[STi Transporter]

Although nothing is official and the fact that we haven't seen any information about the STi version, the initial response/reaction to the leaked pics have been largely negative.

I think that the release of the new WRX/STi is very crucial for Subaru. Just a few short years ago, the WRX was the only car in it's class and at the head of the pack. Now we have so many competitors and cars that have either caught up or have left us in the dust or making improvements in order to surpass us.

It kind of reminds me of when I was a kid and had to do a history project and make a model of a pyramid for my final grade, and I ended up waiting until the last minute and threw a few pieces of cardboard together and turned it in. Everything was okay until I realized that my so-called pyramid was a sorry piece of s***, and then came panic and the question "what the hell was I thinking." Then came the wish for a second chance.

Subaru is in the same situation, but I think they can save themselves by just releasing the B11s as the new Impreza. Although it could use a few revisions on the design, it fills a lot of what people want. It has a futuristic and agressive design, it has four doors (i think), and it could pass for a hatch (it feels the WRC need for a hatch), it looks better than the pics of the 08 wrx going around, etc.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/to...1S-Concept.htm

It may not be perfect and it probably wont happen, but at least it is an option that could work with a little work.

[Mykl]

I think the car they've shown us is going to be just as successful as the Impreza that was released in '02.

[mEnTaL]

I voted for "going back to the drawing board." The new design seems to be a backwards step for the "aggressive look" people seem to want. I think Subaru's problem is that they have zero brand identity other than WRC=Subaru and this shows. The Impreza has been majorly redesigned every two years since 2002, each looking completely different from the previous leaving people kinda confused. And then once they try to have a brand identity (the airplane thing), they immediately get rid of it.

Now I don't know how much all this design changing was affected by the WRC development but it seems that it is increasingly competitive and may warrant such design changes. And lately, it seems that hatchbacks are the best design as shown by Ford and Citroen's spectacular showings. While I don't mind hatchbacks, I would like to see a little more originality.

[eze13sti]

+1 for originality

[STI_Mike]

its ugly.

[STi_N_Ya_Eye]

i'm hoping that something like the B11 will be the new STi or whatever it is that Subbie plan's on unveiling ... 6cyl, twin turbo, 3 liter, light weight, big wheels..... or maybe even having the Prodrive P2 as the new Sti, now thats a story of its own

[MikeO]

i think the B11 is too futuristic looking and doesn't even really look like a subaru.

As for the leaked photos, i think that WRX design looks REALLY ugly. I don't know what subaru is doing, maybe trying to compete with the ford focus (AWD/turbo model) and maybe a couple other cars? in terms of looks.....

I think subaru should keep the 06/07 design and just make a few modifications to it, it looks good. Maybe just get rid of the altezza tail lights and do a couple of other changes, and it would be really nice.

I haven't read much into it, but it appears to me that subaru is trying to appeal to the mass majority of US citizens wit this look. Alot of the design elements remind me of the mazda 3 sports hatch, the focus, and a little bit of the new honda civics.... From what i've seen most people that own subarus are actually into their cars for what they are, unlike the majority of US drivers who just want power and affordability etc.

Either way I think Subaru is ****ing up with the look they have going on that WRX and definitely need to change it.

[KrazyKarl]

the B11 is awesome, I wish they'd make that.

Subaru also shoulda stuck with its attempt at getting the brand identity. They need cars that are recognizable, not cars that just kinda fade into the background. and they need alteast one car that when people see it it will make them go hmm what is that and once they get a closer look they'll notice its a subaru...then they'll start seeing other less showy subarus and recognizing them because of similar styling cues. Then people will start buying the less showy models because they associate them with that car that caught thier attention. Thats what brand identity is all about, its a big deal, especially for a small company that doesn't do nearly as much advertising (atleast not in my area) as the other automakers. they need to get thier cars on the road to do the advertising.

The B11 woulda been a perfect car to get people's attention. they coulda revised the tribeca design to not have the "wings" go under the headlights (more like the impreza) and people would've liked it much more. Then add variations of the airplane grill to other cars in the lineup and they'd almost instantly get more public intrest.

Making cars that appeal to the mainstream only works if you get alot of people in your dealerships as it is, but you just want more of those people to buy. Right now, it seems that no one really even thinks of subaru when they're car shopping. making a car that people will see and pass over as being a riced out mazda 3 will not get more people to think about a subaru as thier next car.

[DoctorSTi]

definitely back to the drawing board. Mark my words... what happened to the civic SI when it went to the crappy hatchback will happen to subaru. The impreza sales will swirl down the toilet faster then 1-ply and then subaru will figure out they made a huge mistake and make the 2012 car second to none. Honda figured out that it fell flat on it's face with that crap they called an SI and Subaru will do the same. What a disgrace. The evoX is going to spank Subaru so hard they might even come out of bankruptcy. The only thing that will save Subaru now is making a true Legacy STI with 300 or 320/320. Then 2009 paddle shift version with intelligent cruise = badass touring car. Forget the rally car because now it looks like a hippo on skates!

