Subaru Crew - Future Models

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Comments

  • amishraamishra Member Posts: 367
    Is it possible to retrofit the rear intermittent wiper control on my 2000 OB?

    thanks, ash
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ask Darlene too.

    -juice
  • thors_hammerthors_hammer Member Posts: 32
    Where I see the resemblence between the mid 80's Capri and the Subaru wagon is the bubble shaped rear hatch. I'm not talking about the convertible Capri, I'm talking about the modified Mustang with funny hatch.

    -Bryan
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    My girlfriend in high school had one of those, but I don't see the resemblance. Maybe you've seen photos of the Impreza wagon that I haven't, though.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Edmund's has a comprehensive review of the new 2002 Explorer, with some good pixs, for those who are interested.

    Juice, you were impressed with my Explorer's lack of rear suspension intrusion into the cargo area. It looks like the new model is even better still.

    Bob
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Good thought - but...since I am very non-technical, I asked a few of our techie folks here. They are not aware of anyone who has tried to do this, so they can't say for sure. They'll look into it, but Darlene is probably going to be a better source for you. Since we are the manufacturer, we can get into some hot water when we suggest any changes other than "manuf. specs". I'll see if I can find someone that might have some info. for you though.
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I don't know if it's been covered here before,
    but will the JDM auto-shifter ever make it to N.America? I read in one of the major magazines a few months ago that it would be in the Impreza Turbo (I still can't call it a WRX :-) ).

    Dennis
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Have you seen any of the "New Age" Impreza pix floating the web? Comments?

    By the way, I just checked the pages that showed the the new Impresa, and guess what? They've been yanked, and are no longer accessible!

    Bob
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    on the web and around here EVERYTHING is under lock and key (yup - they have a locking car cover)because Inquiring Minds (like me) have to know (snoop). I'm asking for some preview information to share with you. The moment I have it, I'll get it out to you.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I downloaded the images from those sites, and can create a PDF file (or JPEGS) to send to you if you want. I just need your e-mail address.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    There are also some pixs of the new Impreza in the current issue of AutoWeek.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Here's link with pixs of the new Impreza.

    Comments?

    Bob

    http://www.new-impreza.com/fhi_pictures.htm
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Thanks for sharing!!!

    I looked at the shots with a group of people and their comments were "close but no cigar". These may be early shots or shots of another distributor's model. Subaru has not released any official photo's of the U. S. model.

    Stay tuned!
  • amishraamishra Member Posts: 367
    The new impreza look is growing on me. Especially the silver ones..

    So these are not the actual US/Canada Impreza shots?

    (well, we have hope!)

    -- ash
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Hmm. Very interesting. This whole thing has become one giant tease. Some guy in the i-club forum pointed out that the Integra got different headlights between the Japanese market (square) and the US market (round). Why not the reverse with the Impreza?

    The suspense is killin' me!
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Thes photos are from Subaru Japan. So, I'm assuming these are home-market vehicles.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Bob - I'm hoping for an Outback-like improvement in the next Forester's cargo hold. It's roomy, but the pass through could be wider. Still, yesterday I fit a small piano inside, hatch closed. No trailer needed!

    You know, I'm already getting used to the new look, before I've seen the first on in person. The wagons are even cute!

    Yeah, I'm with Ken. Give us the flared, aggressive front end with rectangular lights from one of those spy pics.

    On 2nd thought, if it's beautiful and fast, the wait list will be too long. Make it ugly!

    ;)

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    ...home-market vehicle, it's only natural that U.S. market Imprezas will differ somewhat. I would assume most in design details. As the folks at SOA said: "close but no cigar." To me that means mostly only design/engineering details will differ.

    Whether we a get the (base) turbo or the WRX turbo is something to ponder. SOA has said we will get a turbo. They have not said if it will be the WRX, however. This web site shows a silver turbo wagon with hood scoop and the WRX turbo sedan. Which one are we going to get?

    Only in North America is there an Outback Sport. I would assume that the new Outback Sport will have the two-tone, bumper-body that the current Outback Sport, and all other North American Outbacks. That one change will create a very different look from what we see here. It will probably have a raised suspension and larger tires too.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Our Forester has always had different grilles, bumpers, wheels, and tires. Other markets lack our standard cross bars, too.

    But it could vary more than that. Look at the JDM Corolla with round head lights. The Acura Integra was indeed the other way around, and I prefer the Japan market model.

    Outbacks dropped the scoop, so I expect our Imprezas may as well, except for real turbo models.

    The OBS will probably get fender flares and the things you mentioned. Plus they all get the big engine.

