Maybe it's the pic you're looking at. That reminds me. I have to upload pics of my '04 alongside Ed's '05. I keep postponing it because my computer is slooooow.
Interesting, the design is a little busy but I like the basic shape and proportions.
GM is known for selling 12 clones of a single model (think TrailBlazer), so we should not be surprised. And imagine getting $5000 cash back on a model made by Subaru! LOL
Back down the earth, I dunno. A Chevy badge on something this expensive, mid $30s to start? It'll overlap with the Tahoe.
Can anyone translate the text?
Press days for the Paris show start in 6 days IIRC.
It's a bit hard to get a feeling for scale on this Chevy. Is it the same size as the Tribeca? Or is it smaller? it's referred to as a compact SUV, so who knows???
Chevrolet S3X: finger exercise for Europe Daewoo become on 1 January Chevrolet
Chevrolet present a range compact cars which have been developedespecially for the European market to the coming years. As from 1 January the mark Chevrolet in Europe must Daewoo willreplace.
On the car fair of Paris Chevrolet show S3X, the first car of a European model offensive. The compact SUV are still a study model, but in 2006, a car will come on the market which has been stronglybased on S3X. Moreover in Paris models still 3 to see being from Chevrolet-stal willimmediately be added that in the Netherlands to the model programme. According to the spokesman of (now still) Daewoo in the Netherlandsthe presentation of 3 the new Chevrolets in Paris becomes "veryimpressively". The European models of Chevrolet will provisionally be developed GMTHAT (General engines Daewoo car & Technology) in zuid-Korea. Later also on other spots European Chevy's will be developed. At the moment there are already compact Chevrolets buy in central -and Eastern Europe, North - and zuid-Amerika, on several Asian markets and in South Africa. Once again the spokesman of Daewoo: General engines, the moederconcern of both Daewoo and Chevrolet, has chosen to conduct one mark name in Europe as of now still but; that Chevrolet have become. After 1 January its vietnam and Korea still the some countries wherethe make of car Daewoo is sold. The responsibility for the European models of Chevrolet comes in thehands of the current Daewoo organisation. The American models in Europe - at the moment the Trailblazer, Trans sport and tahoe - will continue fall under the responsibility ofKroymans.
It sounds like GM is dumping the Daewoo name in Europe and will be selling under the Chevy name. What we are seeing in this article is probably originally a Daewoo design.
The version shown has a Class 2 trailer hitch. I'm hoping a Class 3 hitch will be available.
The spare tire access looks to be of the drop-down type, which is found on many SUVs and all pickups. It appears(?) to be a full-size tire, but it's hard to tell from that image.
It looks like the roof rack crossbars could be moved together to form a single-unit spoiler, like the Touareg. The tail lights appear to be like the ones on the R1e.
The front shouldn't be a surprise Colin, as Subaru has been hinting at this for a couple of years now.
As to whether it's good looking or not, I think it's safe to say that there will be no universal agreement on this. Some will hate it whereas others will love it. While I've been a strong proponent of this new direction, I'm not going to comment any more on the styling until the vehicle is completely unmasked. There's absolutely no way that one can accurately comment on a vehicle's looks when it's covered with cameo.
quote: The Active Valve Control System (AVCS) in Legacy 3.0Rs includes Variable Valve Lift, to increase engine power and torque output while gaining improvements in fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and idling stability.
By controlling the intake valve timing and lift to suit the engine load and speed conditions, AVCS optimises the engine's volumetric efficiency and combustion process.
The Engine Control Module (ECM) calculates the optimum valve timing and lift, based on input signals from the airflow sensor, engine coolant temperature sensor, throttle position sensor and camshaft position sensors.
The ECM then generates a signal to an Oil Control Valve (OCV) positioned at each intake camshaft sprocket. This controls engine oil pressure, which is supplied to advance and retard chambers within the AVCS actuator.
Similarly, the ECM controls Variable Valve Lift. This is via a solenoid valve, which supplies oil pressure to a switchable tappet that alternates between the low and high cam lobes, depending on engine load and speed conditions.
In simple terms, the engine runs at low lift below 2000 rpm, then switches between low and high between 2000 and 4000 rpm, depending upon load.
Computer mapping is programmed for optimum valve timing, producing stable idling, improved fuel consumption and low emissions in the medium speed range, and maximum power at high engine speed and load.
The exhaust system on the 3.0R engine features equal-length header pipes for improved exhaust efficiency. This creates the sporty and light-revving Subaru Boxer engine sound.
that's terrible output IMO for all the goodies mentioned above. perhaps they tuned it for low-end response (considering the 2000-4000 rpm range mentioned for the valve lift changes), which was utter folly. such a car should've been setup first for maximum high-rpm power, then tune the midrange and low-rpm driveability as much as possible. the result would surely be more than 240 HP and 220lb-ft.
btw the valve lift mechanism sounds exactly like the original VTEC circa 1990.
