Field Performance Program Manager

Bathurst drama, stolen corvettes, and recall chaos: what's shaking the automotive world. 7 October 2026 The automotive world never takes a break, especially on a Thursday like today, October 8, 2026. As weekend racing looms and recalls threaten to disrupt the calm, the industry is buzzing with energy - some of it good, some of it wild. From the high-speed drama of Supercars at Bathurst to the eerie return of a submerged C7 Corvette, there's no shortage of stories that make you pause, wonder, and maybe even rethink what makes this world so captivating. The blend of performance, controversy, and a little bit of mystery has set the tone for what could be a pivotal week in automotive culture. The Supercars season is heating up with a fiery mix of strategy, engine endurance, and a growing debate over technical fairness. Toyota's new Supra has brought speed to Bathurst 1000, but not without raising eyebrows about its reliability after the grueling 1000km race. Drivers like Ryan Walkinshaw are pushing for more transparency in testing, while Team 18's David Reynolds is facing an uncertain future as the team reevaluates its 2027 lineup. With a new generation of cars entering the grid and old guard veterans still competing, the balance between innovation and parity is under intense scrutiny. Bathurst 1000: Supra speed meets technical struggles. Toyota's arrival at Bathurst 1000 was met with high hopes, but not all things went smoothly. The Supra, known for its sharp handling and powerful engine, delivered impressive pace on the track, yet durability issues have sparked concern. During a grueling 1000km race, questions arose over whether the car's engine could sustain the demands of such a long event. Ryan Walkinshaw, a prominent figure in Supercars, voiced concerns about the lack of clear data-sharing when it comes to testing parity. The debate isn't just about performance - it's about fairness and the integrity of the sport. Meanwhile, Team 18 is in a delicate position as they weigh their options for 2027, with David Reynolds possibly on the outside looking in. Recalls: from subarus to rivians, safety remains top priority. Safety remains at the forefront of automotive attention this week, with several recalls making headlines. Subaru is addressing a hybrid transmission issue in its Forester, which could lead to unexpected power loss during driving. The company has issued a recall affecting certain model years, urging owners to schedule service immediately. Meanwhile, Rivian is dealing with a potential drive power loss in its R2 electric truck due to a loose connection - a problem that could leave drivers stranded if not resolved quickly. Ram is also recalling 149 of its 1500 pickups over faulty daytime running lights, a seemingly minor issue that could pose visibility risks on the road. A stolen Corvette resurfaces after years underwater - what does it mean? In a story that seems like it belongs in a movie, a stolen C7 Corvette has resurfaced after years underwater. According to Carscoops, the car was found in a submerged location and while it's clear that the vehicle suffered irreparable damage, its reappearance is both shocking and surreal. The incident brings to light the strange and sometimes dark side of automotive culture - where cars aren't just machines but symbols of identity, freedom, and even obsession. It also raises questions about how stolen vehicles are tracked and recovered, especially in cases involving long-term disappearances. Industry trends: the push for data-driven racing and fair play. As motorsport continues to evolve, there's an increasing demand for data-driven decision-making over politics and speculation. Team principals like Adrian Burgess have called for a shift in how decisions are made, advocating for transparency and measurable outcomes rather than gut feelings or public opinion. This movement reflects broader trends across the automotive industry - where performance is being scrutinized not just on track but through analytics, efficiency, and safety compliance. What this all means for car enthusiasts. This week's events are a reminder that the world of cars is never static - it's full of twists, turns, and unexpected moments. For enthusiasts, whether they're watching races from the sidelines or sitting in their garages with a cup of coffee, these stories serve as a vivid reminder of why Yourcarsold love this industry. From the thrill of a high-speed race to the urgency of a safety recall, every moment plays a role in shaping the future of automotive culture. The drama at Bathurst, the strange return of a Corvette, and the ongoing push for fairness in racing all point toward a vibrant, ever-evolving space where passion and performance collide. As Yourcarsold move forward into what promises to be another intense weekend of racing, one thing is clear: the automotive world will keep surprising Yourcarsold. And that's exactly what makes it so compelling.

Subaru introduces the Forester Sport and Premium. By Xolile Hopa The Sport and Premium sit at the upper end of the Subaru Forester range. Both share the same engine, all-wheel drive and practical SUV body. The Sport adds a more rugged look, while the Premium focuses on comfort. Both models get LED headlamps, a roof spoiler, rain-sensing wipers and a power sliding sunroof, but each has its own look. The Sport rides on 18-inch black alloy wheels and adds matt black ladder-style roof rails and gloss charcoal mirrors for an outdoorsy feel. The Premium opts for 18-inch black and silver machined alloys, low-profile roof rails and gloss black mirrors for a more polished finish. Standard equipment includes keyless entry, push-button start, a powered tailgate with kick sensor, dual-zone air conditioning, paddle shifters, a 10-way power driver's seat and rear seat ventilation. Both have an 11.6-inch touchscreen with voice control. Engine and performance Whether you choose the Sport or the Premium, the drivetrain is the same: a 2.5-litre Boxer petrol engine and a Lineartronic CVT producing 136 kW and 247 N.m. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with Active Torque Split sends the power to all four wheels. Both reach 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds, consume 7.9 L/100 km on the combined cycle and emit 180 g/km of CO2. Space and practicality Both measure 4,655 mm long, 1,830 mm wide and 1,730 mm tall, with 220 mm of ground clearance. Boot space is 496 litres with the rear seats up and 1,174 litres with the 60/40 split seats folded. Maximum towing capacity is 1,500 kg.When the road gets rough, X-Mode with Hill Descent Control is there as standard. Subaru's Eyesight technology is standard on both. It includes Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centring Control and Autonomous Emergency Steering. Both also have Blind Spot Monitoring, Reverse Automatic Braking, front and reverse cameras and a full set of airbags, including a driver's knee airbag and a far-side airbag. ISOFIX anchors are fitted for child seats. Warranty and service Ownership is backed by a five-year/150,000 km warranty and Subaru Assist on both the Sport and Premium. Each also comes with a five-year/105,000 km maintenance plan, and services are due every 15,000 km.

