Subaru Crew - Future Models II

rsholland

Fearless prediction # 1
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Subaru crossovers, the Tribeca/Halifax, Forester, Outback & Baja (if it survives), will get the more rectangular center grille as shown on the R1/R1e and B9SC.

The Impreza and Legacy (eventually) will get the more pointed grille as seen on the B11S, R2 and latest WRC racer Photoshop images found over at nabisco.

This is just a gut feeling with nothing concrete to base it on. I just think Subaru will use both grille shapes, and will use them to help define model groups, such as "crossovers" vs. "cars."

Mercedes has been doing this for years. All their sports cars, trucks and SUVs use a huge 3-pointed star as the focal point in the grille, whereas their sedans use a much more formal small cross-hatch grille pattern, with the 3-pointed star only as a very small accent at the top. I think Subaru will attempt to do something similar with their marketing of these new vehicles; two slightly different grille shapes that will help define the two different main categories of Subaru vehicles.

Fearless prediction # 2
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The Tribeca/Halifax will come in just two trim levels at first: Limited and LL Bean. The following year a turbo H-6 will arrive.

Bob

c_hunter

At some point I saw pictures of both the new and the old unibody, and they were quite different. The structure in the 03+ is noticeably stiffer too. As far as I can tell, the only thing that carried over was the basic drivetrain, though that had some changes also.

I still don't know of any Forester competitors that offer such excellent handling. In that respect, it's still one of a kind.

Craig

rsholland

The US version of the the Legacy Spec.B 6-speed will debut at LA, just prior to the the Detroit show.

Then, at Detroit, the 7-passenger crossover will debut. This will be the first US-spec car to debut with the new front styling. I believe every new Subaru to debut after this model will also have this new front-end styling, which is why I say the Legacy Spec B will debut at LA prior to Detroit. I think that will be the last Subaru to debut with the old face.

A month later, at Chicago, I suspect the facelifted Forester will debut.

I think the new (facelifted [?] or all-new Impreza [?]) could debut at either Geneva in March, or at NY in April. NY has traditionally been a show in which SOA shows new models, even those with subtle upgrades.

It will be interesting to see if any changes occur on on the '06 Baja. If there are no changes of any sort, other than paint, then I think that will be a strong indication that the Baja is on its final legs. If, the other hand, we see some subtle functional and/or styling upgrades, that could well be a sign that the Baja does have a future beyond MY06.

Bob

  

rsholland

http://www.aiada.org/article.asp?id=26335

rangner

Check out the first short movie on sevenseats.com
I ROTFLMAO!!

Eric

ateixeira

Craig: I saw a cut-away but not back-to-back with the old one. What stood out to me were the aluminum bumper beams. At least dimensionally, the rest looked carry over.

On the one you saw, did they highlight changes/new components or something?

-juice

c_hunter

Not really, but it looked different than the old one. I'll see if I can dig up the pics. Of course, the roof, door pillars, hatch opening, and rear quarter are part of the unibody and those are visibly different when you look at the full cars.

Craig

subewannabe

I agree with Bob...the first movie on the site is as good as it gets! The movie reflect astute market positioning by Subaru, definitely appealing to the growing family, not the outdoor enthusiast/ environmentalist on a budget. I cant wait!

Lets see...I got a great car ( FXT PP) at invoice with my IMBA membership, got $500 dealer cash back plus, plus I got the 1.9% 63 month financing, then I got a $25 gift card for test driving (several) 05 Outbacks and Legacy's, then I got a free Gary Fisher/Suraru mountain biking shorts and jersey to wear on the trails, then I got the Subaru Chase Master Card and got $25 Subaru bucks. At this rate, I cant afford not to buy another Subaru!

Mark

dcm61

I got a free Gary Fisher/Suraru mountain biking shorts and jersey to wear on the trails

I have the IMBA membership, $25 gift card, Subaru Chase Master Card and the free $25 Subaru Bucks but no shorts and jersey. :-(

How did you get the shorts and jersey?

I need the set to go with my Gary Fisher and Subaru. :-)

DaveM

ateixeira

Just got my first $100 Subaru Bucks. Coolest part is you can use it for accessories, parts, or service also.

Spent that gift card along time ago. ;-)

-juice

c_hunter

Wierd thing about the $25 gift card -- I swiped it at a gas pump and then proceeded to pump $27 worth of gas. Never got a bill for the extra $2, and checking it online, shows my rewards balance to be $0.

With my luck, they will catch up to me in a couple years with interest charges!

Craig

rsholland

may shed some light on the new 7-passenger crossover.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/- - www/story/11-03-2004/0002353713&EDATE=

Subaru will share information about a new 7-passenger "crossover utility
vehicle" it is developing

Bob

ateixeira

Strange!

I used mine at a restaurant, and at first they rejected it.

Huh?

Well it turns out they leave room for 20% tip, even though I was paying a cash tip seperately.

So we had to ring it up for $20.80.

Ain't that funny?

-juice

ateixeira

Subaru will share information

Oh, c'mon Bob, you know Subaru's PR people. The information they will share is that they are going to build one!

They are so air tight they could have kept the Titanic from sinking.

-juice

paisan

And really really want a "new" one. C'mon Subaru come out with something that's got gobs of power + coupe or wide-body. Even an H6turbo Legacy would work for me

-mike

rsholland

Ouch!

How's the saying go? "Please don't shoot the messenger..."

Bob

ateixeira

Sorry, I'm just expressing some frustration from the lack of *any* real new info on this model, and it's 2 months away from its debut!

We've seen some cars that won't make their auto show debuts until next year at Geneva.

