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Old 08-24-2012, 10:31 PM   #26
makopolo
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Definitely a test mule. I would think that the transmission and exhaust fill well just because it is a Subaru and they have great parts interchangeability.

This could also just be for testing the engine, but I would have thought they would be more stealth and do it in an older model.
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Old 08-24-2012, 10:37 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spaceywilly View Post
Explain the perfectly fitting STI 6 speed shifter and perfectly fitting twin tip exhausts then. This is obviously more than a hack job mule. I'm sure the sheet metal will change in the final version, but this confirms we are getting a WRX version of the 2012 impreza and not a new model. Boo
Um like my post said I was addressing the people that thought that this mule is the WRX and saying comments like why does it focus on fog lights and whining about mirrors and other things. You stating that you believe it will get a complete sheet metal change doesn't include you in this so I don't know why you bothered replying to me.
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Old 08-24-2012, 10:45 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spaceywilly View Post
Explain the perfectly fitting STI 6 speed shifter and perfectly fitting twin tip exhausts then. This is obviously more than a hack job mule. I'm sure the sheet metal will change in the final version, but this confirms we are getting a WRX version of the 2012 impreza and not a new model. Boo
they never said they wouldnt use the impreza design, they did express they are splitting from impreza. its called cost effective to use what they have so far...

The new impreza will evolve differently and the wrx will do its own thing also... thats been my guess since the beginning, they will split like neanderthals and homo sapiens. =p
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Old 08-24-2012, 10:45 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boosted Up View Post
Though an obvious mule, I sure hope it is NOT a sedan!
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Old 08-24-2012, 10:51 PM   #30
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Doesn't look like a shortened Impreza to me. Could it be a turbo Impreza being brought out just to placate those wanting turbo power and Impreza practicality?
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Old 08-24-2012, 10:51 PM   #31
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Guys...it's a Legacy
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Old 08-24-2012, 11:00 PM   #32
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^
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Old 08-24-2012, 11:01 PM   #33
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4 Door AWD BRZ turbo.
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Old 08-24-2012, 11:16 PM   #34
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I still think it's going to be a 2015 model. When did we start seeing BRZ/FR-S mules? Like 2 years prior to their release. This is obviously a mule since it's a complete chop job. You also have to consider that the first concept was only revealed a few months prior and nobody picked up on it. You also have to consider that they have to be running behind schedule because of the earthquake last year.

This car here is probably just an early mule with regular Impreza cladding on it because they haven't finalized anything. There were a whole slew of mules for the BRZ/FR-S and I'm sure this is just the first one that we've seen which means that they've still got to test it a bit more before they release it to the public.
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Old 08-24-2012, 11:17 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spaceywilly View Post
Explain the perfectly fitting STI 6 speed shifter and perfectly fitting twin tip exhausts then. This is obviously more than a hack job mule. I'm sure the sheet metal will change in the final version, but this confirms we are getting a WRX version of the 2012 impreza and not a new model. Boo

I thought the diesel had a six speed...in this body style. I would say that would perfectly fit. And that exhaust if far from perfectly fitting.

I have said this before in another post a while back. I went to the Corvette Museum back when the C5 had just come out. In the entrance lobby they had a bunch of the different test cars set up to show it's development stages. One of those cars was a C4 with a C5 interior. Another was a C4 with the full drivetrain of the C5. I believe this Impreza(with it's obvious chopped hood) just has the next drivetrain in it for testing.

I am thinking Subaru is getting away from hood scoops like they have done with the diesel. They are just using one here because this is NOT the new body, so they need it because this body doesn't allow for the proper airflow under the hood.

Also, I am sure you have been on here long enough to have made that "this confirms" statement.

Last edited by JustyWRC; 08-24-2012 at 11:26 PM.
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Old 08-24-2012, 11:22 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WideBody View Post
You also have to consider that they have to be running behind schedule because of the earthquake last year.