    -juice
  • alingaling Member Posts: 598
    Hmm, that's certainly interesting. I don't know why I didn't think of the Japanese Integra having rectangular headlamps, rather than the twin circular ones that we have here. I know that even the Japanese Integra had the twin circular headlamps for its first model year. However, that didn't sit well with the customers at all, and so the "normal" ones - with HID Xenons, I might add - were substituted for the next model year.

    I guess this means that there's still hope that North Americans may get the traditional rectangular-ish headlamps!! :-)

    Drew
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    ...if the (our) new Impreza didn't have the oval headlamps that we see here. Those headlights appear to be a "signature" design element of the new model. I think the oval lights will we used world-wide.

    I can see us getting different grille inserts, and perhaps different bumpers. Notice that the home-market models have two different style fenders. WRX and DOHC 2.0 non-turbo have fender blisters. The base & turbo models did not. (I know that makes no sense, but that the way they were described.)

    Also, note that all North-American Legacys & Outbacks are "wide-body" models, exclusive to the USA and Canada. Could we also be getting a "wide-body" Impreza?

    Bob
  • alingaling Member Posts: 598
    Just curious, but what do you mean by "wide-body" models? The Outback (known as the Lancaster) is also available in Japan, and Australia/New Zealand.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Our Outbacks are wider than those sold in other markets. If you look closely at photos of other market Outbacks, you will see the front bumpers are different, and that the wheel arches on our models are a bit larger and more pronounced.

    I don't know if the track or interior dimensions are any different from those of other markets. I know that our Outback gets the larger 225/60x16 tire, whereas other markets get a smaller 215/60x16 tire. That may be the reason for the more pronounced fender arches.

    Patti- can you help here?

    Just before the 2000 Legacys and Outbacks were launched, I remember reading somewhere(?) that our (North American) models would be "wide-bodies." That was the term that was used.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    ...this site says that the new Impreza will be 3" wider than the current model.

    Bob

    http://www.thecarconnection.com/columns/caught/000814_CaughtPriddyImpreza.asp?idSection=02&idCategory=15
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Of course it will, that's how much wider the 2000 Legacy is over the 99.

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hmm, 6 speed with a multi-link rear (i.e. much bigger cargo hold) and an inch longer wheelbase (more rear legroom) sounds tasty.

    Hopefully it won't gain as much weight as the Legacy did.

    I think the track and body width are the same here and in Japan. It's the Accord, Camry, and 626 that have unique models in the US vs. Japan.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Bob actually might be right. Here's the data from the SOJ website.

    Dimensions for Legacy Lancaster:

    (mm)
    Length: 4720
    Width: 1745
    Height: 1550
    Wheelbase: 2650

    Dimensions for Legacy Touring Wagon:

    (mm)
    Length: 4650
    Width: 1695
    Height: 1465-1485 (depends on model)
    Wheelbase: 2650

    I'll leave it up to you guys to convert these and compare to our models.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Thanks Ken.

    Our Outback and the home-market Outback are the same width, at 68.7."

    Our Legacy is also 68.7," but the home-market Legacy is 66.7."

    So, our Legacys are wider than the Japanese models.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    OK, Outback wagon dimensions per SoA brochure:

    Length: 187.4" or 4760mm
    Width: 68.7" or 1745mm
    Height: 63.3" or 1608mm
    Wheelbase: 104.3" or 2649mm

    So width and wheelbase are the same. Ours is slightly longer, probably different bumpers. Ours is also a lot taller, perhaps because the cross bars are standard?

    Pretty safe to say, they're essentially the same.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Maybe the GT's fenders are flared more?

    -juice
  • torektorek Member Posts: 92
    ... but a number of cars used V12 engines, and 12-cylinder rotary engines (amazing things!)
    were used on prop planes up until jet engines became available.

    Of course, smaller aerobatic planes used H4 engines. I have ridden in a 1947 Luscomb -- a single engine two-seater tail-dragger. Its H4 put out a whopping ( :-) ) 85 horses.

    Chris
  • amishraamishra Member Posts: 367
    Apparantely in the last 2 decades Subaru H4 engines have been very popular with lightweight plane builders. I read about this a while back in the Toronto Star.

    Always good to know, that when I'm tired of my car, I can make a plane out of it :)
  • abhidharmaabhidharma Member Posts: 93
    ...an AWD plane!
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    With a 17" wheel and your average 4 piston caliper, the rotor could at most be somewhere around 13" at the very most. But that would mean the car couldn't mount 16" wheels, and I doubt that would happen because:

    * other models with 16" stock would need different brakes

    * 16" gravel/snow/ice rally tires are very rare and very expensive. 17" simply do not exist. (tarmac rally, yes.) Don't forget the STi type RA is built for Group N rallying and only comes in white as such.

