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Hopefully they'll come up with something more like the legacy The first time i saw a B9, i think i threw up a little bit, kinda like the Pontiac Aztek. It's just just another one of those vehicles that make me wonder WTF were those designers thinking?
They probably doing that branding thing where they make something distinctive and try to let it grow on the public (see: Bangle-butt, flame surfacing). However, slap a BMW badge on a turd and it'll sell ... but what can you do with a Subaru badge?
By the way, he studied under Bangle. Small wonder. That and the odd Fiat pointy nose fixation. Makes you wonder what his fetishes are.
The world's first horizontally-opposed turbodiesel engine - better known as the "boxer" format - will debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show.
It will be Subaru's first ever production oil-burner, and is desperately needed in Europe to complete with rivals who have been offering diesel for years. Boxer gas engines have always been a Subaru staple. They're more compact than in-line and vee units, providing a lower center of gravity and hopefully better handling through the corners.
Details of which of the current Subaru lineup will get the engine have yet to be revealed, but sources say the cars will arrive in showrooms in around 12 months.
I applaud Subaru for sticking to their tradition/s. They stand for something and keep working at it. That's part of making a brand name and its recognition which comes with it.
One can very clearly answer this question: "What does Subaru stand for?"
Can you answer the same question as concisely as in the case of Subaru for...Pontiac for example? Ford? Mercury? Etc.
Just about everyone sees the need to get on the diesel bandwagon. Unlike all the other fads in the automotive industry this one will stay around for a long time. Europeans would like the Forester even more if it had this diesel.
I applaud Subaru for sticking to their tradition/s. They stand for something and keep working at it. That's part of making a brand name and its recognition which comes with it.
One can very clearly answer this question: "What does Subaru stand for?"
Can you answer the same question as concisely as in the case of Subaru for...Pontiac for example? Ford? Mercury? Etc.
Yeah, IMO it's one of those brand-defining things that people don't see -- BMW's dedication to the straight 6 (unlike the Toyota JZ or Nissan RB) so its fans can lap up the "Ultimate Driving Machine" mantra. Oh, and Honda's insistence on producing its own transmissions ... heh ...
I applaud Subaru for sticking to their tradition/s. They stand for something and keep working at it. That's part of making a brand name and its recognition which comes with it.
One can very clearly answer this question: "What does Subaru stand for?"
Can you answer the same question as concisely as in the case of Subaru for...Pontiac for example? Ford? Mercury? Etc.
TOKYO -- When Subaru arrived in the United States in the 1960s, ads used the unflattering slogan "cheap and ugly."
The brand has come a long way. But to critics, the concept of "Subaru styling" is still an oxymoron. Even loyalists describe it as "quirky"; the less charitable choose "bland" and "boxy."
Subaru is one of the few brands that have been unscathed, even growing stronger, during the U.S. recession -- and now it wants to build on its success. The company finally is getting serious about design, its Achilles' heel, and is turning to an outsider as the new point man.
Osamu Namba joined Subaru in 2008, hired from an independent styling studio he had founded a decade earlier. His mission is to unify the Subaru look across models and win new fans.
"We want to broaden the appeal to make it accessible to more than a small, loyal crowd," Namba, 54, said last month in an interview at the Tokyo headquarters of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., Subaru's parent company. "We need to add a more contemporary element."
Styling long played second fiddle to the Subaru brand's engineering must-haves: all-wheel drive, horizontal boxer engine and a functional interior.
Traditionally, the Subaru boxer engine's horizontally aligned pistons make for a low front profile. But they also lend the car a lower center of gravity, making it more agile. Tall roofs, meanwhile, offer plenty of cargo space for all the outdoor gear that Subaru fans tote around, while aiding visibility.
Performance came first -- and if the car looked funny, so be it. Previous attempts to improve design sometimes fell spectacularly flat -- most notably the widely panned, aircraft-inspired "propeller" grille of the mid-2000s.
'Final frontier'
Whatever the weaknesses, Subaru's looks haven't hurt business. U.S. sales were up 35 percent through June, making it the No. 2 gainer behind Buick. It is on track for its second straight year of record sales and is adding capacity at its sole U.S. factory in Indiana to meet demand.
But executives and dealers say sales could do better still with a more eye-catching lineup.
"They had the engineering down," says Ernie Boch Jr., owner of one of Subaru's two independent U.S. distributorships. "Design was the final frontier. It's absolutely crucial."
