B9X Tribeca at show, and my comments

[entirelyturbo]

Subie Gal went to the Portland auto show and took some pics of the new Subaru B9X Tribeca SUV. Here's the link: http://www.subiegal.com/images/events/s ... ribeca.htm

In a reply to her thread, I made these comments:

Subaru is selling out if you ask me.

I will never understand the need for an SUV for 90% of the US population.

But since it's such a hot thing right now, Subaru has to jump on the bandwagon and make their own.

Most will say that's marketing, I say it's BS. Subaru has never paid much attention to what's hot in the marketplace, they have always catered almost exclusively to their loyalists who appreciate their quirky engineering and unsurpassed reliability. I feel as part of an exclusive group owning Subarus, because they're a different, more focused car than a Toyota, Honda, or Ford or Chevy.

But someone must have gotten greedy in SOA, because they're now willing to forget their loyalists and go for the status quo, and Subaru isn't a company who can really afford to lose their loyalists.

So, everyone, say goodbye to the tried-and-true FHI tradition we've grown to love over the past 37 years and get ready for the new, less unique and innovative, more bland and everyday, Subaru!

It's starting with this dastardly creation, and will spread throughout the rest of the Subaru line, starting with that nauseating grill.

I'm seriously considering buying an 06 Legacy GT, because I think that will be the last year that the Legacy has a proper Subaru grill, I think it's going to get the new one for 07. Or maybe that new Forester redesign I saw in the other thread. One of those will probably be the one and only new Subaru I ever buy.

I'm very strange for my age to be so stuck in tradition and the old way of doing things, but I take pride in my dedication to Subarus and to see the things I love about them disappear right before my eyes just to stay with the trend is very, very disappointing to me.



Feel free to add your own 2 cents to the discussion.

[THAWA]

Do you know what the change from tradition is? it's not the grill. The Leg GT grills don't look like other subaru grills. A brat grill doesn't look like an impreza grill. An svx grill doesn't look like an xt grill (joke). It's the door/window setup. Framed in windows. What subarus have had framed windows? The 360, and the SVX, unless you consider the justy a subaru. Both of those were unique in their own respects. One was the only rear engined subaru, the other was a masterpeice in it's own right. But to give the B9X framed windows just screams drab to me. They've jumped into the pool of similarity with that action.

[BAC5.2]

I think the Vagina plastered on the front of the car, is plenty reason for me not to like the vehicle.

If I end up getting a new car in the near future, it'll either be a Legacy GT wagon, or a WRX Wagon.

[THAWA]

goddamn that thing is heavy!

[BAC5.2]

[The Match Game]How heavy is it?[/The Match Game]

[THAWA]

It's so heavy, when it steps on a scale it always says _____.

[isotopeman]

It is ugly, but in the pictures it doesn't look much taller than some other Subarus. I think a lot of the Suburu owners I've known like them because they need something off-road capable without the limitations of an SUV - like size (off-road locally puts you under trees - height is bad), economy, ride quality, etc.
A friend was upset about Subaru designating a new vehicle (which one?) as SUV after raising it about 1.5 inches. The SUV designation lets the manufacturer avoid penalties for making something less fuel efficient.

[LaureltheQueen]

the outback is technically a light truck

[legacy92ej22t]

B9X = Ugimuffin.

[G-reg]

I read a bit more about the B9X in…uh, I think Motor Trend. The only topic they mentioned that I hadn’t already picked up from Suby-Dork sites was that the target for the BX9 was the I6 BMW X5. And in that respect the Suby had the Bimmer in price/performance(yes, performance)/utility. They liked the H6 more than the Bimmer 6, that’s saying something folks. Now, the X5 is an old platform and is due for a redesign, and the V8 would kill the H6 if compared(but it should ad 15-20K more). And aside from that hideous front end the vehicle is growing on me. Not that I’d buy one anytime soon, but if I had to at some point later in life need a 7pass vehicle….wouldn’t it be nice to have a Suby as an option.

[greg donovan]

what i dont get is why so many people are getting so bent out of shape over a car they will NEVER buy.

i dont think subaru is selling out at all. they were loosing sales and wanted to get them back.

i think this car will get them some sales back.

it is odd looking but not ugly in my opinion.

i really like the interior.

[BAC5.2]

the outback is technically a light truck

Based solely on ground clearance. Same with the Baja.

Isetope - I guess it all depends on what you consider "off-road capable". Not a chance that thing is going to run the Rubicon, or be able to tackle much else besides a grassy knoll or a gravel road after a rain fall. It's got about as much off-road prowess as a Honda Element.

That's awesome if they sell them a lot, more power to them, but not my taste in the least.

What ever happened to the SERIOUS model run of the GC style chassis and front end. Then 2 years of the bugeye? Maybe 3 or 4 of the "V8" front end. Man, Subaru is changing faces more than Michael Jackson.

[THAWA]

The first gen impreza had a redesign, which you could split up into two sections, just like the bugeye vs new style impreza. And eight years is a long ass time with one chassis. Too long if you ask me. What other japanese company used the same chassis for 8 years or more? Not many if any. Most change every 3-5 years. They're not changing faces any more now than they have been before. The pre face leg was only two years, then post face was three years, second gen was five years aswell, and the third gen was five too. The forester went for two years of the pre face then three of the post face. I forget where i'm going with this.

The point is, give me frameless windows and I'll consider the car.

[Brat4by4]

Yeah, and Porsche owners lamented each and every new model they have ever added to the line (including the vaunted and now iconic 911).

I personally am partial to the real dual-range 4x4's. They haven't made those since 1990. But I don't cry about everything new they bring out. Come on, do you really think it should just stay the way you really like it, forever and ever?

