Here are the pics of the new MY06 Subaru Impreza WRX STi.

-= Source: www.subarunews.net =-

two thumbs up!!!!! Am getting one!!!

I doesn't look as bad as I thought it was going to.

That looks so awesome! I like how they went back to the bug eye hood scoop. I may have to trade my 2004 in. This will be the 07 here right? Since we are 1 year behind Japan on the changes?

It's ok. But I don't like how "smooth" the front bumper is. Not aggressive enough...

Those new tail lights suck. The look like altezza lights sort of. I'm going to have to swap them with an 04/05. Will this be the GDC?

The first shot makes the front corner sort of look like a Pontiac Vibe...

It's ok. But I don't like how "smooth" the front bumper is. Not aggressive enough...
I agree, the bumper on the sti looks way to smooth and blended, a little too "perfect" for me. Is the silver one the wrx, or just an impreza? where's the scoop?

It is just an Impreza wagon.

what the hell is that. thats two thumbs down right there.

what the hell is that. thats two thumbs down right there.

+1 :barf:

it's been downhill ever since 02... get with it subaru.

I'm glad my future plan when I get out of college and get a job is a motor swap rather than picking up the latest model...

...then again, maybe I just need to see a black one and let the new style sink in a little.

Tails look like ****, and the front isnt much better. The front COULD look nice but there is just WAY too much bumper and not nearly enough headlight. Hopefully some aftermaket fronts will take care of this but unfortunately, as much as I love to love OEM aero, this sucks.

i don't like the front- but then again i didn't like the 04 front either- and i have one- as a matter of fact i hated the bug eye too... but i have that too. go figure- maybe subaru is headed the path of honda - make cars that seem ugly but everyone soon enough falls in love with them- - - -


aloha from the summit of *-^-mauna Kea-^-*

Hmmmm....At least the got the idea that most true enthusiasts debadge the butt-ugly letters and did it from the factory. I'm not WILD about the new styling, but it could have been much worse. I think I'll stick with my 2003 WRX. Bugeyes for life!

i like it. I might just be getting one. :D

i think the concept drawings looked better for some reason,and i was skeptical then, now that i see pictures of it, i think it looks worse.

at least it looks better than those drawings we saw earlier.

but i still dont like it that much.

looks like there trying to please the DSM crowd and get people out of evo's and into wrx's with those new front headlights ;) which in my mind is a great idea. Im not too fond of the front end though it does look like it may allow for more flowing air to the engine bay.

taillights to ricey, front end to... aw hell in a word ICK!!! Get with it Subaru.

*pukes* those taillights are hideous.. what have you done subaru?!

I think the car looks good .. Except for the hideous pig snout they put in the middle of the grill. If they took that out I would trade in my 04 for sure.

WRB9X ????

A pig in a sock !!!!!!!!!!!!

...AH HA! I've finally figured out why it doesn't look 'subaru' to me- can you imagine it as a rally car? It's just weird... but again, I'll give it time to grow on me. Like someone else said, I didn't like the 04 at first, either. But this change seems a little more drastic, if I'm not mistaken...

Ewww

EWWWW!! Not aggressive looking, not much change on the body style. It looks like they just updated the fron end and rear.
That rear window spoiler/difuser looks like it would fit the present bodystyle. Hmmmm......

any specs on the car? are they changing anything performance wise?

Personally, I think it looks 100x better then those photoshops floating around. Its good. I kinda don't like the back end though. The taillights suck and the badge don't seem to fit as well as the SUBARU written across the back does.

All in all, it excedes expectations in my opinion.

My sister (aka, normal untrained eye) says that it looks very nice, but she can't really see any difference. She likes it.

Its still an Impreza, that much is obvious.

i can dig it. it will grow on me.

lol

http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=saab+92x/v=2/SID=e/l=IVI/SIG=12p44qlio/EXP=1117591779/*-http%3A//www.in.gr/auto/parousiaseis/foto_big/in_Saab_92X_122003_09.jpg
http://www.i-club.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=39850

has subaru gone saabaru?

has subaru gone saabaru?

Maybe so. ;) I don't it's that bad. The new headlights are better than the 04-05 and a million times better than the bugeye. Sorry Charlie. Still GC8 owns all. Oh yeah, they should have stuck w/ the 04-05 tail lights.

ok, i can't figure out how to join subarunews.net . . . what am i missing?

has subaru gone saabaru?
I'd rather have the Saab.

Thumbs down here too.

ok, i can't figure out how to join subarunews.net . . . what am i missing?

Click the banner at the top of the page and then click "register".

I dont like it . . .

there was a photochop of the grill in front that made it look better.... made it look like the evo 9's grill :D

Personally, I think it looks 100x better then those photoshops floating around. Its good. I kinda don't like the back end though. The taillights suck and the badge don't seem to fit as well as the SUBARU written across the back does.

All in all, it excedes expectations in my opinion.

i totally agree. it doesnt look THAT bad, i guess its already starting to grown on me.

question: why go back to the 02-03 hoodscoop... is it more functional?

I'm just wondering after this 3rd large front end change on the same chasis are they going to change the back end? I'd like a new designed wing. The trunk and everything is the same, just the tail lights are different.

Not impressed at all.

Looks like they took a ford taurus and strapped a "bull horn" type grill to it. Imprezer is right... doesn't look nearly as aggressive as past models.

They should have spliced a Skyline with a GC8. Wide aggressive fenders and all the trimming. THEN we would have been in business and I would be buying one.

I mean you look at all the Impreza models and you have no idea where they're going and where they have been with the design. Goes from a boxy type design, to bugeyes, and to what we have currently. At least I can see how the BMW and other cars have matured over the years.

For those of you at Subaru that read this: Go back to your GC8 style roots!

i like it. I might just be getting one. :D

an evo
05 wrx
and an 06 sti

thats a bloody garage

Subaru just made baby jesus cry.... :(

haha! min by min account, of my reaction as i looked at the pic...

pic 1 .... pic 2.... pic 3 ..?/

pic 4 WTF! :(

http://www.i-club.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=39848&stc=1&thumb=1

I bet they shoot lazers!

fugly

the front end is so ****ing ugly....i'd rather buy a bug eye

Every new impreza makes the previous looks better.

Rear lights are gross, so need to be black instead of chrome. Front isn't bad, it will grow on me, but it doesn kind of look like a pig.

Also I noticed a small wing over the rear window, it this a response to evo's vortex generators?

man, i guess the last photochop picture i posted came close. i still don't like the looks of the car. to me it looks more like a mini-Forester.

I just don't like the rear tail lights.

I think the front end will grow on me, but it's no too aggresive. The grill is fine with me but I think the legacy lights would work much better. The curves on the lights make it a little *ussy. The rear lights are just horrible.

I wonder if there are any performance improvements...or even extra electronics?

The only thing I can say is.....................thank God I didn't wait.

