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Comments
Sly
"Easy. There's less risk (for Subaru) with an all-new car than with one that's already established."
By the time Zap was hired, FHI was already working on the new Legacy design.
"...putting the 3.0 in that heavy car???? "
I have a friend that will be in the market for a new crossover this summer. He wants something that can tow and I showed him the drawings of the B9X. He said if it gets a turbo H6 and can tow, he might consider it. Looks like he might have to shop other brands. He hasn't seen the newest spy pics. He currently has a 99 OB.
-Dennis
Bob
Good point, and most likely true. That vehicle was probably too far along in design and engineering to be drastically altered.
Bob
I'm certain of that too, Subaru will have no choice...
Sly
I'm sure that was the plan from the beginning.
Bob
Also confirmed by a Subie dealer over at nabisco.
Bob
:-D
DaveM
Sly
Bob
Anytime you change, there is risk involved. Don't you think Subaru knows this?
I don't think Subaru has learned their lesson from past failures, and that bothers me. Other companies have been humbled by past mistakes, yet Subaru seems to repeat them.
The Tribeca will probably be a decent vehicle, but we already know it will be a bit underpowered. They went out on a limb with the styling and that seems like an unecessary risk to take. I know with a little more work they could have come up with a design that more people like (for instance, the great styling of the Legacy comes to mind). Why they chose to potentially "hobble" the new vehicle with risky styling escapes me.
Craig
That's not saying much -- we're talking about a company that normally sells a few hundred or couple thousand (tops) of each model!
Craig
It may be the difference between a good year or bad year in terms of profits and loses.
Bob
Yes. The center grille looks like it is an egg crate design but only the main horizontal bars are chrome. Also, the autoweek pic makes it look like there is a big chrome ring around the center grille spilling out onto the bumper. The C&D pic shows that to be bumper color - not grille. There is only a small chrome ring around the grille inset.
But you can see that the headlights stick up above the hood. They could've made them smoothly intergrate into the hood ala 911. IMHO, that would've looked great. But then again I like the CTS!!
As I said from that angle, it's not as homely as in the autoweek pics.
Note, however, that it has the Alfa grille, i.e. it's upside down in relation to Subaru's, which is A shaped.
Looks like the grille insert is still TBD. I hope it's mesh, that would look great.
Is the RX radical? The original was, a bit, sort of the Jetsons vehicle of choice at a time when all the SUVs were 2 box designs. The designer look is how it took the segment lead in sales, and like Bob said mechanically it's no big deal, really.
So yes, the RX was pretty radical, a trend-setter.
The MDX was less so, because it looked too much like a minivan.
Thought of something, though - anyone have pics of the Maserati Kubang? That's the SUV (concept) that the B9 Tribeca resembles most.
Check it out.
-juice
Bob
I don't like the chrome strips in the spy shots from Autoweek. I prefer the blacked-out grille from the sketch.
-juice
I'm feeling better all the time about this.
Bob
Wonder if it has steering wheel shift buttons? My guess is no.
Bob
Bob
Now, if they can get rid of those chrome stripes in the center section, ala my artwork below, I may actually like it....
Craig
Well actually one comment: The darker the body color, the more the grille will disappear into the body; the lighter the color, the more it will stand out. So if you don't like the grille, check it out in black, or some other dark color.
Bob
I'm sure you will see that kind of grille treatment at some point, if not on this car, certainly on some other Subie. Another solution would be to change those chrome strips to a satin silver, gunmetal gray or even body colored. The net effect would be to make the oval logo "pop" a bit more. As it currently stands, the oval logo somewhat "competes" with the horizontal grille strips. By knocking those strips back a bit, the logo and strips would then "compliment one another, rather than "fight" one another for attention.
Also, you just made my point: A very subtle change like that can have an enormous (visual) impact.
Bob
The C&D picture shows two buttons on each horizontal spoke. My guess would be audio and climate controls. Although it's possible they could be nav controls.
DaveM
here's some kubang pics/specs for juice:
http://www.maseratinet.com/MCI/kubang.asp
http://www.maseratinet.com/IMAGES/fiamov_copia.jpg
http://www.maseratinet.com/IMAGES/02def.jpg
http://www.maseratinet.com/IMAGES/rear.jpg
-Brian
The designer look was certainly part of it, but I think the main reason for it's success is that it is very luxurious, comfortable, has a very smooth engine and ride, is whisper quiet, and is VERY well built.
Sly
Sly
Interior looks gorgeous, sort of like a tall Acura TL stack. 3 spoke wheel, even.
Thanks for the Kubang links, Colin.
Now check out that large-mouth bass! And it's a beauty!
It's squat and muscular, obviously a lot smaller than the Tribeca but it seems like that's the design that inspired the B9.
-juice
Vents, audio, and ACC looks integrated. I hope HAL left the building and the integrated stereo is good (aux input, for instance).
Wonder what's under that split cover in the center console, prolly cup holders.
Inside looks great, no complaints from here. Well, it could have less of that silver stuff.
-juice
That's true, but because it's a light color, it makes the large black grille openings stand out, so you take your choice: more chrome, or more black. You can't have both, it's either one or the other.
Bob
-juice
umm, that was me, not Colin, that posted the Kubang links: subearu, "Subaru B9X (Future Vehicles)" #485, 2 Jan 2005 12:02 am
You're welcome though! ;-)
-Brian
-juice
Sly
I was thinking the same exact thing... and maybe add a can of Krylon to the list of options.
Craig
-Brian
i know u included the murano, fx35 clone but the fx35 ( given ) the upscale desire might be swapped in?
The Murano and FX35 are not clones. They are based on totally different platforms.
Murano = Altima (FWD based)
FX35 (and FX45) = G35 (RWD based)
DaveM
or as Loosh might call them: "AutoEeek." However, if you click on them, they're larger.
Bob
John
Just drove a Brazilian minivan, the Citroen Xsara Picasso, you want to talk about ugly...
-juice
Actually it's modern impressionistic.