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Subaru Crew - Future Models II

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Comments

  • cb70cb70 Member Posts: 226
    I can't understand why they would make another SUV to compete with the Highlander when they are selling X-Trail all over the world and it is very comparable to the Highlander. I just can't figure out why they would develop a new vehicle when they already have one in production that is in the same niche.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    than the Highlander. It's more a RAV4 and CRV type of vehicle. It is also not available with a V6, like the Highlander is.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Maybe the X-trail has the same crumple zone problems of the Trooper/TLC/Jackaroo and that is why they can't bring it over?

    -mike
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    http://www.subaru.co.jp/legacy/c/c1/c1_k03.htm


    Patti - give me one good reason that this wouldn't sell here in the U.S.? BRING THIS OVER HERE!


    -Brian

  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    OK I'm naive :-D
    I noticed the Legacy 6 are yielding
    217hp @ 6000rpm
    213 lb-ft @ 4400rpm
    If AVCS has anything to do with it - That's it? 5 more horses and 3 more lbs.

    -Dave
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is Subaru's version of variable valve timing. I think(?) it only operates off the the intake valves, and not the exhaust valves.

    Bob
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    sure look like there wasn't much gain from it.

    -Dave
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    that AVCS helped to make hp and torque more available at lower rpms. wasn't that mentioned somewhere here?

    -Brian
  • beanboybeanboy Member Posts: 442
    Subaru needs in no specific order:

    5 speed auto

    more economy and/or power out of the 2.5L

    Get some better engineers/lighter materials to help curb the bloat. Next generation top-of-the-line Outback going to top 4,000 pounds or what?

    A hybrid/fuel cell option developed with GM. Have rear wheels powered by the electric motor, FWD by internal combustion.

    Larger chassis to base Legacy off of, as well as SUV.

    Stop the move towards more and more plastic. Think VW/Audi instead of GM. Well, except for Sabb that is.

    -B
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    AVCS = Active Valve Control System.

    It's hydraulic system that alters the phase of the intake camshaft. Think BMW Vanos, circa 1998-ish. (they use double vanos now, phasing on both cams.)

    -Colin
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Colin-
    anywhere (besides "How Things Work") I could look up diagram, actually pics, to help my flatline imagination along?

    TIA

    -Dave
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    it's the first subject in the Autozine "technical school"

    click me

    -Colin
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    My oh my, I'll take one, please!! And am I dreaming or is that a freshened logo on the grille? bob might get his wish. Well that is if he sees it before our mod yanks the post. ;') I guess they don't work weekends!
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Brian -- I second you on that one. That is one nice looking ride!

    AVCS is also available on the 2.5L DOHC engine in Japan.

    Colin -- nice link. Very informative.

    Ken
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Hey gang,


    Check this out:


    http://www.subaru-sti.co.jp/typeEURO/top.htm


    Porsche design has tweaked the Impreza wagon for a new look. Kind of gives it that minimalist look with some hints of the B4.


    Ken

  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    so what are these things on the B4?
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Wow, did I fall behind in my reading!!!

    I have to admit, the OBW was not my first choice when we went shopping last summer. I always liked the styling and engineering approach, but I really wanted a Highlander or Escape (longtime buyers of Toyota & Ford products). Yes, a car on steroids. AWD for our snow and some unpaved roads, the utility space of a wagon, more comfortable than our old F-150 truck.

    The problem was in the product classification. Beth has a hard and fast rule - NO SUV's!!!! It is born of the old notion that they all tip over. Can you say Suzuki Samarai??? I talked myself blue-in-the-face trying explain the mechanical differences of cars vs trucks chassis, issues of wheelbase, track, center of gravity, polar motions, but she wasn't buying it. I couldn't even get her to test drive the Highlander. She suggested the 'SUW', we tried it, and I love it.

    Is Beth in the mainstream? Maybe not. Like everyone, we see SUV's everywhere. Hot segment now. But do the car based ones really offer anything that I don't have in my OB? Probably not much. Maybe towing capacity (more later). Basically, if SoA brought out a 'Super Forrester', we (based on perception) probably wouldn't consider it. And I am afraid that those that would, might bypass the OBW for it.

    As for towing, Class 1 (2k lbs) is fine for me. I put the hitch kit on (twice if you remember the wrong part # story) and bought a 5x8 landscapers type trailer (42" ramp at the back) at Lowes Homecenter for $538. It weighs under 400lbs dry, so has plenty of capacity. Used it a few times already. But I do understand the desire for more headroom (class 2) and a provision for trailer brake connections.

    Steve
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    locke2c Jan 27, 2002 7:10pm

    Ah...
    Thanks Colin, just what I needed to put some curves to my flatline imagination. Very informative. :-D

    Thanks again

    -Dave
  • beanboybeanboy Member Posts: 442
    Offer something that many folks like, a higher driving position. One reason my parents are passing on Subarus, none of them have the view their current minivan provides.

    -B
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    periscope anyone?... j/k :-D

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Slip a spacer under the seat track. One guy in the Outback thread did this and gained about an extra inch of seat height.

    That Nissan TT is, um, interesting. Looks like a PT Cruiser on steroids, using left over Camry wagon rear side windows. I prefer the X-Trail, too.

    AVCS sounds good. 5 hp and 3 lb-ft don't sound like much, but it's like getting something for nothing.

    I don't like that spoiler on the Euro. Gimme the standard spoiler any day.

    -juice
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    looks very nice and clean with the exception of the spoiler. Give me NO spoiler thank you - looks cheap and spoils (pun intended) the simple lines.

    Ross
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Also, interesting link as to the future of transmissions.

