Subaru changes design language for future models

By Brett Davis | July 22nd, 2010

Subaru has announced it has changed its design language for its future models. Osamu Namba, Subaru design chief, said in a recent interview with Autoweek, that this is a part of Subaru’s strategy to appeal to a wider market.

Namba said that upcoming models will feature cleaner lines and a simpler flow. Namba has been in Subaru’s design department since 2008 and is the guy behind the Hybrid Concept sketched below.

He says upcoming models would use design cues taken from the concept featuring very clean and cut, yet modern lines and flow.

Who out there would actually like to see Subaru return to its somewhat masculine roots – like those presented in the Ninties – or has everyone become used to the modern-day design?

http://navelcontemplation.blogspot.com Supercujo

They have been working on this for a while. The simplification of the Forester and Impreza has worked wonders for sales figures.

I love my MY10 wagon. Absolutely great car. It may not look as good as previous models, but it is a much better car overall.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1435885244 Yani Hendriawan

the top one look great. just get all the bling off
rlawlals

just like hyundai did 2 years ago…
Dave

I’m no designer, but it seems simple enough to me. Just avoid ugly. Keep things in proportion, with flowing lines and a consistent design theme from front to back, and pay attention to details. Surely it costs no more to design an attractive car?

SC

Dave, too true. I have no idea how Subaru’s cars have made it from design to real and no-one at Subaru says “Is that car or is it me?” Design is a personal interpretation but seriously Subaru everyone can’t be wrong.

SC

Meant to add in the word “ugly or is it me?”

G

Impreza = ugly, the previous oe had personality at least
Forester = ugly and common, the 1st gen was the best of all them, and I would still have one today
Liberty = previous one looked great, the current one just ruined everything
Tribeca = improved a lot after the nosejob

dasferg

Exiga = Ugly and poor selling! Yet to see one on the road!

Hung Low

I have and it is revolting!
m2m

you’re definately not missing out!

MJ

i think i must be the only person alive who disagrees with you on the impreza. I like the look of the hatch (the sedan is hideous), but the wrx version isnt quite up to scratch, compared to previous versions. Perhaps the problem is that its a decent hatch, but not an impreza.
I completely agree with the liberty, i dont know how they could have failed so badly, but im told the new ones look better in person :/

andronicus

yes you are the only one

dasferg

The problem with this philosopy is that it is at least 3 years from realisation. Only the Tribeca is over 2 years old.
Mikey_94

YAY! They finally decided to change it. The Liberty/Legacy was the icing on the feral ugly Subaru cake that was its design for the past few models… The only decent design was the Forester, with the original Tribeca, Impreza and Liberty designs going waaayy beyond the ugly stick IMHO!

Good on ‘em for changing it (hopefully for the better)

macca

It’s a crying shame when the current Camry looks better than the new Liberty. The Liberty is very awkward, and they’ve completely ruined the proportions. Even if they fixed the headlights and the rear, there is no way on earth they can taper in those slab sides without a complete redesign. Absolute FAIL. Just cannot believe they would design a car with near vertical sides in 2009.

FTSII

I think they should go back to their more masculine appearance but with a bit modern smooth lines. The concept design is a testament to this as it has the old masculine look with smooth modern lines.
1

If they design everything exactly how they did in the mid 90s they’ll be fine. Nowadays their cars just look terrible, ans they can’t seem to learn from their mistakes. So I think there’s still a good chance their new design direction will turn out ugly.
davie

The MY 98, 99, 00 Imprezas (base model) were a great example of simple flowing lines, good frontal styling and integrated design.

The previous model liberty/outback worked well for similar reasons.

So simple and worked so well.
The Oracle’s Headache.

Something had to change. The current Liberty is a mess.
Gary

It is hard to be both simple and different from other brands. Cost a lot of money to design something like that.

