Under the hood, the BRZ (& FR-S) are almost entirely Subaru. They created a brand new 2.0L Boxer engine, including Toyota’s Direct Injection System, that is much lighter and compact than the one in this current generation’s Impreza. The advantage of this is that it allows the engine to be placed much lower and further back than its predecessor. This translates to a better weight distribution (54/46) and incredible handling. However, this also means that there was no room left to add an oft-rumored AWD system but all things considered, it won’t be missed. This actually works in the BRZ’s favor as it now carves its own niche in the Subaru lineup as opposed to being a WRX-lite. In its current configuration, the engine cranks out 200hp at 7000 RPM and 151ft-lb of torque at 6400 RPM but don’t get discouraged. When you consider that the entire package weighs in at a little over 2700lbs, approximately 200 more than the Miata, those numbers are a bit easier to swallow. In fact, this coupe is likely positioned as direct competition with Mazda’s venerable MX-5 Miata and to a lesser degree BMW’s Z4, meaning raw horsepower was never the primary focus. The reason the Miata is celebrated year after year as King of the Sport Coupes is the amazing handling and feeling of excitement it gives the driver and the BRZ is poised to usurp that throne. The rubber is held to the road with Macpherson struts up front and a double-wishbone configuration out back as well as a limited-slip differential with 5 control settings including “sport” and “snow”. Unfortunately, my time with the BRZ was short and we were not permitted to drive this preview model but if the reviews are to be believed, the ride is amazing. You have the option of a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic with “sport mode” and paddle shifters and the Limited trim will include a rear spoiler.

So, what about Toyota’s work on the body and interior design? To maximize interior space, Toyota opted for a sporty fastback design with a double-humped roof line that looks aggressive and offers an additional inch of headroom. Large wheel wells house the 17in black/chrome wheels and the rear sports a unique triangular 3^rd brake light nestled between the dual exhausts. Inside, you’ll find deep, body-hugging seats and dark cloth upholstery. All BRZs come standard with Integrated 8-speaker audio and voice-activated GPS navigation system with the option to activate SIRIUS/XM satellite radio. There are back seats and they do include the LATCH system in case you want to take a little one on the ride of their life.  The seats also fold down to enlarge the trunk space for extra storage. The Limited trim will add Leather/Alcantara^® upholstery, heated seats and automatic climate control. Overall, it is definitely a new look for Subaru. In fact, why not just take a look at our gallery below and see for yourself?

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Mazda

• The upcoming CX-5 will feature an integrated Tom Tom Navigation system.
• The Mazdaspeed3 grabs ALG’s Best-in-Class Residual Value Award.
• Mazda to continue rotary engine development. RX-8 successor possible.
• SKYACTIV for all? Mazda willing to share fuel sipping tech.

Subaru

• BRZ STi to challenge the Super GT Racing League in Japan.
• And now, actual photos of the BRZ!
• Subaru XV crossover to be named the XV Crosstrek in the US.
• Subaru nabs ALG’s Best Residual Value Award on Outback and Legacy as well as Best Mainstream Brand.

Renton

• Southbound I-405 commute one of the worst in the nation.
• Renton History Museum receives a new Bigfoot banner, courtesy of PEMCO.
• Weekend Events Calendar, courtesy of the Patch.

