Nope, this is not a new Subaru Tribeca, but rather the production version of the Japanese-spec 7-seat Exiga. The Exiga is rumored to be very close to the next-generation Outback—or perhaps better stated—the all-new 2010 Outback is rumored to be built off the Exiga platform.

Subaru debuted an Exiga concept (middle image) last year at the Tokyo auto show (2007 Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Subaru Exiga). At that time is was rumored that it would see production in the not too distant future. If the Exiga-Outback rumor proves to be true, don't expect it to seat seven. It also signifies that the Outback will be distanced a bit more from the Legacy than is currently the case.

I suspect that the new Outback's closest competitor will be the new Toyota Venza. The Vensa will come with a 2.7L four-cylinder engine and the 3.5L V6. The V6 can tow 3500 pounds. It should be an interesting match up, if my speculating here comes true.

The link to the Exiga teaser image is here.

It looks like Chinese-owned MG has been inspired by the Subaru Outback Sport (and Suzuki SX4 as well) with their new 3SW. The car comes with two engine choices: a 1.4-liter four and a 1.8-liter four. The 1.4-liter puts out 102 horsepower and 91 pound-feet of torque. The larger 1.8-liter engine offers 118 horsepower with torque coming in at 118 pound-feet. The price will range from 80,000 – 120,000 RMB ($11,428 - 17,142 USD give or take). No word as to whether AWD will be offered.

Full story here.

And speaking of MG, Inside Line has a story up on the TF: The MG TF Lives

Many within FHI (Subaru) worry that a RWD Subaru coupe could dilute brand's AWD image. Well, duh... Of course it will—and I've been saying this from the very moment I got wind of this news...

"We may lose our longstanding territory, or we may lose the great niche brand image. The potential risk is there. We have to be very smart on marketing strategy," states Mat Nagato, chief of overseas sales at Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries. He goes on to also say, "a potential question could be cannibalization."

It's a bad idea. No, make that an awful idea, that being a RWD Subaru coupe. I'll go even further: It's the stupidest marketing idea I've yet heard from Subaru—and that going some, as they have long history of making bonehead marketing decisions—and this is coming from a diehard Subaru fan (we've got three in the family, one being a WRX).

Can you imagine this dynamic duo—a Toyota and Subaru that are identical except for a different grille and taillights? Think Pontiac Solstice/Saturn/Sky clones; or better yet, the ill-fated Saab 9-2x/Subara Impreza fiasco.

That's what they'll end up with; two virtually identical cars fighting each other for customers. I say give the Toyota version RWD and keep the Subaru version AWD. That way the vehicles will be distinct from one another, and will appeal to different customers.

But you say you want a RWD Subaru because it will be cheaper, lighter, slightly more fuel-efficient and simpler than any AWD version?

I say go buy the Toyota then—and leave the Subaru AWD for those of us who want and appreciate that configuration. And hey, Subaru will make money regardless which one you buy, as they both will be built using the Subaru boxer engine, and will be built in a Subaru factory.

Finally, if you're wondering why I'm even mentioning the possibility of AWD being offered, my understanding is that has not yet been finally determined. So an AWD possibility is on the table, at least for now it is.

Full story here. And for those who can't log on to AN, you can find the article here.

UPDATE: In a related story (here). Nick Senior, Subaru of Australia's managing director says no to this coupe, as Subaru Australia won't import it. Here are a few quotes from Senior on this topic:

“From my understanding of it, it doesn’t fit within our brand strategy.”

“But more realistically and more credibly, our DNA is boxer engines and all-wheel drive. I haven’t seen that lose impetus in the last 10 years, so why should we stray from that strategy?”

On the subject of the similar Toyota model, Senior stated: “It gets back to the whole debate about badge engineering and we aren’t interested in that."

Gotta agree with Autoblog on this: If you don't want to go out and drive a Subaru STI after seeing this video, you must be dead... Rumor has it this is a new commercial soon to be aired by Subaru.

Full story here.

The rumored Toyota and Subaru "new deal" has been announced, with Toyota increasing their ownership of FHI from 8.7 percent to 16.5 percent. Also part of the package is the announcement that Daihatsu will be involved.

The Daihatsu tie-in is somewhat of a surprise, but it really shouldn't be. They've been involved with Toyota for quite some time, and have recently supplied Subaru with a new 1.3L Justy for the European market.

