After eight consecutive years of sales growth, Subaru is planning to launch an all-wheel-drive replacement for the Impreza, the company’s popular, five-door compact sedan.
Thomas Doll, president of Subaru of America Inc., told a noisy party the evening prior to the opening of the New York International Auto Show that the 2017 model is built on an all-new global architecture developed by Fuji Heavy Industries.
The wheelbase on the new sedan, which will make its official debut during the New York International Auto Show, sits on a wheel –base that is an inch-longer than the wheel-base of the current Impreza.
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Overall, 1.5-inches has been added to the length of the car and the roof line has been lowered by almost a half an inch to improve the car’s overall aerodynamic performance. The overall result is a car that is not only more efficient aerodynamically, but also will come into the showroom with better lines and a cleaner silhouette.
The longer wheelbase also offset the space lost when the roofline was lowered so the 2017 Impreza will have more interior space. The powertrain is built around the 2.0-liter Boxer engine, which has been refined for better performance. The engine is equipped with direct injection and will produce 152 horsepower, which is slightly better than the 148 hp found in the 2016 Impreza.
The Boxer engine is matched up to a continuously variable transmission and every 2017 Subaru Impreza will be equipped with an all-wheel-drive system designed by Fuji Heavy Industries that will give the car better grip and traction under all kinds of conditions than a standard front-wheel-drive vehicle, according to Subaru.
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The 2017 Impreza is also getting a new suspension layout. It will have a double wishbone independent suspension in the rear. The combination of a lower center of gravity thanks to the new architecture, all-wheel-drive, new suspension, longer wheel base and new chassis that is stiffer will mean the new 2017 Impreza is more fun to drive, according to Doll.
“The new Impreza is the best handling car that Subaru has ever built,” he said during Subaru’s pre-New York Auto Show party.
Subaru also has taken steps make sure the Impreza is competitive with cars in what is fundamentally an economy segment from its Japanese, South Korean and American rivals, who have steadily raised the stake is what is still a significant piece of the new vehicle market.
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Thus, the Impreza, which is expected to have a base price of around $20,000, is equipped with connectivity, steel pedals, push-button start and a leather wrapped steering to keep pace with the competition.
