Impressed by Subaru Impreza (From Bournemouth Echo)

Impressed by Subaru Impreza

12:56pm Tuesday 18th August 2009 in

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IN 1994, the Subaru Impreza was launched in the UK. It provided exhilarating performance, four-wheel drive and superb handling, yet was still practical for everyday use.

With this is mind nothing much has really changed. Except, over the last 15 years the Impreza has radically evolved from a “classic” Impreza to a more technical beast altogether.

For a start the new Impreza is now a five-door hatchback rather than a saloon. The chassis is considerably stiffer, the wheel base is longer and the track wider, all helping to improve drivability while improving grip.

The engine has changed from a 2.0 litre turbo to a 2.5 litre turbo boxer engine, still delivering stunning performance albeit in a more controllable manner.

The 230bhp is put down easily through Subaru’s symmetrical low centre of gravity AWD (All Wheel Drive) system. The key to the success of this AWD system is the engine is low down and central in the engine bay. This allows for perfect power distribution to each individual wheel, giving outstanding grip and no torque steer.

There is 320 Nm of torque while the revs are low, making for a less thrashy feel than the older models.

The WRX launches off the mark with a zero to 60mph time of just 6.4 seconds and manages 27.2 mpg while producing 246 g per kilometer of CO2.

The new Impreza is refined and much more comfortable than previous models; in some ways it feels more tamed. That said the Impreza is still very much a driver’s car.

The Impreza has plenty of interior space and will easily accommodate five adults. The driving position is good and the seats are supportive.

Boot space is a good size – 301 litres with the rear seats up, or for large loads drop the rear seats and get 1216 litres of space.

The Impreza WRX comes with a host of key features including, driver, front passenger, side and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), HID Xenon headlamps with automatic leveling, rear privacy glass, cruise control, Emergency Brake Assist, colour-coded door handles and mirrors, electric windows and electric heated mirrors, climate control air conditioning, 17-inch alloys with 205/50 tyres, CD/MP3/WMA RDS radio with 10 speakers and steering wheel control.

The Impreza is also available in WRX S form which has a modified Prodrive performance pack pushing out 255bhp. The S version also has a STi front and rear spoiler and 18 inch wheels.

Going further up the range you come to the Impreza WRX STi Type UK, which has 300bhp and 407 Nm torque at 4000 rpm, and then the range-topping Impreza WRX STi 330 S which, no surprises, gives 330bhp with a whopping 470 Nm of torque.

The sad thing is that Subaru will not be continuing to produce the Impreza WRX, so if you have never driven or owned one I would suggest you book a test drive soon as there are only limited numbers left of this iconic road car.