Subaru Crew - Future Models II

rsholland · November 2001

ateixeira · November 2001

For the poll, put me down for "no change" from the current 1000/2000 lb limits. Though I hope I'm wrong. ;-)

Hmm, not using the BRAT name tells me no low range. So, here's what I'm expecting for the launch: H6, auto only, toned down from the concept to look like an Outback Crew Cab, which is also the name it will get. No mid gate at first.

Why? Because they can count them as Outback sales. Easier to certify an existing name plate. Also they have the Outback Sedan, so the name fits in with the rest of the line.

I like the Scout name, and clever meaning, but it was used by an old SUV from way back when, remember? Bandit has bad connotations, but I like it. I say since GM owns Isuzu that they should borrow the name Jackaroo!

Wife's car still has gear whine so it's going back to the shop. This is getting annoying. She sat in an Outback Limited and a Forester Premium on Saturday and preferred the Forester. "It's not a wagon", okay, whatever. Almost had her sold on it when she said "but we already have one". No sedans in the show room, so I still have to show her a Legacy GT and an H6 sedan.

-juice

rsholland · November 2001

and marketing to different audiences, I hope the marketing gurus at Subaru have seen this:

Bob

http://www2.gol.com/users/coynerhm/marketing_goofs.htm

ateixeira · November 2001

Bob: reminds me of the premiere of the show "Joanie loves Chachi", a "Happy Days" spin off, in Korea, IIRC. Chachi means the same thing that Pinto means, minus the size.

But that scares automakers into using alphanumeric names, which are kind of dull.

June 2002 for the next Forester, eh? I hope that the turbo comes out before the fall of 2003. The sooner the better. Bet I could talk my wife into one of those.

-juice

lark6 · November 2001

I remember them well - definitely on my short list of vehicles to buy if I ever get a 10-car garage. My wife hates them because her dad used to own one and she hated the buckboard ride on its flat back seat. She understands my interest in the Scout as I am attracted to boxy vehicles in general, and few came boxier than the Scout. I'd consider an IH pickup, and a Travelall would make a great race support vehicle.

Bob: One of my high school football coaches had a white VW Thing, and Marge Simpson's sisters on "The Simpsons" have an orange one. Derived from the WWII Kubelwagen, IIRC.

Bite the wax tadpole,
Ed

ateixeira · November 2001

The Scout had a V8, too. A truck before its time, I guess.

-juice

rsholland · November 2001

flipped a Scout driving on a dirt road going to her grandfather's farm in Arkansas many years ago. It was her grandfather's truck. Luckliy nobody was hurt, other than my wife's bruised ego.

Bob

ateixeira · November 2001

Autoweek just flipped a Liberty during their slalom, did you see that link?

-juice

rsholland · November 2001

I saw it. It's also been posted over in the Liberty forum, with surprisingly little comment from those over there.

I wonder how it will do when CR gets a hold of it?

Bob

ateixeira · November 2001

Uh-oh, another N/A rating? CR tends to back down more if it's a domestic, but Jeep is now German owned, so we'll see.

-juice

fernieguy · November 2001

The Scout name is from International Harvester (IH) which built them from the early 70's until the early 80's, most of them rusted out after a couple of years but I still see the occasional one around.

Here are some more names I came up with

Subaru Chute (pronounced shoot)

Subaru X-Trail (too close to X-Terra though)

Subaru Chameleon (only if it has the switchback design)

Subaru Outbound (kinda like outback)

Subaru Thumper (get rid of the T and you got...well you know ;-)

Subaru SwitchBlade (kind of a very negative connotation though)

Subaru Couloir (too french)

Thats the end of my creativity

Stephen

paisan · November 2001

if they didn't fail the Exploder, they are not going to fail the Liberty. Further proof that CR ratings for rollovers are bogus.

-mike

cb70 · November 2001

If you haven't seen it, it is a very nice vehicle and Nissan is just foolish for not adding it to their USA lineup. It would more than hold its own against the CRV, Rav 4, and Vue crowd without hurting X-Terra sales.

fernieguy · November 2001

I knew I'd seen that name somewhere,
I just thought of another name as well
Subaru Timber Crew (more of a Forester theme though)

hypov · November 2001

"Crew" has a nice ring.
"Subaru Crew"
get it ;-)
ah... never mind. :-)

-Dave

rsholland · November 2001

would be an excellent name, IMO; and not just because of us here at Edmunds. It has all the right attributes. Besides being the obvious reference to a 4-door pickup, it's easy to remember, is friendly, and suggests fun as well as work. I think it's a perfect name.

