Subaru may be last to a party that they should be hosting

"BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast." (boxerfanatic)
01/10/2014 at 15:42 • Filed to: Crossover Coupes

All-road AWD 3-door Coupes. Audi and Volvo have concepts, Mini and Range Rover have models on lots for sale already. Where is Subaru? They should be near production release.

This is an up-and-coming segment as roads deteriorate, and people have become accustomed to practical rear hatches in larger cars, and want the practicality of ride height, AWD traction, and rear hatch cargo loading, in a smaller, more efficient, more nimble vehicle.

Subaru has XV Crosstrek, but it is so far 5-door only, and woefully underpowered for anyone who is enthused about Subaru.

And their shooting brake 'Sport Design Concept' isn't based on that AWD platform, but rather on BRZ, which is low, and non-AWD compatible.

Where is the production version of the entirely theoretical Subaru Viziv concept, with WRX or STI power?

DISCUSSION (11)

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/10/2014 at 15:46

And here I thought the TRD Off-Road Yaris was going to come next...

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username
01/10/2014 at 15:48

It might also beat a Subaru 3-door AWD all-road car to market... at the rate Subaru is going.

Textured Soy Protein > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/10/2014 at 15:50

Not sure I would call this an "up-and-coming segment."

Mini sold 3262 Pacemans (Pacemen?) in the US in 2013.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/10/2014 at 15:52

Subaru should bring back the Leone as a 3 door hatch with the 2.0 turbo from the new WRX and AWD. Make it light and rugged with a slightly raised suspension and short wheelbase. or if they want to get back into the WRC build it with a modified version of their direct injection 1.6L.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Textured Soy Protein
01/10/2014 at 15:53

The Paceman was also only available and in stock in the 4th quarter of the year. Mostly just November and December. Earlier in the fall there weren't any 'Pacemen' on the lot around here.

PilotMan > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/10/2014 at 15:55

That Volvo is a better looking Audi than the Audi.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ
01/10/2014 at 15:58

Just a 3-door version of XV Crosstrek, (the roofline and doors of the Sport Design Concept on XV's body.)

With WRX's front end treatment (headlights, meaner fascia, hood scoop), and WRX drivetrain on XV's ride height. (I would love a 2.5 turbo DCCD/SI-Drive upcoming STI drivetrain in it)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username
01/10/2014 at 16:07

Maybe we can get a Focus ST with 2 doors and Raptor gear under it!

Textured Soy Protein > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/10/2014 at 16:18

Well, assuming only 2 months of Paceman availability (I couldn't find Mini monthly sales numbers broken down by model), call it 13k Pacemen annually.

I'd wager that most people who "want the practicality of ride height, AWD traction, and rear hatch cargo loading, in a smaller, more efficient, more nimble vehicle" probably also want a usable back seat. Which to me, limits the sales potential of all these sporty 3-door sorta crossover things.

Probably why Subaru sold 53,741 XV Crosstreks in 2013 .

Long Live the Longdoor > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/10/2014 at 19:58

I'd drive the Subaru Viziv given that the powertrain isn't crap (see the engine in the base impreza and the XV Crosstrek).

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Long Live the Longdoor
01/11/2014 at 00:17

I'd drive an XV Crosstrek modified with bits of others...

Either Viziv's or Sport Design Concept's shooting brake 3-door arrangement and lower, sleeker roofline... like a 3-door alternative to the XV Crosstrek 5-door... and a competitor to all those shown above.

'15 WRX/STI-like front fascia, headlights, and hoodscoop, but with an unpainted lower edge, maybe even a front center skid plate edge.

'15 WRX/STI drivetrain and brakes, but XV's ride height, or just slightly lower, but at least 6.5 or more inches of ground clearance. 6MT standard and available with all other option packages. CVT optional if people want it.

'15 WRX/STI interior updates over Impreza... sport seats, gauges, etc... SI-Drive, DCCD, etc. Maybe a HVAC and accessory panel like BRZ's.

meaty wheels and tires. I thought I saw a review that said '15 WRX has 5x114.3 wheels and hubs. GOOD move, if it is true. With WRX/STI flared fenders, with XV unpainted plastic wheel wells, some meaty 17x8 or 18x8 wheels with a bit of concave, and some purposeful tire sidewall aspect ratio should be possible.

I would drive that. I would get interested in a new Subaru again. I haven't been truly enthused about a new Subaru model in 10 years.