The Frankfurt Motor Show has so far unveiled loads of exciting new cars and many have caught our attention, tickled our heartstrings and riled up our anticipation for their arrival on our shores. This new Subaru Impreza though, well, we’ve got mixed feelings about it.
Following the overwhelming response from the newly launched XV in Taiwan together with the local introduction of the new BRZ, we expected more from the rally-bred brand. Granted this may just be the entry-level model and not the WRX STI variant but if the base model already looks like this, traditionally, it’s quite safe to say that the STI’s wouldn’t be too different although we stand corrected – Â and we hope to be!
The all-new Impreza has been built from the ground up under the DYNAMIC x SOLID design philosophy that features a lower roofline with focus on safety enhancements under Subaru’s new Global Platform (SGP). Its EyeSight, a driver assistance system which will be standard for UK models.
The fifth generation still utilises the winning formula from the pairing of a Boxer engine and the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. It comes with a 1.6-litre engine with a 2.0 variant following suit later on. Both engines are lighter by more than 10kgs as 70-80% of it has been redesigned. The 1.6-litre will produce 112 hp with 150 Nm of torque while the 2.0-litre will make 154 hp and 196 Nm of torque. Both will use the Lineartronic transmission, the first CVT gearbox adopted in an AWD vehicle.
The new Impreza owes a lot to its SGP platform with enhancements on driving feel and dynamics, reduced floor, seats and steering vibrations from an intelligent chassis design and most importantly, significant improvements in safety. The EyeSight is also part of the new SGP platform whereby a camera is mounted on each side of the rear view mirror to monitor traffic and potential hazards up to 110 metres ahead.
The new Impreza also comes with an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and is only the second model to be launched on the new SGP platform, following XV’s debut at Geneva earlier in the year.
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