So you thought the '06 Impreza was ugly?

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10-07-2005, 10:42 PM
altiain

So you thought the '06 Impreza was ugly?

How 'bout the '08?

Quote:

F
inally, Auto Express can officially reveal the future for Subaru! Although we were the first magazine to break the news on bold plans for a hatch to replace the Impreza (issue 853), not until now has the sheer scale of the model's reinvention become apparent.

While the hatchback's intro-duction has shocked fans of the marque, it's only part of a radical series of upgrades which are designed to push the firm's best-selling model back to the top of its class. Quite simply, the fresh Impreza is one of the most daring cars of the year - and one which represents a dramatic change of direction for the firm...

The newcomer, due in mid-2007, also looks certain to represent the most extreme evolution yet of Subaru's now-familiar design direc- tion. Christened the B5, it will be unveiled at this month's Tokyo Motor Show, and features the firm's aeroplane-shaped grille, a clamshell rear hatch and chiselled flanks.

It is made even more distinctive by its upswept door styling, while inside are four generously sized chairs swathed in daring colours, plus a practical boot. In a nod to the tradition of the Impreza STi, the rev counter is mounted in the centre of the dash, although it now contains a digital speedo just like in the Porsche 911. The motivation

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behind the change is Subaru's desire to shift upmarket; insiders say matching Audi's reputation for build quality, performance and quality is the ultimate target. But, as we've already reported, the radical chan-ges don't end with the styling.

Under the newcomer's distinctive bodywork, huge upgrades are being made to the powertrain, too. Although the Subaru will continue to use a turbocharged evolution of the firm's famous flat-four motor, the arrangement is being given a futuristic twist with an innovative hybrid system - the first designed to work with a turbo.

Officially referred to as a new Turbo Parallel Hybrid (TPH), the 2.0-litre boxer turbo-based set-up is expected to produce more than 300bhp - nearly 30bhp more than the standard Impreza STi whichis available today. But as well as offering masses of power high in the rev range, the system will boost bottom-end torque considerably, while enhancing fuel economy and reducing CO2 emission levels at the same time.

The B5 will no doubt feature Subaru's usual superb handling and performance. But it's interesting to note that the concept pays tribute to the firm's rally heritage, sitting 200mm off the ground and wearing tyres with tread shaped to offer all-terrain capability.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture..._pic_21940.jpg
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture..._pic_21942.jpg
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture..._pic_21943.jpg

Dunno about you, but it makes me long for the relative beauty of those '02-'03 bugeye WRXs. :puker:
10-07-2005, 10:47 PM
blackzx3_13

:confused: Hideous.
10-08-2005, 12:13 AM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by altiain

Dunno about you, but it makes me long for the relative beauty of those '02-'03 bugeye WRXs. :puker:

No kidding... ugh. That looks like ::Bum:: .
10-08-2005, 02:25 PM
RX7-2nr

i see no pics....
10-08-2005, 02:30 PM
blackzx3_13

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX7-2nr

i see no pics....

Lucky you. :pukel:
10-08-2005, 02:43 PM
RX7-2nr

LOL im going to go search for pics, i gotta see the terribleness.
10-08-2005, 03:22 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX7-2nr

i see no pics....

That's weird I see the pictures.?
10-08-2005, 04:44 PM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX7-2nr

i see no pics....

I see dead people.
10-10-2005, 01:27 PM
RX7-2nr

they are up now.. i dunno. that car is way to "concept" the production version will not look like that. *crosses fingers*
10-10-2005, 02:06 PM
ccage

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX7-2nr

they are up now.. i dunno. that car is way to "concept" the production version will not look like that. *crosses fingers*

It never seems to work that way. If the concept's cool as hell, the production car will be bland. If the concept's ugly as sin, well, you know the rest...

C
10-10-2005, 02:35 PM
RX7-2nr

ususally concepts will be outrageous in thier styling, have 20 inch rims, and carbon fiber this and that- whatever. manufacturers tone the production versions down to make them accesible to more people. people who dont want lambo doors and such. the 2006 eclipse stayed VERY close to its concept. they design is almost exact. i havent seen that many cars that were as similar in concept and production.
10-10-2005, 03:15 PM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX7-2nr

the 2006 eclipse stayed VERY close to its concept. they design is almost exact. i havent seen that many cars that were as similar in concept and production.

