Subaru Impreza to go hatch hunting in 2008?
In
an effort to move the Impreza to appeal more to family types, Subaru is taking its Impreza and turning it into a
'daring' hatchback. Or at least UK pub Auto Express says so, which doesn't completely rule out a sedan model for
the U.S. market. Of course, with the sudden bumper crop of foreign-badged three-and-five doors available in North
America (Volkswagen GTI, Audi A3, MINI Cooper, the soon-to-be Volvo S40, etc.), we wouldn't count on it.
According to AE, the next Impreza is expected to debut at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, with lower-rung Imprezas looking to convert buyers of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit (which we thought was the M.O. all along, no?).
For diehard Subie fans, rest assured that the automaker still plans on an STi putting out over 300 horsepower to balance the enthusiast's books.
(Thanks to ebm14 for the tip!)
[Source: Auto Express]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
masarak 1:03PM (4/27/2006)
How is this any different from the sport wagon that has been in the Impreza/WRX lineup for years?
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Robert Aitchison 1:06PM (4/27/2006)
About freaking time.
For too long in the U.S. there have been slim pickings if you wanted a high performance compact car in a non-sedan form factor. Subaru at least offeres the WRX in wagon trim today but if you want an STi you need to settle for a grocery getting sedan, the worst of both worlds with none of the sex appeal of a coupe and none of the practicality of a wagon or hatch. Same deal with the EVO or the Neon SRT-4 or the SE-R.
The tide is finally turning, the Mazdaspeed3, originally rumored to be a sedan like the Mazdaspeed6 is coming out as a wagon (I currently own a Mazda3 wagon) if the new Impreza, including the STi is coming out sans trunk it will be teriffic.
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chairman 1:09PM (4/27/2006)
Auto Express isn't always the most reliable source, but this has been in the rumor mill for quite a while. Nonetheless, I would gladly like to see the Scooby go the hot hatch route. A lot of press is complaining that the current Imp/WRX/STi is good, but isn't 'advancing the game', so this move ought to shake things up. Although it might put off the hatchback-wary American public, enlightened auto enthusiasts will appreciate Subaru's combination of performance, reliability and safety.
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APK 1:12PM (4/27/2006)
As a former WRX wagon owner...its about time. The redesign is way over due. I look forward to checking out this new model. Just make sure you can get the STI stuff in the hatch/wagon version please.
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felonious monk 1:19PM (4/27/2006)
"How is this any different from the sport wagon that has been in the Impreza/WRX lineup for years?"
Do you not know the difference between wagon and hatchback?
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James 1:22PM (4/27/2006)
There is a difference between hatch and wagon, but the current model impreza really splits the difference (I own one). It's not a real wagon, with a squared-off back and vertical tailgate, and it's not really a standard-stye hatchback either. It's something in the middle, like the Malibu Maxx.
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masarak 1:37PM (4/27/2006)
"Do you not know the difference between wagon and hatchback?"
Yes. I just want to know how different a hatchback will be from what Subaru offers now. The current sedan and sport wagon are exactly the same dimensions, except one has a trunk. I want to know if the sedan and hatch are going to have completely separate chassis designs (and maybe the hatch with a smaller wheelbase), or if they will share the same underpinnings like the current models.
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nezromatron 1:42PM (4/27/2006)
Why Subaru don't hatchback?
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Ken Jacques 1:50PM (4/27/2006)
The Mazda 6 does it and doesn't lose the sedan appeal. Hope Subaru takes one out of Mazda's books.
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CoffeeJedi 2:07PM (4/27/2006)
"Do you not know the difference between wagon and hatchback?"
What Subaru bills as an Impreza "wagon" is really a hatchback, compare it to their own Legacy wagon. Or for a more acurate size comparison, look at the Jetta wagon and Golf, and Focus wagon and ZX5, the profile definitely matches the hatch versions of those cars more closely than the wagons.
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JH 2:18PM (4/27/2006)
If they made their current wagon/hatch/whatever in an STI model, I'd buy it right now. Guess I'll have to wait until 2008. The departure of the VW R32 from these shores 2 years ago left a wide open hole for a sylish and fast AWD hatch, no one has really capitized on that besides Audi. And theirs is too expensive.
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CoffeeJedi 2:30PM (4/27/2006)
JH, what about the current 5-door WRX? 227hp awd ain't too shabby
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JZeke 2:34PM (4/27/2006)
I love my 5 door rex. If the new one comes out and only betters the shabby bits (interior, paint quality and... well thats it really) Id have a very short list of next car purchases...
I just hope it doesnt get flabby or worse, unreliable!
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JH 2:35PM (4/27/2006)
CoffeeJedi, Yeah, you're right, not too shabby at all, and I've certainly been considering it...
but at 300hp there would no longer be considering... I'd be running to the dealer.
That's all I ask of car companies... build me a car that I simply cannot refuse :)
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masarak 2:43PM (4/27/2006)
Old Gossip:
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22996
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Michael Karesh 6:16PM (4/27/2006)
The current WRX was much improved for 2006. My review: http://www.epinions.com/content_209551658628
The line between a wagon and a hatch can get pretty blurry these days. I agree with those who see the current five-door as straddling the line. I drive a Protege5, which does the same. I think of it as a wagon. And yet the Mazda3 that replaced it is fairly clearly a hatch.
Mostly semantics in the end. I don't care what they call the next five-door--just make it prettier.
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Richard 9:59PM (4/27/2006)
Yeah, 15! Old Gossip!
13! Unrelaiable? For Chrissakes man, it's a Subbie! Unreliable is never going to happen especially now shed of General Disaster and part-absorbed by Toyauto.
FHI - Build it. Built it now! We'll buy them all! In the meantime please give us a Legacy GT Wagon w/ STi power. Please!
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naugahyde 2:09AM (4/28/2006)
Meanwhile the Civic Si goes sedan just when the hatch is making a comeback.
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Phil 5:39AM (4/28/2006)
" the soon-to-be Volvo S40, etc."
if you're talking about hatchbacks, don't you mean the volvo c30? or if you're talking about estates, perhaps the v50 is the one you're referring to?
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B Bastyr 6:39AM (4/28/2006)
I love my STI but I did wish it came as in wagon form for the utility aspects, as I've got a kid to haul around, and living in Chicago, only have 1 car. I'm hoping it keeps its performance edge, though.
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