By on October 19, 2009

Video of the Subaru development team flogging the Toyobaru test mule around the Nordschleife reveals a hint of Tie Fighter in its at-speed soundscape. That can’t be bad. [FT86club]

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13 Comments on “Toyobaru Meets ‘ring...”


  • avatar
    wgmleslie

    Tell me that’s not a learner’s “L” in the back window!

  • avatar
    gettysburg

    I think the “Tie-Fighter” sound can be attributed to tire squeal + crappy microphone. I doubt it’s coming from the engine(or exhaust).

  • avatar
    poohbah

    LOL, I heard the tie fighter sound at 0:19. Now THAT would be cool.

  • avatar
    SpacemanSpiff

    I really hope that I’ll be able to fit in this thing…

  • avatar
    lawmonkey

    An excellent suggestion for those electric cars that are hinting at the capacity for user-defined faux engine noise. That, and I always wanted to drive around while going PEW PEW PEW

  • avatar
    enderw88

    Now that I see it moving it reminds of a really awkward Z-3 Coupe. Which is impressive since that design pushed “awkward” to new limits.

  • avatar
    Detroit-Iron

    I own an NA Legacy, I think the boxer wail is pretty tight for a four pot. I’m dying to know what pricing is going to be.

  • avatar
    escapenguin

    Sounds understeer-rrific.

  • avatar
    dgduris

    Just get it here (NA) already – with Pleides on the hood and 4 driven wheels.

    This mule looks like the old VW Corrado to me.

  • avatar
    Quentin

    dgduris : Just get it here (NA) already – with Pleides on the hood and 4 driven wheels.

    If you require 4 driven wheels, the Impreza 2.5i is already available for you.

    I don’t get why the subaru fans are demanding AWD on this. I had a 2.5RS back in the day. The 165hp of the 2.5L felt like a good bit less due to the drivetrain losses. Autocrosses were spent braking early and trying to throttle out of the turn becuase it understeered terribly if you didn’t. The short gearing helped acceleration but it killed gas mileage. This “Toyobaru” is supposed to be light, balanced, and cheap. AWD adds cost, makes the car heavier, and makes it slower for everything but 0-60. Subaru’s AWD system makes the balance miserable and will compromise handling. I’m to the point that I hope a Subaru version doesn’t come out because the Subaru fans have ridiculous expectations of 250hp turbo, AWD, DCCD, sports car handling, and a curb weight of 2400lbs for $22k.

  • avatar
    dgduris

    @Quentin,

    I understand what you are saying. But, I have room for 1 car in my life. I live in New England where is snows (much, sometimes; global warming aside). My daughter’s school is 26 miles away. Audis are too fussy and cost too much to maintain and I’m not dead yet.

    So, when my Spec. B is ready for new pastures, I wouldn’t mind this…though, honestly, I’ll probably treat myself to an STI.

  • avatar
    Quentin

    dgduris : I understand what you are saying. But, I have room for 1 car in my life. I live in New England where is snows (much, sometimes; global warming aside). My daughter’s school is 26 miles away. Audis are too fussy and cost too much to maintain and I’m not dead yet.

    So, when my Spec. B is ready for new pastures, I wouldn’t mind this…though, honestly, I’ll probably treat myself to an STI.

    If you only have room for one car, this won’t be it. The footprint of this car is 6″ longer than a Mazda MX-5. It is TINY. The rear seats will probably make my wife’s MINI rear seats feel luxurious.

    Why not buy an 07 vintage Outback for $10k for AWD & practicality and then this for RWD fun? You’ll get way more utility and a legit “sports car” for about $30k total.

  • avatar
    dgduris

    @Quentin,

    Wow! I didn’t realize this thing was THAT small! As I said: reminds me of the VW Corrado. I’ll definitely be STI-bound, I expect.

    I’ll be getting a company OB anyway (gods of start-up foundation growth willing).

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