2008 Impreza Unveiled

[warrior]

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/03/offi ... 08-imprez/ (http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/03/officially-official-subaru-releases-full-details-on-2008-imprez/)


Pictures of hatchback:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-subaru-impreza/


The Sedan:
http://bp0.blogger.com/_XEEIzU0UA1M/RhH ... h/wrx2.jpg (http://bp0.blogger.com/_XEEIzU0UA1M/RhHbFmenwoI/AAAAAAAABHs/dQMdsPb53Zc/s1600-h/wrx2.jpg)

[shazapple]

I haven't seen it yet. Please dear got dont be as ugly as those last pictures.


....





Well, its not fugly. Im dissapointed. Its boring and definitely does not look like a subaru. heres hoping thats the base model...

[Wiscon_Mark]

You should see the Impreza owners bitching and whining about it :roll:

[warrior]

I'm not digging the hatchback at all.. but the rear end of the sedan I really like! :cool:

[Reason]

This makes me sad. Subaru is going down hill in their designs. I'll stick with older Subarus thank you.

[SilentRacer]

The whole reason for buying a subaru is that they look so radically different than other cars and they offer decent performance for a small price. This blending in will be terrible for business.

[Christopher Marks]

The sedan is growing on me. The grill isn't so bad when the webby part is black like in those photos. I like the sedan rear end, it's still unique. If I understood the article right, the sedan is only for north america, and it's longer than the hatchback. The whole car seems a lot more grown up and higher end than before.

I'd say it's an improvement over 06-07. I only ever liked the sedans before anyways.

[Plays_with_Toys]

Those have got to be the worst stock WRX wheels to date, for what it's worth. Nothing about them says performance.

Maybe the demand of the STi limited said to subaru "people want fast cars that look slow". :roll:

[Kraziken]

I'm reserving judgement until I see it in person.

I hated the look of the most recent Impreza, but it grew on me. The new car, if you parked it next to the old one, looks pretty close, but they've removed the pig snout.

The lines on the side of the car look like a BMW 3 series in a way.

[GrassyKnoll]

gross... hopefully there's something better to look at at the show tomorrow :roll:

I agree the older ones are better. I think 05 was a golden year for Subaru. starting with 06ers, the dark ages have been creeping in.

[Superu264]

I'm reserving judgement until I see it in person.

Thats the route I am trying to take. However, if this is the slippery slope Subaru goes down I may have to change my allegiance to someone else. :cry:

[Wiscon_Mark]

Please. Drive the car before you make that kind of judgment.

If it sucks, then yes, I'll begin losing faith.

[Superu264]

You have no idea how appalled I am at that car. Even if it drives like a WRX/STi should, I can not support something that ugly.

I know its not how the car looks but how it drives, the interior looks great too, but the exterior upsets me too much. If it were a Ford or Chrysler I wouldn't be suprised, for a Subaru this is a disaster.

but then again beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Wiscon_Mark]

You have no idea how appalled I am at that car. Even if it drives like a WRX/STi should, I can not support something that ugly.

That's what a lot of people said about the pignose.

And the bugeye, actually.

[Superu264]

I liked all 3 versions of the 02-07 WRXs. :lol:

I think I'm just mad that it looks too much like everything else. All I hear is how it looks like a Mazda3, Corolla, Scion, Hyundai.. etc. and for the most part people back their claims up.

[MR.MCSICK]

I think one reason the WRX was visually appealing was its abstract geometry. It was one of the few vehicles that still had corners. Now it seems it has fallen prey to another trendy amoeba-like design. Its a sad day but its only for a few years. I dont see one in my future any time soon, I cant even afford an 02. :cry:

[Sarra]

You have no idea how appalled I am at that car. Even if it drives like a WRX/STi should, I can not support something that ugly.

That's what a lot of people said about the pignose.

And the bugeye, actually.

I personally perfer to refer to the old Impreza/Tribeca front end as the "Goatse" nose. It makes perfect sense...

Anyway, I just don't see the reason for it. It looks like a Ford Focus, Toyota What's-it-called, Prius, and an old Saturn got into the viagra, and this was the result. It just... It doesn't look Subaru. >_<

I can understand the Impreza people bitching about the new horrors of their car line. I personally like the Bugeye better than anything since, and I wish I could get a Bugeye STi, or even a bugeye frontend for my BK.

[galek_98gt]

disgusting

good thing the '08 legacy will be a sexy beast.

[shazapple]

Now that I've looked again...

The interior is nice, but too much tan.
The WRX sedan is quickly growing on me. The grill is not however.

The Base model is very boring, and the wagon is still ugly.

[BE-Fresh]

I think Subaru has lost all hope of selling cars

[Bdubs]

I don't really like it. But, then again I never really ever cared for the design of the previous generation. That and its way too small, another thing I can't stand.