Namba's creations for Subaru have yet to hit the street. But his Hybrid Tourer Concept, designed for the 2009 Tokyo motor show, foreshadows the clean lines and bold look he is seeking. His first production design will be the Impreza, which was last overhauled in 2007. The company won't say when the next Impreza will arrive.
Namba cut his teeth as a designer at Suzuki Motor Corp. straight out of college in 1979. Early works included the first-generation Wagon R, a minicar that today is among the best-selling vehicles in Japan. In 1994, Namba left to form his own design studio, HUB Design Engineering Ltd., where he consulted for Subaru and rival Japanese and Korean brands. HUB is not doing any business currently.
Two years ago, Naoto Muto, then Subaru's head of product planning, recruited Namba to troubleshoot design. One chief complaint was that the models were stronger than the brand, Namba recalls.
Clean and simple
Subaru was already on its way to unifying its design language with what became the latest overhauls of the Legacy sedan and Outback wagon. Namba says he will build on that, with a couple of tweaks.
He wants to keep Subaru's utilitarian spirit and functional packaging but add a more modernistic flair. Namba says he will be striving for:
-- A stronger overall presence for the cars.
-- More pronounced, sculpted front fascia.
-- Broader, more defined bumpers.
-- A stronger side accent line, positioned lower on the body.
'Simple, clean lines'
Namba says he will approach the packaging of the upcoming Impreza with a keen eye for whether it should be bigger. Previous versions of the Forester crossover and Legacy were too small for the United States, a problem resolved only with their latest upgrades, he notes.
Also, look for the Impreza sedan to shed its soft, rounded silhouette in favor of something stronger.
"We have to show the function through design with simple, clean lines," says Namba, who counts the compact, no-frills Renault 5 -- remembered in the United States as American Motors' Le Car -- among his all-time favorite rides. "I want a very simple design that exhibits strength."
Subaru needs to be more responsive to market trends but not slavish to them, he says. Namba decries the styling of some European brands as too busy with flourishes that perform no function.
Casting a wider net
Design watchers say Subaru is making improvements but still has a long way to go.
"Subaru has too long been heading in the wrong direction and become too focused on confused brand development," says Kuni Ito, an automotive design instructor at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.
But aiming for a futuristic, market-driven look again might be off the mark, he says.
"Subaru users want a unique, almost cult, design, not a clean design like the Hybrid Tourer Concept," Ito says. The goal should be a timeless look that better embodies functionality, he said.
Subaru bets existing fans will stay true.
"It won't alienate the core because they appreciate that it's an evolution, not a revolution," Boch says. "The hard-core fans will keep buying it even if it's ugly. It's an added plus if it looks good."
And that encapsulates Namba's challenge: Sticking to Subaru's roots while casting a wider net that keeps fueling the momentum of one of North America's hottest-selling brands.
"I don't want it to be just something serious and boring," Namba says. "A lot of people don't know that Subaru brand. If we can make styling more accessible, it will bring them in."
Osamu Namba
Title: General manager of design department
Age: 54
Education: University of Tsukuba, product design; graduated in 1979
Family: Married, one adult son
Favorite designs: Renault 5 (Le Car), first-generation Fiat Uno
Noted works: Suzuki Wagon R minicar, Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept
In his garage: Subaru Exiga, Alfa Romeo 156 Sportswagon (wife's car)
Advice to young designers: Design for the client, not yourself
Hobby: Cooking
Favorite foods: Ham, salami, prosciutto, tomato pasta
Source of inspiration: Attending concerts featuring the music of his son, who is a composer
Vacation destination: Stays home on holidays because Tokyo is empty
Hardest challenge: Managing his own company, HUB Design Engineering, from 1994 to 2008
All of these credentials and intentions mean nothing, in the end the guy can still come up with crap. We'll see.
Oh and speaking of the B9 being a trainwreck in looks: what were they thinking calling it the "Subaru Tribeca B9?" It doesn't know if it wants to be called a word, a letter or a number. And none of those three mean anything or are used to distinguish it from any other variants. So much fail in one car.
Subaru is riding on the success of its strategy to redesign all of its vehicles primarily for the United States and equip them with competitive features.
As it prepares for a new wave starting in 2016, Subaru will move to a new platform for all of its vehicles -- from the compact Impreza to an all-new, full-size seven-seat crossover. This will cut costs and development time.
