Consistent styling is on the way

Subaru make some great cars but if there's one area they're lacking in it's a consistent identity across their range.

That may change soon though. The models unveiled in Tokyo show the hints of consistency - a new grille for starters. The design of the front of the cars is intended to conjure up memories of Subaru’s aircraft heritage via a fusilage-shaped centre flanked by aircraft-type wings. It's a look that will start to gel the range together. Where does this simple but effective form come from? All three cars on show were all created under the guidance of ex-Alfa Romeo designer – Andreas Zapatinas – Subaru’s new Advanced Design Team’s Chief Designer.

R1e

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/images/7465-092033.jpg

Aside from the horrific R2 City Car concept they will be showing the B9 Scrambler roadster which looks pretty good and the R1e Concept. The R1e is takes inspiration from the Smart car but Subaru have lost some of the compactness to give a butcher, more agressive look - and four seats.

Power is electric. The brushless motor uses a high-energy manganese lithium-iron battery which can be re-charged via a single-phase 200V AC outlet such as that used in the air-conditioning units of many Japanese homes.

Scambler

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/images/7465-091805.jpg

The Scrambler is no boulevard cruiser - it's got symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and variable-height air suspension with automatic self-levelling and a ride-height range of between 150 and 200 mm. It uses a petrol/electric hybrid engine which uses an electric motor up to speeds of around 50 mph, only turning to fossil fuel when the charge drops below a certain level.


R2

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/images/7465-092046.jpg

The hideous little R2 is the car most likely to make production though. It features a new supercharged four-cylinder twin overhead-camshaft petrol engine with an Active Valve Control System. It's got a seven-speed "sports" gear shift and looks as desirable as borrowing a leper's driving gloves.

Do you actually read other topics :rolleyes: ?

The Subi R2 would make an ideal competitor for the Holden Cruze AWD Light/Mini car!!

And Kenny, your post should be "New Subies", not "New Scoobies". ;)

And Kenny, your post should be "New Subies", not "New Scoobies". ;)
Tom the upscale ricer community likes to use the word scoobie for some reason. Kenny isn't the only one who uses it. An aquantance of mine that used to have a WRX called it a scoobie.

And Kenny, your post should be "New Subies", not "New Scoobies". ;)


I believe that was the headline from the site I took the article from :).

Over here in OZ : Subaru Impreza WRX = Subi REX. That's what they are commonly refered to over here. Is it the same over there??

Do you actually read other topics :rolleyes: ?
i dont think he did;)

Subaru, scooby doo, kathmandu, who flung poo.. does it really matter? They can call thier cars Betty for all I care. I wouldnt be cought dead reffering my car to a retarded pothead dog. But if they think that is a cool thing to do... more power to them.

Its pretty bad when the R2 is the cooles thing in the thread. The roadster looks like a bastardized version of an S2K and the scrambler should scramble its way off a cliff.

Subaru make some great cars but if there's one area they're lacking in it's a consistent identity across their range.

I couldn't disagree more... people know a Subaru as a Subaru. See a tired GL on the road, or a boxy old Legacy, or a 2.5RS, and you know who the hell makes it. Same with the Forester/Legacy/Impreza today. I guess it doesn't hurt that they make all of their cars from, what, three platforms? :) Subaru, like Volkswagen, has just enough brand character to nudge their products up to entry-level BMW/Lexus range even though the cars themselves are definitely Accord/Camry-level.

BTW, a few of those pics look like my friends made them on solidworks. Are there prototypes of these cars around somewhere? Are they going to be hitting car shows soon?

Who curs about any of this? Subarus=suck.