The SVX isn't exactly legendary, more like revolutionary. About 10 years ahead of it's time. I would love to see a new SVX with the 3.6L engine, coupe, low slung, mmmmm
Owned 2 of em. Still miss that car a lot. Had good power about 175hp and torque across the whole range. Easy to work on, changed the plugs, cap, rotor and wires in 20 min.
Just kept going and going. Few mechanical issues in the driveline.
Owned 2 of em. Still miss that car a lot. Had good power about 175hp and torque across the whole range. Easy to work on, changed the plugs, cap, rotor and wires in 20 min.
Just kept going and going. Few mechanical issues in the driveline.
From Subaru Global: "The Alcyone's (XT6 in the US) sweeping wedge shape and the fully rounded curves enabled this model to achieve the world's lowest air resistance level, 0.29 CD (coefficient of drag)."
"And 14 Outbacks. They need to reduce the number of models and add more standalone options. It's silly to have a separate model for w/VDC & without, and w/NAV & without. Either of those should be available as an option on any model."
Whats the difference? Isn't it 6 of one and half dozen of another? I agree that things could be simplified by making VDC standard across the board, but my guess is that having separate model codes makes the manufacturing process easier...
Honda takes a similar approach, and in general, I think it works well. There's 18 Accord Sedan models ranging from VP 5M to EX-L V6 6M NAVI.
Are there no Outback SEDANS for 2008? Am I reading that chart correctly?
And finally... I definitely think the Legacy 2.5i should be dumped like the trash. What's the point? The SE is such a better value.
The Legacy outback line up is a bit awkward now but I believe it is part of a larger plan.
Here are my predictions based on the obvious and and input over the years from the Subaru crew:
The Impreza is now based on the Japanese legacy. For the next model change the Legacy should grow in size with a new sedan to compete with Camry/Accord etc.
The Forester will move to either the current legacy platform or a new one altogether. It should maintain the boxier shape it has for efficiency of space.
I think Outback will grow to the current Tribeca platform but with a more upscale sport wagon appearance and function.
That leaves Tribeca's next incarnation to grow to a true 7 (adult) passenger platform.
A minivan especially after Ford and GM dropped theirs is not needed.
In my opinion Subaru has put "upscale" aside to first further differentiate models in the line up. This will result in a broader appeal in the market , ultimately setting the stage( and audience) to go upscale.
Subaru values criticism and make use of it to improve product. No other company does this as well!!!
The Legacy outback line up is a bit awkward now but I believe it is part of a larger plan.
Here are my predictions based on the obvious and and input over the years from the Subaru crew:
The Impreza is now based on the Japanese legacy. For the next model change the Legacy should grow in size with a new sedan to compete with Camry/Accord etc.
The Forester will move to either the current legacy platform or a new one altogether. It should maintain the boxier shape it has for efficiency of space.
I think Outback will grow to the current Tribeca platform but with a more upscale sport wagon appearance and function.
That leaves Tribeca's next incarnation to grow to a true 7 (adult) passenger platform.
A minivan especially after Ford and GM dropped theirs is not needed.
In my opinion Subaru has put "upscale" aside to first further differentiate models in the line up. This will result in a broader appeal in the market , ultimately setting the stage( and audience) to go upscale.
Subaru values criticism and make use of it to improve product. No other company does this!!!
Surprised there's been not even a peep here yet: Small, low-quality pics of the '08 WRX sedan & hatch appeared on another forum & were promptly removed by a Subaru-employed moderator there, creating quite a stir. The assumption is that they are "leaked" photos, not somebody's illustration. I won't put our good Edmunds hosts in a sticky position & post them, but they are, at this point, posted on many other sites. There's a sedan front 3/4 shot, a hatch front 3/4 shot, hatch rear 3/4 shot, grille closeup (ugh!), hatch taillight closeup, climate control closeup, rear lip and dual exhaust closeup, and a closeup of an Impreza WRX badge with part of the sedan taillight.
It's really too hard to get anything but general impressions from the small photos. Grill doesn't do a thing for me - if I purchased an Impreza, I'd be looking for some type of aftermarket product that looked a bit more like the Legacy's. Taillights are OK - the altezza style on the hatch doesn't do it for me, but will appeal to some. General shape seems OK to me... rather Honda-ish styling, from what I can tell, not what I'd call Euro. Maybe seeing it in person or in larger photos will change that impression. I'm not excited about the little stub antenna on top of the roof, either... in the glass was fine by me & made for a cleaner look. I think it will probably have decent appeal for the general public - not too crazy, not too bland. Definitely not the shocker that Tribeca was. After seeing this design, I'm sure they're gunshy. This doesn't look quirky to me.
Can't wait to see high-quality official pics, and see the thing in person.
I've seen that link, and I've also held off posting the link just as you have, for the same reason.
As you've said the images are tiny "teaser" images. What it does is confirm that the recent Photoshop images were pretty darn close. Unlike you, I do like the rear hatch with the JDM Outback-like chrome strip. I do agree, that the grille, from what we can see, is Wonderbread bland.
