Suggestions to SOA: Ref. Future Models

[Credeur01]

If I can't have a proper XV in the states, then perhaps something on the upcoming small car platform that will supposedly base the next WRX/STi. Something like a MINI Countryman/Nissan Juke. But with a better starting price than the MINI, a lot better styling than the Nissan, and a bit more off-road prowess than either. I'm thinking a slightly raised suspension, real skid protection, ~180HP 1.6 turbo, 5-door body style.

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[RobE]

Originally Posted by Credeur01

If I can't have a proper XV in the states, then perhaps something on the upcoming small car platform that will supposedly base the next WRX/STi. Something like a MINI Countryman/Nissan Juke. But with a better starting price than the MINI, a lot better styling than the Nissan, and a bit more off-road prowess than either. I'm thinking a slightly raised suspension, real skid protection, ~180HP 1.6 turbo, 5-door body style.

I believe something close in size to the Juke is already in the works.

[Credeur01]

^Nice. Any sources on that? I'd seriously be all up on that.

[chanomatik]

Since there's still time before the official production is unveiled, here's my suggestion: Do NOT release the RWD coupe with the name "BRZ". Plz. For your own good, do NOT use that name.

[rsholland]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

Since there's still time before the official production is unveiled, here's my suggestion: Do NOT release the RWD coupe with the name "BRZ". Plz. For your own good, do NOT use that name.

Yup. Don't need another "Z-car."

(edit: Why am I supporting this car? Need to go slap myself in the face)

Bob

[rsholland]

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/31/f...-up/#continued

This new Fiat Work Up has a payload of 2,205 pounds. I'm sure Subaru could build something similar, and base it off the Forester—and give it the 2.0 diesel as well.

The success of the Ford Transit Connect has shown that there's a place for a small, intelligent, work-capable truck in this country.

Bob

[Credeur01]

I'd rock that. I love the idea of a Subaru truck. Especially with a diesel and drop-sides. There's a photochop of a last-gen Forester truck/BRAT floating around the net. Looks nice.

I was not fond of the execution on the Baja. The older front end and Pontiac Grand Prix style side cladding made it look awkward to me.

[keepclam]

Originally Posted by rsholland

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/31/f...-up/#continued

This new Fiat Work Up has a payload of 2,205 pounds. I'm sure Subaru could build something similar, and base it off the Forester-and give it the 2.0 diesel as well.

The success of the Ford Transit Connect has shown that there's a place for a small, intelligent, work-capable truck in this country.

Bob

Originally Posted by Credeur01

I'd rock that. I love the idea of a Subaru truck. Especially with a diesel and drop-sides. There's a photochop of a last-gen Forester truck/BRAT floating around the net. Looks nice.

I was not fond of the execution on the Baja. The older front end and Pontiac Grand Prix style side cladding made it look awkward to me.

I agree, but if it's Forester-based Subaru needs to abandon the idea of rear seating and stick with an X-Cab size, just enough behind the front seats for some groceries, work clothes, outdoor gear, etc. I think part of Baja's problem was rear seating (for 2 not 3!) over bed size. Bench seat in front for 2 adults + child, or optional bucket seats. IMHO, of course.

Those drop sides are interesting, but the bed has to be tall enough & strong enough to haul loose gravel, dirt, etc. Those drop sides look pretty short.

[rsholland]

Originally Posted by keepclam

I agree, but if it's Forester-based Subaru needs to abandon the idea of rear seating and stick with an X-Cab size, just enough behind the front seats for some groceries, work clothes, outdoor gear, etc. I think part of Baja's problem was rear seating (for 2 not 3!) over bed size. Bench seat in front for 2 adults + child, or optional bucket seats. IMHO, of course.

Those drop sides are interesting, but the bed has to be tall enough & strong enough to haul loose gravel, dirt, etc. Those drop sides look pretty short.

I'm sure that was done in order to offer a reasonable payload, given that the Baja's GVW was so meager.

To be honest I can see two trucks: A new (and vastly improved!) 4-door Baja; as well as something like the Fiat Work Up, that has a metric ton payload and that can do real work.

Bob

[keepclam]

Originally Posted by rsholland

I'm sure that was done in order to offer a reasonable payload, given that the Baja's GVW was so meager.

To be honest I can see two trucks: A new (and vastly improved!) 4-door Baja; as well as something like the Fiat Work Up, that has a metric ton payload and that can do real work.

Bob

Good point about the payload. I suppose I could see two trucks too, but if there were a 4-door I'd rather it were based off of Tribeca. I'd rather see them start with the smaller one, basically a simple-yet-high-quality, updated take on Ford Ranger, with an emphasis on utility.

[rsholland]

Originally Posted by keepclam

Good point about the payload. I suppose I could see two trucks too, but if there were a 4-door I'd rather it were based off of Tribeca. I'd rather see them start with the smaller one, basically a simple-yet-high-quality, updated take on Ford Ranger, with an emphasis on utility.

Not me. The Ranger has a payload ~ 1,400 pounds, if that. This Fiat Work Up has a payload of over 2,200 pounds. That's what I want to see, a small truck—but one one that can work like a full-size truck.

I think there's a market for such a vehicle. Not everyone wants a full-size truck in order to carry heavy payloads. We could learn a lot from European truckmakers. Most of their trucks are small (by American truck standards), yet can carry heavy loads.

Bob

[Monkey_Boy]

I wonder what Fuju Heavy has in its stable that could be adapted into a workable utility truck...?

