Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, Subaru
New York Preview: Subaru Impreza WRX gets early release on cover of MT
It wouldn't be an auto show without embargos breaking everywhere you turn. This one comes courtesy of Motor Trend magazine's May issue, which features the new Subaru Impreza WRX on the cover. A member of the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club received his copy more than a bit early in the mail, and felt he must do his civic duty and share the pics with us, so we link you to this forum post where scans of the new car are currently being hosted (though who knows for how long).
There has actually been much speculation about whether or not these pics are the real deal or elaborate photochops. The forum poster, who goes by the handle gravitywrx, only posted scans of the article inside the issue of Motor Trend, neglecting to include scans of the cover or the article's text. At the end of his post he writes, "If you want the specs, buy the May issue of Motor Trend," which supports the notion that this post is a plant by Motor Trend to drum up sales of its mag.
While we find that hypothesis hard to believe, we do wish gravitywrx had given us a little more. As far as we can tell, the engine and transmission choices for the new WRX will remain identical to the current model, and the five-door wagon has officially been replaced by this five-door hatch. From the pics, it's clear a navigation unit will be an option, as well.
So, uh, whaddya think?
[Source: NASIOC via Straightline Blog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Nick 9:43PM (3/26/2007)
Looks like a BMW 1 series
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Bryan 9:45PM (3/26/2007)
Hope Subaru fans aren't too disappointed because baby, that thing is ugly inside and out! The grille looks like a chromed camry grille with the middle being Geo's old emblem stretched inside. I won't even go there on the interior.
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Jon 9:49PM (3/26/2007)
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahha
I mean, the interior looks slightly improved (quite Tribeca-ish). But the rest looks hideous. Who actually thinks those type of tail lights look good?
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Brian Dreggors 9:51PM (3/26/2007)
Suzuki Reno, anyone?
http://arabam.milliyet.com.tr/fuar/2004/detroit/suzuki_reno_xx.jpg
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HotRodzNKustoms 9:54PM (3/26/2007)
Someway somehow, they managed to make one of what I believe to be the ugliest cars on the market even more ugly!
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MikeUF 9:55PM (3/26/2007)
Subaru...Mazda just called...they want their 3 back...
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tenaciousJk 9:57PM (3/26/2007)
DAMN! Just when I thought they couldn't get any uglier. They've certainly continued their downward spiral into the land of Fugly!
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Noidor 9:58PM (3/26/2007)
Just checked out the link. I am disappointed, very disappointed. It looks like a damn Kia Spectra hatchback or whatever that thing is called. How do you go from gorgeous Impreza of late 90s, to this? I don't get it!
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Scott 10:01PM (3/26/2007)
Sad. It's close, but they still managed to make it ugly. The body panels look OK for the base Imprezza, but I would have expected at least better fender flares for the WRX. The grill and tail lights reallly miss the mark. There's just no reason for the chrome grill on a WRX...something a little more aggressive would have helped a lot. The tail lights might look better in person - I certainly hope they do.
Of course, I still think the round-headlight version was the best-looking one so far. So my judgement may be impaired....
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BVT 10:02PM (3/26/2007)
It looks very close to the spy shots over on the other thread.
It looks remarkably like both a Mazda3 and a Toyota Matrix.
The front end is now terminally banal rather than offensive.
The eyebrow of idiot lights on the dash is stupid.
I dearly hope Subaru puts the diesel in the Forester before they decide to "improve" that model.
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Matthew 10:03PM (3/26/2007)
All I can say is that I'll wait until the car is released at the New York Show. First impressions are mixed but at least they got rid of that nasty smiley face trademark grill they had going from the Tribeca and the current styling of the Impreza.
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Harrison 10:06PM (3/26/2007)
It looks like a Chrysler Sebring.
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DPC car videos 10:06PM (3/26/2007)
If this is true I am sure Subaru fans will be very disappointed. I mean how do you go from a 4 door sedan to an economy car looking hatchback. It will be very hard for Subaru to fetch money for this car. Do you really think people will pay 35K+ for an Sti version of this car?
http://www.dpccars.com
DPCcars
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mike355f1 10:10PM (3/26/2007)
WOW that’s damn UGLY!!!!!!...... yea if you ever had to think hard on whether to buy an Evo or an STI.... this should make that predicament REALLY easy. Andreas Zapatinas, you should clean your glasses, its back to Art Center
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mr.ed 10:13PM (3/26/2007)
Wow. This teaser oughta cause a real stampede. Not.
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jgp 10:19PM (3/26/2007)
The new grill is fugly. Then again, I'm one of the few people who liked the 06 Impreza's aviation grill.
I like the side profile and the rear fascia though; they look quite nice, if a bit derivative (I see a lot of Mazda3, with the rear roofline of either the EuroFocus or the Lacetti5).
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A_B 10:21PM (3/26/2007)
If the word "fugly" didn't already exist, it would be invented to describe this car.
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Peter 10:25PM (3/26/2007)
Don't insult the Mazda 3.
That is one ugly front end. I miss the 2007 Impreza already. I think the after changing the front end for years they did a not bad job on the 06/07. Maybe they will fix this one just before they replace it.
Small wagon vs 5door hatch is a small difference. It looks like they managed to shrink the car and keep all the weight. Yipee.
I would definitely be looking for a used 06/07.
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HeavyArmsSix 10:26PM (3/26/2007)
I really liked the current Impreza shame what they've done...
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naggs 10:33PM (3/26/2007)
not good. not hideous, but not good. looks like the wrx will have to sell on substance like it always has. i will reserve final judgement until i see them on the street for a while. might grow on me a little.
such a shame, when the impreza looked good it was too slow for anyone to notice. when they finally got around to putting the turbo in it, its looks went to hell. at least they have managed to keep the reliability up. 2 outa 3 aint bad.
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