I don't really care for it, but I think it will grow on me. I didn't like the 04's headlights when they first came out, but I ended up trading my bugeye for an 05 so that must have grown on me. I'll need to see one in person and see the changes in the context of the whole car. Those pictures don't show you enough to really tell.

Making my bugeye look better...weeeeee.

Love the GC8's, Didn't really like the bugeyes, kinda liked GDB's, Hatin' the 06'.

Why do we have to accept the "Grow on me" look???

Subaru needs to get their **** together and make an impreza that we like instantly!!!

Can I get a Harumph?!?!

Making my bugeye look better...weeeeee.

Love the GC8's, Didn't really like the bugeyes, kinda liked GDB's, Hatin' the 06'.

Why do we have to accept the "Grow on me" look???

Subaru needs to get their **** together and make an impreza that we like instantly!!!

Can I get a Harumph?!?!

http://www.tallrite.com/images/harumph.jpg

I like it 10x better than any of the prototype photochops I've seen. I've got to see this thing in person to make a real judgement though.

Prepare for lots of these threads later this summer:

"Want to trade my 06 tail lights for your 05 tail lights"

Any idea when this will be available?

I'm glad that I bought the Evo and didn't wait for that fugly thing. What did Subaru do?

That thing is hideous. Front and rear. That was a big mistake, like the 1996 Ford Taurus type mistake.

Can't really tell from those pictures. The angle of those shots makes the front end looks too large. As for tail-light, STI finally got sold out to Altezza. Ugly IMO.

There's too much going on in the front...that **** is WACK!!!

I dont understand how so many people find it attractive?! It is the single least attractive 4 door sedan I have EVER seen. Products like this make me glad I am getting out of the automotive design program.

It's ok. But I don't like how "smooth" the front bumper is. Not aggressive enough...


FMIC/remove the scoop & the Fugly wing and you have a sleeper

I don't like it, but... some cars look MUCH better in person than they do in pictures. Some people already said this about the Tribeca, which looks ungly in pictures too. Based on the pics, however, the new Impreza looks worse than the outgoing model. But then again, many magazines bashed the bugeye styling in 2002 and Subaru listened. If me moan enough, we might get something better for '08... BUT I WANT A GOOD LOOKIN' IMPREZA NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Subaru has the most massive inferiority complex in the automotive industry.

2001 "The Impreza doesn't have a unique personality." Give it bug-eyes.
2003 "It looks like a Dodge Neon." Give it pinched-eyes.
2005 "It looks like a Hyundai." Rip off Saab, and/or Alpha-romeo, and Toyota.
2006 "The Impreza doesn't have a unique personality." Seek counseling.

i dont like it. :( The new legacy and the forester sti look great... but this.... ugh.

Aftermarket grille/bodykit makers will be getting some biz off this one.

Odd,
Looking on the Japan site at the WR STi , it dosent look anything like this.
Also, anyone notice the scoop isnt as tall? Something wrong with that. There is a reason they increased the WRX one. Also the hood split. Wouldnt that cause less air to actually get into that scoop? (IE wedge through the air pushing it to sides)
If thie were going to be the NEXT Subaru released in the US, wouldnt there be a nice big plaque telling all the details?

The bugeye WRXs are ugly but this is a step below them.
04's and 05s are a good, especially the STi's.
Will belive this only after it is released.

Odd,
Looking on the Japan site at the WR STi , it dosent look anything like this.
Also, anyone notice the scoop isnt as tall? Something wrong with that. There is a reason they increased the WRX one. Also the hood split. Wouldnt that cause less air to actually get into that scoop? (IE wedge through the air pushing it to sides)
If thie were going to be the NEXT Subaru released in the US, wouldnt there be a nice big plaque telling all the details?

The bugeye WRXs are ugly but this is a step below them.
04's and 05s are a good, especially the STi's.
Will belive this only after it is released.

Huh?

I'm not sure if I'm looking at the same WR STi as you but it looks more or less like our (US) current STi. I'm looking at http://www.subaru.co.jp/impreza/wrlimited/.

Its hard to tell if the scoop is taller or not. It appears to have more of the bug eye 02+ rounded look, however, it might be wider given that there are now 5 vertical fins (instead of 4 on the STi hood scoop and 3 on the WRX). Again, hard to say without more pics from different angles.

About the less air through the front grille hing... I think its trivial. That's like saying the GGB revised grille is superior over the original one because it had a rounder look and hence was more aerodynamic. And what abou the pink STi badge? Isn't that blocking air? If you notice on the 02 model as well as this purported 06 model (and probably the models in between), there is a fat plastic block smack dab in the middle of the grille. That's blocking air too, well, at least to the hood latch.

whatever, sorry if i'm being an ass. I'm just as disappointed as everyone else about the looks. Even with the 2.5 L engine and around 250 hp (?) it still won't have a 6 speed (either w/ an overdrive or tighter ratios). Bah.

they're photos man, they made this thing, it's not like it's a concept drawing.

wtf? front grill = crap, two thumbs down

Huh?

I'm not sure if I'm looking at the same WR STi as you but it looks more or less like our (US) current STi. I'm looking at http://www.subaru.co.jp/impreza/wrlimited/.


that is the current impreza

I was referring to the hood scoop and not front grill (air induction)
And as is, unless they mass produce it is nothing more than a proto type. Of which, crap loads are made. How aobut a 2 door convertiable Subaru? Seen the pics but not the car.

Odd that I cant find the article I OG found on the WR, it had a white version not a blue.

OMG! :barf:
Well, nice to know that the guy who designed the Aztek found another job!

WTF with that transformer-inspired front grill and laser-cannon tail lights? Looks like a contraption from an anime film gone horribly wrong.

And they're gonna run that monstrosity in the WRC!?!
rofl

(I'm embarrassed)

ALthough it does look better then the drawings I've seen I have to say that I F***ing hate it! I don't want a big mangina on my front grill. Front bumper looks all soft and sweet and the taillights, OMG, the taillights make me want to cry.

Subaru is dropping the ball IMO and I am upset by it. Boohoo.

This better not make it to production! It seems as if they took the B9 Tribeca front grille and moded it for the Impreza! Legacy 2.5GT Wagon in my future plans if this type of design sees the light of day!

goin punch my suby for having a ugly big brother

This better not make it to production! It seems as if they took the B9 Tribeca front grille and moded it for the Impreza! Legacy 2.5GT Wagon in my future plans if this type of design sees the light of day!

Ummmmm.............that's exactly what they did. All car companies try to make their vehicles of the same year model resemble a typical style. Look at the front of Dodge's Charger, Ram, 300, and Magnum. They all look almost identical.

I think i can handle the rear tail lights.

The front... OUCH. They just made that damn pig snout TOO BIG IMHO. It looks also too whimpy. I'm used to cars like the R33, GC8, EVO8, EV05, EVO6, etc. It looks like the SAAB. It looks soo... nice... I don't want nice.. I like the mean agressive look of my current MY2000 2.5RS.

That settles it.. If there isn't a significant difference between the innards of the 05 and the 06, i'm getting the 05...

