Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Thursday March 28, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC General > News & Rumors

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-18-2007, 08:05 PM   #1
bouse1
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 8106
Join Date: Jul 2001
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Whittier, CA (SoCal)
Vehicle:
2001 Impreza RSTi
Aspen White

Default STI Test Mule?

Mods - I wasn't sure where to post this.

My buddy took this photo on the 91 Fwy earlier today. It was a Legacy with fender flares and an STI hood scoop. The wheels are very odd as they appear to be missing a spoke. The front hood and bumper were covered in metal sheeting and tape.

At the rear, dual tip exhaust on both sides just like on the new STI. Could this just be a test mule checking out the drivetrain for the new STI?

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
bouse1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 10-18-2007, 08:08 PM   #2
Snow Drift
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 75071
Join Date: Nov 2004
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Long Island
Vehicle:
23 Solterra,ModelY
Old: 05 08 11 WRX, 18 STI

Default

Could be, or maybe a new Legacy prototype. The Legacy spotted like a year ago was actually a WRX.
Snow Drift is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 08:09 PM   #3
fastwrx25
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 126441
Join Date: Sep 2006
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: TPE
Vehicle:
03 bugeye

Default

those wheels are melting!!
fastwrx25 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 08:11 PM   #4
surowrxa
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 102895
Join Date: Dec 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Pittsburgh
Vehicle:
'12 Forester
'17 Outback

Default

Man, those wheels. Must be a reason for that. Easy brake access? The valve stem appears to be in the middle of the large open space.
surowrxa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 08:11 PM   #5
rsholland
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 5769
Join Date: Apr 2001
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Ellicott City, MD, USA
Vehicle:
'09 WRX Prem 5-dr
Dark Gray

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fastwrx25 View Post
those wheels are melting!!
Strangest wheels I've ever seen.

Bob
rsholland is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 08:38 PM   #6
STI_SLC
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 111450
Join Date: Apr 2006
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: SL,UT.
Vehicle:
06 WRB_STi

Default

weird....

very blunted front bumper too... this is the only pic?
STI_SLC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 08:50 PM   #7
wrxmike
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 13800
Join Date: Jan 2002
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: MarylanD
Vehicle:
2013 Impreza Sport
DGM

Default

hmm, thats interesting. maybe its just someone's twisted way of "ricing" their car??
wrxmike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 09:48 PM   #8
bouse1
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 8106
Join Date: Jul 2001
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Whittier, CA (SoCal)
Vehicle:
2001 Impreza RSTi
Aspen White

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by wrxmike View Post
hmm, thats interesting. maybe its just someone's twisted way of "ricing" their car??
I don't think so. My friend told me that he clearly saw some computer equipment and monitors inside the car. The front fenders look a lot like that of the new STI. It's hard to tell in this photo, but if you zoom in you can make them out.
bouse1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 09:53 PM   #9
supermarkus
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 6971
Join Date: May 2001
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Edmonds, Washington, USA
Vehicle:
2008 WRX STi
SSM

Default

yeah you can see the air vents.
supermarkus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 09:55 PM   #10
nhmtns
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 94283
Join Date: Aug 2005
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Mt. Washington Valley, NH
Vehicle:
'19 Ascent

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fastwrx25 View Post
those wheels are melting!!
I was thinking the same thing.
nhmtns is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 09:55 PM   #11
AWDPilot
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 25058
Join Date: Sep 2002
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Shrewsbury, MA
Vehicle:
'23 Model3 Perf.
Subaru Count: 14

Default

This looks like the same mule we saw testing a year ago, this is probably an all purpose test mule for testing out new motors.

The new 2.5 going in the sti would be my bet as well, but I suppose it could be a new turbo diesel or new lgt drivetrain as well
AWDPilot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 10:21 PM   #12
WRXigent
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 148259
Join Date: May 2007
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:
2007 WRX
Satin White Pearl

Default

If you mean is it a drivetrain mule for the USDM WRX STI, then I doubt it. Since the '08s are already available here, Subaru would most likely use a WRX-bodied mule (like the white one shown in a thread posted a while back). Similar chassis or not, why go to the extra trouble of using a Legacy body at this point? Maybe it's a USDM Legacy STI mule?

As for the wheels, the distortion is probably caused by a difference in speed between the Legacy and the camera car, coupled with the wheel's rotation. Besides, if those wheels were actually like that, you'd have a serious balancing issue!
WRXigent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 10:33 PM   #13
Calamity Jesus
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 44501
Join Date: Oct 2003
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Yeah, well, you know
Vehicle:
that 's, like, your
alternate facts, man.

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by WRXigent View Post
As for the wheels, the distortion is probably caused by a difference in speed between the Legacy and the camera car, coupled with the wheel's rotation. Besides, if those wheels were actually like that, you'd have a serious balancing issue!
Coupled with a digital camera that scans from top to bottom at a slow rate.

