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Comments
How come we don't get this? Also... they moved the seat heater switches.
-Brian
http://www.audiusa.com/model_home/0,,bodyStyleId-17,00.html?bodystyle=q7
This all helps to further differentiate Outback from Legacy, which I think is a great move by Subaru.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Edmunds doesn't like us to post links to that site, so we sort of have come up a our own "insiders" name, that being "nabisco." The regulars here all understand.
You can do a Google search for NASIOC, then go to forums > News & Rumors > to thread about "New JDM Legacy BPD... teaser."
There are more new images up there this morning, BTW.
Bob
2018 430i Gran Coupe
The grilles of the Outbacks appear to be a bit darker and not as shiny as those found on the Legacys. I'm wondering if Subaru is using a dull gray finish on the Outback grille, and not chrome. You now see Nissan using this gray finish on the Murano grille, and it is also found on some Infiniti models too. I like it a lot. I find it more restrained and elegant. It also makes the chrome logo stand out a bit more. I hope that's what I'm seeing here.
Bob
Also, this is a good shot of the huge paddle shifter.
Bob
It looks better to me than the Alfa-inspired grille-- hands down!
~Colin
Look at that grille, and logo. The shape of the grille is a splitting image of that found on the Legacy and Outback. Replace the oval P2 logo with the oval Subaru logo, and BINGO! Could this be what we can expect the '08 Impreza's front to look like?
I bet FHI "floated" this concept—promoting it as a ProDrive effort—when in fact they have been testing the waters for a possible future Impreza front end styling. The styling of the grille is just too similar current and future Legacys and Outbacks to be a mere coincedence.
Bob
The hood is not different. The "strakes" were are there on the H6 models, remember Patti had that chat where we had to name what they were called?
So that is not new.
Reclining rear seat would be nice. You get the angle to match up with a child safety seat, for instance. My Forester has that, but it was discontinued. Tribeca has it, though.
Me likey the gunmetal finish replacing chrome. You guys are probably tired of hearing it but...
I HATE CHROME! CHROME IS FOR LINCOLNS.
-juice
Overall I like the headlight and front bumper tweaks. I have to say, the front of the OB looks more like the current Forester now with the new grille.
Anyone else think the interior is looking less integrated? While I like the features I see (SI-Drive, paddle shifters, upgraded stereo), the layout just doesn't flow as well. In particular, the AT center shift console looks plain ugly to me in the photos. The circle around the shifter looks disproportionaltey large and the cutout for the pattern is just asking to trap dirt and grime.
I can see they are trying to use circular elements in the interior, perhaps in response to SI-Drive, but it just doesn't work for me.
The simple elegance in the 05-06 models is being lost slightly in the 07 with the new audio system, but in 08 it looks like they go too far and overly complicate the interior lines.
Ken
I actually prefer the "chrome" strip on the wagon's rear deck. I think it ties the backup lights and logo into one organized unit that flows out of the clear area of the tail lights.
Before the rear deck was just too fragmented for my tastes. You had the backup up lights, the logo and that silly chrome lip above the license plate. Now it is much simplier, and to me, a much cleaner look than before.
Bob
I'm talking about the grille only.
Bob
My bad, Bob. I obviously missed a couple words, there. Not sure exactly what you mean, though. The grille itself doesn't seem like much of a big deal to float by anyone. Are you thinking the Impreza's grille will look like this and they're just floating the look of the rest of the front? The more I look at it, the more similarities I see, like the hood creases extending down the front and defining the slightly protruding "nose" which the grille is placed in, and the headlights slanting up toward the front fenders of the car. But Subaru seems to be going more curvy and organic lately, and the P2 nose is quite angular.
On another really minor note, the P2's mirrors look like what I call the "rhinoceros ear" style seen on the R1/R2.
Don't think so? Just read through the comments on any thread (not just Subaru), and you will find most comments are centered on the front end styling: The grille first, and then closely followed by the headlights. They don't call it a "face" for nothing...
Also, look at the comments about the Tribeca. I'd say 90% of the comments pertain to the "face" of that vehicle.
Bob
The Impreza is a whole bunch bigger, we're pretty sure the wheelbase will match the current Legacy's. So it's about 3 sizes up from the P2!
-juice
Bob
-juice
http://www.fhi.co.jp/english/news/press/2006/06_05_24e.pdf
Sometimes it pays to work late nights and live on the West Coast.
http://www.subaru.co.jp/legacy/index.html
I see:
Cruise control operated by buttons on the right-hand steering wheel spoke (so the large lever below that spoke must be the telescoping wheel control).