    * end users would need 17" snow tires. yeah, right.

    -Colin
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    This is bigger than I remember. Here are some interesting links:

    EJ22 Disassembly - If you've every wondered what the inside of an H-4 (EJ22 in this case) looks like. I love this quote:

    "My overall opinion of the EJ22 for aircraft use is that it is very well designed, extremely stiff and strong, uses good metallurgy and should make a fine aircraft engine with minimal changes. The design is several generations ahead of standard air cooled aircraft engines." ..Racetech Inc. [my emphasis]

    Patti, every heard that testimonial? FHI enginerds would be proud! (Their lawyers wouldn't: FHI and SoA make no warranty and shall be held harmless for products used in non-terrestrial applications.)

    EJ22 Assembly - Excellent close-up photography.
    EJ22 Turbocharger mounting
    EJ22 in Lancair 320
    SVX EG33 in KIS Cruiser in Johannesburg, South Africa - This one's for you, paisan.
    EG33 in White Lightning - Twin turbos -- yum!
    Racetech Inc. Aircraft Page - even more links
    Racetech Inc. - Calgary, Alberta, CA - "The affordable engine management system that YOU can program!"

    Subie Lyc Engine Systems - New Berlin, WI.
    Airsoob FAQ - From an inactive mlist.

    Eggenfellner Advanced Aircraft - Watertown, CT, US.
    Eggenfellner technical description of Suburu engines
    Eggenfellner FAQ - Another testimonial:

    "The Subaru is no ordinary car engine. There is a main bearing every 2 inches and this, together with a balanced flywheel and lightweight pistons, provides for an easy turning engine. It is not a coincidence that we only work with Subaru engines. Drive a Subaru and wind it to 10,000 RPM, it will be smooth as silk and you will understand that 4000 for continuous use is not a problem." ..Jan Eggenfellner [my emphases]

    I love it, I love it, I LOVE IT!

    Links courtesy of AltaVista Advanced Search (boolean search) of "Subaru near aircraft". Enjoy!

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    My memory tells me that Ferrari raced the boxer 12 in F1, maybe in other venues too, in the 70's or 80's. As for the road cars: I absolutely positively guarantee that the first-ever Ferrari Testa Rossa was a V-12!

    <<A HREF="http://www.ferrari.com/Automobili/index.asp">http://www.ferrari.com/Automobili/index.asp&gt;

    Cheers,
    WDB
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Great links, and absolutely fascinating! I had no idea Subaru engines are used (and praised!) in aircraft.

    Bob
  • amishraamishra Member Posts: 367
    I recall clearly the Toronto Star praising the engine along the likes of "Subaru may very well build some of the best cars in the world." (It made me quite happy that I had recently bought one :)

    Mostly though the article was about used Legacys. It mentioned the popular demand for the H4 as a lightweight plane engine, being one of the reasons Legacys are hard to find. Sorry I couldn't find the link on the web.

    I guess none of this comes as a real surprise since FHI does manufacture entire aircrafts.

    Mike, those links you posted sure made me a believer in the Subaru engine.

    -- ash
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    ...Automotive News has confirmed that there will be a new Forester, probably for MY 2003. I think one can also assume it will be built off the new Impreza platform.

    Bob

    http://www.autonews.com/html/main/futureproduct.htm
  • greyfalcongreyfalcon Member Posts: 8
    I am happy with my 1990 Celica GT, so don't need a car. I loved the 2.5RS but would like a bit more oomph, especially below 3500rpm. Woulda turbo give me that? Would I be better off waiting for the promised turbo? Thing is, my Celica costs me only repairs while a new car would cost me >2K per year purchase + repairs.
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Bob, Ash, You're welcome and glad you enjoyed the links. Thanks for the link to Automotive News, Bob, I hadn't encountered it before. I hadn't realized CarOrder.com had stopped accepting orders on 18 August 2000.

    greyfalcon, Tough question. To get a reasonable return on my investment, I try to keep cars 10 years, so you've made my goal. How's the paint and body? Do the Frequency of Repair records published in Consumer Reports indicate a 1990 Celica GT has reliability issues? (You can access the records online for a fee or read it at your library for free.)

    If you missed the earlier posts on the forthcoming turbo, select "see all responses" at the top of this page, just below the topic title.

    It's a tough decision. If I've got a reliable car and I like the way it drives, no monthly payments has it's appeal. Good luck in your decision.

