. The barrier represents the front end of a pickup or SUV. Ratings reflect injury measures recorded on 2-instrumented SID-IIs dummies representing a small (5th percentile) woman, assessment of head protection countermeasures, and the vehicle's structural performance during the impact.

Rear crash protection is rated according to a two-step procedure. Starting points for the ratings are measurements of head restraint geometry -- the height of a restraint and its horizontal distance behind the back of the head of an average size man. Seat/head restraints with good or acceptable geometry are tested dynamically using a dummy that measures forces on the neck. This test simulates a collision in which a stationary vehicle is struck in the rear at 20 mph. Seats without good or acceptable geometry are rated poor overall because they can't be positioned to protect many people.

In the roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against 1 side of a roof at a constant speed. To earn a good rating for rollover protection, the roof must withstand a force of 4 times the vehicle's weight before reaching 5 inches of crush. This is called a strength-to-weight ratio. For an acceptable rating, the minimum required strength-to-weight ratio is 3.25. A marginal rating value is 2.5. Anything lower than that is rated poor.

2015 SUBARU WRX®MAKES WORLD DEBUT AT LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW

• New platform offers a stiffer, more agile chassis for Subaru global performance icon

• New torque-vectoring system reduces understeer
• New 268-hp 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo BOXER engine
• New standard 6-speed manual transmission
• New Sport Lineartronic® CVT with manual modes

Subaru of America, Inc. today introduced the 2015 WRX, a more powerful and better handling version of the brand’s iconic high-performance model, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Powered by a new 268-horsepower 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo BOXER engine, the 2015 WRX debuts the model’s first six-speed manual transmission and a new, optional performance automatic transmission, the Sport Lineartronic CVT with two manual modes.

With its bold new wide-body sedan design and expanded performance envelope, the 2015 WRX marks a major evolutionary step for the rally-bred performance car that has become a global automotive legend. For 2015, the Subaru WRX employs a new torque-vectoring system that supplements the standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. Torque vectoring allows for improved cornering speeds and handling. The new and stiffer chassis, larger brakes, performance-tuned suspension and a driver-focused interior remain integral to the WRX performance character. The new powertrain also yields higher fuel efficiency than the previous model.

At the same time, a roomier interior, upgraded cabin comfort and materials and a wide array of new user technologies give the new WRX a more refined feel. A harman/kardon® premium audio system is offered for the first time in a WRX.
The 2015 WRX design deftly blends an aggressive stance with a sophisticated sport sedan theme. The new WRX features a much bolder front design with a deep front spoiler and unique grille. The wide-body stance seen on the

previous model is enhanced with new, standard 17-inch wheels. The hood, front fenders, rear doors and quarters, bumpers, headlights and taillight clusters are all unique to the 2015 WRX.

Specially designed for the 2015 WRX, the rear doors and fenders continue the model’s wide-body stance in a rakish new profile. The Subaru hexagonal grille is flanked by narrower headlights designed to evoke a raptor’s stare. The functional hood scoop, which supplies the intercooler with fresh air, is now set more deeply into the hood to provide better forward visibility.

Other new performance-oriented details include foglight surrounds with a carbon fiber-like pattern and vertical front fender vents that feature a bright garnish and a mesh screen. Higher-grade models use new LED low-beam headlights; halogen lights are used on other models. The side sill spoilers that help to visually lower the car also help protect the doors from rock chips.

New standard 17-inch wheels feature a more aerodynamic design. At the rear, LED taillights, a diffuser, LED center high-mount stoplight (CHMS) and an available lip spoiler leave a distinctive signature.

The new WRX body structure makes greater use of high-tensile strength steel than the previous model and features special stiffening elements at key locations. Combined with the new Electronic Power Steering system, specially tuned suspension and 235/45 R17 94W Dunlop SP Sport Maxx RT tires, the stiffer chassis yields steering response that was benchmarked against top-handling sports cars.

The new WRX 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder BOXER engine uses a combination of direct fuel injection, high compression (10.6:1), Subaru Dual Active Valve Control System (D-AVCS), a twin-scroll turbocharger and an intercooler to achieve outstanding performance and high efficiency. The engine produces 268 horsepower at 5,600 rpm, accompanied by a broad torque curve that peaks at 258 lb.-ft. over a 2,000-5,200 rpm engine speed range.