No, Those wheels aren't really like that, folks.
Calamity Jesus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 11:14 PM   #14
jmhubbard01
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 126003
Join Date: Sep 2006
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: South Carolina
Vehicle:
2019 BMW X3M40i
Alpine White

Default

i've seen one wheel distort like that in a picture before but never two exactly in the same position its likely what is happening though. otherwise could be equipment attached in the same place over each spoke, but the top and bottom spokes are definitely distorted in their own right.
jmhubbard01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 11:17 PM   #15
man-child
*** Banned ***
 
Member#: 161804
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NorCal
Vehicle:
2007 STi

Default

Amazing how the wheel spokes are photoshopped, I mean, aligned facing the exact same way!

What are the odds?
man-child is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 11:21 PM   #16
NismoSkylineGTR
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 94622
Join Date: Aug 2005
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by man-child View Post
Amazing how the wheel spokes are photoshopped, I mean, aligned facing the exact same way!

What are the odds?
i think you got him busted
NismoSkylineGTR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 11:31 PM   #17
STIDoctor
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 98908
Join Date: Oct 2005
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Southeastern PA
Default

damn photoshop I knew it was too good to be hoping this was the Legacy STI tester. Not that they would really need to do much extensive testing of an STI drivetrain into a legacy since IT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE FOR PRODUCTION. Why can't Subaru be cool...
STIDoctor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 11:34 PM   #18
AWDPirate
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 131427
Join Date: Nov 2006
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: zegema beach, outer rings
Default

and how fast were you going when you took this pic?
AWDPirate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2007, 01:10 AM   #19
kdjstratton
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 144681
Join Date: Mar 2007
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: DC
Vehicle:
2007 Outback 2.5i
1996 Acura Integra RS

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by man-child View Post
Amazing how the wheel spokes are photoshopped, I mean, aligned facing the exact same way!

What are the odds?
Yeah, obviously a photochop. I mean, isn't that a little kid sitting in the back seat?
kdjstratton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2007, 01:47 AM   #20
enXiks
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 69363
Join Date: Aug 2004
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: West Covina, CA
Vehicle:
2004 WRX

Default

Where are you seeing a little kid?
enXiks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2007, 02:50 AM   #21
Calamity Jesus
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 44501
Join Date: Oct 2003
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Yeah, well, you know
Vehicle:
that 's, like, your
alternate facts, man.

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by man-child View Post
Amazing how the wheel spokes are photoshopped,
Quote:
Originally Posted by STIDoctor View Post
damn photoshop I knew it was too good to be hoping this was the Legacy STI tester.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kdjstratton View Post
Yeah, obviously a photochop.


You 3 can share it.

It isn't a photochop. Why would anyone photochop an original pic of a test mule just to distort the wheels?


Moving on...

Legacy STI???

Quote:
Originally Posted by STIDoctor View Post
Not that they would really need to do much extensive testing of an STI drivetrain into a legacy since IT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE FOR PRODUCTION.
NO IT HASN'T. The closest thing, in any market, to a Legacy STI is a Legacy Tuned by STI... which is a suspension and appearance package.

Last edited by Calamity Jesus; 10-19-2007 at 02:55 AM.
Calamity Jesus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2007, 03:18 AM   #22
fastwrx25
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 126441
Join Date: Sep 2006
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: TPE
Vehicle:
03 bugeye

Default

^^eggzachary
fastwrx25 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2007, 03:21 AM   #23
WillRX
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 11741
Join Date: Oct 2001
Chapter/Region: International
Location: Love it or...
Vehicle:
2008 2.0D Legacy
Wagon NBP

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beaverboy View Post
NO IT HASN'T. The closest thing, in any market, to a Legacy STI is a Legacy Tuned by STI... which is a suspension and appearance package.
I think he meant the STI drivetrain (Impreza) has already been done for production.
WillRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2007, 08:58 AM   #24
grzydj
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 84984
Join Date: Apr 2005
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Vehicle:
2006 Impreza 2.5i 5D
'04 Toyota Tacoma TRD

Default

I adjusted the levels a bit to see if you could see any of the car better. It helped a little I guess.

grzydj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2007, 10:05 AM   #25
man-child
*** Banned ***
 
Member#: 161804
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NorCal
Vehicle:
2007 STi

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beaverboy View Post

You 3 can share it.

It isn't a photochop.
Is that scout receiving his photoshop merit badge for the 'test mule' pic above?
man-child is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Test Mule Sighting!! what car is this? sperry Off-Topic 64 10-02-2014 07:45 AM
Is This A New Baby Lexus Test Mule Caught in Testing? AVANTI R5 Non-Subaru News & Rumors 13 03-30-2008 03:14 PM
Vid of the new BMW e92 M3 Test mule on some nevada highway volkl23 Off-Topic 21 08-25-2006 11:54 PM
AZP Skidplates by RallyArmor, need test mules AZP Installs Legacy Forum 14 11-19-2003 06:07 PM
('93-'01) WRX test Mule Update mhoward1 Impreza Forum 0 09-28-2001 01:14 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:24 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.