Mountain Bike Champ to Drive Subaru Impreza WRC for 2005 Rally Calendar

The ten-time mountain bike downhill World Champion, Nicolas Vouilloz, announced that he will be continuing to pursue a career in rally car racing by driving a Subaru Impreza WRC with First Motorsport. Vouilloz will be competing in the French Rally Championship as well as probably in some rounds of the World Rally Championship in 2005. Located in Belgium, First Motorsport has won three titles in the French asphalt and gravel championships.

Vouilloz began rally car racing in 2003 and won the "Volant Peugeot 206" in his first try. That success led him to compete with the French FFSA team. Vouilloz competed in seven World Rally events driving a Peugeot 206 WRC.

First Motorsport team boss Willy Collignon stated, "Knowing that Nicolas has been taking part in rallies for only two years, his results are truly remarkable . We are delighted to face a new challenge together with such an amazing driver.

"I am really happy to join First Motorsport," said Vouilloz. "We haven't started working together yet but the results of this team speak for themselves. To move in this team after Stephane Sarrazin is a considerable challenge and I am aware of it. A learned a lot in 2004 with Peugeot and I must thank them for their sportsmanship in allowing me to choose this new opportunity in my career and driving the Subaru Impreza WRC. I made a lot of progress in the last few races of 2004. I improved my speed, patience and consistency. My goal is to continue in the same direction in 2005."

2005 Subaru Outback Earns 5 Star Crash Test Rating

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. PRESS RELEASE
The new Subaru Outback received the highest possible safety rating for both frontal and side-impact crash tests for both driver and passenger seating positions. Subaru is the only car company that features Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment on every vehicle in its product line.

The 2005 Subaru Outback earned the highest rating in the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash tests. "We are very pleased with the results of the all-new Subaru Outback in the NCAP crash tests", stated Fred Adcock, executive VP, Subaru of America, Inc. "As always, safety is a top priority for Subaru and one of our strengths as we transition to a premium brand in the marketplace."

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) offers consumers vehicle safety information, primarily front and side crash test results, and more recently rollover ratings, to assist consumers in their vehicle purchase decisions. The test results are released to consumers via an easily recognizable star rating system - from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the highest. Every year the agency selects new vehicles to test which are predicted to have high sales volume, those which have been redesigned with structural changes, or those with improved safety equipment.

The NCAP crash tests are conducted at speeds higher than required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for both side impacts at 38.5 miles per hour and full frontal barrier impacts at 35 miles per hour. The tests are conducted to compare vehicles for the NHTSA Consumer Information Program.

The all-new 2005 Subaru Outback brings occupant safety to a new level. Built on a new version of the company's proven Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame safety structure, the 2005 Outback models include as standard equipment front seat side impact air bags and side curtain air bags that offer additional head protection for front and rear occupants. New intelligent dual-stage deployment front air bags use sensors to detect the presence and weight of a front passenger and also the driver's distance from the steering wheel. The system determines front air bag deployment strength for optimal occupant protection.

Subaru Announces Guaranteed Trade-In Program

Subaru of America, Inc. has announced that it will offer the Subaru Guaranteed Trade-in Program or GTP to current owners of Subaru vehicles from model years 2001, 2002 and 2003. The goal of the program is help owners maximize the value of their current cars.

A company spokesman stated that between January 20 and March 31, 2005, Subaru of America, Inc. will guarantee the minimum trade-in value of a current vehicle, adding that certain criteria will need to be met for eligibility. Vehicles leased, titled in the name of a business or that have paint or collision damage will be excluded from the GTP offer. Also the trade-in price is only applicable toward the purchase of a new 2004 or 2005 Subaru from participating dealer inventory.

A spokesman added that the actual value of the trade may be even higher. If a car is in exceptional condition or is below normal mileage, a dealer could offer more for the trade. A complimentary vehicle evaluation to determine the actual market value of a Subaru is being offered at participating dealers.

The SubaruBucks program offers another option when purchasing a new 2004 or 2005 Subaru before March 31st. The company states that SubaruBucks can be used at a dealer for parts, service or accessories like a Subaru bike rack, cargo carrier or security system upgrade.

