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.. WRX's chief engineer, Takeshi Ito: "The current WRX was eight years old and starting to look it. Our Impreza needed a fresh new look, something to take it into the 21st century."
What may surprise WRX enthusiasts is that Subaru had decided very early to give the new model round lights. Contrary to reports in specialist magazines, there was no internal debate about the new look. Consensus inside Fuji Heavy was "round is in".
..Mike
..Mike
Do you think most other companies simply think of gay/lesbians as "just another niche group?" I really doubt it, or more of them would have targetted them.
Oh, and Bob (re: the "OutBUTCH"), apparently Subarus are being called "Lesburus".
Randy
BTW, I hope nobody thinks that the advertising slogan from Subaru: It's Not A Choice, It's The Way We're Built, is accidental.
-Frank P.
>>Subject: Very Interesting News
I stopped at the Soob dealer Monday evening for some routine maintenance,
and I was able to get some interesting news from the National Dealer
Advisory Board Meeting (copy of page 7 of the minutes, dated 5/24-5/25/00).
Here is some news on the next gen Impreza AND the Legacy GT:
"2002 Model Year Impreza: Mr. Ishido and Mr. Hara revealed the ten model
codes for 2002 Impreza. They noted the WRX model would include a 2.0L turbo
with an approximate horsepower of 225-230. Mr. Hara noted that the WRX has
no US competitive models that compete in World Rallies. March of 2001 is
the target launch date of the WRX."
And, on the Legacy GT: "Mr. Hara mentioned that there are possibilities to
enhance the 2002 GT with VTD, 17" wheels, and sport shift until we get the
performance engine. Mr. Adcock stated that the success of the GT is so
dependent on its engine that we must be careful about modifying the existing
car until we are able to have a true performance engine in the 2005 model
year."
Overall, looks like good news on the HP for the Impreza--of course we all
want the 280+hp, but I'll take the 225-230 as a start. Plus the news on the
Legacy GT is interesting.
Just thought I'd pass that along to everyone!<<
If you recall, a few posts back (FACT or RUMOR) I predicted that Subaru may be moving towards a 5-year model cycle. That may in fact be true if the above info is accurate. I can't see Subaru offering a new "performance engine" in 2005 in the current Legacy. I can see it going into a "new-generation" Legacy about that time.
Bob
Not quite right. The Impreza 2.5RS is well-suited for Production GT (PGT), in fact Patrick Richard of Vancouver, B.C. is leading the SCCA ProRally championship and the Canadien championship in that class. There's nothing competitive in the Open or Group N classes, true. People import the WRX whole or in parts for that, and there are ever more Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions being brought in too.
-Colin
A friend of mine is getting married and moving out there soon. Guess what she wants? New Outback, please!
Leif: that is strange. Maybe dealers were accepting deposits?
Edmunds does that all the time - one review for an entire line, and often parts of it are not relevant to a specific model. They're always hard on Subaru, at least compared to every other mag I read.
If the WRX gets 230hp, and it's a hit, perhaps Ford and Mitsu would bring special editions of the Focus and Lancer (Mirage here).
GT more power for 2005? What's the hold up? Why not 2002? Use the same engine in the WRX, 230hp and emissions legal!
-juice
-Leif
NEways, the wife's Explorer is starting to suck in new and interesting ways: Failing tranny, failing exhaust (number 3, BTW), dead radio, dead A/C, 5-10 degrees dead spot steering both directions,.... zero rust, though. Oh, and I smacked it good in 1998-was cut off by another Explorer (who got a ticket for crossing ni front of on coming traffic). I am tempted to wait for a new Impreza, assuming she likes them. She really wants a PT, but they are turning out to be the boits-du-merde we knew they would be. But we don't know when the non-turbo new Impreza will go on sale, do we? And given our potential financial situation, maybe we should jump on a closeout '01 when the time comes. Or, maybe just drive the trusty ol' Explorer into the pavement.... decisions, decisions..
have a look at the new facelift Passat. What do you think? Looks a lot better than the current version, IMHO. Also, it seems that the Passat will have HID Xenon headlamps, at least as an option. I think Subaru had better consider adding these (and very soon) as well if they're to compete in the near luxury segment. The Infiniti I30t and Acura 3.2TL already have them. Patti, I hope you can pass this onto your product planning department.
http://www.vwvortex.com/resources/gallery/vw/01_passat/index.html
Drew
Enough said.