~Colin ps, I thought I sent this last night but here it is typed up and waiting for me on my work pc. LOL
Subaru has sorta been dragging their feet on powertrain improvements. The 2.5l in most of them is still non-VVT.
Kia's base engine in the Spectra has VVT. So basically the cheapest compact in the world has more technology than the 2.5l.
And where are the 5 speed autos? And VSC?
I really think they have to get over the notion that these are "Premium" features, because they are not. They are basic requirements to be competitive at the entry level segments.
Get with the program, Subaru, and not just on the most expensive models!
I wonder what it is about the H6 that makes it's output so-so. Subaru did a good job with the H4 (2.0, 2.2, 2.5, turbo and NA) but the 3.0 H6 is just okay.
Output is good, actually. If you look at specific output, i.e. HP per liter, the 3.0l makes 83 and the N/A 2.5l just 66.
It is a small 6, though, so it only makes a tad more torque and that's what moves the car. Sorry, truck. ;-)
To increase torque they'll have to increase displacement. 3.3-3.5l would be plenty, and now that the Outback is a truck, technically, they can do it without fear of CAFE penalties.
The EZ30 has thin walls between the cylinders, though, so how they'll get that extra displacement is beyond me. And I'm not sure there's much room to stroke it significantly.
oval cylinders were done in racing for one reason only: more valve area. however they are longer side-to-side, where the Subaru has no room to grow (let's call this the X axis). oval cylinders are not longer top-to-bottom, on the Y axis.
~Colin (is very familiar with the Honda oval piston race motors)
(is very familiar with the Honda oval piston race motors)
Yep, Honda had a 500cc 4-cylinder GP motorcycle a few years back with oval cylinders. IIRC, each cylinder had 8 valves. Reportedly this engine had the power of an 8-cylinder engine of similar displacement.
It wasn't very reliable as I recall, and Honda eventually put this engine on the back burner. I think it had to do with engine rings being hard to seal, or something like that.
Colin, I'm sure you can correct me and/or fill in the blanks.
I think we'll see a stroked H6 engine, and it'll go in a wider body platform. Tribeca, or the full-size sedan that is supposed to spawn from it, would be likely candidates.
I don't think Subaru can stroke their motors much -- there's not a lot of side to side room in the engine bay. I noticed that my new Outback has holes in the front wheelwells to change the spark plugs!!
Anyone else see the irony that FHI wants to be premium yet doesn't even match some technology on entry level, "budget" vehicles? The current WRX doesn't even have AVCS.
Not anymore. WRX owned it's segment for performance 3 years ago, but it is gradually falling off the back. If the new 06's don't bring something more to the table than a facelift, the WRX will be in trouble. Only we wagon buyers will keep sales afloat. I do agree that it's the 2.5 that needs work, but what I'm really wanting to say is that a philosophy of "That's good enough" doesn't promote an upscale move.
Well, I don't like the whole upscale move, so that's fine with me. Keep prices where I can actually buy one!
What's out there that is quicker? SRT-4? A lot of people won't even consider a Neon, nice as that one happens to be. Everything else is slower or costs more.
News Subaru says it may build seven-seat minivan for global markets including U.S. YUZO YAMAGUCHI | Automotive News Posted Date: 6/21/05
TOKYO -- Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. may build a Subaru minivan for sale in global markets, including the United States.
The seven-seat minivan would offer Subaru features: all-wheel drive and a boxer engine, says Ikuo Mori, chief general manager of Fuji Heavy's overseas sales and marketing division. Fuji owns Subaru.
"Given our company size, we need to make it a global car," Mori says. He declines to say when the minivan might be ready for the United States.
Subaru sells four cars in the United States: the Baja, Forester, Impreza and Legacy, and one light truck: the B9 Tribeca.
In Japan, the minivan would be a replacement for the Subaru Traviq, a rebadged Opel Zafira that General Motors assembled in Thailand. GM stopped building the minivan for Subaru in December, about three years after Fuji Heavy sold it in Japan.
Last year, Traviq sales here plunged 36.1 percent from a year earlier to 1,847. Fuji Heavy said sales were poor because the minivan lacked Subaru specialties, all-wheel drive and a boxer engine.
Meanwhile, Mori says the company plans to freshen the Legacy in 2007 and redesign it in 2009. The Legacy is Subaru's best seller in the United States.
So it's going to be a Traviq replacement that will be sold worldwide, including the USA.
