Comments on: Will The Real Tobaru Please Stand Up?

By: bjarnetv

bjarnetv — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:14:00 +0000

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

By: TaxedAndConfused

TaxedAndConfused — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 07:20:01 +0000

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

By: Paul Niedermeyer

Paul Niedermeyer — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:01:27 +0000

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.

By: SherbornSean

SherbornSean — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:14:23 +0000

Paul,
How far back can you locate a Boxer?

By: romanjetfighter

romanjetfighter — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:20:51 +0000

Of course it’ll be ugly! When was the last time Toyota or Subaru came out with a pretty car?

By: Paul Niedermeyer

Paul Niedermeyer — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:49:52 +0000

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.

By: jaje

jaje — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:05:41 +0000

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.

By: shaker

shaker — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:05:42 +0000

Seems like the Genesis Coupe will have some competition — the availability of AWD might be the “ace in the hole”.

By: eamiller

eamiller — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:42:09 +0000

That is definately a shortened 08 Legacy based mule. You can tell by the “4″ doors, rear and front fascias.

By: Edward Niedermeyer

Edward Niedermeyer — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:30:42 +0000

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.

By: Strippo

Strippo — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:49:52 +0000

Maybe Subaru will unveil a “Snow Rated” designation for their AWD vehicles when they introduce this car. Yeah, that’s the ticket.

By: guyincognito

guyincognito — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:43:23 +0000

220 hp rwd 3 door? Keep it under 3200 lbs and it’ll look hot to me no matter how it looks.

By: Jordan Tenenbaum

Jordan Tenenbaum — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:13:34 +0000

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.

By: lth

lth — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:02:14 +0000

I’d be nice to see Subaru make a coupe again, but without AWD… that isn’t a Subaru.