Latest news with #Subaru
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2025 Subaru Forester hybrid's 35 mpg impresses despite pesky electronics
The 2025 Subaru Forester hybrid ratchets up efficiency with a 35-mpg combined city/highway fuel economy rating in a conservatively styled new model that should burnish the brand's reputation for durable practicality. The Forester is Subaru's second hybrid, following the subcompact Crosstrek. Expect the efficient drivetrain to proliferate across the automaker's lineup. In dealerships now, the Forester hybrid also has more power than the gasoline model, which also is on sale now. The Forester is new for 2025. Prices start at $29,995. Hybrids start at $36,595. I tested a nicely equipped Forester Sport hybrid that stickered at $39,595. All prices exclude $1,430 destination charges and tariffs. More: 2026 Toyota RAV4 goes all-hybrid as automaker warns tariffs threaten new-car affordability More: 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport hybrid: Mostly show, just enough go Subaru Forester trim levels and prices Base model: $29,995 Premium: $33,385 Sport: $36,105 Wilderness: $36,285 Premium hybrid: $36,595 Sport hybrid: $39,595 Limited hybrid : $41,010 Touring: $41,595 Touring hybrid: $43,295 Source: Edmunds. Prices exclude $1,420 destination charge and tariffs. Tough competition The Forester is Subaru's top-selling model, with 95,972 sales ― up 3.4% ― so far this year. It's one of the brand's cornerstones, alongside the subcompact Crosstrek ― 90,334 YTD ― and compact Outback ― 73, 257, and about to be replaced by a new model. The five-passenger Forester competes with compact SUVs like the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4 and VW Tiguan. It's a crowded class full of excellent vehicles. The Forester's 183.3-inch length is a 6.8-inch improvement from the '24 models. The 2025's length is typical of the class. The Forester's styling hews close to the upright, conservative look that has made the SUV popular for years and helps differentiate it from Subaru's larger Outback. Key features of 2025 Subaru Forester Available hybrid model New 2.5L boxer engine Standard all-wheel drive 11.6-inch touch screen 8.7 inches of ground clearance Driving impressions The Forester hybrid gets 194 hp from its combination of a 2.5L four-cylinder engine and electric motor. That's up from 180 on the gasoline Forester. Subaru doesn't provide a figure for combined torque, but the hybrid's acceleration is adequate for city and highway driving. The all-wheel drive system's features includes a faster acting center differential for torque distribution, right-to-left torque vectoring and hill descent control. The EPA rates the Forester hybrid at 34 mpg in the city, 35 on the highway and 35 combined. Thanks to a 16.6-gallon gas tank, Subaru claims the Forest hybrid can go 581 miles on a tank, topping hybrid versions of the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson by 15 to 63 miles. The Forester hybrid can tow up to 1,500 pounds. What could be better? Several of the Forester's electronic systems could use refinement. Voice recognition was inconsistent and several people I called commented on poor quality. The 11.6-inch, portrait orientation touch screen had a cluttered home screen. On the bright side, primary climate controls ― airflow, fan speed, seats ― are permanently in place at the bottom of the screen. A handful of physical switches ― the only existing ones are volume, tuning and temperature ― might help. Or a bigger screen with less blank plastic trim around it. The steering wheel alert repeatedly told me to put my hands on the wheel when they already were. Why buy a 2025 Subaru Forester hybrid? The Forester hybrid improves a model that was already a favorite with buyers. The improved fuel economy ― 21% versus a gasoline-power Forester ― will save owners about $250 a year, according to EPA figures. That's at current prices, and if there's anything we should know by now, it's that gas prices go up over time. Factor in more power and the traditional Subaru values of standard all-wheel drive and advanced safety features and the 2025 Forester should find welcome buyers, unless tariffs raise prices severely. 2025 Subaru Forester hybrid at a glance All-wheel drive five-seat compact hybrid SUV Seats five Base price: $36,595 On sale now Model tested: Sport hybrid Price as tested: $39,595 Power: 2.5L horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine, electric motor Total system output: 190 horsepower Transmission: Continuously variable automatic Wheelbase: 105.1 inches Length: 183.3 inches Width: 72 inches Height: 68.1 inches Ground clearance: 8.7 inches Passenger volume: 106.6 cubic feet Cargo volume: 27.5 cubic feet behind rear seat, 69.1 behind front seat Curb weight: 3,913 pounds Towing capacity: 1,500 pounds Assembled in Gunma, Japan Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@ Follow him on Twitter mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pesky electronics undermine 2025 Subaru Forester hybrid's appeal
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
SUBARU ANNOUNCES PRICING ON 2026 CROSSTREK INCLUDING NEW 2026 CROSSTREK HYBRID WITH NEXT-GENERATION POWERTRAIN