[STi Transporter]

Originally Posted by DoctorSTi

definitely back to the drawing board. Mark my words... what happened to the civic SI when it went to the crappy hatchback will happen to subaru. The impreza sales will swirl down the toilet faster then 1-ply and then subaru will figure out they made a huge mistake and make the 2012 car second to none. Honda figured out that it fell flat on it's face with that crap they called an SI and Subaru will do the same. What a disgrace. The evoX is going to spank Subaru so hard they might even come out of bankruptcy. The only thing that will save Subaru now is making a true Legacy STI with 300 or 320/320. Then 2009 paddle shift version with intelligent cruise = badass touring car. Forget the rally car because now it looks like a hippo on skates!

Man, you hit on the nail, if this is the new design, then they better come back with a Legacy STi. Either that or the performance had better be improved a lot.

It's funny how, I feel like we're all rooting for our team, and they just keep f***ing it up.

+1,000,000 for the Legacy STi.

[upncummr]

Quote - It's funny how, I feel like we're all rooting for our team, and they just keep f***ing it up. - End Quote.


As opposed to screwing up, Subaru has actually had record sales. Here's an exceprt from a recent press release.

<ST1N.J.</B></ST1lace>, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com[IMG] /><st1:City w:st=[/IMG]CHERRY HILL</st1:City><b>, <st1:State w:st=" /><st1:date w:st="on" ls="trans" Month="1" Day="3" Year="2007">Jan. 3, 2007</st1:date> -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced it has exceeded the 200,000 unit milestone for 2006 sales and achieved its fourth consecutive sales record, selling a total of 200,703 units for the year. Subaru also recorded its highest-ever monthly sales number in December, exceeding 20,000 units for the first time, with 20,613 units for the month.


“Breaking 200,000 sales is a true milestone for the Subaru brand in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region></ST1lace,” said Tom Doll, executive vice president and CFO, Subaru of America, Inc. “It is our commitment to all-wheel drive that has made our brand so successful and allowed us to carve out a niche for ourselves in a very crowded and competitive marketplace.”

Although we might not like all the products being offered, it's difficult to argue with success.

One of the things we need to realize is that we're the "radical fringe" when it comes to cars. Or at least we're close to being the radical fringe.

I believe we should feel lucky that there's a car out there that satisifies our desires like the STI does.

Gary

[WRX_XB9R]

I am up for the P2 or a really lightned w/ more hp version of the WRX. Otherwise I may be shopping elsewhere. I am not a fan of the new exterior. I do like the new interior though.

A true Leagcy STi would also intrest me.

[DoctorSTi]

Originally Posted by upncummr

As opposed to screwing up, Subaru has actually had record sales. Here's an exceprt from a recent press release.

<ST1N.J.</B></ST1lace>, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com[IMG] /><st1:City w:st=[/IMG]CHERRY HILL</st1:City><b>, <st1:State w:st=" /><st1:date w:st="on" ls="trans" Month="1" Day="3" Year="2007">Jan. 3, 2007</st1:date> -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced it has exceeded the 200,000 unit milestone for 2006 sales and achieved its fourth consecutive sales record, selling a total of 200,703 units for the year. Subaru also recorded its highest-ever monthly sales number in December, exceeding 20,000 units for the first time, with 20,613 units for the month.


“Breaking 200,000 sales is a true milestone for the Subaru brand in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region></ST1lace,” said Tom Doll, executive vice president and CFO, Subaru of America, Inc. “It is our commitment to all-wheel drive that has made our brand so successful and allowed us to carve out a niche for ourselves in a very crowded and competitive marketplace.”

Although we might not like all the products being offered, it's difficult to argue with success.

One of the things we need to realize is that we're the "radical fringe" when it comes to cars. Or at least we're close to being the radical fringe.

I believe we should feel lucky that there's a car out there that satisifies our desires like the STI does.

Gary

Yes Subaru as a whole is doing well in the US. No one will refute that. Toyota (I think) is one of most prolific car manufacturers in the world but that doesn't mean it makes anything exciting for "our" market. This forum is not Anysubaruyoudrive.com it's imprezawrxsti.com (or at least it used to be) and that is the car we are most concerned about. Actually if you look the number of STI sales has increased as well over years even though we said "eeww nasty it looks like a pig." All I am saying is I fear Subaru has gone Honda SI on us and the performance versions of the impreza line are going to tank in sales. This will prompt SOA to say "Hrmmmm well I guess the US market can't sustain a true sports car from Subaru, guess we shouldn't get any more performance variants!" This is not to say that the new legacy, tribeca, forester, and outback will not kill in the next few years. I just think that the modern sport compact market that the bugeye WRX is primarily responsible for has moved on to another manufacturer to carry the torch. This redesign may work for WRC and it may work for the UK but it WON'T work here. Never has and never will. Mazda and Subaru think they will shove it down our throats and they just might but it won't be easy.

[anomatrix]

As a prospective new car buyer for 2008, looking into buying an STI, searching the forums of here, NASIOC, clubWRX.net, etc. and now seeing the outcome of the NYAS, it's extremely disheartening to see such a design come out of Subaru. Comparing it to the Mitsubishi Evo X information out there, it really does seem like Subaru will get it's ass handed to them for a design like the 08 Impreza lineup. Especially if the design of the new Evolution will come with the proposed features like twin-clutch DSG-style tranny, LED lighting on all corners, and a very identifiable image. I say Subaru should really take some strong hints from the coming diatribes on their new offering.

[Jaws]

After reading the quote from Subaru that the new STI will be much more differentiated from the WRX than in the past, I'm not really worried anymore.

The STI will be a much different car than this. We will just have to wait.