It's easy to understand why folks are getting excited about the forthcoming Toyota-Subaru rear wheel-drive (RWD) coupe. But it seems that waiting is driving the autoblogosphere crazy. Take the recent revelation at Autoexpress that Subaru is working on an Impreza Coupe alongside a future Toyota Celica. Autoexpress insists that this Subaru-engineered Imprezica will sport either 180hp and RWD or an STI engine making 300hp and all wheel-drive (AWD). So they must be describing the long-rumored Toyobaru RWD sports coupe, right? The answer seems to be a resounding "maybe." Motor Authority asserts that the Impreza Coupe is "not basis of the new RWD sports car to be sold by both companies." That RWD sports car will have a 220hp base model with RWD and a 300hp AWD flagship model. So are these the same car or what? For what it's worth, Motor Authority also has spy photos of what they say is a prototype of the (non-Impreza) "RWD sports car." Take a gander for yourself, but it looks pretty Impreza-like to this blogger. Can Subaru really sell a RWD version of the eternally AWD Impreza? Will the RWD base version and AWD flagship carry different names? Can the internet be whipped into any more of a fanboy frenzy over this car? So many questions…
14 Comments on “Will The Real Tobaru Please Stand Up?...”
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I’d be nice to see Subaru make a coupe again, but without AWD… that isn’t a Subaru.
Sure it is. Subaru didn’t go with AWD until sometime in the late 90’s I believe.
That is one ugly car, though. Seriously.
220 hp rwd 3 door? Keep it under 3200 lbs and it’ll look hot to me no matter how it looks.
Maybe Subaru will unveil a “Snow Rated” designation for their AWD vehicles when they introduce this car. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
It gets weirder, folks. Now Autocar claims that the spy shots that Motor Authority say are of the coupe, are actually of a next-gen Legacy prototype.
My head asplode.
That is definately a shortened 08 Legacy based mule. You can tell by the “4″ doors, rear and front fascias.
Seems like the Genesis Coupe will have some competition — the availability of AWD might be the “ace in the hole”.
For all the benefits of AWD and all. It is hardly ever needed. On a dry racetrack – saps power and slows acceleration and adds unnecessary weight. On the highway if you are not using it your MPG decreases from the powertrain loss and extra weight.
I’ve always like Subaru but never a big AWD junky…yes I’ve driven plenty of AWD cars and prefer them in the snow and slippery conditions but that’s 5% of my driving. I’d forgo that extra protection for 5% better mpg and save money in lower vehicle cost (fwd or rwd versus expensive awd), better mpg and better overall performance if I track the car.
Yes AWD is in Subaru’s genes…but it limits their appeal to those who don’t need it by not offering an option. The Audi A4 sells in much higher numbers in the FWD version than the AWD – that tells you something.
First, that’s not a “photo”; someones digital imagination? Second, no, it would not be realistic to turn the current Impreza into a RWD vehicle. Theoretically possible, but not likely. The engine location of the FWD/AWD Subarus is too far forward for RWD. The new Toyota/Subaru coupe will undoubtedly locate the engine well back, almost certainly completely behind the front axle line. That will give it a terrific front/rear weight distribution and low center of gravity. It will also be unprecedented in modern times, to have a front boxer/RWD set-up.
Of course it’ll be ugly! When was the last time Toyota or Subaru came out with a pretty car?
Paul,
How far back can you locate a Boxer?
SherbornSean : Paul, How far back can you locate a Boxer?
VW’s/Porsches have/had them all the way out back. But in a front-engine layout? The Subary boxer is very compact, so it could nestle quite far back, right up against the cowl. It would create a FM (front-mid) layout.
It just occurred to me that this is the overwhelming reason for using the Subaru engine for this car: Toyota doesnt make any north-south engines suitable for a sporty car. It’s actually an excellent way to put the boxer to best use.
Subaru went AWD in the early 1970s, anyway something about this picture doesn’t quite add up. Well a few things really.
Firstly it has a photoshop look about it, the colours don’t look quite right – bigger pic here http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_website/gallery.php?id=264426
Secondly it looks remarkably like an Astra Sportshatch, and thirdly the registration plate is showing H2VXL – which is similar to the J7VXL plate used to advertise the Astra – VXL = VauXhaLl?
See http://www.whatcar.com/Car/Vauxhall/Astra/1625546122.jpg
i dont see any problem with subaru making a rwd car, as they have always offered fwd cars here in europe.
besides, subaru is having lots of trouble because most people doesnt want or need awd, choosing toyotas and volkswagens instead