Subaru has officially unveiled the new Impreza in Japan and the model is now on general sale.
The new hatchback has received a mixed reaction so far to say the least. It signifies a radical move by Subaru away from rally-bred sport saloons and into the mainstream market of five door family hatchbacks.
Subaru really seem to want to put the past (and arguably their hard-won heritage) behind them with the new model, and have even dropped the WRX moniker in Japan. This new JDM (Japanese domestic market) turbo model will be known as the ‘S-GT’ in its homeland. It is described by Subaru as a ‘Grand Touring’ model.
Turbo 2.0 litre boxer makes 250hp
Surprisingly, it doesn’t feature the 2.5 litre turbo engine of the previous car, but instead uses a 2.0 litre turbocharged version of the boxer ‘four’ producing 250bhp at 6,000rpm and 242lb ft of torque at 2,400rpm. The engine features ‘Dual Active Valve Control’ and equal length / constant pulsation exhaust manifolds. Drive is fed through Subaru’s usual four wheel drive system.
As we’ve already reported on PH, Subaru UK will not be importing a ‘regular’ WRX turbo model into this country, but will concentrate on the 15S (1.5 litre 110bhp) and 20S (2.0 litre 140bhp) models to begin with - also launched in Japan yesterday - followed by a full house (in power and price terms) STi version at a later date. The UK market STi is expected to retain the 2.5 litre turbo motor and should produce at least 300bhp.
No plans for a similiar spec UK model
Nevertheless, each time we see the new car, we find ourselves warming to the concept that little bit more - certainly the turbo model. Now, can we get Subaru to rethink their decision on the WRX?
Previous new Impreza stories on PH: