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Comments
Juice,
I know you prefer a blacked out grill but you have to admit the 07 tribeca grill looks like a work in progress w/o the chrome. They should have changed the inner pattern. They will probably sell a lot of SE inserts.
Now, the purpose of this post:
Has anyone noticed the differences in the lower front facia (black trim) of the European Tribeca??
It appears to have a slightly more aggressive appearance. The foglights are shifted a little to the middle so there is grill on both sides. Also, the grill is more pronounced.
The center intake is wider - probably to accept the european license plates.
And finally the bottom lip is more blade-like.
These differences are subtle but they are there.
IMO the current lower front facia lacks detail in proportion to the rest of the body making the front look thick. People blame the airplane grill but it is the whole package.
The European lower front facia seems to fit better.
(The side view mirrors are different too. -much taller with a different signal light.)
Are these part of the changes for 08?
What say you???
Charlie
I sometimes don't even notice things like lip spoiler and lower body cladding. I think it was the '87 Mustang GT's overkill in this area that sort of turned me off, so perhaps I just don't pay attention to these areas.
I do notice chrome, so I don't like the SE's grille. I think if it were matte black it would be perfect, looking like a Jaguar Type R grille.
Here, this is what I'd love to see on a Tribeca:
-juice
I think the Legacy is the only head to toe attractive car in the lineup -- it should sell better, but -
as someone who works in the ad biz, I have to say that Subaru's marketing is very weak. They have substantive safety and performance stories to communicate, but it all gets muddled.
Hope the Impreza looks good, the company needs a hit.
No more unsightly bumpers sticking out. Watch shows like Overhaulin' and you'll notice trend-setters like Chip Foose do that do most of the cars he customizes.
-juice
Thanks,
Charlie
-juice
It does not look too bad in lighter colors like Silver, but stands out like a sore thumb, on say a black wagon.
I prefer lighter interiors (beige) for their roomy and airy feel but the only exterior colors for which beige is available in the "limited" version of the WRX, is Black, White and Red. I like black (among the choices provided) but those transparent tail-lights with silvery highlights within, turn me off as cheap-looking on a black car.
Bob
-juice
At least the X model is a simple double DIN size.
-juice
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/1470
Bob
Bob
I'd be fine if the '09 Forester did the same thing. Longer wheelbase and all.
-juice
Bob
Bob,
I hope not.....unless it is only the interior size. There is a place for an easy-to-park, narrow car that is also adequately powered like my 3.0 VDC wagon. If you drive in a congested city larger is not better.
Dave
Note, I didn't say the length or width will increase, but the wheelbase will. That's not to say the length and width won't increase, but it doesn't have to, just because the wheelbase grows.
Bob
If you look, the TSX, Mazda6, and Legacy are all about the same size. That's about the limit before you jump into higher tax brackets in overseas markets.
-juice
Bob
Subaru just needs to use the interior room wisely. In fact, the Mazda 6 has awesome legroom and I would be in one if the Mazdaspeed 6 wasn't a boat (weight wise).
can you dump these hi-res pics somewhere so that we can take a look?
These are the same spy photos that I put up, just in their larger original hi-res format. I had to reduce the size and make them lo-res to work within the Straightline formatting. They are copyrighted, and paid for by Edmunds. Each time they get used, for whatever reason, B. Priddy & Co. should be compensated. So if I were to do so, I would likely get myself and Edmunds in trouble. Not worth the risk...
Having said that, there are several larger images up over at nabisco. Folks over there don't have any problems violating copyrights.
Finally, I did update the Straightline blog several times yesterday since I first posted the link here. It now has a closeup of the grille on it,
http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/1470
Bob
Bob
If so the R2 is probably history.
-juice
The DOHC 1.5R is new to Europe, but has been on sale in Japan for several months now.
I would love to see that 1.5R engine put in a smaller, cheaper Honda Fit-like car, now that the Impreza is moving slightly up-market.
Bob
Ditto.
I couldn't agree with you more!! Perfect example is the Ford 500.
Charlie
I too don't want a bigger car -- the current Legacy is a good size for me and my wife. However, its theoretical "peers" in the market would be Accord/Camry, and they have upsized significantly over the years. I am glad the Legacy has stayed small, but it definitely hurts sales if buyers cross shop against the others. This is widely acknowledged as a weak spot for the Legacy. Personally, the size is right for me, and I would just consider the Legacy to be a slightly smaller vehicle than its mainstream peers and leave it at that. I hope Subaru doesn't feel the need to catch up to everyone else by supersizing. They could be smarter about packaging, but I don't want them to get bigger!
The wheelbases are also relatively short, compare to a 3 series or Altima wheelbase and the Subies are more than half a foot shorter. And those aren't big cars.
Subaru has given priority to cargo space, it seems. They could trade off a bit for more rear leg room in particular.
-juice
I want a 5 door, though.
-juice
Bob
My goodness you got your panties twisted fast. Craig, Charlie and Bob actually got what I was saying. Look at the Mazda 6 and the Legacy.. they are practically identical. Explain to me how Mazda can pull off better interior space than Subaru and still have a decent cargo in the trunk. You may not agree with more interior volume but the competitors that Subaru is going after kill them in this category alone. I would love me a Legacy but not at the price of driving it uncomfortably. And if Subaru will be dumb enough to leave it as is, then let them continue losing sales.
It's not about being fat or having an unhealthy diet. I eat well, exercise and have an athletic build. But I be damn if you find me owning a Legacy for the sake of having a Subaru. Yes, at 6'5" it's hard for me to be happy in a Subaru, as much as I love those cars. There's a reason why I'm driving a Mazda 3 hatch, cause Subaru couldn't pull it off on the Impreza. Give me a nice size car like the Legacy with good and USEFUL interior space and I'll be in there.
Otherwise, Subaru will have to make justice with the rumored Tribeca platform sedan based vehicle. Ok... I'm done!!! :-p
Subaru is about to introduce the the 1.5R in Europe. Should they also bring it here with the all-new '08 Impreza?
The '08 Impreza will be the same size as the current model, but with the wheelbase a bit less than the current legacy, which should yield more rear legroom.
The new Euro 1.5R model has a 105 HP DOHC H-4 with a 5-speed dual-range tranny. The stroke is the same as the 2.5, but with a much smaller bore. This is the first Subie under-square boxer that I'm aware of. 0-60 is reported at 13.5 seconds. Not sure if it will be offered with an automatic in Europe, but here in the States it should be offered with the 5EAT/sportshift.
It gets 44.1 mpg on Extra Urban Cycle (European rating) which is pretty darn good considering it's AWD. I think this would be very attractive to many old-school Subie owners who have fond memories of Subies from the 1980s and early '90s.
It would also be a quick and easy way for SOA to tap into the 1.5L market, which is "hot" here.
Bob
It would be one of the slowest cars sold in the US.
-juice
I'm not sure people looking at this vehicle will care that much. How quick is the Honda Fit, Yaris or the new Versa?
Bob
OTOH, my Loyale'92 had 90hp 1.8L NA engine, and it accelerated quite well. Although the car was only moderately economical, maybe 25 mpg on average (and it was 2WD model).
An auto Fit is a little over 10 seconds, but not 13. Manuals are under 10.
Maybe the US will see a 1.8-2.0l or so.
-juice