Subaru announces BRZ tuned by STI

Subaru of America, Inc. has announced two new performance models: the 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA and 2018 Subaru BRZ tS. Both are performance focused derivatives engineered by Subaru Tecnica International, Inc. specifically for driving enthusiasts. Each vehicle is limited to 500 units and vehicles will arrive at Subaru retailers in early 2018.
 

BRZ tS

The 2018 BRZ tS (tuned by STI) delivers the highest level of “fun to drive” and “pure handling delight” through greater flexibility, better control and stability.

BRZ is renowned for its ultra-low center of gravity and precision handling, and the new BRZ tS adds STI-tuned front and rear SACHS® dampers and coil springs as well as flexible V-braces in the engine compartment. New draw stiffeners are added to the chassis and sub-frame to improve steering response. The BRZ tS is also equipped with 18-in. lightweight STI wheels (the first time that a BRZ has been offered with 18-inch wheels) mounted with 215/40 R 18 Michelin Pilot® Sport 4 tires for superior grip and quicker turn-in. Brembo® brakes at all four corners round-out the package.

 

The exterior also adds a more aggressive look with an exclusive STI rear carbon fiber spoiler. The spoiler is manually adjustable to fine-tune rear downforce. The addition of STI front, rear and side underspoilers helps control airflow for better traction and stability.

The BRZ tS is also adorned with an exclusive Cherry Blossom Red accent around the front grille and unique rear bumper cover. The rear hatch displays the official BRZ tS badge. The exterior foldable mirrors, roof-mounted shark fin antenna, BRZ and SUBARU badging all have a black finish. Also, the fog lights have been removed and replaced with STI fog light covers.

The cabin features black leather and Alcantara® upholstery with contrasting red stitching and accents throughout the interior, including steering wheel, door and dash panels, knee pads, shifter and emergency brake boots. front seats have red leather bolsters and the seatbacks are embroidered with the tS logo. The visor over the gauge cluster is unique to this model, as is the interior door trim. The center console has been updated to a cast black finish. The BRZ tS also comes standard with red front seat belts and a frameless interior rear view mirror.

WRX STI Type RA

 

 

The RA designation stands for “Record Attempt” and has been applied to various Subaru performance models. The original venture took place in 1989 when a competition version Subaru Legacy broke the FIA World Speed Endurance Record by clocking over 62,000 miles in 18 days and set a top speed record of 138 mph. Furthering this spirit of endeavor, a special race model WRX STI Type RA NBR Special will attempt a Nürburgring speed record this summer.

In keeping with this tradition, the 2018 WRX STI Type RA delivers increased performance through weight reduction, suspension and engine upgrades. The new, numbered limited edition model comes standard with a carbon fiber roof panel, the removal of the spare tire, a carbon fiber pedestal wing and lightweight BBS® 19-in. forged alloy wheels shod with 245/35R19 Yokohama Advan Sports tires.

Powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine, the limited edition WRX STI Type RA increases horsepower to an estimated 310hp with the help of an STI-specified new cold air intake and high flow performance exhaust. A retuned ECU and stronger pistons also contribute to the increased engine performance. The six-speed transmission features a revised 3rd gear ratio paired with a short throw shifter. The weight reduction, additional horsepower and revised gearing all contribute to faster acceleration.

Handling has been upgraded with inverted front struts and rear double wishbone suspension all with Bilstein® dampers. A modified multi-mode VDC gives the car better stability control to keep it on its intended path. The Brembo® brake system, with monoblock 6-piston front calipers and dual-piston rear calipers, features an exclusive silver finish and is paired with cross-drilled rotors for better heat dissipation.

The WRX STI Type RA is immediately identified by an exclusive Cherry Blossom Red accent around both the front mesh grille and new rear bumper cover. An STI front underspoiler has also been added for better stability at high speeds. The exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals, a roof-mounted shark fin antenna and STI fender badges now come in a black finish. The rear deck lid displays the WRX STI Type RA badge.

In addition to the eye-catching exterior, the WRX STI Type RA cabin features Recaro® performance design front seats with red bolsters and stitching as well as an embossed STI logo on the head restraints. The signature red stitching and accent trim is visible throughout the cabin. The steering wheel is wrapped in Ultrasuede® for better grip and has a black gloss-finish center spoke insert with STI logo. Push-button start with Keyless Access is also standard equipment. Each of the 500 WRX STI Type RA produced for retail sale has been individually numbered with a plaque mounted on the center console.

Both the 2018 WRX STI Type RA and BRZ tS will be available in WR Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Silica and Crystal White Pearl.

source: motioncars.inquirer.net

Starting School Later Can Help Reduce St. Louis Teen Car Accidents

Car accidents are a leading cause of death among teenagers – 20 percent are caused by drowsy driving.

In 2014, the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project launched the Awake at the Wheel campaign to educate young drivers about the risks associated with drowsy driving. It is a campaign that may have made a difference for someone like Ronnie Lynn Thompson, who died at age 16 after being killed in an accident when his friend fell asleep while driving.

No Drowsy Driving (NOD.D.)

