Wednesday 2nd March 2011

Subaru Shows Sports Car 'Architecture Concept'

Toyota's FT-86 looks ready, but Subaru's version remains a mystery

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While Toyota grabs the headlines with its second-generation of the FT-86 concept, Subaru has, er, a glass model that doesn't really depict what its version of the shared sports coupe project will look like at all...

In fact, apart from the general dimensions of the car, the only real significance of this unveil is the visual proof that Subaru's version of the car will be rear wheel drive - and how the drivetrain layout actually looks.

This is a shame: while Toyota bathes in the generated excitement, Subaru admits that its more meagre budget is being spent on actually engineering the thing. The firm is leading the partnership, and it will be building the different cars for both companies as well.

What we do know is that the Subaru version will be resolutely aimed at the mainstream: the firm (like Toyota) is convinced that there's a market for what it calls an 'affordable' car that's fun to drive.

Expect it to use a 2.0-litre boxer motor, non-turbocharged. And there probably won't be an STI version either: Subaru wants to keep that badge for a pure Subaru model line, such as the Impreza.

[HowardB]

there used to be affordable fun, £20k WRX, now the only option is an STi at £32k, who are they trying to kid?

[jake15919]

Even more pointless than this comment.

[Ed.]

Anyone else think Subaru should spend less time worrying about it's styling direction? Colour is those side panels, pop some lights on, sort the handling and sell it.

[TheRoadWarrior]

Ed. said:

Anyone else think Subaru should spend less time worrying about it's styling direction? Colour is those side panels, pop some lights on, sort the handling and sell it.

Painted or not, I dont think a glass car would be all that brilliant.

[JTeb]

Am I missing something here, or am I right in saying the article has missed the point? The point of the sports car "architecture" is that it's just that ... the architecture (ie. chassis, engine, suspension).

It's not meant to have a body because it's not a car, it's a platform.

Edited by JTeb on Wednesday 2nd March 09:29

[JJ78]

visibility looks epic!!

[Evil.soup]

If Sti were allowed to do their thing and it had AWD with a turbo charger it would be very much like the P2 that never made it into production and that cant be a bad thing can it!!??

[soad]

JJ78 said:

visibility looks epic!!

[wab172uk]

HowardB said:

there used to be affordable fun, £20k WRX, now the only option is an STi at £32k, who are they trying to kid?

Themselves. Into thinking they know what their customers want.

[HowardB]

wab172uk said:

Themselves. Into thinking they know what their customers want.

I fear that you are right,...!

:-)

[Black S2K]

TheRoadWarrior said:

Painted or not, I dont think a glass car would be all that brilliant.

The Glas 1300GT was brilliant. It even got promoted to a BMW 1600GT eventually. Pretty too.

[Chris-R]

JTeb said:

Am I missing something here, or am I right in saying the article has missed the point? The point of the sports car "architecture" is that it's just that ... the architecture (ie. chassis, engine, suspension).

It's not meant to have a body because it's not a car, it's a platform.

Edited by JTeb on Wednesday 2nd March 09:29

The point is, we'd hoped they'd be a bit further along with it by now...

[Black S2K]

Ed. said:

Anyone else think Subaru should spend less time worrying about it's styling direction? Colour is those side panels, pop some lights on, sort the handling and sell it.

I agree!

Don't even paint it; it's the first modern one can see out of in a decade!

[ArtVandelay]

article said:

Subaru wants to keep that badge for a pure Subaru model line, such as the Impreza.

I thought they had dropped the Impreza name from their sporting models and were going to call them the Subaru WRX and WRX STI respectively (much like Mitsubishi had with the Evo)

[AndySpecD]

ArtVandelay said:

I thought they had dropped the Impreza name from their sporting models and were going to call them the Subaru WRX and WRX STI respectively (much like Mitsubishi had with the Evo)

They have

[Ali_T]

No STI means all interest is lost in this for me.