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Automotive News is sort of the auto industry news bible. It's put out by the same folks who do AutoWeek. Whereas AutoWeek is consumer-oriented, Automotive News is geared towards those in the auto industry, or related industries.

    Bob
  • davechendavechen Member Posts: 41
    Neat! Thanks for the links on airplane use of the H4. Heheh! That's hilarious, thinking of making an AWD (huh?) plane out of the Outback after you're done with it.

    Francophile, your link shows that the Testarossa did have a flat-12. Am I just confused...or do you have other info about the first Testarossa? The one time I was following a Testarossa, it didn't seem like there was enough height in back for anything but a flat engine!

    DaveC.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Now that we've got the land and air Soobs nailed, anybody know if there are any Soob engines in marine use?

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    AWD plane, LOL!

    Hey - it can fly OVER the rubicon trail!

    Observations: FRAM filter looks out of place. Get the OE filter - I just did for the first time and the old gasket was so worn out I hadn't even noticed it!

    Also, the intake valves are bigger than the exhaust valves. Must burn cleanly!

    300 lb-ft? Anyone else notice that? What kind of mods do I need to do to get that kind of torque?

    Maybe that is a "future model". Subaru is giving BMW a run for their blue/white propellor badge!

    I too love and rely on Automotive News. Autoweek is good, but it's AN watered down.

    They do make mistakes, though. In the Europe New Car issue, they said the BMW 325i had a new 2.5l engine. In fact, the 323i had the same engine, they just changed the name now that the 330i arrived and is differentiated enough.

    They still say the ST-X is possible. We know it's coming.

    greyfalcon: for low-end grunt, i.e. below 3500rpm, there is no replacement for displacement. A turbo can take a while to wind up and develop power. Larger turbos actually lag even more than smaller ones.

    We'll have to see with the Impreza, but if it's a 2.0l high psi turbo, it may not give you the low end that you want (the high-end will blow away anything in its price class).

    Test drive the 2.5l RS, you may actually prefer that bigger engine.

    -juice
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Thanks, Bob. OT but some Q about periodicals. I just sent in a subscription to Automobile (can cancel if I dislike it). I like that it's monthly instead of weekly (too much to read already). If you were to subscribe to a single monthly periodical (US) that describes the specifics of new model introductions and (even better) goes into technical detail, what would it be?

    I've already excluded C&D, MT, and R&T as they are readily available and the writing is too folksy for me. I realize I need to consider international mags if I want to get the full scoop (like Evo or Car), but let's stick with US pubs at first. Opinions, everyone?

    I want unopinionated raw data, like all enginerds :)

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I subscribe to Automobile, Sport Compact Car, and Grassroots Motorsports.

    Unopininated raw data? I don't such a thing exists. They might start with that, but the majority of the article is opinion.

    -Colin
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Mike - I subscribe to: Car & Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track, AutoWeek, Automobile, Off-Road & 4WD, and Off-Road. That doesn't include the half-dozen or so graphic design publications I also subscribe to. Half my income goes to magazine subscriptions and professional organizations!

    If I had to pick just one, boy that's a tough choice! It would probably be Automobile. I like Automobile because it is a cut above the rest in terms of intelligent writing, and in interesting stories.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I currently get Automotive News at work, plus Autoweek, C&D, and Consumer Reports at home. Here's my opinions:

    Automobile: used to get it, but it just didn't seem down to earth enough for me. "Logito ergo zoom" as a philosophy? Gimme a break. Best photos though.

    Road & Track: used to get it also, but it's totally redundant and not as good as C&D (same ownership). Don't miss it one bit.

    Car & Driver: It's the most complete of the bunch, though still biased (witness Toyota's boycott of advertising after none of it's products made the 10Best), so I take it FWIW. Oriented towards the mainstream populacem, and does get pretty in depth in their full reviews.

    Motor Trend: useless hype for teenagers and ricers. Caprice won COTY, 'nuf said.

    Autoweek: pretty current, very enthusiast-oriented. AutoFile's are excellent overall reviews, and they even quote benchmark times from other pub's. They often show spy photos several months before the monthlies do, and tease the monthlies in their BWTM (but wait, there's more) section about this.

    Automotive News: very current. This is what dealership owners read, so find out here first. Also show rebates, spy photos (first). Info can be a little dry, though, since it's not oriented towards consumers.

    Consumer Reports: good to gather info that you would otherwise miss. Like what fits where, safety features, reliability history, etc. The reviews are iffy.

    Overall, Automotive News is probably my favorite, but I'm able to digest the format. Autoweek may be better for most folks. The monthlies don't even come close, IMO.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The more I see it, the more I like it!

    Bob

    http://www.new-impreza.com/new_pictures.htm
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