1999 Subaru Legacy Limited 30th Anniversary Sedan 4-door 2.5l on 2040-cars

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Subaru Viziv-7 Concept is AWD done XXL

Subaru is an all-wheel-drive brand. Everything in its range, BRZ aside, sends its power to the road through all four wheels. But while you can get some sedans and a few high-riding wagons (ostensibly considered CUVs) from the Japanese brand, the company hasn't done an SUV since the Tribeca went out of production. That's going to change soon. The Subaru Viziv-7 SUV Concept previews such a change, and it's what happens if you stylistically embiggen the new Impreza Hatchback, raise the suspension significantly, and apply all sorts of concept car tinsel. Oh, and it looks good, based on the couple images Subaru distributed ahead of the car's LA debut. But while we can't show you finer details, we do have a good idea of what kind of vehicle is coming down the Subaru pipeline. View 14 Photos As the name suggests, the Viziv-7 has room for seven passengers spread across three rows of seats. That makes sense – Fuji Heavy Industry's Corporate Executive Vice President Takeshi Tachimori did say "the next three-row from Subaru will be the biggest Subaru vehicle ever." The wheelbase is 117.7 inches long while the overall vehicle measures 204.7 inches in length. If that sounds huge, it is – the Viziv-7's has 1.7 more space between the axles and is 0.8 inches longer than a Chevrolet Tahoe, which is only 0.6 inches wider and 2.4 inches taller. This is a big Subaru. But that's all we know for certain. Subaru hasn't mentioned anything about powertrains, or when a production version will follow. Naturally, we'll try to fill in the many blanks surrounding the Viziv-7 as soon as possible. Related Video: Related Gallery Subaru Viziv-7 SUV Concept News Source: SubaruImage Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / Autoblog LA Auto Show Subaru SUV Videos Original Video subaru viziv-7 concept

Subaru Viziv 2 presages Tribeca replacement with diesel hybrid tech

Subaru is in the middle of a new product bonanza. It has recent replacements for the Impreza and Forester at dealers, and soon we're getting the WRX, Legacy and if rumors are right the new Outback as well. Now, there are rumblings that there could be two more models from the Japanese brand on the way with styling inspired by the Viziv 2 concept from the Geneva Motor Show.
According to a company insider speaking with Motor Trend, the crossover concept shows the way for the brand's future design language. The shape would be used on a smaller CUV that is still being kept quite secret, and a second, larger one that would replace the recently axed Tribeca. The bigger model is the first priority and is planned as a new technology showcase.
It's rumored to use a turbodiesel, four-cylinder boxer engine that would be boosted with one electric motor on the front axle and two at the rear, with a plug-in hybrid system sourced from Toyota. It should provide a great mix of torque and fuel economy. A smaller flat-six engine would be a second powertrain option. Though the Viziv 2 concept only seats four, the production version would probably offer three rows.

Here's the story with the Chicken Tax

Quiz America's auto enthusiasts about the vehicles they most want to see in the US market, and for every one that doesn't respond with a French hot hatchback or some diesel-powered offering, there'd be at least three that ask for some small, imported pickup truck. That won't happen, though, and we have the Chicken Tax to thank. This damnable bit of legislation affixes a 25-percent tariff to any light truck not built in the United States. That's why Honda, Toyota and Nissan build all their trucks in the United States, and it's also why pickups like the foreign-built Volkswagen Amarok, shown above, or the long-rumored Mahindra pickup aren't offered here. Wired has the story on the roots of the Chicken Tax, including how one Japanese manufacturer got around it and even delivered a vehicle to one of our country's presidents. Head over and check it out.