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February 22, 2007
Shocking: Impreza’s new look unveiled
We can exclusively expose the fresh look of Subaru’s next-generation Impreza
Text: Peter Lyon / Photos: Poblete
The new oil-burner will employ a particulate filter to reduce emissions, and is expected to return CO2 figures of less than 140g/km.
These images reveal the forthcoming Impreza, two months before the car makes its official world debut at the New York Motor Show in April.
As our images reveal, the changes are significant, and the styling sees an unparalleled reinvention of the firm’s most important model. Perhaps most striking is the fact that the UK version of the Impreza is no longer a saloon. British drivers will be offered only a five-door hatchback when the new car arrives in showrooms in October.
Gone, too, is the unpopular aeroplane motif that debuted on the front of the new Tribeca. Originally inspired by Subaru’s aviation heritage, the look also appeared on the last-generation Impreza, as well as the controversial B5 concept.
Now, Auto Express can tell fans of the brand to expect far more toned-down styling, centred around a wide, narrow grille and upward-slanting headlights which owe their shape to the current model’s design.
To broaden the newcomer’s appeal, the stylists also chose to keep things simple when it came to penning the rest of the bodywork. As a result, the Impreza’s clean lines focus more on performance and packaging.
At the same time, engineers have worked to keep prices down. The aim is for costs to fall in line with models such as the VW Golf, which Subaru identified as a key rival for the newcomer during road tests in the US.
All this means the next Impreza will be a very different size than at present. The five-door will be around 130mm shorter than the current salÂoon, and 50mm wider. To improve headroom in the rear, the car will be a fraction taller, while the kerbweight stays at around 1,400kg.
Yet while it’s all change for the styling and dimensions, under the bonnet the maker plans to carry over much of the existing engine line-up. As a result, the base Impreza will be powered by a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre boxer delivering 115bhp.
The top-spec STi is to feature a reworked version of the current 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four. This offers 300bhp and 431Nm of torque. A new 2.5-litre motor is also under development, although it’s likely to debut in the US before heading to the UK.
The bad news, however, is that Subaru is not expected to launch a diesel variant until 2009. Its engine, tipped to be a 2.2-litre flat-four, is the culmination of more than 25 years of development, which has involved ToyÂota. The new oil-burner will employ a particulate filter to reduce emissions, and is expected to return CO2 figures of less than 140g/km.
Exact performance details are not yet available, but Subaru is thought to have set a target of 150bhp for the unit, with a further development offer-ing nearly 180bhp in 2010.
Both petrol and diesel variants will come with a choice of five-speed manual or six-ratio automatic transmissions. Meanwhile, the STi will be equipped with an upgraded six-speed manual. Instead of adding to the top-of-the-range car’s already explosive power output, company engineers are concentrating more on beefing up the low to mid-range torque.
We can also expect some major tweaks to the already superb 4WD system, in addition to revisions of the Driver’s Control Centre Diff (DCCD). Our source revealed to us that a new rear multi-link suspension set-up will also be employed on the Impreza - a strategic upgrade which will improve handling, stability and ride quality.
With both the STi and MitsuÂbishi’s fresh Lancer Evo expected to arrive in showrooms in early 2008, the stage is set for a new battle royale, Japanese-style: blindingly quick four-cylinder turbos with 4WD traction for a little over £20,000. More pictures of the Impreza are expected as the New York expo approaches.
Source: AutoExpress.Co.Uk
Text: Peter Lyon / Photos: Poblete
Technorati Tags: subaru, impreza, subaru impreza, new sti, 2008 impreza, new 2008 impreza
- Posted in : 2008 Subaru, News, Subaru Concepts
- Author : admin
It’s important to keep in mind that these are not official imiages. They may come from a credible publication, and may be the result of conversations with people who have seen the new Impreza, but they are still an artists impression. A slightly higher form of the photoshoped images that have been thrown around in the last few months.
As someone working in PR, with automotive companies, there is no way that, this close to its public unveiling, and with so much speculation running around, that I, or any self-respecting PR, would release these images officially.
They’ll be close, perhaps the closest yet, but I think the actual next-gen impreza, will be a bit different.
-Carter
yep, i think it’s a very-very close pics
and i can say that i like it. it’s not better then current impreza, it’s now worser either.
it’s just different.
>now worser either.
not worser
ye, i love it too!!
Exactly…perhaps it will be a hatch but this aint it…
Until I see real photo’s on a rotunda at a morotshow or on a track or the road I’m not convinced.
What’s with the twin exhaust? You wouldn’t put a twin exhaust on the back of a turbo…
Looks like someone’s taken the Focus, BMW 1 and old Impreza and come up with this…
Roll on the new Impreza…!
I think is looks real good. It’s a move in the right direction for Subaru.
Also the Subaru Rally Team needs a new model to compete with the new C4 and Focus.
A side shot of the above rendition would be great.
SWRT will get really new Impreza WRC only on 2008, not earlier
purefecta!!!
yeah!! true, true!
i love this new design and normally i hate hatchbacks. i think it looks way better than the current edition although i got used to the 3 piece grill. I hate the look of the new evo too cartoony. i wonder if subaru will also finally update the interior also after like 6 years of the same thing. it would be cool if the features found in the limited 07 STI can be an option package in the new 08. Two thumbs up from me and a huge smile on my face. also with the new engine and suspention mods this will prolly be the best impreza to date. SIGN ME UP!!!
new evo - too funny. they wanted to make a scary car.. now it looks like a zombi from “tale from the crypt” - not scary, but funny-scary
lol
the best evo - is evo6 tme
It’s not ugly, but it’s not good looking either. It’s sad that they reached the peak of desing beauty with the P1.
OK I HATE iT????????????????????????????????
What is that??? why it looks like that… they have just killed it?? I really hope … it gose better than its looks…???
nah, it’s good. love it!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
This is terrible
I would consider buying if if they come out with a 4 door sedan because the sti spoiler looks plain rediculously on a hatchback. Front end looks ok but the back will take me a while to get use to. I like the 01-06 rear lights styling better. This one reminds me of the old bmw tail lights…oh well we’ll see when it finally comes out.