Welcome to the Hooniverse News – On the Road Edition! I’m cranking this out from crappy hotel WiFi on the road as I drive a big truck cross country, so this is a weekly recap of the automotive industry without the fluff or bull will be shorter than usual. This week:

• Porsche reveals more powerful and more exclusive 911 Turbo S

• Subaru’s STI “tunes” BRZ and special WRX STI Type RA

• AAA increasing insurance rates for Teslas

• What’s your automotive news?

Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series

Porsche figured out how to get a little more power out of the 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged flat six in the 911 Turbo S, so before they roll that update out to all new Turbo Ss, they’re charging extra for a special edition first. That’s how I can best describe the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series, but that’s of course not the whole story.
500 examples of this high(er) powered and striped Turbo S are being finished by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur and sold for $257,500, not including the $6,324 matching luggage set and the special Porsche Design chronograph that can be ordered to match your car. Yeah, it’s that kind of car.

Making the car look more exclusive or something is a bespoke Golden Yellow Metallic paint finish (others are available too) with two carbon-weave stripes that contour the roof and bonnet. Various other trim pieces like side skirts and the ram air intake are also done in carbon fiber. It rolls on unique 20″ center-lock wheels painted in black with Golden Yellow highlights. Inside, 18-way adjustable sports seats are covered in two layers of perforated leather and feature Golden Yellow contrast stitching and lettering.

But the fun part is undoubtedly the now 607-horsepower and 553 lb.-ft. 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine. With AWD and the standard PDK, 0-60 mph takes just 2.8 seconds and it’ll go all the way to 205 mph. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes are available in black with the Porsche logo in Golden Yellow. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Sport Chrono, Rear-axle steering, and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control are all standard and probably necessary for the power it makes now.
Yep. It’s one of those cars.
[Source: Porsche]

Subaru BRZ tS and WRX STI Type RA

Sadly, only one press image shows the whole car

Surprise! The BRZ “STI” that Subaru teased last week isn’t actually much of an STI after all. It’s called the BRZ tS (“tuned by STI”) and it has some great upgrades, just not in the area literally everyone wanted. There’s also a new WRX STI called the Type RA (for “record attempt”) and that’s in honor of their upcoming Nürburgring speed record this summer.
Starting with the disappointment first, the BRZ tS doesn’t get any more power out of its four-cylinder boxer engine but it does get all-new suspension and styling that sure makes it look like an STI. SACHS provides front and rear dampers and coil springs while STI tunes them specifically for the car. It also has flexible V braces for the engine compartment, new draw stiffeners in the chassis and sub frame, and Brembo brakes (I wouldn’t be surprised if they were the same brakes on the Track Package BRZ).
The result of all this is a sharper and more capable car, even if it doesn’t produce any more than 205 horsepower. Styling-wise, it rolls on 18″ lightweight STI wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, gets more back end stability through an STI carbon fiber spoiler (which is adjustable), and new underspoilers at all four sides. And like the STI it isn’t, it gets the necessary Cherry Blossom Red accent around the front grille and rear bumper cover.
Inside, it’s got some Alcantara and stuff.
The BRZ not STI is available early 2018.

Now for the one that’s actually an STI, the WRX STI Type RA is the latest in a long line of Subarus to receive this branding. They’ve announced various Type RA cars whenever they’re going for some sort of speed record, and this time they’re going for one at the Nürburgring. A special race model called the WRX STI Type RA NBR Special, but this is the road car inspired by it.
The WRX Type RA delivers increased performance through weight reduction and suspension and engine upgrades. It comes standard with a carbon fiber roof, carbon fiber pedestal wing, lightweight BBS 19″ forged alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama Advan Sports tires, and ditches the spare tire.
A new STI-specific cold air intake, high flow exhaust, ECU tune, and stronger pistons contribute to a new “estimated” 310 horsepower output. The six-speed manual features a revised 3rd gear ratio and has a shorter throw. Handling has been improved by inverted front struts and rear double wishbone suspension all with Bilstein dampers. Stability control is updated as well to keep it going where intended and the Brembo brakes have more clamping power and are paired with cross-drilled rotors for better heat dissipation.
New Recaro performance design front seats are included as is the new Ultrasuede steering wheel for better grip.
Only 500 of these will be built and I’d imagine they’ll all go quick, especially if they claim the fastest four-door sedan record they’re going for.
Prices on both Subarus above haven’t been finalized yet.
[Source: Subaru]

AAA hikes insurance rates for Teslas

AAA has announced insurance rates will increase for Tesla Model S and Model X owners by as much as 30%. AAA retrieved data from the Highway Loss Data Institute before making this decision which claims Tesla drivers make 45% more claims than drivers of other luxury brands and the repairs are twice as expensive to boot. In a statement to Automotive News, Tesla claims the data is false, but I’ve been following Bozi Tatarevic on Twitter long enough to know how seemingly little damage it takes to total a Tesla.
Tesla drivers can always just switch insurance companies, but it’ll be interesting to see if this will become a trend.
[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog]

What’s your automotive news?

That’s all I’ve got for you this week, and by that I mean that’s all I have time for. Some more stuff did happen but nothing quite as big or interesting and this was as much as I could tolerate get on hotel WiFi.
So now it’s your turn. If you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.
Have a good weekend.
[Image © 2017 Hooniverse/Greg Kachadurian]