Next-generation Subaru hybrid system combining 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine with electric motors and high-capacity lithium-ion battery standard on Crosstrek Hybrid Uprated 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine now standard on entry-level Crosstrek Standard heated steering wheel added to Crosstrek Limited and Wilderness trim levels Legendary Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard on all models Starting at $26,995 MSRP and arriving in retailers in fall 2025 CAMDEN, N.J., July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc., today announced pricing on the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek, including the new Crosstrek Hybrid. The third-generation Subaru Crosstrek returns with an available, all-new next-generation Subaru series-parallel hybrid system for enhanced range and capability, and more standard comfort and convenience items on the award-winning Crosstrek. All Crosstrek models are equipped with legendary Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, including the new Crosstrek Hybrid, which seamlessly integrates its all-new powertrain into the existing architecture with no loss in capability. A 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine is standard on all Crosstrek models for 2026; and Crosstrek Limited, Crosstrek Limited Hybrid, and Wilderness trim levels now include standard heated steering wheels for added comfort. The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek and Crosstrek Hybrid arrive at retailers beginning this fall. For 2026, the Subaru Crosstrek is available in Base, Premium, Sport, Sport Hybrid, Limited, Limited Hybrid, and Wilderness trim levels. New for 2026, the Subaru Crosstrek base trim level adds an uprated 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine making 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, which was previously standard on Premium, Sport, Limited, and Wilderness trim levels. The new 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is equipped with an Atkinson/Miller-cycle 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine paired to electric motors and a high-capacity lithium-ion battery making 194 horsepower combined. Crosstrek Limited, including Limited Hybrid, now includes DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System as standard equipment, which is new for 2026. All trim levels of the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek are equipped with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, X-MODE® Dual Mode System with Hill Descent Control, and at least 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Standard on all trim levels is a Lineartronic® CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with smooth and quiet performance. Every 2026 Subaru Crosstrek is equipped with the award-winning EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology that includes a pre-collision braking system, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and advanced adaptive cruise control with lane centering. Automatic emergency steering is included in models equipped with blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. The safety feature works with EyeSight® and blind-spot detection to assist with steering control within the lane of travel, helping to avoid forward crashes at speeds slower than 50 mph. Subaru Crosstrek Starting at $26,995 MSRP, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek includes a long list of impressive standard features, including EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, steering responsive LED headlights, SI-DRIVE engine performance management, 17-inch alloy wheels in dark gray finish, dual-zone automatic climate control, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System with individual tire display and automatic individual wheel ID registration. Dual 7.0-inch Subaru touchscreens for infotainment are standard in the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek. The top screen controls smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity; AM/FM stereo; Rear Vision Camera; SiriusXM® with 360L and Travel Link, and HD Radio®. The bottom touchscreen offers controls for climate and vehicle settings. Additional features included in the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek include power windows with auto up/down for the front windows, Auto Stop-Start, power door locks and side mirrors, tilt and telescoping steering column, keyless entry, security system with engine immobilizer, USB-A input/charging and 3.5mm auxiliary input in the front center console, 60/40-split folding rear seat, carpeted floor mats, crossbar mounting points, and Welcome Lighting. Rear seat side airbags, Keyless Access with Push-Button Start, and Auto Vehicle Shut Down, which turns off the vehicle if not driven after 30 minutes, are newly standard on Crosstrek. Subaru Crosstrek Premium Building on features found on Crosstrek, the 2026 Crosstrek Premium adds more convenience features for $27,995 MSRP to start. It adds 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with dark gray machine finish, a Subaru 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system with six speakers, SiriusXM® with 360L (4-month free trial