Tim

I’m just wondering what's up with the current crop of car designers and their infatuation with these huge hideous grills?

another example; the current '05 audi's

Its called Brand Identity.

You can identify the car without even seeing the badge. A few compaines are successful with it (Volvo, Saab and Dodge come to mind first), so now everyone is jumping on the Grill Brand Identity bandwagon.

Is that what their trying to do by putting the "Tribeca Grill" on the new Impreza. Man, hopefully not cause I'd hate to see any more of that grill on future subarus. Maybe it'll grow on me, but we'll see.

me moan enough, we might get something better for '08... BUT I WANT A GOOD LOOKIN' IMPREZA NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

ya but unfortunately it might be a hatch.. And remember that the head designer was hired from Alfa Romeo.. Not good...

As for wanting a good looking impreza now... Get a MY2000 2.5RS and do an engine swap...

Tim

its not as bad as i thought it was going to be, it still looks pretty mean, but i hope they keep changing it every model year or so untill they strike gold and everyone is happy with a look

wheres the fogs? i think it needs some fog lights. but oh well. it doesnt look too bad i guess. need to see it in person beforei can make a better judgement. the pics adds 10 pounds lol jk

the new headlights look coo, the rest is ugly, when body kits are made i'm guessing a lot of them will be replacing the grill portion, and then car will look pretty damn nice.

Hmm... These look sorta similar.. With the subaru having the alfa snout... Just needs the hood scoop...

I believe that the mirrors have an "aerodynamic attachment" that was advertised as an add on for the previous MY Stis in Jp...

Tim

its not as bad as i thought it was going to be, it still looks pretty mean, but i hope they keep changing it every model year or so untill they strike gold and everyone is happy with a look

That won't happen until they hire another designer... :rolleyes:

Tim

If you have seen the b9 tribeca that just came out, you can see the relationship with the front grill, that triangular lookin thingy...i dont like it too much but you never know what it could like with a few exterior mods and maybe they might have a few new color choices!

It interesting.. I heard that said about the bug eye as well.. "with a few mods".... The only mods i'd like to be making (if any to the Sti for heavens sake) is to the rims and some simple engine mods. If I have to virtually have to redo the whole front end as a mod, then there has to be something wrong...

Tim

Half these posts are like "it's okay" and "it'll grow on me"

Not this time for me. I better fall in love with the car in 5 seconds if I’m spending $32,000 with some ridiculous mark-up when they first come out.

Does anyone remember that GC8 style prototype that one guy drew up some time ago on CAD errr some type of drawing program? That thing was sick.

good work on the improvements from teh last pik i saw of it a couple months back but the headlights could be tweaked and im haveing a bit trouble wiht the grill. In additions change the tail lights so that it has white on top red on bottom due to the fact i prefer polish flag style over monocco flag style :) ne way if you go to chicago 90% of subaru owners are polish.

if i have time ill do a lil photoshop work on it and see if i can make it look better

i played around in photoshop on my freetime and came up wiht this so far ill prolly play around wiht it some more but to me it looks better already. they keep trying to make that grill that looks like if it were off the sabb but thats the #1 thing they need 2 change. That is my opinion. :) hope u like it tell me what u think. I'm open to ne suggestions on what u think would make it look better and ill try to photoshop what u want if i agree.

Hey dude, Put the Photoshop down, nice try.

Subaru ruined the STi, and that is for sure. That new STi is fut bugly.

i played around in photoshop on my freetime and came up wiht this so far ill prolly play around wiht it some more but to me it looks better already. they keep trying to make that grill that looks like if it were off the sabb but thats the #1 thing they need 2 change. That is my opinion. :) hope u like it tell me what u think. I'm open to ne suggestions on what u think would make it look better and ill try to photoshop what u want if i agree.

looks like a WRSX

looks gross... i better get a 02-05 now then. nothing to wait for. thanks for the pic

this one looks nicer than the '06 imho though it is for UK.. I think it just needs the v-limited front lip and it would be mean! maybe i'll get foglamps in that case...

Tim

Ya, it looks like ass. They actually managed to make an uglier Impreza than the 04-05s.

wrsx whats that? can u put an attached pik to see what u are talkin about?

i played around in photoshop on my freetime and came up wiht this so far ill prolly play around wiht it some more but to me it looks better already. they keep trying to make that grill that looks like if it were off the sabb but thats the #1 thing they need 2 change. That is my opinion. :) hope u like it tell me what u think. I'm open to ne suggestions on what u think would make it look better and ill try to photoshop what u want if i agree.

Subaru is trying to have a corporate face so all their vehicles have similar design features many car companies do it, i.e. BMW, sabb, etc. I don't like it, but there isn't much anybody can, except not purchase one.


That's already been done
http://www.intertrick.org/06/subaru200701.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/dismaster/quick_soob_fix.jpg http://www.searchenginefuel.com/06_sti.jpg

no these are not mine

have a whinge. if u dont like it go buy somethin else.
the car looks good. the design is far and away more refined than anythin before it. hopefully that'll flow on to better ride qualtity, interior, noise dampening etc.
subaru will finally have the whole package instead of just good performance. cant wait for the wagon.

does anyone know the real specs on the wrx? is going to be 250hp or 230 hp?

hmmmm the curves on da body, moslty the front bumper, reminds me of an eclipse the 06' model, could be the new style of designed, i dont like it much but every day that passes i get used to it more i say it will grow on us just give it time, kinda like the bug eye impreza, a lot of people i know didnt liek it but now love it.

if they wana have grill split into 3 this is how it should look

oops heres that pik

tell me what u think...

looks good, but it would still need a new bumber because the center piece is actually part of the bumper. A new grill is easy I wouldn't want to buy a $30,000 and have to pay for a ne grill and bumper.

Looking at you new picture would require a new hood as well. I really doubt Subaru will change the design like they did for the 04/05 models because they are going for this look on all their cars.

Whoa, just realized you smoothed out the bumber and that doesn't look good.

If these public opinion, design analogies of the new STI are any indication of the future of the WRX/STI this is a sad day for the Impreza line of cars.

First a comparison to a Pontiac Gran Prix? (Personally I see no resemblance) now a comparison to the new Mitsu- eclipse (puke).

I think I'll wait till I see it first hand- Then get a Legacy GT...

my 2 cents

on nasioc it was compared to the mecury cougar ;)

I like the lights, makes the Suby look mean. The 3-piece grill isn't too hot, if it was 1-piece the front would look awesome. I'm not too sure about the mini spoiler on the roof, looks like Subarus response to the EVO's sonic the hedgehog shark's fins.

After looking at all the pics on the front page of this thread it appears that Subaru is trying to make the car look more like an EVO. The front lights are slimmer, the grill is triangular in the center, the rear tail lights look like the crappy EVo's, the rear roof spoiler is a similiar idea to that of the MR's, and the rear wing appears to be contoured to the shape of the rear windshield as opposed to being rectangular like previous models.

