Auto & Car Blog

Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, New York Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Crossovers/CUVs, Subaru

There have been some minor rumblings, as of late, about Subaru’s future offerings, including information about the Impreza WRX and its STI variant. The new Impreza will likely debut in New York this April, with sales beginning in August of this year, while the STI will probably bow in Frankfurt, and go on sale in early 2008.

The other rumor making the rounds is that the Legacy wagon will no longer be available starting in 2008, however the Outback wagon will still be around for those of you who prefer its higher ground clearance and off-road cred.

Also coming to NY will be the ‘08 Tribeca, complete with 3.6-liter H6 and a revised look (thank God). Sales of the new Tribeca are rumored to begin in June.

Considering that Subaru’s appearance in Detroit was kind of a let down, we’re looking forward to seeing more compelling product coming down the pike.

[Sources: Straightline, Karl on Cars]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Japan, Hatchbacks, Subaru

The Subaru Impreza has changed faces more times than a dirty politician, but still manages to sell well thanks largely to a loyal customer base. And those loyal customers - not to mention the enthusiasts to whom the letters s-t-i are close to g-o-d - have been patiently awaiting the launch of the current Impreza’s replacement, due for unveiling at the New York Auto Show in April and on the market next year.

These images published in Japan are now hitting the internet, and if the illustrations are accurate, the wait just might be over, not to mention worthwhile. Subaru’s design director, Andreas Zapatinas, who was responsible for the current Subie’s rather unfortunate (though arguably distinctive) front end, was shown the door. And it seems Zapatinas’ successors did a much better job putting together a sharp-looking cohesive package that should make the technically excellent Impreza more palatable - if not more desirable - to a broader range of customers.

Does Subaru have a winner on it’s hands?

[Source: Edmunds’ Straightline]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Japan, Hatchbacks, Subaru

The Subaru Impreza has changed faces more times than a dirty politician, but still manages to sell well thanks largely to a loyal customer base. And those loyal customers - not to mention the enthusiasts to whom the letters s-t-i are close to g-o-d - have been patiently awaiting the launch of the current Impreza’s replacement, due for unveiling at the New York Auto Show in April and on the market next year.

These images published in Japan are now hitting the internet, and if the illustrations are accurate, the wait just might be over, not to mention worthwhile. Subaru’s design director, Andreas Zapatinas, who was responsible for the current Subie’s rather unfortunate (though arguably distinctive) front end, was shown the door. And it seems Zapatinas’ successors did a much better job putting together a sharp-looking cohesive package that should make the technically excellent Impreza more palatable - if not more desirable - to a broader range of customers.

Does Subaru have a winner on it’s hands?

[Source: Edmunds’ Straightline]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, Subaru

Autocar is reporting that Subaru will volly a strike against Mitsubishi in early April when it debuts the all-new Impreza at the New York Auto Show. The body style will be a five-door hatchback with styling similar to that of the B5 TPH concept that first appeared last year in Tokyo. Power will reportedly come from your choice of a 1.5L or 2.0L flat-four boxer engine. Autocar’s shocker is that the popular WRX model that slots between the everyday Imprezas and the high performance STi model will be cancelled, and that we won’t see the new STi until 2008. Autocar doesn’t cite its source for this information, and it seems highly unlikely to us considering that Mitsubishi is planning to make its Lancer Ralliart more powerful than previous generations in an effort to face the WRX head on. All will be revealed in the Big Apple come April, but for now we sit and wait.

[Source: Autocar]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, New York Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Crossovers/CUVs, Subaru

There have been some minor rumblings, as of late, about Subaru’s future offerings, including information about the Impreza WRX and its STI variant. The new Impreza will likely debut in New York this April, with sales beginning in August of this year, while the STI will probably bow in Frankfurt, and go on sale in early 2008.

The other rumor making the rounds is that the Legacy wagon will no longer be available starting in 2008, however the Outback wagon will still be around for those of you who prefer its higher ground clearance and off-road cred.

Also coming to NY will be the ‘08 Tribeca, complete with 3.6-liter H6 and a revised look (thank God). Sales of the new Tribeca are rumored to begin in June.

Considering that Subaru’s appearance in Detroit was kind of a let down, we’re looking forward to seeing more compelling product coming down the pike.

[Sources: Straightline, Karl on Cars]

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, Subaru

So speculation about the new look of the Subaru Impreza continues unabated. This time, the images come courtesy of an unnamed Japanese car mag, with renderings that look all-too lifelike.

The images we’ve seen thus far (linked at the bottom) show the new nose getting a smoothed, yet mildly awkward nip and tuck, while these images seem to have more of basis with the current shnoz, rather than an outright redesign. The tautly drawn headlamps are far and away the trickest element we’ve seen and the downsized hoodscoop, integrated with the subtle power bulge, also gets our thumbs up.

In the rear, the WRC-inspired wing is present and accounted for and, at least with this rendering, we see how it’s going to be incorporated with the new hatch. It still looks cumbersome from a design standpoint and will provide a serious impediment to rearward visibility if it makes it to production.

As we’ve said before, time will tell, and the Impreza’s official unveiling is just over a month away in New York. We’ll be there and we can’t wait.

