New York show: Subaru goes early with Impreza

SUBARU sprang the sedan version of its all-new Impreza small car at a media function on the eve of the New York motor show today, but held back the five-door hatch for the main event in the Big Apple.

Faithful to the concept shown at last year’s Los Angeles show and looking somewhat like a scaled down Liberty, the all-wheel-drive Impreza nevertheless is new from the ground up, becoming the first model to be built on the new Subaru Global Platform that will underpin most Subaru models in the future.

Subaru Australia confirmed the new model will be launched in both sedan and hatch versions in Australia in either December or January. Prices, powertrain information and other details will be announced at a date closer to launch.

The unveiling of the Impreza 2.0i Sport sedan at the pre-show event caught Subaru Australia executives by surprise, as pictures quickly spread around the globe.

However, scant details were provided, with Subaru of America saying more will be detailed at the show when the range is revealed about 3.30am eastern Australian time.

Subaru Australia is hoping for big things from its entry-level passenger car, to restore sales from the existing model’s 400 sales a month to something closer to the 1000 a month the previous generation recorded in 2010.

National corporate affairs manager David Rowley said the company was getting glittering reports about the dynamics of the new platform under Impreza.

“We have been very encouraged by the engineering feedback,” he said.

Like other recently introduced Subarus, the Impreza is expected to get the Japanese company’s Eyesight passenger crash avoidance technology and other safety technologies as standard equipment. A new premium look and feel to the interior is also expected.

Once the brand’s volume leader in Australia, Impreza now ranks fourth behind three SUVs - the top-selling Forester, Outback and XV.

The XV will be the next model to benefit from the new platform, with a new generation arriving about the third quarter of next year.

Ultimately, new WRX/STI performance cars will appear on the new platform, along with an all-new Forester.