The title of this thread is one I hoped I would never have to type: "Subaru considers offering non-AWD and non-boxer engines"
There had been a few rumblings over the past year or so that Subaru may be considering offering non-AWD models, and now we have this story coming from Subaru's of Australia's managing director, Nick Senior. The reasons for the switch are expected ever-tougher fuel mileage and emission demands in the future. According to Senior, if this were to occur, it would happen after 2010.
AWD and boxer engines are "core technologies, and are a key part of the brand," said Mr...
Senior. "That is not likely to change in the foreseeable future.
"Where there will need to be discussion and debate internally is if we develop environmentally friendly technology like an electric car or hybrid car or whatever, that may not be true to our core technology.
"We would have to sit down one day and discuss whether that fits into that strategy. If not, do we look at changing that?"
Mr. Senior was quick to emphasize that Subaru Australia was committed to AWD and boxer engines for now.
"As we sit here today, there is nothing in our product portfolio or pipeline that is not all-wheel drive or has a non-boxer engine (but) that may not be the case forever and a day," he said.
Prediction: If they switch away from AWD and boxer engines, the company is dead. I don't see how they can compete with the giants of the auto industry without those features. 20 years from now they will be out of the car business. Hopefully I will be dead and buried when that day arrives.
Full story here.
"Where there will need to be discussion and debate internally is if we develop environmentally friendly technology like an electric car or hybrid car or whatever, that may not be true to our core technology.
"We would have to sit down one day and discuss whether that fits into that strategy. If not, do we look at changing that?"
Mr. Senior was quick to emphasize that Subaru Australia was committed to AWD and boxer engines for now.
"As we sit here today, there is nothing in our product portfolio or pipeline that is not all-wheel drive or has a non-boxer engine (but) that may not be the case forever and a day," he said.
Prediction: If they switch away from AWD and boxer engines, the company is dead. I don't see how they can compete with the giants of the auto industry without those features. 20 years from now they will be out of the car business. Hopefully I will be dead and buried when that day arrives.
Full story here.
moparbad says:
10:39 AM, 11/19/07
Prediction: Subaru will offer FWD and RWD models in the next 2 to 5 years. Subaru will maintain and grow market share.
7driver says:
11:02 AM, 11/19/07
Been there, done that: Subaru Justy anyone?
texases says:
11:09 AM, 11/19/07
AWD is core, but boxer engines? I don't think they're a strong positive aspect of Subarus, more of an oddity. You would think boxers would be smooth, but my rides in Subarus disprove that theory!
bbechtel16 says:
12:54 PM, 11/19/07
I agree tex. Though I will say a boxer 4 cylinder is about the beefiest sound you can get from a 4 cylinder with an exhaust.
paisan says:
04:19 PM, 11/19/07
Obviously you guys have never ridden in an SVX. Perhaps the smoothest 6cylinder engine I've ever owned or driven.
-mike
texases says:
04:31 PM, 11/19/07
6-cyl smooth - absolutely. I just wouldn't lose sleep going from a flat four to an i4, which could be part of the enviromental changes (hybrid, etc.), it would seem.
wenhead says:
06:52 AM, 11/20/07
Well, I really enjoyed my old 1.8L Subaru DL wagon. One reason they don't use smaller engines is the cars keep growing larger. But, I can't complain about the cars being much safer now. Most of the time I didn't mine the fact that the DL was 2wheel drive. And in some of those cases a nodern traction control would have helped. Since the are currently doing a 2.0 liter turbo in japan, what is the chance they could optimize a 2.0 liter for fuel economy and stil make adeuate power.
ateixeira says:
10:26 AM, 11/20/07
Oh, my. Subaru Yaris coming soon.
I hope not.
Boxers give Subaru their character. If you want a Yaris, Corolla, or Camry, you go to a Toyota store.
iskch says:
10:37 AM, 11/20/07
Small car with Boxer engine and FWD is a maybe as an alternative for fuel saving. The boxer engine is like Porsche tradition.
ateixeira says:
01:52 PM, 11/20/07
True, but sadly the Cayenne made them a bunch of money and that was a VW V6. Sacreligious if you ask me, but the bean counters love it.
jr1m90 says:
05:06 PM, 11/20/07
Subaru probably can't do a FWD boxer, the boxer is a longitudinal engine layout, and every front wheel drive car I know of (I'm sure there are exceptions that I don't know of) has a transverse mounted engine.
If they're going to not stay 100% AWD, rear wheel drive works a lot better in their current platforms.
I still think the boxer engine is a great layout: Low center of gravity, perfectly balanced (especially in H6 form), and they have a cool sound! I'll cry if Subaru strays from AWD and boxer engines.
firstwagon says:
05:43 PM, 11/20/07
Actually the Legacy was available in front wheel drive with the boxer engine in the early 90's as was the Loyale before that.
Exceptions... The Chrysler LH cars (Intrepid, Concorde etc), early Tercels, Oldsmoblie Tornado,..... anyone have any more front drive longitudinal engines?
rsholland says:
06:51 PM, 11/20/07
There are FWD 1.5L boxer Imprezas sold in Japan. They're base level models. I don't think Subaru sells many, but they're offered for the budget-minded customer.
bbechtel16 says:
01:45 PM, 11/21/07
Acura Vigor is another exception to the rule. Longitudinal I-5 FWD.
kentuckyranger says:
01:44 PM, 10/22/08
It's a shame that Subaru will be separating themselves from what has made them such a great Car, AWD and the Boxer Engine.
People have come to expect certain things from Subaru and that's why the re-sale value is so high.
If Subaru starts dabbling with their reputation they'll be putting themselves in the Limelight of the Auto World, I just hope they know what they're doing...
kentuckyranger says:
02:00 PM, 10/22/08
One other thought.
All this talk of "Hybrid" Vehicles makes me sick.
I see these ads for things like the Escallade "Hybrid" makes me want to hurl.
To take a Vehicle that gets single digit millage and barely bring it up to double digits by adding a couple of Batteries and an electric Motor, then call it "Green" is just beyond me.
Then to compare a Vehicle like one of those "Green Crossovers" to a Subaru and claim that Subaru isn't keeping up with the times is ludicrous to say the least.
Hey Subaru, we aren't all Yuppie, Tree Hugging bloviates that have to make sure we have the "Hybrid", I'm saving the Planet Badge on our Cars, next to the I'm a supper Soccer Mom Sticker, next to the Chrome Fish and Stick Figures of all the Family Members, including Stick Dogs, Cats and Hamsters...
This Hybrid craze is just that, it's crazy.
To think that an SUV is "Greener" because it has an electric Motor giving it a push off the Red Light and that you can keep your V-8 with a clear conscience, feeling like a true Savior of the Planet, get real...