What's Hot?
Download Subaru Wallpapers
April 28, 2006
All-New 2008 Impreza InformationSubaru hatches a Golf GTI chaser
There’s a radical plan being hatched at Subaru - and Auto Express has all the details! In this week’s issue we have the clearest pictures yet of the Japanese firm’s all-new Impreza, which is due to be unveiled in only 18 months’ time.
As we revealed in issue 853, the familiar saloon shape has gone, replaced by a daring hatchback. On sale in spring 2008, the Impreza will be transformed from rally-inspired saloon to upmarket family car, and will be available in three and five-door forms.
The production machine will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2007, and is set to prove that Subaru is taking the Impreza in a new direction to widen its appeal. As a manufacturer of specialist boxer-engined, four-wheel-drive, rally-derived cars, it has traditionally won strong support from driving enthusiasts.
But the new car aims to change that, and is charged with selling in much bigger numbers by appealing to Ford Focus and VW Golf buyers. The engine range is also being overhauled, with UK drivers being offered two units with improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.
Entry-level models will be fitted with a new 2.0-litre naturally aspirated boxer engine, mated to a choice of six-speed manual and five-speed auto gearboxes. Delivering 170bhp, it’s expected to return around 30mpg. Meanwhile, a turbocharged 2.0-litre boxer engine will power the WRX and STi performance models - the latter producing in excess of 300bhp.
To further boost sales, Subaru will introduce its first four-cylinder boxer diesel engine soon after the Impreza arrives in 2008. The firm’s new partner company, Toyota, will lend assistance in developing the new range of cleaner, more fuel-efficient powerplants.
Keen to hang on to its competition roots, the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol will be a detuned version of the engine that will power Subaru’s World Rally Car from 2009. All models will retain the trademark four-wheel-drive layout.
The looks will be vastly different, though. As you can see from these images of the flagship STi model, the Impreza features the aircraft-shaped grille and chunky, wheel-at-each-corner stance of the B5 concept which debuted in Tokyo last year (Issue 878). But it adds a new swage line at the rear and a rising tail. The clamshell-style, glass hatchback remains.
Larger than a VW Golf, the Impreza should offer lots of space inside, while cabin quality will be benchmarked against Audi’s A3. Overall, the new car will see Subaru make a concerted move upmarket.
Also on the way is a production version of the turbo boxer hybrid that debuted in the B5 concept. It will be Subaru’s first bi-fuel drivetrain, and is being co-developed with Toyota to arrive in 2009 in the all-new Legacy. A facelifted version of the current model is due in 2007.
Source: autoexpress.co.uk
by Peter Lyon
- Posted in : News, Subaru Concepts
- Author : admin
WRC will never be the same…
people who buy impreza’s want power speed and handling. not a family car. if you want a family car thats boring, but a camry
You presume too much. Need for speed + mtb biking + new son = Impreza (or ….??).
Supprising to see a drop in .5L for a new engine. Seems like Subura are going with newer, smaller, more powerful and fuel economic engines. Their 2.5L non-turbo seems to get like 25 or 26 mpg average. Same power, smaller engine and greater fuel economy, you cant beat that! Hope that the STi doesnt become too family oriented, and gets weighted down too much with all the extras.
Looks like poop though.:-p
[…] This is a Subaru B5 Concept. People talk that All New 2008 Subaru Impreza will look like this concept Subaru. Well, what can I say? What´s that ugly thing on the photos they dare call Subaru Impreza? Legendary rally car? I hope Subaru wont put this ugly car to production. […]
[…] Here’s another future Subaru Photoshop rendering, this time the next-generation Impreza WRX-STI. Again, as with the previously posted Outback rendering, don’t take this as absolute fact, but more as a good indicator of what Subaru might be thinking. […]
Just like Carlos Mencia said, Madona looking great at 48, Brilliant. Britney Spears hitting the wall at 24, Retarded. In this case it would be, Subaru creating a AWD two seat super car to sell to humiliate the GT40s Vetts and Vipers, Brilliant. Subaru deciding to make the Impreza STI a Hatchback, REEEEEEEEEEETTTTTAAAARRRRRDDDDEEEEEEEEEEDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am the proud owner of a 06 WRX wagon, I hate the grille though…i’ts grown on me a bit…but it still looks mysteriously like a Suzuki.
and the 2008 Impreza hatchback idea is absolutely gross….it looks like a really ugly Ford Focus…if that’s possible.
I’m switching to mitsu EVO when they make a wagon…its in the works.
lord help us…has Subaru lost its way?
i own and drive a 98 sti type ra i hate the 01 onwards model and i am bitterly disgusted by the 2008 concept impreza why couldnt they have left the design alone in the first place full stop if its not broke dont fix it or in this case they just went and broke it good luck with the car subaru i sure as hell wont be buying one
Why couldn’t they leave the pre-01 alone?
Because the pre-01 models were getting long in the tooth, the design was outdated and the interiors looked very cheap.
True, the post 2001 models were never as all-conqeuring WRC-wise as the classic shape, but as a bugeye owner, I far prefer the paint schemes (WR Blue for example), the flared arches and new style scoops and skirts (03+) - the body was much more pleasing to the eye. I’m still undecided on the 2006-2007 (aka Hawkeye), but the new design is simply hideous - I agree with the ugly ford focus comments.
Subaru have gone crazy - the bugeye was a little risky, but nobody is going to buy this; it looks like a watered down version of its predecessors - no aggressiveness. If I saw someone charging up the motorway in this, no matter how fast, I’d pi** myself laughing.
They’re going to lose out badly to the Mitsi Evo - honestly, whoever’s idea it was that they should make it a hatchback should be shot! RIP Impreza, I won’t be buying the new model in a million years.
I have had 6 imprezas in 9 years and i loved them all but i dont like the 2008 one at all, i think i will stick with my 2006 sti car because the appeal has gone on the new 2008 car.
Sorry subaru.
zz
Hi there
I like this Impreza but I think the STi version will be the one to wait for!!! Just remember its still coming!