Also in 2016, the redesigned vehicles will get a new generation of engine technology that will include direct injection, lean-burn technology and cylinder deactivation.
Subaru will get its first plug-in hybrid powerplant in 2017. It will be sold in California and 12 other states that also have strict emissions standards. Subaru has said the hybrid will be a variant of an existing nameplate.
Here's a look at Subaru's future product lineup.
BRZ: Interest in the once-hot coupe developed with Toyota has softened, and a convertible has been nixed. But a freshening is expected in late 2015 for the 2016 model year. Subaru executives have said a second generation of the car launched in 2012 is in the works. The new car could come in 2018.
Impreza: The redesigned four- and five-door compact will go on sale in late 2016 or early 2017. It will be produced at Subaru's factory in Indiana, where expansion for an additional 100,000 vehicles is underway. Not all of that new capacity will be used for the Impreza, according to Subaru of America executives.
WRX: The performance version of the Impreza went on sale this year. No changes are expected for several years.
Legacy: The fifth-generation Legacy went on sale this month. The new Legacy 2.5i has a four-cylinder Boxer engine with 175 hp -- nearly the same as the current model. A six-cylinder Boxer engine is available with 256 hp. All models come standard with a continuously variable transmission.
The 2015 Legacy is quieter than the current model because of thicker panels and foam insulation, as well as liquid-filled engine mounts that minimize noise transfer from under the hood. The windshield is more raked, and aerodynamics have been improved 10 percent.
Safety features include a rearview camera, a rollover sensor, an optional rear radar system that has blind-spot detection, a lane-change assist feature and a rear cross-traffic alert. Inside, Subaru said, the Legacy has increased passenger and cargo room even though it has not grown in size.
Satellite radio is standard on all models except the base. The car has Bluetooth connectivity for phones and gadgets. The new audio system has a 6.2-inch touch screen. The optional navigation system uses a 7-inch touch screen.
A freshening is likely in 2017.
Outback: The redesigned 2015 Outback went on sale this month. It got a major styling update, additional safety and convenience features and improved fuel economy.
The Outback's engines were carried over: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine with 175 hp and a 3.6-liter six-cylinder Boxer engine with 256 hp.
The wheelbase has been increased to 108.1 inches, overall length grows to 189.6 inches, and the width has been expanded to 72.4 inches. Interior cabin room is improved to 108.1 cubic feet.
Subaru has beefed up the Outback's safety features with a standard rearview camera and a rollover sensor that activates the side-curtain airbags. Higher trim levels will get a rear vehicle-detection system, blind-spot detection, lane-change assist, a rear cross-traffic alert, Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist program and steering-responsive fog lights.
A freshening is likely in 2017.
Forester: The crossover will be freshened in 2016 as a 2017 model.
XV Crosstrek: The five-door XV Crosstrek will be freshened in mid-2015 for the 2016 model year. The Impreza-based crossover will be redesigned in 2018.
Seven-seat crossover: Subaru is developing a new seven-seat crossover that would replace the slow-selling Tribeca, which has a cramped rear seat and limited cargo capacity.
It could be based on the Subaru Exiga, a van-wagon crossbreed in Japan that also seats seven. It has wagonlike proportions with swing-out doors, a tall, top-heavy greenhouse and slightly elevated third row.
Insiders say the new vehicle could go on sale within three years.
Subaru is having a good year. It's already having trouble meeting demand for its newly refreshed Forester, and the Crosstrek is selling like gangbusters. Despite that, people are still clamoring for more power in those models, pining for the days of the Forester XT and its turbocharged ilk.
Subaru is giving its recently revealed Legacy a hairdryer under the hood, so why no turbo love for Forester and Crosstrek? They're already too popular, according to a statement made by Subaru NA's president Tom Doll during an interview with Motor Trend at the recent Chicago Auto Show.
By Doll's reckoning, adding the performance that people are wanting to cars that they're already buying will make the vehicles even harder to get at a dealer. It may sound weird for an automaker to actively avoid selling the most cars it can, but don't forget that in the grand scheme of things, Subaru is a small car company.
During his interview, Doll didn't shut down the idea of turbo models altogether, instead opting to leave the possibility open if interest in the basic models wanes and they need to juice up sales.
