2012 Impreza thread

[brettjr25]

Originally Posted by Dragicon

As I do not frequent these boards as much, were you able to ask about the Impreza not having a WRX/STI version that I have been reading in the past few pages on this thread? I havent been able to figure out where everybody is getting this from all of a sudden. Are they indeed carrying over the 2011 model for the next 2 years?

I really like this new impreza... it is incredible. I cannot imagine what the WRX/STI version would be... easily the best looking one to date if it is based on this impreza version.

It's not from any official source. I forgot who but someone posted that his dealership told him that and that he works for a job that got him informed which he can't mention or he'll get fired apparently. It's not from any rumor on any autoblog site and no one from Subaru mentioned it. I don't know why they are taking this as a concrete fact, maybe he's a reliable source. IMO I think it would be a bad move this isn't the right time to make a dedicated sports car.

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[Marnix]

From a production point of view they could produce the old model on the same line as the new model as the plant is designed to produce different models with the same architecture (Legacy, Forester, Impreza) on the same line.

[TMSmith]

Originally Posted by brettjr25

It's not from any official source. I forgot who but someone posted that his dealership told him that and that he works for a job that got him informed which he can't mention or he'll get fired apparently. It's not from any rumor on any autoblog site and no one from Subaru mentioned it. I don't know why they are taking this as a concrete fact, maybe he's a reliable source. IMO I think it would be a bad move this isn't the right time to make a dedicated sports car.

Like I said earlier, if Subaru was to make the WRX/Sti on its own model line, that just wouldn't make sense from a production or sales view. They have such a great winning combination with the way they are producing the line now, there's no point in wasting millions of dollars in a brand new second chassis/engines/etc. The WRX and Sti has always been based on the base Impreza, hence the name Impreza WRX and Impreza WRX Sti. The only one I could see being built by itself on its own platform would be this rumored coupe, if it ever happens. I for one would be pretty disappointed if the WRX and Sti became its own complete line.

[grzydj]

Originally Posted by Dragicon

As I do not frequent these boards as much, were you able to ask about the Impreza not having a WRX/STI version that I have been reading in the past few pages on this thread? I havent been able to figure out where everybody is getting this from all of a sudden. Are they indeed carrying over the 2011 model for the next 2 years?

I really like this new impreza... it is incredible. I cannot imagine what the WRX/STI version would be... easily the best looking one to date if it is based on this impreza version.

The WRX and STI are going to be on a different platform than the upcoming Impreza, which basically means that they're going to be about the same for another 2 years. I've heard there are good reasons for this, but that's all I've been told.

[rexster]

Originally Posted by HB_Dad

SOA Blog, does this vehicle have Subaru's famous "ring-shaped frame"? I'm trying to figure out where the weight loss came from...

My guess is the same thing they did with the Legacy. They used high tensile steel in the unit body to keep weight in check. This makes for a stronger car, lb for lb. The new Legacy is much bigger but weighs only slightly more and also has excellent crash test scores. Since the Impreza dimensions didn't change this same approach would allow them to lose weight.

Originally Posted by rsholland

Spent about an hour and a half crawling all over the new sedan and 5-door. I can't say much as there is an embargo in effect until the official announcement tomorrow.

What I can say is that most if not all of my complaints about the current model seem to have been addressed.

That's a mighty big claim. Sounds like you were impressed and I have a feeling it's going to be a long 4 hour wait this morning. I'll be really happy if we get a better manual transmission, some steering feedback and a suspension that doesn't flop around so much.

[b4wantab]

Looks good. I would like to see that front end become Subaru's corporate face. They have been all over the board for a few years and this one has some old Subaru character. The front looks like a progression from the pre-'10 Legacy line. I would love to see the '12-13 Legacy refresh with this front end.

Peace,

Greg

[Angelus911]

Excited for today, just over 4 hours away! Interested to see what the actual specs are and the available trim levels.

[Dankathym]

Subaru just put up a picture of 2 tarp covered cars and wrote on their facebook page:

"Look what we have hiding at the New York International Auto Show! *Submit all your questions now to our 2012 Subaru Impreza tab or click http://on.fb.me/eRkWwg. Remember to watch our live stream unveiling of the 2012 Impreza at 1:05PM EST and our live Q&A at 3:30PM EST"

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php...type=1&theater
is the link

[Angelus911]

hmm, hatch and sedan?

[rsholland]

Originally Posted by banyan

What is your impression about interior materials? same as the current one, better, or really cheap?

Much better. That's one of the issues I was concerned about.

Bob

[Dankathym]

Originally Posted by Angelus911

hmm, hatch and sedan?

I don't know, it was added only 28 minutes ago. I don't think it would be much of a surprise if they were just a regular impreza hatch and sedan since we all knew they were showing those at the show.

I am going to be optimistic and hope its the new WRX and STI, that would really throw NASIOC for a loop.

[design1stcode2nd]

Originally Posted by SoDealer

Have you taken a look at exchange rates lately? What about the cost of metals (aluminum, copper, ect.)? Have you taken a look at what consumer demand has done to the LED market in general? Have you taken a look at what other automakers have done with small cars (Hello VW with torsion beam rear suspension, no soft touch surfaces and no more projector headlights.)? It's obvious you speak without knowing anything at all about procurement, raw material pricing, and trend analysis for materials. Several mainstream cars HAD LED tails that have lost them.

Please show me the market analysis you've obviously completed of the percentage of Subaru's current and future conquest customer wishes and what they are willing to pay for them.

You have no idea what savings Subaru used on certain features were added in other areas to improve the vehicle and keep competitive pricing.

