[zachavm]

2022 Subaru WRX And Forester Wilderness Debuts On Hold After NYIAS Cancellation | Carscoops

New York Show’s cancellation due to covid has thrown Subaru’s plans out of whack, and there’s no new date set for the models’ launch

www.carscoops.com

Saw an article this morning that the Wilderness (and WRX) announcements are on hold due to the NY Auto Show cancelation. This appears to be legit as they actually quote a Subaru spokesperson in the article.

“We have not confirmed when information about WRX or the next Wilderness model will be released due to the cancellation of NYIAS,” a Subaru spokesperson told Carscoops.

I expect they are looking to get a media event planned similar to how they did the Outback Wilderness and that is the reason for the delay. I doubt this will delay actual production, just when we find out.

 

[FozzieBalou]

Carscoops is a lot like Torquenews - a bit of clickbait. I'd seen an article a few weeks ago about the WRX being released at the NY show, but there was no mention of the Forester Wilderness at that time. Beyond some of the clickbait sites, I don't recall seeing any official release date for the Wilderness. Best guesses would have been the next big show (the LA show in November?) ...

As for the legitimacy of the quote - that supposed Subaru spokesperson could be anybody - even a mechanic at the local Subaru shop. WIthout a specific reference to "Bob Jones, VP of Subaru of America" or similar, it's still just (in the legal terms) hearsay.

Logically, it would not make sense for Subaru to release the Wilderness trim level at the same time as the WRX - as one would overshadow the other, depending on your preference for a sporty 4-door sedan or a spec'ed out SUV....

 

[straphanger322]

Little disappointed they pushed back the WRX introduction after the cancellation of the NYIAS but I guess it makes sense since they'll need a bit of time to set up their own media event. I would gather they're ready to show it by September at the latest.

 

[zachavm]

Carscoops is a lot like Torquenews - a bit of clickbait. I'd seen an article a few weeks ago about the WRX being released at the NY show, but there was no mention of the Forester Wilderness at that time. Beyond some of the clickbait sites, I don't recall seeing any official release date for the Wilderness. Best guesses would have been the next big show (the LA show in November?) ...

As for the legitimacy of the quote - that supposed Subaru spokesperson could be anybody - even a mechanic at the local Subaru shop. WIthout a specific reference to "Bob Jones, VP of Subaru of America" or similar, it's still just (in the legal terms) hearsay.

Logically, it would not make sense for Subaru to release the Wilderness trim level at the same time as the WRX - as one would overshadow the other, depending on your preference for a sporty 4-door sedan or a spec'ed out SUV....

That makes sense. I'm not familiar with carscoops so forgive the referencing of a click bate site. Anyway, I can't see us being more than 2-4 weeks out now even with a delay, and (like I said) I can't see this actually delaying production. Worst case scenario it delays custom orders and those don't get started until later on. Regardless, we'll know soon enough.

 

[FozzieBalou]

Little disappointed they pushed back the WRX introduction after the cancellation of the NYIAS but I guess it makes sense since they'll need a bit of time to set up their own media event. I would gather they're ready to show it by September at the latest.

Who knows? Maybe they'll do a "soft" announcement/release of the WRX and the Wilderness at the upcoming Subiefest event in So Cal (October)... I know (got a notification from Subiefest) that the BRZ will be on display at the Subiefest Midwest event later this month (or is it early September?)...

 

[zachavm]

Who knows? Maybe they'll do a "soft" announcement/release of the WRX and the Wilderness at the upcoming Subiefest event in So Cal (October)... I know (got a notification from Subiefest) that the BRZ will be on display at the Subiefest Midwest event later this month (or is it early September?)...

Oh yeah. I forgot about Subiefest. It makes sense they would want these vehicles there. Especially since it is "sponsored by Subaru Wilderness". lol. Anyway, the next one is August 22nd, but that might be a little too soon to get the Forester. After that it is Sept 12th, Sept 26th, and Oct 17th. They probably want to get these announced quickly so they can be present at those events and pump sales. I bet they get a TON of based off publicity at Subiefest.

