Unveiled: Impreza's shock new look

[harrytuttle]

I strongly, strongly disagree, but I suppose neither of us can say for sure. Then again, you're an owner, so you've got a vested interest - you're the exact person they're hoping to appeal to. But we've yet to see final designs, and it looks like we have a bit of a wait.

I'd really like to see what it looks like under the disguise. I do think that a small hatch (Golf or Focus-sized) would work okay. It's not really an Impreza, but it could work in the same way that the R32 and 2006 Focus ST work. If they keep the same platform, however, and stick to only the wagon shape, that's where I have a problem. It worked for me 10 years ago when I needed a cheap all-wheel-drive hatchy-thing, but not when I want a performance car, especially not with the heritage Subaru built up over this past decade. Maybe they'll do well with this shape in WRC, but I can't think of any instance where a larger car did better than the previous smaller car. If they want me to return as a customer they need to do two things: re-contract Peter Stevens and maintain a sedan option. Otherwise, I'm set with what I got. :shrug: I guess I'll see what happens in April.

 

[Wolfe]

I have always thought that the Impreza hatch and the outback were the best vehicles for outdoorsmen. They can take along lots of gear and can go many places because of the 4WD. They are also quick on the roads. Here, most regular Imprezas and WRXs are hatches. I see little point in the sedan. They look a bit silly and lack a lot of utility found in the hatch. ( try to put a bike rack on the sedan) You midwesterners ect. may disagree here, probably because there are not as many opportunities to explore mother nature for you.

I live in the midwest, and I don't think I've ever seen a Legacy sedan with my own two eyes. As for Imprezas around here, well, if they aren't wagons, they have altezza taillights and a fartcan.

 

[Tornado]

Are you sure that they aren't, in fact, Lexi? I mean, from the side, the IS300 Sportback is like, indistinguishable from the Impreza wagon.

 

[Wolfe]

Are you sure that they aren't, in fact, Lexi? I mean, from the side, the IS300 Sportback is like, indistinguishable from the Impreza wagon.

Look at the C-pillars of each. You should be able to tell the difference easily from that.

 

[Philly]

Are you sure that they aren't, in fact, Lexi? I mean, from the side, the IS300 Sportback is like, indistinguishable from the Impreza wagon.

Pretty sure those are pretty uncommon around here. Anyway, IMO, it looks very different from the subie.

I think the legacy is in a pretty good sedan/wagon balance here. I see one or the other every so often.

 

[Pebb]

I've just updated the first post with the new story.

 

[Tornado]

The body style doesn't look any more hatchlike than the current Impreza "wagon" does.

 

[Poverty]

So a 300hp hatchback subaru impreza is gonna cost 30k. I would rather spend than on a audi S3, and get the dealership powerupgrade which gives it over 300hp also....

 

[a6m5]

Only thing I don't like is that Mazda-looking grill.

While I think the hatch looks really nice, I really hope that Subaru is following that with a sedan. 5-dr hatch alone isn't going to cut it IMO.

 

[1X83Z]

If they want me to return as a customer they need to do two things: re-contract Peter Stevens and maintain a sedan option. Otherwise, I'm set with what I got. :shrug: I guess I'll see what happens in April.

Why wouldn't you consider a hatch?

Pretty sure those are pretty uncommon around here.

They made seven but they've only sold six. The other one is still being sold as-new in south Florida for $2k. I offered them $50 and they countered with $95, but I refused citing the D-pillar.

 

[Frizbe]

I've just updated the first post with the new story.

HOLLY God that rear wing looks even more retarded now.

 

[Scaff]

So a 300hp hatchback subaru impreza is gonna cost 30k. I would rather spend than on a audi S3, and get the dealership powerupgrade which gives it over 300hp also....

Any particular reason you added around 10 grand to the figure quoted by T&FF from the Autocar article?

Source: Auto Express

With both the STi and Mitsu*bishi'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.

?

Scaff

 

[Specialized]

Well im not sure about the authenticity of the images of the new subaru as they still look very "artist's impression" to me still so i will wait untill some high quality images are available before making my final decision on the design but so far i kinda like it. I think the sum of the parts also looks alot better than a list of the parts would have you beleive.