They're calling the current models 2001s, so by law the 2002 cannot come out until January 1, 2001. Unless they get quirky (for Subaru, naaaah) and call it a 2001.5, but I doubt it.
Remember, though, the 2.5l engine will be made standard, so even the L wagon will perform like the current RS.
The Passat looks like they just moved the grille downward. The result is more Audi-like, how are they going to distinguish Audis?
What they really need is an updated VR6 engine to replace the lame-duck V6 in there now. Plus a beefed up structure so it can tow at least something.
-juice
Bob
Kate, the former [VERY] unhappy Escort owner
So it joins his fleet, along with the Outback.
Check engine light just went on, and he's missing a wheel cover. I told him he should have just sold it!
At least Darlene sells Ford parts too, so he can get one cheap.
In fairness, though, it's been fairly reliable, and the gas in Central America is simply not up to par, so that could have caused the light to go on.
-juice
I presume Darlene is going to be selling these too with her usual excellent prices and service?
Now I'm REALLY not selling my '99RS!
-Colin
Saw that on the Vortex website too. I like the way it looks. I thought the previous design was a little too plain, especially after the New Jetta came out. I don't know about the tailights, however.
I believe Audi is going to restyle their products.
Ken
This is the second or third news release that I've seen, that is questioning the survival of the "Firestone" name. A lot of companies are worried that having any Firestone tire on their vehicles may "poison" them in the eyes of the consumer. Subaru is among those brands that are waiting to see how this plays out. They've, according to this article, left the door open to possibly switching tires and/or tire brands in the future.
Bob
http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/000830/n30383151.html
Audi is going towards the A6 look. I've seen photos of the next A4, and it looks like a small A6. But so does the Passat...go figure.
Bridgestone owns Firestone, so they could just change the names to Bridgestone.
Still, do you really put the blame on Firestone? Ford purposely told people to under-inflate their tires to avoid rollovers, when they really should have changed the design (wider track or something).
-juice
The front end does look A6-ish, but the rear taillamps are...interesting. Sort of Lexus IS300-ish. Perhaps we'll get used to it as it grows on us. FWIW, I hated the E-class's four-eyed look when it first came out for MY1996, but now, I own one of the cars :-)
Juice, I think you mean VW, right? ;-)
Drew
Bridgestone could also feel the domino effect of this recall, since they own Firestone. I do think the "Wilderness" name will disappear for sure.
Bob
I'm sure you know the TT uses VW's AWD system but calls it Quattro, and the Passat uses Audi Quattro but calls in 4Motion. Funny, no?
I still think the Passat needs more torque and softer leather seats. I prefer my dad's Outback Limited automatic over the Passat V6 FWD auto I drove at Edmunds Live, without question.
-juice
4Motion absolutely signifies the existence of the haldex AWD system, and quattro could mean haldex or a simple torsen center differential. Go here to read about the haldex system if you're a techie:
http://www.haldex-traction.com
In that respect quattro is like Subaru's AWD. Some models have a simple viscous coupling center diff, some have a sophisticated computer-controlled clutch pack.
-Colin
Thanks,
Stephen
So I loaded images of the two side by side taken from the same angle, and here's my thoughts. A little ugly is a very good thing as it is akin to strong character. My 1990 Celica was considered ugly when it came out. The wedge shape shocked people; then all cars became wedge shaped. The old car still looks great; it aged very well indeed. The New Age Impreza makes the old model look, well... old. The Neon is a wedge with round lights. A wedge car tends to look small under the hood, underpowered. The new Impreza looks muscular under the hood. It looks like it should handle very well; it probably will too. I conclude that it is subtley innovative and very attractive.
I wish the rear seats folded down in the WRX version. No reason they shouldn't and it might just prevent me from buying one.
Subaru's unusual success comes from creating a new niche. I think the WRX will do that in the US.
Bob
Here's a chart:
Car What it uses What they call it
Passat Torsen 4Motion
Golf Haldex 4Motion
A4/S4 Torsen Quattro
A6/A8 Torsen Quattro
TT Haldex Quattro
So the label is meaningless marketing BS. They go by platforms.
Stephen: the Passat needs a new engine, plain and simple. I drove the Maxima, Camry V6, Intrigue, and Passat V6 back-to-back and it was clearly the also-ran.
