Chris Doane, an ace spy photographer from Brenda Priddy & Company, has caught the all-new WRX in "full body camo" out doing some real-world testing. Even so, it's clearly possible to make out a number of details—one being the controversial 3-piece aircraft-inspired grille is indeed gone. Upon closer inspection (of much larger images than seen here) the grille appears to be similar to the grille found on the current JDM Outback (pictured at right), but with a more pronounced "V" flavor to it. Despite SOA's best efforts to mislead the grillefreaks, the oval logo appears to reside in the top "ribbon," and does not split the plane with the bottom mesh, as it does on the Outback...
Also note the tailights appear to have clear lens, but with LED brake lights.
It had been long-rumored that the vehicle would have a more European stance, and would be built off the Legacy platform, but would be the same length as the current Impreza. That means the car would have shorter overhangs, especially at the rear, which these images confirm. Also rumored is that the vehicle will be a 5-door hatch. The questions that remain however, is the 5-door hatch just another term for the sport wagon that's currently offered, and will there also be a sedan version offered? My sense from what I've read to date (meaning reading between the lines) is that Europe may get hatches, and that we may get both a hatch/wagon and a sedan—but that's just pure guesswork on my part.
According to Priddy, there are rumors that the "Impreza" name may be dropped, but it's hard to imagine the "WRX" name being dropped. Also rumored are upgrades in engine power, perhaps as much as 330 hp—maybe even higher in some markets.
It had been long-rumored that the vehicle would have a more European stance, and would be built off the Legacy platform, but would be the same length as the current Impreza. That means the car would have shorter overhangs, especially at the rear, which these images confirm. Also rumored is that the vehicle will be a 5-door hatch. The questions that remain however, is the 5-door hatch just another term for the sport wagon that's currently offered, and will there also be a sedan version offered? My sense from what I've read to date (meaning reading between the lines) is that Europe may get hatches, and that we may get both a hatch/wagon and a sedan—but that's just pure guesswork on my part.
According to Priddy, there are rumors that the "Impreza" name may be dropped, but it's hard to imagine the "WRX" name being dropped. Also rumored are upgrades in engine power, perhaps as much as 330 hp—maybe even higher in some markets.
bkaiser1 says:
07:57 AM, 09/13/06
Although the previous (current) generation WRX wagon wasn't very big in back, it does appear to have quite a bit more cargo room than this 08 version. The cargo room was one of my favorite things about my 04 WRX -- it DID manage to hold a surprising amount of stuff with the seats down and was one of the primary reasons I chose the WRX over the Forester XT, which held more "stuff" but I didn't care for the styling as much. I hope the 08 WRX wagon doesn't lose too much of this utility...it's hard to tell from these pics, though.
rsholland says:
08:11 AM, 09/13/06
I don't think it will. I just see the rear wheels being pushed back towards the rear bumper, which results in a longer wheelbase—and hopefully more legroom for the rear passengers.
ateixeira says:
08:27 AM, 09/13/06
Looks like they may trade off a bit of cargo room for a lot more rear leg room, a common complaint.
The greenhouse is taller. Should be good visibility and head room.
I agree with Brian that it looks less wagony, less long, though that may be due to the taller hatch stance.
overhangs are quite small.
Doors have frames, it seems.
jim118 says:
04:43 PM, 09/13/06
Boy didnt take long for that new Toyota alliance to kick in with Subaru. An awfully Toyota-esque grill there. In fact....IS that a Toyta?
rsholland says:
04:53 PM, 09/13/06
Don't be fooled by that big glob on the center of the grille Jim. That's merely camo to throw gearheads like us off track.
bkaiser1 says:
10:34 AM, 09/14/06
I hope that Subaru is not moving away from frameless windows -- for whatever reason, that's something that I really did love about both of my Subies. It seems like a trivial aspect, but I like it. Framed windows are so clunky and heavy-looking by comparison, although I will conceed that they are probably more robust than frameless ones. Let's hope that the frames stay with the Tribeca only! From the pics, it's hard for me to tell if the new WRX has them or not...
rsholland says:
11:01 AM, 09/14/06
Yep, it has framed windows. It looks like this is a Subie tradition that's on the way out...
ateixeira says:
01:59 PM, 09/14/06
It doesn't quite have the blunt nose that newer Toyota's do, most likely in order to help meet euro pedestrian crash standards. From that point of view, Subaru actually managed well, as the nose doesn't appear too high at all.
iancar says:
07:09 PM, 09/15/06
Subaru needs to grow up from Legacy. Tribeca is a good idea, but it is underpower and ugly. I hope that they can bring out real sport cars, roadsters, and coupes. Subaru needs to go beyond BMW or Audi (go for porsche or GTR perhaps?) before mainstream Japanese big three and their luxury divisions eat their entire market for all.
phila1776 says:
10:28 AM, 01/20/07
I had a 2002 WRX wagon and now have a 2005 Legacy GT wagon. When my lease is up in November, I hope the new WRX is available, because it looks like it addresses almost all of the things I wanted to see changed:
A little bigger than the current WRX (esp in rear seat), better handling than the current Legacy (the GT is pretty floaty for a "GT"), and always more power.
I think/hope the changes also lead to better styling...less overhang and framed doors (I hate the rattle the frameless ones make).
I hope they give us a better manual tranny, too, better shifting and 6 speeds. Copy Honda's or BMW's if they have to.
Better gas mileage would be welcome, and possibly attainable through direct injection and higher compression, although it looks like they're going to increase boost, too, which will probably negate that. Can't have everything, I guess.