I'd rather buy an EVO and get an iron block, forged internals, and twin scroll turbo.

have a whinge. if u dont like it go buy somethin else.
the car looks good. the design is far and away more refined than anythin before it. hopefully that'll flow on to better ride qualtity, interior, noise dampening etc.
subaru will finally have the whole package instead of just good performance. cant wait for the wagon.

Thats exactly why i'm probably going to get the '05 at invoice...

ANYTHING before it? Even the GC8? really? I think the GC8 is the best looking sti out of all, but of course the car didn't come out here so that is sorta moot... For me its not so much the fact i like it or not. Its more of "why did they have to do that to the tail lights or why did they tack on that extra wing.. plus the front sorta looks like a pig... a pig with a facelift.. Maybe i got too attached to the old style...

Tim

If the extra wing serves a real purpose, which I'm sure it does, i'm all for it and it doesn't hurt the car. The pig snout/alfa-crap is the worst part of it, IMO.

Any pics of the interior?

actually, i'd like to see the interior too... But from what i can see of the seats, they look similar...

The wing might serve an extra purpose, but why the "add-on" look? It looks tacky.. Literally like somebody just tacked the thing on to the roof. WIth all of the hood scoop and huge wing, it just looks like a "band-aid".. It looks like the top deck spoiler that might go on the roof of an impreza wagon..

Tim

Man you guys are the biggest group of crying vaginas that I have ever seen! The new STi looks great. As soon as I can I'm going to pick one up. All of you who keep comparing the roof wing to the EVO MR's "Vortex Generators" are forgetting that both serve a purpose. There is generally a few right ways of doing something to improve performance. I'm sure that Subaru has various things that they are improving in every model this roof wing may just be one of them. The Impreza wagon has had a roof wing on it for years. If you don't like it don't get the car. Everyone may not have realized this, but the IMPREZA IS NOT A PRETTY CAR. It never has been. Every review of it calls it ugly. The Impreza is brute power. If you want something pretty in the Subaru family go for a Legacy. I think this Impreza almost looks too nice. I'm sure there are lots of improvements that we'll find out about soon. If all of you guys want evo's so bad go get one. I'll be laughing my ass off everytime I smoke one of you.

I think pictures don´t make justice to the actual cars. Cars look so much better in person. These shots show a better angle of the car

IMPREZA IS NOT A PRETTY CAR. It never has been. Every review of it calls it ugly. The Impreza is brute power.


LOL…yeah brute power. I'm quite sure that "brute power" is not Subaru's purpose with the WRX /STi. I don't think any car is “pretty”, but I do think some cars a good looking and this one, while not ugly, isn't as good looking as the pervious generations. No, the impreza is not supposed to look like a typical "sports car" as it started out as a little econobox, but that doesn't mean a pig snout is ok. Get rid of the Alfa snout and I’d support this redesign100%. I hate stupid brand identity BS that car companies are moving towards. I don’t want my car to look like all the other cars from a particular manufacturer.

I don't mind the new spoiler because I’m sure it helps increase down force so I agree with you that whining about it is silly, but you have people buying STis and swapping trunks with WRXs so go figure.

Do you think Subaru is reading any of this? Do they have marketing people who browse diff forums to gauge the public's reaction?

Since SOJ makes all of the decisions I would say that NO THEY DON"T GIVE A **** WHAT YOU THINK. The are doing what they want. If sales suffer they will fix things. They do listen to an extent because everyone *****ed about the bug eyes, so they started this ADHD model changes.

The new STi looks great. As soon as I can I'm going to pick one up. All of you who keep comparing the roof wing to the EVO MR's "Vortex Generators" are forgetting that both serve a purpose. There is generally a few right ways of doing something to improve performance. I'm sure that Subaru has various things that they are improving in every model this roof wing may just be one of them. The Impreza wagon has had a roof wing on it for years. If you don't like it don't get the car. Everyone may not have realized this, but the IMPREZA IS NOT A PRETTY CAR. It never has been. Every review of it calls it ugly. The Impreza is brute power. If you want something pretty in the Subaru family go for a Legacy. I think this Impreza almost looks too nice. I'm sure there are lots of improvements that we'll find out about soon. If all of you guys want evo's so bad go get one. I'll be laughing my ass off everytime I smoke one of you.

Whether you like it or not.. that is your opinion and mine is that I want the '05 at invoice.

Right. This one has a roof wing, but I'm asking why? What is the reason that lead them to tack on an extra feature.. The tall wing is just tacky already aesthetically. I'd rather have a more inconspicuous GT wing like on the Spec C type RA or the one on the S203 and still serves the same purpose. A vortex generator (although it might look like Subaru was copying Mitsu) might have been better.

No. No Impreza is beautiful. But, for a lot of impreza fans that I know who essentially "grew up" with the old GC8 style really don't like the new one. Why? most of the reasons stated before you. It looks too much like another car. (Saab, Saturn ION redline, Pontiac VIbe, Aztec, Alfa Romeo) its not too much whether it looks ugly or not.

Please, no references to "smoking people" because it implies the idiotic hobby of street racing. Unless you mean on a drag strip.

Tim

Well I don't street race, read my other posts and you'll see that. I frequent my local track, and that is where I'll be smoking you people at! :) Now anyway the reason the new wing is added is because it improves performance in some way! You don't like the STi wing? Trade or sell it, or better yet buy a WRX. That wing IS STI! I don't so much like the large wing because of the rice factor that people think about, but it screams rally. It is also very functional. You want lots of options on your Impreza? Wait a few years, or move to Japan. I lived in Japan for 2 years it really wasn't all that it is cracked up to be. BTW, a new STI costs about $50k there. Very few of the Americans who are in the market for STi's here would pay $50k for the base model STi. Let alone a Spec C. I would, but that is not the point. I really don't think that anyone is seriously thinking thinking this car looks like the list that you gave. It resembles a little of the new legacy, and the Tribeca. Everyone needs to quit your *****ing!

After reading through this thread, I can see the passion on both sides of the debate; however, there's a lot of hipocracy here. Any opinion worth your time has to be backed up with an element of fact, rather than a gut-check reaction.

Personally, I like the new design just fine. I am absolutely mystified by the use of comparisons to Alpha Romeo designs as an insult -- ahem, outside of the US, Alpha Romeo is one of the most well-respected auto brands in existence and is known for making some of the most radical car exteriors on the road. A comparison to a fine Italian sports car is not an insult, in my book.

As for the new look being too rounded and not aggressive enough, has anyone seen the G35 Coupe's goofy grin? The blunt shark-nose of the 350z? The new Eclipse is so smooth and round in the front it reminds me of a Miyata. Even the new Mustang has all the edges rounded off. That's just a current, modern look and it makes a lot of sense for Subaru to update their line to keep up with competitors.

