Yet even more on the Subaru Impreza's new look
So speculation about the new look of the Subaru Impreza continues unabated. This time, the images come courtesy of an unnamed Japanese car mag, with renderings that look all-too lifelike.
The images we've seen thus far (linked at the bottom) show the new nose getting a smoothed, yet mildly awkward nip and tuck, while these images seem to have more of basis with the current shnoz, rather than an outright redesign. The tautly drawn headlamps are far and away the trickest element we've seen and the downsized hoodscoop, integrated with the subtle power bulge, also gets our thumbs up.
In the rear, the WRC-inspired wing is present and accounted for and, at least with this rendering, we see how it's going to be incorporated with the new hatch. It still looks cumbersome from a design standpoint and will provide a serious impediment to rearward visibility if it makes it to production.
As we've said before, time will tell, and the Impreza's official unveiling is just over a month away in New York. We'll be there and we can't wait.
Follow the read link for the rest of the images and thanks for the tip Brooksie!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tio 5:55PM (2/12/2007)
Looks good!!!
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Kowell 3:02PM (2/12/2007)
Worst rear spoiler ever... it'S like something you'd see on some kid's busted civic....
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Lenny 12:31PM (2/12/2007)
I was one of the owners of the 2nd batch of '02 models. I loved my car (only traded it because of a much longer commute), and thought it looked great. some of the newer designs that came out didn't appeal to me as much, but this new one takes the cake. That is one ugly car. The front end looks pretty good, but the back is horrible. I seriously hope Subaru didn't actually go this direction. I really want another rex when my finances settle down, but I may have to go the used route if this is my option. UGLY.
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ruggels 12:38PM (2/12/2007)
most functional rear wing EVARRRHHHH
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judd 12:50PM (2/12/2007)
Talk about cop magnet! I can see these cars just parked on every freeway with a cop behind it. It looks like a toad.
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Richard 12:50PM (2/12/2007)
"I'm very sorry officer. I didn't SEE you back there. I didn't think police cruisers could make the hyperspace jump."
Bring it on Subaru!
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John P. 12:51PM (2/12/2007)
That front end is the first Subaru face I actually like. It's been way too long with those ugly designs they kept coming up with. Now the rest of the car, dunno. That huge rear wing should appeal to the people who buy these.
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Scott Eaton 2:32PM (2/12/2007)
I love the car design but that wing has sections for all your meats: pork, chicken, beef, and fish.
the fat just drips down onto the window and dinner's ready in minutes. (no rice jokes here).
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Eric Elinow 1:24PM (2/12/2007)
This is by far, one of the nicest looking cars Subaru has ever produced. If only other manufacturers would follow along these lines in terms of shape. Hatchbacks aside from being lighter than saloons offer utility as well as sportiness. Having a boot generally 'uglifies' a vehicle and also reduces usable space (not to mention what it does for aerodynamics.
Kudos to Subaru's design team. My only complaint is the Altezza rear lighting. The spoiler would most likely be an STI option anyway, and one would hope is a removable option.
Eric
http://www.europeanisation.net
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akintz 12:57PM (2/12/2007)
IMO, wings like that don't belong on a 5door. Come to think of it... they don't belong on anything. That's just too much. I don't care what inspired it.
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Mike 4:16PM (2/12/2007)
This is a VERY OLD PHOTOCHOP. The previous article http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/08/more-on-the-subaru-imprezas-new-look/
is a lot more accurate.
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Devon 1:10PM (2/12/2007)
these pics are painfully old and most insiders dismissed these months ago.
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Howard Kerr 1:11PM (2/12/2007)
WOW, Subaru trades it's very....distinctive front end for one that could be mistaken as belonging to a Mitsubishi Lancer (the outgoing model), a Pontiac Sunfire, and/or an old model (late '90s?) Hyundai Elantra. Well, folks said they wanted a "toned down" look from Subaru. As I've often said: "be careful what you wish for".
I do agree, that wings are a stupid idea. But since the "old" 5 door Subarus never had wings in the U.S. market, I seriously doubt such an obvious vision-restricting wing will be sold here.
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shaun 3:19PM (2/12/2007)
WOW!
Didn't think the WRX could get any uglier but I guess I was wrong.
Has anyone bothered to test those big stupid wings to see how much they increase drag and reduce stability not to mention the hurtin' they put on the horsepower with the added weight and drag?
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FireSermon 1:16PM (2/12/2007)
Nice, I reckon that spoiler will hold at least 4 snowboards.
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WhatIsaHybrid? 10:26PM (2/12/2007)
The celica is going to return to production?
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Tim UF 1:26PM (2/12/2007)
I saw the first pic and thought 'Yea! thats a great step forward!'
then i saw the second one... and just slumped, and went brain dead for about a minute.
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Hello 1:36PM (2/12/2007)
Devon is right, these have been around for a long time, and it is unlikely that they closely resemble the real car.
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Howard Kerr 1:36PM (2/12/2007)
" Hatchbacks aside from being lighter than saloons..." That's usually only the case when the comparison is made between a 3 door hatch and a 4 door saloon. Look at the specs for most 5 door hatchbacks and 4 door saloons, the hatch usually outweighs the 4 door by at least 80-100 lbs. The bigger rear window usually weighs more and the trunk structure has to be "beefed-up" for crash integrity.
I do agree that a hatchback offers greater utility by virtue of it's larger rear opening. Assuming the loadfloor hasn't been raised significantly, the cargo capacity is vastly better too, provided you don't really care about rear visibility.
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osnofla 10:13PM (2/12/2007)
i must the only person who doesn't mind the styling of the current imprezas. it's a lot better than the 2 previous ones. besides why do people care so much about impreza styling, it's not like it ever was a beautiful car and it's always been kind of quirky, who cares THAT much about how it looks as long as it can beat cars that cost twice as much i'll be perfectly happy
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