2008 Subaru Impreza WRX: Second Look

By Feann Torr - 3/Apr/2007

New York, USA — After photos of the new Subaru Impreza WRX hatchback were leaked last week - to a chorus of disgust from fans right across the globe - the good news is that the sedan has broken cover and it's not quite as radical looking.

Sadly, the new look 2008 model Impreza sedan won't be coming to Australia until September 2008, but the 5-door hatch will be here a year earlier in September 2007, a design which takes the new Impreza small car in a slightly different direction - but which direction that is no one really seems to know. 

Though the new look WRX hatchback (images below) comes across very differently from the hatchback of the past, which has upset many enthusiasts and Subaru fans, the dramatic new design is brave if nothing else, and in time will be far less freaky to look at. 

But the sedan? Much more faithful, and reports that the sedan version would be canned appear to have been quashed with these images of the new 2008 WRX right before its New York Motor Show debut. It appears as though Subaru has stuck to the overall profile of the original, albeit with the new look front end that ditches the much-maligned 'propeller' grille and wedges a far less provocative grille design between the new look headlight clusters.

But even with all the negativity surrounding the new look Impreza WRX, few of the previous designs have been unanimously praised. From the 'bug eye' model in 2002 to the fondly recalled 'pignose' 2007 model, the WRX has never been remembered as an attractive vehicle and in it's attempts to improve this situation it seems that, for now at least, Subaru hasn't done enough to reverse the situation.

Personally, I reckon the new sedan looks pretty good, though there is a sense of Mazda3 permeating the front end. And with the new Evolution X from Mitsubishi looker slicker than ever, Subaru may be looking at a mid-life touch-up sooner rather than later.

Still, the STI model expected later in 2008 will be a real looker and should assuage some of the new car's detractors by providing a halo model to look up to. But changing the grille from the previous pignose - sorry - propeller grille to this much less offensive design is an admission that Subaru got the previous grille design wrong, and already the Tribeca Subaru SUV is being touched-up by the design team to remove its grille.

Is Subaru doomed to be the butt of all car design jokes for the next decade? With the amount of negative feedback this new model is getting on automotive forums and message posts, it's clear that some elements of the motoring public aren't happy. That said, the sales charts will be the ultimate guide as to the effectiveness of the new design.

In terms of power output, the new USA spec models will output 224 horsepower from their 2.5-litre turbocharged boxer engines, which is about 167kW. But while power output remains unchanged, the new WRX is a lighter vehicle, which should improve not only acceleration, but other performance factors such as cornering and braking too. Fuel consumption may also drop, which would be a nice bonus. 

In addition to these new sedan and hatch photos, Subaru has released photography of the new interior and the two-tone work doesn't look too bad. The last time we road tested the WRX, it's interior was the weakest link with a cheap feel that went against the idea of Subaru being a 'premium' Japanese brand. Thankfully then, the new interior looks a bit nicer though I'm not sure what Petter Solberg or Chris Atkinson would think of the beige steering wheel...

As for the standard range of Impreza models - the more affordable non turbo versions - they will look very similar, only without the big wheels and bonnet scoops. So yes, the new stubby-tailed hatchback spans the whole range and will be available for a full year from late 2007 in Australia before the sedan model comes in. You can almost hear the outcry as we speak.

Subaru is calling the new Impreza range the "roomiest-ever" and from September 2007 both standard and turbocharged WRX Impreza hatchback models will be offered. The company says that the new-look Impreza hatch will be a directly rival for the 'premium' European hatches which suggests a hefty price increase, but this new 'premium' label won't instantly improve the car's reputation: methinks that Audi, BMW, and Volvo are not quite shaking with fear at the prospect of this pronouncement.

As per Impreza's of the past, the new models will again be all-wheel drive and Subaru Australia's main man, Nick Senior, had this to say about the new model: "This third generation Impreza is a quantum leap in the key areas of design, engineering, safety and quality. We will have important advances in engine technology, overall specification, safety and style.

"Each Impreza variant will offer a convincing package in the quality and value for money equation. For many years Impreza has enjoyed a fine reputation for resale value and reliability. This will only be enhanced with a sophisticated new style that will broaden its appeal as a premium Japanese small car in the Australian market," concluded Senior.

Tough talk from the head honcho, but if the thing looks like a munted pineapple, no one is going to care how much sophistication it has. Anyway, take a squizz at the new Subaru Impreza WRX sedan images and see what you think, and below them are four new 'official' images of the WRX and standard Impreza hatchback that sparked the present outrage.

Related articles:
- Subaru Impreza WRX (Road Test)
- Subaru Forester XT (Road Test)
- Subaru Impreza WRX Hatch (2008)
- Subaru WRX - Tuned by STI (2007)
- Subaru Develops Diesel Boxer Engine (2007)
- Subaru Liberty Blitzen (2006)