Nagare means "flow" in Japanese

In addition to the big “smile” on the front grill, the Mazda5 incorporates some flowing lines to the side body panels and a tapered rear end.  Overall, it gives it a sportier, less boxy look that definitely set it apart from the typical minivan crowd. Also setting it apart is the size.  About 20 inches shorter and at least 800lbs lighter than it’s nearest competitor, the Mazda5 could almost be considered a “microvan”.  The weight advantage also give the Mazda5 impressive fuel economy for a minivan, pulling down 21/28(city/highway) and giving it a much sportier performance.   Speaking of performance, Mazda upgraded the engine to a 2.5L 4-cylinder, the same one as the Sport and Grand Touring Mazda3, which gives the Mazda5 157hp and 163ft-lbs of torque.  Married to a 6-speed manual transmission and you’re in for driving excitement most minivan owners secretly pine for from the HOV lane.Inside, you can expect to find a front cockpit designed with the driver in mind, everything is easily within reach without becoming distracting.  2nd row passengers are seated in captain’s chairs with hidden storage beneath the seats.  The third row brings the passenger count up to 6 but when folded, gives you an impressive 27.5 cubic feet of storage space, great for trips to the grocery store or on vacation. While the 2012 model unfortunately does away with a factory navigation system, Touring and Grand Touring levels are still available with Bluetooth phone and audio control systems, trip computer, and  multi-disc/mp3-compatible audio.  All versions are  SIRIUS™ Satellite-radio compatible and include auxiliary-audio input jack, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and two power outlets; one in the front and one in the storage area. In the safety department, the 5 has you covered.  It comes standard with driver and passenger airbags as well as side impact and side curtain airbags that cover all three rows of seats.  It also comes standard with Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control Systems which reduces slipping and keeps your wheels on the road in challenging driving conditions. All in all, the 2012 Mazda5 is designed to stand out from the minivan pack; small, nimble and full of surprises.

The Mazda5 has the same big grin as the other members of the Mazda lineup.

(originally posted on Walkersrenton.com, February 07, 2011)

Dan Franks and his 1995 Subaru Legacy Wagon

In an age where people are usually looking for the latest and greatest thing, it’s rare to see something that has withstood the test of time.  With cars, however, the rarity can be twofold.  Not only is it rare to see some cars over a certain year of age but it is even rarer when they accumulate thousands of miles.  For some of us, coming across either can be a bit awe inspiring. So it was for our very own Dan Franks, Controller for Walker’s Renton Subaru and Mazda, when his 1995 Subaru Legacy Station Wagon reached 250,000 miles. “I’m a numbers person, I do accounting work for a living as a controller…sometimes number things fascinate me or interest me that might not interest 99% of the population. But how often do you get to drive a car and watch it turn over to 250 thousand miles? It’s a milestone!”  Dan has owned the wagon for over 7 years, and it has been in service ever since.”It is also the car each of my 3 kids drove, predominantly, while they were just learning to drive with their learner’s permits.  They continued to prefer driving that car for quite some time, even after they got their driver’s licenses. ” However, as the odometer moved closer to the 250k mark he took his turn behind the wheel.  “I looked at the odometer and said ‘Ok daughter, you don’t get to drive it to school tomorrow if I can help it! I want to drive it!” So on Thursday, February 3, camera in tow, he was ready.  As the Legacy reached Kent, Dan parked and captured the moment. (NOTE: Unfortunately, we don’t have the photo of the odometer reading at this time but we will post it as soon as we get it.) In fact, this Legacy is only one of 3 Subarus he currently owns, having owned 5 in all.  He and his wife Barb were looking for another car when they were alerted to this particular car.  “[Walker's Renton Subaru] let us know it had been through their shop for a safety inspection with a clean bill of health.”  Congratulations Dan and here’s to another 250k!’

