Photo: Crawford Performance
The Japanese brand that will forever hold a special place in our hearts for giving us the wonderful Impreza STI is known for fitting its symmetrical all-wheel-drive system onto its every model - even the tiny old Justy.
However, for a carmaker that deals so heavily in 4x4 stuff, we challenge you to think about a Subaru vehicle that has proper off-road credentials. You'll probably fall short of coming up with a name (it's probably the Baja pickup that comes closest, but it's mostly because of its body type), but it's not down to any holes in your automotive knowledge.
If you ignore its rally cars, making truly rugged vehicles just isn't in Subaru's DNA. They might be sturdy and reliable but show a Crosstrek or a Forester a rocky path and they'll turn away just like any other modern SUV or crossover would.
Thanks to Crawford Performance, that trip can now continue in the intended direction provided the Crosstrek is wearing the new bolt-on package devised specifically for this model. If the Crawford name sounds familiar, particularly in connection to Subaru, it's because the same company teamed up with the US division of the Japanese manufacturer and another outfit called Grabowski Brothers Racing to create the Baja-bound Crosstrek Desert Racer. Expertise? Check!
Let's start with the bad news because we do want to end on a positive note. The Crawford-modified Crosstrek keeps the same 2.0-liter boxer engine, which is far from ideal, but at least it does get a power boost to 167 hp (up from 152). The worrying part is this: the CVT transmission isn't going anywhere (it is a bolt-on package, after all), so expect the same constant and uninspiring hum from the engine. The exhaust, on the other hand, puts fewer obstacles in the way of outgoing gases, so we should get a slightly more pleasant tune coming out of the tailpipe.
Now for the truly good part. As you can see, this Crosstrek sits higher up than its less adventurous siblings due to a two-inch lift kit. That'll be useful when clearing obstacles, but it's also useful to prevent those huge off-road tires sitting on 15-inch wheels from scraping against the wheel arches. Some railing has been added for both protection and visual drama, some of it acting as a mounting point for a set of LED projectors. The underside also gets improved protection from front and transmission metal skid plates.
With all this done, all the Crawford Crosstrek needed was a fitting color scheme. Well, considering it's a Subaru, that was probably the easiest choice they had to make: blue and yellow it is. We still don't get how come the wheels are black and not gold, but it's probably for the better.
If you ignore its rally cars, making truly rugged vehicles just isn't in Subaru's DNA. They might be sturdy and reliable but show a Crosstrek or a Forester a rocky path and they'll turn away just like any other modern SUV or crossover would.
Thanks to Crawford Performance, that trip can now continue in the intended direction provided the Crosstrek is wearing the new bolt-on package devised specifically for this model. If the Crawford name sounds familiar, particularly in connection to Subaru, it's because the same company teamed up with the US division of the Japanese manufacturer and another outfit called Grabowski Brothers Racing to create the Baja-bound Crosstrek Desert Racer. Expertise? Check!
Let's start with the bad news because we do want to end on a positive note. The Crawford-modified Crosstrek keeps the same 2.0-liter boxer engine, which is far from ideal, but at least it does get a power boost to 167 hp (up from 152). The worrying part is this: the CVT transmission isn't going anywhere (it is a bolt-on package, after all), so expect the same constant and uninspiring hum from the engine. The exhaust, on the other hand, puts fewer obstacles in the way of outgoing gases, so we should get a slightly more pleasant tune coming out of the tailpipe.
Now for the truly good part. As you can see, this Crosstrek sits higher up than its less adventurous siblings due to a two-inch lift kit. That'll be useful when clearing obstacles, but it's also useful to prevent those huge off-road tires sitting on 15-inch wheels from scraping against the wheel arches. Some railing has been added for both protection and visual drama, some of it acting as a mounting point for a set of LED projectors. The underside also gets improved protection from front and transmission metal skid plates.
With all this done, all the Crawford Crosstrek needed was a fitting color scheme. Well, considering it's a Subaru, that was probably the easiest choice they had to make: blue and yellow it is. We still don't get how come the wheels are black and not gold, but it's probably for the better.
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