Rumormill: Subaru considering FWD Impreza for Europe, turbocharged 1.5-liter
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Subaru Impreza
Autoweek.nl is spreading a rumor that Subaru is considering offering a two-wheel-drive version of the Impreza in Europe in an attempt to offer a budget alternative to the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla. The entry-level Impreza would make use of the 107 hp, 1.5-liter boxer four-cylinder and possibly the new 150 hp diesel engine, putting fuel economy above all else. There's also talk of a turbocharged version of the 1.5-liter mill that would slot in between the naturally aspirated variant and Subaru's turbocharged 2.5-liter.
Although Subaru has offered FWD versions of its models in the past, its recent raison d'être of being the all-wheel-drive automaker would be harmed if a FWD variant was added to its lineup. That's why we doubt it will come to fruition and that we'll never seen a FWD Subaru in the States. A rear-wheel-drive Subaru on the other hand...
Gallery: 2008 Subaru Impreza
[Source: Autoweek.nl - Google-translated]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Alan44 2:10PM (12/05/2008)
Sounds like a good idea to me. When I bought my Mazda 3, I glanced at Subaru's, but the Subies had poor fuel economy in comparison. I wasn't interested in all wheel drive, so I gave them a pass. This would give them a chance to get business like mine.
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Craig 5:38AM (12/06/2008)
I have a 92 Liberty (Legacy) that is FWD. It understeers when you push it but if you listen to it and be gentle, you can set up some amazing 4 wheel drifts. It is tons of fun on gravel roads.
Patrick 2:13PM (12/05/2008)
It is a good idea, but maybe they should re-style the car first. It gives me the shivers when I look at that Kia Impreza.
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Torrent 2:27PM (12/05/2008)
I think it looks pretty good. I actually like it better than the Lancer.
spookiness 2:18PM (12/05/2008)
I'd consider Subaru again if they had 4WD like in the old days. You just push the button on the shift lever when you need it.
Subaru has sorted of backed themselves into a corner on this one. 20 years of ads have convinced people that they need a station wagon for full-time AWD just when theres a little bit of rain. I'd like the AWD just when I need to drive in snow. The MPG penalty the rest of the year is not worth it.
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zamafir 2:25PM (12/05/2008)
Or just do what VAG does with the R32, TT, A3, etc and only shove the power to the rear wheels when needed. Come to think of it... does anyone aside from Audi build an awd car which gets 30mpg without hybrid power?
Benfolio 3:30PM (12/05/2008)
Suzuki SX4 wagon with AWD gets 30 highway.
Duders 5:58PM (12/06/2008)
For people where it doesn't snow but twice a year an intelligent winter traction control system is way more efficient than an awd system that saps fuel economy the 362 days a year when the weathers fine outside.
However for places where it snows more then a foot a night sometimes, then awd is irreplaceable.
It all comes down to something the American public is terrible at, buying the car they need. I'm a huge subaru fan and love the awd offered on their cars, but would I be hurt if they offered fwd and awd? No. I'd buy what I needed.
A fwd turbo would be fun as hell I'm sure, cheaper to buy and run and for most folks be perfectly acceptable in the 3" of snow they get over a year.
eyalny 2:18PM (12/05/2008)
they offer fwd cars in other markets.
1.5 turbo sound good
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SeattleJeremy 3:46PM (12/05/2008)
Currently the only Subaru's available with FWD are their Kei cars in Japan.
Mike 2:55PM (12/06/2008)
The Impreza is available in FWD in Japan. In Europe the Justy is a rebadged Diahatsu that is available in FWD.
dc11 2:24PM (12/05/2008)
yeh... but if you had the option of a FWD subaru, and compare that to a mazda3... honestly, you would consider that impreza??? its the ugliest thing ever. only the STI looks tolerable due to the enlarged fender flares.
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happy_penguin 2:25PM (12/05/2008)
Color me unImprezed.
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xpolarx 2:38PM (12/05/2008)
Blasphemy!
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Red 2:53PM (12/05/2008)
"Although Subaru has offered FWD versions of its models in the past, its recent raison d'être of being the all-wheel-drive automaker would be harmed if a FWD variant was added to its lineup."
Yet AB has no qualms about Subaru offering a RWD model. Interesting...
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Dustin 2:46PM (12/05/2008)
I owned a 93 FWD Impreza for a while, and it was a good car. I'd take a modern one over a Corolla anytime.
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spw 3:14PM (12/05/2008)
Old Impreza was offered in Europe in FWD 1.6l 90hp form, so I would be suprised if new one is not... Europe is not USA.
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Dude 2:53PM (12/05/2008)
The Toyotafication of Subaru continues. :(
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P.V. 7:17PM (12/05/2008)
Agreed. I'm OK with using FWD on their city cars and subcompacts (seriously, an AWD smart-competitor?) in other markets, but I really don't like the news of an FWD Impreza.
Subaru seems to be losing its unique character and becoming just another Toyota brand.
JZeke 3:01PM (12/05/2008)
Subaru might be better off engineering a new couple of transmissions, one to replace the ancient 4 speed auto and another to replace the agricultural 5 speed manual.
I'm guessing a lot of efficiency is lost right there.
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