The idea that someone would refuse to buy an 06 or beyond due to looks alone seems odd -- as if they bought their current WRX or STI for its looks? :) You've got to be kidding me! Even the most diehard Suby fan has to admit that Subaru's aesthetics have been way out in left field since the Baja, and the odd mix of styles (plus that bird-catcher hood scoop) on the current model are something only a mother (or diehard fan) could love. Certainly in the price range you could have a FAR better looking car for the money, from an RX-8 or S2000 to a used M3 or SLK230. Buying an AWD car that gets 20 MPG on a good day, has a noisy, cheap interior and has to be at 4000 RPM to make power isn't an easy decision; looks alone don't seal that deal.

The things that make the WRX/STI special to us fans aren't going to change because the plastic on the fascia or the wing are different. Certainly a 2.5l engine for the base model, an updated transmission and interior and an overall polish can't hurt, and I'd like one in that nice bronze color to boot. Anyone that bent out of shape about the exterior will have plenty of used models to choose from for a long time; I still see GC8s with decent miles selling in the local paper.

well I doubt many of the higher ups read this, but their are dealership level people who do. The only chance would be to write Subaru directly and even then your letter will probably never get opened.

Well I don't street race, read my other posts and you'll see that. I frequent my local track, and that is where I'll be smoking you people at! :) Now anyway the reason the new wing is added is because it improves performance in some way! You don't like the STi wing? Trade or sell it, or better yet buy a WRX. That wing IS STI! I don't so much like the large wing because of the rice factor that people think about, but it screams rally. It is also very functional. You want lots of options on your Impreza? Wait a few years, or move to Japan. I lived in Japan for 2 years it really wasn't all that it is cracked up to be. BTW, a new STI costs about $50k there. Very few of the Americans who are in the market for STi's here would pay $50k for the base model STi. Let alone a Spec C. I would, but that is not the point. I really don't think that anyone is seriously thinking thinking this car looks like the list that you gave. It resembles a little of the new legacy, and the Tribeca. Everyone needs to quit your *****ing!

Well good.. At least you smoke people at the track.. :D

Next.. What good is that huge wing at less than 70mph? All of us usually drive it in the street which limits us to maybe 55 at the MOST with only a smidgeon of our total driving time on freeways that give us a 65mph limit. Wings are functional when they give down force and the downforce contributed at that speed are fairly negligable. Then, the wing just becomes added weight and drag. And I CAN swap the Sti wing for the GT wing on the type RA or the S203. Those wings are ALSO Sti ya know.. hahah I'm not saying that I would've gotten the car if it ever came out, but i'd like a wing that is just as functional, but less of a "whee look at my HUGE wing" type of deal.. Thats why i'm looking for a new wing once I get my car..

Tim

Personally, I like the new design just fine. I am absolutely mystified by the use of comparisons to Alpha Romeo designs as an insult -- ahem, outside of the US, Alpha Romeo is one of the most well-respected auto brands in existence and is known for making some of the most radical car exteriors on the road. A comparison to a fine Italian sports car is not an insult, in my book.

As for the new look being too rounded and not aggressive enough, has anyone seen the G35 Coupe's goofy grin? The blunt shark-nose of the 350z? The new Eclipse is so smooth and round in the front it reminds me of a Miyata. Even the new Mustang has all the edges rounded off. That's just a current, modern look and it makes a lot of sense for Subaru to update their line to keep up with competitors.

The idea that someone would refuse to buy an 06 or beyond due to looks alone seems odd -- as if they bought their current WRX or STI for its looks? :) You've got to be kidding me! Even the most diehard Suby fan has to admit that Subaru's aesthetics have been way out in left field since the Baja, and the odd mix of styles (plus that bird-catcher hood scoop) on the current model are something only a mother (or diehard fan) could love. Certainly in the price range you could have a FAR better looking car for the money, from an RX-8 or S2000 to a used M3 or SLK230. Buying an AWD car that gets 20 MPG on a good day, has a noisy, cheap interior and has to be at 4000 RPM to make power isn't an easy decision; looks alone don't seal that deal.


Well. Thats why I didn't buy the bug eye. Even if it did have a turbo. I was a fan of the GC8. Even with the tacky looking hood scoop and the huge wing.. And the front fender bulges, my dad thought, looked like it was taken from a truck. Even with that stuff, you look at the front fascia and it just looked mean. Sorta in the fashion of the R33 (the best looking Skyline IMHO). The designs I liked were the old school american cars like the Boss, Mach 1, Camaro SS, etc. The bug eye just stunned me and even with the Jp version light cluster, it just looked awful to me.

Well i wanted a rally car derivative and that is what i'm getting if I buy an EVO or an Sti. If the engine or drivetrain is not going to be updated (or doing minor updates) this coming year, then it is just going to be mainly for looks alone.

An Alfa? A fine looking sports Italian sports car, you say? That is up to the poster, i guess, and this poster thinks that is just ugly. In addition, I want a designer that "grew up with subaru" to design it.. Even though i said that the bug eye was ugly, at THE LEAST it was designed by a subaru designer. Not some guy that was plucked from Alfa Romeo to help "rescue its design".

So a car design has to "keep up with the trend"? That is just not the way to do it in my book. its like saying.. Well this guy wrote X on his test. Since this is right, I'll have to write X too. And you say the new Mustang is a "current" look? It looks retro to me. They basically took something from the 60's early 70's and made it looked like if it was designed in the current era. The Z as well. It looks retro as well.

thats all for now... my 0.02$(US)
Tim

Well good.. At least you smoke people at the track.. :D

Next.. What good is that huge wing at less than 70mph? All of us usually drive it in the street which limits us to maybe 55 at the MOST with only a smidgeon of our total driving time on freeways that give us a 65mph limit. Wings are functional when they give down force and the downforce contributed at that speed are fairly negligable. Then, the wing just becomes added weight and drag. And I CAN swap the Sti wing for the GT wing on the type RA or the S203. Those wings are ALSO Sti ya know.. hahah I'm not saying that I would've gotten the car if it ever came out, but i'd like a wing that is just as functional, but less of a "whee look at my HUGE wing" type of deal.. Thats why i'm looking for a new wing once I get my car..

Tim

I like the way the STi wing looks and its part of the rally heritage of the car. If you drive 65 on a highway I hope you live in a state where the highway limit is 55 because where I live 65 won’t cut it. Hell, I usually do 75 and I get past on the left and right, lol.

Second to the other poster, Alfa makes some ugly cars IMO. I'm Italian I don't like Alfa designs well at least the fronts of their cars ;). This isn't even an Alfa design just an Alfa grill. Anyway at least the 04-05 redesign was done by a person who knows sports car racing. Read this month's Motor Trend in the Back they have their 12 month update of their test STi and they briefly mention the redesign. It's also has a cool Top 10 cars they wish would come to the US, it will make you happy to know that an Alfa was one of the 10. Edges are coming back look at a 94 mustang really round then they redesigned it and gave it more edges and now the new classic has even more edges. The new eclipse looks like a used bar of soap, kind of like the older miata.

