SUBARU
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
New Impreza preview
All-new design language could spell an end to the drought of dowdy-looking Scoobys.
Atta boy! It seems Subaru has finally woken up...
Yeah. For years, enthusiasts had to bear with dowdy design themes in nearly all of Subaru's model lineups. And in this particular case, fans of the Impreza should finally be relieved when the fourth-generation is unveiled in production form in less than two years.
In Motoring's eyes, today's Impreza is meek in appearance, while the one preceding it was simply to controversial with the bug-eyed front looks.
Could the Impreza Concept also point to that new coupe?
You mean the car that Subaru is jointly developing with Toyota? We're not too sure. But as Subaru stated at the Los Angeles auto show last week, the concept car is previewing the brand's new design language.
That means there's a possibility that the new coupe could share some resemblance with the more mainstream saloon and hatchback models.
And will Subaru make it look exactly like this?
Don't forget that it's still a concept at this stage _ production-ready cars usually don't look as good as when they're previewed in one-off specials.
While the concept's front end looks similar to that of the bigger Legacy, the rear end looks distinctively imposing with those rear lamps and diffuser. Note the return of rear windows with no mini pillars. The rakish rear conforms to the new coupe{aac}-like trend being adopted by several carmakers, like Volvo for its latest S60. The wheels and side-view cameras are obviously a no for production, while the flared fenders may only be reserved for the STi range-topper.
Interior is simpler than exterior.
It looks a little bit dull inside...
Yeah, just like in today's crop of Subarus. But maybe Subaru wants to emphasise on tidiness. And if you ask us whether they work in functionality terms, they do _ today's Legacy and Impreza have ergonomically sound cockpits, even if slightly dull in appearance.
Does the Boxer live on?
Yes, as Subaru has said it openly, the Impreza Concept is powered by a 2.0-litre engine with cylinders traditionally laid out in a flat, opposing manner (although there's a bigger 2.5 in the existing models).
At previous motor shows, Subaru has already made known that the next-generation Boxer will get direct-injection and, of course, turbo for the WRX and STi versions.
New to the Impreza would be a CVT automatic transmission (note the gear lever in the picture) that's already used in the Legacy.
What?! A CVT for an Impreza?
Cool down, mate. CVT 'boxes have proven popular in Japan because of their efficiency and smoothness. That's why nearly all Japanese carmakers are offering them, although in selected models.
Such automatics sound sensible in cars driven in a restrained manner on daily basis, which means that Imprezas with non-turbo Boxers would get the CVT (continuously variable transmission), apart from the conventional manual with clutch pedal.
So the WRX and STi are getting twin-clutchers...
We certainly hope so, but nothing's confirmed yet. Today's models still stick to manual 'boxes, and the optional autos are only five-speeders _ against the brash amount of rival models employing twin-clutch autos like the Mitsubishi Evo, Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen Golf GTI and R.
Hmm... they' re quite conservative...
Subaru, you must have meant. Well, they're not the only ones who lag in the transmission race. You don't need to look further up the model hierarchy; look at the mass-market scenario.
The Focus is already sold in Thailand with a six-speed twin-clutch automatic, while Toyota has just updated the Corolla with a CVT automatic with seven-speed manual mode. The Mitsubishi Lancer has CVT with six-speed mode, while Chevrolet recently introduced the Optra-replacing Cruze with a six-speed automatic.
That leaves the Honda Civic behind with a five-speed automatic, but it's about to be replaced soon. Behind? Check this out: Mazda's all-new 3 will come to Thai showrooms early next year _ allegedly with a conventional five-speed automatic.
Rear end has imposing appearance.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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