114 days

[bootymac]

or wait long enough for the next design... This one is U-G-L-Y!!!

I'm going to have to disagree. I find the new batch of Subarus rather good-looking. I've thought the last generation were horrendous, but the current is much better.
I actually like the look of the current WRX and would like to own one even based on looks. While it's very toned down compared to the concept, I think this one is rather decent and don't understand why so many think it's ugly.

I also want to add that a WRX Hatchback was spotted as a test mule. Sounds like Subaru heard the uproar and maybe decided to offer the hatch Rex after all.
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/09/02/suba ... spy-shots/

Anyhow, is this really ugly?

I really think it looks like the front quarter of the car is a completely different car than the back three quarters. Maybe it's just me, but it appears to me that the guy in charge of design got finished with the front, got fired when they realized he was coming to work drunk, and hired someone from a completely different country to finish designing the rest. It just doesn't work for me. The new style wheels must have come from a completely different designer yet. Maybe with a more blocked-off rear to match the heavy, bulked up front and old style wheels, it might be different. Just my 2 cents...

I do love me some horizontally opposed blub-blub tho!!

Nailed it. It's like three different cars in one

[WESHOOT2]

intentional

Why yes, yes it was intentional.
I presumed someone would catch the reference.....

[sx4rocious]

intentional

Why yes, yes it was intentional.
I presumed someone would catch the reference.....

dude! we are so best friends now!

[murcod]

Nailed it. It's like three different cars in one

The pictures here are a lot more flattering http://www.subaru.com.au/wrx-and-wrx-sti/gallery



I think it's one of those vehicles you need to see in the flesh. I wouldn't call it a stunning design (by any means!), but it's certainly not anything along the lines of the bug eyed Rex...

The interior is fairly bland, perhaps even already dated compared to other vehicles?:

[bootymac]

Wow, the driver's seat looks really cramped?

[sx4rocious]

Meh... That's better I guess. I still think the car looks like a hodge-podge of different designer's ideas. I would have to see it in the flesh as I have to admit, ALL Subarus look better in the flesh.

I still love what Subaru stands for tho. Reasonably priced AWD performance in a modestly presented package. Even the regular Imprezas compete nicely in terms of bang for the buck, performance, and driving excitement. They blow most of the competition out of the water in terms of reliability. I would have one, yes, but not because of the looks...

I think Subaru somewhat sold out with the BRZ. It goes against everything Subaru stood for. No AWD, it's a cramped coupe, and no turbo performance option. (along with a duplicate and cheaper Toyota model. Why work WITH the competition?)

[nytq]

This car is deceiving. Ironically most of the advertising pics are from an angle. Take a look at one from the front. It's basically a brick. They added way to much width to the fenders and bumper and IMO just too square.

[bootymac]

I think Subaru somewhat sold out with the BRZ. It goes against everything Subaru stood for. No AWD, it's a cramped coupe, and no turbo performance option. (along with a duplicate and cheaper Toyota model. Why work WITH the competition?)

Toyota must've done something right! Subaru initially turned down the project due to the same reasons you brought up, but changed their minds 6 months later after testing the prototype and discussing development with Toyota.

I'm glad Subaru was involved, otherwise the FRS/BRZ wouldn't exist. It's a much needed return of the cheap sports car

[KuroNekko]

I think Subaru somewhat sold out with the BRZ. It goes against everything Subaru stood for. No AWD, it's a cramped coupe, and no turbo performance option. (along with a duplicate and cheaper Toyota model. Why work WITH the competition?)

The BRZ was co-developed with Toyota from the very start. It's actually a renaissance Toyota AE86 Trueno. Toyota and Subaru were toying with the idea of co-developing the car and made it happened when Toyota bought GM's stake in Subaru around 2008 or so. The Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S/Toyota GT-86 are essentially the same car and I called it the "Toyobaru".

In essence, it's a Toyota that Subaru designed. It's a Subaru in my book because it's well known that Subaru engineers did nearly all the development and engineering. Toyota's contributions were Direct Injection, the transmissions, and the styling. The boxer engine is obviously Subaru's. If you thought that the BRZ looked different from the rest of the Subaru line-up, that's because Toyota designed it. I'd say that's a good thing.

AWD is impossible with the BRZ as it is currently designed. It's because the engine and transmission are mounted too far back in relation to the front axle, making a front drive axle not possible. This rear-oriented mounting gives the car a great weight balance which contributes to excellent handling, but eliminates the possibility of AWD.
It would also not make sense given the car was entirely designed to be a lightweight RWD. AWD would both hamper weight and RWD characteristics. It would change the car entirely and make it essentially another Impreza. Nope, not happening.

Turbocharging is also something that Subaru would not want to exactly offer openly. Why? Because if it was turbo, then it would take customers away from their WRX. The WRX is a turbo AWD. There is not much reason for the BRZ to also be that.

All that being said, I have some JDM news to report:
The Toyobaru will be offered as a 4 door soon. It will also be offered as a hybrid. The rumor is that the 4 door will be a turbo. Maybe a turbo will be offered for the coupe then as well. We will likely never see AWD with this car and for good reason.

The Toyobaru as is is a cramped coupe because it's a sports car. Yes, not a very powerful one but it will just about out-handle anything out there. It has a lower center of gravity than a Ferrari 458 Italia. When you sit in it, you are very low and that's the point. It's essentially a car for the handling purist.

[sx4rocious]

OH I definately agree with every aspect of your post. Or at least I would if the car were maybe a Nissan, or JUST a Toyota. Both companies known for making fantastic RWD small-ish sports coups. (Supra, 350\70Z, 180\240SX, early Celicas and Corrola) Subaru makes FANTASTIC AWD 4 door cars. ALL of them are fantastic 4 door AWD cars. Subaru's last effort at coup-small-ish-sport-car-ness, the SVX, was a good car, but a horrible sales failure. I'm not saying the BRZ isn't good because I have heard PLENTY of evidence to the contrary, and once again, I would own one (although again, not for the looks...), but to me, it's just not a Subaru, much in the same way the Adam Baldwin isn't a Baldwin brother. He carries a lot of the same physical characteristics and looks like he should be, but he hasn't been kicked off a plane or arrested for being drunk and disorderly, therefore he doesn't fit with the rest of them...