Bring Back the Subaru SVX

[PDSides]

Originally Posted by Nomake Wan

Do you recall what the engineering problem was? A Toyota Supra has a similarly large door, but its window is one solid piece...

Sure, the engineering problem was, "How do you retract that much multiple re-curved window glass into a door without it becoming too heavy?" This was the problem faced by the design engineers. They wanted to keep the beautifully curved windows with their huge glass areas, but there was no way to get that much glass down inside the doors. Their solution was to make the glass "fixed" and only roll down a small section into the doors. It works and thus the SVX has the window-in-a-window treatment. A plus for this treatment is the whisper quiet cabin of the car as air travels around the multiple curved side windows, plus the windows curve up into the roof giving the car a rounded and very aerodynamic look/function.
Preston

[jwd45535]

Okay. Thanks for the fact PDSides!

[jwd45535]

So any ideas? Thoughts? Comments? How about marketing ideas?

[jwd45535]

While I'm wasting space I was wondering how different the feel is between 4WD and 2WD SVXs and which one y'all perfer.

[pavanbabut]

Originally Posted by jwd45535

While I'm wasting space I was wondering how different the feel is between 4WD and 2WD SVXs and which one y'all perfer.

definitely AWD.. , the only main reason why I (or anyone) buy a Subaru
-Pavan

[Nomake Wan]

My first Subaru was FWD, the SVX is my first AWD driving experience. I haven't given it a proper shakedown cruise yet, but when I do I'll get back to you.

(If the '95 Legacy sedan I accidentally drove onto a seasonal bypass is any indication, I'd have to go with AWD...)

[It's Just Eric]

this thread is still going? Geeze..

engineer window thingy...As mentioned before me, the glass is too cruved to fit in the door..its not so much that the glass would be too big. Also consider the car's areodynamics...I dont think anone here would be qualified to redesign the svx, given the challenge of keeping a similar, or hopefully lower drag coefficiant. Keep in mind the nmber to beat is .29, which is not only lower than a Mclaren f1, but apparently the mighty Bugatti Veyron as well
(" In this so-called "downforce mode", the Bugatti can generate up to 350 kg downforce, although the drag coefficient increases from 0.39 to 0.42." Quoted from http://www.autozine.org/html/Bugatti/Veyron.html)

As fro the fwd and awd question...on dry pavement when cornering, they will genrally grip the same....thw fwd will tend to understeer much worse than the awd does once you push it too hard. Keep in mind its rather difficult to countersteer with a fwd car. toss in a little rain, snow, or sand (Or a dangerous amount of trailbraking over the crest of a hill) and the awd clearly doesnt spin off the road and into a tree. Nor will the tire marks still be left in the soft mud leading to the tree. Oh, the awd also helps you get out of mud and snow (But not the beach)

(Not that im speaking through any experiances or anything)

But on a more serious note, after driving both, I can honestly say I wont go back to fwd, especially after drivng 50 miles home on the nicely unplowed NJ turnpike. Changing lanes I could feel the car pull and slid, but it kept its track...I cant say the same for my old fwd

[jwd45535]

Ok, thanks It's Just Eric. It is still nice to imagine what a new Alcyone might look like. Wouldn't you be interested if subaru was planning to bring it back? I know I would! Of course I am a persistant little a***l*e. Lol. I also tend to look more to what the future might hold and how it affects everything, then to likely hood of it to happen within the next couple years. Still Eric, What would you like to see in a new Alcyone? Maybe name or design ideas? Got any skectches that you might be willing to share?

[jwd45535]

So any more opinions on AWD or FWD?

I recently I took It's Just Eric"s words and thought up something. I'm still in the works of it though. I'll postit soon.

[It's Just Eric]

Uh oh...


and no..no fwd

And sadly, mid engine awd just wouldnt have the patentened symetrical awd subaru is aways advertising (Even though mid engine suby would KICK ASS)

[Nomake Wan]

Originally Posted by It's Just Eric

(Or a dangerous amount of trailbraking over the crest of a hill) and the awd clearly doesnt spin off the road and into a tree. Nor will the tire marks still be left in the soft mud leading to the tree.

...

All of a sudden, my two Legacy crashes make sense...

[jwd45535]

Ok, my internet is up (it went down) and here is an Alcyone/SVX idea that is more aerodymic, or at leasts looks like it.

What do y'all think?

I also have a wheel design that I thought that I might as well throw out, just throw out the gem and "Emerald", add Subaru's emblems, and also add an extra spoke.

What do you think of it?
The green areas (if you didn't read) are glass. Which for the car the color can/should change.

[NikFu S.]

Car:
Wheelbase is way too long. (Poor handling unless it is very wide, and even then...)
Front wheels are in front of the engine. (Not a bad thing but it can't be AWD)
Radiator will have to be curved unless again the car is very wide.
Rear bumper is too low to really do anything.
Considering the length of the car, the door is very short.
Can't both have no backseat and a tiny trunk.
There is enough room under the hood for another luggage compartment. (Bad because nomatter how you look at it there will be extra unecessary weight up front)
Wheels are too small for a roadster. (Unless the body is just that long)
Body is too low or at too extreme an angle for adequate wheels.
Exterior styling is uninspiring. The image just seems very flat.
Spoiler and hood scoop seem pointless, don't flow with anything.

Wheels:
4 spokes on 5 lug = bad.
That design doesn't appear to be very strong.
The glass will break, 100%.
Jewel poking through the hub = ew.

I found an old rear engine roadster XT6 concept I did way back in 02. It is also not good, but fun to look at.

Drawing in MSpaint with the circle and line tools are easier than paper. You should give that a try.

[tommy96LSi]

i think someone should put a porsche motor in an svx... now.

[Mike621]

This thread hurts my brain.

EDIT: Some things are better unsaid.