Subaru '03 Impreza - First Look

Subaru has had an impressive year in 2002. Winning the vaunted 'Australia's Best Cars' award for recreational 4WD and the Brisbane-based Courier Mail's Outstanding Recreational Car - both won by the Forester X - the once small automaker is now a big name in new cars.

And just when you thought everyone at Subaru was winding down for their Christmas parties and end-of-year bashes, the Japanese car maker announces the updated Impreza range, with a few pleasant surprises to boot.

When the '02 Impreza arrived in late 2001, critics panned the styling, citing the 'bulbous' front end as horrendous. We weren't too keen on the look either - but, over time, we've come to appreciate it a little more.

But that wasn't good enough for Fuji Heavy Industries, the power behind Subaru. As such, the Impreza range has come in for a mild once over - the much maligned bulbous bits now gone.

The 2003 Impreza range should be on sale by the time you read this, and the changes go beyond a tweaked exterior.

Furthermore, many ethusiasts will be grinning from ear to ear when they hear that the flagship WRX model's turbocharged engine has been given a significant boost in power and torque - click here to go straight there.

But what about the new look? We were quite taken by the new lines, though opinion will surely be divided. The sharper bonnet scoop on the WRX and STi models add much to their sporting intent, while the new-look headlight cluster brings the Impreza range more closely in-line with the look of Outback and Liberty/Legacy models.

The low-mount fog light surrounds also help bring the Impreza range closer to the Subaru design DNA, and now all models get fog lights - even the entry level $25,990 Impreza GX.

Other changes that are uniform across the 2003 range include new grilles and light clusters, complete with integrated indicators, parking lights, headlights and full beam, featured in a clear tinted finish.

Tail lights on both sedan and hatch variants are redesigned to integrate with the lines of the rear quarter panels and bumper, and wing mirrors have been aerodynamically tested to significantly reduce water penetration on the mirror surface and the side glass surface.

All Imprezas now have a titanium-colour centre console, audio head unit and air vent surrounds, which also helps reduce cabin glare. The height-adjustable driver's seat lever mechanism has been enhanced for easier setting, too.

Safety in GX, RX and RV models is enhanced with the introduction of active restraint headrests, which reduce whiplash and the severity of neck injury in rear end collisions. Interior changes are also a big part of the model upgrade and differ from model to model. As such, here's the full rundown:

Impreza GX and RX (entry-level)

Inside, Impreza GX and RX models feature new fine-weave gray and black seat and door trim material. Impreza RX also gets a revised Momo leather sports steering wheel.

Impreza RV (recreation/lifestyle)

The Impreza RV hatch, which has gained a firm following among customers looking for a small recreational-type vehicle, has revised dark gray seat and door trims unique to the model, while the air conditioning is now upgraded to semi-automatic. Impreza RV dash and door trims are also all gray, distinguishing it from other Impreza models.

Impreza RS (sports)

The larger capacity 2.5-litre Impreza RS sedan has a sporty mesh grille, while the new door and seat trims are charcoal gray. Key instrument dials now have a mre upmarket silver surround and there's a revised Momo steering wheel too.

Impreza WRX (high performance)

A more prominent centre tachometer in the instrument binnacle gives instant driver feedback on engine performance and a new chrome hand-brake button adds a little flair.

Impreza WRX STi (club sport racing)

A raft of interior changes for the manic STi-tuned WRX include a smaller-diameter STi-design three-spoke sports steering wheel. There's also an all-new, and rather sexy instrument binnacle, back-lit in red with a unique ignition “on” display sequence.

The STi logo is clearly visible in the centre-mounted tachometer, and in keeping with the rally theme of the Impreza WRX STi, there is blue carpet throughout. Other detail highlights include chrome doorhandles.

Furthermore, all turbocharged Imprezas feature a keypad immobiliser alarm system as standard. Combined with the DataDot technology (which will rolled out on all Subaru models by February 2003), this makes them among the best protected cars available on the Australian market.

Turbochargin' ahead

While the entire range benefits from the new look and improved interior options, the big news is that the WRX offers even better performance, thanks largely to a new "Active Valve Control System".

Essentially this is a VVT system, which electronically adjusts the intake valve timing, in turn producing more power and torque while at the same time minimising fuel consumption and emissions.