So, if you want a practical but turbocharged Subaru, buy a Legacy or start convincing people not to buy the cars as-is. Good luck with that though.
Never thought about it that way.
Already struggling to meet demand, so they drop 'slow'er sellers or avoid bringing on new ones (that would likely sell well). Hopefully there'll be another Forester XT in the future. Not sure on a hi-po Crosstrek, might nip into WRX sales a bit.
Subaru is recalling 228,500 2017-2019 Imprezas and Crosstreks for faulty PCV valves, an issue that could require total engine replacements. Owners of affected vehicles will have to take their vehicles to the dealer, where CarComplaints reports that they’ll be inspected to see if the engine needs to be swapped.
If left unattended, the faulty PCV valves may allow oil to enter the combustion chamber and burn up. Eventually, bits of the valves themselves may enter the combustion chamber and cause engine failure
Subaru says that 251 2017 Imprezas will definitely have their engines replaced, while the rest need to be inspected to determine if the engine needs to be swapped. No matter what, they’re all getting their PCV valves inspected and, if necessary, replaced with a more durable design.
As per usual, the manufacturer will reach out to you directly if your car is affected. You can also enter your VIN on NHTSA’s site, which should tell you immediately if you need to have the work done
You’ll also find out if you need to come in for a separate recall announced this week, which covers over 500,000 Imprezas and Crosstreks. That one involves the car keeping its ignition coils powered up even when the car is off, which could cause the car to stall if the fuses blow. Overall, not a good week for a company trying to step up its quality.
Subaru is upgrading every model in the lineup with new smaller direct-injection turbocharged engines that bring more power and improved fuel efficiency. But not the Forester compact SUV. It’s only offered with a 2.5-liter normally-aspirated Boxer engine. All other Subaru models have been upgraded with a new turbocharged engine, or will be soon. Why is the hottest model in the stable left out?
Subaru dropped the Forester 2.0XT turbocharged model in 2019 with the new model change and we understand why. Only 5 percent of Forester buyers were opting for the sporty model, so it was not a profitable vehicle to keep building.
Subaru has been slow to make changes to the fifth-generation Forester compact SUV because it’s selling better than all other models. The Forester is the hottest model in the stable, outselling all other all-wheel-drive SUVs so the automaker doesn’t need to make changes.
In a recent interview with Motor Trend, Subaru of America President and CEO Tom Doll told them Subaru won’t be bringing a Forester with a turbocharged engine anytime soon. Doll says it's because demand for the newly-redesigned Forester SUV is too high right out of the gate. “The new Forester is a sensational car, and it's a home run, particularly the Sport model that you see over here, “ says Doll
So far this year, the 2020 Subaru Forester has been nothing but sensational for the Camden, N.J. automaker. Subaru of America delivered a record 19,490 Forester SUVs last month, its best June ever. Subaru’s next best selling model, the Outback has taken a step back.
Subaru has sold 85,860 Forester SUVs through June 2020 compared with Outback wagon's 62,305. Subaru Corporation has no incentive to upgrade the Forester compact SUV with a turbocharged engine when it’s the hottest model in its all-wheel-drive stable.
Subaru will leave the 2020 Forester alone for now because it’s been a hit with customers. The compact SUV will likely get a new direct-injection turbocharged Boxer engine when it receives a refresh in 2022. Stay tuned.
Considering that the same wheezy engine is being sold in the heavier Outback, I imagine most owners need not the turbo. Still, I was sad to see the XT axed for the new generation. That instantly wiped it off of the cars I was considering because equipped with the NA 2.5L it’s slow as molasses.
If it's not broken, don't fix it. They are selling these like hotcakes as is, why would they change it to have more power? Same with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, it's been basically the same since like 2012 but still sells like hotcakes so they keep it going and milk every dollar they can out of it before they have to do something.
After my experience with the H4 Outback, the N/A engine isn't terrible, as long as you have the right expectations. Will be interesting to see how the turbo Impreza-based models fare & drive.
tl;dr: new BRZ coming Spring 2021, "Wilderness Edition" Forester and Outbacks coming in Spring 2021, 300hp WRX coming in Fall 2021, Evoltis EV coming in Spring 2022, 400hp STI coming in Fall 2022, new Impreza and Crosstrek coming in early 2023.
