Nearly 500-HP Turbo Subaru BRZ Tested on New Ignition

When the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ twins arrived, Carlos Lago and other Motor Trend editors hoped tuners wouldn’t screw up the lightweight rear-drive coupes’ balance. On this episode of Ignition, Lago runs the turbocharged Crawford Performance Subaru BRZ through Motor Trend‘s standard tests before heading to the race track to find out if the heavily modified BRZ stays true to its roots.

With a large turbocharger and intercooler, the Crawford BRZ makes between 400-500 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque depending on fuel and engine map. At the drag strip, the turbocharged BRZ hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and finished the quarter-mile in 12.8 seconds at 116.8 mph. With upgraded brakes, the BRZ stops consistently from 60 mph in 106 feet. On the figure-eight, the BRZ’s 23.5 second lap time at 0.78 g puts it in the same league as the Audi R8 V10 Plus, Ferrari 458 Italia, and SRT Viper.

See it here: http://youtu.be/JKXzDhGhoEg

National Tire Safety Week

The Rubber Manufacturers Association uses National Tire Safety Week to promote the importance of keeping your tires properly maintained.

The nationwide effort is designed to educate motorists about the four
essential areas of tire maintenance: Pressure, Alignment, Rotation
and Tread.

Pressure - Low tire pressure decreases fuel economy. The specific inflation pressure number can be found on the vehicle placard located on the driver's side doorpost, glove box door, or in the owner's manual. For accurate pressure, check tires when cool.

Alignment - Proper tire alignment provides control as well as a ride that is smooth, comfortable and free of pulling or vibration. 
Proper alignment also helps tires wear evenly and last longer. Tire specialists recommend getting an alignment every 25,000 miles.

Rotation - Regular rotation helps achieve uniform tire wear and improve road performance. Tires rotated every 6,000 - 8,000 miles have longer life and help maximize your tire investment.

Tread - Lack of tread affects the tire's ability to grip the road. Make sure tires don't have uneven wear, high or low areas or unusually smooth areas that can increase the risk of road accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says improper tire care contributes to 11,000 injuries and about 200 fatalities each year.
Vehicles with under-inflated tires waste more than 1 billion gallons of fuel in the U.S. each year.