Subaru to scrap unpopular grill design
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Subaru to scrap unpopular grill design
Subaru design shakeup: company scraps unpopular grille design
Say goodbye to Subaru's "propeller nose." The aircraft-inspired grille and front fascia will become a thing of the past as the Japanese automaker rolls out new models over the coming years, reports Australia's Herald-Sun. Company spokesman David Rowley told the newspaper the new face — most recently introduced on the Impreza last September — received mixed reviews at best. Arguably, the interpretation on the Tribeca crossover was even less popular. "It's fair to say the design will not appear on future Subarus," Rowley told the newspaper. Subaru design chief Andreas Zapatinas is believed to have been fired last month, though it's unclear what (if any) involvement he had in the highly-criticized designs during his short tenure.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/08/...future-models/
Say goodbye to Subaru's "propeller nose." The aircraft-inspired grille and front fascia will become a thing of the past as the Japanese automaker rolls out new models over the coming years, reports Australia's Herald-Sun. Company spokesman David Rowley told the newspaper the new face — most recently introduced on the Impreza last September — received mixed reviews at best. Arguably, the interpretation on the Tribeca crossover was even less popular. "It's fair to say the design will not appear on future Subarus," Rowley told the newspaper. Subaru design chief Andreas Zapatinas is believed to have been fired last month, though it's unclear what (if any) involvement he had in the highly-criticized designs during his short tenure.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/08/...future-models/
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Great.
That was a butt-ugly design to start with.
Subaru is obviously listening to their customers ( me being one of them ).
Now...when are BMW and Chris Bangle going to do the same?
And when is Audi going to follow Subaru's good example and dump those gross, oversized, tuna-sucking-wind grilles?
That was a butt-ugly design to start with. Subaru is obviously listening to their customers ( me being one of them ).
Now...when are BMW and Chris Bangle going to do the same?
And when is Audi going to follow Subaru's good example and dump those gross, oversized, tuna-sucking-wind grilles?
Great. That was a butt-ugly design to start with.
Subaru is obviously listening to their customers ( me being one of them ).
Now...when are BMW and Chris Bangle going to do the same?
And when is Audi going to follow Subaru's good example and dump those gross, oversized, tuna-sucking-wind grilles?
That was a butt-ugly design to start with. Subaru is obviously listening to their customers ( me being one of them ).
Now...when are BMW and Chris Bangle going to do the same?
And when is Audi going to follow Subaru's good example and dump those gross, oversized, tuna-sucking-wind grilles?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,192
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Well it didn't quite work on the B9 Tribeca. The rear looks like an Alfa and the front looks like a pig. Sorry if that sounded harsh.
However, it seemed to work better on the Impreza but then again, the Impreza is old and has been updated once already. I don't know why it has been updated again. I believe it's been around since 2001.
Also, the B1 (or whatever that tiny Subie is called) looks odd too with that grille design.
However, it seemed to work better on the Impreza but then again, the Impreza is old and has been updated once already. I don't know why it has been updated again. I believe it's been around since 2001.
Also, the B1 (or whatever that tiny Subie is called) looks odd too with that grille design.
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Lexus Test Driver
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From: ON
Great. That was a butt-ugly design to start with.
Subaru is obviously listening to their customers ( me being one of them ).
Now...when are BMW and Chris Bangle going to do the same?
And when is Audi going to follow Subaru's good example and dump those gross, oversized, tuna-sucking-wind grilles?
That was a butt-ugly design to start with. Subaru is obviously listening to their customers ( me being one of them ).
Now...when are BMW and Chris Bangle going to do the same?
And when is Audi going to follow Subaru's good example and dump those gross, oversized, tuna-sucking-wind grilles?
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They don't have to. because despite the fact that they have few whining babies around them, they are selling pretty damn well. BMW even raised the price by few %, and still having great sales record throughout the world.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,509
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From: MD
Well it didn't quite work on the B9 Tribeca. The rear looks like an Alfa and the front looks like a pig. Sorry if that sounded harsh.
However, it seemed to work better on the Impreza but then again, the Impreza is old and has been updated once already. I don't know why it has been updated again. I believe it's been around since 2001.
Also, the B1 (or whatever that tiny Subie is called) looks odd too with that grille design.
However, it seemed to work better on the Impreza but then again, the Impreza is old and has been updated once already. I don't know why it has been updated again. I believe it's been around since 2001.
Also, the B1 (or whatever that tiny Subie is called) looks odd too with that grille design.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,695
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From: CA
The thing with BMW is, they are selling IN SPITE of the design issues, IMO. IN SPITE of i-Drive and the Bangle-ruination. But it's important to note that the 3-series contains the least of each of those influences. The badge carries a lot of weight, just like it did for Benz then and now during the quality/design issues. Performance carries the BMW brand too--it could be a garbage can look and people would still buy it.
I think Subaru ditching that grille was a very good decision, and I'm surprised they were brave enough to do a mea culpa and jetisson them so quickly. IMO, Subaru the brand can improve greatly by making more fluid, pleasing designs and that grille was not part of it. Now if they'd only remodel the Impreza/WRX...
I think Subaru ditching that grille was a very good decision, and I'm surprised they were brave enough to do a mea culpa and jetisson them so quickly. IMO, Subaru the brand can improve greatly by making more fluid, pleasing designs and that grille was not part of it. Now if they'd only remodel the Impreza/WRX...
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,175
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From: Connecticut
The grill design on the Impreza looked fine - especially in WRX/STi trim.
The B9 never looked right at all from any angle/perspective, grill or no grill - it's a hideous truck.
M.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,574
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I personally know a number of BMW faithfuls who won't touch a Chris Bangle product....they just keep their old ones and put money and parts into them keeping them running. And, consequently, there are some people ( like genearch on this forum ) who like Bangle products and I-Drive. Overall, though, BMW's new designs have not been well-received.
Anyhow...back to Subaru. Personally, I think it was a good thing to drop the new grilles. Outbacks and Foresters, especially, have sold extremely well ( not without good reason ) and have an intensely loyal following without the aero-grilles....why mess them up just for the sake of something " different ? "
Last edited by mmarshall; Aug 29, 2006 at 03:55 AM.
