The Squadron Leader's secret mission!!!

[SUBARMAN]

Today, I am to inform you, that the Squadron Leader has undertaken an official mission to consider and interpret the effectiveness of the Boxer Diesel for Squadron operations!!!!It was a mission undertaken under the cover of daylight, and the Squadron Leader had the help of Flight Officer (F Off) Krud Simpleton (no less), who provided his Wagon for comparison purposes!

The Squadron Leader and F Off Simpleton communicate via walkie talkie while they consider the boot measurements!


The Squadron Leader tests the overlay reading from a safe distance


And now they consider the length of the diesel, still communicating via walkie talkie, while doing so


The Squadron Leader calibrates the boxer diesel audio whisper mode translator


The Squadron Leader then ensures target readings are substantiated by taking an "audio-sighting" from within the engine bay


The Squadron Leader (for it is he) considers the practicalities of installing diesel pumps at all Squadron bases


Golly Gosh What a Mission!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Steve_PPP]

bet the guys working in the dealership thought they had a right couple of weirdos on their hands

[BIG"E"]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

bet the guys working in the dealership thought they had a right couple of weirdos on their hands

Matt is used to the nutter.

Is there now a smelly wagon in the squadron??

[SUBARMAN]

IT'S NOT A WAGON!

(Unless the Squadron Leader says it is!!!)

[Squadron-Leader]

A very successful mission and many thanks to F. Off. Simpleton.

Diesel rollout will be considered for operational use in the near future. Wgn Sqn official arm name… Green Sector R&D Flight.

So… Subaru + Impreza + Diesel + Economy… words that are not normally put together.

It’s justifiable to say the new Impreza is not everyone’s cup of tea (including mine up to today) but Subaru have put together a package in the 2.0D that is pretty damn close to what a ‘Scoob’ is all about. You get great handling, a high level of equipment and performance of…

147bhp/258lbft (at 1800 to 2400!)
155co2 (£145 tax)
47mpg combined (40mpg urban)

…in fact you get everything you could probably want except madness power.

The test drive…

The cabin is full of toys and far exceeds what my MY04 had when new. The model I took out was the 2.0D RX. Comes with leather, electric seats, push button engine start, keyless entry etc etc.

On start up you can hear it’s a Diesel, but it’s not loud and would be disguised with a decent performance exhaust In the cabin you would never know you’re in a Diesel.

Pulling away you know you’re in a Impreza as the ride was reasonably hard and there’s still that boxer sound. Steering is positive and due to electric motors where the power steering pump used to be is a little over sensitive. Caused me to over steer a couple of times when pulling out of junctions.

Please be aware!!!

1) This is no fire breathing monster of an Impreza
2) It will not blow your socks off
3) You cannot drive this car like you would a petrol Impreza

It’s definitely not slow and 2nd gear will give you the ‘whiplash’ feeling, but you do run out of puff quickly. Change up faster and then enjoy a torque curve in 3rd that is fantastic. The power delivery is so smooth and keeps going and going and going. Due to the smoothness it’s easy to forget what speed you’re going unless you watch the speedo constantly! I was in 4th gear at 45-50mph and then started to accelerate without looking at the speedo. I then guessed I was at 70mph… when I was actually over 80mph. It just did not feel like I was going that quickly.

Handling is probably the best feature. 2nd gear into a roundabout with your foot down and it just sticks to the road. We had 4 adults in the car and it felt like I could turn in tighter and tighter with no sign of the car breaking away or getting fidgety. I’d describe the over handling as point and click. Point it where you want to go and it does.

In summary…

This car is not going to suit everyone. Most ‘hardcore’ Impreza drivers are going to be saying “Diesel ! how could they?”, but this car gives good economy, some reasonable performance and (by what I’ve heard today) can be tweaked. Prodrive are working on a pack, so I suspect we’ll see 180bhp/290lbft from this unit in the future.

The word on the street is… when testing the engine in Japan it was putting out 210bhp, but has been strangled for the EU market due to regulations

Would I have one? Yup I think so… just got to get the Credit Crunch out the way first and get Subaru to drop the price

[Granby]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

bet the guys working in the dealership thought they had a right couple of weirdos on their hands

Would they be wrong

[majorscooby]

Awesome report there sir!!!

I really like these cars and the looks grow on me the more i see them.
And as for the diesel part of it, well it does make sense what with those excellent mpg figures, I think i would like to have one along side my petrol wagon couldn't really part with that yet!!!!

[Squadron-Leader]

More mission pics...

[RobVXD]

Originally Posted by Squadron-Leader

[img]http://www.eastsussexscoobies.co.uk/rx/pic2.jpg[/img]

Who jacked the chassis up????

[Squadron-Leader]

From a few angles it does look too high. Handling wise it doesn't feel high.

If I had one I'd drop it, replace the 17's for 18's and fit a front splitter.

[Granby]

Would be better in the STi bodyshell

[Squadron-Leader]

Mission data leak... Mission data leak...

High powered Diesel model possibly due later this year, badged as STi !

Once again great report . Well done Wagon Squadron

THe car shape is growing on me, but wont be rushing to buy a deisel just yet.

[SUBARMAN]

A great mission report from the Squadron Leader. I spotted one error though:

"We had four adults in the car"..

My keen observation recorded three adults plus me..............

[BIG"E"]

Originally Posted by SUBARMAN

A great mission report from the Squadron Leader. I spotted one error though:



My keen observation recorded three adults plus me..............

[Squadron-Leader]

Actually... make that 2 adults. Was it not me with my head stuck to the engine… not an Adult thing to do.

Forgot to add to the review... after reading the boucher last night the 2.0D RX benefits from 5mm lowered and stiffened suspension. I would say the 5mm drop is not noticeable, but the suspension is certainly stiff.