Autoblog

click image above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Impreza Outback Sport

The standard new generation evolution usually goes like this: bigger, roomier, longer, wider. For some models, it's not such a big deal to go fiddling with the specs, on certain cars it's even a welcome improvement. Subaru, however, has a conundrum on their hands when they go messing with the Impreza formulation. There's a loveable quirkiness to the recipe; start tinkering too much, though, and you'll end up with New Coke.

Thus, it's with trepidation that we sampled the 2008 Impreza. It certainly looks different than those which came before. New duds don't mean an expanded waistline here, the 2008 model actually twirls out considerably less measuring tape in several dimensions than its forebear, while gaining inches and tenths where they make the most difference. Better doesn't have enough depth to fully convey the marked improvements Subaru has made in their entry-level model for 2008. Even stretching to "a lot better" leaves more to be said



All photos ©2007 Dan Roth / Weblogs, Inc.

Subarus have sported standard AWD since the 80s, well before most other automakers even bothered with the technology. That, partnered with its boxer engine, goes together like peanut butter and jelly. But the Japanese automaker has to begin worrying about fuel efficiency and emissions, so the two features that have defined the brand for decades may become optional on future models. Thankfully, it's got Toyota to pilfer from, so the implementation of new drivetrains will be a bit easier if and when it makes the shift. Subaru of Australia Director Nick Senior broke the news of the possible switch, but he also emphasized that any changes wouldn't be made before 2010 and that no product plans are without AWD or the boxer engine in the foreseeable future.

[Source: Go Auto via Straightline]

Click the image above for a of couple high-res pics.

Subaru's Tokyo presence wouldn't be complete without a few limited edition models that leave you scratching your head while shaking it simultaneously. The first of which is the Legacy Outback Urban "selection," which strikes us as an oxymoronic offering considering the Outback's entirely un-urban pretenses.

Essentially the "Urban" is your standard Legacy with a limited edition red hue, silver side mirrors and roof rails, along with leather and Alcantara-trimmed seats. What's been done to make it more suitable for mid-town motoring escapes us, but so does the concept behind it. Sales are expected to begin in Japan sometime next year.

[Source: Subaru]

When we first saw the new Subaru Impreza and Tribeca at the New York Auto Show, we were a little disappointed with the overall styling direction. It seems as though Subaru wanted to play it safe with two of its most important models, but little did we know, the worst was yet to come. After seeing the two-tone 2008 Outback on the VWvortex forums, we think Subaru just abandoned safe in favor of just plain ugly. Although we can appreciate the dearth of plastic cladding surrounding the Outback, it honestly looks like the plant where this beauty was assembled ran out of paint for the front and rear bumpers, and we're seeing bare plastic. This Subaru may be the worst interpretation of two-tone paint of the 21st century. Congratulations Aztek, you're off the hook. At this point, body cladding would be like a gift from Harley Earl. Click on the 'Read' link below for more pictures of the Impreza Outback.

[Source: VWvortex]

NASIOC forum member Lone Wolf 75 was at Raven's Stadium recently and spotted a pack of new Imprezas apparently getting ready for some type of focus group ride-and-drive. Besides the base Impreza and WRX sedan, he saw a hatch with a roof rack and revised front end. It is most likely the new Outback Sport. As other members had pointed out, it has a different grille with a chrome strip at the top, thinner chrome sides and an elongated drop in the bottom section of the grille. Much like the STi, but with a different mesh-patterned insert. It also sports the new front fascia, over-fenders and restyled rockers of previous Outbacks in a contrasting silver color. The two-tone look is a bit debatable, making the car look like a mismatched mule rather than a production model, but the overall package is tasteful. We had seen the back and side before, but this is our first look at the Outback-ed front end.

[Source: NASIOC]

We're shooting from the hip this week for Podcast #71. Rather than prepare, we're going with gut reactions. Starting it off, we mull over the loss of the USGP from Indianapolis, and postulate on where else F1 may pop up in the US. An F1 race on the Vegas strip would be the bomb. Staying with motorsports, we marvel at how Team SARD spanked everyone extremely hard at Tokachi with a hybridized Supra GT. We're sure that racing will improve the hybrid breed at a much steeper pace than conventional powerplants. In other racing news, Dale Junior has split from Budweiser, so he'll have new livery to plaster all over his left-turn machine.

Moving on from racing, we ponder the leakage and eventual announcement of the Porsche 911 GT2. It's as unassuming as a Porsche can get, but it packs 530 horsepower and uses the rear wheels to push top speed to the 200 MPH realm, while being a docile everyday car. While Porsches always make us giddy little schoolboys, Subaru's recent model line revisions have us alternating between cheers and jeers. The good: the Legacy SUS, or whatever the heck they call their Outback sedan is kaput. The bad: so is the straight Legacy wagon. We devolve into a styling review of Subaru's new corporate language for a while before surfacing again to discuss the inanity surrounding presidential candidates and hybrid vehicles. Idiocy, 'nuff said.

