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Comments
I don't like the naming convention, personally. They all sound the same. What's what? And I know all about Subies. Imagine the layman, he'll have no clue.
"B5WRXSTi"? Bless you. Sounds like a sneeze.
Nice find twrx, now I hope they announce pricing when they show the Baja turbo in NY.
-juice
"B5WRXSTi"? Bless you. Sounds like a sneeze. >>
I agree that "B5WRXSTi" is probably not the right solution. As in "B11S," the naming should consist of no more than four or five characters, whatever that makeup would be. Consider the following:
• B = engine configuration; in this case a boxer engine. It could also be "DB" for a future diesel boxer, or "H" in the case of a hybrid.
• 11 = body platform, going from small to large.
• S = trim level. In the case of the B11S, I would assume "S" means sport, as in turbo-charged H-6. I don't think we necessarily need to keep "WRX," of "RS," etc. There could be a "B5," for the base model; a "B5L," for the luxury trim level; and a "B5S," for the sporty turbo model. Engine displacement would be badged separately, as it is with the current H-6, and special models, like the STi, would also be treated differently.
I still like the idea of the "cars only" (Legacy & Impreza) to use the alphanumeric system; and that that anything that hints of being a crossover (Forester, Outback, Baja, etc.) keep the current names, and not use an alphanumeric system.
It appears Subaru is going in two distinct directions with their product lineup: High performace cars and crossovers. I think doing this will further separate—in people's minds— Subaru cars from crossover-type vehicles, which I think would be a good marketing move.
Bob
The "B" almost seems redundant. Right now they're all Boxers.
The other thing is that, if anything, I'd like to see the displacment in the name. The number 11 is meaningless. If it measured the wheelbase or passenger capacity, or maybe the number of cylinders, then OK.
So instead of Forester you might have X25, XS25, and XS25T.
But nah, never mind. It makes the cars seem too generic. Few people even recall the MX5 after the Miata name.
-juice
-juice
Bob
Yeah, I know, just because they've been trademarked doesn't mean they will use them; but the fact that they trademarked 4 names—as in a series, tells me they must seriously be considering it. If they had trademarked only one "B-name," that would be different, but 4 names... That suggests to me serious consideration on their part.
Bob
-juice
-Dave
-juice
Now if they started using geeky names like VW. that would be a different matter.
Cheers Pat.
See the Cafe for a pic of the new 5, ugh.
-juice
Like I posted on the nasioc thread, isn't there the possibility they are going to use these numbers solely for concept vehicles?
-Dennis
-juice
Cheers Pat.
-juice
TWRX
-Ian
I would highly suggest the Legacy GT, apart from the obvious advantage of the all wheel drive the Sube has lots of low end grunt that the Accord 4 does not, while the Accord 4 may seem faster all that performance is at the top end of the RPMs.
The accord six is a different beast, more performance low down.
I actually became a Subaru owner by default, Honda stopped making an Accord wagon so I was forced to look elsewhere Subaru met all of my criteria, and I am glad that it did, while I have not driven the current Accord, I found the sube to be more refined than the 01 Accord.
The Subaru was quieter and more relaxed on the highway not as much roadnoise in the cabin, and this was Sube wagon versus Accord sedan.
Even though I owned and loved Honda's for many years, I was always bothered by the lack of low end grunt and the amount of roadnoise, so much so that I spent wads of money on my 89 Accord to address the lack of low end performance.
Cheers Pat.
> The 2004 Forester 2.5 XT is available with a standard 5-speed manual transmission or an optional new 4-speed Direct Controlled Electronic Automatic Transmission. This advanced transmission electronically enhances shift operations for quicker, smoother shifts and better performance
* = I heard that from Paul Hansen (in charge of apexjapan.com, a Japanese auto web site) regarding the May Japanese intro, and the USA debut from a SOA rep at the Baltimore auto show in Feb.
Bob
Subaru could certainly do the same if the B11S gets the green light for production. It's the widest Subaru ever shown, as well having the longest wheelbase of any Subie. It's platform could very well also be the basis of the up-coming new 7-passenger crossover, as well as other yet to be announced models. The (high-volume) cross-over could easily help offset the development/production costs of the (low-volume) B11S if they sprang from the same platform.
Bob
Ken
We have the same fleet (almost) as you - a '00 Outback and '02 MPV ES. We plan on getting a set of snows for the MPV next winter.
-Brian
1)
As we all know, the Outback is a merely a sub-species of the Legacy/Impreza lines, aimed at the "outdoorsy" crowd. Subaru may be thinking creating an additional "GT-type" sub-specie line of from the current (and future) product lines. This would be slotted below the hard-core performance STi lines, but above mainstream models. For example: Future Legacy GTs and Impreza WRXs may be call "B9" and "B7" respectively. A "B5" may be a smaller yet-to-be-announced sporty Justy-type vehicle? The "B11," as with the concept, would be bigger than the Legacy/B9.
2)
There is a conspicuous absence of coupes in the Subaru product portfolio. Perhaps these "B-names" will be applied to a series of future coupes/roadsters, ranging from small to large?
Bob
My dw loves her MPV btw. ;-)
(struggling to get back to Future Models topics...) The MPV is just fine size-wise for us. I bet the future Subaru 6-7 seater will be similar in size. We found we didn't require the extra bulk of the other minivans out there. YMMV ;-)
-Brian
-Colin
We all know they will be debuting the Baja Turbo but any guesses as to what else? They already debuted the Forester Turbo at Chicago, so you think they're going to debut an Outback Turbo?
DaveM
outback turbo would sell a lot more than a baja turbo.
see soa website for march sales....best in history
-juice
-Colin
-juice
'Nuff Said.
- Lou
what took them so long ?
http://autos.msn.com/advice/windowshop.aspx?contentid=2893&sr- c=Home&pos=Edit4
Passat is still their highest rated V6, though, right?
But they don't give points for character, and they conduct tests in sunny weather. They can keep their fair-weather friends.
-juice
Of course, all of them are great cars with slightly different emphases and character. Only the Passat is available as a wagon and with AWD.
Subaru does not quite cater to the same clientele (on average). As long as they keep up quality standards, they should be fine. It's futile and ill-advised for a small manufacturer to try to go directly against the icons of mainstream cars.
- D.
-juice
Speaking of Subarus, during this major blizzard in northeast a month ago, my OB was flawless. INterestingly enough, i saw a Nissan 4x4 strugling to make it thru & so was a new CRV 4wd. That made it clear to me that my next will be a Sube as well !
Note to all: let's not start another SUV debate. :-)
DaveM
I do recall that the Altima got the rear suspension from the G35, but that's it, so it had to be a different chassis.
-juice