1. SKYACTIV-G – Arguably the most talked about aspect of the new platform, the SKYACTIV-G engine manages to increase power, provide better responsiveness and sip less fuel than its’ predecessor. The secret lies in the compression ratio. The compression ratio is a measure of the volume of the combustion chamber at its’ largest capacity to its’ smallest. As the ratio grows, so does power but this is not without a price. Using standard fuel (87-octane) with higher compression engines can lead to damaging engine knock. Engine knock occurs when the fuel/air mixture ignites too soon, putting pressure on the piston and other engine components. Mazda engineers worked tirelessly to find new solutions to this problem. They switched to a new direct injection system that more evenly distributes fuel in the cylinder at a higher pressure as well as developing a unique “volcano-top” piston. Both innovations give the engine a “cooler” fuel charge and more complete combustion. When combined with an exhaust manifold inspired by racing engines, the SKYACTIV-G is able to reduce fuel consumption by approximately 15%. Simply put, this is an standard gasoline engine with the fuel efficiency of a diesel engine without requiring special fuel and without sacrificing performance.
2. SKYACTIV-D – Going in the opposite direction from its’ standard gasoline sibling, the SKYACTIV-D has a lower compression ratio than most diesel engine on the market. This lower compression ratio means that it doesn’t produce the same harmful emissions as most diesel engines nor does it require a complex, expensive aftertreatment system. As a result, the engine considerably lighter, cleaner and close to 20% more fuel efficient than Mazda’s current generation engine. Unfortunately, this diesel with the efficiency of a hybrid isn’t currently available in North America.
3. SKYACTIV-DRIVE – Ruling out a Continuously Variable Transmission due to its’ disconnected feel and the Dual Clutch for control difficulties at low speeds, Mazda engineers decided to return to the drawing board and develop a new automatic transmission. Primarily, they focused on improving the torque converter, a part commonly inefficient at higher speeds. Instead of making the converter do all of the shifting work, they partnered it with a multi-plate clutch that handles higher speeds and a new control unit. This has resulted in an automatic transmission that has lower power losses of any competitive design and 4% increases in fuel economy when mated with the SKYACTIV-G.
4. SKYACTIV-MT – Manual transmissions are already very efficient but Mazda took theirs a step further by making a transmission that was lighter and more compact than the rest while keeping the sports car performance of shifting a MX-5 Miata. They also reduced shift stroke to 45mm; the shortest of any competitor.
5. SKYACTIV-BODY and SKYACTIV-CHASSIS – While making improvements to the engine and transmission are, by themselves, revolutionizing the way we look at non-hybrid technology, SKYACTIV wouldn’t be complete without comprehensive redesigns of the rest of the vehicle. The SKYACTIV-BODY is 30% more rigid than current models and 8% lighter as well. The frame is straighter (using new manufacturing methods such as laser welding and weld bonding) and disperses impact energy along the frame and away from the occupants, keeping the driver and passengers safer. Mazda engineers also increased the amount of high tensile steel in the frame, also contributing to the lighter weight and improved strength. Meanwhile, the SKYACTIV-CHASSIS improves low-speed agility and high-speed stability with changes to the suspension geometry and lighter, more rigid materials.

So, to recap, SKYACTIV technology allows you to enjoy hybrid-like fuel economy in a standard gasoline automobile without requiring you to sacrifice pure driving enjoyment or additional cash. Beginning this month, Mazda3’s equipped with the SKYACTIV-G engine and your choice of SKYACTIV-DRIVE or SKYACTIV-MT will hit the stores, including Walker’s Renton Mazda. In February 2012, you can expect to find the all new Mazda CX-5, an exciting new Crossover that utilizes the full suite of SKYACTIV technology, from engine to chassis. And stay tuned for future announcements on the Mazda lineup and its’ use of this ground-breaking tech.

(Originally Posted on Walkersrenton.com, Oct 18, 2011)

(Editors Note: This was originally posted on Walkersrenton.com Sep 16, 2011)

Showing up this month to Walker’s Renton Subaru is the 2012 Subaru Legacy. While the new model year retains the same dynamic body styling and underpinnings, there is still enough new things to make you sit up and take notice.

1. The base model (2.5i) now has the option of having the Alloy Wheel Package. This will off course give you 16-in silver painted alloy wheels as well as Fog Lights and the All-Weather Package.
2. A new stereo system will come standard on the 2.5i and 3.6R Premium models. It will include Bluetooth® audio streaming capability and hands-free phone connectivity.
3. The Limited models (2.5GT, 3.6R and 2.5i) will now come standard with a display-type AM/FM stereo complete with HD Radio, Harman Kardon® 440-watt amplifier and 9 speakers as well as Bluetooth® audio streaming capability and hands-free phone connectivity. This sound system is available as an option on the Premium models.
4. Making it easier to keep your eyes on the while instead of fumbling for the radio, the steering wheel will now include audio and cruise control switches. The premium models will also include Bluetooth® switches.
5. There are also two new dazzling colors for your Legacy: Deep Indigo Pearl and Ice Silver Metallic.

So when can you expect to get your hands on this Legacy? Well, the 2012s are now in route to Walker’s and we should see them near the end of September. If you’re interested in a Subaru Legacy, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (800) 610-2156