Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Subaru
New Subaru Imprezas are on their way (to production)
Autoexpress has deployed their spies into the heart of Fuji Heavy Industries and have come out with confirmation that a duo of the venerable Impreza is due for release within the next year.
The UK will see a five-door hatch, with a traditional sedan to follow after the initial launch. Design influences will come from the B5 concept (pictured) that debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show this past October. Naturally, power will find its way to all four wheels, getting the required momentum from the brand's trademark boxer-four.
Whether or not the Turbo Parallel Hybrid version, shown off at the Detroit Auto Show in January, will come to fruition is another matter. The concept hasn't been heard of since, so we are assuming that a production version isn't in the cards anytime soon. Although the prospect of a gravel rooster-tail in a hybrid rally car makes our salivary glands work overtime.
Expect to see a finished version of the new Impreza at the Geneva show next spring.
[Source: Autoexpress]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
dilslips 11:59AM (8/16/2006)
Looks good. Subaru needs a design change for all its vehicles. the engines are good but the exterior designs do need a refresh.
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Kowell 12:00PM (8/16/2006)
HOLY SHIT!!!! That's one ugly bastard....
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Walter 12:05PM (8/16/2006)
I find it amazing that Subaru can continually release the ugliest cars ever created and still have people stupid enough to buy them.
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Ricky 12:12PM (8/16/2006)
I agree that Subaru continually releases the ugliest cars ever created, but what amazes me is people who buy cars soley on its looks. Subaru's design dept should be shot, but its engineers are a smart bunch. Thats why people buy Subarus.
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David 12:18PM (8/16/2006)
Here's a question. What might the mileage be on a smaller version of this engine, tuned to produce 175 hp? In other words use the Turbo, Miller Cycle, Hybrid application to produce what's become the standard horsepower for a mid-size 4cyl but one with great low end torque. If I could get an engine like that, one that gets say 50mpg and performs the way these engines usually do, sign me up.
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Michael Karesh 12:21PM (8/16/2006)
The current Legacy and Outback aren't ugly.
Now, the rest of the line...
In the WRX's defense, its interior looks pretty good if you park it next to an Evo.
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Tion 12:27PM (8/16/2006)
Oh my God you guys, that is just a concept car that like a year old. The production version will look different than that. (hopefully)
And I think Subaru's over that who Baboon snout fling they had going on all their cars.
The Legacy/Outback are not that bad looking, and they're a heck of a lot more interesting to look at and drive than a Camery, or Accord.
I agree with Ricky that people don't by them over their looks. I have an 02 Impreza myself, and I absolutly love it. The think is, they have character and individuality where most other auto makers design to please the mass market.
No matter how uguly Subaru's get, they will still have their loyal fan's
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whatever_man 12:38PM (8/16/2006)
Then there are those that buy solely based on looks and badge with no regard to performance, reliability, and value. Actually, I think the car you drive tells a lot about you and your values. I'd rather drive a Subaru than a VW.
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James Sonne 12:39PM (8/16/2006)
Subaru has stated that the next Impreza will NOT be based on the look of the B5-TPH concept car. They officially said that the sheet metal of the car is not the next Impreza, or even close, but that it is simply a skin to show off the TPH powertrain, which they said WILL be in the next Impreza. The actual appearance will be not drastically different, although it will ride on a longer frame.
In September 2007 the US will receive the 2008 Subaru Impreza with the TPH hybrid powertrain, featuring 300 hp combined from a 2.0 liter Miller cycle turbo charged boxer engine and an inline li-ion battery powered motor for low RPM grunt and cruising.
Common knowledge on Impreza sites.
Citation for Subaru's comments: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/tokyo/0511_subaru_b5/
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AR 12:46PM (8/16/2006)
The new nose looks aight on the '06 Impreza but the B9 Tribeca just looks horrible. Oh well, at least Subaru has the guts to design something different and stick with it - unlike Chevrolet where each vehicle wears a different snout and there is no family resemble whatsoever. BMW's are instantly recognizable for their grilles and so are the new Subies. The Impala's front end on the other hand, looks like an Accord from a distance while the Mailbu looks like it was designed by a completely different car company.
