Motor Trend, August issue.

[Exage]

I find it "convenient" that the WRX is becoming a separate model. The following below particularly caught my eye. It could of course just be a red herring, but you never know.

"The first thing you must understand about our all-new WRX is that we have developed it from the ground up to win in motorsports events. That's why we have focused so heavily on weight issues, not to mention a shorter wheelbase that permits faster, more precise turn-in. Marry that to our proven AWD system, and we think we have a winner" - MT Source

"Collaboration with Toyota on the FT-86 project also seems to have something to do with the direction of the new WRX and STI. "If the truth be known, we were able to focus so deeply on the motorsports element with the new WRX because we developed a sister car with the Toyota FT-86. Bosses gave us permission to go all out because that car exists," - MT Source

[PAImportTuner]

Originally Posted by Exage

I find it "convenient" that the WRX is becoming a separate model. The following below particularly caught my eye. It could of course just be a red herring, but you never know.

"The first thing you must understand about our all-new WRX is that we have developed it from the ground up to win in motorsports events. That's why we have focused so heavily on weight issues, not to mention a shorter wheelbase that permits faster, more precise turn-in. Marry that to our proven AWD system, and we think we have a winner" - MT Source

"Collaboration with Toyota on the FT-86 project also seems to have something to do with the direction of the new WRX and STI. "If the truth be known, we were able to focus so deeply on the motorsports element with the new WRX because we developed a sister car with the Toyota FT-86. Bosses gave us permission to go all out because that car exists," - MT Source

I'd like to say that initially fans are probably going to get screwed on the n/a sister car but this is to make up for R&D cost and get new consumers in, then they will have the WRX and STI based off of it. I can totally see them using the new Legacy front mount turbo setup for the new WRX as well.

So is it safe to say that with this news and possible price tag of only $26-29k that the WRX/STI will stop people from buying the new N/A release next year?? I see this hampering aftermarket growth for the FT cars. Because If I see this new WRX/STI in action before the FT release, I'm not gonna want to even think of the FT sisters.

Subaru always come thru.

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by PAImportTuner

I'd like to say that initially fans are probably going to get screwed on the n/a sister car but this is to make up for R&D cost and get new consumers in, then they will have the WRX and STI based off of it. I can totally see them using the new Legacy front mount turbo setup for the new WRX as well.

So is it safe to say that with this news and possible price tag of only $26-29k that the WRX/STI will stop people from buying the new N/A release next year?? I see this hampering aftermarket growth for the FT cars. Because If I see this new WRX/STI in action before the FT release, I'm not gonna want to even think of the FT sisters.

+1

With the new 2012 Impreza being a great design, hopefully they will sell boatloads of those cars and use that money to invest in the WRX. I will be completely honest with you, if my car will keep kicking strong I will wait for more news on the '13/'14 WRX. For sure. I would be an idiot not to. Ultimately my car is a DD and one reason the current WRX turned me off; fuel economy and interior quality. If they can get 21-22 city and 29-30 highway I would be happy. The new FB20 is getting 27 city and 36hwy so hopefully with DI and the other technology they will improve that. Also, now that the WRX will be its own line, hopefully the interior wont feel so cheap and poorly designed.

I was/am interested in the FT86 for being light, cheap, fun to drive, RWD, good gas mileage. I will have to see how many of those Toyota/Subaru successfully completes. But a nice WRX with 270hp, AWD, updated interior for $26-27 might be hard to pass up. Luckily there are a lot of nice cars in the pipeline including this new WRX, the GC (updated engine), Kia (if they build that sports car), the Focus RS, FT86...etc. It just feels good again to be able to have some choices.

[1660]

It seems everybody just reads the words they want to read. The two articles have words like; achieve impressive efficiency, federal fuel economy, superior fuel efficiency, more fuel-efficient.

It has already been stated; no turbo, light weight, ambitious low weight target.

These are words from the maker. They are telling you what is ahead. I'm sure the engineers want turbo and racing suspension, but the presidents are looking ahead and what they see is high gas prices and a deteriorating world economy. I know it will be a great car, but don't fool yourself. The decision makers know what they're doing.

The V8 Camaro and Mustang are dead, once gas hits $8 a gallon.

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by 1660

These are words from the maker. They are telling you what is ahead. I'm sure the engineers want turbo and racing suspension, but the presidents are looking ahead and what they see is high gas prices and a deteriorating world economy. I know it will be a great car, but don't fool yourself. The decision makers know what they're doing.

Huh? I thought it was the engineers that said no turbo because it was not inline with the spirit of the car.

[bofa]

Eh, gas could be $10 a gallon and I'd still demand a high output engine and drive it like I stole it! Of course, I work from home now.

[RRnold]

Are those fog lights in the hoodscoop!!

Subaru Impreza WRX STI did start to sound like a tongue twister! Should be interesting to see whats in store in the upcoming years!

[Maxim]

Originally Posted by 1660

The V8 Camaro and Mustang are dead, once gas hits $8 a gallon.

LOL

[Maxim]

Originally Posted by Exage

http://www.motortrend.com/future/fut...way/index.html

Hmmmmmmm. (Thinks deeply)

Goodbye FT-86, hello next-gen WRX. I'd GLADLY wait an extra year or two for that.

