Subaru BRZ STI

Following months of speculation with only small glimpses and artist impressions, Derek Slack Motors can now reveal Subaru’s RWD (rear wheel drive) BRZ STI.

Subaru’s collaboration with Toyota shares many components with the FT-86, including Toyota’s fuel saving D-4S ‘direct injection system’. However, the chassis and the 2.0 Boxer engine is all Subaru - delivering 250bhp. The BRZ embodies Suabru’s passion for the sports car with a model already booked to appear on the race track in the Japanese Super GT series (GT300 category)
Although the FT-86 and the BRZ models boast very similar profiles, the Subaru BRZ will be more powerfull and sportier with a more recognisable aggressive Subaru bodykit than its Toyota sibling.

We’ll keep you posted on developments and when it’s scheduled to appear at Derek Slack Motors showroom

Subaru Appeal For Japan Cycle Relay

Although we cycled our leg of the ‘Subaru Appeal For Japan Cycle Relay’ together, nothing could have prepared us for the appalling weather that awaited during Wednesday 12 October.

It really was terrible, as it had rained heavily the night before and the deluge continued throughout our stage of the cycle relay, with passing cars having to use their lights, in order to be seen. Still, after our 10.00am departure time from Middlesbrough, we travelled the back roads, through Yarm, Hornby, Scorton and Brompton-On-Swale, to our final destination in Richmond, North Yorkshire, approximately thirty miles away.

Even on some of the quieter roads, we encountered heavy traffic, including both lorries and buses. Ian Pattison - Warranty Manager at Derek Slack Skoda, did an excellent job of driving the safety car, by ensuring he was right behind us, not allowing traffic to squeeze between the safety car and bicycles, a move several less-considerate motorists actually attempted.

We made only three brief stops on route for refreshments, which enabled us to maintain a steady pace throughout.
On seeing the final 5-miles road sign for Richmond, we were spurred on to escalate the final lengthy climb uphill. Fortunately, the team at the next Subaru dealership were waiting, just as we arrived on the forecourt.

Despite the soaking conditions, we enjoyed the challenging route, which has gained some local publicity interest already from the local radio station, TFM (thanks folks). If you would like to join in with the fund raising and allow the charity to benefit from the UK’s Gift Aid scheme, log on to: http://subaru.co.uk/japan-appeal

Fourth-generation 2012 Subaru

A sneak preview at the New York Auto Show revealed the new 2012 ‘next generation’ Subaru Impreza with improved refinement, interior space and engine and transmissions. Branded as the fourth-generation 2012 Subaru, the new model is set to arrive at Derek Slack Motors sometime next year. We’ve attached a sneak preview, but you can read the full story on our news page.

Skoda vRS S2000 Middlesbrough

The ultimate taxi driver? Check out this amazing video. As part of Skoda’s 110 years of motorsport celebrations in 2011, the brand is proud to announce it will be an official partner to the Goodwood Festival of Speed for the first time. Andreas Mikkelsen (the driver of the vRS S2000) was the youngest ever winner of a British national rally at just 17 years old and 16 days. Look out for a few other celebrities in the video!

Impreza 2012 North East

I was fortunate to visit the Geneva Motorshow back in February 2011 and had my first glimpse of the new Impreza concept model which looks set to become the new Impreza 2012. Subaru has a new brand statement-‘confidence in motion’, coupled with the brand’s core value of ‘enjoyment and peace of mind’.
The new sleek styling looks more in line with the STI, with the roofline creating a silky profile while the slender headlights and slightly exaggerated grille give off real attitude. If these proportions are retained for the 2012 model, then we’re in for a real treat. Word is that Subaru are also looking for economy improvements with estimates amounting to substantial gains over the old model. I’ll keep you posted. All-in-all it was another great show. I’ve attached a few images with a sneak preview of the Impreza 2012. I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts.

Main dealers for Subaru in Teesside and North Yorkshire

Yesterday 20 December was the start of Derek Slack Motors new ITV campaign, featuring the benefits of driving a Subaru with their permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. We’ve already had many of you calling the garage with some encouraging comments. Subaru have been running their own national TV campaign as well as using social media for some funny interaction from Subaru owners (follow this link) http://on.fb.me/i6G6Ns

However, on a more serious note, a new pattern seems to be emerging with UK winters steadily worsening. Roads, rail services and airports, are all too easily becoming scuppered by very low temperatures and snow. So it’s no surprise more people are now looking to 4 wheel drive vehicles as their preferred method of transport. It’s also important to remember not all 4x4 are the same!

With the engine weight over the nose, front-drive cars have a slightly better chance of making headway in bad weather, while rear-drivers can all but forget hopes of gaining grip. There are no such issues with Subaru’s All-Wheel Drive.

All Subaru models feature the bonus of permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive for even greater assured grip and better traction. How does it work? The ‘Vehicle Dynamics Control’ monitors if the vehicle is following the driver’s intended course through an array of sensors. If the vehicle approaches the limits of stability when cornering or avoiding an obstacle, the quick- thinking Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) transmission, distributes power to front and rear, enhancing straight-line traction, offering sure-footed grip through corners. Subaru knows the best way of surviving a collision is to avoid one.

Call Derek Slack Motors, main dealers for Subaru in Teesside and North Yorkshire

Thanks for reading

Tony

Derek Slack Motors on TV

We’ve been waxing lyrical about the benefits of Subaru’s unique permanent symmetrical all-wheel drive for some time now, even more so since our autumn turned suddenly wintery!

So, we thought it high time we transcended from traditional media platforms and spread our wings into the world of TV with a spanking new Subaru commercial. The campaign gets underway from Monday the 20th December ending 2nd January 2011.

It’s the first time Derek Slack Motors have advertised on TV, and although we’ve dabbled in radio and have a strong presence in the local press, TV is new for us and very exciting.

However, it’s not the only new area of publicity activity. 2010 also saw us embrace social media, so you can now find us tweeting on Twitter and enjoying some general chit-chat with our Facebook friends.

Plus, if you’ve enjoyed reading our blog why not become a friend and follow us in 2011!

Thanks for reading

Tony

Subaru North Yorkshire

Think Subaru this winter

We are often lulled into a sense of false security by typical British weather. We expect it to be chilly and probably wet but snow... well, that’s something else altogether. While the rail services may be scuppered by the wrong leaves on the tracks, we are often slowed down by the wrong type of snow.

Of course, it is understandable. We are an island state. Our predominantly maritime climate means that we have to deal with very slippery slush, unlike the Scandinavians, who can compact and grade the snow to still drive on it.

Traction is better with AWD and all Subaru models feature an added bonus of permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive for even greater assured grip. With the engine weight over the nose, front-drive cars have a slightly better chance of making headway in bad weather, while rear-drivers can all but forget hopes of gaining grip. There are no such issues with All-Wheel Drive.

When the weather turns for the worse, having All-Wheel Drive can help. There are no buttons to twiddle. You just start it and go. Traction on demand. Petrol or the more economical diesel. Subarus are made for snow but they do a pretty good job of making driving a lot safer and more economical during the rest of the year too.

The latest Forester and Outback have taken almost forty years to arrive at and they are the best by far over truly mixed surfaces. Boasting low centres of gravity and traction in abundance, a Subaru is the consummate all-weather transport vehicle for life in North Yorkshire, so it's just as well Derek Slack Motors are main dealers for Subaru, North Yorkshire.

Thanks for reading

Tony