From http://www.fhi.co.jp/english/news/press/2005/05_02_01e.pdf Exhibition outlines of the 75th Geneva International Motor Show

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), a global manufacturer of transportation and aerospace-related products and the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced that it will exhibit its new crossover vehicle SUBARU B9 TRIBECA and all-new mini car SUBARU R1 at the 75th Geneva International Motor Show to be held at Geneva, Switzerland. The show will open its doors to the public from March 3 through 13 (Press day: March 1 and 2).

A press briefing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 1st at the Subaru booth.

1. SUBARU B9 TRIBECA (Reference vehicle : Prototype for US market)
The Subaru B9 Tribeca was developed on the concept of a progressive sport utility vehicle (SUV) that represents the next generation of crossover vehicles. The Subaru B9 Tribeca features Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with a horizontally opposed boxer engine that delivers agile and stable control while ensuring superb maneuverability as a SUV. Its sporty and dynamic exterior design contrasts with a sophisticated interior design for 7 passengers that accentuates stylish comfort and safety.

2. SUBARU R1 (Reference vehicle: Japanese market model)
Built on a concept of a unique mini car with streamlined packaging, the Subaru R1 boasts outstanding fuel economy, a high level of safety features, emotional design and high quality looks, and a comfortable and functional interior space.

3. Other vehicles exhibited (* models will be exhibited on public days only) Legacy Sedan 3.0R Spec. B, Legacy Wagon 3.0R Spec. B, Legacy Wagon 3.0R, Legacy Wagon 2.0i*, Outback 3.0R, Outback 2.5i, Forester 2.5XT, Forester 2.0XT, Forester 2.0X*, Impreza WRX STi, Impreza Sedan WRX*, Impreza Sports Wagon WRX, Impreza Wagon 1.6*, G3X Justy 1.5.

Are we to assume that the vehicles shown will be the MY06?

to see if how much interest there is in those cars for the European market. Especially interesting is the showing of the R1. Never before (at least in recent history) has Subaru considered this size of car for Europe. It looks like they are thinking of going against the SMART in that market.

So much for the new Impreza debuting there. :(

Bob

So much for the new Impreza debuting there.

that sux :( :mad:

chicago is next week, meebbee?

My bet is the NY auto show.

The snipped lists several imprezas in category "3" , are we assuming that because they don't have a big bullet point that they aren't the face lifted models?

Maybe they are giving them to Europe late and just bringing america into sync with Japan?

Is America the only country that wasn't already in sync with Japan?

-Allen

The R1 is already on sale in Japan and the B9 was already intorduced by FHI's chairman in Detroit last month. Why the press conference at Geneva?

NY is good bet specially since DSM is going to preview EVO 9 there, when is NY auto show?

Subaru has the worst brand image in Europe out of any market they sell cars in. Until recently, only the WRX had any success there due to its rally success, and European car magazines frequently made fun of the fact that they used to be sold at farm equipment stores over there.

The new Legacy was their first step towards being perceived as a serious competitor to their fellow Japanese manufactures as well as the Europeans.

And for their next feat, they probably want to take on the Touareg and X5 with the Tribeca; also as my friend Señor Países-Bajos said, the Smart with the R1. It's a big undertaking, and they want all the press they can get.


']The R1 is already on sale in Japan and the B9 was already intorduced by FHI's chairman in Detroit last month. Why the press conference at Geneva?

Umm.. aren't Subarus in Switzerland considered ritzy?


I know they didn't used to be thought highly of in England, with the exception of the STi variants. I think you're getting England's views mixed in with the whole of Europe.

-Matt

Now that I think about it, I think I was quoting from a Top Car article. My mistake...

How about the rest of Europe- are Subarus considered upper-crust there too?


Umm.. aren't Subarus in Switzerland considered ritzy?


I know they didn't used to be thought highly of in England, with the exception of the STi variants. I think you're getting England's views mixed in with the whole of Europe.

-Matt

Umm.. aren't Subarus in Switzerland considered ritzy?


Not at all. I live in Switzerland, and I can tell you that Legacy have three major types of customers: a) farmers for the old legacy+forrester, b) young guys for the WRX (STI is USD 45000 here) and c) people living in ski resorts.

City people are starting to see the new legacy/outback as an alternative to the usual Audi, BMW and VW cars. But for most people out here, having a subaru is a choice of utility, and you are not considered as having a nice looking car (this is starting to change with the new legacy).

... and too bad we only have the 2.5 engine for the Forrester.

The history of Subaru in Europe is somewhat different than the US one.
Legacy Turbo was available here from late 1991 to 1994. Together with the SVX they founded the image of Subaru as being more of a performance brand than the rest of the japs. Auto motor und Sport wrote about Legacy Turbo vs. BMW 535i: Subaru schneller als BMW? And yes the Subie was faster. Prodrive claimed that the Legacy chassis was 300% more rigid than the BMW M3 wich they developed for tarmac rallying.

Rally has always been a good way of marketing and showing performance cars to the public. The difference between Subaru and the others participating in WRC in the early 90´s was that Subaru had more of the term: "Practice what you preach". Meaning what you see on the telly is what you can find in your local Subaru Showroom.

The discontinue of the Legacy Turbo really left a gap. A couple of families squeezed themselves into Impreza Turbos when it came in 1995 but overall it was a lost. The 3.0R spec. B will reclaim some of the audience I believe.

As for Geneva: It would be great to have the B9 Tribeca in Europe. It has the right size, engine, look and feel to appeal to the Europeans. The R1 is somewhat different. The JDM engine has perhaps too little displacement.

Best Regards
Martin in Sweden

Hmm, this is a little disappointing but I'm still holding out a little bit of hope.

I wonder why certain cars are only being exhibited on public days.

seems subaru is hitting the same brick wall that other large manufacturers are facing of whether or not to have your product line cater to US market or the EURO market... while maintaining a presence in Japan... I don't think you can do all three really well. It may just be me but I don't think the B9 is a euro centric attempt at an SUV... I mean if HONDA! is making a truck... the manufacturers aren't taking the US likely... Even though I do agree the B9 might do well in EURO with the smaller engine, I don't know how long it will last in the US..

Even though I do agree the B9 might do well in EURO with the smaller engine, I don't know how long it will last in the US..

The B9 will do well in Europe when—and only when—it's offered with a diesel. I see this showing of the R1 and B9 at Geneva as an attempt by Subaru to see if there is indeed any interest in these types of vehicles—down the road.

Of the two, I see the R1 as being Europe-ready right now, except they would need a LHD version. That car could be sold there to do battle against the SMART.

Bob