Not Subaru Crew Cab; just simply, Subaru Crew...

Bob

paisan · November 2001

'Crew' makes me thing of organized crime!

-mike

rsholland · November 2001

would make that connection.

Bob

armac13 · November 2001

I like it for all the reasons Bob mentioned. BTW it's great being back here from at home. I couldn't figure out the cookie business and thus could only access from work for the last 10 days - bummer.

Ross

amishra · November 2001

Ya boyz in 'da hood, come join my Crew

pattim3 · November 2001

I'm not sure if I can give hints, but the name hasn't been listed here yet as a guess, so - keep going - (I kinda like the Crew - but my opinion doesn't count for much). It will be build in Indiana though -

Patti

subearu · November 2001

Is being built in Indiana a hint on the name Patti? Tap twice for yes, once for no.

-Brian

hypov · November 2001

Isn't that Nebraska? :-)

-Dave

ateixeira · November 2001

Nissan already uses the X-Trail name. Subaru Crew would be hilarious, but they'd have to pay us licensing rights. One free Subie for each of us would suffice, OK Patti? ;-)

paisan: it'll be proof if they don't "N/A" it. Of course their manuever is different than Autoweek's slalom, though IMO it's more likely to tip in CR's test, not less likely.

And you would think of organized crime. Uh, sorry, I didn't mean no disrespect! ;-)

The name will follow the outdoorsy theme of Outback and Forester, IMO. I dunno, Ranger is taken, maybe Logger, Hunter, something along those lines but smoother coming off the tongue.

What about other regions in Australia?

-juice

bluesubie · November 2001

How about one of my favorite places that I surfed in Western Australia?
The Subaru Yallingup pickup. :-D

Dennis

rsholland · November 2001

That SOA product timetable that was posted recently noted that the next-generation Impreza is due in 2005, most likely as an MY06 model. This is the time to discuss it with having any hope of having any meaningful input. Here are a few suggestions:

 I believe Subaru (SOJ and SOA) have gotten the message regarding styling. The recent announcement of increased Porsche design involvement is a good sign that the message has been received. So, I'm not so concerned about stylingyet...

 More important to me is the body-type format. I think Subaru should continue with a 2-body offering, but instead of offering a 4-door sedan and a 4-door wagon, I want them to offer a 3-door squareback hatch (like the new Honda Si and VW Golf 3-door), and continue with the 4-door wagon (marketed in other countries as a 5-door hatch, BTW).

Why drop the 4-door sedan? Several reasons:

1) Subarus are known for utility, and hatches (both 3-door and 5-door) are much more utilitarian than sedans.

2) IMO, small sedans are boring looking, while small hatches are exciting to look at.

3) Small hatches are making comeback here in the States. They've always been popular overseas.

Why offer a 2-door hatch?

1) Ever since they dropped the door Impreza coupe, there have been complaints from 2-door fans.

2) The fact is 2-doors are sportier than 4-doors in many people's minds.

3) By making it a squareback hatch (and NOT a fastback hatch!), you will get customers that value utility, as well as sportieness.

 I think in terms of trim levels, Subaru is on the right track, so I don't at this point have much to say on that matter, other than to carry on.

So essentially, I'm suggesting a body lineup similar to that of the VW Golf, with one exception, and that being: I would like to see the 3-door hatch's rear overhang to be just a bit less than that of the 5-doorwagon/hatch. I think it would look a bit sportier that way. Those who value/need the extra room would then opt for the slightly longer and roomier 5-door model.

Also with this type of model lineup, it will be much more distinctive from all the other Asian brands.

Bob

locke2c · November 2001

Won't happen Bob. The sedans and 4 door estate are needed for function in this market, but especially in Europe and Asia. Subaru is way too small to tool up new 2 door models for aesthetic purposes-- they need to change people's mindset about 4 doors instead.

The Impreza could be freshened up a bit at any time, but I seriously doubt there will be dramatic changes for a good while... it was unchanged from 93-96 and then freshened in 97, only to have light cosmetic changes and gradual powertrain improvements until the 2001 redesign.

-Colin

ateixeira · November 2001

I like hatches, too, but isn't the SVX supposed to arrive and take over the 2 door niche?

-juice

rsholland · November 2001

We're talking four years down the road. A lot could happen in that time span, in terms of mindset. I see one of the Korean manufacturers (Hyundia?) is now offering a 5-door hatch here.

As far as a "concession to styling" on the 2-door I propose, was the slightly chopped off rear overhang. Otherwise, it's very functional.