included), wireless Apple CarPlay® and wireless Android Auto™ compatibility. Other features include USB-A and USB-C input/charging ports in the front center console, USB-A and USB-C charging ports in the rear center console, raised ladder-type roof rails, and LED fog lights. An option package with blind-spot detection with rear-cross traffic alert, all-weather package (heated front seats, windshield wiper de-icer, and heated exterior mirrors), automatic emergency steering, 10-way power driver's seat with 2-way lumbar support, and power moonroof is available for $2,245 MSRP. Subaru Crosstrek Sport The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Sport blends unique exterior and interior styling elements with the capability found across the model lineup for a starting price of $30,625 MSRP. Building on the Premium trim level, the Crosstrek Sport adds yellow accents on the front, side, and rear panels; larger 18-inch alloy wheels in dark gray finish; sport cloth upholstery with yellow contrast stitching; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever handle; simulated carbon fiber interior trim accents; and yellow metallic finish trim rings on the tachometer and speedometer. Added convenience items include a standard wireless phone charger in the center console, all-weather package, and upgraded headlights with LED front signals. Subaru Crosstrek Limited Newly added comfort and convenience items to the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Limited enhance the SUV's value for $32,995 MSRP. A heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel is added for this year, emergency lane keep assist, and DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System, which helps drivers stay alert to the road ahead. The Crosstrek Limited builds on features from the Sport trim level with added blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency steering, reverse automatic braking, and a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat with 2-way lumbar support. Inside, the Crosstrek Limited adds black or gray perforated leather-appointed seats with contrast orange stitching, shift lever cover, center console storage lid, door armrests, and instrument panel. Chrome interior door handles and chrome-trimmed power window switches add more refined touches to Crosstrek Limited. Outside, the Crosstrek Limited includes 18-inch dark gray alloy wheels with machine finish and exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals. Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness With adventure on the horizon, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness adds uprated capability and unique style with more convenience features for $33,795 MSRP. The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness combines a 180-hp 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and standard X-MODE® with 9.3 inches of ground clearance, revised gearing, exclusive body cladding, and increased towing capacity to 3,500 pounds (vs. 1,500 pounds on non-Wilderness trim levels). Inside, the Crosstrek Wilderness includes durable, versatile, and water-resistant Subaru StarTex® upholstery with the Wilderness logo embossed on the front headrests. Copper-colored contrast stitching complements the interior, and anodized copper-finish accents on the shifter, gauge meter rings and newly standard heated leather-wrapped steering wheel set the adventure-ready model apart. Outside, the Crosstrek Wilderness adds unique styling with exclusive front and rear bumpers, a bold hexagonal front grille, larger wheel arch cladding, enhanced underbody protection, unique hex-design LED fog lights and an anti-glare hood decal in matte-black finish. The Wilderness rides on taller front and rear suspension components to accommodate chunky standard Yokohama GEOLANDAR® all-terrain tires wrapping 17-inch alloy wheels in matte-black finish. An available option package for Wilderness includes a power moonroof, 10-way power driver's seat with 2-way lumbar support, and Harman Kardon® 10-speaker system with 432-watt equivalent amplifier for $2,270 MSRP. Subaru Crosstrek Sport Hybrid New for 2026, the Subaru Crosstrek Sport Hybrid adds a fuel-efficient, next-generation Subaru hybrid powertrain, standard 12.3-inch full digital display cluster, 11.6-inch Subaru Multimedia Plus System with Navigation, and other comfort items for $33,995 MSRP. Building on features found in the gas-only Subaru Crosstrek Sport, the Crosstrek Sport Hybrid adds standard blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency steering, and emergency lane keep assist. The Crosstrek Sport Hybrid also adds a 10-way power driver's seat with 2-way lumbar support, power moonroof, and hybrid-exclusive 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with dark gray finish. Subaru Crosstrek Limited Hybrid The new 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Limited Hybrid combines the impressive features found in the Crosstrek Limited with the all-new next-generation Subaru series-parallel hybrid powertrain for longer range and comfort. In addition to the Atkinson/Miller 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine, electric motors, and high-capacity lithium-ion battery, the Crosstrek Limited includes an 11.6-inch Subaru Multimedia Plus System with Navigation and 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster for $34,995 MSRP. The Crosstrek Limited Hybrid builds from the gas-only Crosstrek Limited with exclusive 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with dark gray machine finish, gray StarTex® interior upholstery with orange stitching, and Harman Kardon® 10-speaker system with 432-watt equivalent amplifier. An options package for Crosstrek Limited Hybrid adds a power moonroof and surround view monitor for $1,600 MSRP. Sane Dune Pearl and Citron Yellow Pearl are available exclusively on Crosstrek Hybrid trim levels and cost $395 MSRP. Premium Alpine Green is available across the 2026 Crosstrek range for $395 MSRP. Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid models are assembled in Gunma, Japan, while the rest of the Crosstrek lineup is assembled at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., in Lafayette, Indiana. 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Model/Trim Transmission Applicable Option MSRP MSRP plus Destination and Delivery ($1,420)i Crosstrek CVT 03 $26,995 $28,415 Crosstrek Premium CVT 13, 14 $27,995 $29,415 Crosstrek Sport CVT 21 $30,625 $32,045 Crosstrek Sport Hybrid CVT 26 $33,995 $35,415 Crosstrek Limited CVT 31 $32,995 $34,415 Crosstrek Limited Hybrid CVT 36, 37 $34,995 $36,415 Crosstrek Wilderness CVT 21, 23 $33,795 $35,215 2026 Crosstrek Option Packages Code Description MSRP 03, 13, 21, 26, 31, 36 Standard Model N/A 14 Blind-Spot Detection / Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, All-Weather Package, Power Driver Seat, Power Moonroof $2,245 37 Power Moonroof, 360-Degree Surround View Monitor $1,600 23 Harman Kardon® Speaker System, Power Moonroof, Power Driver Seat $2,270 MSRP does not include tax, title, registration or optional $395 premium paint (Sand Dune Pearl, Citron Yellow Pearl, Alpine Green). Destination & Delivery is $1,420 for Crosstrek and may vary in the following states: CT, HI, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI and VT. D&D is $1,570 for retailers in Alaska. About Subaru of America, of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $340 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 115,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube. Dominick Infante Director, Corporate Communications 856.488.8615 dinfante@ Aaron Cole Product Communications Manager 856.488.3697 acole1@ Miranda Jimenez Product Communications Specialist 856.438.2820 mjimen@ Karley Dowdy Product Communications Specialist 856.488.8527 Kdowdy@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.
Boston Globe
10 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Boston Globe
Why are people living off grid in Maine? It's simple.
'It's a lot of work to live off the grid,' he said. 'Some people couldn't pull it off. It's a way of life where you've got your garden, you're heating with wood. It lowers your expenses. You don't have to worry about the price of oil or electricity. Some people even build or renovate their own homes.' Mooers explained the folks who live off the grid aren't looking for an easy life, but they want a simpler life. They're more than happy to forgo some modern conveniences to escape traffic, crime, and noise. A typical buyer looking to move off-grid is somewhere in their 50s, but he said they come in all ages and from all over. Advertisement 'The best way to do it is to plan,' he said. 'You don't just quit your job, load up the Subaru, and head north. Some people do it that way, but that makes your chances of success slimmer. You need shelter and four cords of seasoned wood by November. You can't live in a camper over the winter. Plan your work and work your plan.' Mooers said the cost of a 10- to 15-acre lot in Northern Maine can run between $24,900 and $34,900, depending on road accessibility, the quality and condition of the woods, and other amenities like great views and the presence of a water source such as a stream. Jason and Jennifer Remillard on their Maine homestead in front of their solar array and shed. Jennifer Remillard For 10 years, Jason and Jennifer Remillard, now in their 50s, planned and saved before they bought 54 acres on the Canadian border in 2019. There was nothing but an old hunting cabin on it at the time. In 2021, they moved there permanently and began building what would become 'A vision quest is a journey that typically a young person does, where they leave their home, and they go and search for themselves,' Jason said. 'For us, we're middle-aged, all of our kids are grown, and we did well for ourselves, financially. This is our own Hanbleceya. It so happens it's in the northeast woods of Maine.' They grow flowers, vegetables, and fruits in raised beds. They've even planted an orchard. The cabin has plumbing — well water, an underground gray water system for sinks, shower, laundry, and composting toilets — and electricity powered by solar and a gas generator as well as two woodstoves. They hope to do more hunting and fishing, and even get some horses and other livestock once they're done building out the ranch's infrastructure. Advertisement Jen canned homemade chili in the Remillards' cabin. Jason Remillard 'We built out our cabin, which is two Amish-built cabins that we joined with in a T formation,' he said. 