If you are like most Coloradoans, your ideal adventure probably includes heading to the mountains for a weekend adventure. That is probably why the Subaru Outback is unofficially the Colorado state car. Whether your head to the mountains for a weekend of fun in the snow or a night camping under the stars, the Subaru Outback will get you their safe and sound and the Subaru Outback Accessories available at Mike Shaw Subaru, will only enhance your adventure.

Going mountain biking or peddling through the winding mountain highways? The Subaru Outback has three different secure bike racks to choose from. The roof mounted and fork mounted racks both attached to the standard Subaru Outback roof rails.

Coloradoans – Personalize Your Outback with Mike Shaw Subaru Accessories

If your weekend adventure includes cycling and kayaking, the hitch mounted bike carrier will leave you with space for the roof mounted kayak carrier.  Like many cyclists, you probably travel with a pretty decent amount of gear. Denver area cyclists will appreciate the cargo organizers and nets that will keep the ample cargo area clean and organized. Not such a light traveler? The Subaru Outback has three different roof mounted cargo carriers.

The Outback comes standard with roof rails that accommodate ski racks and snowboard carriers.  All weather floor-mats are a must for snow sports enthusiasts. Because Subaru understands the importance of safety and the Outback Owner’s need for adventure, Subaru created the Severe Weather Companion kit that contains everything need to handle an unexpected weather emergency.

Does your adventure include your best furry friend? The Subaru Outback is one of the most pet friend vehicles out there.  It is easy for small dogs to hop into and low enough that it won’t hurt and elderly dog’s hips when he or she goes to hop out. That is why Subaru created the Dog Guard Compartment Separator, to keep your pet safe while you adventure together.

Stop by Mike Shaw Subaru at 1650 W. 104^th Ave. in Thornton, Colorado to check out the latest Subaru Outback Accessories, or give us a call at 303-438-7500.

Click the image below to visit our Outback Accessories Center.

Mike Shaw Subaru Outback Accessories in Denver Colorado

Subaru of America, Inc. announced the return of its “Dog Tested. Dog Approved.” campaign.  The venerable canine commercials return for a third year with a new pack of dogs and social activities.  When players take the field on Sunday, Feb. 5, Subaru owners and their four legged friends will hit the streets for the second annual Subaru Game Day Dog Walk event by taking the pledge at http://www.facebook.com/subaruofamerica.

“Dogs have always been a large part of Subaru culture; we also know that dogs play a significant role in the lives of our owners,” said Alan Bethke, director, marketing communications, Subaru of America.  “The Subaru Game Day Dog Walk and new social apps are a natural extension of our brand’s active culture and further allow dogs to be our owners’ social lifestyle partners.”

Subaru is taking an alternative, more social approach to the big game this Sunday than other brands.  For example, Subaru partnered with MapMyFITNESS to launch the MapMyDOGWALK mobile application for iPhone.  MapMyDOGWALK provides dog owners with access to an innovative geo-mapping application that allows users to track and store their daily walking routes in an online database.  Users will also have access to a searchable database of millions of routes across the globe, fitness calculators, dog event listings, and a dynamic social network of healthy and active individuals and their four-legged friends.

Canine social networking site Dogbook rolls out with an all-new design and Subaru integration.  The Dogbook Facebook application boasts all-new “Dogline” features: larger profile pictures, bigger news feed photos, a new My Life Story section, a Dog Years Calculator and customizable My Favorites Sections.  Also included in the update are a Happy Birthday Video feature and a faster high definition photo uploader.

“Last year 88,000 dog owners took the Subaru Game Day Dog Walk pledge on Facebook,” said Bethke.  “This year our owners have two new social tools and four new Dog Tested videos to accompany their canine activities.”

Dog Tested. Dog Approved.

The campaign is designed to resonate with Subaru owners and like-minded consumers.  Subaru drivers are two times more likely than the average car owner to have a pet.  In fact, seven out of ten Subaru drivers have a pet, and Subaru owners are also more likely to engage in skiing, camping, boating and other sporting activities.  To reflect these passions, those activities are depicted in the four new Dog Tested commercials.

“The Dog Tested spots have always been about highlighting funny and interesting car situations by using dogs instead of people.  This year we continue that theme with a focus on the lifestyle of Subaru owners starring an amazing pack of dogs.”

• See the 2012 Campaign Commercials:
• “Camping” – The dog pack discovers that camping isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
• “The Beach” – A ragtag pack of dogs find out that sun, surf, and sand make for an epic day.
• “Jackknife” – Backing up a canoe trailer proves difficult for a dog and his buddies.
• “Ski Trip” – Furry friends spend a day on the slopes.
• Take the Subaru Dog Walk Pledge
• Download the MapMyDOGWALK App for iPhone
• Join Dogbook on Facebook

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States.  All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.

Follow the Subaru of America Facebook page and subaru_usa on Twitter.

