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With the new STI out of the way, we can now bring on Subaru's 2007 Tokyo Motor Show concepts. First up is the Exiga, an AWD wagon that almost certainly previews a future production vehicle -- the next Legacy, perhaps? In concept form, the Exiga sits on a 2750mm wheelbase and is powered by a 1994cc 4-cylinder turbo. Inside, the concept's airy cabin (note the expansive roof glass) is finished in white leather meant to emulate the seating on a luxury yacht. Looks like a car to us, though. Exiga also contains enough multipurpose video screens to set new benchmarks for distracted driving. Look for the car's shapes to transition to production and for the myriad video screens to stay behind in concept fantasyland. Drivers are addled enough as it is, you know?
[Source: Subaru]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
chops @ Oct 9th 2007 2:22AM
Wow, is it just me or does the front of that thing bare a striking resemblance to the recently shown Honda Accord Touring concept?
Dan @ Oct 9th 2007 3:58AM
I initially thought the same thing too, but the more I compare the two, the more I think it's just the grill and color. Change those, and I think they'll look pretty different
Bob-o @ Oct 9th 2007 5:30AM
It's 95% Honda Stream, 5% Forester.
i hate trolls @ Oct 9th 2007 3:59AM
Acura much?
Craig @ Oct 9th 2007 5:00AM
Other than the grille which is similar to a Honda, the car does strike its own pose. The bonnet is pure Liberty/Legacy GT and the rims are very similar to those found on a new Impreza RS.
More an exercise in interior design this one.
muffin pump @ Oct 9th 2007 6:19AM
Take away the side skirting and you have the next generation Forester.
Johnny Aero @ Oct 9th 2007 8:24AM
Looks nice, three rows of seats, turbo 4cyl engine, sign me up for one! This thing looks close to production ready (except for the interior). So what are the odds we could see this on the road very soon?
Alex @ Oct 9th 2007 8:58AM
this car makes me miss my 98 legacy gt.
Snark @ Oct 9th 2007 9:22AM
"Take away the side skirting and you have the next generation Forester."
You're totally mistaking the size of this thing - this is more like a Subaru version of a Saturn Outlook or a Mazda CX-9. It's unmistakably a large, three-row crossover. Anybody remember all those spy shots of a Outback mule that Brenda Priddy incorrectly concluded was a mule for a really enlarged next-Gen Forester? That was no Forester; that was the production version of this concept.
The next Forester may take cues from this, but expect a production Exiga for at least the JDM in the next year. The Forester will remain Impreza-sized.
Philthy @ Oct 9th 2007 9:53PM
I've heard the next Forester will move a few sizes up, so there may be some truth to what muffin's saying.
Dustin @ Oct 9th 2007 10:19AM
Oddly, it's the most attractive Subaru I've seen recently. Much more interesting than their production cars.
Carlos @ Oct 9th 2007 10:22AM
No offense to the Japanese, or any car designer for that matter, but why do they always come up with these crazy ass insperations? Inspired by a boat, meant to look like a bionic cheetah, and so on, whatever happened to just looking beautiful?
Za @ Oct 9th 2007 11:53AM
For what it's worth, I like the bionic cheetah [Infiniti FX] and think the interior here looks nice though it will never get produced.
Mike @ Oct 9th 2007 12:00PM
Snark... you're mistaking this size of this car... It's only as big as an Outback length wise but with the wheelbase of a Tribeca.
mk @ Oct 9th 2007 12:26PM
Ok...
That got my attention.
Two problems.
One: the front looks like an Acura. Subaru needs to do better than it has on it's front ends, but plagiarism is wrong.
Two: The glasshouse is a an inch or two too tall. it looks almost identical to the current legacy wagon, just taller and a bit more vertical at the windsheild and tailgate glass. The current legacy's sleeker glasshouse is a bit better for it.
GLASS ROOF. FAN-TASTIC!!!
monitor screens have to go, though. 2-liter turbo engine is fine, and standard for Japan. Hopefully they have a nice 6MT or automated manual transmission behind it.
The rear treatment, tail lights, extractor vents, and center exhaust... very nice.
Now: 5-door sedan and fastback grand touring coupe please. A real version of this car (black leather, no or few screens normal interior, less show-chrome) in a 5-door sedan or a 3-door hatchback coupe will be something worthy of replacing my Legacy GT 5-speed.
B-NOIT @ Oct 9th 2007 5:04PM
I agree. The greenhouse is too tall. The proportions look odd, especially from the side, where even the rear end of the car just looks like a big mess.
Carlos @ Oct 9th 2007 4:54PM
It's not the overall design that I find odd it's the PR BS that is presented with this car. Seriously have you ever seen a bionic cheetah?
whofan @ Oct 9th 2007 6:47PM
Ford called, they want their 3 bar grill back.
paul @ Oct 9th 2007 10:02PM
the headlights reek of Camry. as does the overall shape of the front end
Philthy @ Oct 9th 2007 10:04PM
This looks like a Honda, but not just the tourer concept; from the front it's the spitting image of the '05 Sports Four concept: http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/pic.php?imagenum=1&carnum=2485 . They really couldn't have gotten the headlights and grille any more alike, and the colour to boot. Not intentional I'm sure, but pretty embarrassing nonetheless.
The rest of it is ok and carries some old Subaru design cues (upright rear hatch, floating roof) but Subaru really needs to get some mojo going. This thing looks like 10 years ago with a facelift, and the overhangs are way too long and the glasshouse way too tall for this day and age. All of which is fine if it was distinctive in any way, but this is just as bland and misproportioned as the new Impreza. Geez Subie, get your eyes checked!