6sp, more WHP and nice interior. Yes it's a coupe, but many (?most) WRX sedan buyers are cross-shopping coupes. Nobody can touch the WRX wagon,... well except Subaru's SUV. ;-)
Possibly toward the Legacy Spec B or GT now. Haaaa. It's sad that the H6 3.0 has only slightly more power than my '92 3.3H6 motor. heck with my headers and exhaust I bet it puts out about the same power.
Comments
That reminds me. I have to upload pics of my '04 alongside Ed's '05. I keep postponing it because my computer is slooooow.
-Dennis
Could these all be spinoffs of the Tribeca? There's a new thread over in nabisco regarding this.
This Chevy is to be shown at Paris next week.
Bob
GM is known for selling 12 clones of a single model (think TrailBlazer), so we should not be surprised. And imagine getting $5000 cash back on a model made by Subaru! LOL
Back down the earth, I dunno. A Chevy badge on something this expensive, mid $30s to start? It'll overlap with the Tahoe.
Can anyone translate the text?
Press days for the Paris show start in 6 days IIRC.
-juice
It's a bit hard to get a feeling for scale on this Chevy. Is it the same size as the Tribeca? Or is it smaller? it's referred to as a compact SUV, so who knows???
Bob
Chevrolet S3X: finger exercise for Europe
Daewoo become on 1 January Chevrolet
Chevrolet present a range compact cars which have been developedespecially for the European market to the coming years. As from 1 January the mark Chevrolet in Europe must Daewoo willreplace.
On the car fair of Paris Chevrolet show S3X, the first car of a European model offensive. The compact SUV are still a study model, but in 2006, a car will come on the market which has been stronglybased on S3X. Moreover in Paris models still 3 to see being from Chevrolet-stal willimmediately be added that in the Netherlands to the model programme. According to the spokesman of (now still) Daewoo in the Netherlandsthe presentation of 3 the new Chevrolets in Paris becomes "veryimpressively".
The European models of Chevrolet will provisionally be developed GMTHAT (General engines Daewoo car & Technology) in zuid-Korea. Later also on other spots European Chevy's will be developed.
At the moment there are already compact Chevrolets buy in central -and Eastern Europe, North - and zuid-Amerika, on several Asian markets and in South Africa. Once again the spokesman of Daewoo: General engines, the moederconcern of both Daewoo and Chevrolet, has chosen to conduct one mark name in Europe as of now still but; that Chevrolet have become. After 1 January its vietnam and Korea still the some countries wherethe make of car Daewoo is sold.
The responsibility for the European models of Chevrolet comes in thehands of the current Daewoo organisation. The American models in Europe - at the moment the Trailblazer, Trans sport and tahoe - will continue fall under the responsibility ofKroymans.
It sounds like GM is dumping the Daewoo name in Europe and will be selling under the Chevy name. What we are seeing in this article is probably originally a Daewoo design.
Europe only...
They mention GMDAT production....
Now I doubt it. It almost looks like a Daewoo-built version of the Equinox.
-juice
It even resembles the Equinox, which is a big compact (oxymoron).
-juice
Jim
The spare tire access looks to be of the drop-down type, which is found on many SUVs and all pickups. It appears(?) to be a full-size tire, but it's hard to tell from that image.
Bob
It looks like the roof rack crossbars could be moved together to form a single-unit spoiler, like the Touareg. The tail lights appear to be like the ones on the R1e.
Bob
~Colin
As to whether it's good looking or not, I think it's safe to say that there will be no universal agreement on this. Some will hate it whereas others will love it. While I've been a strong proponent of this new direction, I'm not going to comment any more on the styling until the vehicle is completely unmasked. There's absolutely no way that one can accurately comment on a vehicle's looks when it's covered with cameo.
Bob
I like the car's muscular stance even if it is a bit Toureg/Cayenne. looks like pretty good sized tires on there, too.
~Colin
From behind, the roofline looks very similar to a Lexus RX330.
And I agree with Mr. Locke regarding the stance and balance of tire size.
Ken
You sure it's a Class II, Bob? Looks small, it might even be 1.25" like mine.
I also like the proportions, though I preferred the previous Mazda3-looking D-pillar.
-juice
Class I & II are both 1.25".
Bob
didn't know any man ever admitted to anything being just over an inch ...
~c
-Dave
Why can't they make the rear look more like the Magnum. BOXY = MORE STORAGE, curvy = LESS STORAGE
-mike
Last time I said that, I got slapped in the face.
-juice
By controlling the intake valve timing and lift to suit the engine load and speed conditions, AVCS optimises the engine's volumetric efficiency and combustion process.
The Engine Control Module (ECM) calculates the optimum valve timing and lift, based on input signals from the airflow sensor, engine coolant temperature sensor, throttle position sensor and camshaft position sensors.
The ECM then generates a signal to an Oil Control Valve (OCV) positioned at each intake camshaft sprocket. This controls engine oil pressure, which is supplied to advance and retard chambers within the AVCS actuator.