Spec....

 

[Mt. Lynx]

Hmm, odd decision on Subaru's part, considering there's a lot of rumours swirling about Mitsu bringing out a light-pressure turbo to compete against the WRX.

As for the hatchback... it seems unusual to move away from the sedan, but perhaps it's all for the WRC? The hatches seem to usually have the edge.

I think you are right! The Ford Focus and the Citroën Xsara (and now C4) are the ones to beat in WRC. And a shorter wheelbase seems to be the way to go in WRC now, so maybe Subaru simply made a new competitor.

 

[Poverty]

Any particular reason you added around 10 grand to the figure quoted by T&FF from the Autocar article?



?

Scaff

20k for a STI, I dont think so. thats the price for lower models. STI's will remain around 30k

 

[Kent]

I was initially thinking it was a currency issue but you're both from the UK.

In any case, 20K seems right if you ask me since the STI cost about 30 thousand dollars here in America.

Unless we get a reduced price for being inthe USA, I'm going to have to say 20K in pounds seems right.

Btw, this isn't news... That design was shown on the cover of auto express in April 2005!

 

[Poverty]

everything in america is alot cheaper. How much do evo's cost in america?

 

[Scaff]

20k for a STI, I dont think so. thats the price for lower models. STI's will remain around 30k

Its still an assumption, given that the only price quoted in the article is 'around £20,000', and even taking current prices into account an STi is below £30k. £27,040 for a WRX STi Type-UK to be exact, with the base Impreza staring at £16k and WRX's starting at £21k.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Duke]

I wonder if it'll require three different designs within a four year period, as the last one did.

Each one of which was worse than the previous design it replaced...

This one looks to be a giant step back in the right direction. It's heartening to see some manufacturers already phasing out the recent overscaled gaping-maw grille motifs.

 

[Famine]

20k for a STI, I dont think so. thats the price for lower models. STI's will remain around 30k

I'm a little curious why you think you know better than the magazine.

I mean, you MAY be right, but... It's a different car - it's now a 300hp 4WD hatchback, not a 5-door saloon as it was before. If it was just a facelift, I'd be inclined to agree - new looks, same price structure - but it's a whole reworking of the car and has to fight in a different market segment. Against, amongst others, the Audi S3 you offer as an alternative.

As I say, you may be right. But if I had to choose between your information and AutoCar's, you're always going to be sitting on the bench.

 

[inferno]

It was only a matter of time before they did this. That makes the evo the only sedan left in the WRC right? i would have hoped that in shortening the length, (and probably the wheelbase too) that they would have shaved weight, but i guess if they had kept it a sedan it would have been even heavyer. i didnt like that the impreza wasnt offered as a coupe and i'm sure i'll be let to dislike that it wont be offered as a three door but meh. the impreza is shifting into a hard core rally machine now, may as well, the evo is already faster on pavement. but who knows, this car is allot lighter than the new evo, so if the power levels stay similar between the two cars it might be faster on the road too. i'm sure it'll be more tossable. i kind of have a thing for high powered awd hatch backs. they're like the new standard in hot hatches. i just wish this was offered as a three door too.

[EDIT]
The evo is moving out of this class as well anyway. it's growing into more of what they like to call a "premium compact" like the new civic sedan and on the high end, the BMW 3 series and the like. (lancer Evo vs 335xi or just plain 335i is a comparo i'd love to see.) so yeah i'm not too peeved about the impreza becoming a hatch. and i'm happy with there reasons for doing it, one it'll help make it a better performer and two, i foresee MOST compacts becoming hatchbacks only. take the dodge caliber, saturn astra and now this, it makes sense from a practicality standpoint for the economy models as well, a good move all around.

I just wish it had a fricking three door too.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

everything in america is alot cheaper. How much do evo's cost in america?

