I picked up a copy of <u>Snowboard Life</u> yesterday and inside was a Subaru ad for their new Outback Sedan.<p>Remember their Outback wagon ads? <i>"World's first sport utility wagon"</i>. Any Avant owners care to comment on that one?<p>Anyway, in this latest ad, they've turned their wagon into a sedan. So now they are advertising the <i>"world's first sport utility sedan"</i>. All-Wheel-Drive, blah blah blah.<p>Who wants to let Subaru in on the truth? Perhaps we should draw numbers to see who writes to Subaru first?<p>;-)<br><b><br>Drew S.<br>98.5 A4 2.8 qm<br></b><br>

Actually for all intents and purposes, Sube is correct. The Allroad laggs behind by what, 15 years? Sport utilty means for practical use on unimproved roads and off-road. Audi specifically states in the manual, as well as in every brochure I have ever seen, that is is for onroad use only.

The AMC Eagle was the first sports utility wagon. It was an ugly sucker, but the first nevertheless

Well, the "sport utility wagon" has been around for 3 years, before the A4 avant. And I wouldn't take my A4A off road like I might my Subaru. Earlier Avants from Audi arent exactly "sport utility" either. So technically they aren't lying - besides are there any other vehicles called "sport utility wagon" by any manufacturer? Anyway, who gives a damn what marketing idiots have to say?<p>The subarus are great cars. Much better than Saturns, Albert. <p>Darryl<br>98.5 1.8t qms<br>95 Legacy Outback<br>81 280 ZX

<br>I know that it doesn't make sense, but the Subaru is the first car MARKETED as an SUV. They aren't talking about performance, just marketing. The AMC Eagle was long out of production when the term SUV became popular, and as Erik said Audi has yet to market a car as an SUV. This has no bearing on the performance of either car, just which one would you not care about pounding over logging roads?? I'd rather bend up a Subaru than an Audi any day.<p>Todd W

Who cares about the marketing. Just enjoy the cars. Audi wants to avoid the family wagon image and call their's an Avant. Subaru makes a big deal about Sport Utility Wagons and Sedans. Big deal. They're different cars targeted at a different market, albiet with a little overlap.<p>Speaking of Subaru, how many people in the US even know about their high performance cars. It's a shame we can't get the WRX here. It'd be fun to see an S4 and WRX duke it out. 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds on dirt isn't too bad- and the car handles among the best of them. My dream garage would have an S4 Avant and WRX. A little utility and a lot of fun. Hopefully, I'll have the A4 Avant to go with my Impreza RS within 6 months.<p>Subaru definitely loses to Audi in refinement, but does a great job in the fun factor, especially for the money.<br>

If Subaru would import a true WRX (I think they started importing something called the WRX, but it was nothing close to the Japanese model), and if Nissan would start importing the Skyline, there would be some mighty happy people out here. <br> I've heard (probably on this board?) that the reason behind the Skyline not coming to the US is that the engine would need to be redesigned to fit a left-hand-drive steering wheel. But I don't recall ever seeing them when I lived in Australia either. Do Subaru or Nissan export their beasts to Oz? Or any of the right-hand-drive countries in Europe? Or are they only treating the natives?

Subaru sends the WRX to OZ. It's the top choice in getaway cars for all the best criminals. I don't know about the Skyline. Sub has a 2.5 litre twin turbo engine well north of 300 hp, but it only fits the right hand drive. I heard from someone who looked into installing one on his Impreza. In the US, we have the Impreza 2.5RS- a 4 cylinder 2.5 litre boxer good for 165 horsepower. Styling is a bit Hot Wheels, but it's kinda fun if you don't take things too seriously. The handling is great. With very little modification (just a beefier rear sway bar and better rubber), it handles with the best of them, but I guess I don't need to lecture Audi owners on the benefits of AWD.<p>It's a shame that the Impreza and Mitsubishi Mirage are such frumpy econoboxes over here. Over there, the WRX and Mitsu Lancer Evo are awesome. At least we have these nifty Audis and will soon have an S4.<p>From the rumor mill: for 2000 or 2001, Subaru is sending a 240 hp AWD single turbo Impreza to the US.