Revealed The elegant new Subaru Impreza

Subaru revealed its new Impreza range at picturesque Byron Bay. The rolling green hills of the country’s most easterly point was an apt setting for the new look Impreza, where traditional buzzwords like ‘muscle’, ‘aggression’ and ‘performance’ made way for more refined variants like ‘elegance’, ‘cosmopolitan’, ‘sophistication’ and ‘safety’.

The range will be unveiled to the public at the 2007Australian International Motor Show in Sydney in October.

Subaru is offering four Imprezas: R, RX, RS, plus the turbocharged WRX manual.

The roomiest ever Impreza is launched as a five-door hatch, with a four door sedan expected to arrive in Australia around October 2008.

Subaru is trying to steer away from WRX as the ‘hero’ model and has instead focused more on the mainstream Impreza versions, in a bid to attract a more diverse consumer base.

In his launch speech, Subaru managing Director Nick Senior said: “..While the emotion and headlines for this new Impreza may well centre around the WRX version, it is the normally-aspirated models that provide us with our greatest opportunity.

“To be able to sell a $24,490 vehicle with five star safety, four star pedestrian safety, all-wheel drive, anti-lock braking system, Vehicle Dynamics Control, 2-litre double overhead cam engine, air conditioning, six airbags, cruise control and the rest of the equipment …is exciting for the brand.” said Senior.

Subaru is highlighting the new range’s safety credentials — the new, lighter and stronger Impreza has as a five-star ANCAP rating for occupant safety, giving it one of the strongest safety stories in its class.

“Undeniably we have the high ground in the small car sector when it comes to total safety,” Senior claimed.

Senior said key structural points on all Imprezas are now reinforced by high tension steel, which has increased rigidity and ride comfort. Subaru claims improvements have been achieved with Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) in all Imprezas.

The new-generation Impreza comes in normally-aspirated and turbo charged variants. The new double overhead camshaft provides improvements in power (more than 20%) and torque (more than 7%) over the SOHC engine used in the superseded 2.0i and RV. Compared with previous models, the turbo-charged engine delivers smoother torque from lower revs.

As usual, All Wheel Drive is a standard feature. Improved ride comfort and more interior and cargo space are the result of a longer wheelbase and new double-wishbone suspension.

Aesthetically, the sophisticated new style is an obvious change from earlier models.

The new shape has sparked debate among WRX purists, who claim the rounder, softer Impreza is too bland.

The MY08 Impreza hatchback is slightly taller and shorter, emphasised by a distinctive shoulder line that carries through to the front end for a more integrated feel.

Clear headlight lenses and rear LED lights with metallic highlights distinguish the premium look. The change is consistent, not only outside but also throughout the interior of the vehicle.

The sweeping twin-cockpit design offers greater head and shoulder room, and the use of plastics and other materials throughout the cabin is offset by aluminium-style highlights, across the range.

Subaru Impreza starts at $24,440 for the R model, through to $39,990 for the WRX.