Okay, that's all we know, and it's noted in the last paragraph of this article.
More important, this is an interesting commentary on the "State of Subaru;" where it's been, and why it's been so difficult for the Subaru brand to break out, and really establish itself as an automotive powerhouse--despite having all the engineering and unique brand DNA ingredients necessary to do so. Being a long-time Subaru fan, I found this to be a very interesting read, and I agree with the writer for the most part.
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So why can't Subaru implement strategies to make it what it could be -- a more profitable small-scale car company.
In a word, it's the weight of Subaru's rigid corporate culture. As with many Japanese companies, Subaru has not made the moves needed to shift from the usual obsession with market share to creating value in products that increase profit margins.
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Unlike many, I strongly supported the now-abandoned, and admittedly controversial, design language championed by former Subaru design head, Andreas Zapatinas. What they've now done--as the article correctly states--is gone "back to its flavor-of-the-month styling." It's safe. It doesn't offend anybody. It's also boring and is no way going to make Subaru stand out from the crowd. You can swap the logo on the grille of any current Subaru for that of a Kia, Hyundai, or any other nondescript vehicle brand, and few would know the difference. You can't say that about any of the Euro-brands that many of us so covet.
So let's see, once again, if Subaru can come up with a distinctive look that they can call their own--and this time successfully sell it to the masses.
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Subaru has tried bizzare styling in USA (the Brat and Tribecca most recent examples) and got castigated for it. And sadly, many styling statements reduce a car's functionality (witness the Rogue; more stylish than Forester but an absolute bear to see out of).
Granted, Subaru sometimes displays parts bin mentality (especially wrt their interiors) but they do make solid, useful vehicles. Witness the '09 Forester which has been racking up awards and sales, despite its criticised styling.
BRAT is not a recent example of Subaru styling. The last one was imported to USA in 1987.
I was a fan of the Zapatinas styling on the Impreza and of the theme overall.
Hated it on the Tribeca. IMO Subaru would be better if the Tribeca never existed.
Bring back the Legacy Wagon!
The only consistent thing is their inconsistency.
IMO, Subaru and design is an oxymoron. If Subaru wants to go mainstream, make your cars attractive!
To date, most people bought Subys because of their capabilities and decided they could live with the styling. Just think of how big sales would be if more people actually bought them because they liked what the cars looked like!! Also, their interiors are very cheap and they could use some work.
moparbad, you are correct. I actually meant the Baja, not the BRAT.
The only major difference I can see between a Legacy and Outback wagons is the Legacy sits closer to ground.
So what styling should Subaru emulate, or take a cue from?
Legacy has different front bumper, different rear bumper, no added lower body cladding on sides, lower center of gravity, lower price, smaller wheels.
Overall cleaner appearance.
As to what Subaru styling should emulate? Not the B11S. Just keep making great cars.
As long as they don't hire Acura's design team...
"So what styling should Subaru emulate, or take a cue from?"
They need to carve their own path, and not follow anyone else. The key word there is "follow," or better stated "not to follow," but rather "lead."
BMW didn't follow anyone else. The same can be said of Volvo, MB, Mazda, etc. They all went their own way, and that's what Subaru needs to do. They just need to make it aesthetically palatable to the car-buying public.
I thought the nose of the original Tribeca looked terrific. The same nose on the Impreza was horribly ugly. The grill on my 07 Forester is the least attractive of the non-STi grills on Foresters over the years and I think the new corporate face, if not exciting is attractive and tasteful.
The interior of my car is so-so. Clear, easy to read gauges. Could use more smaller storage areas for change. There is no easy place to set a phone or MP3 player except the cup holders. The angle of the headrest is extreme. My wife (5-4) likes to drive with the seat back fairly verticle, but can't with our Suby because the forward cant of the headrest hits her in the back of the head and forces her to look down. I'm sure this is an anti-whiplash thing, but it compromises the function of the seat, which is not good.
Why is the aux stereo input taking up storage space in the center stack instead of being tucked in the center console?
The fabric on the seats is horrible. I had no choice but a tan interior on my blue car and the interior was stained within days.
Finally, Subaru's 4AT is one of the worst I have ever driven, it's like the gas pedal isn't connected at all. Press on the gas and the rev's rise but speed doesn't. My car really needs a 5 or 6 speed auto and it is beyond stupid that Ford, Toyota, Honda, GM, Mazda, VW et al can all offer more flexible boxes in their cars (some for the past several years) and Suby sticks with the old 4-speed.
bankerdanny, I agree completely. The limited choices of interior color in combination with it's exterior counterpart and an ancient 4 speed auto transmission is what keeps me from looking at a Subbie. Do you hear that Subaru.... get with the times! We want at least a 6 speed auto transmission or CVT NOW, not 2 years from now. This should've been introduced in your cars 2 years ago! Consumers want choices. I don't want to be limited to a beige interior just because I want a blue exterior. All interior colors should be available across the board. Also I thought I would mention that most automakers use a gray/ charcoal/ black as their default interior color, not beige.... just stupid on your part! Fix these things and I'll consider you for my next vehicle!