[subba]

This is my opinion but i think the car is f***ing ugly i hope that the same people who designed that thing didn't design the legacy.


Its the same as a mazda 3 :evil:

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/04/imprezanewlow.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/04/mazda_3-2.jpg

[deadlydave]

Well, i like the new integrated-looking scoop on the wrxs that are shown. I have to say, overall the car looks just like all the rest of the hatches now...a little bit of a let down. It's not that ugly, just conformist. I'm going to drive my '95 leggy for the rest of my life if FHI makes the legacies vanilla too.

I can see that the aftermarket will be huge for grille and bumper designs. And the head designer's going to be out of a job soon.

[scottzg]

I'm going to drive my '95 leggy for the rest of my life if FHI makes the legacies vanilla too.

the legacies have always been vanilla. Can you spot your car in a parking lot? Every time i get cited they write 'hon...subaru.'


http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-sub ... za/202914/ (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-subaru-impreza/202914/) it looks good to me... its best to have a simple design and then the tooners can tack whatever they want on the body and it will still fit.

[OUTBACKWBEER!]

I think I'll go drive my Leg and feel better I'm not the poor soul who buys one...My fav. Impreza has always been the GC8.....!

Even my wifes '07 Mazda 3 looks like it could Zoom past the '08 IMP...!

[ryankenn]

http://evenements.caradisiac.com/salon-paris/IMG/jpg/chrysler_sebring_1-2.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/04/2008_sub_imprz_hi_09.jpg

OH DEAR GOD ITS AWEFUL. Anyone care for a Sebring instead, oh wait, ITS THE SAME SHITTY CAR WITH AWD.

I cannot, I stress, cannot believe anyone, even has a hint that those cars are anything but horrific sellouts.[/img]

[deadlydave]

I'm going to drive my '95 leggy for the rest of my life if FHI makes the legacies vanilla too.

the legacies have always been vanilla. Can you spot your car in a parking lot? Every time i get cited they write 'hon...subaru.'

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-sub ... za/202914/ (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-subaru-impreza/202914/) it looks good to me... its best to have a simple design and then the tooners can tack whatever they want on the body and it will still fit.

I will admit that the BD shares its looks with the early and mid-nineties Toyota, but you're driving a BC, in california--anything will look vanilla next to sports cars, classic cars, etc. A buddy o' mine is moving out there with his more than slightly modified WRX, the cops are gonna love him. I'm so tired right now...wtf was i talking about?

[pdawg]

Do I see crap( posts, molding) around the windows. :cry:

:puke:

[Wiscon_Mark]

OH DEAR GOD ITS AWEFUL. Anyone care for a Sebring instead, oh wait, ITS THE SAME SHITTY CAR WITH AWD.

I cannot, I stress, cannot believe anyone, even has a hint that those cars are anything but horrific sellouts.



:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Just because it looks similar, doesn't mean it's "the same shitty car"

And as I said earlier, framed windows aren't necessarily a bad thing, considering they actually seal up into something, and make a lot less wind noise.

[Superu264]

framed windows aren't necessarily a bad thing

But its tradition. People dont like change. I'm one of them. :lol: :roll:

[Wiscon_Mark]

I'm sure people where bitching when the EJ series came out too :roll:

I still have faith in Subaru, I think they've made the right decisions here:

Stiffer Chassis
Lighter car
Dual Wishbone IRS
Hatchback
Nicer interior (hopefully the seats are uber nice)
Hatchback :grin:
13.1" rotors (LGT brakes)
LGT turbo (spools ultra quick)
Fatter powerband

It's going to be a nice car!

[Superu264]

I'm not saying it wont be a good car, in fact I'm sure it will be.

I think its ugly as crap, thats all. :cry:

[Wiscon_Mark]

Sorry, I'm all Nasioc'd out...I've heard so many internet drivers say that this car is absolute crap, and is going to suck, just because its looks aren't what they expected. Then when I hear that here...

sorry again folks.

[redlegacygt]

i always look at it this way... "it could always look worse" :lol: besides, no matter what subaru does, there are going to be things that we like and things we hate..

[Superu264]

It is all good Mark.


I think one reason the WRX was visually appealing was its abstract geometry. It was one of the few vehicles that still had corners. Now it seems it has fallen prey to another trendy amoeba-like design.

I agree, it had a nice shape. I'm a fan of hatchbacks and this is just disappointing. It doesn't need "corners" exactly but its so bland. Look at the GTi, it looks like an egg and I love it. I just think this is a bad design is all. Its my opinion.

[Huffer]

I miss the badass fender flares the 04-06 sedans had.

