Sophisticated Subaru Impreza Launched

By Feann Torr - 6/10/2005

The American's have been blessed with it for quite a while, and now, finally, it looks like Australian drivers will get to have a punt in the brawny 2.5-litre Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI automobiles.

Indeed, the turbocharged 2006 model year Imprezas will be packing more beef than before, as Subaru Australia launches the all-new Impreza range.

Sporting an elegant-slash-sporty new look, a range of powerful new engines and an all-new model - the 2.0R - Subaru is hoping its new model line-up will bolster what have been solid sales for the AWD small car.

Even without updates, new features and more models, the Subaru Impreza has always been a very tidy little package, and you'll find few owners deriding their AWD Scooby-doos, going all the way back to the Touring Wagon of the mid '80s. Indeed, Subaru's reputation for reliability is rivalled by few.

In it's most basic form, the 2006 entry-level Impreza 2.0i manual sedan ($23,990) brings a considerable feature set to the table, including constant 4WD, ABS, EBD, cruise control, air conditioning, power steering/windows/mirrors, DataDot security, a CD-stereo plus four airbags and, if you choose the manual hatch model, you'll even get a semi-serious dual-range transmission. None too shabby, that one.

Entry-level 2.0-litre engines generate an ample 92kW of power - unchanged from last years output.

The new look spans the entire range of Impreza models, from the Impreza 2.0i all the way up the scale to the giant-grilling WRX STI, which is expected to give Mitsubishi's Evolution IX some very serious competition, no doubt about that.

With it's tri-element visage, the new Impreza range will be quite an eyefull for the Subaru faithful, who have patiently waited almost half a decade for Subaru to get the styling back on track.

The late '90s and early in '00s saw one of the toughest and most appropriate designs to match the AWD's - and in the case of the turbo models, the manic performance's - character, but since the bug-eyed monster that was the 2001/2002 model, things haven't been aglow with happiness.

The new look 2006 model takes the Impreza front end in a new direction, the second permutation of the new Subaru corporate face after the B9 Tribeca.

It gives the front end a somewhat evil demeanour from some angles (less so in metal), which works well with the dropped and scooped models sports models, but doesn't look quite so appealing on lesser models, what with their increased ground clearance and small wheels.

In addition to the new look, Subaru has added a new model - the 2.0R - conjuring up images of a lesser Liberty 3.0R. This sporty-looking Impreza starts at $29,990 for the manual, graced with the full sports bodykit and replaces the 112kW RS model.

It includes all the features of the Impreza 2.0i mentioned above, with its most important new feature being a snappy new engine that closely mirrors the specs of Honda's high-revving Integra.

The high performance 2.0-litre boxer engine buried in the Impreza 2.0R's engine bay has double overhead cams and an active valve control system (AVCS), giving it the capability to squeeze out 118kW of power @ 6400rpm and 186Nm of torque @ 3200rpm. It also gets 16-inch alloy wheels and an electronic throttle for nanosecond quick response - 0-100km/h in 8.8 seconds.

Subaru's popular RV model is back for 2006, adding 16-inch wheels, a 'duotone' exterior (we think Subaru means two-tone) and unique interiors, with prices beginning at $26,940 for the manual model.

And then we get the turbocharged hero models, which now feature more powerful (but heavier and thirstier) 2.5-litre 4-cylinder forced induction engines.

The bescooped WRX fetches $40,990 for the sedan and $41,440 for the hatch, the latter of which misses out on aluminium lower suspension arms, potentially reducing it's cornering response.

Both models get the 2.5-litre turbo intercooled boxer engine though, which ups power by 1kW to 169kW @ 5600 rpm and torque rises from 300Nm to 320Nm - quite a hike for a small car like the WRX. The car's new-found power and torque doesn't do much for the 0-100km/h dash though, sitting at a claimed 5.9 seconds for the 5-speed manual sedan.

On top of the bigger engine, and compared to the entry-level 2.0i, the WRX gets shiny aluminium pedals, a pair of high intensity discharge self-levelling headlights with pop-up headlight washers, the now-mandatory keypad immobiliser alarm system, a Momo signature leather steering wheel, rear spoiler, a sporty interior and body kit.

And then there was the prodigal child; an angry looking kid with an aggressive facial expression and those now-famous golden alloy rims.

The WRX STI, they call him, and in 2006 he kicks and screams harder than ever before: the 2.5-litre mill has been fettled by the Subaru Technica International boffins in Japan and has resulted in figures more likely to appear on the spec sheet of an 8-cylinder engine.

Storming from standstill to 100km/h in just 5.4 seconds, the pint-sized AWD rocket, complete with intercooler water spray, belts out an astonishing 392Nm of torque @ 4000rpm, while peak power has risen by 11kW to 206 kilowatts @ 5600rpm. Between the new Evo IX and this here STI, it looks as if the Subaru will take the cake - at least on paper. On the road could be another thing...

The Subaru Impreza WRX STI is priced at $56,990, less than 400 bucks more than the 2005 model, which is pretty good considering the massive hike in torque on offer: up from 343 to 392Nm. Other features include a set of powerful Brembo brakes (326mm 4-pot front/316mm 2-pot rear), a helical front slippery diff, a torque sensing rear limited slip diff and an upgraded version of the Driver Control Centre Differential, or DCCD.

This useful little tool allows drivers to tailor the amount of torque distributed between the front and rear axles by way of a dual mechanical and electronically controlled limited slip active centre differential. Or the ECLSACD for those who like acronyms.

Drivers can let the STI's computer brain take care of apportioning the torque on the run, or can manually adjust the settings. Subaru says the static (default) ratio has been changed from 35:65 in the 2005 model to 41:59 (front:rear) for "a more neutral balance".

Furthermore, a steering wheel angle sensor has been included in the new AWD system, which is supposed to improve the DCCD's control by assessing the steering input and the projected vehicle direction. Computer cars, eh. What'll they think of next? STI models also get fatter rubber than their WRX stable mates creating a larger contact patch with the road and theoretically more grip: 225/45 R17s compared to the WRX's 215/45 R17s.

The entire Impreza range is a step up from last years line-up, particularly the performance models, and the new overall design is far less utilitarian, offering buyers something with a touch of elegance, albeit slightly weird at first glance.

As the Subaru brand evolves, it's hard to know exactly where the marque stands in the bigger picture. It's certainly pushing upmarket, with the Liberty/Legacy range providing for a classy, elegant and reliable Japanese vehicle, and it seems that the well-to-do leafy suburbs of both Melbourne and Sydney are swarming with Foresters as the 'second' vehicle of choice after a European badged vehicle.

Despite it's World Rally Championship aspirations, Subaru appears to be - slowly but surely - heading up market, and the new Impreza could be seen as another sign of this shift in status.

But is this the right move for the unique Japanese car maker? It will inevitably face stiffer competition from the likes of Lexus if it does decide to head upmarket, and from there the European luxury marques will be the final hurdle. All conjecture of course, but interesting conjecture, nonetheless.