Filed under: Coupes, Japan, Subaru, Toyota
Subaru RWD coupe will be sold worldwide, Toyota version only in Japan

Inside Line is reporting that the new, RWD coupe being developed by Subaru and Toyota will only be sold as a Subaru in markets outside of Japan, while the Toyota version will remain exclusive to the Land of the Rising Sun. The report goes on to say that the coupe will be based off the Subaru Impreza (despite Toyota/Subaru's own press release saying that it's an "all-new" platform) and that power will be provided by a naturally aspirated, 2.0-liter boxer engine producing 220 hp at 6,500 rpm.
Toyota and Subaru are using the Integra Type-R as the performance benchmark for the new coupe, with a 103-inch wheelbase, a 2+2 seating layout and a curb weight of 2,866 pounds. As reported before, the coupe will debut in 2011 and pricing is expected to begin just south of $20,000.
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Michael 8:07AM (5/28/2008)
I'm going to watch this with great interest.
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geo.stewart 8:29AM (5/28/2008)
3+ years for a variant of the impreza?
seems a little long.
also interested to see how close they can come to the integra
Vintage 9:16AM (5/28/2008)
Knock about 400lbs off that and they'd have something worthwhile.
Matt 10:06AM (5/28/2008)
I agree, it's too heavy. that's just an Impreza that's missing front wheel drive. Make it light weight to keep up with the Integra, more power isn't the answer. And 6500 RPM? Common, my grandfather's Camry redlines there.
Bungle 5:36PM (5/28/2008)
@Matt:
This just says "220 hp at 6,500 rpm," which doesn't necessarily mean that the engine redlines there. I'd assume that's peak hp.
Allan 8:08AM (5/28/2008)
If it looks like that, it would be pretty hot, IMO. takes Subaru's current Impreza face and makes it appealing. Anyone know if that pic/rendering is real?
The naming and brand plans sound a little odd... but whatever. As long as we get one in the US, I don't care.
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JF 8:10AM (5/28/2008)
A naturally aspirated 2.0-liter boxer engine producing 220 hp at 6,500 rpm, is that correct? Seems to me like an engine producing 110hp per liter should rev higher than that. Why don't they just drop the wrx turbo in there?
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sl8anic 8:18AM (5/28/2008)
Because that would make sense and create an affordable, utterly bad-ass car :) But alas, it's not to be since it's not what car companies do these days... 220HP NA engine w/ AWD drag is just so-so.
hans 8:20AM (5/28/2008)
im assuming becasue it would cost too much.
i mean 2011 model, for under 20k in 2011 dollars, with a turbo. really , i wouldnt expect so much.
Pat 10:11AM (5/28/2008)
It makes 220 hp at 6500, but probably has a higher redline. For example, the 240 hp S2000 makes its peak hp at 8300 rpm but redlines at 9000.
naggs 3:34PM (5/28/2008)
because the increase in torque output would make a heavier trans drivetrain necessary. making the power NA with relativly high rpm keeps the peak torque down while still allowing similar power levels.
but i also agree, 6500 rpm sounds like a typo for over 100 hp/liter, must be 7500...
MikeW 11:08PM (5/28/2008)
More like 220hp @ 8000rpm
shadysi 8:27AM (5/28/2008)
welp... time to sell my car in preparation for this one. hopefully it will look pretty good, at least it will definitely be right-wheel-drive instead of fail-wheel-drive.
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Vintage 9:17AM (5/28/2008)
You're jumping the gun. What are you going to do? Walk the next 3 years?
shadysi 9:19AM (5/28/2008)
well, not immediately, but I'm just pretty excited about this car, it looks very promising.
Za 12:55PM (5/28/2008)
They've already made it quite clear it's RWD. That's the point of the car.
RCL1221 3:21PM (5/30/2008)
says the guy with a civic in his avatar...
shadysi 3:37PM (5/30/2008)
Yes, it is a civic, yes its mine, and yes It gets good gas mileage, yes I have a second RWD car.
Thanks for asking ;)
Paul 8:34AM (5/28/2008)
Naturally Aspirated? Ugh... this takes all the wind out of my sale for what i thought this car would be.
Make it a turbo and put it in the low 20s and I'll be interested.
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NeoMoose 10:05AM (5/28/2008)
maybe they are trying to save us having to use Primo Fuel.