By now I would have wanted to drive one. ;-)

-juice

ateixeira

Doubtful, but India gets one:

http://www.subdriven.com/news/publish/Subaru_News/article_277.sht- ml

-juice

kens

You know, I never got my $25 gift card. Wonder what happened.

Ken

tsy

I agree with Mike. I think a coupe would be nice. A legacy coupe could be quite handsome, and drop the right engine in it and it would be quite fast!

Then they could make a convertible for the 'sunnier' states. Or you could put the top down in the snow. ;-)

tom

paisan

Yup even if it's B11S-like as far as being a 4-door with the rear being the suicide-style like the RX8.

It's nice to have a rather large cockpit area and the width of the car is much more comfy for those of us who are "larger" than average.

I'm looking into suspension mods for the SVX and likely will get '05 STi wheels and brakes for it

-mike

ateixeira

Subaru needs a paisan-sized car. :-)

Hey, I want one too! Just gimme something that'll fit the kids.

I would seriously consider a 4 seat drop-top based on that coupe. In fact it would be less traumatic for me to replace the Miata vs. the Forester.

-juice

jon_in_ct

Subaru issued a press release today saying they will announce the name of the seven seater tomorrow at the South Florida auto show. Subaru will also release the "first official product rendering."

You can read SOA's press release at:
http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&refer=co- news&tkr=7270:JP&sid=a6c2QJPuG2A4

robr2

C'mon Tribeca!!

rsholland

So, what were you saying juice?

Bob

ateixeira

*mmmph*

<juice's foot is in his mouth>

locke2c

c'mon surveyor!

anything but tribeca. LOL

~c

rsholland

Ditto that!

Bob

Kirstie_H

I would dearly like to buy a Subaru vehicle, mostly as a result of all the happy owners here on the boards. However, unless I'm missing something, Subaru doesn't offer any vehicles with a 3rd row of seating. I can't do without a third row right now, and for several years to come.

I did a quick search but didn't find any conversation about this - may have missed it. But, any word of anything in the works?

robr2

Later today, Subaru is announcing the name of their new 7 seater which will have a 3rd row. It is supposed to be introduced in 05 although juice thinks it vaporware!!

Keep your eyes here.

Kirstie_H

Ahhh.... so THAT's what all the naming hoopla is about. I didn't follow the conversation all that well. 2005 is about when I'll be looking again, so I'll keep a closer eye here.

c_hunter

http://content.subaru.com/sub/misc/04miamiAutoShow/index.html

rob_m

... B9X !?!

rob_m

Wow, Craig, beat me by 1 minute! LOL

dcm61

B9X - That's going to be confusing along side the Saabaru 9-?X

DaveM

c_hunter

Yeah, I was amazed when I came over and there were no new posts yet, I figured I was going to be late!

dcm61

And both of you beat Bob! :-P

DaveM

c_hunter

According to the site:

B= Boxer

9= nine styling elements

X= crossover

robr2

Drop a letter, add a number and viola:

Saab 9-7X.

I said it first.

tsy

"Benign" X?

Hmm, is this going to be a new trend in naming Subies?

Will my Legacy become B8GT? (Only 8 styling elements, maybe 7?)

Hope it's better than it's name.

tom

subearu

Subaru B7X last night in the chat as a suggested name. Oh so close!

-Brian

dcm61

Drop a letter, add a number and viola:

Saab 9-7X.

I said it first.

They already have Chevy Trailblazer = 9-7X.

I'm going with B9X = 9-6X

Saabaru Outback = 9-4X

DaveM

subearu

but the 9-7X is a TrailBlazer/Envoy clone. The B9X isn't...

Oh man, could we finally get a B4 Blitzen....as the STi equivalent Legacy?

-Brian

trueawd

I think the name is so awesome!!

Just think it could have been Halifax or Tribeca or even montauk????

At least nobody can complain about some letters and a number..at least I hope not?? If so go buy a 7 pass Halifax...

locke2c

hmm, so are the other Subarus going to that type of naming scheme also?

if not-- um. ok that's interesting.

~Colin
still likes Surveyor

dcm61

DaveM said: They already have Chevy Trailblazer = 9-7X.

subearu said: but the 9-7X is a TrailBlazer/Envoy clone. The B9X isn't...

I don't think that Saab would badge the Saabaru with the TrailBlaab 9-7X name. Assuming that the Saabaru will replace the Trailblaab, I think it'd be hard to sell a Saabaru 9-7X with visions of the TrailBlaab 9-7X in people's minds, that's why I'm saying B9X = Saabaru 9-6X.

DaveM

rsholland

I like what I see. My only concern, from a design standpoint is the Murano-like rear quarter window. I think the front looks terrific.

Note that the rear door doesn't intrude on the rear wheelwell, which suggests a very long wheelbase. Of course this could be just due to the fact we're looking at a sketch, which often take "creative license" to achieve "effect."

I can't wait for this new look to make it into all other Subies.

Bob

robr2

Whatever they call it, I predict the Saabaru 9-6 or 7X wil replace the current Trailblaab 9-7X. I figure the current atrocity to be around 3 model years before the B9X is rebadged for Saab. It's only a stop gap measure. The B9X is much more Saab than the Trailblazer could ever be.

As for future names, numbers and letters are more premium than model names.

sduford

I think the name sucks big time.

But the car looks good, for what little we can make out from that drawing. I'd like to see a real pic though...

rsholland

Am I missing something here? I want to start a new thread in Future Models on the Subaru B9X, and can't figure out how to do it???

Did Edmunds change something here???

Bob