The good news continues from Detroit! Less than a year after the sad demise of the Impreza (oh alright,
WRX STI
) saloon from Britain, Subaru has just announced its return.
US Launch Edition brings back the gold rims
The photos show the styling recipe is fairly familiar probably because, despite the 'all-new' claims, its proportions are similar to the old model. It's a fairly modern if generic Japanese saloon with a sodding great rear wing and a gaping bonnet scoop. Excellent. There's even a racing version too, which will debut at the Nurburgring 24 Hours in June.
So it looks how a 2014 Impreza WRX STI should look, and the mechanicals are as expected too. A 2.5-litre flat-four turbo, 305hp and 290lb ft. The power reaches the road through a six-speed manual with Subaru's latest Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and torque vectoring. The STI also gains the Driver's Control Centre Differential over the WRX.
Subaru is promising 'meticulously re-tuned' springs and dampers to provide a more compliant ride while retaining good body control. Apparently mounting the electric power steering on a more rigid mount will improve feel and response. And yes, it has been tested at that aforementioned German track.
Interior quality said to be up. Let's see
You knew there was a 'but' coming, didn't you? The dynamics of various Imprezas have never been the main issue, it's that buyers have been wary of parting with £30K for a car with a cheap interior. The situation only became more challenging with the arrival of
that BMW
. Subaru says a lot of work has gone into improving the perceived quality of the WRX STI's cabin.
Soft touch materials along with new dials and trim aim to provide 'both a suitably sporty feel and more upmarket ambience'. It's an improvement on the previous car, and no doubt the contact points will be excellent, but it will hardly strike fear into the Europeans from a design point of view.
And the bottom line? £28,995, £4,000 less than the old car and slap bang in the middle of a very exciting market place. The hatch rivals will be represented by the slightly cheaper Leon Cupra and Megane 265 plus the costlier Golf R. But in fact its closest rival will probably be the S3 saloon, and a comparison with the CLA45 will surely prove illuminating despite the price difference. The new car reaches Britain in May. Welcome back old chum.