Lighter, smaller, 2 door, AWD, possible 270hp 1.6L ?! Screw it I'm waiting for THAT. Even if it made just 240hp from a 1.6L turbo (that's the same hp/L ratio as the 300hp 2.0 in Japan) it would still be abominably awesome at just under 3000lbs.

Holy HELL that is going to be insane. I'd pay 30k for that if it came with some race inspired goodness inside. Just let me row my own gears, please.

[ydooby]

Originally Posted by Maxim

Goodbye FT-86, hello next-gen WRX. I'd GLADLY wait an extra year or two for that.

Lighter, smaller, 2 door, AWD, possible 270hp 1.6L ?! Screw it I'm waiting for THAT. Even if it made just 240hp from a 1.6L turbo (that's the same hp/L ratio as the 300hp 2.0 in Japan) it would still be abominably awesome at just under 3000lbs.

Holy HELL that is going to be insane. I'd pay 30k for that if it came with some race inspired goodness inside. Just let me row my own gears, please.

Well technically the new WRX is going to be the FT-86's "sister car" so you aren't really saying goodbye to the FT-86 after all.:happy0180:

Quote: "If the truth be known, we were able to focus so deeply on the motorsports element with the new WRX because we developed a sister car with the Toyota FT-86."

Also, the theme of the FT-86 is balance, inherent only from an FR design. The WRX may be a faster, grippier car but you aren't going to get the kind of fun from the WRX as you would from the FT-86.

[Maxim]

Originally Posted by ydooby

Well technically the new WRX is going to be the FT-86's "sister car" so you aren't really saying goodbye to the FT-86 after all.:happy0180:

Quote: "If the truth be known, we were able to focus so deeply on the motorsports element with the new WRX because we developed a sister car with the Toyota FT-86."

Also, the theme of the FT-86 is balance, inherent only from an FR design. The WRX may be a faster, grippier car but you aren't going to get the kind of fun from the WRX as you would from the FT-86.

I think you're mis-reading things. They developed a sister car with the Toyota FT-86, and their experience in producing that car is being put to use on the next WRX, which they said is going to ride on a chopped down Impreza platform...

The WRX and the "sister car" are not the same thing. The FT-86 development just put their management in a motorsports mood. Clearly, the FT-86 chassis, which cannot accomodate Subaru's AWD and has been repeatedly stated to be powered by a 2.0L N/A boxer is not the same car as a chopped down 2 door Impreza rocking a turbo 1.6L and AWD....

Balance is nice and all, especially as a marketing catch-phrase, but as I've said before: If all the FT-86 can do is feel nice when the steering wheel isn't centered, then it better come with free blowjobs. A faster, grippier, marginally heavier AWD turbo rocket engineered specifically as a platform to dominate WRC isn't going to handle poorly

[ydooby]

Originally Posted by Maxim

I think you're mis-reading things. They developed a sister car with the Toyota FT-86, and their experience in producing that car is being put to use on the next WRX, which they said is going to ride on a chopped down Impreza platform...

The WRX and the "sister car" are not the same thing. The FT-86 development just put their management in a motorsports mood. Clearly, the FT-86 chassis, which cannot accomodate Subaru's AWD and has been repeatedly stated to be powered by a 2.0L N/A boxer is not the same car as a chopped down 2 door Impreza rocking a turbo 1.6L and AWD....

Think you're correct after I reread that quote. But since the FT-86 was originally based on a chopped down Impreza platform as well, they may be quite closely related after all.

[Maxim]

Originally Posted by ydooby

Think you're correct after I reread that quote. But since the FT-86 was originally based on a chopped down Impreza platform as well, they may be quite closely related after all.

I've heard it was based on a chopped down impreza platform, a chopped down legacy platform, and a clean-sheet design. I'd lean towards Impreza platform because it's inexpensive and the smallest thing Subaru currently makes, so yes, the two cars will likely share some bits under the skin. Definitely separate models though.

Mostly I think they'll share basic suspension set-ups. Reportedly, a ton of work has been done in suspension tuning for the FT-86....looks like Subaru is thinking "yes we'll help you design your RWD sports car and produce it in our factory and sell a version of our own to keep the production line running at full capacity.....but in the mean-time, we're going to take your development money and all the work we put into this car for you, and apply it to our own AWD rape-machine. Thanks Toyota!"

To be fair, this new WRX isn't competition for the FT-86 and likely will not eat into it's sales. It's AWD, turbo, and probably 5-7k more expensive - not a fair comparison. But....well, I know that I would obtain more driving joy from Subaru's set-up than a slightly heavier hardtop Miata with 40 extra ponies. Both are easily within my price range.

If this thing actually turns out like Motortrend is claiming, I'll definitely give a friendly wave to any FT-86 drivers I see, since the existence of their car will have allowed the existence of mine!

Now I just have to work on not getting exploded.... T minus 48 hours till I'm on a flight to sunny Afghanistan!

[RRnold]

They can dig up some dirt on a Impreza n WRX split 3 yrs from now but they can provide any details on the Subaru version of the FT86 set to be released next Spring?!!