I have to say that Subaru has done a heck of a job keeping the new Impreza under wraps. We are, what, around 10 days from the launch and there is still uncertainty out there. Compare that to the new Mitsu Evo, which already feels like its been on the market for 18 months!
Bob - it's not the hatch or the chrome strip I don't really care for, they're fine. It's the taillights themselves. They just say "riced" Civic to me. I'd imagine the standard Impreza taillights won't be altezza-style, so maybe that'd make for a nice swap. Trade out the taillights, and perhaps grille, and it could good. (Of course, I'd like my OB better w/the JDM chrome strip & taillights, but I doubt I'll ever switch 'em out.) Really too soon to tell much... these are just gut reactions from small photos, and you can't see the creases very well.
Ok now that the towing issue with the Armada has passed, it's on to looking for a moderately priced Sport coupe or sedan. Tempted to wait for the new Impreza to see if I like it. From those blury pics of the new impreza, I like the front end but the back end is not looking good at all.
...which is hitting the newsstands now. Someone from nabisco picked it up and reported the following:
May 2007 Motor Trend "New WRX -Subaru's rally rocket goes radical". Story starts on page 38 "subaru wrx impreza (first look)", 6 pages of story on the car, lots of pictures from all sides. Sedan or hatchback, 2.5l/224-hp/226-lb-ft. That is dissapointing. 5 speed manual, 4 speed auto, stupid move subaru for those that are reading. 3150-3200 lbs, 0-60 in 5.5 MT estimated time. There is even a picture of the photographers shooting the car in the studio.
I can't believe they're still using the 4EAT in the WRX!
It's only offered in the WRX Limited, and I haven't seen any automatics in months on dealers lots. In most markets the automatic WRX isn't even offered because there's no demand for it. In Australia it was around 4%, so they dropped it.
This is the worst news I ever heard till date. Putting a 4EAT into a 2008 model year, newly designed product, costing nearly 30K, is a pretty dumb move, IMO. :confuse: Especially galling since subcompacts costing less than 15K, like the Honda Fit, have had 5-speed Automatics for over a year. In fact, every single Honda, from the lowly "Fit" to their higher end products, all come with at least a 5EAT. Shameful, Subaru.
The Subaru product planner who made this decision, should be sent into early retirement with all retirement benefits denied. Prior to releasing him, they should also blacken his face. :mad: :mad:
I don't realy care that much, but I agree - it's idiotic. 5-speed manual is also a disapointment, although not as big.
Knowing Subaru, they will do it again. At product launch the value will be just so-so (new skin and undercarriage, but old powertrain) and over next couple of years they'll bring more with very small price adjustments. They do it all the time.
Yep, that's been their history. Rarely do they offer major mechanical upgrades when they change bodies.
I expect the 5EAT in the Impreza to arrive after (or when) it replaces the 4EAT across the entire Legacy/Outback lineup. When the '08 Legacy and Outbacks were announced still offering the 4EAT on non-turbos or H6s, I knew it would be carried over on the Impreza lineup. I was hoping the WRX would at least get the 5EAT as an option.
very ironic that Subaru made a statement that they will shift focus from engineering to more customers' needs. They are behind even in engineering ? 4et even after it took 6-7 years to bring the next generation.
Kicker is they have the technology to do it. VDC/5EAT and VDC/6MT should be across the board. Vary the engine in the STi, suspension, brakes, suspension pieces, interior, etc.
How much extra does it really cost to make the 5EAT and 6MT over their current models? My guess is the overall higher volume of the same parts would lead to a decrease in price overall. Tune the TCUs differently if you want to differentiate em.
Comments
I hate when manufacturers make things out to be more than they really are....
I guess I'm just jaded in that almost everything that comes out on cars has been done before in one facet or another.
-mike
~Colin
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
~Colin
Doubt it will happen.
-mike
Actually I was thinking of the model before it - wasn't it called the SVT?
2.7L Flat Six
Owned 2 of em. Still miss that car a lot. Had good power about 175hp and torque across the whole range. Easy to work on, changed the plugs, cap, rotor and wires in 20 min.
Just kept going and going. Few mechanical issues in the driveline.
-mike
2.7L Flat Six
Owned 2 of em. Still miss that car a lot. Had good power about 175hp and torque across the whole range. Easy to work on, changed the plugs, cap, rotor and wires in 20 min.
Just kept going and going. Few mechanical issues in the driveline.
-mike
http://www.pbase.com/paisan/xt6
Maybe a BAJA BRAT lol.
John
-mike
-mike
Even though it's only been here since '02, it won rally championships well before that date.
"And 14 Outbacks. They need to reduce the number of models and add more standalone options. It's silly to have a separate model for w/VDC & without, and w/NAV & without. Either of those should be available as an option on any model."
Whats the difference? Isn't it 6 of one and half dozen of another? I agree that things could be simplified by making VDC standard across the board, but my guess is that having separate model codes makes the manufacturing process easier...