Juice- as far as the SVX, only rumors...

Bob

fernieguy · November 2001

how about Drifter (I think this has been used as well, oh yea the yamaha motorcycle)

Cirque ( sounds more like a sports coup)

Glacier (implies large and slow moving)

Break (negative connotation on reliability)

Grit (not too catchy)

Mate (Aussie freind.. this might have possibilities)

Assist (too many 'A' and 'S's, hockey fans might like it)

Baja (been used before but what the heck)

Dune (Desert theme again)

Incline (more geography)

Rubble (sounds like something off of the Flintstones)

Spire (too much like "Aspire", I wonder when ford will come out with the "Expire")

Come on Patti give us a hint....PLEASE!
it better not be just a couple of letters like SVX because that is BORING!

Stephen

1subydown1togo · November 2001

Subaru Woodpecker
Subaru Redwood
Subaru Stream
Subaru Trout

ateixeira · November 2001

I like "Mate".

-juice

rsholland · November 2001

It certainly suggests friend or companion, with an added "Oz/Outback" association.

Although I can also see Jay Leno having a field day with that name...

Bob

rsholland · November 2001

this Brat-NOT "name game" here is worthy of an article in an upcoming issue in DRIVE magazine.

Bob

ateixeira · November 2001

He would, he always does car jokes. I remeber when Lamborghini died, he said the funeral procession passed by at 200mph...

-juice

hypov · November 2001

Patti- Is the name very close to homeland (Good o' U S of A)?

-Dave

rsholland · November 2001

Prairie?

It suggests western wide open spaces... Sort of the "American" counterpart to the word Outback.

Bob

hypov · November 2001

Bob- soon as you mentioned it, the Road Runner/Wile E. Coyote came to mind. :-)

-Dave

fernieguy · November 2001

Its used by Kawasaki for some of their four wheelers

Forman ( taken by Honda fourwheelers)

Boss (Bruce Springsteen would like that one)

Chief (not politically correct but whatever)

Are we getting close Patti? Come on give us a hint...noun?, adjective?, verb? anything.

Stephen

1subydown1togo · November 2001

Animal? Vegetable?, Mineral?

fernieguy · November 2001

Coulee

Holeshot

Wanderer (I think its been used as well)

Trekker

Sherpa (I kinda like this one but its used by Kawasaki as well for an off road bike)

Expose ('Ex' names are already used by another manufacturer)

Stephen

hypov · November 2001

is that taken?
not counting Raytheon (mfr) and New England (NFL).

-Dave

fernieguy · November 2001

Ground Hog (it wouldn't sell but I like it)

Marmot

Wolvarine (taken by Yamaha)

Bear

Shrike

Thrush

Thrasher (its actually a type of bird, but also the title for a skate magazine)

Tern

Salamander

Frog (hop in back could be the theme)

Minnow

Raptor (over used)

Moose (just joking)

Pika (its horn would go Peeeeeep!)

Osprey

Razorback

Boar (who wants a car named after a wild pig?)

Retriever (dogs are animals)

Shepherd (dog or person)

that's it for the animal theme

Stephen

p0926 · November 2001

ateixeira · November 2001

I think they can use Prairie since the STX wouldn't compete directly with a 4 wheeler. Then again, maybe it would! ;-)

They could call it the Switchback if that feature works. I like Retriever, because dogs are your best friend and it would help you bring stuff home from the lumber yard.

-juice

lark6 · November 2001

The Impreza sedans - past, present, and future - would be much more utilitarian if the rear seats folded down. Not just a ski-sack passthrough, completely folded down. 50-50, 60-40, 100-0, take your pick, just make them fold down (preferably flat). I don't understand why that feature wasn't made available on the current Imprezas. After all, aren't their chassis supposedly much more rigid than the last-gen models? Is the fixed rear seat that critical to structural rigidity?

Ed

ateixeira · November 2001

That may be why they are more rigid, I dunno. I know that some cars lose their low cargo liftover in the name of stiffer structures.

The same excuse is used to justify the lack of a moonroof option. Look around, every sporty competitor offers a moonroof.

-juice

armac13 · November 2001

just won't fly. Just think if all the jokes about driving a real dog of a car.

Ross

rsholland · November 2001

I like "Retriever." In fact, I like it a lot. It too, has all the right image attributes.

Bob

rsholland · November 2001

I can see your point. However, the image of a Retriever is very positive, especially that of a Golden Retriever. Virtually every "family-oriented" TV commercial has a Golden Retriever in it. I think it would work very well.

Bob

Subaru Crew - Future Models II

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