A wider market? Need to improve interior material as well.
zahmad

All of their current designs can be made great again by slight alterations! Give me the pen will you Mr Namba!!
Vibe

Rejoice! But isn’t this what they said a few years back, and that resulted in the less that gorgeous cars we have now?
Nick K

I’m a Liberty owner and I hate the look of the new model. All of Subaru’s current models either look bland or just plain awkward. They need to do something and quick, the Koreans are on the march.
Nov

I just hate what they have done to the Liberty. It was, in my opinion, one of the best looking sedans on the market.
Zandit

Does anyone realise that this picture is actually the concept that gave us the current Liberty/Outback? Everyone bagged it then, and it hasn’t changed, but everyone is agreeing that it is the way to go? I’m sorry guys, but it needs more than a picture to change my opinion of the current Subaru collection.
davie

Subaru just don’t get it.

Having “unique styling” is not just about ugly headlights and a hideous ugly distinctive grille. That is how chumps and amateurs play the styling game. Even most of the Koreans have worked this out now. SSsangyong being a noteable exception.

Look at any BMW, hide the headlights and grille an you can still tell its a BMW. Same with Porshe, same with Mercedes Benz.

Why???

Subaru, guess what? Car design is all about overall shape and how it flows. NOT JUST A GRILL!!! Subaru you actually had some design language with the liberty and Forester to some extent. There was the distinctive floating roof on the Liberty wagon with blacked out B,C,D pillars which gave it such a streamlined look. No one else had that!

So what did Subaru do? got rid of the floating roof in the latest Liberty/Outback. Now its just a big bulky looking wagon with a pig-ugly front lights and Grille.

They really are embarrassing amateurs.

Blitzkrieg

Absolutely spot on davie

smokin’R32

Subaru had a design language?

davie

I think they did on the liberty. Maybe they don’t…

Aussieitalian

the only thing that hints it’s a subaru is the permanently on front fog lamps
Jonty

Bought a new car in 09…was looking at the GT but have to say that the look of the new liberty (and yes checked it out in the metal) took it out of the running. Sale lost.
http://navelcontemplation.blogspot.com Supercujo

For all the whining about the current Subaru line up, the Impreza and Forester have been outselling the previous models quite well, especially in the huge US market.

I don’t think they will change things too much from what it is at present, bland and awkward seems to sell quite well, a couple of tweaks here and there should be able to bring things back.

macca

the forester is fine, just needs the usual model refresh. the impreza on the other hand has a bonnet overhang and a fat rear, not the best asthetics (particularly the wrx). the impreza sedan is just way too long (the wide body wrx 2011 should fix this). tribeca is a disaster (melting dash makes me sick). new liberty is very very awkward which is a shame because the engineering is very good. their interiors need a big lift, and the STi will lose a lot of sales to the new Golf R (which costs a LOT less). they are getting hit from all sides (germany, korea). some of subaru’s tech is also outdated; 4 spd auto, interiors, single climate control units\dials, no dsg, no direct injection, average fuel economy (excluding CVT). shame!

yowza

Are you kidding?

VW is making everyone wait for Golf R, it seems many Euro snubs with little knowledge about cars except the 5 minuted Google search and brochure are ordering one because its “cool” to have one.

Is it a good car… yes…
Is it fair value…. not bad….

Is it over rated… yes.

The STi rips it in performance, but in every day driving the R is better… but the new WRX priced at 45K is better value… No?…. 195kW 330nM+, Subaru 4WD system and plenty of parts, cheaper maintenance than VW too… and better built.

So you have a 55K Golf R or a 45K WRX….. the 2011 WRX looks like an STi.

WTF

It is about time they change the shape. The current models are butt ugly.
Aleks

“that this is a part of Subaru’s strategy to appeal to a wider market.” – So from no one to someone? Because lets face it, not one can honestly say that any of their current cars are even half decent looking.
PulSamsara, Chicago

Very late post -

Subaru – go look at Infiniti (Nissan) design.