Honda takes a similar approach, and in general, I think it works well. There's 18 Accord Sedan models ranging from VP 5M to EX-L V6 6M NAVI.
Are there no Outback SEDANS for 2008? Am I reading that chart correctly?
And finally... I definitely think the Legacy 2.5i should be dumped like the trash. What's the point? The SE is such a better value.
~alpha
The Legacy outback line up is a bit awkward now but I believe it is part of a larger plan.
Here are my predictions based on the obvious and and input over the years from the Subaru crew:
The Impreza is now based on the Japanese legacy. For the next model change the Legacy should grow in size with a new sedan to compete with Camry/Accord etc.
The Forester will move to either the current legacy platform or a new one altogether. It should maintain the boxier shape it has for efficiency of space.
I think Outback will grow to the current Tribeca platform but with a more upscale sport wagon appearance and function.
That leaves Tribeca's next incarnation to grow to a true 7 (adult) passenger platform.
A minivan especially after Ford and GM dropped theirs is not needed.
In my opinion Subaru has put "upscale" aside to first further differentiate models in the line up. This will result in a broader appeal in the market , ultimately setting the stage( and audience) to go upscale.
Subaru values criticism and make use of it to improve product. No other company does this as well!!!
Charlie
The Legacy outback line up is a bit awkward now but I believe it is part of a larger plan.
Here are my predictions based on the obvious and and input over the years from the Subaru crew:
The Impreza is now based on the Japanese legacy. For the next model change the Legacy should grow in size with a new sedan to compete with Camry/Accord etc.
The Forester will move to either the current legacy platform or a new one altogether. It should maintain the boxier shape it has for efficiency of space.
I think Outback will grow to the current Tribeca platform but with a more upscale sport wagon appearance and function.
That leaves Tribeca's next incarnation to grow to a true 7 (adult) passenger platform.
A minivan especially after Ford and GM dropped theirs is not needed.
In my opinion Subaru has put "upscale" aside to first further differentiate models in the line up. This will result in a broader appeal in the market , ultimately setting the stage( and audience) to go upscale.
Subaru values criticism and make use of it to improve product. No other company does this!!!
Charlie
It's really too hard to get anything but general impressions from the small photos. Grill doesn't do a thing for me - if I purchased an Impreza, I'd be looking for some type of aftermarket product that looked a bit more like the Legacy's. Taillights are OK - the altezza style on the hatch doesn't do it for me, but will appeal to some. General shape seems OK to me... rather Honda-ish styling, from what I can tell, not what I'd call Euro. Maybe seeing it in person or in larger photos will change that impression. I'm not excited about the little stub antenna on top of the roof, either... in the glass was fine by me & made for a cleaner look. I think it will probably have decent appeal for the general public - not too crazy, not too bland. Definitely not the shocker that Tribeca was. After seeing this design, I'm sure they're gunshy. This doesn't look quirky to me.
Can't wait to see high-quality official pics, and see the thing in person.
As you've said the images are tiny "teaser" images. What it does is confirm that the recent Photoshop images were pretty darn close. Unlike you, I do like the rear hatch with the JDM Outback-like chrome strip. I do agree, that the grille, from what we can see, is Wonderbread bland.
Bob
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
-mike
The 1994 is a 1-owner.
cusafr
-mike
The back reminded me of the Acura RDX, which I like. So far so good.
We should see more pics in the next couple of days. I'm sure someone will break the embargo.
-juice
May 2007 Motor Trend "New WRX -Subaru's rally rocket goes radical". Story starts on page 38 "subaru wrx impreza (first look)", 6 pages of story on the car, lots of pictures from all sides. Sedan or hatchback, 2.5l/224-hp/226-lb-ft. That is dissapointing. 5 speed manual, 4 speed auto, stupid move subaru for those that are reading. 3150-3200 lbs, 0-60 in 5.5 MT estimated time. There is even a picture of the photographers shooting the car in the studio.
I can't believe they're still using the 4EAT in the WRX!
Bob
The 4EAT is like a weed that won't die.
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
Bob
Amen.
Bob
Bob
The Subaru product planner who made this decision, should be sent into early retirement with all retirement benefits denied. Prior to releasing him, they should also blacken his face. :mad: :mad:
Bob
Knowing Subaru, they will do it again. At product launch the value will be just so-so (new skin and undercarriage, but old powertrain) and over next couple of years they'll bring more with very small price adjustments. They do it all the time.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
I expect the 5EAT in the Impreza to arrive after (or when) it replaces the 4EAT across the entire Legacy/Outback lineup. When the '08 Legacy and Outbacks were announced still offering the 4EAT on non-turbos or H6s, I knew it would be carried over on the Impreza lineup. I was hoping the WRX would at least get the 5EAT as an option.
Bob
-mike
very disappointing.
-mike
Well they only made that statement 2 weeks ago - a little late to change the specs on a new intro.
One could go surfing on the front facade - lots of waves!!
is bringing 5et & 6spd pushing the price up for subaru that people aren't willing to pay for ? i bet that's the reason.
-mike