Looks are all opinion, what one person like another will hate. I don't like the 06s grill, but I like the big wing and don't mind another smaller wing. Also the 2.5 isn't the best option and I wish they would bring over the EJ207 that is a nice motor or would give the 257 true forged internals and better heads like the JDM STi which redlines at 8500 not 7200 like the USDM 2.5. Supposedly the JDM 6 speed is a bit beefier with steel shift forks opposed the aluminum, IIRC there are other differences, but they escape me at the moment. While drive train improvements can always be made the STi is fairly solid it's the WRX that is in need of updating.

I like the way the STi wing looks and its part of the rally heritage of the car. If you drive 65 on a highway I hope you live in a state where the highway limit is 55 because where I live 65 won’t cut it. Hell, I usually do 75 and I get past on the left and right, lol.

Looks are all opinion, what one person like another will hate. I don't like the 06s grill, but I like the big wing and don't mind another smaller wing. Also the 2.5 isn't the best option and I wish they would bring over the EJ207 that is a nice motor or would give the 257 true forged internals and better heads like the JDM STi which redlines at 8500 not 7200 like the USDM 2.5. Supposedly the JDM 6 speed is a bit beefier with steel shift forks opposed the aluminum, IIRC there are other differences, but they escape me at the moment. While drive train improvements can always be made the STi is fairly solid it's the WRX that is in need of updating.


Ya.. I've been driving 70 lately (on highway 5 in california) and i've been getting honked at, nasty looks from SUV drivers, and getting passed and cut off left and right, but as long as it keeps the cops off my tail, that is all i need. I've seen people who've passed me caught a couple miles up the road. :D

True that looks are relative.. I'm not a big wing fan, i don't really like the pig snout at the front either.. But again, I'm stating my opinions just like every other driver/poster here.

Tim

The bottom paragraph was mainly for the other poster, but hey the looks opinion applies to all ;).

ne one got interior piks or better piks of secondary spoiler?

There are pics of the secondary spoiler posted on other forums... (iwrxsti.com, and nasioc) Damn.. From INITIAL reports.. The '06 has no hp change, the gear ratio changed slightly (FD) and added 53lbs(some say due to the standard side impact airbags that are being introduced). Thats what a poster on nasioc reported. he gives a specific FD gear ratio too.

Tim

I think the bugeyes were very purposeful looking. I like the looks of the 04's better even if the bugeyes are more distinctive in my opinion. As far as the alleged new look goes, I would have to agree with CatchMyDrift, get Baby Jesus a hanky cause he's balling. I love Alfa's ( unless you want to select a different gear than the one you're in ). I like most of the current Alfa's. Subaru must have got some kind of a discount on the former Alfa guys friday night designs. Glad I got an 04.

a better shot

its just like the 03 up every year a new shape comes out it looks ugly but as the year continues the car seem to catch on an then everybody loves it

Man you guys are the biggest group of crying vaginas that I have ever seen!


After spending 10 minutes reading this post (who knows why) I finally found one I agree with. :)


Whoever buys a subaru for looks is missing the point anyway.

Road & Track had a nice little snippet about the redesign in the future car section. It went some thing like; Subaru is giving their line a new design feature, grill from B9, for a more cohesive look….We like current WRX design and are not fond of the B9s. This is best me memory can do, I read it at 4 AM.

Whoever buys a subaru for looks is missing the point anyway.

I hate comments like that. It is looks that initially draw you to a car . You don't innately know a cars performance, you are not born with that knowledge. You see a car and say, "hey I like the way that car looks maybe I should find out more about it”. Yes, the Impreza will never be a sleek low slung sports car. Hell, it was originally an inexpensive compact car or 4-door saloon for those across the pond ;). It doesn’t mean it’s not/can't be a good looking car. I first saw the Impreza in WRC and was drawn to it; I liked the semi-aggressive box look. I like the v5 and v6 cars the best. Performance is great and all, but I also want a car that I enjoy looking at. Don't get me wrong, I would enjoy looking at the redsign at almost every angle.

I never get the people on these forums that ***** about how the car looks, but still bought the car because they wanted the performance. I’ve seen a couple posts where the owner states he hates how the car looks. Why, the hell would you buy a car if you hate how it looks? I can see myself buying a car that has one or two design apsects that I dislike, but I don't think I could ever buy a car hating the entire design.....but I digress.

If you are really so concerned about just the performance aspect of the car how about you take out the engine and drive train and stick it in an old civic? It’s lighter so it’ll perform even better and it’s still has the Subaru heart and soul.

I believe a person should buy a car for 2 reasons; A) has the performance you want and B) You like the way it looks, not necessarily in that order either. There are some circumstances where looks must be overlooked, but for the most part a person should buy a car they like overall.

While the Impreza WRX has never been about Ferrari/Porsche looks it hasn’t been ugly either, at least IMO.

So just for the sake of argument.. If you had the same 4 cyl boxer engine, DCCD, AWD, and all the goodness of a Subaru drivetrain with the exterior of this car, would you still buy it? It has a hood scoop and a tall rear wing. :lol:

Tim

An Alfa? A fine looking sports Italian sports car, you say? That is up to the poster, i guess, and this poster thinks that is just ugly. In addition, I want a designer that "grew up with subaru" to design it.. Even though i said that the bug eye was ugly, at THE LEAST it was designed by a subaru designer. Not some guy that was plucked from Alfa Romeo to help "rescue its design".


I don't mean to offend, but this is a silly and provincial attitude. There is no business in the world more international than the auto industry, and reaching accross borders for design elements is extremely common -- in fact, anyone with a little knowledge of Subaru's history knows that they have contracted "outside" designers numerous times before; the SVX (arguably one of the best-looking Subarus ever made, with the exception of the half-windows) was an Italian design, and GM designers contributed to the Forrester and Legacy/Outback wagon designs (which have never been produced on Japanese soil; Lafayette, Indiana is where they are made).

I'm an 02 bug-eyes owner, and I've had the car's looks compared to a Neon, a Mercedes, a Porsche 911, a Porsche 928(!), a Volkswagon Bug (the originator of the term bug-eyes, of course) and a Citroen. See any Japanese cars in that list? :) The idea that a Japanese designer would somehow do an intrinsically better job than anyone else is on the silly side; recently, I've never seen Japanese cars (and Korean cars) try harder to look American and European than they do now.

As for the 04-05 models, their look (which is an *extremely* minimal update from the 02-03 model) was heavily influenced by Prodrive's rally cars. Prodive is located in this crazy place called EUROPE :). Not exactly JDM! Be honest here, would you really want the designers who crafted the aesthetic nightmares known as the Forrester and Baja to get their hands on the WRX? Argh!

The GC8 is a fantastic-looking car, I will agree, but it has its own share of aesthetic problems; those fake hood vents were odd back then and unfortunately look "rice" now that so many copycat fiberglass hoods for everything from Ford Focus to Civic to Geo exist; certainly this isn't Subaru's fault, but it means Subaru can't go back in that direction. And the GC8, just like the bug-eyes, is a mixed bag of designs grabbed from other cars (for instance, the headlights were lifted from an early-model Prelude) rather than a unified look.

