"A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, with a new Direct Control 4-speed electronic automatic available as an option. Models equipped with the 5-speed manual use the Subaru Hill Holder hydraulic clutch to help make starting off on an incline easier and safer. A 4-channel, 4-sensor anti-lock brake system (ABS) is standard on all Subaru models. Forester 2.5 XS and 2.5 XT models are also equipped with an Electronic Brake-force Distribution system (EBD), which enhances braking performance and stability through optimized braking force between the front and rear wheels."
Subaru really does need to explain that term. All it's doing right now is causing confusion, because nobody has a clue as to what it is or what benefits are derived from it.
is it just me or is the picture of the "227 hp Impreza WRX" really the STI version? they should´ve mentioned the coming 300/300 version of the WRX... thanks for the link Bob.
of Oz-spec STi & WRXs! Many detail shots, some of which reveal some neat stuff we don't get (WRX ambient temp gauge, DVD, built-in phone). So what else is new...
And, like the UK, the Aussies get semi-auto a/c on the standard WRX. I've always hated the manual recirc. lever on my Imprezas in comparison to the electronic buttons on Legacy's and overseas WRX's.
I know it's been brought up before on here, but I'm thinking that we need rear fogs in N. America. It seems that at least once a week you hear about bad accidents in fog.
Last weekend, the entire NJ Turnpike was closed due to an accident in the fog.
The only problem would be that it would have to be automatic. I saw a pic in the newspaper about the Turnpike that day. I believe 1 out of 5 or 6 cars even had any lights on.
We DO NOT need rear fogs in the US. The Tools here in the states who have them (Volvos, Audis, Jags) leave them on all the time and when following them it's VERY VERY annoying at night. I usually remedy it with my 2 Hella 4000s @130w
to the Milwaukee auto show this afternoon with my dw and brooKie. If they have an XT there, I will take more pictures and ask about the 'direct-control'.
Any details about this? Saw in the above referenced USA Today article that there will be a gas/electric hybrid available by 2007. Anyone know which vehicles and related release target dates? Honda CRV gas/electric hybrid rumored for 2005 (MY?) US intro. Supposedly Europe will get a diesel version CRV around 2003/2004. Any chance US could see diesel options on Subarus in next five years?
No word as yet on that. I'm glad they are working on one however. I hope (would think!) it's a boxer-electric hybrid. In Japan they have a 1.5 boxer, and in Europe they have a 1.6 boxer. Either of those engines might be good candidates.
I bet Bob's wrong. We'll probably get some rebadged GM, if only to earn some CAFE credits. A Subaru hybrid would by a tiny niche within a tiny (1.1% market share) niche, i.e. not worth developing a whole new powertrain for.
I doubt it. Subie's layout would be tough (expensive!) to re-engineer for any engine other than a boxer to fit. This has long been a problem with GM and Subaru trying to share platforms.
No, I'm saying we'll get some clone of a GM car, not a Subie at all. I think that's most likely.
I think it was the Chevy Aveo that was being made in Korea at the former Daewoo factory. They'll probably engineer that for Chevy, and then give Subaru a re-badged model.
Keep in mind hybrid sales are tiny. The Insight sold in its first year about what the Baja sells per month.
Q: Would y'all be able to provide a little more detail(s) about the new 'Direct Control' shift on the upcoming 4EAT? How different it is from the gated shift 4EAT?
A: New for the 2003 Legacy GT models is a 4-speed electronic transmission with sportshift. With Subaru, we generally offer a new feature in one model and then expand it through our model lines if warranted. I cannot state that this sportshift feature will make it to other models, but I also cannot state that it will not. Only time will tell.
Similar to transmission features found on more expensive European vehicles, sportshift gives the driver added driving excitement by enabling the driver to choose when to manually upshift or downshift through the gears. The driver can also leave sportshift in the fully automatic drive position thus letting the transmission shift on its own. Depending on driving style and driving conditions, an economy or sport mode of shift program will be operational.
Whether the vehicle is at a standstill or is moving, the sportshift operation can be engaged only when the shift lever selector is in the Drive position. Push the lever to the right. The transmission display in the instrument cluster will show the current selected gear. Aside of the instrument cluster shift position indicator are arrow-shaped lights that will illuminate to signal the driver whether an upshift or a downshift is possible. To upshift, the shift lever is pushed forward to the plus position. To downshift, the shift lever is pulled rearward to the minus position.
When shifted to a higher gear too early, the transmission will not upshift until a predetermined engine rpm has been reached. When shifted to the next lower gear, the transmission will downshift only when there is no possibility of over-revving the engine. If engine rpm are too high for the downshift to safely occur, as series of audible beeps will sound to warn the driver that the downshift cannot be made until engine rpm reach the acceptable range of the selected gear.
Sounds like "Direct Control" shift to me.
I said hint, cause it appears to be a standard answer to a question that a YES NO answer could not be revealed.
Hopefully I'm wrong, and things work out the other way around, i.e. Subaru develops a new small car for Europe, maybe that HM-01 concept, and then sells it as a Saturn or Pontiac.