[subba]

The one thing i am gonna miss
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

[ryankenn]

Who gives a crap about framed windows. I can't even see them because the nose of that thing keeps punching me in the eyes. Same sweeping grill with emblem framed by "wings", same basic headlight sahpe, same shitastic use of upper and lower bodys side "folds". Just terrible use of designs that are already out there on 10 other sedans. Supremely disappointing. They've stolen design cues from cars that already look out of date.

I can drop a Fiberglass Aztek body on a Ferrari drivetrain and the body would still drag the car down to SHITTY. You need to get a sense of humour as well, as it was intentionally over the top :getit:




:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Just because it looks similar, doesn't mean it's "the same shitty car"

And as I said earlier, framed windows aren't necessarily a bad thing, considering they actually seal up into something, and make a lot less wind noise.


EDIT: I see you apologized for being "Naisoc'd out" so alls well. I avoid that by never going there unless I need to do a search for technical info. This is a much better "community" to deal with. :razz:

[subba]

i think rally racing has hit subaru in the damn head, i bet u anything that the shorter wheel base is a rally tactic, mistubishi and skoda already done it.

Just a thought, only reason i can figure out why subaru **** up the design

[Wiscon_Mark]

i think rally racing has hit subaru in the damn head, i bet u anything that the shorter wheel base is a rally tactic, mistubishi and skoda already done it.

Just a thought, only reason i can figure out why subaru **** up the design

It most certainly is a rally tactic. The rally cars have to be based on a base model car sold as a street car.

But I don't think Subaru has ever really done exactly what everyone wanted them to do.

People bitched about the bugeye (I liked it from the start)
People bitched about the blobeye (I thought it was agressive)
People pouted over the pignose (it took a little while to grow on me, but I knew a great car was underneath there)
And now people are whining about the hatchback - I realize most of the people here aren't that upset as we all drive Legacys anyways, but it really irks me that many people (mostly on Nasioc of course) have already labeled the car a failure, even though it's a supremely superior car on paper.

History repeats itself.

[ryankenn]

For me the pignose is the pinnacle of this car thus far. I love it. Its like a Saab I guess, you love it or hate it. I happen to love kwirky European looking vehicles.

This new Subaru looks like a standard NA designed vehicle now. Again, I have no problem with a hatch. For me its all the nose and door design that is no good.

[Kraziken]

Youtube unveiling video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SPDXKyr9GU

[Superu264]

While Mitsubishi's Lancer has grown more appealing, the WRX hasn't. Subaru has struggled with faces for its cars for years, and the search shouldn't stop here in Corollaville.

While the WRX--to be sold in both sedan and hatchback form--is larger in all dimensions, it's actually about fifty pounds lighter than the outgoing car. Credit for that goes to a new, simpler chassis design.

More than any part of the current car, the interior was showing its age. Added features--heated seats for example--used buttons thrown awkwardly in as afterthoughts. The larger Legacy model has a fantastic cabin, and it was most likely used as inspiration during development of this car. That means that nicer switchgear and fine matte-finish materials will replace shiny, cheap surfaces.

The only thing that won't change is the WRX's powertrain. While the 2.5-liter flat four will get a few new bits, including a new turbocharger, it is the same basic engine that has been used for years. Output figures of 224 hp and 226 lb-ft of torque are being claimed. A five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic will continue to be the two transmission options, and stability control will trickle down from higher up in Subaru's product line to keep the WRX pointed down the road. Expect pricing to remain the same--about $25,000.

[subba]

Youtube unveiling video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SPDXKyr9GU
If i was at that show i would have yelled
"WHAT THE F&#K IS THAT!! :smt093 "


They said it, i knew it was a WRC tactic :munky2:

subaru should have made a 2008 Vivo with a 2.5 flat four and threw it in the rally, heck even if they change the name of the new impreza and call it the vivo it would make allota ppl happy.

Lets make a Petition to bring the GC era back :lol:

Is their a wagon version to this "new and improved impreza"?

[galek_98gt]

looks like garbage and nothing will sway me from thinking that.

[sansMYSTi]

To each his own. The GC8 was a nice car (especially the 22B), I found the bugeye odd at first but I still bought one (my second favorite design), I loved the blobeye from the start (and bought an '04 STi), but I think Subaru peaked at '04/'05 and kind of lost it starting '06. I still don't like the pignose, and absolutely hate this new one. Subaru, what are you doing? At least the Legacy still looks good (albeit the last couple of years of Legacy are a little too "invisible" for my likings). Still - unless the new STI is vastly different from what we have seen of the new Impreza, I will only consider buying a new(er) Legacy - especially the Spec-B :twisted: .

[Perdue]

I'd really prefer framed windows...I can break into a frameless window with nothing more than a blood pressure cuff and clothes hanger...did it twice before I had spare keys made for my subie.