Handling was only OK, too soft though. The leather seats were rock hard, only the Intrigue's were worse. The interior was a bit too stark, also. The tiptronic is very gimmicky - it's ssssllllllooooooooow and you have to take your hand off the wheel. The 323i and IS work better (buttons on the wheel, much faster). Overall it only beat the Intrigue.
Pros include nice styling, sturdy hinges in the door, trunk, and hood, and overall quality of contruction. Ride was very good. It was also quiet, and the controls had good tactile feel.
I honestly preferred the 1.8T 5 speed I test drove back in '98. It felt punchier and the cloth seats were actually inhabitable.
My dad's Outback Limited has about twice as many creature comforts, making the Passat feel like a stripper in comparison. It pampers the driver much more. The seats are in a class above the Passat's. The faux wood warms the interior, even if it is fake. It feels substantial (as does the Passat) and of good quality.
I can't comment on acceleration or handling, since I have not had a chance to push it hard. The ride, though, is very smooth, and it's also quiet. I've ridden in the back seat, and that sunroof works wonders to make you feel important even in back.
It's not a fair comparison, since I didn't push the Outback around cones, but the Passat would already have been crossed off my list.
Keep in mind these are my personal tastes. Everyone else seems to love the Passat, I just couldn't figure out what the big deal was.
-juice
Bob
http://www.whatcar.com/
Hmm, a small SUV with a 2.0l for close to $30 grand (US)?
Well, UK prices are always inflated. Still, if Nissan bring it here it'll be priced above the XTerra, since that's where the Freelander will be.
Premium small vehicles are an oxymoron to US customers. It'll bomb unless they drop the price.
-juice
Slightly off-topic, but there apparently is a chip that you can buy for the VWs that decrease the tiptronic shift times to 0.2sec.
Ken
Bob
Plus, it's gotta cost something. So we'd have to compare mods to mods.
The SPT short shifter is $202.80 from Darlene, and it should fit all 5 speed Subarus. That's probably about half the price of the Tip chip, which still isn't a true manual.
Bob - that would only make sense. The XTerra targets the rough and tumble crowd, so a decontented X-Trail could be sold to the car-based crowd.
-juice
hmmm... in the Bay Area a lot of the XTerra drivers are soccer moms (not that there's anything wrong with it :-). So are most of the Grand Cherokee drivers. Limited JGC is especially popular with soccer and Little League crowd, and so is Eddie Bauer edition of the Explorer.
Interestingly, when off-roading in the mountains of Mendocino county, I saw a lot Mazda MPV minivans used by off-roading/camping crowd.
One of my co-workers (a devoted soccer mom of 2) recently bought Tahoe. Why? She thinks it's safe and gives her "enough room". Never thinks of taking it off-road or tow anything with it.
I wonder what's the deal with the room: I always could easily fit all the soccer gear in my old Loayle, when my daughter played the soccer.
I think it's that "I-am-powerful" macho styling (as opposed to boring minivan styling) and feel of security (however false it could be) is a major draw for women.
I also have a home-grown theory that many people (like me) dislike that roundish styling of cars that was prevalent in past decade and are secretely drawn to boxier styling of SUV. Seriously, I myself was literally drooling over JGC until restyling in 1998. Note that no matter how mags praised new styling of JGC, sales were down 15% after redesign, so I guess I'm not alone who hates egg-shell shaped vehicles...
Plenty of XTerras at the mall, tho!
The previous MPV had 4WD. The All-Sport kind of made me chuckle. "It's not a van, it's a DRINK!"
Boy, another Tahoe that will never go off road or even tow. Why not a Legacy GT wagon? Faster, better handling, lower operating cost, lower price, and heck if it doesn't serve her needs better.
Maybe it's the high seating, which works for the Outback, too.
-juice
Stephen
Sorry folks, no new Impreza yet, but great and numerous photos of new Explorer, Mountaineer, GMC Envoy, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Blackwood (production version), and many others.
Bob
http://www.wieck.com/public/index.html
http://www.ferrari.com/Automobili/Models/Testarossa/Menu.asp
The Testa Rossa, on the other hand, is a piece of Ferrari lore:
http://www.ferrari.it/vetture/ieri.e/250tr58.html
BTW, a Ferrari V-12 motor can be a very compact unit. Remember, they had V-12 Formula 1 cars.
Which reminds me - I was amazed to read that the new Subie H6 is only 3/4" longer than the H4! I can't WAIT until they put that piece in a sporty model!