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Richard Warren 12:53PM (8/16/2006)
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
At the very least they are different and that says something in itself.
Even Aztec owners see some beauty in the beast, think about it.
My uncle once told me "even the most unappealing women has something beautiful/sexy about her, even if it's her big toe." Maybe the Subi has a great door handle.
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djSyndrome 1:11PM (8/16/2006)
"I find it amazing that Subaru can continually release the ugliest cars ever created and still have people stupid enough to buy them."
I find it amazing that looks are paramount to people like you, and what's underneath doesn't matter for much, if anything. Tell me, do you act the same way towards people as well?
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Araemo 1:14PM (8/16/2006)
Yeah, I seriously looked at an Impreza prior to the latest refresh, and the looks were a huge downside(In addition to the price premium).
On the other hand, in response to #2, what do the aesthetics of the product have to do with the intelligence of the purchaser? Some people just don't care what their car looks like, and buy based on other features(Safety, price, performance, employee discounts.. there are many factors involved.
Not to mention, there is no accounting for taste...
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cars 1:18PM (8/16/2006)
I can't explain how someone can buy an Subaru Impreza wagon.
Look at Subaru Impreza STi, is one of the most beautiful cars and the most powerful car (not "supercar"), But wagon ???
http://www.auto-power-girl.com/
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06GLI 1:32PM (8/16/2006)
[quote]
7. Then there are those that buy solely based on looks and badge with no regard to performance, reliability, and value. Actually, I think the car you drive tells a lot about you and your values. I'd rather drive a Subaru than a VW.
Posted at 12:38PM on Aug 16th 2006 by whatever_man [/quote]
Subarus are fine cars if all you care about is speed; but you can't possibly think the quality of a Subaru is anywhere near that of a VW.
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Cameron 1:35PM (8/16/2006)
#11 I think Impreza wagons are the hotness. I prefer it over the sedan version. I also like the TPH design. It looks different from everything else on the road.
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djSyndrome 1:37PM (8/16/2006)
"Subarus are fine cars if all you care about is speed; but you can't possibly think the quality of a Subaru is anywhere near that of a VW."
Consumer Reports [/flameshield:on] recommends every Subaru vehicle, and a portion of this recommendation is based on their reliability survey results. They don't recommend the majority of VW's lineup for the same reason.
Perhaps you're confusing "nice plastics" quality with "starts in the morning" quality.
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Ernie 1:48PM (8/16/2006)
I have both a Passat Wagon and an 02 Outback Sport. The VW is junk and the Subie the best car I have ever owned.
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06gli 1:57PM (8/16/2006)
14. "Subarus are fine cars if all you care about is speed; but you can't possibly think the quality of a Subaru is anywhere near that of a VW."
Consumer Reports [/flameshield:on] recommends every Subaru vehicle, and a portion of this recommendation is based on their reliability survey results. They don't recommend the majority of VW's lineup for the same reason.
Perhaps you're confusing "nice plastics" quality with "starts in the morning" quality.
Its true that in the past VW had electrical problems but most if not of those issues have been resolved. Modern VW are much more reliable and yes still have much higher quality interiors/exteriors than Subarus.
The mark 5 gti has been out in Europe for a few years and the reliablity of this car has been outstanding.
As far as Subaru goes, for the most part they are reliable cars but I think you are ignoring that they are not perfect either. Subarus infamous 3rd cylinder problem is one of them, make a nice hole in your block, bye bye engine.
Even Toyota once thought to have the most reliable cars out there... I don't see VW having weeks of endless recalls.
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Bob Jordan 2:03PM (8/16/2006)
I think that B5 concept car is one of the most beautiful designs I've seen in a long time. It looks like a big, confortable shoe.I hope it comes in a WRX version.
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