2008 Subaru Impreza WRX

1480 messages, Last post on Jul 06, 2009 at 4:52 PM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Subaru Impreza, Future Vehicle, Sedan

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#864 of 1480: Rigidity by aaykay; Aug 29, 2007 (9:22 am)

Most of the Rigidity data from the various publications till date are along the lines of what Edmunds stated in their review:

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The majority of the weight savings comes from a redesigned body structure, which is 45 pounds lighter yet retains the same rigidity as the previous car.
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Maybe there has been no improvement at all, as in maybe managed to match the rigidity of the outgoing model ? Maybe that is a good reason to not broadcast the specifics ?

#865 of 1480: Re: 08 WRX stiffness [jeffmc] by aaykay; Aug 29, 2007 (9:28 am)

Replying to: jeffmc (Aug 29, 2007 9:15 am)

Stats from Subaru often seem quite hard to come by.

Actually no. When there is a real improvement, they broadcast it.

When the current pre-08 generation was introduced, they proudly announced that the Torsional rigidity improved by 148% over the prior generation and Bending Rigidity improved by 82%. These are very specific numbers.

ateixeira (Aug 29, 2007 9:31 am)
- aaykay (Aug 29, 2007 9:34 am)
  - ateixeira (Aug 29, 2007 9:36 am) and 2 more...

#866 of 1480: Re: 08 WRX stiffness [aaykay] by ateixeira; Aug 29, 2007 (9:31 am)

Replying to: aaykay (Aug 29, 2007 9:28 am)

Yeah, but the GC8 fans were whining about a 200 lb weight gain. The 02 model gained a *lot* of weight.

aaykay (Aug 29, 2007 9:34 am)
- ateixeira (Aug 29, 2007 9:36 am)
  - aaykay (Aug 29, 2007 12:43 pm) and 1 more...

#867 of 1480: Re: 08 WRX stiffness [ateixeira] by aaykay; Aug 29, 2007 (9:34 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 29, 2007 9:31 am)

That's true. But then again, unless you use really exotic materials it is near impossible to improve the rigidity by that much AND keep the lid on weight gain.

ateixeira (Aug 29, 2007 9:36 am)
- aaykay (Aug 29, 2007 12:43 pm)
  - ateixeira (Aug 29, 2007 12:51 pm)

#868 of 1480: Re: 08 WRX stiffness [aaykay] by ateixeira; Aug 29, 2007 (9:36 am)

Replying to: aaykay (Aug 29, 2007 9:34 am)

High tensile steel, focusing the weight only where you need it, etc.

I do not think we'll see major gains because the old structure was already very rigid. Look at the structural scores in the various crash tests.

Forester was rated #1 in class even without side curtain air bags, now that's a rigid structure.

aaykay (Aug 29, 2007 12:43 pm)
- ateixeira (Aug 29, 2007 12:51 pm)

#869 of 1480: Re: 08 WRX stiffness [ateixeira] by aaykay; Aug 29, 2007 (12:43 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 29, 2007 9:36 am)

True the IIHS structural scores were all aced by the prior gen with Top rankings, even without side curtains. Plus without door frames, the structure itself had to be super strong to withstand the extreme crash energies....I believe in the pillars (Impreza and Forester), they made extensive use of exotic Boron Steel (heavy, expensive but rigid as the rock of gibraltar).

So maybe when it came to the new version, they simply focused on what weight they could remove from the existing version (reduce cost and weight), without compromising the existing version's rigidity. They say they added High tensile steel but forgot to mention that they replaced the more expensive Boron Steel with it.

That was probably why they have been quiet on any rigidity improvements in the new version.

ateixeira (Aug 29, 2007 12:51 pm)

#870 of 1480: Re: 08 WRX stiffness [aaykay] by ateixeira; Aug 29, 2007 (12:51 pm)

Replying to: aaykay (Aug 29, 2007 12:43 pm)

The crash tests will tell all.

The Forester had re-bar sized metal to reinforce the B-pillar. But it has pillarless windows in the doors. I'm sure the Impreza design was similar.

So the question is, did they remove that reinforcement now that they use door frames?