The new Impreza, along with it’s big brother the, WRX STI has met with a mixed response from CAR staff and readers alike. Subaru has decided to trade off some of the unyielding properties of the previous model to make the new car more of an everyday propoThe Impreza’s exterior has been the main cause of heated discussions surrounding the ever-changing style of the vehicle. This specific Impreza has apparently been scheduled for a hasty re-design in Europe. But all of that aside, the Impreza have something about it that turns heads.
In an attempt to endow the Impreza with a “sense of athleticism,” Subaru has given this vehicle a long bonnet with a steeply raked windscreen, a rounded dome and a rear spoiler. At the back sit high set LED lights and a prominent rear valance. The dashboard is features an unusual combination of sweeping lines on the passenger side and a squared-off central section that places all of the auxiliary controls easily at hand. The 1,5-litre and the 2,0-litre models feature soft touch fabric on the sets, while the WRX features a combination of woven cloth and mesh fabric.
The Impreza continues to utilise Subaru’s signature technologies – horizontally-opposed boxer powerplants and the company’s proven Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system. This new model is adds a 1,5-litre entry-level model, while previous car’s 2,0-litre and 2,5-litre powerplants make a return to the line up.
The predecessor to this multi-valve flat four powerplant was never available in South Africa, but it seems that Subaru is making up for that with this latest version. Available with an option of an automatic four-speed Sportshift or a five-speed manual transmission, the 1,5-litre delivers an output of 79 kW at 6 000 r/min and 142 N.m torque at 3 200 r/min. According to Subaru, this 1 498 cc engine “punches above its weight and outclasses a number of 1,6-litre rivals.”
The manual 1,5-litre features low-range gearing that effectively provides 10 ratios. Torque then gets distributed equally between the front and rear wheels in normal driving. If needed, a limited slip viscous central differential allows a maximum of 50 per cent to be sent to any one axle. In the SportShift automatic version, torque is split 60/40 front/rear in normal use, but an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch that sits at the back of the transmission, automatically varies the torque. This is a result of the Active Torque Split that uses various inputs to “decide” what to do.
The SportShift transmission provides a choice of a second and third driving choice. To activate the Sport mode, which Subaru says “allows gear changes to be done at higher revs and the ‘box to shift down more readily,” one only needs to shift the gearlever to the left.
Standard features in the 1,5-litre include, six airbags, a braking system made up of ABS, EBD and BAS, power windows and mirrors, 15-inch wheels with styled covers, air conditioning, power steering and an MP3/WMA compatible front loading CD player with four speakers and an AUX socket for iPod usage.
The 2,0-litre powerplant serves up 110 kW and 196 N.m torque, with most of that delivered between the rev range of 2 000 and 4 000 r/min.
This model is differentiates itself from the 1,5-litre with a sports grille and 16-inch alloys shod with 205/55 tyres. The entertainment system also gets an upgrade in this model with the RDS/ six CD audio system playing through 10 speakers. Other features include switchable Vehicle Dynamics Control stability system, Hill Start Assist on the manual transmission, cruise control, climate control, steering wheel controls for the audio system and cruise control, leather trim for gear lever and steering wheel, and front fog lights.
With an output of 169 kW and 320 N.m torque, the 2,5-litre engine in the WRX doesn’t appear to have changed much, but Subaru claims that there is indeed a change. The company says that “there has been a massive increase in torque between 1 500 and 3 000 r/min with a peak at just 2 800 – all of which translates into effortless performance.” The engine also benefits from a new turbocharger, a lighter, more efficient intercooler and liquid-filled engine mounts that help isolate excessive noise from the cabin. Subaru claims that the WRX will complete the 0-100 km/h dash in 5,8 seconds and has a top speed of 209 km/h.
In addition to the features in the 2,0-litre, the 2,5-litre Impreza boasts self-levelling Xenon headlights with headlight washers, 17-inch alloys that are shod with 205/50 high-performance Yokohama rubber, electroluminescent gauges, sports bucket seats, sports aerodynamic kit with side sills and rear diffuser.
Prices:
Subaru Impreza 1,5R 5-spd MT R 169 000
Subaru Impreza 1,5R 4-spd Sportshift AT R 178 000
Subaru Impreza 2,0R 5-spd MT R 219 000
Subaru Impreza 2,0R 4-spd Sportshift AT R 229 000
Subaru Impreza 2,5 WRX 5-spd MT R 299 000
