Over the years, Subaru’s excellent symmetrical all-wheel drive system has proven to be a double-edged sword for the company’s passenger car sales. Though Subaru’s AWD provides superior traction and safety when compared to conventional front and rear-wheel drive cars, it also adds cost, weight and a fuel consumption penalty. As a result, consumers looking to buy a compact car often overlook the Impreza when comparing compact models.
The new 2012 Subaru Impreza, coming in late October, will address this problem head-on. Equipped with a new, smaller and more fuel-efficient 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine that replaces the current 2.5-litre four, and a new optional continuously variable transmission that replaces the optional four-speed automatic, the 2012 Impreza is projected to offer fuel economy numbers of 7.5 L/100 km city, and 5.5 L/100 km highway – a 30 per cent improvement over the current model’s 10.4/7.7 L/100 km (auto).
That makes the 2012 Impreza the most fuel efficient all-wheel drive car sold in North America, but more importantly, it makes it comparable with popular front-wheel drive competitors such as the Honda Civic (auto) 7.2/5.0 city/hwy, Toyota Corolla (auto) 7.8/5.7, and Mazda3 (man) 8.1/5.9. The point, which I’m sure Subaru will drive home in their marketing efforts this Fall, is that consumers no longer have to sacrifice fuel economy to have the advantages of all-wheel drive.
Equipped with a standard five-speed manual transmission, the 2012 Impreza’s fuel consumption numbers are a bit higher, 8.3/5.8 city/hwy. That’s not worrying Subaru too much as they expect the majority of Imprezas (not the WRX or STI) to be sold with the CVT.
Subaru’s new 2.0-litre four-cylinder ‘boxer’ engine is derived from the 2.5-litre engine that debuted in the 2011 Forester. It has a dual overhead camshaft design instead of the current Impreza’s single overhead cam configuration. It also offers a longer stroke to maximize torque, variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust valves to optimize performance and fuel efficiency, and new catalyst positioning to reduce emissions.
The new engine is not as powerful as the current 2.5-litre engine, but performance will be as good or better, claims the company, in part because the new Impreza weighs less (1320 kg vs 1390 kg (base car, man trans). The 2.0-litre engine develops 148 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 145 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm compared to the current model’s 170 hp at 6,000 rpm and 170 lb.-ft. at 4,400 rpm. The new horsepower and torque numbers are in line with the specifications of the base engines of its major competitors.
Subaru’s new “Lineartronic” CVT is a lighter and more compact version of the one first introduced in the 2010 Legacy and Outback models. Subaru’s stated goal is to make their CVT provide smooth, linear acceleration like a conventional automatic transmission while still offering “shiftless” operation and better fuel efficiency. The new CVT also features a “second-gear” start to avoid wheelspin on slippery surfaces. Drivers have the option of shifting the CVT manually with the shift lever or the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel – there are six simulated “gears.”
As before, Subaru offers two different all-wheel drive systems in the 2012 Impreza: models with the five-speed manual transmission have a viscous-coupling limited-slip centre differential that distributes power 50/50 front to rear. Impreza’s with the Lineartronic CVT have an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch that distributes power 60/40 front/rear under normal driving conditions, but can transfer more power to the rear wheels under certain circumstances.
As with the current Impreza, 2012 models will be offered in four-door sedan and four-door hatchback bodystyles. Though both 2012 sedan and hatchback models are the same length and width, they have a 25 mm increase in their wheelbase but shorter front and rear overhangs. Height is lower by 10 mm.
The Impreza’s new styling features a hexagonal grille and “hawkeye” headlights, a theme first introduced on the 2010 Legacy. The Impreza’s new profile is more angular with prominent wheel arches and a larger greenhouse that offers better visibility. The base of the windshield has been moved forwards by 20 cm to create a more raked windshield, and the thinner A-pillars and a front quarter window are designed to improve visibility when turning. Higher seating positions, lower window sills and a lower instrument panel also improve forward visibility.
Because of its longer wheelbase, the new Impreza’s cabin is roomier, and rear passengers have a 50 mm increase in legroom, in part because of sculpted-out front seatbacks. As well, redesigned door panels provide more hip and shoulder room.
Trunk room in the sedan has increased to 638 litres, up from 538, and the hinges no longer intrude on trunk space. Split 60/40 rear seatbacks now fold down flush with the cargo floor to provide a flat loading surface. The sedan’s trunk will fit four golf bags or five large suitcases. In the hatchback model, cargo room behind the rear seats has increased to 340 litres from 320 litres and it will store three golf bags with the rear seats up. The privacy cover can now be stored under the cargo floor.
To make the 2012 Subaru Impreza more competitive with its front-wheel drive rivals, 2012 manufacturers suggested retail prices have been lowered across the line-up by $800 to $1,000. Base models now start under $20,000 (plus optional CVT, Freight and taxes).
2012 Impreza MSRPs
2012 Subaru Impreza standard features by trim level
2.0i Touring: adds 16-inch alloy wheels, an AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA audio system with six speakers, voice-activated Bluetooth hands-free system, steering wheel-integrated hands-free and audio controls, a MediaHub for iPod/USB audio integration with Bluetooth streaming audio, a rear stabilizer bar for crisper handling, heated front seats, automatic headlights and a front windshield wiper de-icer.
Sport Package: adds 17-inch alloy wheels, power sunroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector, upgraded gauges, automatic climate control, aerodynamic side ground effects, front fog lights, rear spoiler and a stainless steel exhaust tip on four-door models. A 4.3-inch multi-function display, a fully bilingual system that is not available in any other North American market, offers fuel consumption data as well as maintenance reminders. Also included in this system is a Vehicle Dynamics Control monitor, which displays All-Wheel Drive in action on slippery surfaces.
Limited Package: adds dual-zone automatic climate control, HID headlights, leather seating surfaces, outside mirror-integrated LED turn signals, a Pioneer display audio system and Sirius Satellite Radio with three-month trial subscription, and chrome trim on the truck lid and exterior door handles.
2012 Subaru Imprezas are expected to go on sale in late October, 2011. Autos.ca will follow up with a First Drive report as soon as the new Imprezas become available.
