So I was looking at pictures of the 2024 Impreza and 2022/2023 WRX, and I noticed that the hoods were quite a bit different, so I was curious what else was and noticed something.



The windows/belt line on the 2024 Impreza are clearly different. But the 2022 WRX still has the identical windows of the earlier Impreza.

Now I know the 2022 WRX and 2024 Impreza share the same dash/gauge/center stack design, but there are clearly some other small differences there too.




The center console is clearly a new design, but the door cards look very similar despite the difference in window design. Very confusing small changes here and there, like the vents for example. Its not nearly as straight forward as the old GC/GD differences over the model years.

Keep on licking those boots.

It's nothing new that Subaru recycles parts. For long periods of time. The introduction of the SGP was the first time they redesigned the inside door handles in TWENTY years. I forget how long they used window switches. We saw where they were likely recycling the STI DCCD controller.


And that's the best you can come up with? "Keep licking those boots"? How does that have ANY bearing on customers not purchasing manuals enough to keep them around? That's as straight a fact as they come.


For the record, I wish they DID give you that option. I can also have an understanding why they don't......first hand.

Give us that as a wrx, please.


Sent from my iPhone using NASIOC

+1


Seems ridiculous that they don't at this point.

It depends on how many manuals are manufactured and how quickly they sell. I have a hard time believing a manual RS hatchback wouldn't sell. I do believe in Subaru not feeling obligated to make manuals compared to churning out CVTs. Bean counting at its finest.

I was comparing the wheelbase of the 2022 WRX vs the GT Impreza and they're the same. Also the GT Impreza has GD front brakes (comparable to the 06/07 WRX) and 08-14 WRX rear suspension. Modding it has been a source of intrigue and frustration. Thankfully I have a hand brake, because an electronic parking brake would limit my options.

I do like that the new Impreza is 5x114.3.

Is it just this build of the new 2024 Impreza or is the panel gap horrendous in general on them? Comparing it to the 2022 WRX and the 2017 Impreza they look great.

My hood has pretty atrocious panel gap. I just noted it recently, actually. But... my car has been in several front end accidents.

Not saying its a new thing, just trying to figure out WHICH parts are shared from what gen. I got the Impression the 2022 WRX when it came out was going to be more like the then upcoming regular Impreza model change, but it turned out to be a mix of both.
These photos are not exactly representative as they are from the build configurator and not IRL photos.

I'll see if I can find out how much is the same. We are in a transition with many position changes. NASIOC sees, and comments, on the bigger stuff; but, the whole company is shifting employees around a bunch. Probably the most I've seen since I started. I don't have a clue currently(I just haven't asked yet) who our DM and DTM are now. SO, I'm not sure how soon I can get an answer.

No biggie. I can figure out a lot of it as soon as parts.subaru.com has the 2024 Impreza info. They do a good job showing parts compatability across model years on there.

I love browsing that site. Just found out my stock rear lower control arm is the same as a Legacy and Outback.

The multi-link rear suspension design has been shared for awhile. Even the BRZ has it.

Yeah I browse BRZ parts too when investigating for my Impreza. Kinda fun, actually. At first I thought my Impreza was going to be actually "all-new" for 2017 on the SGP. Glad it's not though.

Kinda wild-looking new accessories for the Impreza.

This looks pretty cool.

Subaru Australia site has a different angle for the same spoiler on the Crosstrek.

I love it. I like it so much I went to build an Impreza on the Subaru site.

Man oh man would I love an Impreza or Crosstrek with the WRX engine, this spoiler, some mud flaps . . . hell I'd even buy a vape.

Legitimately if you added aftermarket headers, a tune for Premium octane, maybe Crawford Performance billet power blocks, possibly a cold air intake if the MAF sensor can handle it (FB20 can't), you could make this RS rival an automatic 02/03 WRX. It would be fun, without turbo lag.

A good tune improves throttle response as the factory tune is overly protective of the CVT.

JDM accessories catalog
https://www.subaru.jp/accessory/impreza/exterior/

CAN YOU LISTEN TO MY RANT?

I owned over 30 Subarus over the years and I’ve been closely following the moves of this company since I was old enough to almost drive my SVX in 2005! It’ll be a good read I promise!

(In my head) someone at the Subaru product line round table said “Hey since we completely took the Impreza’s Identity away because we’re essentially gonna just lower a Crosstrek and CALL IT “AN IMPREZA” for this generation (essentially stripping the Impreza as a Model and making it a mere trim) let’s just give it the 2.5L like the Crosstrek. It costs us damn near nothing (in retrospect) to do that and every brand these days are recycling name plates (although most aren’t deserving of it! ) let’s just give this an “RS” logo because it’s convenient for us to do so and we feel bad we took away the enthusiast car (the STi)”.

AS A 4 TIME 2.5RS COUPE OWNER: Here are my Grudges with Subaru for recycling this RS name plate following my order of what I deem to be MOST significant!