I don't think the earthquake would have had much affect on development. Production? Yes, but not development. Why would it? Nothing Subaru got damaged, and I don't think they need power to drive a car around a test course.
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Old 08-24-2012, 11:48 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustyWRC View Post
I don't think the earthquake would have had much affect on development. Production? Yes, but not development. Why would it? Nothing Subaru got damaged, and I don't think they need power to drive a car around a test course.
I don't see how a 9.0 magnitude earthquake that rattled the entire nation couldn't cause at least some delay with development. The production was heavily delayed for the 2011/2012 model years for nearly all Japanese manufacturers. While development and production are two separate entities, I would figure that they would need additional time to get things rolling with the production of the new cars due to the fact that they were behind on the other ones. They might have it down on paper since they were directly affected by the quake, but they need to do more than just that to get a new car out there which may or may not have been pushed back in schedule due to the unforeseen forces of nature.
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Old 08-25-2012, 12:54 AM   #38
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Also, if you look at the exhaust cut-outs, they look too big/ half assed. Don't think this is the finished product but close to it.
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Old 08-25-2012, 02:06 AM   #39
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WRX mule. Or Impreza GT.

Could it be a mule for BRZ STI guts?

Probably WRX mule, considering the car it's running with. No way Subaru's going back to sharing standard Impreza body style with WRX, though.
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Old 08-25-2012, 02:06 AM   #40
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For anyone that says it's not a mule, you've fallen out of your tree again.
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Old 08-25-2012, 04:48 AM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by industrial View Post
Yeah? That's the real deal? Not just a convenient chassis to throw the FA20DIT for North American testing? Nope can't be that. That's the WRX completely undisguised.
Yeah, like they can't do a short run of hoods for a test mule. I'm sure that's no problem for them since they can pump out concepts here and there.
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Old 08-25-2012, 05:28 AM   #42
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Yeah? That's the real deal? Not just a convenient chassis to throw the FA20DIT for North American testing? Nope can't be that. That's the WRX completely undisguised.
No, didn't say that. The exterior trim, wheels, tires. ect ect are being dialed in. The interior is being finalized... But its not a true mule as is
the BRZ (black) mule in the photograph. If the driving dynamics (of the WRX) are such that it can be simulated very very well with a 2012 Impreza, then the WRX is going to be based on the 2012 Impreza. Hence, its not a Frankenstein mule. The hood scoop alone is an EXTREMELY strong marker for my conclusion - y'all know the importance of the hood (shape) and scoop design on intercooler efficiency, right?
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Old 08-25-2012, 05:37 AM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by a2cpc View Post
Doesn't look like a shortened Impreza to me. Could it be a turbo Impreza being brought out just to placate those wanting turbo power and Impreza practicality?
6 speed manual and turbo in an Impreza GT? By any other name, thats a WRX. Impreza GT is/was a automatic.
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Old 08-25-2012, 07:00 AM   #44
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An early test mule for sure, and while I don't think it will use the current Impreza bodies, these shots seem to confirm that the wheelbase isn't changing much, if at all. The body differences will probably similar to the styling differences between the Outback and Legacy; while you can tell them apart easily, it's easy to see that they are related. I think that's how it will be between the Impreza and WRX/STI, although the changes will make the WRX/STI look more aggressive compared to the standard car.
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Old 08-25-2012, 07:01 AM   #45
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Oh, and fingers crossed for a six speed in the standard WRX!
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Old 08-25-2012, 09:17 AM   #46
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I'm going with an Impreza GT, small turbo making 200-220hp and 30mpg.
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Old 08-25-2012, 09:48 AM   #47
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Really looks like a mule with parts hacked/thrown on. The cutout for the exhaust looks like it was hacked with a dremel.
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Old 08-25-2012, 11:12 AM   #48
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Question... when was the last time anyone saw a virtually undisguised Subaru in the wild any length of time before it was due to be released?
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Old 08-25-2012, 11:33 AM   #49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spaceywilly View Post
Explain the perfectly fitting STI 6 speed shifter and perfectly fitting twin tip exhausts then. This is obviously more than a hack job mule. I'm sure the sheet metal will change in the final version, but this confirms we are getting a WRX version of the 2012 impreza and not a new model. Boo
That "perfectly fitting STI 6 speed shifter" is identical to what can be found on any manual Impreza or XV outside of North America.



and the "perfectly fitting twin tip exhausts" are in obvious hand made bumper cut outs
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Old 08-25-2012, 11:50 AM   #50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SoDealer View Post
Question... when was the last time anyone saw a virtually undisguised Subaru in the wild any length of time before it was due to be released?
I seem to remember a black '12 base Impreza sedan that was caught several months before any official info was released. But yes, you are correct. FHI is notorious for leaving us hanging.
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