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Article Comments - 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX First Drive & Full Test

121 messages,  Last post on Sep 13, 2007 at 9:15 AM

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

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)

Messages Page 12 of 13

#106 of 121 Setting the record straight on flying pig snout grille by SubyTrojan

Aug 03, 2007 (9:19 am)

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!

#107 of 121 Re: Setting the record straight on flying pig snout grille [SubyTrojan] by ateixeira

Aug 03, 2007 (10:38 am)

Replying to: SubyTrojan (Aug 03, 2007 9:19 am)
Thanks for the info.
 
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.

#108 of 121 New Impreza by aaykay

Aug 03, 2007 (11:53 am)

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.

#109 of 121 Re: Setting the record straight on flying pig snout grille [ateixeira] by xwesx

Aug 03, 2007 (12:07 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 03, 2007 10:38 am)
Wow! Never saw/heard anything about that Scrambler concept, but that, I must say, is the "aero grille" done right.
 
Beautiful lines on that car. I, too, would like to see more of it.

#110 of 121 Re: Setting the record straight on flying pig snout grille [xwesx] by ateixeira

Aug 03, 2007 (12:31 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Aug 03, 2007 12:07 pm)
Yeah, I love that implementation of the B9SC grille, too. By far the best styling from Subaru, probably ever.
 
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.

#111 of 121 Re: Setting the record straight on flying pig snout grille [ateixeira] by rsholland

Aug 03, 2007 (12:49 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 03, 2007 12:31 pm)
Yep, I'll go to my grave saying Subaru backed off this design direction too early. Now they're back to a bland front with the Impreza and the 'Beca—which ironically, is still controversial!
 
No question the Tribeca wasn't "fully cooked" when it debuted—but the direction was spot on.
 
Bob

#112 of 121 Re: Setting the record straight on flying pig snout grille [rsholland] by ateixeira

Aug 03, 2007 (1:15 pm)

Replying to: rsholland (Aug 03, 2007 12:49 pm)
Yeah, everyone says "Chrysler" when they see the new Tribeca grille. Though I actually like the overall design.

#113 of 121 *bland* wrx by jb33zy

Aug 06, 2007 (7:00 pm)

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...

#114 of 121 67.7 ??? by pressburg

Aug 11, 2007 (7:19 pm)

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.

#115 of 121 Re: 67.7 ??? [pressburg] by stevecebu

Aug 11, 2007 (11:07 pm)

Replying to: pressburg (Aug 11, 2007 7:19 pm)
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.
 
Watch the Edmunds Video it might get those numbers but it's rolling way over at the side to do it. Also if you want to increase the skidpad numbers buy much better tires. You can get like 1G out of a Miata with the right setup and super sticky tires.
Stock tires on any WRX are all seasons which pretty much means they suck for performance.
I dislike the roll the new model has and it's so very visible.
I lost interest in the WRX a while back but the STi and the EVO X might have possibilities but they'd have to be balls to the wall performance and a bit raw and still capable of dirt roads or I won't bother with them.

Messages Page 12 of 13

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