Toyobaru Meets 'ring

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Video of the Subaru development team flogging the Toyobaru test mule around the Nordschleife reveals a hint of Tie Fighter in its at-speed soundscape. That can’t be bad. [ FT86club]

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Quentin Quentin on Oct 20, 2009
    dgduris : Just get it here (NA) already – with Pleides on the hood and 4 driven wheels. If you require 4 driven wheels, the Impreza 2.5i is already available for you. I don't get why the subaru fans are demanding AWD on this. I had a 2.5RS back in the day. The 165hp of the 2.5L felt like a good bit less due to the drivetrain losses. Autocrosses were spent braking early and trying to throttle out of the turn becuase it understeered terribly if you didn't. The short gearing helped acceleration but it killed gas mileage. This "Toyobaru" is supposed to be light, balanced, and cheap. AWD adds cost, makes the car heavier, and makes it slower for everything but 0-60. Subaru's AWD system makes the balance miserable and will compromise handling. I'm to the point that I hope a Subaru version doesn't come out because the Subaru fans have ridiculous expectations of 250hp turbo, AWD, DCCD, sports car handling, and a curb weight of 2400lbs for $22k.
  • Durishin Durishin on Oct 20, 2009

    @Quentin, I understand what you are saying. But, I have room for 1 car in my life. I live in New England where is snows (much, sometimes; global warming aside). My daughter's school is 26 miles away. Audis are too fussy and cost too much to maintain and I'm not dead yet. So, when my Spec. B is ready for new pastures, I wouldn't mind this...though, honestly, I'll probably treat myself to an STI.

  • Quentin Quentin on Oct 20, 2009
    dgduris : I understand what you are saying. But, I have room for 1 car in my life. I live in New England where is snows (much, sometimes; global warming aside). My daughter’s school is 26 miles away. Audis are too fussy and cost too much to maintain and I’m not dead yet. So, when my Spec. B is ready for new pastures, I wouldn’t mind this…though, honestly, I’ll probably treat myself to an STI. If you only have room for one car, this won't be it. The footprint of this car is 6" longer than a Mazda MX-5. It is TINY. The rear seats will probably make my wife's MINI rear seats feel luxurious. Why not buy an 07 vintage Outback for $10k for AWD & practicality and then this for RWD fun? You'll get way more utility and a legit "sports car" for about $30k total.
  • Durishin Durishin on Oct 20, 2009

    @Quentin, Wow! I didn't realize this thing was THAT small! As I said: reminds me of the VW Corrado. I'll definitely be STI-bound, I expect. I'll be getting a company OB anyway (gods of start-up foundation growth willing).

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