1. No MANUAL option! There’s no excuses! The official Subaru brand relations president at WBM this year said in so many words that the government severely restricts the production of manual transmissions to a small percentage! Okay I get you can’t get around that BUT AT LEAST MAKE A FEW, COME ON NOW…

2. Let’s break it down:
RS = Rally Sport
Rally: Subaru doesn’t do the WRC anymore (Yes they do Rally America at least as of now which I am still very happy they do… Don’t know how many STi’s Subaru have left in their stash to keep this up but I sort of DIGRESS)
Sport: They don’t have their FLAGSHIP sports car THE STi any more. When I think Sport, Sports Car, MANUAL transmission, no ways around that!!!!

3. When you (The Subaru Enthusiast) think of the 2.5rs, you think the GM/GC body style not the GD body style because it provides the excitement around this “RS” Badge revival. When you saw your first 2.5rs it attracted that attention because it had that big spoiler on the back! This “RS” HAS ZERO AMOUNT OF SPOILER ON THAT HATCH! SUBARU can you give us a 2008 STi hatch spoiler AT LEAST???

4. The ground effects/side skirts on this car aren’t sporty. The sideskirts are barely noticeable. You really need to be looking for them to notice them! The bumper is the same as the regular Impreza. Although the 1998 2.5RS didn’t have a GC STi bumper all the other GM/GC body 2.5rs’s did. The fog lights are tiny! Even the GD Bugeye had big pronounced fog lights in it! RS = Rally Sport! Rally Car = Big fog lights! They really didn’t do much in the looks department at all.

5. In 1998 it was available in Rally Blue Pearl and Gold wheels. What do we get? Two off shades of blue and BLACK WHEELS. EVERYTHING today has BLACK WHEELS! So boring, no pep in the step! And one of the shades of blue mimic the FORD RS blue??? Why that and not a Subaru World Rally Blue?! It will cost next to nothing to use a color they have already! You took away the STi, give us something to remember it by my god… you can use the WRB off the damn WRX for Christ sakes!

6. Body style! When you recycle the “RS” badge you make us think of the GM/GC 2.5rs and that body style only came as a coupe and sedan! Okay we get that the only reason my the Impreza is surviving with such abysmal sales numbers is because it shares ALMOST EVERYTHING with the Crosstrek! FINE! I get it! BUT! The current WRX (an enthusiast car) DOESN’T come in a hatch! Some of us really like sport hot hatches! COULD YOU AT LEAST make this hatch a little more sporty with better aero like the 2.5rs was for Christ sakes? (As I already touched up on)

7. The GM/GC 2.5rs had a hood scoop. Okay it’s not a turbo and it got made fun of, but it’s in the DNA to have one! And if someone were to swap it later the hood scoops there already lol. Adds to the character!

IN 1998 WE GOT THE 2.5RS BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T MAKE A WRX OR STi HERE! WELL GUESS WHAT SUBARU?!? WE HAVE NO STi AGAIN… MAKE THIS NEW RS NAME PLATE HOLD WEIGHT AGAIN.

Let’s be real here if Subaru didn’t design the Crosstrek to share a body with the Impreza, the Impreza would be toast right now!!! Impreza sales are in the toilet. But there’s someone at Subaru that still cares about brand history and knows that the name Impreza has held weight in the global company since 1992. (Thank you who ever you are)

This whole project is just a name plate revival and it really falls short and misses the target. And REALLY, not much more effort needs to be put into this trim at all to make it authentic! BUT NO THEY HALF ASSED IT! Granted, the interior and STYLING of the wheels fits the bill in my opinion! And just a shout out to the guy that came over from the Toyota/Scion side that made the 2 piston “RS” logo, thanks for entering the chat!

SUBARU, if you guys still read forums! As a 30+ Subaru owner (4 time 2.5RS coupe owner) and long brand enthusiast: YOU GUYS ARE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY doing us a disservice by making a mockery of our beloved “RS” name plate just for monetary gain (and a half ass attempt to recycle this “RS” name plate) and me and the purists in the community do not approve! YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED!

There I said my piece. I called them out on their bluff. I’ve done all I can do!

I probably wasted half of my day away with this. Thanks for reading!

It's really not that major

You're right. Good read. I laughed a good bit.

Jacob and Yuri agree... Shameless resurected nameplate

Over 30 Subaru's owned? Yikes!

Humbug.

Just another dreamer living in the past...

I've owned nothing but Subarus since 1992. Yet I've owned half that number and I've never owned but two as much as four years, many times only one before changing.

I can only imagine a history that explains over 30. Of course you didn't explain the time frame involved.... among other things.

When I write rants like that I like to marinate them in patience, then when I check in on it later I find I've marinated spoiled meat... and quickly delete it.

Subaru played this one weird. They have mentioned "2.5RS" a couple of times; but, most all the literature AND the badging is just "RS".....


And who's to say this would not be the natural progression of the model had they continued offering an "RS"?


I have actually yet to drive one. The few we have got in moved out fast. I'm also waiting till we have a 2.0 to drive back to back.



Heck, when I do, I may agree.



There happens to be a moderator here that has owned that many and likely more. And, I'm gonna guess, at a dozen or more currently.



I've had 20 myself.


Sounds like you're just trying to pick apart someone cause you disagree with them. Why?




edit: Ah. Started the video after posting. I saw this Canadian video a while ago.


With that opening, has anyone ran a 2.5RS vs an RS? I couldn't find one.