Follow the read link for the rest of the images and thanks for the tip Brooksie!

Related Links:

• Sporthatch Illustrated: 2008 Subaru Impreza STI
• More on the Subaru Impreza’s new look

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hatchbacks, Subaru

New Subaru Impreza renderings seem to be coming out of the woodwork as of late, and judging by the similarities between the magazine scan we brought you earlier in the week and these newest images courtesy of AutoExpress, either the artist is the same or the new nose and hatch design has been rendered with the same information. Come New York, we shall see.

We’re certainly fans of toning down the new front end, and this newest image certainly accomplishes that, ditching the upside-down-Alfa nose, smoothing out the front clip and making the hood scoop less of an awkward protrusion. We know that a five-door hatch will be the most radical design change, but both images contain that precariously placed wing that looks about as plausible as seeing Jessica Simpson at a MENSA meeting.

Follow the jump for more…

Continue reading More on the Subaru Impreza’s new look

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, Subaru

So speculation about the new look of the Subaru Impreza continues unabated. This time, the images come courtesy of an unnamed Japanese car mag, with renderings that look all-too lifelike.

The images we’ve seen thus far (linked at the bottom) show the new nose getting a smoothed, yet mildly awkward nip and tuck, while these images seem to have more of basis with the current shnoz, rather than an outright redesign. The tautly drawn headlamps are far and away the trickest element we’ve seen and the downsized hoodscoop, integrated with the subtle power bulge, also gets our thumbs up.

In the rear, the WRC-inspired wing is present and accounted for and, at least with this rendering, we see how it’s going to be incorporated with the new hatch. It still looks cumbersome from a design standpoint and will provide a serious impediment to rearward visibility if it makes it to production.

As we’ve said before, time will tell, and the Impreza’s official unveiling is just over a month away in New York. We’ll be there and we can’t wait.

Follow the read link for the rest of the images and thanks for the tip Brooksie!

Related Links:

• Sporthatch Illustrated: 2008 Subaru Impreza STI
• More on the Subaru Impreza’s new look

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hatchbacks, Subaru

New Subaru Impreza renderings seem to be coming out of the woodwork as of late, and judging by the similarities between the magazine scan we brought you earlier in the week and these newest images courtesy of AutoExpress, either the artist is the same or the new nose and hatch design has been rendered with the same information. Come New York, we shall see.

We’re certainly fans of toning down the new front end, and this newest image certainly accomplishes that, ditching the upside-down-Alfa nose, smoothing out the front clip and making the hood scoop less of an awkward protrusion. We know that a five-door hatch will be the most radical design change, but both images contain that precariously placed wing that looks about as plausible as seeing Jessica Simpson at a MENSA meeting.

Follow the jump for more…

Continue reading More on the Subaru Impreza’s new look

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, Subaru

Autocar is reporting that Subaru will volly a strike against Mitsubishi in early April when it debuts the all-new Impreza at the New York Auto Show. The body style will be a five-door hatchback with styling similar to that of the B5 TPH concept that first appeared last year in Tokyo. Power will reportedly come from your choice of a 1.5L or 2.0L flat-four boxer engine. Autocar’s shocker is that the popular WRX model that slots between the everyday Imprezas and the high performance STi model will be cancelled, and that we won’t see the new STi until 2008. Autocar doesn’t cite its source for this information, and it seems highly unlikely to us considering that Mitsubishi is planning to make its Lancer Ralliart more powerful than previous generations in an effort to face the WRX head on. All will be revealed in the Big Apple come April, but for now we sit and wait.

[Source: Autocar]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hatchbacks, Subaru

Road & Track magazine has come clean with its take on (and photos of) the all-new Subaru Impreza WRX. The previously-released Motor Trend photo spread did absolutely nothing for the car, and was largely met with cries of anguish, pulling of hair and much gnashing of teeth. The new Subie’s 5-door appearance has proven to be controversial so far, mostly because it just didn’t look good in those particular photos. R&T’s pics cast it the car in a different light, and it fares better.

The new front end design is a lot more appealing than the Motor Trend cover led us to believe. Road & Track’s pictures, taken outside in sunlight, show that the grillework is not overly shiny. In fact, it appears to have a predominantly matte finish, with a little extra shine on the side and lower borders. The car’s substantial hood scoop is wide and mean-looking, and it appears ready to ingest any unlucky birds, roadside wildlife, and possibly small children that happen to venture too close. We like what we see.

In profile, the car still looks enormous (note the driver’s size compared to the rest of the car), and we get the impression that it probably is, when compared to the outgoing Impreza. One of Subaru’s goals was to make the new version more practical and appealing to the masses, and it’s obviously grown accordingly. That all said, the hatchback is looking a lot better in our eyes after seeing these new photos. Whether or not the car truly presents well “in the metal” is something we’ll be able to tell you in a few days.

The irony of all this is that the hatchback, a car every auto writer and pundit had been waiting for with bated breath, is practically old news now. Who’d have thought that the big Subie surprise awaiting us in New York would be the new WRX sedan, which has remained very much off the radar during the runup to the show?

Road & Track’s photo gallery can be found here.

Props to Dino for the tip!

[Source: Road & Track]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Read the rest of this entry »