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Subaru executive casts doubt on manual transmission future

Some disconcerting news for Subaru fans has come out from the Geneva Motor Show. Subaru's U.K. managing director told Auto Express that he doesn't see the manual transmission as having a future at the automaker. He explained that the company is really focusing on safety, and in turn Subaru's Eyesight technology. As a refresher, that system uses stereo cameras to enable features such as automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. The feature isn't currently available on manual-equipped Subarus, and the executive said he wasn't sure if the system was compatible. And with Subaru's push for safety and Eyesight, he said that continuing to offer manual cars without the system could undermine that push. This sounds dire at first, but we shouldn't panic yet. First, this is just an executive for Subaru's U.K. branch, not for the global company or the U.S., and car companies don't have the same offerings everywhere. For example, the Crosstrek is only offered with a CVT in Europe, but here in America – land of the free, home of the clutch – Subaru offers a six-speed manual. So, while it is possible that certain regions will have reduced or no manual options, that doesn't mean it would be across the board. View 22 Photos And even if Subaru decided it would phase out manual transmissions on most of its mainline cars, as it did with the Legacy, we can't imagine the company abandoning the transmission for its performance cars. WRX and STI fans would riot in the streets, possibly on their way to buy a next-generation Focus RS or Golf R, and the BRZ, a car built around the idea of driver engagement, wouldn't survive in a market with the Miata. Subaru may want to improve safety, but they're still a for-profit company, and sales of its performance cars would surely tank without a manual option. One more reason not to fret is that, while Subaru doesn't currently have a manual-compatible suite of semi-autonomous safety features, that doesn't mean it's impossible. As it so happens, Mazda offers low-speed automatic emergency braking as a standard feature on all its models in every trim. Mazda also has higher-speed emergency braking, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control as options, and they are compatible with manual transmission cars. You can order up a top trim Mazda3 Grand Touring with a manual transmission right now. Keeping all this in mind, we think it's highly unlikely that Subaru will abandon the manual transmission.

Junkyard Gem: 1984 Subaru GL 4WD Wagon, Colorado Stereotypes Edition

I live in Denver, which means my local junkyards are well-stocked with used-up Subarus. These days, that means mostly Outbacks from the 1995-2005 period, but sufficient 1970s and 1980s Subarus remain in service that they show up from time to time. Here, in a Denver self-service yard, is a second-generation Leone wagon, from the era when this car was called just "the Subaru" in the American market. It appears that this car's final owner named it The Little D. Right next to the rag being used as a gas cap, a Yoda-ized Steal Your Face skull. This sticker from Incredible Extracts is easy to find in and on the cars in Denver-area wrecking yards. Someone made a pretty good Hunter S. Thompson stencil for the right-hand rear side glass. Neither of the two other members of the Male Hipster Holy Trinity (Kerouac and Bukowski) are to be found here, but then those two didn't live in Colorado. Anonymous is everywhere, even the junkyard. In 1984, the GL was the top trim level of the Subaru wagon, and the MSRP on this car was $8,168. That's about 19 grand in 2017 dollars. The going rate for a hooptie '84 GL wagon in 2017 is about $250. This car has manually-actuated four-wheel-drive, rather than the center-differential-equipped all-wheel-drive you'll get with your 21st-century Subaru. This meant that drivers were supposed to use front-wheel-drive on dry asphalt and four-wheel-drive on snow or dirt, but many didn't understand the concept and tore up their tires and/or powertrains by running 4WD at all times. These cars would get you to the slopes every time, and they'd do it cheaply enough for you to afford your preferred intoxicants once you got there. This car's 34 years on the road are done, but many of its kind remain. Related video:

2021 BMW M3/M4 and Volkswagen ID.4 revealed | Autoblog Podcast #646

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by West Coast Editor James Riswick. Together, they tackle a week's worth of big news, including the reveals of the BMW M3 and M4 and Volkswagen ID.4, as well as Tesla's Battery Day. Greg's been driving the long-term Subaru Forester, and gives us an update on that, while James discusses the current state and direction of Cadillac after driving the CT5. Then, the two dads talk about child seat safety, as well as random things they've learned from having children of their own. Autoblog Podcast #646 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown 2021 BMW M3 and M4 revealed with a standard manual and up to 503 horsepower 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 breaks cover with 250-mile range Why the Volkswagen ID.4 is a Very Big Deal Elon Musk promises $25,000 car, EV battery cell that costs half — but not soon 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid coming with three motors and more than 1,100 horsepower Cars we're driving: Long-term 2019 Subaru Forester 2020 Cadillac CT5 A conversation on child car seats Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: Green Podcasts BMW Cadillac Subaru Tesla Volkswagen Safety Coupe Crossover Electric Luxury Performance Sedan