Vents at the back of the center console for rear-seat occupants. On some models, underneath those rear-seat vents are separate audio controls, aux input, an extra 12v outlet, two mystery buttons and a little cubby!
Base models have no steering wheel controls or telescoping wheel.
Something called the Subaru G-Book, that appears to be some sort of electronic maintenance tracking for vehicles with NAV?
In wagons, 2 levers just inside the rear hatch that fold down the rear seats. They seem to be next to the grocery bag hooks.
Reclining rear seats in wagons.
Memory power seats.
Manual height adjustment for base model front seats. (Is that available now?)
Cool, blue-illuminated cupholders, see them here. Still think they need a cover for those, though, like the current model.
Harddrive-based Navigation! Looks like 30-gigs.
Cheap bastards. Always something missing. Upscale-shmapscale.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
I wonder if this is just for vehicles equipped with the telescopic steering wheel? Or, because of the huge paddle shifters, they had to go this route? If so, do the manuals still have the CC on the stalk?
Bob
Now to be serious, I never cared one way or another. My previous car Escort had that layout and it worked fine. I think once you have radio controls, it is logical to put cruise control next to them, as long as the place is not too crowded.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
http://www.subaru.co.jp/legacy/b4/exterior/rotate/w8.html
3.0 Spec.B sedan
http://www.subaru.co.jp/legacy/b4/exterior/rotate/w7.html
2.0 Spec.B wagon
http://www.subaru.co.jp/legacy/touringwagon/exterior/rotate/w9.html
3.0 Spec.B wagon
http://www.subaru.co.jp/legacy/touringwagon/exterior/rotate/w8.html
Bob
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/previews/67918/subaru_legacy_30_spec_b.html
Bob
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Bob
Bob
Bob
I doubt Subaru would introduce a model that's an intersection of these two unless they saw an increase in demand first.
I think the re-appearance of a manual tranny LGT wagon has to happen first before they even entertain a Spec B wagon. Another point, how long have enthusiasts been asking for a STi wagon?
Ken
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Bob
But the main question is what percentage of their total market is made up of enthusiasts and is it enough justification for them to make the investment? For a manufacturer, increasing product variation grows operational and support costs exponentially even if the new product uses a few unique parts.
But you never know -- so let's keep asking!
Ken
Bob
Illuminated cup holders sound so dorky but I'll admit they look cool. I'm so ashamed.
Note that SI-drive gives up 50 hp in some cases to gain 10% in fuel economy, basically even at full throttle position they're only giving not-quite-full throttle at the ECU.
It would be GENIUS if they could tune the Intelligent mode to run on 87 octane. I mean, you're not at full throttle/boost, so that would make sense to me.
They could then sell the turbos to the seemingly endless list of people that simple refuse to buy a car that takes premium fuel, whether their position makes sense or not. There are a LOT of people like that. We see 2-3 per week right here on Edmunds.
-juice
Don't like the multispoke wheels. Too busy and how am I supposed to clean them without removing them? No, I'm not part of the OCD club.
Sure hope they find a way to bring us these nice tight fenders instead of the fat lips we got this last time. I'm used to them now but the JDM version does look better.
Spec. B Wagon!?! I sure hope they see fit to bring us one. I'm not holding my breath though.
Telescoping wheel and memory seats are a nice luxo items and (IMHO) will go a long way to lure some folks into the Legacy if they make it over here. These are things I thought I needed but I have discovered they aren't necessary.
I like the new front and the chrome strip on the rear.
Cheers!
-Ian
By the way, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts about the new interiors, especially around the introduction of the circular elements (gearshift, cupholders).
One other tangent in light of the current wagon chrome strip above the license plate -- I was detailing my car the other day and realized that it completed the theme. The front grille, small chrome strip on top of the center console cover (where the Navi goes) and then the rear chrome strip.
Ken
I was disappointed to see Subaru didn't address the somewhat awkward to reach power window switches. I've felt from the moment I sat in the new Legacy at Detroit that the vertical door grab handles, while they look great, interferes with the operation of the power windows.
Also, does the 6-speed have a gear indicator, like the automatic has in SportShift mode? I hope it does, as you sometimes forget which gear you're in with a close-ratio 6-speed. An indicator showing what gear you're in is nice to have as a reminder. IIRC, the Acura TSX has that feature.
Bob
From what I see on their website, only the AT versions get the gear indicator. The MT versions get an upshift indicator (a little up arrow) for fuel economy.
If you click on the instrument panel in the below link, it shows a close up of the MT panel (even though the landing page shows an AT). The caption at the bottom left of the closeup mentioned "MT instrument panel shown".
http://www.subaru.co.jp/legacy/touringwagon/mechanism/02/04/index.html
Ken
-Brian