Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Wagons Subaru Crew Subaru Impreza Article Comments - 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX First Drive & Full Test
121 messages, Last post on Sep 13, 2007 at 8:15 AM
You are in the Subaru Impreza Forum. Your Host is kcram
Article comments for
First Drive: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX - Now that Subaru has abandoned its flirtation with the big-grille design ethic that has changed the look of so many cars in the last five years, its designers have gone for something more mainstream. (more)
Full Test: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX - Power delivery is improved, as peak power of 224 horsepower comes 400 rpm earlier at 5,200 rpm, while peak torque of 226 pound-feet arrives 800 rpm earlier at 2,800 rpm. Peak boost is 11.9 psi. The five-speed transmission has less aggressive ratios in 1st through 3rd gears, but the final drive is shorter: 3.90:1 instead of the former 3.70:1. (more)
|
Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 03, 2007 7:05 am) It was a shame that the Aero-grill theme of the 06/07 Impreza did not get adopted across the line. Subaru got a lot of flak for the horrible "aero-grill" version in the Tribeca (which had other design flaws including a rear which looked rear-ended) and turned a complete 180 degrees about the whole "aero-grill" concept and eliminated it from all of their new designs. Idiots. They forgot that they just needed to revise the version in the Tribeca and adopt and introduce the Impreza version, consistently across the line, including the Legacy/Outback and Forester models and stick with it, and it would have worked famously within a couple of years. Foolish, knee-jerk planners is how I would term it....now back to their stupid drawing boards to find a new formula for "design consistency". Hell, the front-end of the 08 Impreza has zero consistency with their 08 Outback/Legacy with the redesigned front-end....what a shame and what a wasted opportunity to at least start the consistent design approach. |
|
|
|
|
The aircraft-inspired grille on the current Subaru B9 Tribeca and Impreza was not an Andreas Zapatinas creation according to a SOA employee who posted this http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16558426&postcount=71 on NASIOC.com (North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club). Here’s what his (SoDealer on NASIOC) post says: Yes... I have driven [a Tribeca]... I have one. The tribeca may not have the CX-7's 0-60 time... but it does hold on in the corners a lot longer than the CX-7. The grille "that managed to be almost as ugly as Alfa Romeos" was instituted by the Japanese before Zap came. The B11s was the first concept debuting the nose. That vehicle was developed a year before Zap was even a part of Subaru. His first US creation will be the Redesigned Impreza. The airplane grille was Mr. Takenaka's focus... not Zap's. Quote: Since Kyoji Takenaka assumed the title of President and Chief Operating Officer in June 2001, FHI has been enhancing its design capabilities as part of company-wide reforms aimed at improving the Subaru brand. One year later, as FHI began placing greater emphasis on the importance of design development, the long experienced Subaru car designer, Kiyoshi Sugimoto, was promoted to the position of Vice President and General Manager of Subaru Design Department, which marked the first time that a car designer was appointed as an executive officer. The Subaru B11S is the first concept car designed under the leadership of Mr. Sugimoto with guidance from Mr. Takenaka in initial concept development. The Barcelona-based independent design studio, Fuore Design International, under the leadership of Erwin Himmel, which has been retained by FHI as a consultancy, fully contributed to the creation of the B11S. Just thought I’d clear that up!
|
|
|
Replying to: SubyTrojan (Aug 03, 2007 8:19 am) Don't forget the lovely B9 Scrambler concept. I still wish they'd build that. Time for some photos in this thread, eh? Here's my beloved B9. I'd pay $25k for one even without the hybrid drivetrain. Even without a turbo!  Any how, we tend to forget but EVERY single WRX was heavily criticized for styling, even the 06. I most often heard it compared to this Suzuki:  Which even came in wagon and sedan. The new one's front end is more generic but I don't get why people went all ballistic over it. The sides have character. The front reminds me of this: Searching for better pic....  Particularly the much-talked-about grille.
|
|
|
Except for certain design specificities that don't appeal to me, overall I don't find anything wrong with the design of the new Impreza, when assessed by itself. It is just that its design does not contribute to a unified "Subaru" brand identity, since it does not visually strike one as similar to any other Subaru product. In fact, every single Subaru product is pretty in-offensive when their exterior designs are assessed individually (except for the previous Tribeca  ) but unfortunately, long-term, an automaker needs to also have a strong visual identity, which is what is missing from among the various Subaru models. Only the Subaru faithful are aware of the under-the-skin commonalities like a Boxer engine, the symmetrical AWD layout etc.
|
|
|
Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 03, 2007 9:38 am) Beautiful lines on that car. I, too, would like to see more of it. 
|
|
|
Replying to: xwesx (Aug 03, 2007 11:07 am) Subaru has never really had a family resemblance, though. Look how odd the XT6 looked next to a Loyale. Or the lovely SVX next to ... well, any other Subaru of the time. Even since 1995, when they started having success, the Outback was soft and rounded and the Forester arrived boxy and square. The WRX bug-eyes came out of nowhere and were dropped in 2 years. Then the wings on the Tribeca, dropped like a bad habit. No consistency whatsoever.
|
|
|
Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 03, 2007 11:31 am) No question the Tribeca wasn't "fully cooked" when it debuted—but the direction was spot on. Bob
|
|
|
Replying to: rsholland (Aug 03, 2007 11:49 am) |
|
| I think the new wrx looks great. But then again, I think they all look great, because I like what the car stands for: AWD, practicially, fun. I have to wonder what Subaru is up to. All models have a 2.5 NA and a 2.5 turbo charged engine. So now, the WRX isn't that special anymore. But, we have to see what they have in store with the STi. Maybe the WRX the equivalent of the Legacy GT, just the 2.5 liter turbo charged model... | |
|
I can not believe this: Slalom (mph): 67.7 Skid Pad (g-force): .81g 67.7 is excellent(= 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport) and 0.81g is just average. One of this number can not be true.
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Wagons Subaru Crew Subaru Impreza Article Comments - 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX First Drive & Full Test
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