Based on the engine used in the new 2014 Forester 2.0 XT, the WRX version uses different cams and higher-rate valve springs, among other enhancements, to extend the performance envelope. The new 6-speed manual transmission provides a wider ratio spread than the previous 5-speed and incorporates several performance and durability improvements for this high-performance application, including carbon synchronizers on first and second gears.

New Sport Lineartronic CVT
The 2015 WRX introduces the option of a new automatic transmission engineered to enrich the performance-driving experience. The new Sport Lineartronic CVT combines the benefits of a continuously variable transmission (high fuel efficiency, ultra-smooth driving character) with the choice of stepped automatic shifting eight pre-selected ratios (when in Sport Sharp mode) and also 6-speed and 8-speed manual shifting modes using steering wheel paddle switches.

Models with the Sport Lineartronic CVT also feature Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE), a powertrain performance management system that allows the driver to tailor the vehicle’s driving characteristics by choosing from among three selectable modes – “Intelligent,” “Sport” and “Sport Sharp” – using a switch on the flat-bottom steering wheel.

Two Versions of Symmetrical AWD
When equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission, the 2015 Subaru WRX uses the brand’s Continuous AWD version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. A viscous coupling locking center differential nominally distributes torque 50:50 front to rear, and Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) provides stability and traction control. Should slippage occur, this system transfers more power to the wheels with the best traction.

The new Sport Lineartronic CVT is teamed exclusively with the Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. A planetary gear-type center differential and an electronically controlled hydraulic transfer clutch control torque distribution between the front and rear wheels. Under most conditions, VTD splits the torque 45:55, with the rearward torque bias contributing to handling agility. The VTD system continually optimizes torque distribution in response to driving conditions and input from steering wheel angle, yaw and lateral g-force sensors.

Premium Cabin
A one-inch longer wheelbase than the previous WRX is a factor in providing a markedly roomier cabin in the new model. The windshield is more raked than before, with the A-pillar pulled forward nearly eight inches at the base for better forward visibility, aided by a lower dashboard and narrower A-pillars. Higher seating hip points, lower side sills and wider-opening doors make ingress/egress easier. Rear seat passengers gain nearly two inches of legroom, and trunk capacity is increased. A standard 60/40-split fold-down rear seat extends the WRX sedan’s versatility.

The high-performance feel starts as soon as the driver enters the 2015 WRX and grips the new flat-bottom, leather-wrapped steering wheel, which offers tilt and telescoping adjustments. The wheel integrates switches for audio and Bluetooth® control.

Rich-looking appointments and details abound, including soft-touch materials for the dashboard, door trim and center console armrest. Numerous compartments located in and around the center console hold all manner of personal items, such as phones, USB drives and MP3 players. The available power sunroof opens one inch farther than on the previous WRX.

The dual gauge instrument layout features a 3.5-in. LCD central screen to display various functions, including oil level, remaining washer fluid and selected gear ratio. A new multi-information central display with 4.3-in. LCD screen provides a multitude of vehicle system functions, including a rear camera display, a boost gauge display, audio, Bluetooth and climate control settings, and a VDC screen showing traction control operation. The display can provide a vehicle self-check and maintenance reminder.

Whiplash-reducing front sport seats, covered in a new high-grip fabric, feature separate tilt- and height-adjustable head restraints, a change from the seats with integrated head restraints used before. Leather is available, as is an 8-way power driver’s seat.

Amenities that reflect the 2015 WRX’s refined sport sedan positioning include standard automatic climate control and available Keyless Access with Push-button Start, heated front seats, power driver’s seat, and a 440-watt, 9-speaker harman/kardon premium audio system and navigation with Aha® smartphone integration.

Subaru Safety
Subaru’s renowned safety package uses the brand’s proven Ring Shaped Frame Reinforcement body structure, which has been shown to excel in the new small overlap test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In the cabin, a driver’s knee airbag is added to the roster of safety features that includes front side pelvis/torso airbags and side curtain airbags that offer front and rear outboard seat coverage.

Subaru produces a full line of all-wheel drive sedans, crossovers and SUVs, along with the rear-wheel drive BRZ sports car.