shotoyan
08-27-2005, 11:03 AM
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1125006612083&call_pageid=968867497088&col=969048871196&DPL=IvsNDS%2f7ChAX&tacodalogin=yes
For those of you that don't want to register (I've bolded the line about the 6SPD available as an option):
Who says Impreza must be fast and pretty?
Facelift brings new Subaru look to stellar seller
Base sedan and WRX get power boosts, upgrades
LAURANCE YAP (http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Render&c=Page&cid=968867497088&ce=Columnist&colid=1068030119538)
MONT-TREMBLANT, QUE.—You can count on two things when Subaru redesigns the Impreza: it's not going to get any prettier and it's going to get faster.
The Impreza line started out as an innocuous-looking, innocuous-driving car. With a 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine and little wheels, the 1993 model made a decent all-weather commuter.
Then Subaru kind of went crazy. First, it attached a big wing and a huge (non-functional) hood scoop and gold wheels to produce the 1997 Impreza 2.5 RS, a rally tribute for the road.
The first WRX we got, could boast a turbocharged bump in power to 227 hp from 165.
The generation also ushered in googly eyes and an even bigger (functional, this time) hood scoop.
When the 300-hp STi was introduced, the Impreza's nose got even bigger and longer, the hood scoop grew to double the height, and the rear wing reached almost to the top of the roof.
Well, they've gone and done it again. The 2006 Impreza now features the company's corporate face, two wing-shaped air intakes flanking an upside-down horseshoe sandwiched between bigger and more angular projector-beam headlights than ever before.
Photos, which make it look uglier than ever, don't quite do the car justice: much like the B9 Tribeca, which has much better presence in person than it does in print, the new Impreza does grow on you, and has undeniable presence on the road.
All models now feature larger wheels and tires — 16-inch on base cars and 17-inch on WRX — as well as painted monobloc brake calipers that peek out from behind them on the high-performance models.
Fortunately, the new Imprezas are also true to form by being even better to drive than they were. All of the engines in the lineup have been upgraded.
The base 2.5-litre flat-four's power rises to 173 hp from 165, but its torque figure remains the same as the 2005's at 166 lb.-ft.
On the road, it feels decidedly faster than the 2005 Impreza, surging along on light throttle openings and rarely needing a downshift for decent acceleration, even on steep hills.
The 2.0-litre DOHC turbo in the WRX is enlarged to 2.5 litres, and goes from from 227 hp to 230, with more torque (235 lb.-ft., up from 217) available at lower revs. The extra shove of the single-cam, active valve-controlled engine is perceptible whether you're zipping between traffic lights or wringing the car out on the track.
The 2.5-litre, 300-hp (on 94 octane fuel), 300 lb.-ft. turbo in the STi remains the same.
Of course, all Impreza models feature Subaru's signature symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. With its low centre of gravity (thanks to those horizontally opposed cylinders), compact design, and its ability to transfer engine power to the wheels that need it most, the Impreza is a friendly, capable car to drive in all conditions and on all road surfaces.
Part of the secret to the Impreza's amazing ground-covering ability has always been its long-travel suspension. Able to soak up even huge bumps in the road (on the World Rally Championship circuit, they race not just on tarmac, but on gravel and snow as well), the suspension in the Impreza and WRX always keeps the tires in contact with the road, generating impressive grip while offering a comfortable ride as well.
Crucially, on rougher surfaces, the suspension's suppleness allows you to maintain your pace as the road deteriorates.
It's easier to appreciate the car's extra driving ability from inside the car now, thanks to some minor, but appreciated, detail improvements.
The steering wheel, formerly a four-spoked hunk of plastic, is now a compact three-spoke leather-wrapped unit with an excellent feel.
Overall, the quality of the materials has been improved all around and a two-tone upholstery scheme means the interior's ambiance is now lighter and more comfortable.
Still, the car's showing its age. While the new Impreza is palpably better-made, its dashboard design now seems kind of big and clunky, the doors slam with a hollow clang (the glass remains frameless, as Subaru feels the resulting thinner pillars provide better sightlines), and the rear seat is very tight for all but the shortest people.