This press release is available at www.media.subaru.com.

“Subaru”, all model names, and the Subaru logo are registered trademarks of the Subaru division of Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd, Japan.

“iPhone”is a trademark of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. “Facebook^“ is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc.  ”MapMyFITNESS” and “Map MyDOGWALK” are registered trademarks of MapMyFITNESS, Inc.  Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. and Aha by HARMAN, the first interactive platform that makes web content safe for drivers, have announced a partnership that will use the Aha platform to seamlessly bring Web-based content into Subaru vehicles to letting drivers interact with web-based content right through their radios.  Subaru is one of the first automotive manufacturers to integrate Aha’s service into its vehicles.

Aha is powering the Web-connected “fourth band” of radio, alongside AM, FM, and satellite radio.  Offered on future models, Subaru owners will have instant access to tens of thousands of stations of Web-based content such as: on-demand music from MOG® and Rhapsody®; Internet radio from SHOUTcast™, CBS RADIO™, and Slacker®; live news; the latest information, news and entertainment podcasts from NPR® and others; free audio books; personalized traffic reports; Facebook® and Twitter® newsfeeds; personalized restaurant recommendations from Yelp®; and much more.  Aha will be easily accessed through the Subaru’s optional in-car radio/infotainment system.  Aha’s app for iPhone® integrates with the vehicle, allowing Subaru owners to enjoy Aha while driving. In early 2012, Aha will launch an Android app, which will also integrate with future Subaru vehicles. Users will be able to customize their Aha stations from their iPhone, Android device, or the Web.

“Smartphone activity is at an all-time high and the consumer is looking for a safe interface to interact with the content in their vehicle.  Subaru has been evaluating connected car solutions for some time, and Aha is the first product that meets our criteria for safety, great design, and broad content options that can be personalized for each driver,” said David Sullivan, Car Line Manager, Subaru of America, Inc.  “Without having to touch their smartphone, Subaru drivers will safely be able to access content like traffic, nearby restaurant information, music, and a growing wealth of web-based information now available through their Subaru optional infotainment system integrated with Aha.”

“Buyers of new Subaru cars will be able to enjoy their favorite Internet content on-demand just as safely as selecting a radio station thanks to Aha,” said Robert Acker, HARMAN VP and General Manager of Aha. “We have built a cloud-based platform that will be continuously updated in the future, so as the Web changes and new services emerge, Subaru drivers will always have access to the most up-to-date content through Aha. With an Aha-enabled radio at their fingertips, Subaru drivers will be among the most well-connected drivers on the road.”

At the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show, booth # CP32 located in the CES central plaza, Aha and Subaru will demonstrate a concept implementation of the integration in a production 2013 Subaru BRZ. Media who would like to schedule a live demo can email press@aharadio.com to book an appointment.

Aha is currently available in aftermarket head units and as a free app for iPhone.  Aha will soon update its iPhone app to include even more stations and content, and will also launch its app for Android^™ smartphones.  Aha is currently working with additional automotive and consumer electronics manufacturers on multiple integrations that will launch throughout the year.

Aha is a part of HARMAN International (NYSE: HAR) the premium global audio and infotainment group.

SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.

Hello readers,

Every Tuesday for the next couple of weeks, we are going to feature the Tuesday Test Drive. Each Tuesday, I will test drive a new 2012 Subaru or a used car that Mike Shaw Subaru has on the lot. I’ll then let you know how it drives and the pros/cons of the vehicle.

Enjoy!

2012 Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback is Subaru’s #1 selling model. Fitting for the first Tuesday Test Drive, I think.

I had the luxury of test driving a 2012 Subaru Outback in not-so-lovely weather conditions. It had just snowed about 6 inches, the temperature was well below freezing and none of the streets had been plowed. This was actually a couple weeks ago, but I am still raving about my test drive.  You see I am a bit of a wimp when it comes to driving in bad weather, but the 2012 Outback made me feel safe, secure and unstoppable. Compared to my small car, I felt like I was in a tank and that I was going to win the battle against the snow!

My First Reactions

•  I felt pretty unstoppable in the slush and snow.  I never did any sliding or fish-tailing thanks to Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, which lets you control all four wheels all at once. I also felt like I was weighted down due to the 2.5L Subaru Boxer® engine which is not designed like your typical engine. The pistons are laid flat and horizontally opposed, which allows for smother operation and less engine wear and tear. Because of this design, Subaru’s have a lower center of gravity which helps the vehicle remain balanced.
• I liked how smooth the ride was, despite the weather conditions. I never felt the car shift during acceleration thanks to the Lineartronic™ CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).
• Talk about a roomy and stylish interior! The Outback has up to 71 cubic feet of cargo room which means you can cram a lot of stuff into the back of this vehicle. I would definitely take this camping.
• This is a great midsized SUV for someone with small children. The back seat is roomy and spacious enough for two car-seats and the back can definitely hold all the stuff that comes with having kids.