On a lighter note, we discuss the rumored sequel to Disney/Pixar's "Cars." Not surprising when you consider how lucrative the tie-ins usually are. Off entertainment and on to entertaining cars, we ogle the leaked pictures of the FPV Falcon, and discuss the future plans of that platform here in the US. It does look mean, so thanks to that janitor who picked these renderings out of the trash. Our pithy cavalcade keeps rolling along, and we chew over Bob Lutz's latest comments about the future of diesel powerplants in the US. It's odd that Bob is cool on diesel just as GM is poised to roll out new oil-burners. Wrapping up, we put out the call to action again for the Reader Ride - add your pix to the Flickr pool and include details! The hour duration of Podcast #71 will give you enjoyment to and from work, enjoy!

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We got our first official look at the redesigned 2008 Subaru Impreza back in April at the New York Auto Show. At that time we saw the standard and WRX variants and assumed that there would probably be more to come. It now appears that another shoe has dropped in the form of a new Impreza Outback model.

How well the traditional Outback two-tone treatment comes off on the new Impreza design is debatable, but we were generally more impressed with the other Imprezas in the metal than in photos so hopefully that will carry over to the Outback.

[Source: Inside Line]

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in Arlington, Va. has just concluded testing on some 75 vehicles' head restraint systems and after performing a simulated rear-end impact of 20 MPH, only 22 of the systems received the top score of "good."

At the head of the class was Audi's A4, S4 and A6, along with the Chevy Cobalt, Ford Five Hundred (Taurus, whatever) and its Mercury counterpart, Honda's Civic, Hyundai Sonata, Jag S-Type, Kia Optima, Merc E-class, Nissan Sentra and its lesser sibling the Versa, Subaru's Impreza, Legacy and Outback, as well as Volvo's S40, S60 and S80 (no surprise).

The flunkees included the Acura TSX, BMW 5-series, Buick LaCrosse and Lucerne, Caddy CTS, DTS and STS, Chevy's Aveo, the Honda Fit and Accord, Infiniti's M35, the Jaguar X-Type, Kia Rio, Mitsubishi Galant, Pontiac's Grand Prix, plus the Toyota Avalon and Corrolla.

Considering that the IIHS estimates that the injuries sustained to the back and neck in these types of collisions costs insurance companies around $8 mbillion dollars per year, their interest in the matter is obvious. Whether or not consumers will include this in their purchasing criteria is another matter however.

[Source: IIHS]

We know special editions aren't really so special anymore, but usually automakers give a name to their marketing gimmicks. It tends to be more effective that way. But Subaru has apparently decided to do without one as they offer a special edition of the new Outback to British customers. As we reported from the Detroit show floor, the Outback and Legacy were both revised for 2007 with new features and an updated look. This special version comes packed with ₤1000 worth of options at no additional charge over the sticker price of the ordinary Outback 2.5 SE on which it's based.

The package included a Momo leather steering wheel with built-in audio controls, an ivory leather interior and rear air-conditioning vents. The special Outback is available in either Diamond Grey Metallic or Dark Green Mica with Urban Grey bodycladding and bumpers.

Something for nothing – you can't beat that.

[Source: Subaru]

Click on either image to view our high-res gallery of the Legacy 3.0 R and Outback

Subaru launched the 2008 Legacy and Outback models at the Detroit show, and while it's largely business as usual for the all-wheel-drive duo, there are a few revisions that the Subie fans amongst our readership might find interesting.

After its kid brother, the Impreza, has gotten a new face time and time again, the Legacy and Outback have now gotten their turn under the knife. Sheetmetal up front is the biggest change for 2008. The Legacy gets a new, bigger, chromed-up grille; restyled bumpers front and rear with shorter overhangs; and new headlights and taillights. The Outback gets a bigger, more upright and rugged-looking grille, plus restyled fenders, restyled hood and new wheels. Stability control will be offered on more models, and a tire pressure monitoring system becomes standard. Both models also get some revised features inside.

The 2008 model year also marks the debut of the range-topping Legacy 3.0 R, transplanting the 3-liter DOHC 245-hp Flat-6 engine that's already under the hood in its Outback sister car. Paddle-shifters for the 5-speed auto are also new, and the car bobs and weaves on a Bilstein suspension setup. And while it may not have the clout of a premium German badge, the 3.0 R makes a compelling case against the usual suspects from Europe.

Follow the jump for the full press releases, and click here or on the image above for our gallery of high-resolution images from the studio and the Detroit show floor.