I picked up the latest issue of "Brand X" car mag and in the back was a short story on a new car Subaru is bring to the U.S....besides the BR-Z (or whatever it's called).
It seems that the parent company was about to launch a new model in Europe and a few other markets when U.S. dealers got wind of this new vehicle and said they wanted it too. The original plan was NO sales in North America. Anyway, the car was termed a modern day AMC Spirit by "Brand X" mag, but to my eyes it's closer to being a lower priced BMW X6. Unlike the Spirit, but like the X6, it has 4 doors and a fastback/hatchback body, but the way that it's sort of "jacked up" would put many here in mind of a Spirit.
The car is called the XV (I think, my memory is easily "swiss-cheesed") and it used the Impreza's platform and 2 liter engine. One of the reasons it wasn't going to be sold here is the possibility that ANY new car this size would steal sales from the Forester. Apparently, the XV will SLIGHTLY undercut the Forester on price, but being a hatchback/fastback, interior space will be smaller. Basically, this is a jacked up Impreza hatch, marketted like the "original" Outbacks were...as an entirely different car, even though they were basically just jacked up Legacy 'wagons.
And as always, a diesel version will be sold in other markets...but not in the U.S.
Oh, you mean the name-change that's been sold here for at least 15 years as the "Outback Sport"?
Subaru makes no sense to me. They make the Impreza, and then jack it up a little and call it the Outback Sport to go with the larger car and it's jacked up version (Legacy / Outback). But now there's all this contention that the XV would steal sales from the Forrester? Then WTH was the Outback Sport doing?
I like those wheels! Can't say the same about the car they're attached to.
Everything should steal sales of the bloated and wretched mess that is the current model Forester!
Disappointing news. I'm sure it's an alright car, but I'm still waiting for the modern replacement of the Justy that'll never come.
RIP, small Subarus and Legacy wagon.
ew......that body, those wheels......looks like every other lame-ass small SUV out there, except uglier. And with a N/A 2.0L (I don't see an intercooler), it's sure to be slow as hell too..
Dang if it was available with a Turbo. I see a Rally cross car just maybe if I squint and look at the monitor at the right angle. 
SCCA won't allow it because they have a bizarre fear of roll-overs.
(sarcasm/speculation/probablytrueanyways)
People usually buy these because they are loaded up with more options than the standard Impreza. I expect them to sell like hotcakes especially in the Northeast. People love weird, AWD, CVT-transmissioned things up here, as evidenced by the ungodly amount on Nissan Jukes I see every day.
And as far as being a nice looking car... Subarus were never known for their beauty.
SilverFleet wrote:
And as far as being a nice looking car... Subarus were never known for their beauty.
As a Subaru nut I can do nothing but agree. I always find myself liking the looks of the outgoing generation better than the newest model. When the Bugeye came out I thought the GC looked better, when the Blobeye was released I thought the Bugeye was more attractive, etc... I guess it just takes a while for the looks to grow on me.
I still don't dig the '10 and up Legacy Outback.
Now the '05 and '11 Mustangs...that was instant lust!
Meh, I dig it. I'm looking for a car that gets about 30 mpg, is reliable, not too big, and can go off the beaten path on two-tracks up in northern Michigan (read, 8.5+ inches of ground clearance).
Show me an alternative.
I'm a Subaru fan but I'm a bit worried. The WRX seems to be solid in their lineup, and the Outback in its current form is a nice SUV--we bought a 2011 for my wife.
I know I'm in the minority in that I love wagons. But the WRX is a bit more boy racer than I want as a white collar guy in my late 30's and I get bored in the Outback. Would love it if they brought back a Legacy wagon with a stick and turbo, and with a diesel that is offered overseas.
I kinda like it too... would be better at a less nose bleed height though
I am certainly waiting to see what the pricing will be as this is definitely on my short list. I may be biased as my current 90 Legacy Wagon has been strut swapped for added ride height. I RallyCross, I live in a semi-rural area with rough roads and occasional heavy snow (15-20" predicted for the next 36 hours) and have a long 41 mile each way commute. I need 30+ mpg for my next car, though I'm tempted to give up AWD for 40mpg... I don't want an SUV, though the Mazda CX-5 is nice. I personally like the idea of a lifted more capable car, no matter the marketing angle this is not a crossover, it's a lifted car. It gets very good for AWD mileage and it looks great in Orange.
My opinion only, but I really like it, and my letters to Subaru after it was shown at Frankfurt told them so.