 

[FozzieBalou]

The WRX S209 (is that the right models?) were presented back in 2019 at Subiefest SoCal... I didn't get to go to the cancelled Subiefest 2020 which ended up being the Subaru parade world record attempt in Orange County, but I know that there were some Subies on display (drive by) during the event from the pics I've seen. And on the last update for Subiefest Midwest shows the S209 WRX as well.

 

[zachavm]

New video posted to Subaru's global page on the updated forster. This is a version that won't be coming here (hybrid), but it gives a good look at the new design and the new Cascade Green Silica (Dark Green) color that will likely be available here too.

 

[FozzyX3]

Check out the :42 mark. Motion controlled temp adjustment?

 

[zachavm]

Check out the :42 mark. Motion controlled temp adjustment?

Yeah, that is a new Driver Focus feature. Should be an option for us on any vehicle that has it. However, I don't see it being all that useful over just pushing a button. The touring is currently the only vehicle with driver focus, but it wouldn't surprise me to see it trickle down to the limited.

 

[Rhialto]

Seems to be the updated wider view EyeSight system... but again will it come to America for MY2022?

 

[FozzieBalou]

Maybe not a new Eyesight system, just a repackaging of the system - to make it less obtrusive on interior space and the view out the windshield.

The e-Boxer may come to the US in the next year, who knows? Chances are probably not, but we can hope/dream?

Not a huge fan of the new front fascia... some colors look better than others, but not sure of that extra space between the lamps and the grill... I'd rather see the grill get wider and closer to the lamps and maybe more closely mimic the lower grill (bottom of the fascia).

 

[GuusV]

I don't like the tail lights. Also can't imagine how expensive those headlights would be to replace...
I don't really understand why they would create body lines that would be tricky to follow/replicate after a collision...

 

[Rhialto]

Not a huge fan of the new front fascia... some colors look better than others, but not sure of that extra space between the lamps and the grill...

Not sure I like it either... the extra space makes it look weird.

I don't like the tail lights.

Same, never liked that new crab claw design from day 1.

 

[FozzieBalou]

I don't like the tail lights. Also can't imagine how expensive those headlights would be to replace...
I don't really understand why they would create body lines that would be tricky to follow/replicate after a collision...

I can more or less concur on the tail lights - not a huge fan of that lobster claw look. But they're the current styling trend (for now) and will be replaced by something else either in the next generation (SL?) or the one following (SM?)...

Headlamps will probably not be much more expensive to replace compared to the current lamp units. I think the only reason we're seeing that extension of the LED claw/boomerang light along the top is so that they didn't have to redesign a new hood panel to meet the fascia panel.

About that body line though - which one are you referring to? The big change is to the front fascia and - with the mid-cycle refresh there usually is not any major body panel (door, fender, hood, hatch, etc.) change beyond the fascia and grills and light units. So a post collision repair would be virtually the same as the current SK models...

And usually a front or rear fascia is replaced and not often repaired if damaged in a collision and they're just flexible resin/plastic material and not something stiff like the metal body panels.

 

[straphanger322]

The e-Boxer may come to the US in the next year, who knows? Chances are probably not, but we can hope/dream?

I doubt it unless they beef it up and increase its efficiency. The current eBoxer they have is woefully underpowered for the USDM market and the current crop of available hybrid compact SUVs here and I understand its fuel economy benefits to be pretty minuscule over the gas version.

 

[hoshie]

This really is the least attractive gen imo. Her face and booty need so much work

 

[FozzieBalou]

The current Crosstrek Hybrid is no great powerhouse either and yet we have it on our shores? But I think that would be a bigger announcement than the Wilderness trim level.

But as I'd said - it's probably not coming over this way.

 

[zachavm]

I doubt it unless they beef it up and increase its efficiency. The current eBoxer they have is woefully underpowered for the USDM market and the current crop of available hybrid compact SUVs here and I understand its fuel economy benefits to be pretty minuscule over the gas version.

Honestly, I think it is now about compliance that efficiency.

 

[FozzieBalou]

That's very well true, Zach... but then again, they're also working on that Solterra in the next few years as an add to the product line... so that may be another reason not to bring the eboxer to the USDM...

At least in theory...