[tris91ricer]

Yes, we do.
Consider that Subaru didn't actually design these cars.. they COMISSIONED an auto designer to do it for them. It's a poor-taste faux pax on their part, by choosing to go with what/whomever designed that thing. SOA didn't just 'come up' on that look. Who/what french-sounding guy designed ours?
If anything, blame the designer --they're running out of creative/striking ways to cut clay when they're modeling a vehicle concept. There's SO much that goes into vehicle design, especially designing a NEW car, that it's no wonder we're getting crap. The good art students have been placed in better design firms, or have been offered more money somewhere else. It's not SOA's fault, it's the industry as a whole.

[Brat4by4]

Who do you think designed the SVX and the 1st Gen Legacy?

...... it wasn't Subaru.

[scottzg]

Alfa 166

subaru b9x


Any questions?

[simonasaur]

First we get the wrx in america,
then they give us the most powerful, largest displacment version of the sti yet, and youre upset!?

They have catered to us, now theyre trying there best to cater to a different demografic. Sure, id never drive a tribeca but there was a loyal subaru owner in yesterday who was on his fourth legacy, telling me he cant wait to buy the new b9.

My point and opinion is: they've been good to me as a owner and driver, let them try their best to do the same for others.
sam

[evolutionmovement]

I just don't want this look to destroy the rest of the line, otherwise I don't care about it. As for auto designers ... it's one of the most competitive fields in the world and requires nearly as much work and schooling as becoming a doctor. I know there's little evidence of talent in today's automobiles, but the people to blame more are the consumers (especially the ones who participate in clinics) and compromises within the company (engineering, marketing, accounting, etc.). Truth is that auto designers are arguably more well rounded than ever as a lot of car companies have diversified their design departments to include industrial design projects. An old friend of mine from CCS just graduated last year from Art Center (he started transportation design in 1996).

Andreas Zapatinas is a one-trick pony, though, as Scott has demonstarted with the provided photos (although that 166 looks like a post-Andreas facelifted model. Whatever, the look is similar at least). Unfortunately when he ran out of ideas and decided just to start inverting past designs he was at Subaru.

Bangle and Mays are another two overpromoted and undertalented (hacks possibly?) designers whos unfortunate wares are all too prevalent and make the industry look bad (as in out of ideas). However, that's another discussion.

Steve

[entirelyturbo]

Bangle and Mays are another two overpromoted and undertalented (hacks possibly?) designers whos unfortunate wares are all too prevalent and make the industry look bad (as in out of ideas). However, that's another discussion.

I have to agree with the Bangle bashing 100%. I liken his impact (infection?) on BMW design very much to what the Alfa designer is doing with Subaru.





Regardless of the design arguments, the other big problem with this Tribeca is the pricing. They're going to START at $32k and will go up as far as $45k!!! Your typical Subaru owner doesn't have that kinda scratch (and I don't consider these momma's-boy-ricers that have STi's (not you Art! ) to be typical Subaru owners either...

Again, my thoughts in a nutshell are this: I can't fault SOA for trying to reach a new demographic and increase their sales, but they really can't afford to completely abandon the tried-and-true Subaru design that us loyalists know and love.

[LaureltheQueen]

it's the new "need-desire" marketing thing

[scottzg]

I happen to like the new bmw look. The old one is fantastic, and so it's hard to move in a new design direction, but i think they've done a fantastic job. Bangle is promoted, that's not his fault, but i think that 7 series trunk is his albatross. Even the rest of the car looks great. The 5er is fkn gorgeous, and the z4 and upcomming 3 look great too. Give the poor guy a break, I'm sure you designed an ugly trunk on a premium car once or twice too.

[evolutionmovement]

I never took my inspiration from baboons, but looks are subjective so that's fine if you like the look. And yes, I have designed plenty of ugly cars as just exercise in coming up with an idea. Thankfully no one built them! I personally don't believe good design should have to be explained to people as if they're too uneducated to grasp aesthetics (as I've read in interviews with Bangle). An old Ferrari gets respect everywhere from everyone. Good design speaks for itself and incongruence is incongruence. I liken Bangle to Jackson Pollack - asking 'why' about convention, which is something every industry needs, but paint splattered on a canvas is still just that and I think Michealangelo would have no need for fear. And to Mr. Bangle: the emperor has no clothes.

As for the pricing not being according to traditional Subaru buyers - that's just the point. An SUV isn't an appealing car to their traditional audience at any price, but they're trying to move beyond us. I just hope they don't leave us out. And dammit, keep the doors frameless!

Steve

[AWD_addict]

Any questions?

Not a question, but the same analogous styling is shared between an Alfa concept coupe a couple years ago (forgot the designation) and the Subaru B11S concept.

[scottzg]

An old Ferrari gets respect everywhere from everyone.

Could it be because it's a ferrari?

The 7 trunk is because of space concerns, granted it could be done better. Bangle's "flame styling" doesn't take up any space, and it succeeds in breaking up slab areas without looking busy or even noticable, impressive. My main fault with bmw is the addition of all their goofy electronics. Why have hdc, idrive, traction control, etc etc etc and have 1930s tech macpherson struts?! (i appreciate them on a subaru, where they're appropriate)

As for the b9x, cool. 250hp is plenty of power for a admittedly heavy vehicle, and although it doesn't have anything that is gonna make a buyer soil their pants, it looks like the ensemble is perfectly suited for the market. Porsche makes a Cayenne and a 911, and subaru can do it too. I'm happy to see the company thriving and nabbing more marketshare.

And for those that lament subaru's loss of identity, do you bemoan the b9? Or the fact that they have the same hitachi diff as datsun 510s? Companies evolve, they share equipment, and they refresh their look. Or they fail.