Here's FHI's press release.

Here's AutoObserver's take: Toyota, Daihatsu and Subaru Join Forces on Product Development, Vehicle Sharing

Sketches of the upcoming RWD Subaru coupe are posted along with some info on UK's Autocar.com.

It's been known for some time that Toyota and Subaru are doing a joint coupe, using the Subaru boxer engine, and that the Toyota version would be RWD. Now this article is stating that the Subie version would also be RWD.

As comedian Redd Foxx used to say on his TV show, Sanford and Son: "This is the big one! You hear that, Elizabeth? I’m coming to join ya!..." and then fake a heart attack. Well, if this comes to pass, that being a RWD Subie coupe, I too expect to have a heart attack...

Full story here.

Last week Straightline did a report on the possible increased ownership of Subaru by Toyota (Toyota to nearly double stake in Subaru). Now AutoObserver digs a bit deeper and examines as to how this can be a win-win situation for both companies. Also mentioned here are some joint-development projects that are under consideration, one of which is a small rear-drive sport coupe using the 2.0 Subaru boxer engine, but badged as a Toyota—and maybe as a Subaru too.

It's going to be really interesting to see how this Toyota "connection" with Subaru is going to evolve, unlike the previous failed alliance Subaru had with GM.

Toyota, Subaru Are Becoming Increasingly Entwined

In a related story, Subaru apparently is ending their long-standing relationship will LL Bean—and rather abruptly at that. The alliance will end by July 1, 2008. Subaru vehicles that are currently badged as "LL Bean" models will be labeled as "Limited" models beginning by the end of April.

In yet another related story, Subaru has just issued a "STOP SALE" order on all new Subarus with the turbo engine. Apparently there have been some knocking noises that have lead to engine problems. So to be safe, Subaru has issued this notice until the problem has been found and resolved. Not good...

Subaru will enter an STI in the upcoming 36th ADAC Zurich 24-Hour Race, which is held at the Nürburgring circuit in May.

The car will be almost stock, but it will be lightened and will have added safety features. It will be run in the SP6 class (3.0-3.5 liter displacement as turbochargers/superchargers account for 1.7 times the actual displacement). Interesting to note that this STI racer has 4 fog lamps.

Subaru has stated that they're looking to this race to help them improve their production cars, vehicles you and I can buy. NASCAR, are you listening?

Full story here.

This is just breaking, so there's not much in the way of details, but Toyota wants to increase their ownership of FHI (Subaru) to about 17 percent. Currently they own 8.7 percent of FHI.

Full story here. It's also mentioned briefly at the end of this Bloomberg.com story here.

Without knowing any more than this, I'd say this is good news for Subaru. They've always been a small and cash-strapped company, which has been a long-standing impediment, so I would think this could open more doors within the Toyota Empire. If Toyota, by purchasing a larger stake of FHI, can offer Subaru the assets—monetary, technical and production support—that will allow them to do what they do best, then great.

UPDATE: Here's a more informative article from Forbes.

UPDATE # 2: FHI has issued a statement on the above story here; and here is an updated Bloomberg.com story. So, what does this mean? It's likely gonna happen, The question is when?

In speaking about going green, improving fuel mileage, yadda, yadda; all—or at least most—of the discussion has centered around hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electrics and diesels. There is, however, another option: turbos.

Yes, turbos, in that they allow for big engine performance without paying big engine prices at the gas pump. I can verify that after having my turbo-powered Subaru WRX for almost two and half years. While it does get slightly less gas mileage than my wife's Forester, and my son's Outback Sport, I have yet to record gas mileage under 21.5 mpg—and this is a performance AWD car. On trips, if I'm easy on the gas, which admittedly is hard to do in this car, I can get over 26 mpg.

So, the bottom line is that turbos offer another gas-saving option for buyers to consider. Ford has announced that they will be going the turbo route big time in the next few years, and other automakers are also giving turbos another look.

“Turbochargers combined with engine downsizing seems to be one of the strategies that OEMs are considering to get fuel economy,” said Paul Lacy, manager of technical research for Global Insight, an international consulting firm. “We will see turbo penetration jump over the next 10 years and almost double in the next six to eight years.”

Here's AutoObserver's take: Turning to Turbo