Subaru is one of the few companies I'm always eager to see unveil their latest models. Unlike most car manufacturers, their redesign and model overhauls are often dramatic, if nothing short of shocking, especially when it comes to exterior looks. Drastic facelifts have been the norm for Subaru over the years, and while the brand-new 2012 might not be sporting a shockingly different look, it's definitely gone through enough changes to attract attention.
Unveiled at the 2011 New York Auto Show, the redesigned 2012 Subaru Impreza is a clear example of Subaru's journey towards making Subarus more mainstream. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. It just means that the cult following Subaru was known to have in the past has expanded to include your neighbour and his parents.
Both the 2012 sedan and hatch received a new exterior look that reflects the design cues and lines of its older brother, the Legacy – even the hawkeye headlights first introduced on the Legacy are carried over to the Impreza. This new look means a growth spurt for the smallest Subaru of the bunch, as it’s being built on a longer wheelbase, which means more cabin space and better visibility – both qualities consumers are concerned with. This length means larger doors that open wider and more legroom as well (50 mm more in the rear, to be exact).
All these be-bigger changes only brought to mind our population's ever-expanding waistlines and I have to wonder if Subaru's latest Impreza really was designed to truly appeal to the mass of the masses. As cars get smaller and smaller, so too do the population who can fit in them. By ensuring their cars are easy to get in and out of and comfortable for all sizes, Subaru is no longer limiting themselves to a single type of buyer.
Just an observation.
With a new exterior look comes new interior goodies in the form of a 3-spoke steering wheel and sporty instrument panel as well as the choice between an information display or a 4.3” multifunctional colour display (only available on Sport and Limited models). Lots of nifty, larger pockets and storage places have been added as well, along with a tilting/telescoping steering wheel.
Of course, if you're already a diehard Subaru fan, the most intriguing figure associated with the 2012 Impreza is the all-new engine. While not “new” per se (the 2005 was the last time an Impreza engine bay housed one before Subaru made the jump to a 2.5-litre), the new 2.0-litre BOXER engine is a point of some contention. To some, it's a return to one of Subaru's best platforms (especially if it carries over into the 2012 WRX and STI models that have yet to be revealed), while others see it as a serious drop in power.
And they'd be right. The new engine will push out a mere 148 hp (nearly 30 less than last year's model) and 145 lb-ft of torque (also a near-30 drop). Despite the decrease in power, the new engine features a longer stroke to maximize low- and mid-range torque. This also helps save the planet, which is always on manufacturer's minds.
Lower engine displacement numbers mean lower performance numbers, but they also mean better fuel efficiency, which is truly the name of the game this year.
With the new 2.0-litre flat-four engine, Subaru projects it will offer the highest fuel ratings of any AWD vehicle in North America. Their projected numbers? 7.5 L/100 km for city driving and 5.5 L/100 km on the highway. And it's not just the smaller engine that helped produce such numbers. First introduced in the 2011 Forester, their Lineartronic CVT helps keep the engine operating at its most efficient range.
Of course, the 2012 Subaru Impreza will come standard with Subaru's renowned symmetrical AWD system, however, that system will differ from the manual and CVT models. The AWD system on the manual models will use a viscous-coupling limited-slip centre differential to distribute power 50/50 (front and rear); whereas the CVT models will use an electronically managed, continuously variable transfer clutch that will actively adjust the power to each wheels as needed and will maintain a 60/40 split on normal road surfaces.
The Impreza will be offered in three models: Touring, Sport and Limited Packages, all with their own set of perks and amenities.
While Subaru might not be headed in the direction most want to see, it is a direction that inevitably had to be taken. While car manufacturers around the world are pushing the 5 L/100 km mark, Subaru needed to take the “plunge” and join the ranks.