Cheers,
WDB
(still in CA)
Regarding the debate on the North American/Japan specs, I recall my salesrep told me that the Forester in Japan, for instance, doesn't have the conveniences of cup holders or any of the trunk compartments, while only the American versions do.
What are the new Subarus to be released in the next year or two? I understand a new version of the Impreza is coming out...then the STX pickup...then a new Forester version...am I missing anything?
1) the B4 Blitzen
This I am guessing will be the new Impreza, as mentioned in Autoweek magazine at http://www.egr.unlv.edu/~simon/2.5RS/edit/B4.html
2) the STX
When I bought my Forester, the salesrep said he didn't own a Subaru but if he did, he'd wait for this guy. I don't particularly like the bright orange color though. Now, according to subaru.com, it made its debut in January 2000. Not for retail, or did it?
http://www.irvinesubaru.com/stxspecs.htm
http://formen.ign.com/news/16649.html
http://trucks.about.com/autos/trucks/library/spotlight/chicago2k/bl_subaru.htm
3) the Fleet-X
This appears to be more of a concept car for some future date 5 years down the road at least. However, according to the edmunds link below, maybe it's only for Japan? But here's some links to it:
http://www.subaru.net/prototype/fleetx/fleetx.htm
http://www.subaru.ca/english/main_fs.htm
http://www.stationwagon.com/gallery/1999_Subaru_Fleet-X.html
http://www.net-web.co.jp/oyaman/FLEET-X.htm
http://www.edmunds.com/edweb/news/Tokyo99/ugly.html
4) the Exiga
Is this Legacy platform also only for Japan? Or is this the new Impreza wagon? Neat how the seats supposedly rotate 180 degrees.
http://www.ch70.chel.su/ccc/road/subaexiga.html
http://www.subaru.net/prototype/exiga.html
http://www.conceptcarz.com/alphaex.html
5) the Impreza Cabriolet Operetta
This appears to have a convertible style of the WRX.
http://www.subaru.net/prototype/cvt.html
6) the Rioma
This doesn't look like a stereotypical Subaru design but maybe that's part of the issue. Perhaps they have scraped the Rioma in favor of the Operetta?
http://www.subaru.net/prototype/rioma.html
7) the Pleo
Subaru's Japanese site says this is only sold in Japan.
http://www.fhi.co.jp/subaru/maic0501.htm
http://www.conceptcarz.com/subaru_pleo.htm
8) the Sambar
Also sold only in Japan.
See http://www.fhi.co.jp/subaru/maic0501.htm
9) The Subaru Justy is listed as one of 5 models sold on the Italian Subaru site (along with the Forester, Outback, Impreza, and Legacy). Is this sold just in Europe due to the long and winding roads? I guess it's been out a few years; never heard of it until now. Does anyone here drive one?
http://www.subaru.it/english/e_justy.htm
http://www.subaru.co.uk/Subaru/justy/justmenu.htm
10) Here is a link to a showcase of upcoming creations by Fuji Heavy Industries, which makes the Subarus in Japan. It includes brief descriptions of the Alpha-Exiga, Elcapa, Legacy Wagon GT Plus, Operetta, Vivio RX-T (or is this the Pleo?), along with one-liners about the Alcyone SVX S4-111, the Legacy Grand Wagon, Impreza Hardtop Sedan WRX, Impreza Sports Wagon HX-S, and the Vivio 3-door sedan M300-type S.
See http://www.teleparc.com/tms/hall/west/fuji-p/fuji-p-e.htm
11) I just had to add here that it seems Porsche is coming out with an SUV, using a VW Passat chassis. Interesting. See http://www.conceptcarz.com/porsche/porsche_suv.htm
The B-4 Blitzen is a very limited production Legacy sold in Japan and Australia. It was designed in conjunction with Porsche. I think the Aussies only got 6 for the year!
The Impreza pixs are very current. That's the new model we will be getting in the spring -- U.S.A.-spec of course.
Bob
Bob
Bob
The common thinking/argument against putting rear wipers on sedans is that they don't get a lot of water kicked back up from the rear tires, because the window is further forward from the rear of the vehicle, and that the aerodynamics helps keep the rear window clean while moving. That may be true, but there are many times, such as in stop and go driving, that a rear wiper would be much welcomed. This is especially true when it's snowing.
How about it SOA, can we get rear wipers on sedans too in the future?
Bob
Drew
Just checked the SOJ website. The B4 RSK, RS Type B and RS all do get a rear wiper and washer.
Ken