Subaru Crew - Future Models II

subearu · February 2003

quoting from the press release:

"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

rsholland · February 2003

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.

Bob

kens · February 2003

This might be WTLW, but have you seen the rumours that the 2.5T may not have a pre-cat?

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=321331

Ken

ateixeira · February 2003

"new Direct Control tranny" means they re-programmed the software for more aggressive shifts, I bet.

-juice

corkfish · February 2003

I've heard Subaru will be eliminating pre-cats on all of their turbos. (WRX included)

rsholland · February 2003

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-02-26-subaru_x.htm

hondafriek · February 2003

I wonder if Electronic brake force distribution will fix the mushy pedal that Subarus are famous for.

Cheers Pat.

kajko · February 2003

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.

qbrozen · February 2003

its definitely not just you.

subearu · February 2003

yep, you can see the pink STi fog light covers and STi logo on the grill if you look closely at that picture.

-Brian

rsholland · February 2003

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...

http://mccr.madcars.org/rwdturbo/Images/WRX%20Club%20-%202003%20M- odel%20Release/imagepages/image1.html

Bob

bluesubie · February 2003

The STi at least will get that.

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

bluesubie · February 2003

There goes that Sportshift!

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

hypov · February 2003

OK, I got a hint from SoA that it'll be a 'Sportshift' for the Forester XT 4EAT as with the GTs.

-Dave

paisan · February 2003

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

-mike

subearu · February 2003

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'.

-Brian

glycinemax · February 2003

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?

rsholland · February 2003

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.

Bob

ateixeira · February 2003

Pat: go try a Forester XS. They already have EBD.

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

rsholland · February 2003

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.

Bob

ateixeira · February 2003

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.

-juice

rsholland · February 2003

You know my postion on re-badged cars. I hate them!

Bob

hypov · February 2003

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.

-Dave

ateixeira · February 2003

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.

-juice

ateixeira · February 2003

You asked about Direct Control and they describe Shiftronic? Weird.

-juice

hypov · February 2003

Hey, it fits the profile of being 'NEW' for the Forester.

-Dave

paisan · February 2003

Typical customer service stuff.

You ask about A and they tell you all about B.

-mike

rsholland · February 2003

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?

Bob

ateixeira · February 2003

Leave only the yellow in two-tone, that's what extroverts end up buying. Then make red, black, and silver monotone.

-juice

rsholland · February 2003

kens · February 2003

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?

Ken

bluesubie · February 2003

What color are the rear fogs on those vehicles?

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

bluesubie · February 2003

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".

-Dennis

lark6 · February 2003

The lack of Sportshift and VTD are the only things keeping the Forester XT from being darn near ideal in my view.

Ed

deecee5 · February 2003

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?

hypov · February 2003

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?

-Dave

p0926 · February 2003

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.

-Frank P.

kajko · February 2003

Frank,

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?

ateixeira · February 2003

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.

-juice

paisan · February 2003

Yep they are red and bright like a brake-light.

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

bluesubie · February 2003

There are so many incorrect articles out there. In a recent R&T(?) WRX comparo (1 stock, 1 w/STi bits and 1 modified), there were several mistakes.

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

ateixeira · February 2003

That's right, we're the fact checkers.

-juice

kens · February 2003

OCD fact checkers. ;-)

Ken

cptplt · February 2003

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.

subearu · February 2003

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.

More pictures in a little while.

-Brian

subearu · March 2003

the Photo Gallery.

-Brian

ateixeira · March 2003

Dang, I'm on a modem today. That'll wait 'til Monday.

-juice

rsholland · March 2003

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.

Bob

ateixeira · March 2003

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.

-juice

paisan · March 2003

I doubt that it will be even that large. My guess is that the 3rd row will be token at best. Just a gut feeling.

-mike

Subaru Crew - Future Models II

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