    Bob

    http://just-auto.com/news_detail.asp?art=37087&dm=yes
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Too soon. The technology is in its infancy.

    This will be a down year for the auto market, so they have to watch their costs else they'll suffer losses.

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    The bumpers remind me of a teenager's bad attempt at customizing a model car kit with globs of contour putty, or a full-sized car with globs of Bondo. Too round and smooth. Rear wing not an improvement over standard WRX wagon rear wing cosmetically.

    Ed
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    GOOD NEWS: Here's a link that states Fuji has hired European designers. :)

    BAD NEWS: The link doesn't work properly. :(

    http://www.veh-tech.net/
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    What a useless great link! Their site is really slow today.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I like that bob...


    Good News: The Crew has one $1M

    Bad News: the link to collect it doesn't work properly :(


    http://isuzu-suvs.com/sweepstakes


    -mike :)

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I know the guy that can fix that link, but I doubt they can fix the budget once it works!

    The site is super-slow, so they may be building is up as we write.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The first-generation Impreza and Forester shared the same basic dashboard. Do you think the same will hold true for the new Forester?

    The teaser image suggests that, even though it's showing a stand-up GPS (which I believe is available in Japan on the Impreza).

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I bet it does. It doesn't make sense to spend money of that type of stuff.

    Though I hope the rear suspension is the exception, and they get that from the Outback.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The Type-Euro Impreza and Legacy 6 from the New Zealand Subaru site:

    Type-Euro Impreza
    Interesting that this model will be offered with three engine choices. I thought it was just going to be a designer-label version of the WRX turbo. Apparently that's not the case.

    http://www.subaru.co.nz/news/index.html?id=203

    Legacy 6
    http://www.subaru.co.nz/news/index.html?id=204

    Bob
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    No VDC???

    I think the US Legacy line up should be
    Legacy L 2.5 AVCS
    Legacy GT 3.0 (or better still 2 turbo but thats obviously not happening real soon!), VTD-VDC with auto , manual will have to stick with old AWD until they develop a VTD which can mate to a man transmission I guess.
    Dump the LTD. Make leather an option
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    You think they would use these

    http://www.marketlaunchers.com/stanak.html

    to the All Weather package?


    -Dave

  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Last week, when it snowed, I finally had a chance to "test" the electric windshield deicer, which is part of the AWP on our Forester. It seemed to work just fine. I didn't get any build up of ice on the wiper blades at all.

    Bob
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    I had a chance to use mine when driving in frozen rain.
    No build up on the wipers too, but I can't say the same for the windshield though :-(

    I forwarded the link to SoA 2 years back I think. I guess nothing will become of it.

    -Dave

    p/s I'd lost the link and just recently stumbled upon it again.
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Seem to resemble the teaser

    http://www.subaru.de/Seiten/MForStyle_1.htm


    -Dave

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It's gonna change more than that, I think. One week 'til the debut.

    I'm jealous about not having the AWP stuff, but at least I have lined my glovebox and dash top bin, like the S models have. I also did the ash tray and coin tray. Looks great.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    How many mouse hides did you need to line your glovebox? ;)

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Rubbermaid conveniently pre-shapes them for you in 8.5"x11" rectangles. I used 2 for the Forester, 1.5 for the Miata, and the rest on the 626.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    The chrome on the fender reminds me of the new VW Passat.

    One more week!

    Ken
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I saw a new Passat today, Looks like a seventies Buick, chrome everywhere yuck!

    Cheers Pat.
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    do I see 17" rims on that German teaser, or am I daydreaming?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The Passat did add a bunch of chrome to it in that last refreshening, and IMO it looks worse instead of better. Now you have the look of a teenager with braces.

    I guess they had the W8 in mind, and at $40k they felt chrome was needed. I still wish it was not added to the lesser models.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Check out the review:

    http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/spin/48985/article.html

    Pretty interesting, I didn't even know it was on the way. For $780 it seems like a bargain, too, and it is a true manual minus the clutch, with no torque converter.

    If my knees ever gave on me, I'd much rather drive this than an auto. You get 5 gears and total control, plus you can keep both hands on the wheel. Master left foot braking and you can operate all the controls at once. Even if you don't, you could keep your left foot firmly planted on the dead pedal at all times.

    They should add a full auto mode, though, to broaden its appeal.

    Opinions?

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    sounds like they're on the right track at least. auto-mode should be a given, but that probably makes the price more expensive.

    -Brian
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    The SMT sounds interesting, but I'm not quite sure if I could get used to having to go through every single gear every time. The fact that there is more efficient torque transfer is nice, but I'm not sure if I was coming off a freeway ramp to a stop and then had to go 5->4->3->2->1 at the stop light.

    If my left knee gave out, I'd prefer a CVT with a fast action tiptronic.

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    True, but CVT options have been a lot more than $780.

    Good point about the 4 shifts at a stop. It should automatically go to 1st after a complete stop.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Can't be done, guys. Sequential means exactly that, the gearbox can't change gears unless the input shaft is spinning and it has to change one gear at a time. Just like a motorcycle.

    I was shocked at how much of a performance hit there is though... IMO they've thrown away much of the reason to bother with this sort of technology. It has to be intentional, to make the gearbox survive longer or perhaps the clutch.

    Toyota needs to be encourage and slapped at the same time, and hopefully they continue to offer the gearbox --expand its use, even-- after tuning it properly for performance.

    -Colin
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    oh and btw, assuming it really is like a motorcycle gearbox, you can row down through the gears with the clutch in as long as you're still moving... you don't have to disengage the clutch with each gear. this would mean it should be possible to set an "auto" mode more friendly for urban commuting that seamlessly downshifted for you while you're braking.

    -Colin
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