Friday 13th January 2006

Subaru launches discreet Impreza

New model just as quick, not so obvious

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Bit less lairy, just as quick

Subaru is launching its discreet Impreza at Autosport this week (see link below for our earlier report). The WRX STI Spec.D uses the 2.5-litre flat-four in 277bhp tune for a 0-60mph of five seconds and a Vmax of 158mph -- the same performance as the standard UK spec Impreza.

Other changes include a new four-wheel drive system that uses limited slip differentials front rear, an improved gearshift and a cooling system for the intercooler -- the driver presses a button and the unit is sprayed with cold water.

You'd hardly notice the car on the road though. Subaru UK boss Peter Kinnaird said: "This car is aimed at people like me -- D stands for discreet, no bright blue paintwork, big rear spoiler or gold coloured wheels. It is for customers who want the performance of the 158mph WRX STI, but not the high profile looks."

This means it's got a small spoiler, no roof vane above the rear window, and an all black interior -- none of yer lairy blue trim here. It comes only in grey, and the wheels are silver rather than gold. It includes touch-screen satnav, an upgraded sound system, a Bluetooth hands-free phone kit and an iPod adaptor. You also get a year's membership of TrackStar and SmartNav and a one-month subscription to SafeSpeed.

The price will be £28,495 (the WRX STI Type-UK costs £26,995) on the road, and it goes on sale in March.

Related story

• Subaru tones down Impreza

[r988]

If thats the pic of it then it aint that discreet. Dump the bonnet scoop for a start, thats the obvious giveaway, make it look more like a base model.

But more importantly, how about a version that actually looks good?

[paulie-mafia]

Yeah that new nose is hideous. Looks like it got beaten with the ugly stick.

[cy88]

Reminds me a bit of daniella westbrook?

[Witchfinder]

H-her-how much? G-ger-ger-Granville! Fer-Fetch yer cloth!

[GTRene]

yeah, they should do a front more like the new(concept) Skyline GTR and almost the same Mitsu Evo X(concept, like this...

GTRene

[ndj]

What a pointless exercise! Don't most people buy a scooby to be seen? This is an ugly, ugly car and a backward step from the last model.

Anyway, isn't the whole STI and EVO concept getting a little old now? How many variants can the market take?

[GravelBen]

while still not exactly pretty, the new nose does look a lot better in the metal than it appears in photos (IMO)


oh and they can't remove the scoop from the bonnet unless they convert it from a top mount to front mount intercooler, the scoop is essential for airflow to the 'cooler.

[ultimasimon]

I think its an excellent piece of strategic marketing. Plenty of 'grown ups' would like to buy an Imprezza but have been put off in the past by the extreme boy racer image that the vehicle has attracted. Now the customer has a choice. The fact that scoobies are mostly the choice of wannabe boy racers does nothing for the company image, and by offering this model they may even tempt business fleet users which opens up another market further for them.

Besides they have got the car as lairy as it gets - what other option did they have in marketing this car?

[pdV6]

PH article said:

a one-month subscription to SafeSpeed

Did I read that right?

[annodomini2]

But its still bloody ugly!

[chassis 33]

annodomini2 said:

But its still bloody ugly!

But now the nose and lights are BMW 5 series FUGLY!!!

Regards
Iain

[Mr E]

I quite like it as an idea.

But, slap a FMIC in there and put a standard bonnet (with perhaps a couple of vents to let heat out), and it might be a winner.

[zevans]

It's not the scoop that's the problem, it's the whole top-mount intercooler, and always has been...

Will this car be a lower insurance group?

[mojocvh]

grille looks "SEÁT" but hey I'd have one anyway.


MoJo

[rsvmilly]

Anywhere else in the world you'd pay extra for the showy paint and wheels of the sporty model so why does this discrete model need to cost more?

[scoobiewrx]

I own and run a scoobie daily and its a fabulous car. Fast, and discreet. I always thought my 5dr WRX was pretty stealthy and not as showy as this "Discreet" model even.

I have to admit though it is a pretty pointless excercise to make one with such a tiny spoiler although the colour and wheels look great. and it's not the preserve of wanabee boy racers. Most of the people i know with scoobies are mature drivers with great driving skill.

Also, why on earth would you want to pay £2K more for less kit. I will be swapping my 5dr scooby this year for the latest 2.5 STi and that has got a huge spoiler but minus the SatNav. It's there for a bl00dy good reason though. I think the original sccoobie looks the best, it's there to be seen, and why not!!!

If you have never driven one, give it a go, you'll love it!!!!

[waynepixel]

Well when the new Mitsu Evo come out, the Subaru is in a hole world of trouble if they do not get the redesign correct. Here hoping. But I am not holding my breath.

[jambon]

It's a new concept for the 'out of town' post office. A mobile post box with friendly postie. See, you start at the back of the car where your friendly postie is standing by his all weather shelf, which is carfully balanced on the boot. There he will weigh your post (mind you he can only take packages no bigger than a shoe box) and then he will either frank it or put some nice colourfull stamps on it. He wil then ask you to go to the front of his car and put the post through the collection box at the front. Even if it was called the Subaru Chairlift, it would still be expected to shoot up the stairs at breakneck speed!

If you want discretion and understated agression of the highest order try an AUDI RS6.

Can't wait for the scribes at www.sniffpetrol.com to have a go at this one.

[FestivAli]

Yeah I agree its still not particularly discreet. As for the intercooler problem, why not put on the scoop from the Legacy GT, its far more subtle. Having said that, the scoop is as big as it is on the Rex because of airflow needs, but surely its not that critical.

My biggest issue with the Impreza is how some people pronounce it. The TG crew seem to call it the 'IM-PRETZA'; may as well go the whole hog and call it the 'Impretzle'. A niggle, to be sure, but to me and everyone else I know its pronounced 'IM-PRAY-ZA'.

Oh, and it looks rather shite.

Ali out.

[Ahonen]

FestivAli said:

My biggest issue with the Impreza is how some people pronounce it. The TG crew seem to call it the 'IM-PRETZA'; may as well go the whole hog and call it the 'Impretzle'. A niggle, to be sure, but to me and everyone else I know its pronounced 'IM-PRAY-ZA'.

I thought it was called the 'Im-pretza' because that's how I've always heard it pronounced by rally drivers. Seems I've been pismronounciating it for years.