Subaru to pull “propeller grille” from lineup
August 28, 2006 11:47AM by Michael Savio
Subaru’s controversial “propeller grille” will not be seen on its future models. Fuji Heavy Industries, chose to use the aircraft-inspired grille as its corporate face on several current models as an homage to its aeronautical history, but, after mixed reviews, has ordered a new a new corporate face.
According to Subaru spokesman, David Rowley, the propeller grille will not be seen on the upcoming Liberty and Outback, which will debut in Australia next month. The redesigned Impreza, due in 2007, will have a new nose replacing the current aircraft-inspired grille.
“It’s fair to say the design will not appear on future Subarus,” he says. “We had always said the aerospace theme could be applied in a variety of ways, like the way it’s been presented on the Impreza and Tribeca. Fuji Heavy Industries said it would evolve over time. But it has not really been applied to Liberty and Outback.”
There is no news what the new design will be for future Subarus. While the decision to dump the “propeller grille” comes on the heals of the resignation or firing of ex-Alfa and now ex-Subaru chief designer Andreas Zapatinas, the company said the Zapatinas was not responsible for the theme. Rowley said the first Zapatinas design is the next Impreza, which is due next year.
## Source: CARSguide ##
Posted in: Subaru, Design
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August 29th, 2006 at 3:11AM
Article twice mentions the Liberty which is a Chrysler Jeep product. I think it meant “Legacy”.
Kudos to Subaru for losing Zapatinas. That turtle snout was an unnecessary and unfortunate contrivance.
September 13th, 2006 at 8:25AM
[…] Subaru has dumped the “propeller grille” for a more conventionally styled five-sided shape. The Subaru WRX is expected to get an unrated 2.5L turbo engine developing up to 330-hp. […]
January 11th, 2007 at 12:43AM
I love Subaru’s, but for me that love is not about some outlandish, unique exterior design, it’s about the all wheel drive, the turbocharged boxer engines, and the quality. I would prefer the designs be subtle. I love the new 2008 Legacy and Outback, which is a dramatic improvement over the current Legacy, which has long overhangs and odd proportions. The current Forester is very subtle and I like it. I actually do like the current WRX with the “propeller” snout, but it doesn’t work at all on the gigantic B9 Tribecca. The name, “B9 Tribecca”, is also ridiculous, and the spaceship interior is a big turn off. I am definitely not the target market but I laugh every time I see one on the road because it’s one of the most hideous vehicles on the market today.
January 15th, 2007 at 7:53PM
[…] The new front end will be less radical than the current version, so expect Subaru to abandon the “propeller grille“. Out back, changes will improve visibility, another common complaint. With buyers looking for more power, the 2008 B9 Tribeca gets a 3.6L, six-cylinder boxer. Subaru will also improve access to the second and third row of seats. […]