[Credeur01]

Originally Posted by rsholland

Not me. The Ranger has a payload ~ 1,400 pounds, if that. This Fiat Work Up has a payload of over 2,200 pounds. That's what I want to see, a small truck—but one one that can work like a full-size truck.

I think there's a market for such a vehicle. Not everyone wants a full-size truck in order to carry heavy payloads. We could learn a lot from European truckmakers. Most of their trucks are small (by American truck standards), yet can carry heavy loads.

Bob

The Ranger the U.S. has/had is a joke. The Ranger the rest of the world has is a whole different animal. While I was overseas my unit had two crew cab, diesel, manual-transmissioned, 4x4 Rangers. They were awesome.

[spartanVR4]

I would love to have a diesel subaru in the US. If it could run on B100 I would buy it the first day it came out.

[rsholland]

While my car was in for service today, I asked my sales rep about the fact that Subaru's Bluetooth does not recognize the contact list/phonebook from the iPhone. Apparently this is not a problem with the Blackberry, Droid and most other cell phones, at least the good ones; it's only a problem with the iPhone.

He said this is an issue with Apple (and not Subaru), something to do with "proprietary information," or something like that. This is something Subaru and Apple need to work out, as the current situation leaves a lot to be desired. The ball may be in Apple's corner, but Subaru should at least try to help find a solution here. I think some other automakers (BMW? Others?) have worked this out.

Bob

[fenderwrx]

Originally Posted by rsholland

While my car was in for service today, I asked my sales rep about the fact that Subaru's Bluetooth does not recognize the contact list/phonebook from the iPhone. Apparently this is not a problem with the Blackberry, Droid and most other cell phones, at least the good ones; it's only a problem with the iPhone.

He said this is an issue with Apple (and not Subaru), something to do with "proprietary information," or something like that. This is something Subaru and Apple need to work out, as the current situation leaves a lot to be desired. The ball may be in Apple's corner, but Subaru should at least try to help find a solution here. I think some other automakers (BMW? Others?) have worked this out.

Bob

It's because Apple has a proprietary protocol for it's phone app in iOS...subaru probably doesn't want to pay the licensing costs. BMW has the upper hand because they aren't selling cars for less that 30k for the most part...

[rsholland]

Originally Posted by fenderwrx

It's because Apple has a proprietary protocol for it's phone app in iOS...subaru probably doesn't want to pay the licensing costs. BMW has the upper hand because they aren't selling cars for less that 30k for the most part...

No doubt, but this is going to become more of an issue as more and more people get familiar with Subaru's Bluetooth/iPhone limitation. For some people it could be a deal-breaker in terms of what brand car they buy.

Yes, BMW is a premium brand, but I'd be curious if there are any mainstream brands that can recognize the iPhone's phonebook? Perhaps Ford with their much-vaunted Sync? Others?

Bob

[fenderwrx]

Originally Posted by rsholland

No doubt, but this is going to become more of an issue as more and more people get familiar with Subaru's Bluetooth/iPhone limitation. For some people it could be a deal-breaker in terms of what brand car they buy.

Yes, BMW is a premium brand, but I'd be curious if there are any mainstream brands that can recognize the iPhone's phonebook? Perhaps Ford with their much-vaunted Sync? Others?

Bob

I'm gonna go aftermarket. Pioneer offers a lot of apple solutions. Trust me, I'm an IT/Finance guy and I'm all about apple.

[rsholland]

Originally Posted by fenderwrx

I'm gonna go aftermarket. Pioneer offers a lot of apple solutions. Trust me, I'm an IT/Finance guy and I'm all about apple.

This is a question I would never have thought to ask a car salesman... until now. It won't be long before infotainment issues, like this, become as important—or more important—as horsepower or any other performance metric.

Bob

[fenderwrx]

Originally Posted by rsholland

This is a question I would never have thought to ask a car salesman... until now. It won't be long before infotainment issues, like this, become as important***151;or more important***151;as horsepower or any other performance metric.

Bob

Pioneer plays nicely with the iPhone. I love me some apple products; have two macs, two iPads, and an iPhone in this household haha. I'm already looking at aftermarket options and I just took delivery of this car yesterday.

As for ford's sync: it's a Microsoft creation so chances are it doesn't play nicely either...

[rsholland]

Originally Posted by fenderwrx

Pioneer plays nicely with the iPhone. I love me some apple products; have two macs, two iPads, and an iPhone in this household haha. I'm already looking at aftermarket options and I just took delivery of this car yesterday.

As for ford's sync: it's a Microsoft creation so chances are it doesn't play nicely either...

Being a graphic designer, a Mac is almost a given. Have 2 and an iPhone 4. My son (not a designer, but an eye doctor) also has a Mac.
Bob

[rsholland]

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1002394

Looks like the '12 CRV will have a 201 hp 2.5 option. Don't think it's a turbo.

Bob

[fenderwrx]

Originally Posted by rsholland

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1002394

Looks like the '12 CRV will have a 201 hp 2.5 option. Don't think it's a turbo.

Bob

I'm thinking we're going to see a higher-output version of the new 2.0 boxer engine that just went into the 2012 impreza. That engine is a detuned version of the powerplant that the subaru BRZ/toyota FT86 II is running so I'd assume we will see the exact engine in future foresters...

[Monkey_Boy]

This article doesn't tell us anything new about the future WRX/STi, but it has a design concept/photoshop (?) of a 2-door STi that is one of the prettier ideas I've seen.

Not sure where that photo came from, but it's got nice lines.

http://www.nitrobahn.com/news/subaru...separate-ways/

[Sub!eDr!ver]

^^^ That picture's pretty old ^^^
It looks good though. I wouldn't complain if it ended up looking like that.