The superceded MY02 WRX offered an impressive 160kW of power @ 5600rpm and 292Nm of torque @ 3600rpm.

Combine this with Subaru's patented all wheel drive system and the '02 WRX accelerated from 0-100km/h in just 6.4 seconds, completing the 1/4 mile dash in 14.6 seconds.

The 2003 WRX, however, goes from 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds and covers 400m (1/4 mile) in 13.9 seconds, according to Subaru Australia.

It tested the current and outgoing models back-to-back at Calder Park in Victoria recently, with rally stalwart Cody Crocker at the wheel. The data was independently collected using a Corrys Datron microwave speed sensor.

So why is the new WRX so much faster? Two words: power and torque.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged boxer engine has been refined to produce a stunning 168kW of power at a much higher 6000rpm, while a V6-reminiscent 300Nm of torque peaks @ 3600rpm.

The compression ratio has been increased from 8.0:1 to 9.0:1, which makes for better engine response at low revs.

Also new to the WRX is a gear-lever controlled Sportshift, sometimes known as tiptronic shifting, as part of the automatic model.

This gives drivers the option to use the shifter stick to instantly change up or down a gear via electronic control.

Outside, the 2003 WRX gets an all-new aerodynamic bonnet scoop that also improves engine/turbo efficiency. Classy titanium-finish 17-inch alloy wheels, plus a new mesh-grille give the Impreza WRX plenty of visual appeal.

Steering manoeuvrability and high-speed stability have been improved over the 2002 model by using dampers with multiple phase valves, changes to upper suspension mountings and relocation of rear trailing links.

Tracking of the dampers against input from the road surface has also improved, which in laymans terms means smoother driving, even during high-speed lane changes.

And while the new-look STi doesn't get an increase in power, it does make a triumphant return to its rally-bred heritage. To our minds, the look of the '02 STi was too subdued - for one, that spoiler was way too small. The STi needs to say "Look at me!"

Thankfully, the high rise wing makes a return, and improved rear downforce is the result, along with a deeper front apron, flared wheel arches, new side skirts and a scoop the likes of which can be seen from 500 paces away.

It's massive, and it suits the STi's more aggressive demeanour to a tee.

Suffice it to say, everyone here at the Wombat offices were drooling over the new shots, and we expect the cars popularity to boom as a result of the styling changes, inside and out.

The only mechanical change to the 2003 WRX STi are uprated suspension dynamics, which should help weekend racers scrub down their laptimes somewhat.

Surprisingly, fuel consumption on manual WRX models is improved in the highway and combined cycles, despite the power increase, and Impreza WRX and STi models also get a new double locking system on all doors that can normally only be activated or deactivated by the remote control.

At the end of the day, Subaru has improved upon a formula that many thought was already at its peak. From the range-covering new features, to the new look STi, to the more powerful WRX, Subaru looks to have done the unthinkable.

Nick Senior, the General Manager of Subaru Australia, said: "Impreza is already a much-awarded car for its engineering, safety, performance and value, and these latest refinements underline what a great package it is.

"From the aggressive world-rally styling cues of the Impreza WRX STi, to the fun-yet-practical philosophy of the RV, Subaru has again raised the benchmark for small normally aspirated and turbocharged performance cars."

He continued: "Impreza is enjoying a record year for normally aspirated models, averaging 384 a month, while turbocharged variants are following strongly with an average 234."

Mr Senior said it was likely Impreza would finish 2002 with its second best ever year overall, in a period of heightened competition: He predicted sales of 500 Imprezas a month in 2003, including 150 WRXs.

Together with the just-launched Roadside Assist programme, which offers 24/7 help, the updated range of new-look Subaru Imprezas has literally taken our breath away. Where do we sign?

2003 Subaru Impreza Pricing:

GX sedan manual $25,990
GX sedan automatic $27,990
GX hatch manual $26,440
GX hatch automatic $28,440
RX sedan manual $30,590
RX sedan automatic $32,590
RX hatch manual $31,040
RX hatch automatic $33,040
RV hatch manual $29,990
RV hatch automatic $31,990
RS sedan manual $32,990
RS sedan automatic $34,990
WRX sedan manual $42,490
WRX sedan automatic $44,990
WRX hatch manual $42,940
WRX hatch automatic $45,440
WRX STi sedan $56,630