WRX, Forester are the stars in Subaru's surprising comeback story. Published Oct 1, 2026, 2:54 PM EDT Brett T. Evans has more than a decade of experience driving, writing about, and evaluating automobiles. His early career comprised writing about pre- and post-war classic cars, as well as late-model performance diesel trucks. These varied experiences allowed him the chance to gain expertise in every corner of the auto world. Today, he spends much of his time on modern car culture and mass-market news. Subaru made some great moves for the 2026 model year when it brought back the base-model WRX, lowering the cost of entry by thousands for the popular rally-bred sports sedan. Not only that, but the automaker's evergreen Forester is enjoying its own record-breaking popularity, meaning that even in a tough year, the company's looking great when it comes to sales. In fact, pretty much the entire Subaru lineup posted improved showroom performance in September 2026 versus September 2025, portending great things for the future. The WRX saw sales rise by more than double. Although it's still a comparatively low-volume vehicle, the Subaru WRX enjoyed a tidy little boost last month, finding 1,703 new homes in September 2026. That's a huge 166.1 percent increase from the 640 units Subaru sold the same month last year, a jump that is potentially due to the return of the base model that was discontinued for 2025. The entry-level 2026 WRX costs $32,495, shaving more than $5,000 off its starting price from the 2025 model year. In fact, the base model from this year is actually $240 cheaper than its 2024 equivalent, meaning Subaru is listening to some of its most enthusiastic shoppers when it comes to cost of entry. Although it lacks some of the luxury and technology features of its more expensive siblings, CarBuzz Inc. really like the cheapest WRX trim. With a turbocharged, 271-horsepower engine, six-speed manual gearbox, and Symmetrical all-wheel drive, the Subie is a riot to hustle down a winding road, as CarBuzz Inc. learned motoring in a bunch of US-spec examples through the tight, curving landscape of Wales over the summer. There, the car's rally-oriented, soft suspension is a boon, providing decent body control while still keeping broken pavement from upsetting the handling. Similar to 2026 Subaru WRX Sedan for Sale near New York, NY How were the Forester's sales? It shouldn't surprise anyone to learn that the reasonably priced, spacious Forester is Subaru's most popular vehicle. What may come as a shock, however, are its 15,989 sales in September 2026, a new record for the month. That's a marked 45.9 percent improvement over September 2025. CarBuzz Inc. presume the efficient, torquey available hybrid powertrain and the newly redesigned Wilderness model deserve some of the credit - Subaru will combine the two in its first gas-electric off-road model when it launches the Wilderness hybrid later this year. Overall, most of Subaru's offerings enjoyed improved sales last month compared to the same month in 2025. The Ascent sold about 16 percent better in September 2026, while the BRZ sports coupe posted a 20 percent improvement. The strong-selling Outback's 12,651 sales last month were a slight 1.1 percent improvement over September 2025, too. Only the Impreza, Solterra, and lame-duck Legacy posted setbacks, although the arrival this year of the Uncharted and Trailseeker EVs more than compensated for their sibling's losses. Overall sales year to date still lag behind 2025 somewhat. By September 30, Subaru had found 475,878 buyers for its products this year, compared to 483,037 units sold in the first nine months of 2025. Still, if the company's impressive momentum continues in the final quarter of 2026, the company might be fully back on track for an improvement over last year. Base: $32,495 * Base Trim Engine - 2.4L H4 ICE * Base Trim Transmission - 6-speed manual * Base Trim Drivetrain - All-Wheel Drive * Base Trim Horsepower - 271 HP @5600 RPM * Base Trim Torque - 258 lb.-ft. @ 2000 RPM * Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined) - 19/26/22 MPG * Make - Subaru * Model - WRX Sedan * Segment - Compact Performance Sedan CarBuzz insight - why this matters: Subaru's reputation trades very heavily on sport-compact cars and budget-friendly crossovers, so it's no surprise to learn that the cheaper WRX and the more efficient Forester are snapping up the wallets and purses of interested customers left and right. CarBuzz Inc.'d love to see the automaker's sales continue to rise, especially since it might encourage Subaru to introduce more hybrids - currently, the Outback and Ascent SUVs are gas-only - and to remain committed to its rally-ready sports sedan.