So a car design has to "keep up with the trend"? That is just not the way to do it in my book. its like saying.. Well this guy wrote X on his test. Since this is right, I'll have to write X too.

Heh -- well, that is a way to get a good score, if the other guy was right. I don't know if this is common knowledge, but Subaru sells less than 300k cars per year in the US. That number is growing, but is also pathetic when you consider the potential of the brand and the cars themselves. While we all might like to think of our Scoobies as our personal best-kept-secret (certainly my co-workers never give my 02 a second glance, even though I could ride any of them into the ground on the track) this kind of "indie" attitude is what slowly strangles a brand to death. Anything -- even cosmetic change -- that raises the profile of the Subaru name and brand is a good thing, IMO, because then Subaru will have enough cash on hand to be a healthy company and spend more money on R&D, rally racing and engine development. Certainly we all pine for a 2-door coupe, but that is never going to happen; 2-door cars jusn't dont sell anymore, except in the convertible sports-coupe market. Dodge even brought back the Charger as a 4-door sedan (it was a 2-door coupe).

If it gets the WRX/STI back on magazine covers where they belong, I don't care if the 07 WRX/STI comes in pearl pink with a chrome front bumper. The "indie" instinct in the Subaru loyalist might cry "sellout," but I hate to break it to them -- SELLING CARS is the whole idea :)

I'm an 02 bug-eyes owner, and I've had the car's looks compared to a Neon, a Mercedes, a Porsche 911, a Porsche 928(!), a Volkswagon Bug (the originator of the term bug-eyes, of course) and a Citroen. See any Japanese cars in that list? The idea that a Japanese designer would somehow do an intrinsically better job than anyone else is on the silly side; recently, I've never seen Japanese cars (and Korean cars) try harder to look American and European than they do now.

As for the 04-05 models, their look (which is an *extremely* minimal update from the 02-03 model) was heavily influenced by Prodrive's rally cars. Prodive is located in this crazy place called EUROPE . Not exactly JDM! Be honest here, would you really want the designers who crafted the aesthetic nightmares known as the Forrester and Baja to get their hands on the WRX? Argh!

The GC8 is a fantastic-looking car, I will agree, but it has its own share of aesthetic problems; those fake hood vents were odd back then and unfortunately look "rice" now that so many copycat fiberglass hoods for everything from Ford Focus to Civic to Geo exist; certainly this isn't Subaru's fault, but it means Subaru can't go back in that direction. And the GC8, just like the bug-eyes, is a mixed bag of designs grabbed from other cars (for instance, the headlights were lifted from an early-model Prelude) rather than a unified look.

Heh -- well, that is a way to get a good score, if the other guy was right. I don't know if this is common knowledge, but Subaru sells less than 300k cars per year in the US. That number is growing, but is also pathetic when you consider the potential of the brand and the cars themselves. While we all might like to think of our Scoobies as our personal best-kept-secret (certainly my co-workers never give my 02 a second glance, even though I could ride any of them into the ground on the track) this kind of "indie" attitude is what slowly strangles a brand to death.

The "indie" instinct in the Subaru loyalist might cry "sellout," but I hate to break it to them -- SELLING CARS is the whole idea :)

Well... I think that this is exactly the problem with the whole auto industry today. Its all about making money and selling cars. Not about coming out with a nice design or coming out with something great. If something is designed great out of the box, it pays for itself. Once sombody comes out with a nice, unique design that everybody likes, everybody else rushes to analyze it and copy it.

Like the Accord and Camry.. As dull as dull can be but they sell. But that is not for enthusiasts like us.. For a car that says "individuality" say like the 350Z or the Supra, or even that early 90's prelude (with the "doberman" style rear taillights), you'd want something different. Not something that has been band-aided or stamped out. Remember how MBs had dull looking "accord" taillights before that prelude. Look at their cars now..

Also the GC8 is the code for the WRX Sti in Japan. So at least on this car, the hood scoop is functional. I believe that the US got the same body style but a different code. But, the front end just doesn't look like that early 90's prelude you were talking about to me... And actually the sti forrester doesn't look too bad to me. :)

Lastly note that I didn't say the Japanese were the best in styling, I just wanted somebody who grew up with the company to design it. why is that? Prodrive is DEFINITELY not Japanese, but how long have they been with the company? At least 5-6 years? You would think that they would have known what Subarus identity is and therefore have some idea as to what kind of design to suggest. You can analyze and perhaps drool over other designs but the design you have to ultimately come up with (and this is why it is called a design) your own material.


Tim

i'm not feeling the alfa romeo look

The real Alfas look sooo much better.

Lots of pics up:

http://www.subaru.co.jp/impreza/wrx/exterior/index.html



http://www.subaru.co.jp/impreza/wrx/exterior/imgs/w2_01.jpg

These new pics look pretty good.

Its suprising what a professional photographer can do for you :p

looks good from every angle except the front ;)

is the standard wrx getting the huge wing?

Just noticed something. That little difuser wing was used at the 24 hours at Nurburgring race a month back or so.

http://www.subaru-msm.com/global/news/photo/050511_1.jpg

I guess that means Subaru thinks it actually is useful

Just noticed something. That little difuser wing was used at the 24 hours at Nurburgring race a month back or so.

http://www.subaru-msm.com/global/news/photo/050511_1.jpg

I guess that means Subaru thinks it actually is useful

Yea that and the "under-body" diffusers as well. Just to improve stability. I saw the clip of the differences between the '05 and '06 versions in the Jp subie site and the '06 had a slight stability improvement, but I concluded that it was nothing that an amateur driver like myself would notice..

Tim

you could always get the "huge wing" on the WRX it is a dealer option, not standard.

edited to clarify factory->dealer my bad

no, it was only on the STi

Sorry it's not a factory option, but it is a dealer option. My brother wanted the STi wing and the dealer said they could get him one and install it, but they wanted a bit too much so he just bought an aftermarket wing and took it to a local body shop.

http://www.student.gsu.edu/~asamara/Js%20WRX.html

that's just the dealer taking the wing off of an STi and putting it on a WRX

Edit here just spoke with my brother. Shop guy said they had one in stcok in WRB blue and would not need to order it. He also told my brother that they have done quite a few STi spoilers on to WRXs. Why would the dealer take a wing off an STi in their inventory? BTW my brother went to a different dealer about a year after buying his car and was talking to one of the shop guys during an oil change so it wasn't like they were trying to make a car sale off him. Back in the 60s dealers would do all sorts of installations, i.e AC etc.

Anyway if you want it on your WRX ask the dealer, IIRC my brother was quoted $500 not too bad considering the WRX wing is a $367 option. Though from your post it seems like you don't like the wing.

"is the standard wrx getting the huge wing?"

