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transmission choices for the new WRX will remain identical to the current model, and the five-door wagon has officially been replaced by this five-door hatch.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 @ Mar 26th 2007 9:43PM
Looks like a BMW 1 series
Bryan @ Mar 26th 2007 9:45PM
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.
Jon @ Mar 26th 2007 9:49PM
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?
Brian Dreggors @ Mar 26th 2007 9:51PM
Suzuki Reno, anyone?
http://arabam.milliyet.com.tr/fuar/2004/detroit/suzuki_reno_xx.jpg
HotRodzNKustoms @ Mar 26th 2007 9:54PM
Someway somehow, they managed to make one of what I believe to be the ugliest cars on the market even more ugly!
MikeUF @ Mar 26th 2007 9:55PM
Subaru...Mazda just called...they want their 3 back...
tenaciousJk @ Mar 26th 2007 9:57PM
DAMN! Just when I thought they couldn't get any uglier. They've certainly continued their downward spiral into the land of Fugly!
Noidor @ Mar 26th 2007 9:58PM
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!
Scott @ Mar 26th 2007 10:01PM
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....
BVT @ Mar 26th 2007 10:02PM
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.
Matthew @ Mar 26th 2007 10:03PM
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.
Harrison @ Mar 26th 2007 10:06PM
It looks like a Chrysler Sebring.
DPC car videos @ Mar 26th 2007 10:06PM
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
mike355f1 @ Mar 26th 2007 10:10PM
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
mr.ed @ Mar 26th 2007 10:13PM
Wow. This teaser oughta cause a real stampede. Not.
jgp @ Mar 26th 2007 10:19PM
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).
A_B @ Mar 26th 2007 10:21PM
If the word "fugly" didn't already exist, it would be invented to describe this car.
Peter @ Mar 26th 2007 10:25PM
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.
HeavyArmsSix @ Mar 26th 2007 10:26PM
I really liked the current Impreza shame what they've done...
naggs @ Mar 26th 2007 10:33PM
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.