They could then justify a hybrid powertrain for that.
Just visited the SOA media site, and notice the picture of the Baja Sport is listed as a 2003 model. I could have sworn that they had earlier listed it as an '04 model...
So maybe there will be a few tweaks to the '04 Baja Sport, like offering more monochromatic colors, perhaps?
Interesting post, Dave. I also felt that Direct Control is another term for Sportshift after reading that message.
If Sportshift=Direct Control, then it begs the question, why a different name? Perhaps Direct Control has some improvements over the current Sportshift?
Aren't they red? I've seen red rear fogs on an LR Disco and they were about as bright as a brake light. That's the same way a guy in Poland described his on nasioc. That doesn't seem too bright.
It would need to have a "fog sensor" so people wouldn't always drive with them on. :-)
In my interpretation of that email, it looks like that person just went on to describe Sportshift after saying that the Legacy had it. Not necessarily describing "direct control".
I'm a new poster here. I absolutely love Subies and would buy one in a heartbeat but I have a family of 6 so none of the current models fit. This may be blasphemy, but do any of you Subie experts know whether Subaru will ever build a model capable of holding 2 adults and 4 kids?
got to read the response with what and how I asked the question in mind.
If the Direct Control Shift is indeed different, SoA's response would have been, circa, "We do not have details at this time... la ti da ti da..."
Why a different name? I don't have an intelligent answer, but I'm guessing they do not wish to mate the word "sport" with the 2.5l turbo that will be in the Forester XT. "Control" sound more stabilizing, and "direct" enforces it, being that the Forester is a mini-ute. The perception that the Forester XT being sporty (as in a racer) might deter certain market segment perhaps?
Just catching up here and read that USA Today article. Not trying to be picky but I was a bit puzzled by the caption on the first photo "The car-based crossover Subaru SUV Outback Sport is the brand's bread-and-butter." How does Mr. David Kiley define "bread-and-butter"? Cause last I checked the Impreza line only accounted for 20% of SOA's sales with the OBS only being a portion of that.
i too wondered about that statement, as i don´t see nearly as many Impreza Outbacks as i do Foresters and Legacy Outbacks around Northern New Mexico. Then again, we eat more tortillas at home than bread...so in our case his analogy works. :=) seriously though, shouldn´t Legacy be on the pic?
Then the show car was a mock up. That wouldn't be the first time, the STi has a stenciled-and-spray painted intercooler, and no mist sprayer.
Actually, the big Outback should be on that pic. It's been their best seller for more than half a decade. Although so far this year the Forester is ahead for January. The OBS might be 4th or so, hardly bread and butter.
2005 is the magical year when the 7 passenger big SUW arrives. We know no details, except that it will NOT share a GM platform as originally planned. I expect an Outback Plus, with a 3rd row, taller stance, longer wheelbase, and a 240hp H6 standard. It might be my next car.
Horrible to drive behind for a few hrs. I am very glad that people here generally don't have the option to have them cause they'd have them on all the time, just like their forward fog lights.
can't remember where I saw it but its not the same as sportshift, it has something to do with better shift points only.I think it was in the original Forester release subaru press statement or some commentary on that release by some journalist.
I talked to the guy at the Subaru exhibit at the Milwaukee auto show today. No XT there, but he mentioned that the new product training is in 2 weeks. He was guessing that 'direct control' ment sport shift of some sort, but he was not sure at all.
I really hope Subaru has designed this vehicle for 7 "adults," and not "5 adults and 2 children." like the Acura MDX, or "5 adults and 3 children," like the Honda Pilot.
Hmm, I doubt it'll be bigger than the Pilot. To me that type of space is acceptable.
What I don't want to see is seating like the GX470 - basically bolted right on the floor, with zero room for your legs. You end up with your knees in your chest.
Comments
"A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, with a new Direct Control 4-speed electronic automatic available as an option. Models equipped with the 5-speed manual use the Subaru Hill Holder hydraulic clutch to help make starting off on an incline easier and safer. A 4-channel, 4-sensor anti-lock brake system (ABS) is standard on all Subaru models. Forester 2.5 XS and 2.5 XT models are also equipped with an Electronic Brake-force Distribution system (EBD), which enhances braking performance and stability through optimized braking force between the front and rear wheels."
-Brian
Bob
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=321331
Ken
-juice
Cheers Pat.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
-Brian
http://mccr.madcars.org/rwdturbo/Images/WRX%20Club%20-%202003%20M- odel%20Release/imagepages/image1.html
Bob
And, like the UK, the Aussies get semi-auto a/c on the standard WRX. I've always hated the manual recirc. lever on my Imprezas in comparison to the electronic buttons on Legacy's and overseas WRX's.
-Dennis
I know it's been brought up before on here, but I'm thinking that we need rear fogs in N. America. It seems that at least once a week you hear about bad accidents in fog.
Last weekend, the entire NJ Turnpike was closed due to an accident in the fog.