Things I LOVED

• I felt really safe driving around in the Outback and let me be honest Subaru makes safe vehicles. The Outback comes with a wide array of air-bags and has a Ring-shaped reinforcement frame that absorbs impact.
• You can plug your iPod right in and listen to your very own tunes!
• The 2012 Outback is built in a zero landfill plant and it is a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV2) that gets 29MPG Hwy.
• It’s a 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick!
• The Outback has a sense of the great outdoors, but it doesn’t compromise comfort. The seats are cozy and the cabin is spacious.
• The 2012 Outback is available with an enhanced audio system that includes HD Radio, which sounds quite nice.
• You can doc your phone to Bluetooth, which is simple and requires minimal technical skills

Things I wasn’t so in love with:

• Great for two small children max, but not a vehicle for towing your kids and your kid’s friends around. If you’re looking for a kid-mobile, check out the Tribeca.
• Lack of power in 4-cylinder model, but the Outback does come in a 6-cylinder model which has ample power.
• Exterior color determines the interior color.

Interested in checking out the 2012 Outback, stop by Mike Shaw Subaru or give us a call. We have have a great selection in stock. Looking for a used Outback, click here.

For the fourth year in a row, the ASPCA^® has been selected as one of five charities to participate in the Subaru “Share the Love” holiday event.

Since 2008, the ASPCA has received more than $4 million from “Share the Love” and has been the #1 choice of consumers every year, reflecting the passion that Subaru and Subaru owners have for helping animals.

This year Mike Shaw Subaru in Thornton, Colorado is holding a Pet Food and Toy Drive for the Subaru Share the Love Event.  The Toy Drive will benefit the Adams County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center.

The ASPCA has established a Subaru Share the Love grant fund and will dedicate 60% of the ASPCA’s Share the Love donation to shelter grants. This allow us to allocate much needed funds to help local shelters continue their life saving work and help animals in need.

Yesterday Subaru of America, Inc. announced that for the third consecutive year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has recognized it as the only manufacturer with a 2012 TOP SAFETY PICK winner for all models.  The all-new 36 mpg 2012 Impreza, the most fuel-efficient all-wheel drive vehicle in America, was awarded in the “Small Car” category.

(Stop by Mike Shaw Subaru in Thornton, and learn more about the 2012 Top Safety Picks!)

“Our customers take their safety very seriously and so we are very pleased that IIHS has recognized us again with a TOP SAFETY PICK winner for all our qualifying models,” said Tom Doll, executive vice president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc. “To be able to include the redesigned 2012 Impreza to the list is an outstanding success and a tribute to the engineering that goes into our products. The IIHS reinforces to our customers that Subaru maintains the highest standards to produce vehicles that are fun-to- drive, durable, reliable as well as safe.”

The TOP SAFETY PICK recognizes vehicles that, in IIHS testing, do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rear, and now rollover crashes based on ‘good’ ratings in each category. The IIHS ranks in terms of Good, Acceptable, Marginal and Poor, with ‘good’ as the top rank possible in Institute tests. Winners also must have electronic stability control.

“Subaru once again has a TOP SAFETY PICK winner for all models,” said IIHS president Adrian Lund. “It’s tough to win, and we commend auto manufacturers for making safety a top priority.”

About IIHS

The Institute’s frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on results of 40 mph frontal offset crash tests. Each vehicle’s overall evaluation is based on measurements of intrusion into the occupant compartment, injury measures recorded on a 50th percentile male Hybrid III dummy in the driver seat, and analysis of slow-motion film to assess how well the restraint system controlled dummy movement during the test.

Side evaluations are based on performance in a crash test in which the side of a vehicle is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph. The barrier represents the front end of a pickup or SUV. Ratings reflect injury measures recorded on 2-instrumented SID-IIs dummies representing a small (5th percentile) woman, assessment of head protection countermeasures, and the vehicle’s structural performance during the impact.

Rear crash protection is rated according to a two-step procedure. Starting points for the ratings are measurements of head restraint geometry — the height of a restraint and its horizontal distance behind the back of the head of an average size man. Seat/head restraints with good or acceptable geometry are tested dynamically using a dummy that measures forces on the neck. This test simulates a collision in which a stationary vehicle is struck in the rear at 20 mph. Seats without good or acceptable geometry are rated poor overall because they can’t be positioned to protect many people.

In the roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against 1 side of a roof at a constant speed. To earn a good rating for rollover protection, the roof must withstand a force of 4 times the vehicle’s weight before reaching 5 inches of crush. This is called a strength-to-weight ratio. For an acceptable rating, the minimum required strength-to-weight ratio is 3.25. A marginal rating value is 2.5. Anything lower than that is rated poor.

Follow the Subaru of America Facebook page and subaru_usa on Twitter.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States.  All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.