No more aluminum for Subaru exteriors
According to Forbes, Subaru will stop utilizing aluminum exterior body panels on all new and redesigned models, beginning in March of 2007. Subaru claims that over the past two years, the cost of aluminum has more than doubled and as such, it will begin using zinc-coated steel sheets instead.
The models currently using aluminum panels include the Legacy, Forester and Impreza. We know the hood of the Impreza is aluminum, but can't remember what else. All you NASIOC and i-Club boys can refresh our memory in the 'comments.'
[Source: Forbes via Jalopnik]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jon.... 7:53PM (12/26/2006)
wow this su ks. Rusty dosent look good on an all weather car. I dont even own a subie but if I did I would hang on to it until they continue aluminum panels. This would be ok if they used aluminum drive shafts, that would be a fair trade.
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C 10:51PM (12/26/2006)
I didn't realize Subie WAS using Al body panels. Does this have weight implications for the WRX?
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Supercujo 4:36PM (12/27/2006)
#1: The report says that the aluminium panels will be replaced with zinc coated steel panels. I have a 1992 Liberty/Legacy that all exterior panels, except the roof, are zinc coated steel. No rust there and it has done over 300,000 km (185,000 miles) in various conditions with no issues at all. No engine work needed.
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Howard 9:48AM (12/27/2006)
Does this mean all cars produced after 3/07 or cars designed or released after 3/07? How much cost savings vs. sales loss?
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emulous1974 11:13AM (12/27/2006)
I just put a magnet (flexible) to all the body panels on my '05 Legacy GT Wagon and the hood and tailgate appear to be aluminum. My legacy is already a little chubby and the gas mileage is exemplary, can't imagine what more weight will do to it.
They should at least retain aluminum body panels for their performance STI and SpecB models IMO.
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Jeffs 10:43PM (12/26/2006)
This really doesn't come as much of a surprise to me...
Subaru is a relatively small and observant company (contrasting GM or Ford) and subsequently have a management advantage when it comes to making sure they remain profitable. A smaller company can spot issues, analyize them, and take action long before a larger company might.
Unfortunatly, this does come at the expense of the enthusiast who will lose sodium filled exhaust valves (STi) and aluminium body panels for the '07 model year.
It's better that we lose some goodies than to see Subaru follow in the footsteps of GM or the like, but you all should be warned that we may very well be at the peak of 'affordable' enthusiast cars.
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felonious monk 11:11PM (12/26/2006)
Doesn't really matter. The boy racers end up replacing the aluminum hoods with carbon fiber anyway.
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TicalWRX 8:44AM (12/27/2006)
I owned a WRX (miss it dearly) and I'm pretty sure the fenders were also aluminum. Maybe even the doors too.
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bob 10:16AM (12/27/2006)
just a few components, the hood being most notable. i remember my '02 wrx had the flappyist hood around-- was always convinced that thing was gonna fly off whenever i cruised around the century mark.
never did though-- guess that's why they make airplanes outa the stuff.
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Russ 12:04AM (12/27/2006)
I think both the hood and hatch of the Forester are Al.
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Cheezedog 12:44AM (12/27/2006)
Its a small bummer of a problem for those of us that whole hearted accept a Subaru for what it is, but the implications are minor. The thing thats probably been keep Subaru's Aluminum prices so low probably has been old contracts set to expire... As such, Subaru probably kept in mind they would not be able to negotiate a better contract this year, and planned to go to all steel bodys. With this in mind, Im sure they could keep the weight penalty minimal, rust issues at bay, and still mannage to turn out a phenomial product.
This also probably will lower the price of Subaru products across the board. And if not lower the price, atleast allow it to remain locked in with a true rate of inflation. And thats nice because If the price of a Subaru does not raise too high when it comes out, it would allowing you to be able to better afford aftermarket parts that cuts into your natural wieght penalty.
So when you look at it that way, its actually fairly great news.
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Sammy B 1:33AM (12/27/2006)
Considering that they will be launching updates of the models, I do not see this as a serious problem, if they have known about this for a while. They could work this into their design and the cars will not be left less balanced, hopefully.
But really when are we going to hear about the new WRX? I have been putting off replacing my ever so slowly dying Volvo (in that it is more slowly killing my bank account with minor repairs) with a 2008 WRX and just want to know when it is going to come to America. And I know some snide person is going to say 2008, but I have read online that it will be released in Japan in June 2007 I think. I am sorry to go off topic, but the only Subaru information I am really interested in is when I will be able to get my hands on the 2008 WRX, which will apparently not be using aluminum in its construction, to get back on topic. Which I am fine with as long as it gets here soon. So if anyone knows anything I don't...
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jon... 3:14AM (12/27/2006)
o no, it gets worse. Acording to wikipedia the 2007 wrx "In 2007, as a cost-cutting effort, the WRX has its aluminum suspension reverted to steel-cast pieces. The WRX base and Limited trim levels receive an auxiliary audio port next to the cigarette lighter. The rest of the car is mechanically the same."
This meens increased unsprung mass and worse handeling.
Source = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Impreza_WRX
look under revision F.
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steve 7:15AM (12/27/2006)
one word- Evo
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rw 11:15AM (12/27/2006)
one word
Toyota
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Green Lotus Elise 9:23AM (12/27/2006)
Well cool, looks like I got one of the last pepsi can Legacy GT's! I've no clue where they've used aluminum in my 2006 2.5GT but I can tell you they didn't use enough, the car still feels like a tank.
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DKB_SATX 1:09AM (12/28/2006)
The reason Subies WITH the aluminum panels aren't super-light is the AWD system and (I suspect) the perimeter frame structure. You don't get excellent crash ratings all around without putting some structure into the car. I don't mind dealing with the weight... my Legacy GT Wagon is still a stellar performer in its segment, mass and all.
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ronin 5:24AM (12/28/2006)
Subarus are already premium priced (eg, Forester cost = Pilot cost). Without the premium goodies will they be priced down more in line with their competition?
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ssgtakeo 12:11PM (12/27/2006)
rw: You realize that because Toyota now owns 20% of Fuji Heavy Industrie's auto division (Subaru) that they now do a lot of technology sharing right?
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Mike 2:40PM (12/27/2006)
AFAIK Toyota does not use aluminum panels on Toyota brand vehicles. And Fuji stated "Volume Models". That would hint that the Higher end niche stuff will still have aluminum. Before 2006, Base imprezas had steel hoods and WRXs/STIs had aluminum ones. And btw... Toyota owns 8.7% of Fuji Heavy Industries... not 20%
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