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Comments
-mike
The dash assembly and inside door panels appears to be modified Forester/Impreza units, while the instrument cluster is borrowed in its entirety. 3rd-row seating leg room appears okay, but not great, as you might expect in a vehicle this size.
Bob
I see that the Subuaru R1e seems to have all the right stuff (driving range of at least 50 miles & capable of 60 mph, recharges in 8 hours with normal household current). Because such a vehicle would not be driven long distances, it does not have to be build to be comfortable of long trips. Just efficient, easy to drive, relatively comfortable suspension, AC & a decent sound system (radio/cd player/ipod). If someone can produce & sell such a car at cost that is comparable to similar sized cheap gas economy cars (such as the Toyota Yaris) they will have a huge success on your hands.
One site suggested that FHI would only sell 100 per year.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I am not a diesel fan, but this is one more reason for the company to bring that engine to America.
If the current Forester with the rumored 200 HP diesel 5 spd EAT becomes available in NA that would also be very sweet.
Time to start a letter writing campaign to Subaru making them aware of our needs and wants. Sent mine to Subaru.com (click on contact).
outlines changes for 2009 in Outback and Legacy. Mostly cosmetic and audio tweaks, and VDC is standard. No changes to engine nor drivetrain.
Exiga looks like it could compete well against the Mazda5. They should reconsider bringing it here.
Inside it looks like the Grand Forester I was begging for years ago.
Small is hot, so bring it to the US, Subaru!
The LED lights are a new trend, mike. The DCX minivans got those. Forester has LED spots on some interior controls. Exiga just goes a step further.
Big moonroof looks good, another thing they copied from the Forester.
They should have made the rear door wider. Access to the 3rd row is going to be tough, I bet.
My theory is this - if they brought it here, it might kill Tribeca sales.
No way, no how, will all models get this kind of power bump in the next year or two. That's just not like Subaru to do that.
Plus, it might make more sense right now to make fuel efficiency gains, rather than power gains.
Aren't brochures out yet in Japan?
My '06 is rated at 175hp... that's close enough to 180 in my book.
I guess we can round up.
May as well round up to the nearest hundred - 200hp it is!
It says there R1e is "test bed for evaluating battery technology to be used in electric as well as hybrid electric and fuel cell electric vehicles."
Sounds like it will not be selling it as product to anyone.
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/legacy/legacy2009.html
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/outback/outback2009.html
Bob
I have them in my Armada too. I didn't realize they were LEDs they looked more like neon tubes to me.
-mike
I think our new Forester has two of them. One at the top, acting like a spot light where the shifter is. The other seems to be in the storage bin in front of the shifter.
I put my cell phone there and it's a cool effect, a sort of soft light that helps you find the little stuff you put there.
Still living in the 80's huh?
-mike
While I'm sure many will like it, it doesn't do a thing for me. I see it as Subaru at its absolute blandest. Worse yet—it looks old, yet it's brand new.
Bob
A great design that fortunately does NOT look like the reincarnated Pontiac Aztec influenced Tribeca!
Just because it might be appealing does NOT mean it's great design. It just means it's appealing design, and nothing more. Toyota has done very well for itself by designing bland and safe (safe as in taking no risks) looking vehicles—not great looking vehicles, that sell.
Bob
If it were Tribeca sized, yet shaped like it is (boxy, efficient space utilization), it would be a real contender and worth bringing to the US.
I'm with bob, it's bland as can be. A lot of Avalon/Camry hints (NOT A GOOD THING).
-mike
Should Subaru build a version of the WRX STI devoted solely to the track?
Would a flat cornering, limited travel suspension be a good option for it?
(in other words, make a Lotus Elise out of it)?
-mike
I think the real problem here is getting a vehicle with a very low production number here certified for sale. I may not be worth SOA's effort to do so.
Bob
Perhaps then the reviewers who [non-permissible content removed] about the STI can get a "track ready" version to try out and be happier ?
For that matter, how many of the STI's sold are used for the track, rather than rally racing?
I agree that Subaru should offer some sort of "factory" sport set-up for the (Impreza) STI, be it a specific model or just an option package. In fact, it was mentioned here.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/3019
Bob
you need to ride in the back of a Caddy SRX one day to appreciate low and knees in your chest!
I think the real problem here is getting a vehicle with a very low production number here certified for sale. I may not be worth SOA's effort to do so.
Yeah I was referring to the USDM market. Also over here, most sanctioned racing requires a lot of modifications, more than would come in a factory setup of any kind, so you'd still need to modify it in order to race em here. The only factory race car I know of here is the Mustang, and that's produced for a spec series and I don't think it's street legal.
-mike
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showpost.php?p=22748022&postcount=83
Talking of space management, my new Honda Fit is the very epitome of it. Very roomy seating positions in both rows and has a reasonable amount of trunk space too (21 cu.ft), while externally the car looks dimunitive/pint-sized. The only downside is that with the smallish engine, the car has not moved much till it gets to the 3rd gear....but with 37+mpg (real world with 40% stop-and-go city and 60% hwy including 75-80mph speeds - not BS EPA numbers), I am not complaining !
One problem: There are no plans currently to bring it over here.
Bob
That vinyl looks shiny and cheap. The fabric just looks bizarre, with that texture.
The underseat storage bin looks gimmicky - they could have made it bigger. My van has one and it's always coming loose.
They could have had 2 glove boxes instead of that slot above the single one.
I do like how wide the rear doors are.
I see a lot of room for improvement, though, before they bring it here. Make it bigger while you're at it.
"As with the Japan-specification Legacy and Impreza, SI-Drive allows you to choose among three modes of torque-management strategy, only this time, a kind of kick-down function has been employed. Even in economical "I" (Intelligent) mode, a quick extension of the right boot will see the explosive "S#" sport sharp mode automatically engaged, allowing you to instantly overtake the car ahead. Then, just lift off on the throttle and "I" mode reengages, taking you back to economical cruising. Up until now, you had to flick the SI-Drive switch manually. "
Huzzah to the new SI drive and a true "Intelligent" mode that doesn't neuter the car as it does in present Outbacks.