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Comments
I certainly don't take it personally. While design is important and one can make a case for originality and boldness, one needs to remember that bold design does not translate into sales if it is not attractive to the majority. This is what Auto Manufacturers need to do, sell vehicles.
Pontiac's Aztek is a good example of this. It was a very functional vehicle that seemed to be well put together from what owners reported. It also has a very rabid group of supporters among those owners (kind of like Subaru). However it's design was too bold, to the extent it was perceived as excruciatingly ugly to the general public. It did not sell mainly due to the design. Subarus in the past suffered from awkward designs that kept very good vehicles from selling except to Subaru faithful. The XT6 and SVX are two examples where I believe a more main stream design would have led to more sales. A good vehicle design IMO does not need to be defended, it should at best create desire and at worst not offend.
http://webpages.charter.net/drifter/Images/nasioc/facelift-sti-au- - toexpress.jpg
It certainly appears to be. Will have to see this in person.
First impression is not good.
Bob
My biggest problem with the looks of the Impreza (this one as well as all current generation Imprezas) is not so much the look of the front, but that of the whole car. The body design is chunky and not very graceful. From what I can see here, that issue has yet to be addressed, which is a shame.
Bob
IMHO diesel is already a thoroughly tested, durable engine design whereas hybrids are in their infancy.
Develop diesel engines first then bring along hybrids later for those who want to drag around a couple hundred pounds of acid.
Eric
Isn't that Subarus stated goal - to be more like Audi?
The European Volvo V50 is available with a 2.0L Turbo-Diesel that produces 236 ft/lbs of torque at 2,000 RPM and has a highway EPA rating of 52MPG! That's only 2WD mind you, but 45 MPG highway should be achievable, with 35-40 real world combined.
Sly
and it has very poor availability; where I live I'd conservatively say fewer than 25% of gas stations offer it.
no thanks.
~c
Bob
I certainly understand going for a corporate image, but Im not sure this is the best way to go about it- I echo your sentiment that integrating a new look is best left to a redesigned vehicle. However, I dont think what that picture shows is a complete disaster and I feel this new look has POTENTIAL to work, with a few execution tweaks... we'll have to see what actually arrives on shore. (I am personally a fan of the Alfa-Romeo esque grille, and am looking forward to seeing how the SUV looks when it debuts under whichever name at NAIAS).
~alpha
and it has very poor availability; where I live I'd conservatively say fewer than 25% of gas stations offer it.
no thanks."
Here it is about the same price as regular gas, not long ago it was much cheaper. I'm no expert but I believe that diesel requires a lot less refining and therefore costs less to produce. So I think oil companies are gouging and/or trying to limit the appeal of diesel.
Availability is more limited but with a 500-600 mile range, I don't think that's an issue at all. When at home, you can do with a single station, and when on the highway, availability is actually not bad. I think it's a bit of a chicken and egg thing: there won't be more availability until there are more diesel cars on the road. But that will require the better fuel quality, coming in 2006 in Canada, and the people getting re-educated on the newer diesel technology: they are no longer slow, noisy, and smelly!
Volks has done quite well here in eastern Canada with their smaller turbo-diesel cars.
Sly
"This will be built on our core competence: a "boxer" engine and symmetrical all-wheel drive. So the car would offer the low center of gravity and a good fuel economy with light weight."
Huh? Does that mean that Subaru has been making premium vehicles since the 1970s? To me, this interview was disappointing and has made me question if Subaru has what it takes to change their niche. Beyond the BS talking about premium vehicles and value, it seems to me that in terms of new technology (hybrids, diesels, stability control, navigation systems etc.) Subaru will have enough trouble keeping up with Toyota and Honda, not even to mention trying to compete with premium brands. At the same time, Honda, Acura, Mazda, Infinity and many others are coming onto Subaru's turf with fancy new AWD systems. I'm afraid Subaru is going down the same unfortunate path as VW, with the Saab 9-2X being the first flop.
Subaru used to sell cheap sturdy cars. More recently, I thought they had two great niches.
1. A safe and responsible alternative to the SUV. This was a good strategy, catching the backlash against SUVs, giving people the capability they really need without the stigma.
2. High performance at bargain prices. This is also a good strategy, since small Japanese cars have become so popular with young tuners and enthusiasts.
Why can't Subaru focus on these areas instead of trying to become something that I am not sure they will be capable of.
Sorry for the long rant. It is the day before the holiday break, and I think I have some type of flu bug, so my productivity has been shot.
Because of their limited R&D resources, I think Subaru should concentrate on the diesel option. I think the ruggedness and practicality of turbo-diesels would be a great match for Subaru's traditional martkets. I also think that currently turbo diesels are more viable then hybrids (although diesel-based hybrids would be best). They should also keep investing in their AWD systems, as they will quickly lose their edge in that arena.
Sly
Point taken about increased cost for new low sulfur requirements...we'll wait and see.
Personally I like diesel for the torque on demand performance and longevity. To each his own.
