2011 - Subaru Wrx on 2040-cars

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Should Subaru have a premium brand?

A lot of people love Subarus, and that audience is only getting bigger. Subaru sold 647,956 vehicles in the U.S. in 2017, up from 615,132 units in 2016; 513,693 in 2012; and 187,699 in 2008. You get the idea. It's a relatively small brand, but a growing one. It's also one of the top brands in terms of customer loyalty, and in terms of conquest sales. From Q2 2015 to Q2 2016, Subaru gained 3.5 customers from other brands for every customer it lost. Recently, Riley, a listener to the Autoblog Podcast, wrote in and asked why Subaru doesn't have a luxury brand. Reading the email, neurons began firing immediately, and a whole bunch of new thoughts rushed in at once, mingling with old data in my brain. Indeed, why doesn't Subaru have its own luxury brand? My initial conclusion was that it just didn't make sense for the brand. It's too small of a company to warrant another brand. The higher-end offerings — namely top-trim Ascents — are probably the ceiling at the moment. If those can sell consistently, then maybe it would be time to toy with luxury-leaning models the way Hyundai did before spinning off Genesis (and perhaps adopt a wait-and-see attitude with regard to that potential competitor.) A luxury brand might dilute the value of Subaru's mainstream offerings, giving it the look of a budget brand, but luxury models within the brand could do the opposite. ... Unless ... What if Subaru's luxury brand was all electrified? Subaru is a company that is genuinely concerned with sustainability and environmental issues. Famously, its factories are zero-landfill facilities, and the company takes part in a multitude of environmental initiatives both on its own and with various partners. This mirrors the values of a large part of Subaru's customer base, who have earned a reputation as outdoor adventurers who love nature — and dogs. It's no surprise to see Subaru overrepresented on the roads of Denver, Portland, Ore., and Burlington, Vt. Subaru doesn't offer any plug-in models yet, but they're in the works. As of now, we can expect them to be based on current nameplates. What if Subaru gave its upcoming Crosstrek PHEV the luxury treatment and a new brand name ("Pleiades" would be the easy grab). Sure, Subaru retains customers really well already, but what happens when people outgrow Subaru? At least they have the option of the Ascent, but I'm interested to see how many Subaru owners move on to luxury brands (I'm in the process of finding those answers).

There's a 2017 Subaru Impreza hatchback, too

The heart of the new Impreza is the new Subaru Global Platform. It's a unique item, partially because it sees Subaru using terms we don't always associate with affordable C-segment hatchbacks and sedans. Agility – a phrase more often reserved for performance vehicles – is a big part of the new platform. The basic suspension layout hasn't changed dramatically, with struts in front and a double-wishbone setup in back, but Subaru is claiming a 50-percent reduction in body roll. The new platform, meanwhile, promises a 70-percent increase in body rigidity compared to the current car. In short, this should be a much more tossable Impreza. And a turn, a more tossable WRX. We likey. It will also be a more powerful car, too, although only just. The new 2.0-liter flat-four engine has been blessed with direct injection, boosting power up from 148 to 152 ponies. Like we said, only just. Subaru was cagey on transmissions, simply saying that "highline trims" would get a Lineartronic CVT with a seven-speed manual mode. View 11 Photos Like the current Impreza, the updated model will be offered in base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims. We're taking particular note of the Sport, which gets 18-inch wheels, a unique suspension tune, and active torque vectoring. It should make for an entertaining package, although customers aching for something more comfortable should look to the nicely equipped Limited. The top-end trim adds a power driver's seat, eight-inch touchscreen, push-button start, a Harmon/Kardon stereo, leather upholstery, and 17-inch wheels. Subaru's awesome EyeSight safety system will also be offered, too. The 2017 Impreza goes on sale later this year, following this week's New York Auto Show debut. 2017 Subaru Impreza reveal. autoblog.com/new-york-auto-show Posted by Autoblog on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 Show full PR text SUBARU INTRODUCES ALL-NEW, U.S.-BUILT 2017 IMPREZA®; NEW GLOBAL PLATFORM DELIVERS MAJOR GAINS IN HANDLING PERFORMANCE, CRASH SAFETY AND RIDE COMFORT Sedan and 5-Door Styles New Subaru Global Platform Significantly Enhances Safety, Ride Comfort and Agility Award-Winning EyeSight®, Plus New Driver Assist Technologies SUBARU STARLINK® Safety and Security Features and Apps New Subaru Design Language Debuts 2.0-liter Boxer Engine with Direct Injection and Higher Performance First Impreza to be Built in U.S.

Subaru Levorg Concept has us dreaming about a WRX wagon

We're not sure what got in the water supply of Subaru's Tokyo Motor Show team, but we like the results. After checking out the Cross Sport Design Concept, which we would love to see as a BRZ shooting brake, Subaru took the wraps off its Levorg Concept. Naming convention aside, the idea of a sport-tuned wagon with a boxer engine is music to our ears.
The design language fits in with recent Subaru products, and the Levorg's face is very similar to the 2015 WRX that was just unveiled across the Pacific Ocean at the LA Auto Show. In terms of its size, though, this concept is roughly the same as the current Outback, only it sits about five inches lower. Power comes from either of a pair of boxer engines: a fuel-efficient 1.6-liter or a 296-horsepower, 2.0-liter. Both engines would be paired to Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system.
Subaru says that the Levorg is a thinly veiled version of the production sports tourer that will go on sale (likely in Japan and/or Europe) next spring. Could this mean we could soon see a sporty Legacy wagon in the US? We can only hope. More details about the Levorg are posted in the press release found below.