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Comments
Sunday? Could it becoming from Japan, as that will likely be Monday over there?
Bob
John
Since the announcement may take place on Easter Sunday in the US, I was hoping it was news about the R1 & R2, since Subaru brags about those models' "egg-shaped" safety structure. I'd like to find one or two of those in my Easter basket.
-Brian
I didn't realize that they used musical notation to indicate Sport Sharp (S#).
So is Intelligent mode S-flat? :-p
Ken
Les Paul guitars, whether Gibson or Epiphone (like mine) do have incredible sustain...you can play a note, go to Rome and back, have a leisurely dinner, take a train cross-country, and when you get back, the note will still be playing...it's partly because they have what is called a set neck...it is glued to the body as opposed to being bolted on like Fender Strats.
* ALL Legacy sedans get a split fold rear seat, it works nicely
* 6 speed and Torsen are for real
* SI-drive is supposedly more than a gimmick (wanna try it!)
* Memory is for seat only, not mirrors
* dark gray metallic is gorgeous in person
* love the new seats, Alcantara feels like expensive suede
It was very sharp looking.
They had the STI Limited and hinted that since they delete the expensive BBS rims and spoiler, it might come out at the same price as the regular STI or perhaps just $500-1000 more. That would be a big boom for the STI - it would sell like hotcakes I bet.
Subaru usually prices leather/moonroof at $2500 or so extra with the Limited packages.
07 'beca was also there, but we only got up close to the spec.B.
The SI-Drive button goes where the heated seat controls used to be, and those controls just move back to the base of the center console. The center arm rest might block those controls, however, but no big deal.
-juice
• This guy has seen some photos of the '08 Legacy, and according to him the front end is more like an Acura TL. So it sounds like it may not get the Zap nose. Keep in mind that's his interpretation of the front. Your mileage may vary...
• As to the '08 Impreza grille, he thought it would be similar to the grille on the B5-TPH concept.
• He also said they SOA may be considering offering an Impreza STI wagon! That really surprised me. However, the more I think about it—now that they've released a STI Limited sedan—it seems far more plausible. I do think if we see one, it will be offered only in Limited trim though.
• He also indicated that sales on the STI have slowed way down. This may be why SOA is offering the Limited version, to generate more interest in the STI.
So folks, take this for what it's worth (maybe a lot, maybe nothing)...
Bob
Why? The L-GT wagon no longer comes with a manual. There is pent-up demand for a hot wagon. I think this would even convince people that wanted the Legacy to bite.
-juice
I'd give this rumor about a 5% probability of coming true, at best, but how would you feel if it did? Us Subaru owners tend to appreciate the quirk of having a boxer as opposed to an inline or v engine. Otherwise, Subaru collaborating with Toyota isn't a bad thing.
Thoughts?
Mike
You beat me to it. I was going to comment the same about the Japanese text.
My guess is that whatever magazine the photo came from is just speculating on what could happen now that Subaru and Toyota are related.
Ken
I would be very surprised if there was a move away from a boxer engine. Much of the virtue of the Subaru comes from the very low engine configuration. Repackaging with an in-line or V engine would raise the centre of mass of the engine and would likely need a reconfigured engine bay, lifting the bonnet line. There are inherent problems with using a boxer layout but the cots of majr body reconfiguration are likely to make the shift to a more conventional format just too hard.
Cheers
Graham
Bob
If and when will a Subaru be a Zapatinas design from start to finish, rather then him coming into the middle of the design process?
Bob
Doug
The relative production cost might be the deciding factor.
Enthusiasts might not like it, but what percent of buyers do we represent?
I wouldn't see much advantage staying Subaru if there are signficant engine/drivetrain changes.
John
While I like the idea of the boxer engine, my choice is more influenced by other factors such as AWD, safety, performance, value and uniqueness.
While I don't wish for Subaru to lose it's boxer engine, I honestly would not be averse to buying a Subaru equiped with (don't gasp) a V6 or I6.
Ken
But I do think the boxer/drivetrain layout has made its mark on owners after the first purchase. Notice how the latest DRIVE magazine takes a whole page to explain why the boxer equipped vehicle doesn't lean as much on a turn vs an upright? Subaru is savvy that this fact resonates with a bunch of us, and is playing that card to separate itself.
When you mention AWD, safety, performance, value, and uniqueness, I would argue that the boxer engine is a large part of all of that. You didn't mention reliability, which is another key aspect resulting from the drivetrain's layout, again made possible because of the boxer. All other AWD systems are highly complex, typically don't work as well, and are very expensive.
And yes we own a V-6 minivan also. But it doesn't tickle the engineering passion that the boxer creates.
John
Yes, Subaru has been pitching the benefits of a lower CG enabled by a boxer engine, but it's not a requirement but an enabler. A vehicle with any other engine design could also have a low CG as well.
Don't get me wrong. I'm very much enamoured with Subaru's vehicle designs but I'm just trying to step out of our enthusiast minds and look at it from a more pragmatic standpoint.
The fact that Subaru highlights the boxer engine and symmetrical AWD is that it's one of the key features that it can easily differentiate itself from other vehicles. I know there are many other things like rally heritage, but the drivetrain is easy to explain. As a marketing person, I see Subaru mentioning this feature in DRIVE as a way to build customer loyalty by making us feel good (and for good reason) about our vehicles. It's much easier to retain customers than to find new ones.
As much as I love the boxer engines in the Subaru's I've owned, they are not without it's tradeoffs either. Front overhang is relatively long on Subarus compared to an inline-6 in a BMW which also affects handling. Also the engine displacement is somewhat more limited. I would be hard to create an 8-cylinder boxer with reasonable exterior dimensions.
So, if Subaru were to introduce a new vehicle with all the other traits that make Subaru a Subaru but without a boxer engine, I probably would still be an interested buyer.
Ken (just trying to think outside of the box-er) ;-)
We differ. If there was a way to put the new 3.5 liter Toyota V6 in an Outback without ruining handling, fuel economy and performance gains would be significant. Many would be happy with the change.
John
Thoughts on what this means for Subaru? As a big fan of their cars, I wonder.
It means the snoze is gone. Few liked it.
John
Subarus should have boxer engines.
Though I will admit AWD is a more important part of their critical DNA, the boxer engine is #2 on that list.
-juice
Just wanted to stir up the pot a bit.
Okay, back to loving my boxer engine! ;-p
Ken
~Colin
Rumors:
• No spread-wing grille
• Headlights similar to current units bt may wrap up a bit higher on the fender
• Smaller tail lights with the top third clear.
• New bumpers
• Revised interior
Grrr... can't get the image to show... It's over at nabisco.
Bob
Personally, I love the way the Legacy looks now. I've heard some criticism that's it's a bit boring, but not to me. They really don't need to change much.
It won't have a family resemblance, but still.
I guess Zap really is out.
-juice
Interesting to note that Subaru isn't planning on staying the course with the new corporate look and grille. I wonder if they weren't getting much positive feedback.
I still love the way the new Legacy looks too (OK, so I'm a little biased). The only thing I wish Subaru would do is implement a design that takes into account the US bumper specs from the get-go.
Ken
Bob
Ken
Bob
Window tint won't make it here.
Rear wiper probably won't either.
Tail light looks shorter? It doesn't line up with the body line so I like it less, actually.
Is that a wagon with the spec.B wheels?
Wagon looks like it got a wider grille opening, and a new bumper. That's probably JDM, it's too clean for the USA.
Very mild face-lift, IMO. I don't think it needed much change, so that's fine. Thumbs up.
-juice