Subaru Impreza 2012 sedan and hatchback revealed
The covers have been lifted off the fourth-generation Subaru Impreza at the 2011 New York International Auto Show. The new Impreza from the not-so-popular brand is now bigger and better, offering its customers more space, better interior quality and features, and “allegedly” better performance.
With those hawk-eyed headlamps and bold design cues resembling the Legacy by a fair bit, Impreza now seems like a better-looking contender to the design specialists like Hyundai, Kia and Ford. A longer wheelbase and redesigned interiors has allowed for better legroom and more boot space. The hatchback offers a flat load floor with the standard 60/40 split rear seats folded. A stiffer body structure combined with new suspension components have reduced the noise, vibration and harshness levels.
Quality of the interior has been enhanced significantly with soft-touch materials covering the dashboard, door trim and centre-console armrest. Steering wheel audio and Bluetooth controls, heated front seats and mirrors and climate control are available in the upper-end variants while a new navigation system featuring a 6.1-inch touchscreen LCD with voice control is optional.
The US market gets a 2.0-litre gasoline boxer-engine netting 148 hp, about 22 horses less than its 2.5-litre predecessor. Mated to a 5-speed manual or Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT, Subaru claims significantly higher fuel efficiency and better responsiveness. The UK market is said to offer some sort of 1.6-litre engine. The fate of the GCC market is unknown too.
Subaru will offer two different Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive systems in the new Impreza. For models equipped with the 5-speed manual, the Continuous AWD system uses a viscous-coupling to distribute power 50/50 front to rear, while any slippage will send more power to the opposite set. Those models equipped with the Lineartronic CVT will have the Active Torque Split AWD version that uses a continuously-variable transfer clutch to actively control power distribution in response to driving conditions.
On the safety front, the Impreza will be equipped standard with Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control system which combines stability and traction control functions, ABS, EBD and Brake assist.
The adrenaline-rusher WRX STi is said to be left untouched for now. Expect the UAE, Saudi and Omani launch of the regular variant by early 2012. And as always, this product too from Subaru shall be more exclusive than a Ferrari and Lamborghini in this part of GCC, all hail the dealers.
Keep track of updates in the Subaru Impreza buyer guide.
Comments
Samer
For the first time the sedan comes more beautiful than the hatch …. wierd
james
Completely disagree. The sedan looks blah, but the hatch is what is selling me 🙂
Faisal Khatib
What rubbish… *Dies*
Rahul Jones
This is why Ken Block has Ford Fiesta……
ROJ
Subaru’s weak point has always been their designs..
When the impreza was launched in the 90s for the 1st time the design was fine but after that they had a hard time keeping up and started trying new shapes and styles on every generation to see if it will work out..
Abdullah
What a 1997 design?!
Sorinel97
what is this Ford ? 😐
james
Awesome. The Hatch looks amazing. Im not sure what other people are looking at? I think this is by far the best look impreza ever and not to mention they got rid of the 2.5 liter engine which I always thought was overkill. If you want performance get the wrx, otherwise economy is more important especially in this day and age. I want fuel economy, comfort, control, reliability. I currently have a 93 impreza with near 250,000 miles and I think finally I have found a car to replace it. 🙂 Go subaru!
Jp
James, I too had a 93. It was by far the best car I’ve ever owned. Not a performance vehicle but just all around good relaiable wagon. I’ve been disappointed with Subaru for a long Tina with their reluctance to offer normal wagons and always offering the large 2.5L engines instead of the 1.8 and 2.2.
CP
The hatchbacks have always reminded me of the AMC Pacer fail….
steve-O
wish i knew for certain if the performance is going to suffer or hold up… claimed that 0-60 in 9.8 seconds (2012 performance) out performs 2011 by .3 seconds… have a hard time believing that.
altimeters
I prefer to get the 2011 hatch and planning to get one of these here in the uae.. but I’m a little worried about the maintenance costs.. any idea about its maintenance costs compared with other japanese compacts? Thanks!
Vishal
Hey guys. The Dealer for Subaru in Abu Dhabi is Al Adiyat Automobiles. http://www.subaruemirates.com.