On the other hand, the trunk in sedan models is big enough to swallow all but the biggest junk, and the wagon models incorporate a new flip-up cargo storage system under their hatch.
Up front, the seats and steering wheel offer sufficient adjustment to get comfortable easily, and headroom and legroom are more than adequate.
What's the price for all this?
Base price for the 2.5-litre car is $23,495, up $500 from the 2005 model — impressive, considering its roadholding and all-weather performance; the WRX price hasn't increased at all, remaining at $35,495, and the STi jumps by $1,000 to $48,995.
An upgrade from a five-speed manual (to six-speed as on STi) costs $1,000 on the 2.5i and $1,300 on the WRX.
Despite its continually-growing schnozz, Impreza's done a lot for Subaru's image in the last few years. Impreza owners are not only very loyal, but they're also very vocal in their support for the car; an entire enthusiast community has sprung up around the WRX and STi, and despite the inevitable extra headaches caused to Subaru's warranty department, the car has become a favourite platform for young hot rodders, who are attracted to its tough mechanicals and rally-bred image.
Virtual tuners have also gotten on the bandwagon, and much of the car's current success is probably owed to its prominent placement in video games like Gran Turismo 4 on PlayStation and Forza Motorsport on XBox.
Clearly, something's working, because WRX sales account for almost a quarter of Impreza sales. The high-performance, higher-profit models also have a much higher percentage of younger buyers, which is kind of the holy grail for car makers; the car's customers are premium purchasers often cross-shopping Audis and BMWs.
The Impreza may not look as good as any of those rivals, but that has never seemed to stand in its way: this car has always punched above its price and performance.
While the 2006 model may not be a facelift in the conventional, more attractive sense, there's a lot more going on underneath its surface that makes it a more appealing package than ever.
Laurance Yap, a freelance journalist (yap@mac.com (yap@mac.com)), prepared this report based on travel provided by the auto maker.
Likely false information about the 6SPD option but OMG I hope not!
For those of you that don't want to register (I've bolded the line about the 6SPD available as an option):
Who says Impreza must be fast and pretty?
Facelift brings new Subaru look to stellar seller
Base sedan and WRX get power boosts, upgrades
LAURANCE YAP (http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Render&c=Page&cid=968867497088&ce=Columnist&colid=1068030119538)
MONT-TREMBLANT, QUE.—You can count on two things when Subaru redesigns the Impreza: it's not going to get any prettier and it's going to get faster.
The Impreza line started out as an innocuous-looking, innocuous-driving car. With a 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine and little wheels, the 1993 model made a decent all-weather commuter.
Then Subaru kind of went crazy. First, it attached a big wing and a huge (non-functional) hood scoop and gold wheels to produce the 1997 Impreza 2.5 RS, a rally tribute for the road.
The first WRX we got, could boast a turbocharged bump in power to 227 hp from 165.
The generation also ushered in googly eyes and an even bigger (functional, this time) hood scoop.
When the 300-hp STi was introduced, the Impreza's nose got even bigger and longer, the hood scoop grew to double the height, and the rear wing reached almost to the top of the roof.
Well, they've gone and done it again. The 2006 Impreza now features the company's corporate face, two wing-shaped air intakes flanking an upside-down horseshoe sandwiched between bigger and more angular projector-beam headlights than ever before.
Photos, which make it look uglier than ever, don't quite do the car justice: much like the B9 Tribeca, which has much better presence in person than it does in print, the new Impreza does grow on you, and has undeniable presence on the road.
All models now feature larger wheels and tires — 16-inch on base cars and 17-inch on WRX — as well as painted monobloc brake calipers that peek out from behind them on the high-performance models.
Fortunately, the new Imprezas are also true to form by being even better to drive than they were. All of the engines in the lineup have been upgraded.
The base 2.5-litre flat-four's power rises to 173 hp from 165, but its torque figure remains the same as the 2005's at 166 lb.-ft.
