http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/16/next-gen-subaru-wrx-sti-spotted-at-the-nurburgring/ It looks similar to the WRX concept. I was hoping for a 2 door.... smaller STI. There was some speculation that this may happen. If this is a next gen STI, then I guess they are sticking with the same WRX/STI formula. Which works, I guess.
Ha I just saw your FB post and was about to update the other thread. Anyway, as we all expected, I think it looks pretty much nothing like the concept and nearly everything like the current gen Impreza Oh well, looks aren't everything (or so they say)...still curious to see/hear the performance aspects.
Remember the BRZ test mules didn't look anything like it. I'm hoping they're just using an impreza body with some molded aero parts. I personally can see some stuff taken from the concept.
I'm glad you guys have deluded yourselves to believe the test mule looks anything like the recent concept car. Take the car I posted a picture of, with a white paint job, splatter black paint over it for camoflage, slap a hood scoop and an STi parkbench on it. All I can say is, here we go again. There's a rear diffuser and those pointless fender vents up front. The "WRX is diverging from the Impreza" turned into "we put fender flares and a wing on it"
I was looking at the headlights and fog lights... they seem to carry some new flavor. I do see a large lack of fender flair and other things I liked about the new design. However, Tran is right. This car is just a test mule... just like the ugly BRZs we saw.
I don't get it? It still is a test vehicle, not a production model. It can change dramatically or stay exactly the same. I love how everyone complains about how bad every test mule looks. It is a test mule....
Yup, the BRZ test mule looks nothing like the product BRZ: http://media.caranddriver.com/image...aru-brz-test-mule-photo-433031-s-1280x782.jpg There were these test mule photos a while back (although you can clear see the hood was chopped and scoop added): http://images.thecarconnection.com/med/2014-subaru-wrx-test-mule-spy-shots_100400104_m.jpg http://stwot.motortrend.com/files/2012/08/2014-Subaru-WRX-front.jpg I was hopeful that the concept would be close to production, but wasn't getting my hopes up. I realize it's a test mule, but I still don't think it will look like the concept. At the end of the day, we can all speculate, but we won't know for sure until Subaru releases the real thing!
They probably weren't doing much to disguise the early ones because they were chassis mules and not really indicative of the actual sheet metal. It doesn't matter what they look like. The camouflaged mule is pretty close to the actual sheet metal, and therefore gets the distracting paint. I'm guessing that the one shown in the OP is going to be pretty close to the finished product, or much like the picture that Jason posted.
Agreed. I'd be curious as to why Subaru would spend the resources to make the WRX concept just to use the impreza chassis again. Like was said, we won't know until it's released.
I'm actually more interested in how ofspunk got the two dots (yes, I know they do have a specific name but I am too lazy to Google) over the "u" in Nurburgring in the thread title.
For Subaru to be taken seriously for their hype about the WRX making such a distinct separation from the Impreza, going to production with something as derivative-looking as the spy photos seems like a big mistake. I don't find the new Impreza bad-looking at all so tastefully tarting one into a WRX (as per history) is not the end of the world in my book. In any case, I'm going to reserve judgement until I see the production car. My only legitimate gripe so far is the reported lack of a 5-door going forward. Booo! http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/50D1FEB680CB49DCCA257B3C005FF260
I'll be even more happy even more now getting the 2013 WRX 5d knowing that they are "not" going to do them for the 2014 wrx /sti. Now my car is going to be one of the last 5dr wrx's (that's in case they change their mind).
Honestly, who gives a ****? THIS HAPPENS EVERY MODEL CHANGE! You all bitch and moan about it, swear up and down you wont buy it, but every time it out-sells its previous generation. Subaru doesn't have time for impreza "purists" moaning and groaning, subaru sells cars, they are breaking into the main-stream now, its a business, not a charity.
Not only that, but with the death of the lancer, what reason does it have to even continue making it?
Lancer is out, lots of other competition is edging in. With the continued success revamping other models for mainstream consumption, they're not a quirky little company anymore. I don't see a reason why they shouldn't keep something on tap to run parity with everyone else's new turbo econoboxes (it's not just one or two companies making them now days). Subaru has a good story to continue competing on that front, even if it no longer makes sense to hang their hats on it.
Ford, VW, Hyundai, Audi are just a few that come to mind. Either way, like Erik said each generation has gotten bashed by some because of the looks, but the damn things just keep selling and selling.
Not just the Focus. Most of the big guys have something either recently or soon to be released in that segment. Hyundai Veloster, Fiat 500, Chevy Cruize/Sonic, the new Buick whatever-it-is... Subaru has a good pedigree going for it if they can figure out the crappy mileage thing, which may be possible now that they've got a new fancy-pants engine to work with. WRX remains an interesting, relevant option for those willing to sacrifice fit, finish and kit for superior mechanical bits IMO. If the Focus ST ever comes over here with AWD, Subaru has problems.