'That's the main structure. Then, we have a carport. We built a solar power shed, an outdoor kitchen, a storage shed, which is also the original cabin that was on the property. We built a greenhouse, another small storage shed, a workshop, and a firewood shed.' Jason said he and Jennifer did all this with virtually no carpentry experience. Most of their projects are documented on their YouTube channel, where they show viewers what life off the grid in Maine is really like — learning as they go. A moose made a visit to Hanbleceya Ranch in Northern Maine. Jennifer Remaillard Their three Australian cattle dogs make cameos in nearly every video and seem to be enjoying life in the woods as much as the Remillards. They say they've never been happier or healthier. They live 26 miles from the nearest gas station, and neighbors are few and far between. They say they've found people to be genuinely helpful, giving advice, loaning extra firewood, or engaging in conversation. There's a sizable Amish population in the 'The Amish play a critical role in everyone's everyday life here,' Jason said. 'They have several businesses that that we all rely on. They have a metal shop where damned near everybody purchases their tin from for their roofs and other metal. They've got a construction supply store and several others. It's a very close-knit relationship, and we are all quite intertwined.' Advertisement There are as many ways to live off the grid in Maine as there are people who do it. Barbara Martin, 69, lives alone with two dogs in a cabin on the water near the Canadian border and documents her life on her YouTube channel, Barbara Martin inside her off-grid home in Maine. Barbara J. Martin In 2019, after a couple of years driving around the country in an RV, she wanted to live on the water, so she bought 10 oceanfront acres with a 20-foot-by-32-foot, two-story summer camp. She had never lived off-grid, so she learned how to insulate the cabin for Northern Maine's harsh winters. Then, she paneled the interior with boards from disassembled wood pallets and had a woodstove installed. 'I'm an outdoor person,' she said. 'It isn't work. This is a lifestyle, and it's incredibly rewarding. If you really want to find out, you have to try it yourself. And I honestly believe most people will find it incredible being so self-sufficient. There's no way to describe it.' Here's one way to describe it. No electricity and no plumbing. She runs a 100-watt gas generator for about an hour each day to charge her phone, computers, and refrigerator. 'I cook on a butane camping stove in the summer and the woodstove in the winter,' she said. 'I get drinking water from a public spring a few miles away. And I go through about four cords of wood every winter. I use a composting toilet and believe it or not, I shower outside year-round.' Advertisement Barbara Martin enjoys kayaking in the summer. Barbara J. Martin As she closes in on her 70th birthday later this year, surely she misses some of the comforts and conveniences of conventional living? 'Absolutely nothing,' she said. 'I am an extremely independent person. I love my privacy and hate crowds. If anybody down your way is even considering off-grid property, the way the world's going, I honestly believe this is the best investment you can make for yourself and your family. Just find your spot and go for it.'
Motor Trend
a day ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
Future and Past Collide—Confusingly, Excitingly—at the World's Best Car Meet
Uncertainty is everywhere in the automotive industry. On-again off-again tariffs, flat sales, the looming threat of Chinese automakers, and yes, electrification all present hurdles. Uncertainty on the latter—frequently conflated with automotive technological progress by enthusiasts—was top of mind for me at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed. A ride-along over the weekend with Travis Pastrana in a 2025 Subaru WRX ARA24 and with Max McCrae in his uncle Colin's 1990 Subaru Legacy RS at the festival's Forest Rally Stage and watching the Festival's signature timed shootout has me thinking a bit differently about the march of progress. The 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed showcased automotive progress with Chinese EVs, rallying with Travis Pastrana in a Subaru WRX, and debates on electrification's impact. The event also highlighted new car debuts and significant Chinese automaker presence, reflecting industry shifts. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next Pastrana, to most Americans, needs little introduction. Some know him for his Hall of Fame motocross career, a fearless freestyle motocross X Games champ, stuntman from Nitro Circus, or as a NASCAR racer. But rallying and rallycross, now that he's retired from competitive motocross due to a frightfully long list of injuries (including, as he was quick to point out, a broken urethra), has long seemed to be his second love. Pastrana recently rejoined Subaru Motorsports USA where he's competing in the American Rally Association. At Goodwood, he took me for a ride in Subaru's Open 4WD WRX ARA24 car. These cars are heavily modified from stock WRXs, featuring restricted 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-4s good for 320 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, running through a six-speed sequential transmission and mechanical differential to all four wheels. At each corner the stock suspension is swapped for new springs and dampers with a foot of travel and 15-inch wheels on gravel rally tires. Short of the hybridized million-dollar tube frame rally cars now running in the World Rally Championship, the open class WRX ARA car is about as bleeding edge as you can get in the rally world. The WRX ARA's runs—and those of the Toyota and Hyundai WRC teams— wouldn't be officially counted on the Forest Rally Stage, but the fact that the festival was posting times was enough to bring out the full competitor in Pastrana and the rest of the Subaru team as they sought to post the fastest time in one of their laps. Slower and wider than the Rally1 WRC cars (not to mention cheaper, too), the WRX ARA24 would have its work cut out for it. Our run was, in a word, quick. I have no idea of the time of our particular run, but Pastrana and the team would go on to post the second-quickest time on the course of the weekend at 2.33.2, just a couple seconds behind a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 (which the Subaru team was quick to point out cut the Gymkhana barrel out of its unofficial run). The car felt phenomenally fun from the passenger seat, seemingly reacting instantaneously to Pastrana's steering, braking, and throttle inputs, while the rally suspension soaked up the ruts, berms, and jumps on the course as softly as a dune runner might. Watching an elite athlete such as Pastrana work up close was equally fascinating, as he wielded the WRX like Shohei Ohtani does a baseball bat, or Connor McDavid does a hockey stick—using their tools' strengths to improve their individual performances and knowing when they might need to make up for any weaknesses in their equipment. While not yet quite as accomplished as his father Alister, grandfather Jimmy, or uncle Colin, Max McCrae has already set out to make a name of his own in the WRC's Group Rally2, where he runs a Citroen C3 Rally2. He was at Goodwood, however, helping honor the legacy of his uncle. That's where the Legacy RS comes in. In many ways both Colin McCrae's and Subaru's rally journeys began with this car, which was piloted to a second place finish in the 1992 Rally Sweden by Colin. Subaru would soon replace the Legacy with the Impreza, marking a direct lineage to Pastrana's WRX. On paper, it should prove a match for the modern ARA car. Simpler, and lighter than its modern descendant, it's powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-4 with 290 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque. But some of its other mechanicals are simpler, both in terms of how they operate and how they're manufactured. The Legacy lacks a modern anti-lag system and puts its power down through a five-speed dogbox manual transmission. Its all-wheel drive system also features permanently locked differentials that make low speed maneuvering difficult, and a hydraulic handbrake without the responsiveness of a modern unit. Despite the, uh, legacy of this particular Legacy, McCrae didn't take it easy on the car during our ride along with him. To be honest, I didn't get the sense that he could if he wanted to maximize its performance because nothing seemed to happen instantly or easily in the Legacy RS. On straights McCrae needed to manage the body's balance as the car skipped down the stage, gearshifts in a shift pattern the motorsports world has long moved past, and brakes without the feel or stopping power of their modern counterparts. In corners, McCrae had to balance the hydraulic hand brake, diffs, and also keep the engine in the sweet spot of its powerband where he could minimize lag. McCrae had to work twice as hard to get every last bit of performance out of that Legacy, which leaves less room for the driver to actually focus on driving and maximizing their own performance. Progress rears its head again during the Festival of Speed's headlining timed shoot out on Sunday afternoon, where competitors vie to post the quickest time up the 1.16-mile, nine-turn hillclimb. Last year the Subaru Project Midnight WRX, a highly modified WRX ARA rally car, built, like the rally car by Subaru Motorsports USA technical partner Vermont Sports Cars, with 670 hp designed to dominate on this single event and driven by Scott Speed came in second to a quad-motor electric Ford Supervan. This year, the team, facing a 2,000-plus horsepower quad-motor Ford F-150 Lightning Supertruck, expected the same results despite some changes based on Speed's feedback from last year. As Vermont Sports Cars technical director Yannis Loison told us, 'With [an] internal combustion engine only we'll never reach what [Ford has] with the EV. If we really want to compete against them, to try to beat them, we need a combo with [an] internal combustion engine and something electric.' Unfortunately for the Subaru Motorsports USA team, Loison proved prophetic. Despite improving by 1.04 seconds to 45.03 versus last year, the Ford truck still beat the souped-up