SoDealer, just do what I do:

HipToBeSquare
This message is hidden because HipToBeSquare is on your ignore list.

[30 psi]

I am hoping it's the new 2012 Impreza and the 2012 STI (11-12 STI should be the same with very minor changes; cosmetic mainly)

Or

I could be the 2012 Impreza Sedan and Hatch version

[TMSmith]

Is there going to be a live streaming of the unveiling?

[LetItSnow]

Originally Posted by design1stcode2nd

SoDealer, just do what I do:

It works great... until someone quotes his entire post.

[Angelus911]

Originally Posted by TMSmith

Is there going to be a live streaming of the unveiling?

http://www.subaru.com/auto-show/index.html

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by Dankathym

I don't know, it was added only 28 minutes ago. I don't think it would be much of a surprise if they were just a regular impreza hatch and sedan since we all knew they were showing those at the show.

I am going to be optimistic and hope its the new WRX and STI, that would really throw NASIOC for a loop.

They are unveiling the Hatch and Sedan Impreza. No new WRX till Sept 2012.

Originally Posted by TMSmith

Is there going to be a live streaming of the unveiling?

yes, here: http://www.subaru.com/auto-show/index.html

[TMSmith]

Thanks buddy.

[newsman]

Could there be a possibility that Subaru would drag WRX and STi with no redesign for 2 years and just kill it off? I agree that it seems expensive to basically have WRX and STi as a separate production car from Impreza. Subaru USA can't even bring Recaro seats from day one, and now we will get a separate performance car? I understand it wouldn't be just US, but still.

[TMSmith]

I doubt it. The WRX and Sti are big sellers for Subaru. I might go as far as to say that it is their flagship car, unless I'm wrong then someone correct me.

[MikeCandler]

Originally Posted by newsman

Could there be a possibility that Subaru would drag WRX and STi with no redesign for 2 years and just kill it off? I agree that it seems expensive to basically have WRX and STi as a separate production car from Impreza. Subaru USA can't even bring Recaro seats from day one, and now we will get a separate performance car? I understand it wouldn't be just US, but still.

I think things will become clearer once the 2012 Impreza has been fully revealed. In regards to the WRX/STI it's seems the only for sure thing is that 2012 models will still be the same as the current car. After that who knows.

My statement still remains that I find it hard to understand why they would not want to use the new platform for the new WRX/STI, all the new technology, weight and strength improvements, etc.

Time will tell

[TMSmith]

The only thing I could maybe think was they might drop the Sti. I was thinking that because neither Mitsubishi nor Subaru races WRC anymore, which was the whole reason behind the Evo and Sti. The WRX just seems to be the middle man between the Impreza, where you get performance but a little more laid back, but still a formidable car. And since the Evo is getting dropped maybe the Sti will too. I figure that Subaru would still need a competitor against the Lancer, being the WRX.

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by newsman

Could there be a possibility that Subaru would drag WRX and STi with no redesign for 2 years and just kill it off? I agree that it seems expensive to basically have WRX and STi as a separate production car from Impreza. Subaru USA can't even bring Recaro seats from day one, and now we will get a separate performance car? I understand it wouldn't be just US, but still.

They aren't dragging it out. The WRX and STI got a fresh for MY11, the Impreza did not. They are staggering the models to distance the Impreza from the WRX. In Europe they have completely dropped Impreza from the badging on the WRX and STI. Also, I was told by a dealer that SubaruNet now has the Impreza and WRX as two completely different models in terms ordering, sales numbers, etc.

In regard to killing it off due to stagnant design...they don't offer redesigns for 1 year. Look at the history of the Impreza since MY2002.

MY02 Impreza = all-new........MY02 WRX = all-new
MY03 Impreza = carry-over....MY03 WRX = carry-over
MY04 Impreza = face-lift.......MY04 WRX/STi = face-lift + add STi
MY05 Impreza = carry/int......MY05 WRX/STi = carry/interior facelift (saab int)
MY06 Impreza = facelift.........MY06 WRX/STi = facelift/2.5L
MY07 Impreza = carry/lights...MY07 WRX/STi = carry/lights change + add Limited
MY08 Impreza = all-new........MY08 WRX/STI = all-new, add hatch, delete wagon and sti sedan
MY09 Impreza = carry-over....MY09 WRX/STI = carry-over + VF52, new grill
MY10 Impreza = carry-over....MY10 WRX/STI = carry-over + add STI SE.
MY11 Impreza = carry-over....MY11 WRX/STI = face-lift + add Sedan, delete STI SE
MY12 Impreza = all-new........MY12 WRX/STI = carry-over
MY13 Impreza = carry-over....MY13 WRX/STI = all-new

[TMSmith]

Good point Snow Drift.

[manticus]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

They aren't dragging it out. The WRX and STI got a fresh for MY11, the Impreza did not. They are staggering the models to distance the Impreza from the WRX. In Europe they have completely dropped Impreza from the badging on the WRX and STI. Also, I was told by a dealer that SubaruNet now has the Impreza and WRX as two completely different models in terms ordering, sales numbers, etc.

I don't know if I'm convinced that just because they're staggering models and dropping the Impreza name on one that Subaru is developing a whole different car for the WRX/STI line. I could see radically different body cladding (maybe they realized with the 2008+ line that manufacturing different shells was relatively cheap) but an entirely new chassis? Unless that chassis is shared with another line (FT-86 or Impreza), I don't see how it's remotely resources-efficient. Then again, I don't manufacture cars for a living so I guess we'll see