I just got this from the STi M-list about the new Boxer11S (B11S) that Subaru showed at the Geneva show.
Gotta love the drivetrain part of it. Subaru keeps coming out with good stuff all the time!
=============================================sosomeone sent me this, thought I'd stir the pot with it, any comments (or
did I already miss the discussion about this?)
Next Impreza Puts On A Brave Face
Out go the outrageous spoilers and scoops, in comes radical styling -
this is the shape which is set to become the all-new Subaru Impreza.
The Japanese manufacturer has had enough of being criticised for its
bland products. "We have proved that we have world-class technology,"
says company boss Masaru Katsurada. "It's about time we showed that we
can build a world-class sports car, too."
And it looks as though the firm has succeeded. This radical 400bhp 4WD,
four-door, four-seat concept was revealed at this week's Geneva Motor
Show, and it represents a 'toe-in-the-water' exercise by the company to
gauge potential buyers' reactions to its new styling direction. The car
has already become one of the hottest talking points of the event, and
looks certain to go down in history as one of the most adventurous cars
that Subaru has ever produced. Officially, the vehicle is being called
B11S, or Boxer 11 Sports.
This car is intended to be a hi-tech flagship for the firm, and our
sources reveal it could head the new Impreza range, which is scheduled
for launch in just over two years' time.
Behind the scenes, Subaru bosses concede that the Boxer 11 Sports is one
of the most adventurous projects the company has ever worked on, and
they are unsure of the reaction it will get. "We need plenty of feedback
from this car," said a Subaru executive.
Officially described as a design prototype, the B11S is intended to
showcase the firm's most advanced engine, suspension and transmission
technology. The exterior design highlights a look that will not only
grace a replacement Impreza, but all the other forthcoming models the
company builds. It seems that the firm has dug deep into its styling
department and finally discovered the word 'passion'.
You would expect nothing less, really, especially when you learn that
Subaru president Kyoji Takenaka made a special point of joining design
division supremo Kiyoshi Sugimoto - the man who was responsible for the
original Legacy look - in the initial brainstorming sessions about the
B11S's styling.
Despite the fact that he arrived at Subaru back in May 2002, new chief
stylist Andreas Zapatinas is reported to have joined after the final
lines were drawn on this prototype. But given the model's radical look,
that's difficult to believe - although Zapatinas seems happy to play
along with the story.
The car uses a twin-turbo version of the firm's 3.0-litre flat-six
engine, producing 400bhp at 6,400rpm. Subaru's first five-speed
electronically controlled adaptive automatic box transfers power to the
road - it's the only unit the firm produces that can handle this level
of performance. One engineer implied that a six-speed manual was in the
pipeline, but there were teething problems with it. The B11S will also
employ Subaru's acclaimed symmetrical 4WD system with Variable Torque
Distribution (VTD) giving a 35-65 split in favour of the rear axle.
While the new Subaru is impressive, bosses still seem wary. Let's hope
they don't tone down the concept car too much before it hits the
showroom. Dan Strong
Gotta love the drivetrain part of it. Subaru keeps coming out with good stuff all the time!
=============================================sosomeone sent me this, thought I'd stir the pot with it, any comments (or
did I already miss the discussion about this?)
Next Impreza Puts On A Brave Face
Out go the outrageous spoilers and scoops, in comes radical styling -
this is the shape which is set to become the all-new Subaru Impreza.
The Japanese manufacturer has had enough of being criticised for its
bland products. "We have proved that we have world-class technology,"
says company boss Masaru Katsurada. "It's about time we showed that we
can build a world-class sports car, too."
And it looks as though the firm has succeeded. This radical 400bhp 4WD,
four-door, four-seat concept was revealed at this week's Geneva Motor
Show, and it represents a 'toe-in-the-water' exercise by the company to
gauge potential buyers' reactions to its new styling direction. The car
has already become one of the hottest talking points of the event, and
looks certain to go down in history as one of the most adventurous cars
that Subaru has ever produced. Officially, the vehicle is being called
B11S, or Boxer 11 Sports.
This car is intended to be a hi-tech flagship for the firm, and our
sources reveal it could head the new Impreza range, which is scheduled
for launch in just over two years' time.
Behind the scenes, Subaru bosses concede that the Boxer 11 Sports is one
of the most adventurous projects the company has ever worked on, and
they are unsure of the reaction it will get. "We need plenty of feedback
from this car," said a Subaru executive.
Officially described as a design prototype, the B11S is intended to
showcase the firm's most advanced engine, suspension and transmission
technology. The exterior design highlights a look that will not only
grace a replacement Impreza, but all the other forthcoming models the
company builds. It seems that the firm has dug deep into its styling
department and finally discovered the word 'passion'.
You would expect nothing less, really, especially when you learn that
Subaru president Kyoji Takenaka made a special point of joining design
division supremo Kiyoshi Sugimoto - the man who was responsible for the
original Legacy look - in the initial brainstorming sessions about the
B11S's styling.
Despite the fact that he arrived at Subaru back in May 2002, new chief
stylist Andreas Zapatinas is reported to have joined after the final
lines were drawn on this prototype. But given the model's radical look,
that's difficult to believe - although Zapatinas seems happy to play
along with the story.
The car uses a twin-turbo version of the firm's 3.0-litre flat-six
engine, producing 400bhp at 6,400rpm. Subaru's first five-speed
electronically controlled adaptive automatic box transfers power to the
road - it's the only unit the firm produces that can handle this level
of performance. One engineer implied that a six-speed manual was in the
pipeline, but there were teething problems with it. The B11S will also
employ Subaru's acclaimed symmetrical 4WD system with Variable Torque
Distribution (VTD) giving a 35-65 split in favour of the rear axle.
While the new Subaru is impressive, bosses still seem wary. Let's hope
they don't tone down the concept car too much before it hits the
showroom. Dan Strong