You say that like it's a good thing. That car is one that actually makes this Subaru concept look decent. :?
10-10-2005, 03:59 PM
srivendel

Sweet Jesus. :shock:

I think I'd rather have this:

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specia.../images/01.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specia...mages/03_l.jpg

::Fruity::

S.
10-10-2005, 04:02 PM
Titus

Mmmmm.... the Suzuki LC. I think that I would be thinking very hard about that if they ever brought it to the states.
10-10-2005, 06:32 PM
Radio-Active

Looks like Subaru is trying to mimic a Saturn.:thumbdow:

I guess they had to find something that would offset the looks of the Tribecca.;)
10-10-2005, 07:19 PM
RX7-2nr

Quote:

Originally Posted by altiain

You say that like it's a good thing. That car is one that actually makes this Subaru concept look decent. :?

:tongue: i like look of the eclipse. the V6 is quite quick too. it doesnt have the best handling, but its alright. almost the same power as a 350Z.
10-10-2005, 07:28 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX7-2nr

:tongue: i like look of the eclipse. the V6 is quite quick too. it doesnt have the best handling, but its alright. almost the same power as a 350Z.

Your trying to compare a Eclipse to a 350Z wow that's quite a stretch.

Might want want to find a comparable front wheel drive counterpart like a Monte Carlo. No wait you can get a 303 horse power Monte Carlo SS this year so it also eclipses the Eclipse!
http://images.intellichoice.com/imag...onte_Carlo.jpg

Here is what Mitsubishi compares its Eclipse against = http://www.mitsubishicars.com/eclips...ve_models.html
10-10-2005, 07:43 PM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

...you can get a 303 horse power Monte Carlo SS.

303hp to the front wheels??? How bad is that torque steer? ::Drive2::
10-10-2005, 08:51 PM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX7-2nr

:tongue: i like look of the eclipse. the V6 is quite quick too. it doesnt have the best handling, but its alright. almost the same power as a 350Z.

Except that it's trying to put all of that power through one front wheel. Brilliant. :roll:

It also weighs more than a 350Z, which is saying something, since the Z is quite pudgy in its own right.

Sorry, but to me the new Eclipse is downright ridiculous. I guess it makes sense as a secretary's car, or an ugly (and unreliable) alternative to a V6 Honda Accord Coupe, but as a performance car it's ludicrous. Not to mention that for the cost of a V6 GT, you can buy an Evo RS, which will run circles around an Eclipse GT in any performance category you can name, while offering better all-weather traction, twice the seats, and twice the cargo capacity.
10-13-2005, 07:07 AM
srivendel

Autoweek has official photos of the Subaru up now. It's slightly better, but that's like saying the Geo Metro was slightly better than the Ford Aspire.

<img>http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_tokyo/gallerys/subaru_b5/images/B5-02.jpg</img>

<img>http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_tokyo/gallerys/subaru_b5/images/B5-04.jpg</img>

:shock:

S.
10-13-2005, 07:22 AM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

Autoweek has official photos of the Subaru up now. It's slightly better, but that's like saying the Geo Metro was slightly better than the Ford Aspire.
http://www.autoweek.com/files/specia...ages/B5-02.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specia...ages/B5-04.jpg
:shock:

S.

That door panel scares me! :pale:
10-13-2005, 07:23 AM
Dave04

Yeah... I'm just not getting those tail lights...

Whenever a company makes such a radical change in their styling, it's usually a "love it" or "hate it" thing... and I really don't "love it".
10-13-2005, 07:26 AM
sammm

FUgly. The paint color doesn't help any either.
10-13-2005, 09:05 AM
Treibenschnell

And what's with the mini turbine engines on the back bottom of the hatch???
10-13-2005, 09:19 AM
POS Racing

Love the lee press-on reflectors on the back of it!
10-13-2005, 09:30 AM
Treibenschnell

The turbines blew the budget... they had to make it up somewhere!