Ronnie’s mother founded No Drowsy Driving (NOD.D.) to bring more awareness to the growing number of car accidents caused by young teenagers not getting enough sleep. This has been a huge problem for teenagers as studies have shown that teenagers who do not get proper sleep are at a higher risk of being involved in car accidents; possibly because of the increased drowsiness combined with the inexperience they have behind the steering wheel.

Car accidents are a leading cause of death among teenagers and about 20 percent of those deaths can be linked to someone not getting a good night’s rest. More than half of all accidents involving someone being tired behind the wheel involve young drivers aged 25 and younger.

 Sleep Recommendations For Teenagers

According to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, only about 31 percent of children in high school are getting the recommended nine hours of sleep per night that is required for good health and alertness. The reason for this lack of good sleep is what some sleep experts call the adolescent phase delay – a natural shift in a teen’s circadian rhythm. Researchers have found that an optimal sleep schedule for a teenager is from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Changing School Schedules 

Considering this sleep schedule, there is a push for schools to change the starting time for school. Dr. Timothy Morgenthaler, the President of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, reports that about 50 percent of the communities that have later school start times have seen teenage car accident rates decrease between 65 and 75 percent.

The proposal to change school start times has also been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics because of reasons beyond the car accidents. In a statement that was published in September 2014, parents and physicians were reminded that children who do not get enough sleep at night also develop mental problems (i.e. problems performing in the classroom) and physical problems in addition to the increased chances of being involved in a car accident.

Talk with a St. Louis Car Wreck Lawyer

If you have been injured by a negligent driver, consult a St. Louis car wreck lawyer to understand your legal rights. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.LC. at (314) 361-4242 for a free consultation.

source:  hoffmannpersonalinjury.com

Is Lending A Good Idea

Every now and then, someone decides it’s a good idea to ask you to borrow your car. Now, in the goodness of your own heart, you may feel it is necessary to be a great human being and lend them. A car is not a t-shirt, a dvd or a power drill. A car is a serious piece of equipment, and you as the owner, are liable for what happens to it, and because of it. Feeling the pressure to lend the car you own maybe high, but put your foot down, check out our checklist and make your lending decisions accordingly:

No matter how much they beg and plead and promise to bring it right back, if your teen wants to go somewhere – you make sure to do the driving and not them. In some domestic cultures, parents let their kids learn to drive in a very hands-on way. They will teach them how to drive, and then let them use to car to do various runs, usually within the town or neighborhood. It may seem harmless enough, but it just takes one accident, one missed light, one tiny distraction, and things can go horribly awry. A case on the ever popular Judge Judy show in 2011 exemplified this perfectly. A mother taught her son (14) to drive, and allowed him to go joy riding in the area and on their property. One day, they had visitors over, who came with a daughter the son’s age. In an effort to impress her, the son invited the daughter to go joy riding with him on the family’s property. He apparently was speeding and lost control of the car on the family property, totaling the vehicle, and killing that visitors’ daughter. Don’t let anyone drive your car who isn’t of age and licensed.



Family members love to lean on each other in times of need. And in some dynamics, nothing is wrong with that at all.  Just need to borrow the car to head to the store and back? That shouldn’t be a problem. But if you have a brother or sister or cousin who wants to borrow your car from more than just a grocery run, it may be time to ask some hard questions. One such hard question is “Why aren’t you driving your own car?” If someone has demerits or a suspended license, they aren’t supposed to be driving at all. Not their car, not your car, not anyone’s car. Does this person drive responsibly? Can you put your head on a block ad say that this person is respectful of the laws of the road? While it may be fiscally easier for them to borrow your car instead of renting, in the event of an accident, you’re the one stuck with the bills. Love your family, but love yourself enough to know when to say no.

Permissive user coverage, allows you to list certain qualified and approved people to use your car and benefit from the car insurance coverage that you’ve grown to rely on. While you may say no to a few people who want to get behind your wheel, chances are, you may already be allowing other people, regularly. Once they don’t own your car, and they use it more than twice a week, it’s time to put them on the list – trust us, it’s for your own good.

source: insurancequotesfast.com

Car Insurance Minimums

Car insurance is not something that anyone should try to get out of once they own and plan on driving a vehicle. But the sad fact is that many people do! There are drivers who opt out of paying insurance for several reasons, including the perception that they are a safe or low-risk driver. Not only is this dangerous for them and other drivers on the road, but it is also illegal. Car insurance is required by law and this stipulation has been in place for many years throughout the United States. A little known, or understood, amending fact is that car insurance is actually regulated by each state at an independent level. Every state across the US passes and implements laws on the acceptable level or amount of car insurance that is needed for each driving citizen to possess. As we’ve said before, there are many factors that influence the type and amount of insurance that each person is required to have, creating a minimum amount at the individual level. This process is handled at the state administrative level, and then set out as a non-negotiable minimum requirement that insurance agents can then offer to existing and potential clients. Insurance rates, specifically cheap insurance rates, should always be in adherence of the state minimum.



The Brass Tacks – Are people really paying the state minimum?