Subaru, finishing in 43.22 seconds. And that's through no fault of Speed. Like Pastrana earlier in the WRX ARA car, in-car footage of Speed showed him methodically wringing every last ounce of performance out of Project Midnight, shaving grass on corners where he could, and narrowly skirting the unforgiving walls near the top of the climb on the unforgiving course. But the Supertruck, driven by Romain Dumas, made up for any disadvantage it might have in its weight with power, simply eliminating any straight in a blink while still somehow managing to carry high speeds through corners. In a lot of ways what the driving loving public and motorsports is going through in trying to figure out how much—if at all—to embrace electrification mimics what other sports have gone through as technology progressed. Professional baseball, when faced with introducing home run–friendly aluminum or composite bats, opted to preserve the tradition of wood bats instead. That makes it much more difficult for pros to hit home runs, and as an indirect result the league has tweaked the game's rules to improve offense. Professional hockey, meanwhile, allowed the introduction of aluminum and eventually composite sticks in the '90s. The long term result is a game that's faster, and more offensive, thanks to players who've since learned how to maximize the whippier, more responsive sticks and improve their own games. I'm not advocating one way or the other, but at some point we're going to have to decide collectively as driving enthusiasts whether we want to embrace the excitement and promise of new technologies or preserve the past in stasis. Other items from the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed The auto show is alive and well: Big international auto shows have been shrinking in significance for about a decade now, with COVID nearly decimating them entirely. The Goodwood Festival of Speed perhaps shows a way forwards for the future. The infield of the festival featured stands from the likes of BMW, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lotus, MG, Renault, and more, where folks could hop in and out of cars back-to-back. In between, they could enjoy hillclimb runs, festival food and drinks, live music, shopping, and kid play areas. Some automakers even took the opportunity to debut new cars, such as the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 N and Ioniq 6 N Performance, Honda Super EV concept (a little Kei-sized city EV), and the Porsche Cayenne Electric, and run them up the hill for the public. Where else can you see a new car debut and hit the road in the same day? Goodwood, that's where. Hot commodities: When it comes to the infield auto show–like section of Goodwood, we think the three individually most popular vehicles were the Ioniq 6 N, the Renault 5 E-Tech, and the Renault's sporty cousin, the Alpine A290. Hyundai's large display featured both new Ioniq 6 N iterations front-and-center and there was never a time we walked by where they weren't surrounded by throngs of people. Even the tech talk Hyundai did on the cars seemed well-attended. The Renault and Alpine, meanwhile, are stylish Volkswagen Golf–sized EVs that look stellar in person. Well-proportioned outside, inside they featured high quality body-colored textile seats and accent stitching, and even an optional baguette holder on the Renault version. The Renault 5 E-Tech has 40 and 52 kWh battery packs and up to 150 hp from a single front-mounted motor with up to 249 miles of range on the generous WTLP cycle. The sportier Alpine A290 keeps that 52 kWh pack and ups power to 217 hp in its hottest configuration, dropping to 236 miles. The Renault starts at around $30,000, while the Alpine nearer $46,000, though both notably include British VAT. Foreign journalists we've spoken to adore driving both cars. The Chinese are coming, the Chinese are coming! With the United Kingdom officially out of the European Union, its own automotive industry in distress, and the Chinese looking for more markets for their EVs, BYD, Chery, Geely, SAIC, Xiaomi, and Xpeng had a sizeable footprint at Goodwood. SAIC, which owns MG, has had a growing presence on UK roads for years and its booth, headlined by a bumblebee-yellow Cyberster, was packed all weekend. Ditto Lotus' (owned by Geely), with the Electre and Emiya, swamped. Even brands without a British legacy had the public's attention. Xiaomi and XPeng ran cars up the hill (MG did, too). BYD's Denza luxury brand's booth had a DJ and electric violinist playing all weekend and featured a steady line of folks who wanted to sit inside the luxury D9 van. Chery also had a clever way to get folks into their cars. It provided a fleet of Jaecoo and Omoda SUVs—both from two new export-only brands—to shuttle folks to and from parking lots and around the sprawling grounds. We asked one driver, an older gentleman driving an Omoda 5 compact PHEV SUV, about his perception of Chinese EVs. He responded, 'That's the question, isn't it? My friends and I have been talking a lot about that, and we've come to the conclusion that they're perfectly alright.' According to the BBC, one in 10 new cars sold in the UK thus far this year are Chinese. MG and Polestar represent the bulk of those sales.