Instead of saying will the WRX get the larger STi type wing you refer to it as the "huge wing". What exactly is your concern? Are you afraid you will have to get the larger wing on the new 06 WRX? I'm sure Subaru will continue to offer wing options.

http://www.impreza-net.com/masa/subaru/2005/img/2005cata_008.jpg
http://www.subaru.co.jp/impreza/wrx/lineup/02/index.html
looks like it will be an option on the JDM WRX or you can have no spoiler.

http://www.impreza-net.com/masa/subaru/2005/img/2005cata_011.jpg

http://www.subaru.co.jp/impreza/special/gallery/s5_s.jpg
No STi badge, WRX wheels, and no rear diffuser looks like the WRX does get the Sti wing

I have to say after looking at several good pictures the design is starting to grow on me. I just wish that they would make the grill a bit smaller and I would be completely sold on it.

I agree... the new pics are starting to make it look good. =)

On a side note, it appears the Spec C is getting the full aero package, power windows, and AC:
http://www.subaru.co.jp/impreza/specc/

I know they wouldn't pull a wing of a car in their stock, they'd just be ordering a replacement part from SOA. Personally I think it's way too flashy, attracts too much attention from people in black and white cars. The aero benefits above ~70 mph really aren't enough to justify.

so the STi and the WRX have no differences on the bumper and body kit? except for the wing?
I think it looks great im getting one ni sept! does anyone knows real specs? is it a 2.5 on the wrx?
XENON lights finally!!

2.5 on the WRX hp=230 TQ=235 or so they say

The WRX 5MT now uses a 3.70 final drive front and rear instead of 3.90 remains to be seen how this will affect the car. Oh and it looks like the WRX will be getting 4pot/2pots.

Check out NASIOC they have a couple of threads with great info.

thanks for reply silentbob.
can anyone explain to me why people are complaining about the smaller gear ratios? I didn´t go to my "gear ratio classes" like the people at nasioc.
In simple english does having lower gear ratios means the car will be faster than the 05 or what? is it going to accelerate better or have better top speed?

this lower number means the car will have greater topend, but will have less low end grunt. If this gear were to be placed on an 05 it would accelrate slower, but should have higher top speed. We will have to wait and see how it feels with the larger 2.5.

the more i see the car, the better its starting to look

looks terrible, I think that the grill ruins the entire design right there

You couldn't pay me to drive that...Subaru is taking this new designer way too seriously...looks like the Tribeca humped a Corolla and this crapped out...what are they thinking? I don't care how well it performs, I'm disappointed...sorry...

supposed to harken back to their air plane making days

http://vocuspr.vocus.com/VocusPR30/Temp/Sites/1571/8fdaf486bcae4306be2f9afd8e81a700/STI_FrontSideVu3.jpg

How can u hate that^^^^^^ :)

Has anyone else seen it in person? IMHO, they are not that bad looking. I think the area under the headlamps/fog light area needs something though. There is a small high mounted wing at the top of the C pillar, presumably to direct airflow towards the wing at speed.

<rant>

Subaru could make the most gorgeous car in the world and you'll still have people saying its ugly. Half the people hated the bug eyes, then half hated the current 04 design, now half hate the new one.

Who cares what other people think. If you like it, you like it. It could look like a damn turd with wheels for all I care. Subaru's aren't known for looks.

</rant>

isnt the new front end supposed to look like an aircraft front end, since FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES started out making aircraft... IMHO i like it, i'd like it MORE if they made the front bumper a little more aggressive... but i think Ill stick to my bugeyes for now! :D

Well unfortunately i heard from a couple of fronts (dealer, magazines, design "insiders") that the newly appointed designer really wants to incorporate the "aircraft grill" on each model in order to give them a link. This is a design process that I highly disagree with. I don't want the tribeca which looks like an impreza which looks like a Forester which looks like a Legacy, etc etc etc.. The Subaru badge is enough to give every car a link.

Tim

Have you ever noticed that all Dodges have the same cross-hair on the grill? What about BMW/Pontiac with their twin kidney bean grills? Have you seen a new Audi/VW? they all share a new shield design grill. Designers/marketeers like for cars of the same make to be easily identifiable as belonging to said make. (Keep in mind that these are the same people who said that Acura should drop 'Legend' and go with the nondescript 'RL', because 'Legend' was too identifiable.) Anyways, at least both the Tribeca & new Impreza will look okay in black.

I went and saw a bunch of the new 06s today at a Subaru dealership and I must say...The pictures do not do it justice. It looks very good...quite aggressive. I'm going to put an order in for a white one.

i love the new 06s. they are so HOT in person! im gettin a Blue 1 in less than a month :) cant wait.. Peter Solberg said he wouldnt drive another subaru without the spoiler on top directing the airflow better. says its a major improvement. and now the 06s have a limited center slip differential now.. or somethin like that. which is a MAJOR improvement. overall the new body style is to allow better aerodynamics, and i think they did a great job. for some reason, pictures kind of ruin the car, but in person, you'll have second thoughts.. :)

Peter Solberg said he wouldnt drive another subaru without the spoiler on top directing the airflow better. says its a major improvement. and now the 06s have a limited center slip differential now.. or somethin like that. which is a MAJOR improvement.. :)

Aerodynamic additions to the car are for stability purposes. The DCCD map is also updated again, to improve stability. From what I have seen from the Subaru website movie comparison, the differences are soooo slight. This is with Tommi Makinnen driving. This is the video where they have the "side by side" comparison by doing a "ghost" of the car. The only significant difference i saw was when they were doing a slalom in the snow.. I believe that the significant changes were done to the '05 car from the '04. Widening the cars track should improve handling a lot more than adding some aerodynamic nick-nacks. (think of it as a coarse handling adjustment as compared to small fine-tuning to squeeze handling out of the car)

See the thing is.. If Petter Solberg says its a big addition, it has to be a good one right? Well, the thing is a lot of us (including me) can't fully appreciate those types of improvements unless you are taking turns at a very high rate of speed or racing. Most of us are NOT professional touring car or professional rally drivers like Petter or Tommi. Most likely you won't really feel a thing.

However! I am not saying that the '04 sucks, the '05 is the best and the '06 sucks. I'd prefer the '05, but it still is an Sti and it is still a good car.. Maybe save the front design... :D

Tim

Nice pics...

Here's mine!! And the less people that like them the better I say!! Less competition..

nother angle..

http://www.tommykaira.com/gdb-f1.jpg

to the rescue. It just sucks b/c you know it's gonna cost, like, 300 gallons of premium...

http://www.tommykaira.com/gdb-f1.jpg

to the rescue. It just sucks b/c you know it's gonna cost, like, 300 gallons of premium...

Now THAT looks ok. If the body kits ever come out.

Tim

i got one

http://www.tommykaira.com/gdb-f1.jpg

to the rescue. It just sucks b/c you know it's gonna cost, like, 300 gallons of premium...



wow, thats sweet and clean....

Here's that body kit you were asking about.. Available at

http://www.ings-net.com/top.html

Well all i have to say is that 04 and down looks alot better b.c they remind me of an EVO!! not what i want to be thought of when at the meets