^ 'Round USD$28-33K (from the RS to the MR), but our Evo's are downgraded compared to the rest of the world have:

- No AYC
- Instead of a GSR they call it IX as a mid grade trim.
- Lower horsepower rating even with the newest 4G63 MIVEC
- And we dont have that gorgeous rear end of the JDM/Euro version:

This is what we have (we still have that Evo VIII rear):

This is what the rest of the world have:
JDM

Euro

BT-> I'm excited that the STi will finally be a hatch, I usually don't like sedans/coupes, and since I've been hanging 'round at NASOIC (NA's Subie club), all I want to know are the detailed specs of the car not pics. (:

 

[YSSMAN]

I don't like this new Subie, it just doesn't seem right. Granted they appear to still be artist renderings based on rumors and spy photos, but given that these pictures have been afloat for so long, and continue to go on without change, I begin to worry about Subaru.

...That said, the new front-end is at least an improvement over the current model, as I simply cannot stand the Tribeca-influenced "airplane" grille. It is just hideous, on any Subuaru...

However, the old 2.5 RS Coupe will always be the Impreza for me here in the US...

 

[inferno]

However, the old 2.5 RS Coupe will always be the Impreza for me here in the US...

Agreed 110% the sixth gen impreza is still the best looking of them all. those fog lights, gah I've always wanted to get ahold of one and spec it up with some sti parts and try to build something a step above the production models. think "Impreza 25B"

 

[a6m5]

I third that. 👍 I thought those previous(those year or two old design ones) Imprezas were the best ones, but I was looking at my buddy's Impreza RS sedan today, and I almost want one. Good size, too.

 

[Poverty]

Its still an assumption, given that the only price quoted in the article is 'around £20,000', and even taking current prices into account an STi is below £30k. £27,040 for a WRX STi Type-UK to be exact,

Subaru have reduced the price to 27k I believe because the current shape impreza isnt selling to well, especially with the current insurance company revolt in the UK atleast.

I'm a little curious why you think you know better than the magazine.

I mean, you MAY be right, but... It's a different car - it's now a 300hp 4WD hatchback, not a 5-door saloon as it was before. If it was just a facelift, I'd be inclined to agree - new looks, same price structure - but it's a whole reworking of the car and has to fight in a different market segment. Against, amongst others, the Audi S3 you offer as an alternative.

As I say, you may be right. But if I had to choose between your information and AutoCar's, you're always going to be sitting on the bench.

I would agree, but car magazines always get things wrong, and generally you can find out more about upcoming new models on car forums than those mags know themselves.

Im willing to bet a hatchback STI will be between 26-32k in the UK.

Round USD$28-33K (from the RS to the MR), but our Evo's are downgraded compared to the rest of the world have

I see, still a very good price though as our evo 9's range from £28k to £33k.

 

[Scaff]

Subaru have reduced the price to 27k I believe because the current shape impreza isnt selling to well, especially with the current insurance company revolt in the UK atleast.

I've just had a quick check of Autocar back issues and Impreza WRX Sti had a retail of £25,995 back in 2004 and 2005 (week 51 issue of both years checked) which means that Subaru have put up the price of the WRX Sti by £1,045, not reduced it. The price increase occurred as 2.5litre engine replaced the 2.0litre unit.

Stick a PPP upgrade pack on an Impreza and yes you do get closer to £30k, but that does not change the fact that the current WRX STi Type-UK retails for £27k and this was an increase over the old price, not a reduction.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Poverty]

The old one only had 260hp though didnt it, and it wasnt selling very well either. People still rave about the "classic" to this day, whilst people dont do that really with evo's other than the Tommi Makkinen versions.

 

[Famine]

I would agree, but car magazines always get things wrong

 

[Scaff]

The old one only had 260hp though didnt it, and it wasnt selling very well either. People still rave about the "classic" to this day, whilst people dont do that really with evo's other than the Tommi Makkinen versions.

Which in no way changes the fact that you claimed that the WRX Sti used to cost £30k and Subabru reduced it to £27k, which simply is not correct. They increased the price not reduced it.

The actual power output has nothing at all to do with it, Subaru did not reduce the WRX STi cost at all, they increased it.

In regard to the older version being considered a classic, well its rightly so, but to dismiss all Evo's apart from the TME versions is a bit narrow minded. Yes the TME's are generally considered the best of the breed, but that's not to say that the rest of the family are poor cars at all. Personally I would take an FQ-320 over a WRX STi and I would most certainly take either over an S3.

Regards

Scaff