Car and Driver
a day ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Travis Pastrana and Rhianon Gelsomino Teach Us the Art of Co-Driving
Colin McRae, Tommi Makinen, Walter Rohrl. Motorsports fans are familiar with those legendary names. But while rally drivers receive the fame and glory, they don't do it alone. Seated beside them as they slide across loose gravel, launch over jumps, and rocket through dense forests are the co-drivers. These underappreciated motorsports heroes allow those brave drivers to navigate tricky rally stages at full speed. To learn more about what it takes to be a co-driver, we talked with Rhianon Gelsomino, co-driver for Subaru's Travis Pastrana, before strapping in next to the American daredevil for a ride through the tight and twisty rally course at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the Subaru WRX ARA25. There are many paths to becoming a co-driver. Some, like Gelsomino, grow up in a rally-driving family and learn through immersion. "My dad was actually one of Australia's best rally drivers," Gelsomino told us as we waited to clamber into the WRX ARA25. "So I've come up with rally in my life, and my two brothers are rally drivers as well." When her family needed someone to call out the notes for their races, she took the opportunity to ride shotgun. Others train specifically for the job. Her husband, Alex Gelsomino, served as the late Ken Block's co-driver for 17 years and perfected his skills through a rally co-driver school in Italy as a teenager. Rhianon and Alex now lead a co-driver school through Dirtfish, among the top rally schools in North America. "That's how we encourage co-drivers to start learning the right way," she explained. Subaru Rhianon Gelsomino and Travis Pastrana at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Sometimes co-drivers start out behind the wheel before switching to the support role. "A lot of times it would be a driver that runs out of money," Gelsomino said. "With co-driving, you need a suit, helmet, boots, and you can co-drive, whereas the driver needs a car." When drivers begin hitting budgetary constraints in the famously expensive world of motorsports, she suggests they shift their focus. "Learn to be a co-driver, learn what rally is, and then change over to driving when you have the budget," she said. This also helps drivers gain a better perspective of what their co-driver needs to do their job properly. Although the co-driver doesn't actively steer the car with their hands, they do steer it, in a sense, with their voice, and their ability to communicate quickly and clearly with the driver is critical to a good result. That communication ultimately comes down to building trust between the teammates, as even the smallest mistake at over 100 mph on a narrow rally course can lead to a catastrophic accident. The first step is simply getting to know one another. "I make sure I learn a lot about them," said Gelsomino. "What car they're driving, what experience they have, what crashes they've had, what note system they use." Before the rally, the driver and co-driver do a reconnaissance drive of the stage at a much slower speed, and the driver takes notes that the co-driver will then read out when they tackle the event at full speed. "If they're not writing good notes, I can't do my job properly either." Subaru Before Gelsomino joined Pastrana in the Subaru WRX ARA25 for the American Rally Association, she competed in the World Rally Championship. "I'd learned a lot of things about video analysis and pace notes," she explained. "One big thing I worked on with him is using technology to his advantage." She showed Pastrana the benefit of recording their reconnaissance run, or "recce" as it's known among the competitors. "We record it because then we watch it at double speed together to rehearse the stage after the recce, to simulate it." Trading knowledge and preparing together is key to solidifying that trust in the car. "When you've done so much work rehearsing, that trust is built," she said. But some of it is also just innate. "We also have very similar personalities, he's like a brother to me. You find a bond," she explained. "Some people you don't, and you don't tend to continue working with them. You spend hours together, so you want to get along with the person, and you want to enjoy it." The other component to success is ensuring that you're speaking the same language. Every driver has their own style of taking notes. "In America, most drivers who use a one-to-six system, which is one will be a hairpin and a six will be flat out," Gelsomino detailed. "And they'll either say number or a direction: six left or left six, depending on which way they are going." But not everyone follows the same formula. "My brother, who I've done most of my rallies all over the world, he's a one-to-10 system." Subaru Then there are the "accessory words," which give the driver extra context on how to set up for the upcoming corner, and the "trigger words" that warn of big adjustments. The former might include "into" to connect a string of tightly packed corners, or "hug" to tell the driver to keep close to the inside of the corner instead of taking a more traditional racing line. The latter covers phrases like "caution, brake, and max flat." Luckily, when we rode alongside Pastrana on the short Goodwood rally stage, we weren't asked to read out notes. The jovial Pastrana had already completed several runs and was well-versed on the course, all the better since, as we soon discovered, it's quite the challenge to keep up. The launch off the line was violent despite the slick surface underneath, and as the Subaru WRX ARA25 surged forward, its nose pointed skyward, making it hard to judge or position relative to the upcoming turns. Those corners come at you fast, one after another. Pastrana's hands worked just as fast, whipping the steering wheel left and right, shifting gears, and yanking on the handbrake. The forces on your body are intense, from the grab of the harness under braking to the dramatic squat and dive that the long-travel suspension allows, and the feeling of constantly being sideways yet still going straight. As we scythed through the trees, we tried bracing for the corners ahead and keeping an eye on the narrow dirt route, but everything happened so quickly, we could only just hang on. The rapid two-and-a-half-minute run up the 1.5-mile course illustrated the impressive skills required of both rally drivers and co-drivers. Not only were we blown away by Pastrana's artful car control, as he chatted casually over the radio with a big grin on his face, but the immense speed demonstrated the challenge of co-driving, thinking several corners ahead, reading out each direction clearly, and timing it perfectly. Rally is truly a team sport, and while the drivers are the ones whose names get plastered onto video game covers, they couldn't do it without their co-driver beside them. Caleb Miller Associate News Editor Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