The significance of the 2021 Subaru Levorg is twofold. First, it previews what the next WRX and STI are going to look like. And two, it emphasizes that while station wagons sell other places, automakers are too wary of the US to give them a try here. Yes, the 2021 Subaru Levorg will not be sold in the US. But it’s a terrific-looking wagon we wish were coming here. Instead, it will be available in Japan next year.
The Levorg is an entirely new car based on Subaru’s Global Platform first seen on the Impreza. One thing we like about how Subaru rolls is that in the last few years what is premiered as a concept becomes the production version. The concept was shown last year. While certain features were slightly exaggerated on the concept, this is awfully close to it.
We like that Subaru retained the recognizable WRX-style hood scoop
A number of companies are choosing to go with irregular wheel arches. When the Studebaker Avanti did it in 1963 they were called “reentry” wheel openings. While they follow little of other design elements on the body we still like them. We also like that Subaru retained the recognizable WRX-style hood scoop for the STI Sport model.
If you’re familiar with some of the larger Subarus then the dash will look familiar. It’s not identical but the vertical touchscreen is as it is straight from the Legacy. There is another screen for the instrument panel. We expect that this will all be found in the WRX once it is out.
Power for the Levorg comes from the “CB18” 1.8-liter turbocharged flat-four
Power for the Levorg comes from the “CB18” 1.8-liter turbocharged flat-four. It is an all-new engine for Subaru but is not expected to be in the WRX. That’s because it is down 100 hp from the previous WRX. It churns out 175 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque and is backed by the Lineartronic CVT transmission. That trans is mostly featuring completely new parts. All-wheel-drive is standard on all models.
So much is all-new with the Levorg and that includes Subaru’s new-generation EyeSight suite of driver assistance systems. Offered standard on all Levorg models in Japan, it includes 360-degree sensing offering improved practicality in real-world driving. Subaru also offers the EyeSight X suite adding high-precision 3D map data enabling Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capability.
The Levorg STI Sport is the most likely to mimic the WRX and STI
The Levorg STI Sport is the most likely to mimic the WRX and STI. According to leaked plans, Subaru will unveil the WRX later in 2021 and the STI about one year later. Those dates might have been altered due to COVID-19.
If you’ve seen the new Toyota bZ4X Concept from this year’s Auto Shanghai event, then you knew also to expect a Subaru-branded sister model. The two carmakers announced a while back that they will be collaborating on a battery-electric crossover, with Subaru’s model to be officially called the Solterra. 6 photos
“Sol” and “Terra” are, of course, the Latin words for “Sun” and “Earth”. It is an appropriate name for an EV that could presumably take you off the beaten path thanks to its maker’s go-anywhere pedigree.
Technically speaking, the Solterra is a C-segment class crossover built on the battery electric vehicle dedicated e-Subaru Global Platform. The architecture allows for multiple modules and components to be merged, such as the front, center and rear of a vehicle.
While both Subaru and Toyota will use this platform, the former wants to focus on superior passive safety and vehicle stability. The two companies shared the load on a wide range of collaborations, from product planning to design and even performance evaluation. Speaking of performance, this is where Subaru came in with its critically acclaimed all-wheel-drive technology, while Toyota offered up its outstanding vehicle electrification tech.
Pricing has yet to be announced for the upcoming Solterra, which is expected to go on sale by the middle of 2022 in markets such as the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan and China. Once in showrooms, it will join a family of existing crossovers that include the Ascent, Outback, Forester, and the Subaru XV.
Interestingly enough, the Toyota branded model will also go on sale by the middle of 2022 and will be built in China and Japan, which might also be the case for the Solterra. As for the latter's styling, we can tell from the teaser image that its profile is pretty much identical to that of the Toyota bZ4X concept, which comes as no surprise. Only the front and rear fascias are expected to look different, as it is often the case with JV models.
08-30-2006, 10:27 PM
I just noticed that. What the hell is that for?!
The first time i saw a B9, i think i threw up a little bit, kinda like the Pontiac Aztek. It's just just another one of those vehicles that make me wonder WTF were those designers thinking? 
Dumping "Quirky"
Single Platform for Entire Line-up
A number of companies are choosing to go with irregular wheel arches. When the Studebaker Avanti did it in 1963 they were called “reentry” wheel openings. While they follow little of other design elements on the body we still like them. We also like that Subaru retained the recognizable WRX-style hood scoop for the STI Sport model.
6 photos
6 photos
