2012 Subaru Impreza Revealed

2012 SUBARU IMPREZA

Subaru has at last pulled the covers back from its all-new 2012 Impreza, following the release last week of a single - but telling - teaser image. 

The unveiling of the 2012 Impreza also follows the unveiling earlier this week of the XV Crossover concept, which revealed more than a few hints of the new Impreza's styling.

Rather than pushing a major update for the current model - which has garnered mixed feedback over its nearly four-year lifetime - Subaru has made an early leap to an all-new model.

The new Impeza family will also feature sedan and hatch variants from the outset, rather than the hatch-first launch of the previous model.

Like the XV Concept, the new Impreza features Subaru's hexagonal grille design, flanked by new 'hawk-eye' headlights - marking a significant change to the simpler (and more plain) headlight design of the outgoing model.

The new Impreza also features a sharper and meatier front bumper with a wider air damn and larger foglight bezels. 

Along the new Impreza's profile, a longer roofline and prominent Liberty-inspired wheel guards are the focus, joined only by a simple character line along the bottom of the doors. 

The Windscreen is also more raked than before, the base of the A-pillar now 200mm further forward, a change that also allows the front doors to open 127mm wider than the outgoing model's doors.

"This is a cutting edge car for Subaru as it gives us the ammunition to fire a few salvos in the small car category," Subaru Australia Managing Director Nick Senior said.

"And while nearly 30 entrants in the small car category have the same ‘me too’ front wheel drive formula, our new Impreza stands out in a crowded market with All-Wheel Drive on every model."

Interior

Subaru has worked to improve visibility, giving the 2012 Impreza a slimmer A-pillar and partitioned front-door glass.

Other upgrades here include a top-of-door interior trim that is 60mm lower, combined with a 10mm higher front hip point and a 20mm higher hip point across the rear seats.

The new instrument panel also contributes to improved visibility, sitting lower and flatter than in the previous model.

Interior space grows also, thanks to a wheelbase that has been stretched from 2621mm to 2644mm for the new model. Rear seat passengers have gained 50.8mm of leg room as a result.

Overall vehicle length remains unchanged, but redesigned door panels have been used to offer greater shoulder room.

Cargo space in the sedan and hatch has increased, and the hatch also gains a completely flat load floor when the 60/40 split-folding rear seats are folded. 

The hatch also offers improved loading, thanks to the removal of a stepped section under the opening. The cargo area cover can now be stored under the cargo floor, as on the Forester.

Promising a better quality and feel to its interior, Subaru has done away many of the hard plastic surfaces of the current model. For 2012, the Impreza gets soft-touch materials for the dash, door trim and centre console armrest.

The Impreza's seats are all-new also, designed with a focus on long-distance comfort. Higher seatbacks are featured, along with increased lumbar support and cushions designed to more effectively distribute pressure.

Features

Note: features described here are for US-market models. Australian specifications will be revealed closer to launch.

All 2012 Impreza variants feature a three-spoke steering wheel and a sports-styled instrument panel, and higher-spec models also feature a trip computer with the multi-function display. A tilt/reach steering wheel is also standard across the range.

The entry-level model features:

• Power windows, door locks and side mirrors
• A 60/40-split/fold rear seat
• Outside temperature gauge
• Multi-function display with fuel economy information
• Remote keyless entry and security system with engine immobilizer

Premium models add alloy wheels, steering-mounted audio and Bluetooth controls, and an adjustable console armrest.

The standard audio system in premium US models features Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, iPod control capability, USB port, 3.5mm auxiliary input jack and six speakers.

Range-topping variants feature 17-inch alloy wheels, leather trim, climate control air conditioning, upgraded instrumentation and fog lights.

A power sunroof and factory-fitted satellite navigation are available as options on premium variants.

Mechanical Package

Note: features described here are for US-market models. Australian specifications will be revealed closer to launch.

The 2012 Impreza is powered by the 2.0 litre version of Subaru's new third-generation boxer engine, paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or - for the first time in the Impreza - Subaru's Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission, revised to be lighter, quieter and more compact.

Models equipped with the CVT transmission also feature a six-speed manual mode function with steering wheel paddle shifters.

Producing 110kW and 196Nm of torque, power remains unchanged from the current engine. Subaru promises significant improvements in fuel consumption, although figures have yet to be released.

Suspension has been improved for the new Impreza, including the addition of a new front support that connects the front cross member and the rear bushing section of the front arm.

At the rear, the double-wishbone suspension gets strengthened components and pillow ball bushings.

Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) is improved, with new hydraulic engine mounts helping to damp out vibration. 

Range-topping models also gain specialised rebound springs for the front dampers and a rear stabiliser bar - changes that Subaru says has also improved NVH further for these models.

There is also new sound insulation in the toe board and around the floor tunnel.

Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system remains standard across the range, and for 2012, two versions will be offered.

In models equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, the Continuous AWD system uses a viscous-coupling locking centre differential to distribute power 50/50 front to rear.

Slippage at either set of wheels will send more power (up to 100 per cent) to the opposite set.

Models equipped with the Lineartronic CVT feature the Active Torque Split AWD version, using an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch to actively control power distribution in response to driving conditions.

This second system transfers more power to the rear wheels under acceleration and can transfer up to 100 per cent of available torque to the rear wheels in response to road conditions.

Australia

Australian launch dates for the new Impreza have yet to be revealed, although a first or second quarter local launch in 2012 is likely.