Similarly, the ECM controls Variable Valve Lift. This is via a solenoid valve, which supplies oil pressure to a switchable tappet that alternates between the low and high cam lobes, depending on engine load and speed conditions.
In simple terms, the engine runs at low lift below 2000 rpm, then switches between low and high between 2000 and 4000 rpm, depending upon load.
Computer mapping is programmed for optimum valve timing, producing stable idling, improved fuel consumption and low emissions in the medium speed range, and maximum power at high engine speed and load.
The exhaust system on the 3.0R engine features equal-length header pipes for improved exhaust efficiency. This creates the sporty and light-revving Subaru Boxer engine sound.
that's terrible output IMO for all the goodies mentioned above. perhaps they tuned it for low-end response (considering the 2000-4000 rpm range mentioned for the valve lift changes), which was utter folly. such a car should've been setup first for maximum high-rpm power, then tune the midrange and low-rpm driveability as much as possible. the result would surely be more than 240 HP and 220lb-ft.
btw the valve lift mechanism sounds exactly like the original VTEC circa 1990.
~Colin
ps, I thought I sent this last night but here it is typed up and waiting for me on my work pc. LOL
Kia's base engine in the Spectra has VVT. So basically the cheapest compact in the world has more technology than the 2.5l.
And where are the 5 speed autos? And VSC?
I really think they have to get over the notion that these are "Premium" features, because they are not. They are basic requirements to be competitive at the entry level segments.
Get with the program, Subaru, and not just on the most expensive models!
-juice
More displacement? A low pressure turbo?
Ken
It is a small 6, though, so it only makes a tad more torque and that's what moves the car. Sorry, truck. ;-)
To increase torque they'll have to increase displacement. 3.3-3.5l would be plenty, and now that the Outback is a truck, technically, they can do it without fear of CAFE penalties.
The EZ30 has thin walls between the cylinders, though, so how they'll get that extra displacement is beyond me. And I'm not sure there's much room to stroke it significantly.
-juice
Does the cylinders really have to be round?
Would an ovate cylinder create more displacement?
</naive n00b thinking>
-Dave
~Colin
(is very familiar with the Honda oval piston race motors)
Yep, Honda had a 500cc 4-cylinder GP motorcycle a few years back with oval cylinders. IIRC, each cylinder had 8 valves. Reportedly this engine had the power of an 8-cylinder engine of similar displacement.
It wasn't very reliable as I recall, and Honda eventually put this engine on the back burner. I think it had to do with engine rings being hard to seal, or something like that.
Colin, I'm sure you can correct me and/or fill in the blanks.
Bob
So, not a possibility to elongate top-to-bottom on the Y axis?
-Dave
The current engine bay is pretty crammed.
-juice
Craig
The base 2.5l engine is the one that really needs it, especially for the heavier vehicles.
-juice
I do agree that it's the 2.5 that needs work, but what I'm really wanting to say is that a philosophy of "That's good enough" doesn't promote an upscale move.
What's out there that is quicker? SRT-4? A lot of people won't even consider a Neon, nice as that one happens to be. Everything else is slower or costs more.
-juice
-Dave
Subaru says it may build seven-seat minivan for global markets including U.S.
YUZO YAMAGUCHI | Automotive News
Posted Date: 6/21/05
TOKYO -- Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. may build a Subaru minivan for sale in global markets, including the United States.
The seven-seat minivan would offer Subaru features: all-wheel drive and a boxer engine, says Ikuo Mori, chief general manager of Fuji Heavy's overseas sales and marketing division. Fuji owns Subaru.
"Given our company size, we need to make it a global car," Mori says. He declines to say when the minivan might be ready for the United States.
Subaru sells four cars in the United States: the Baja, Forester, Impreza and Legacy, and one light truck: the B9 Tribeca.
In Japan, the minivan would be a replacement for the Subaru Traviq, a rebadged Opel Zafira that General Motors assembled in Thailand. GM stopped building the minivan for Subaru in December, about three years after Fuji Heavy sold it in Japan.
Last year, Traviq sales here plunged 36.1 percent from a year earlier to 1,847. Fuji Heavy said sales were poor because the minivan lacked Subaru specialties, all-wheel drive and a boxer engine.
Meanwhile, Mori says the company plans to freshen the Legacy in 2007 and redesign it in 2009. The Legacy is Subaru's best seller in the United States.
So it's going to be a Traviq replacement that will be sold worldwide, including the USA.
Bob
Nobody can touch the WRX wagon,... well except Subaru's SUV. ;-)
-mike
Why are people afraid of that word? It's a hatch all the way, nothing coupe-like about it.
The problem with the RSX is torque, or the lack of it. A base Impreza TS wagon is just about a match for it.
-juice