The only problem would be that it would have to be automatic. I saw a pic in the newspaper about the Turnpike that day. I believe 1 out of 5 or 6 cars even had any lights on.
-Dennis
-Dave
-mike
-Brian
Bob
hypov: care to elaborate on how you heard that?
I bet Bob's wrong. We'll probably get some rebadged GM, if only to earn some CAFE credits. A Subaru hybrid would by a tiny niche within a tiny (1.1% market share) niche, i.e. not worth developing a whole new powertrain for.
-juice
Bob
I think it was the Chevy Aveo that was being made in Korea at the former Daewoo factory. They'll probably engineer that for Chevy, and then give Subaru a re-badged model.
Keep in mind hybrid sales are tiny. The Insight sold in its first year about what the Baja sells per month.
-juice
Bob
Would y'all be able to provide a little more detail(s) about the new 'Direct Control' shift on the upcoming 4EAT? How different it is from the gated shift 4EAT?
A:
New for the 2003 Legacy GT models is a 4-speed electronic transmission with sportshift. With Subaru, we generally offer a new feature in one model and then expand it through our model lines if warranted. I cannot state that this sportshift feature will make it to other models, but I also cannot state that it will not. Only time will tell.
Similar to transmission features found on more expensive European vehicles, sportshift gives the driver added driving excitement by enabling the driver to choose when to manually upshift or downshift through the gears. The driver can also leave sportshift in the fully automatic drive position thus letting the transmission shift on its own. Depending on driving style and driving conditions, an economy or sport mode of shift program will be operational.
Whether the vehicle is at a standstill or is moving, the sportshift operation can be engaged only when the shift lever selector is in the Drive position. Push the lever to the right. The transmission display in the instrument cluster will show the current selected gear. Aside of the instrument cluster shift position indicator are arrow-shaped lights that will illuminate to signal the driver whether an upshift or a downshift is possible. To upshift, the shift lever is pushed forward to the plus position. To downshift, the shift lever is pulled rearward to the minus position.
When shifted to a higher gear too early, the transmission will not upshift until a predetermined engine rpm has been reached. When shifted to the next lower gear, the transmission will downshift only when there is no possibility of over-revving the engine. If engine rpm are too high for the downshift to safely occur, as series of audible beeps will sound to warn the driver that the downshift cannot be made until engine rpm reach the acceptable range of the selected gear.
Sounds like "Direct Control" shift to me.
I said hint, cause it appears to be a standard answer to a question that a YES NO answer could not be revealed.
-Dave
They could then justify a hybrid powertrain for that.
-juice
-juice
-Dave
You ask about A and they tell you all about B.
-mike
So maybe there will be a few tweaks to the '04 Baja Sport, like offering more monochromatic colors, perhaps?
Bob
-juice
If Sportshift=Direct Control, then it begs the question, why a different name? Perhaps Direct Control has some improvements over the current Sportshift?
Ken
Aren't they red? I've seen red rear fogs on an LR Disco and they were about as bright as a brake light. That's the same way a guy in Poland described his on nasioc. That doesn't seem too bright.
It would need to have a "fog sensor" so people wouldn't always drive with them on. :-)
-Dennis
Not necessarily describing "direct control".
-Dennis
Ed
If the Direct Control Shift is indeed different, SoA's response would have been, circa, "We do not have details at this time... la ti da ti da..."
Why a different name? I don't have an intelligent answer, but I'm guessing they do not wish to mate the word "sport" with the 2.5l turbo that will be in the Forester XT. "Control" sound more stabilizing, and "direct" enforces it, being that the Forester is a mini-ute. The perception that the Forester XT being sporty (as in a racer) might deter certain market segment perhaps?
-Dave
-Frank P.
i too wondered about that statement, as i don´t see nearly as many Impreza Outbacks as i do Foresters and Legacy Outbacks around Northern New Mexico. Then again, we eat more tortillas at home than bread...so in our case his analogy works. :=) seriously though, shouldn´t Legacy be on the pic?
Actually, the big Outback should be on that pic. It's been their best seller for more than half a decade. Although so far this year the Forester is ahead for January. The OBS might be 4th or so, hardly bread and butter.
2005 is the magical year when the 7 passenger big SUW arrives. We know no details, except that it will NOT share a GM platform as originally planned. I expect an Outback Plus, with a 3rd row, taller stance, longer wheelbase, and a 240hp H6 standard. It might be my next car.
-juice
Horrible to drive behind for a few hrs. I am very glad that people here generally don't have the option to have them cause they'd have them on all the time, just like their forward fog lights.
-mike
Even the Subaru showcase the Speedvision used to show had a mistake. They called the VDC a VCD. :-)
Unless they run it by the Edmunds Subaru Crew, the information could be incorrect. ;-)
-Dennis
-juice
Ken
More pictures in a little while.
-Brian
-Brian
-juice
Bob
What I don't want to see is seating like the GX470 - basically bolted right on the floor, with zero room for your legs. You end up with your knees in your chest.
-juice
-mike