The 2007 Outback 2.5XT was named one of the Top 10 Tech Cars by IEEE Spectrum (April, 2007, issue). Others on the list include the Tesla Roadster (I want one!), Audi R8, BMW 5 Series, and two concept cars (one Honda, one Chevy).

 

The Outback 2.5XT was chosen because of SI-Drive system.

 

From the article:

[subaru's] sensible all-wheel-drive station wagons sit in the same showrooms as their unruly alter egos, such as the fast, road-hugging Impreza WRX sedans, developed over many years of punishing off-road rallies. Now Subaru has introduced technology to let drivers choose—sensible or wicked?—by twisting a dial on the console.

The complete article is at http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/apr07/5012

Thanks for the interesting post and link to IEEE magazine. However, that article on Phase-Locked Loop Simulation - Modulated Analysis

was pretty captivating as well:grin: I've always been impressed with the considerable knowledge base of the USMB participants. It's nice to know we have the propeller head slide-rule carrying crowd as well

the coolest thing about i-drive is that it actually switches between two ecu maps so you can have them re-flashed to go with mods and have selectable maps (like normal and race gas or valet mode). I have a friend with a spec-b who is doing exactly that.