Subaru Baja Turbo Available Fall 2005

Subaru has announced it will be launching the new Subaru Baja Turbo in the fall of 2005. It will sport a 210 horsepower engine and 8.4 inches of ground clearance, compared with the current Subaru Baja specifications of 165-horsepower and 7.3 inches of ground clearance.

The Baja Turbo version is also reported to include more aggressive cosmetics, including a black finsh, six-spoke alloy wheels, sleek factory Subaru roof rack, red-outlined Baja badges, a roof-mounted antenna, functioning hood scoop, although smaller than the hood scoops on the Subaru WRX and Forester 2.5XT.

The 2.5-liter engine is a modification of the WRX STi engine, with 11.6 psi of boost compared with the STi's 14.5. A standard five-speed manual transmission is also reported to be available as an option.

Subaru originally marketed the Baja to the active-outdoor-lifestyle set and the new Subaru Baja Turbo continues in this direction.

Subaru Impreza Outback Sport Special Edition Offers New Features

SUBARU PRESS RELEASE
Subaru of America, Inc., the only automobile company to offer Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as a standard feature on every car in its product line, has introduced the Impreza Outback Sport Special Edition with enhanced interior features and comfort and with excellent value for the customer.

The Special Edition package includes $1,500 worth of options while adding just $500 to the manufacturer's suggested retail price of the standard Outback Sport model. The Subaru Outback Sport combines the style, utility and outdoors appeal of a small SUV with the performance and comfort of a passenger car. All Impreza and Outback Sport models gain a redesigned, premium interior and other enhancements for 2005.

The Outback Sport Special Edition adds to a lengthy standard equipment roster. A rear gate spoiler accents the exterior design. Inside, a 260-watt AM/FM premium sound system with a 6-disc in-dash CD changer and six upgraded speakers, including a sub-woofer, provides clean, powerful sound. Comfort is enhanced by a leather-wrapped shifter handle, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and parking brake handle, an auto-dimming compass rear-view mirror and a center console armrest extension.

"Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is the number one reason customers choose Outback Sport over competitors," said Fred Adcock, Executive V.P., Subaru of America. "Many competitors, and even some small SUVs, offer all-wheel drive only as an extra-cost option. The new Special Edition Package helps make Outback Sport an even more compelling choice."

Fun-to-drive performance is also part of Outback Sport's appeal. The 165-horsepower boxer engine is one of the most powerful standard engines in the segment, and fuel efficiency has been improved for 2005. With a high-strength body structure and 4-wheel independent suspension, Outback Sport models deliver crisp, taut handling and precise steering response. Steel gray metallic lower body color, side moldings and bumpers, plus projector-beam halogen fog lights and 7-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels highlight the sporty, rugged styling on both Outback Sport models.

The Outback Sport SE offers two new exterior colors exclusive to this model: Aqua Blue Metallic with Crystal Gray lower body color and Steel Gray Metallic with Crystal Gray lower body color.Outback Sport models provide a generous 27.9 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the rear seat, which expands to 61.6 cu. ft. with the standard 60/40 split rear seatback folded down. The standard 12-volt cargo area power outlet, factory Subaru roof rack and rear bumper step pad enhance utility in Outback Sport models. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine produces 165 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 166 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. Performance and response have been enhanced for 2005 by the addition of an Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system and multi-spray fuel injectors.

The 5-speed manual transmission models achieve 23 mpg city / 30 mpg highway EPA fuel mileage estimates, compared to 21/28 mpg for the 2004 models. The optional 4-speed direct control automatic transmission provides more responsive performance for 2005, especially when driving in hills. The Outback Sport models employ two different versions of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, depending on the transmission. Models with the 5-speed manual transmission feature a viscous coupling locking center differential that distributes power 50/50 front to rear. Models with the 4-speed direct control automatic transmission employ an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch that actively manages the power distribution based on acceleration, deceleration and available traction. Both systems power all four wheels all the time and will transfer more power to the wheels with the best grip should slippage occur.

All Impreza and Outback Sport models come standard with a 4-channel / 4-sensor Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) that incorporates Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).