How well this is enforced is really variable on a state-to-state basis. Some of the most popular insurance providers do not provide the minimum coverage that is passed by the state. It isn’t in their bottom-line’s best interest, so they make amendments. By offering a higher rate of coverage for an increased price, the policy makes more sense (cents) to them. There are many people who seek high and low, and often find providers who will offer the state’s minimum, but this can end up being very costly in the long run for the policy holder. Literally, the state minimum is basic. It merely gives you legal allowance to drive on the nation’s road. But in the event of an accident or mishap, the state minimum provides you with next to nothing in terms of redeemable coverage. If you decide that higher coverage is in your best interest (as well you should), it will make much more sense to invest in a plan that offers you higher coverage. The higher the rate for a reputable insurance provider, the larger amount available to you, should you get in an accident. This means you will pay much less out of pocket in the unfortunate event that an accident happens.



Cheap insurance rates are a viable option and a good alternative to inflated policy offerings from an insurance provider. You can absolutely find an online car insurance provider who will offer you a reasonable rate that incorporates your state minimum. If your monthly cash flow is something of a touchy subject, research insurance rates that are affordable, but are still able to provide you with the safety net you need as a driver in today’s modern driving world.



source: insurancequotesfast.com

9 Effective Tips to Save on Car Insurance for Teenagers

Car insurance for teenagers can cost as much as five times more than the rates for adults. This is because of the greater driving risk involved in teenagers evidenced by greater number of accidents and higher number of serious injuries and fatalities compared to adult drivers.


In order to lower actual rates and maximize your teen’s auto insurance coverage, you can give your teen a simpler or older car; let your teen keep a good driving record; let him keep a clean insurance record; enroll him to a driver safety education; get your teen a safer car; let him maintain good academic grades; keep the mileage low; keep the car safe; and apply for multiple policies with your insurance company. To help you save on auto insurance costs for your teenager, here are proven tips you can consider:

Give your teen a simpler or older car

A brand new sports car would make a very nice birthday gift for your beloved teen, but if you want to save to insurance costs, this would not be a smart move. Remember that one of the factors that make up an expensive car insurance would be a brand new car because of its high book value. A sports car would also be expensive to insure with its higher horsepower compared to a four-door sedan. With a stronger car, your teen would tend to drive faster, making it more prone to accidents and damages. If you are giving your teen an older car model, you can also save by dropping collision coverage.

Let your teen keep a good driving record

If this is not your first year in getting your teen a car insurance and he or she had a good driving record, you can ask for a discount from your insurance provider. Most auto insurance companies give discounts to drivers who have not been issued a ticket or those who have not been involved in any accident since they have been driving. Remind your teen that it always pays to be a good driver.

Let him keep a clean insurance record

Aside from having a good driving record, insurance costs may also be lowered if your teen keeps a clean insurance record. It is advisable for him to keep from claiming for very minor car damages from insurance companies in order to avail of discounts.

Enroll him to a driver safety education

Some states require teenagers to get driving lessons first before he gets a driver’s license. Aside from this condition, the cost of getting a car insurance quote for teenagers may also be reduced if your teen had been enrolled to a driving course before driving his own car, most especially if he had good grades. The insurance company would most likely give discounts to responsible student drivers who have had lessons to safe driving than to those who have not.

Get your teen a safer car

Just like in applying auto insurance for adult-driven cars, discounts also apply to teenager-driven cars with safety features. Airbags, anti-lock brake systems, and alarm systems can help lower the insurance cost of your teen’s auto insurance as they reduce risk for injuries as well as theft and damages.

Let him maintain good academic grades

Yes, indeed. If your teen proves to have good grades in school, most especially if he is in the honor roll, you can avail of the good student discount. Most insurance companies offer this incentive to responsible students who are most likely more sensible and responsible too when it comes to driving.

Keep the mileage low

When you ask for auto insurance quotations, companies do ask for estimated mileage your teen has to travel from residence to destination, as well as estimated annual mileage. As much as possible, advice your teen to keep his mileage low and use the car only when needed. Do not encourage weekend road trips and the like. Higher mileage leads to higher risk of meeting accidents, thus resulting to higher insurance cost.

Keep the car safe

Another very important determining factor for insurance premium is the place where your teen brings and parks his car. Insurance companies will be asking where the car will usually be brought and parked. Is the school parking safe? Are the places he goes safe enough, too or are there many reported cases of car thefts and damages? If at home, does he park his car in a covered garage or just outside the apartment? Of course, the more risky the situation, the higher the insurance cost.

Apply for multiple policies with your insurance company

If your teen’s insurance provider with other concerns, such as life or home insurance, also covers car insurance and you get a policy from them, you may be given a discount on your auto insurance for your devotion to their company. Alternately, you can also apply for the whole family’s car insurance policies in one insurance company and be granted of discounts for each of your plan. Do not hesitate to ask your insurer about these discounts to save bucks.

Other discounts you may avail of with your teen’s car insurance include loyalty discount, if you have been with your insurance company for a certain number of years, as well as multiple car discount, when you enroll more than one car for your teen.

source: bripblap.com