Wednesday 11th July 2007

A UK Impreza WRX after all?

‘Optimistic’ dealer heralds return of the WRX

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Could the WRX turbo be coming here after all?

As many of you will already be aware, Subaru UK has been telling everybody that they will not import the WRX version of the new five-door Impreza hatchback. The 1.5 and 2.0 litre models are due this autumn, with a 300bhp, wide-arched, STi model arriving in the spring of next year.

‘A crying shame’ we thought, but their minds seemed to be made up. Or so we thought. That was until one of our team spotted an advert on a Subaru main dealer’s website for the ‘new WRX Impreza’ complete with a picture of the much-maligned new hatchback – for £19,995.

A quick call to Subaru UK, and it turns out that they are ‘in negotiation’ - according to a spokesman - over the possibility of bringing in a ‘very small number’ of WRX models either at the very end of this year or the beginning of the next. The limit on supply is apparently due to the allowance from Subaru in Japan, although the models will be fully euro type approved – which makes the situation all the more intriguing.

Seems the dealer was either trying to drum up early business or knows something we don’t. Anyway, the man from Subaru was not best pleased when he heard the news and we notice today that the particular page in question on the dealer’s website has been swiftly removed. Seems someone might be in trouble.

Honestly, we’re not making this up. We saved the web page in question yesterday while it was still live…

[gwatson]

Impreza's have never been good loooking cars.... but this one looks like a cheap Proton.... Yuk!!

[RobSharky]

I certainly will not be purchasing that version of the impreza, looks horrid!

If with a semi decent spec and chassis set up... it still looks like... well... what ever that "design" is?!

[Evil.soup]

The Sti looks more promising. The WRX isnt going to have the same appeal anymore because it will always obviously stand out as a WRX because when modding it no one is going to change the panels for the flared ones!!

Everyone would prefer the Sti but cant all afford 1. At least with the current model you can have the Sti look and even performance with a few tweeks.

[Mr Whippy]

Isn't this about £12k if you bought it in Japan.

Bit much to ask for £8k more to get one here I think.

May as well wait for the Sti I think, might be better value in real terms?

Dave

[BUG4LIFE]

Whoever would spend £20k on a new WRX needs shoting anyway! Although Imprezas have never been great looking cars, at least they had something about them which made you want one - the new Scooby looks lardy, boring and just plain wrong!!!

[chippy17]

is this the same thing?:

http://www.litchfieldimports.co.uk/subaru_my08.asp

[sosidge]

I know it has been said before but there is really NO POINT WHATSOEVER in Subaru UK importing ANY performance Imprezas with the hatchback body style.

Fast Impreza's are SO strongly associated with the saloon body (2 or 4 door) that it would be impossible to sell anything else.

[chippy17]

sosidge said:

I know it has been said before but there is really NO POINT WHATSOEVER in Subaru UK importing ANY performance Imprezas with the hatchback body style.

Fast Impreza's are SO strongly associated with the saloon body (2 or 4 door) that it would be impossible to sell anything else.

I seem to recall a fair few sportwagons being sold

[GTRene]

guess its better to wait for the WRX STi then?



GTRene

[tomTVR]

BUG4LIFE said:

Whoever would spend £20k on a new WRX needs shoting anyway!

I disagree. Looks aside, 20k for a 250bhp (ish) car with AWD. Thats a bargain compared to a top spec Gold gti or Focus ST which only cost a fraction less. Its R32 performance for GTI money.

[dcb]

tomTVR said:

I disagree. Looks aside, 20k for a 250bhp (ish) car with AWD. Thats a bargain compared to a top spec Gold gti or Focus ST which only cost a fraction less. Its R32 performance for GTI money.

To say nothing of the likes of BMW and M-B with their
poverty-spec chariots for 25K and above.

More choice, more variety - bring it on.

[telecat]

Personally I prefer the hatchback style and like a lot of people lament the Escort Cosworth, Delta Intergrale.

[Volte]

After seeing the pics and reading the review in EVO, along with those Litchfield pics, I'm starting to warm to it......

[Mr_C]

There was one testing at the 'ring at the weekend. Looked ok, but it was in disguise...

[zektor]

Impreza... Eugh. They've always been ugly in my opinion. It's a shame that they have to resort to crashing it into Halfords to make it look half decent, because the underlying shape is crap. And to appeal to the performance enthusiasts.

No doubting that it's a very capable 'back road' burner. If only they would make it look as good as it goes.

[chedixon]

Such a shame, semms subaru really have lost the plot, you could stick a proton badge on it and it would still be one of the ugliest protons!
If they really want to succeed in europe the design team really need to up there game.

[hawkaye]

After 7 and a bit years of scoobie ownership, my current sti will be my last. I hate the new model

[flattotheboards]

they probably will end up importing it, why dont they just say they will import it to stir up public interest and if theres enough of it then import them.

[Trick Monkey]

What is it with Subaru, the last one was ok but this one just looks like a pig! Ain't about time the designers took a bit of advice from the Italians. Take inspiration from Alfa and combine it with the Scubby mechanics and everyone will want one!

Come on guys, give us blistering performance with looks to be proud of!

[Evil.soup]

Trick Monkey said:

What is it with Subaru, the last one was ok but this one just looks like a pig! Ain't about time the designers took a bit of advice from the Italians. Take inspiration from Alfa and combine it with the Scubby mechanics and everyone will want one!

Come on guys, give us blistering performance with looks to be proud of!

An Alfa designer produced the last one (Hawkeye), not sure who did this one though!