On the road, it feels decidedly faster than the 2005 Impreza, surging along on light throttle openings and rarely needing a downshift for decent acceleration, even on steep hills.
The 2.0-litre DOHC turbo in the WRX is enlarged to 2.5 litres, and goes from from 227 hp to 230, with more torque (235 lb.-ft., up from 217) available at lower revs. The extra shove of the single-cam, active valve-controlled engine is perceptible whether you're zipping between traffic lights or wringing the car out on the track.
The 2.5-litre, 300-hp (on 94 octane fuel), 300 lb.-ft. turbo in the STi remains the same.
Of course, all Impreza models feature Subaru's signature symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. With its low centre of gravity (thanks to those horizontally opposed cylinders), compact design, and its ability to transfer engine power to the wheels that need it most, the Impreza is a friendly, capable car to drive in all conditions and on all road surfaces.
Part of the secret to the Impreza's amazing ground-covering ability has always been its long-travel suspension. Able to soak up even huge bumps in the road (on the World Rally Championship circuit, they race not just on tarmac, but on gravel and snow as well), the suspension in the Impreza and WRX always keeps the tires in contact with the road, generating impressive grip while offering a comfortable ride as well.
Crucially, on rougher surfaces, the suspension's suppleness allows you to maintain your pace as the road deteriorates.
It's easier to appreciate the car's extra driving ability from inside the car now, thanks to some minor, but appreciated, detail improvements.
The steering wheel, formerly a four-spoked hunk of plastic, is now a compact three-spoke leather-wrapped unit with an excellent feel.
Overall, the quality of the materials has been improved all around and a two-tone upholstery scheme means the interior's ambiance is now lighter and more comfortable.
Still, the car's showing its age. While the new Impreza is palpably better-made, its dashboard design now seems kind of big and clunky, the doors slam with a hollow clang (the glass remains frameless, as Subaru feels the resulting thinner pillars provide better sightlines), and the rear seat is very tight for all but the shortest people.
On the other hand, the trunk in sedan models is big enough to swallow all but the biggest junk, and the wagon models incorporate a new flip-up cargo storage system under their hatch.
Up front, the seats and steering wheel offer sufficient adjustment to get comfortable easily, and headroom and legroom are more than adequate.
What's the price for all this?
Base price for the 2.5-litre car is $23,495, up $500 from the 2005 model — impressive, considering its roadholding and all-weather performance; the WRX price hasn't increased at all, remaining at $35,495, and the STi jumps by $1,000 to $48,995.
An upgrade from a five-speed manual (to six-speed as on STi) costs $1,000 on the 2.5i and $1,300 on the WRX.
Despite its continually-growing schnozz, Impreza's done a lot for Subaru's image in the last few years. Impreza owners are not only very loyal, but they're also very vocal in their support for the car; an entire enthusiast community has sprung up around the WRX and STi, and despite the inevitable extra headaches caused to Subaru's warranty department, the car has become a favourite platform for young hot rodders, who are attracted to its tough mechanicals and rally-bred image.
Virtual tuners have also gotten on the bandwagon, and much of the car's current success is probably owed to its prominent placement in video games like Gran Turismo 4 on PlayStation and Forza Motorsport on XBox.
Clearly, something's working, because WRX sales account for almost a quarter of Impreza sales. The high-performance, higher-profit models also have a much higher percentage of younger buyers, which is kind of the holy grail for car makers; the car's customers are premium purchasers often cross-shopping Audis and BMWs.
The Impreza may not look as good as any of those rivals, but that has never seemed to stand in its way: this car has always punched above its price and performance.
While the 2006 model may not be a facelift in the conventional, more attractive sense, there's a lot more going on underneath its surface that makes it a more appealing package than ever.
Laurance Yap, a freelance journalist (yap@mac.com (yap@mac.com)), prepared this report based on travel provided by the auto maker.
Likely false information about the 6SPD option but OMG I hope not!