Impreza Official: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX

dOmInIX · Mar 31, 2007

Subaru took the covers off of the much-anticipated Impreza WRX at the New York auto show. Two body styles were unveiled, a sporty 5-door hatchback and a more conventional-looking sedan.

It's immediately obvious that the new Impreza WRX has become more civil and comfort-oriented. Our attention focused on the 5-door because that's what we believe will be the foundation for the high-performance WRX STI model. A peek inside the cabin reveals a spacious interior, with ample room for five adults. Although WRX purists may gripe, saying the new car lacks the hard-edge character of past WRXs, it's safe to expect that this car will appeal to a broader audience.

But if you expect the WRX has gone soft, think again, because the car will be quicker than the model it replaces. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-4 that produces 224 bhp and 226 lb.-ft. of torque, which is about the same as the previous car; however, the new WRX is 50 lb. lighter, so expect its 0-60-mph times to be at least a tenth of a second quicker. The new WRX will also ride better than the past model, thanks to a stiffer chassis and retuned suspension.

Prices have yet to be announced, but expect them to be about the same as the current car's sticker, if not a bit higher. The car will be in dealerships this fall.

Roadandtrack.com

IMO, this looks very bad! :t-banghea

Mr. M · Mar 31, 2007

Wait, did they say a sedan is also revealed? That might just change my mind about this car...

Deleted member 25 · Mar 31, 2007

The previous car wasn't really a beauty but can we say about this crap thing ?

rev · Mar 31, 2007

Mr. Mercedes · Mar 31, 2007

The sedan better look 1000000 times better. That thing is just revolting and doesn't stand a chance if the Mitsubishi Evo concepts are anything to go by.

I see Honda Civic, Toyota Camry/Aurion AND Saab in the front end treatment.

Kowalski · Mar 31, 2007

Actually, the profile is not really that bad. It could have been a whole lot worse. But it's the front-end that really puts me off. :eusa_doh:

bmer · Mar 31, 2007

I think it could have been worse, not that I find it very attractive either. The shape of the rear lights, especially the part on the trunk door reminds me of Audi A5. :eusa_thin

Monster · Mar 31, 2007

It looks better than those leaked photos. The new exterior design looks a bit dated already, but it definitely looks better than the old model, which isn't hard. I don't actually mind it that much, however i can't stand the interior, it doesn't look like they have put much effort into designing it.

rsxlmz · Mar 31, 2007

ugly. bööghhh :t-banghea

confused:exterior design very bad.old version better the new impreza

martinbo · Mar 31, 2007

You know, I always felt that the Impreza Sportwagon looked a little awkward. As hatchbacks go, competency was never a problem for the Impreza; looks were. Taking this into account then this has to be - by Impreza standards at least - a far better looking car...

It is odd though, that intercooler bonnet scoop sits further forward than what us Subaruists are accustomed to.

Call it bias, call it stupidity but heck I quite like this car. And my connection who's up in Japan to get a first hand preview of the new car says it's awesome. I can't wait to give it a drive.

Centurion · Mar 31, 2007

OMF It's a Mazda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eusa_doh:

NarutoRamen · Mar 31, 2007

Damn...I think the leaked pictures looked a little bit more agressive. I'll wait for the sedan to truly state my opinion.

Beemer B773ER · Mar 31, 2007

Dunno why, but the car reminds of this cute beaut':

In my honest opinion the front of the car is a step backwards in terms of dynamic design. I know not every car maker 'needs' to have a dynamic looking car, but the WRX is a dynamic car as it is,.. so it should have a look to match. Although the controversial 'pig snout' is out, they've gone way too cautious with the look.

Also, there seems to be confusion in the design style of the car. You have the front face with curves swiishing and swooshing left right and centre, but the rear has a more chiseled and edgy look to it.

Monster · Mar 31, 2007

Found some photos on the net. I am sure the bronz colour Impreza is the jap version with a different front bumper and grill to the US version. Check out the little phot of it in the 1st photo, i think it looks way better than the US version.

Nihoncar.com : Welcome to Nihoncar News

Osnabrueck · Mar 31, 2007

It bums me out. Poor Subaru is like the perpetual deer caught in the headlights when it comes to styling.

It's a real shame, because the company deserves an image equal to their engineering achievements. I always want their product to succeed, but when I see stuff like this I can only shake my head.

I blame management. You can tell, just looking at their product portfolio over the past 6 or so years that the brass have been nervous and schizophrenic when it comes to styling direction. The somewhat recent acquisition of what's his name from Alfa didn't help things in the slightest. The WRX's styling in particular has been like the abused foster child of the company, being pulled from home to home, never afforded enough time to set roots.

On its own, the new WRX doesn't look bad, it just lacks a hook, and it doesn't relate much with any Subaru, past or present. The Koreans are starting to work better with how they approach styling, you think that Subaru could have done the same, with the modest success they've enjoyed over the past years.

Beemer B773ER · Apr 1, 2007

It seems pretty obvious that the 5-door hatch-like Impreza is a direct stab at the Mazda 3, with the 5-door Impreza WRX version posted up against the Mazda 3 MPS... but do you think that they went for the hatch-like look to have a better proportioned chassis for the World Rally C'ship ?

The size of the cars in the WRC has gradually shruken. Subaru used to run with the Legacy/Liberty, then sized-down the the Impreza sedan... maybe they've developed a hatch-like Impreza to the dual purposes of firstly targeting the attractive market that the Mazda 3 has had a lot of success in.. and also to be more competitive in the WRC.

What do you guys reckon?

---

I do have to admit though, the bronze colored Impreza there does look quite swell. Definately not what first comes to mind when I think 'Impreza' .. but it has this fresh 'happy to serve you' look to it. To boot, the rims in that image work nicely with the car.. although a BMW 330i-like wheel design (the concave bowl look, I think it's called Ellipsoide) would be perfect for it.

chillicrab · Apr 1, 2007

That front is so ugly... :t-crazy2:

Zafiro · Apr 2, 2007

Merc1 · Apr 3, 2007

My god, is everyone in Subaru's styling department blind? That has to be the ugliest new car I've seen in quite a while. I wouldn't care how good it drives of how fast it is, I couldn't stand the look of it long enough to find out. The sedan version is particularly revolting, gruesome even from the front.

M

Zafiro · Apr 3, 2007

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