I'd say if it gets popular enough here, more stations will carry it. Also biodiesel has an promising future.
Eric
Agreed. I'm hoping it will look better in person. Subies usually do.
Bob
In addition to that, they will go for premium image.
I think Nav & VDC are coming on most models ! Don't know about memory seats etc etc.
Craig
Bob
http://webpages.charter.net/drifter/Images/nasioc/facelift-sti-au- toexpress.jpg
Check out the current STi photo, and this new image. They're one and the same, with the new image flopped and retouched.
Geez... had me going for awhile...
Bob
Then I had niche 2--WRX
But my Legacy has the value as its biggest selling point. For $26,000 I got the nearest to a luxury car I have ever had (its the LTD with the heated leather, panoramic roof, etc.) and I also have the advantage of 30 mpg highway.
After today's driving (after the 19" snowstorm) I still have some of niche 1 and with a decent wheel tire combo and 168 hp I still have some of the fun of niche 2.
I wish there was a way that Subaru could advertise the Legacy (yes even the 2.5i like mine) as an Accord with an "attitude."
http://www.naias.com/main.asp?sectionID=22
Bob
I wholeheartedly agree with this! My hope is that Subaru Marketing folks will use the recent Automobile Magazine victory (Best Family Car 2005) to the company's, and model's, advantage.
~alpha
Don't get thrown by the somewhat long pauses between segments. The R1 is to go on sale early in January.
Geez... You can even get HIDs on the R1, and the instruments dance like the STi and Legacy/Outback turbos!
Bob
probiscis monkey.
might be uglier than the '02 WRX and that's challenging.
~c
Subaru, let Saab design the exterior and then rebadge it. Ugh.
-B
The rear is a little vacant. The top half is good, but there's quite a bit of blank sheetmetal on the lower half.
The front, the front, the front...
Why couldn't they just use the same folks who designed the 05 Legacy to do the B9X?
Ken
I've thought on it some more and it's clearly much uglier than a 2002 Impreza. It is hideous, whereas the bugeye was cutely odd.
~C
The name changed this month so I'd assume a design change is in the works for next month. ;-)
DaveM
it looks gorgeous !!!!!!!! i like every aspect of it. Maybe you are all too stuck with plain-old subaru designs.
this is a great start for subaru to have a different image
this will appeal to the mass.
Compare this to pilot, MDX, lexus RX, murano, X5, i love this styling !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
can anyone tell me Lexus RX looks better than this ????
lexus rx looks overly gaudy, if you know what i mean....
this clearly looks bigger than MDX, not sure about the width.
~c
maybe the conservative subaru customers need to change !!!! Subaru is changing its looks, image etc but the customers aren;t changing a bit !!!!
imagine how radical the new BMW looks are. that's what i call ugly. I don;t want a boxy pilot or flimsy murano. This is very pleasant. Front is the best.
To me it seems like subaru will lose some loyalists but gain new grounds.
I'm not liking the new front at this point. Looks like a Sienna front.
-Brian
I don't mean to be harsh, but the front end kind of looked better with all that black plastic in the earlier spy photo.
Ken
How could they make something classy like the Blitzen and this monstrosity?
Ugh, take my name off the list of potential buyers!
tom
Bob
I think it is also overly conservative, except for the front end which tries to be distinctive and orginal but just plain doesn't work.
Sly
it's just... really ugly. BMW 1 series ugly. Aztek ugly.
and I know you have a different eye for style than most of us, or at least certainly me, but the opinion seems to heavily trend negative at this point.
~Colin
Certainly not hostility Bob, but quick reaction from people who are atuned to their Subarus. Rob M.
Sorry, it's just my opinion. It's a strong sense of opinion though. ;-)
I agree with Sly, I didn't necesarilly buy my Subie for it's looks, but it's not a bad looking car either.
Just hope there's still time to change the design! (along with the name!) ;-)
tom
BTW, that may not be the actual "final" production version. See my comment over in the B9 thread.
Bob
This is truly one anti-attractive SUV. I agree with the Sienna comments... though that design isnt nearly as busy or disjointed.
HOWEVER, I dont feel all is lost... I do like the overall shape, and I find the rear a bit distinctive, if unadorned. The aggressive rubber and rim design are big pluses as well. BUT THAT NOSE! For me, there is something very classy, handsome and slick about the new Legacy that is completely missing from this supposedly upscale SUV.
I sincerely hope this vehicle doesnt start at $37K as some have suggested. I'm afraid theres nothing the marketers could do to induce sales even slightly greater than the raging trickle that is the Baja.
~alpha
Having said all that, I'm not at all discouraged by what I see here, even if it runs counter to 99% of those posting. I will say this: Subaru has one heck of a sales job in front of them, judging by all the postings here and elsewhere.
Bob
Unlike you Bob, a vehicle's looks has to get my mojo going somewhat. My GT wagon certainly could not be considered automotive art, but it is streets ahead of that rendition.
Cheers Pat.
Bob