Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Hatchback...or wagon?

I love Subaru.... but it is a wagon, not a "Impreza hatchback 2.5i sport". Subaru, you used to be so great and told it like it is with the yee old "5-door station wagon" (1993-2001) and "wagon" (2002 to mid-2007).

And now they cross the line.

Wikipedia says:
"Hatchback vehicles are functionally similar to station wagons (which are intended to carry large volumes), but distinguished by a (much) smaller load area. The typical hatchback roof rakes down steeply behind the C-Pillar, resulting in very little car length behind the rear wheels and thus no room for a side window over the load area. Alternatively, cars with a longer rear end need a much more slanted rear window — a style also known as a liftback. Liftbacks are sedan-size cars with a fastback profile and a hatchback-type tailgate."

"SUVs, station wagons and minivans often have the top-hinged tailgate that is one of the features of the hatchback car. However, the term hatchback is typically used in reference to small or compact cars, with a smaller trunk than other vehicles."

They also say:
"Saab often used the term combi coupé (or 'Waggonback' in the U.S.) for their take on the concept. Even some typical-looking sedans (saloons) have hatch tailgates, such as the Mazda6, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra and the Saab 9000."


So, according to MSN Auto it is called a "2008 Subaru Impreza Wagon". However they have no data on the 'Cargo Area Dimensions'. :(

motortrend.com calls it a "2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Hatchback". They say this about cargo space:
Cargo capacity: rear seat down (cu ft): 61.6 and all seats in place (cu ft): 27.9
2008 Subaru Impreza Outback Wagon has these specs:
Cargo capacity: rear seat down (cu ft): 61.6 and all seats in place (cu ft): 27.9
2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Sedan ahs this:
Cargo capacity: rear seat down (cu ft): 61.6 and all seats in place (cu ft): 27.9

Weird... but NOT a hatchback, as per the Wikipedia description including "distinguished by a (much) smaller load area".


So it is settled. It is a fu**in' Wagon. It is not an Outback Wagon, as I am sure it does not have the ground clearacne for that, but it is a Wagon.

What does Subaru really call it?
"2008 Impreza 2.5i 5-Door"
http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview.jsp?model=IMPREZA&trim=5DOOR

They don't really say one of the other. They stay to the point with "5-door".

I still love you Subaru!