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By
EWAN KENNEDY
30 January 2006
The small-car market in Australia is one of the
hardest fought of all in these times of high fuel prices and uncertainty
over the future of the economy. Subaru's Impreza has been a strong
player in the segment for many years and is currently pushing hard in
the sales race. In particular, promoting the value-for-money offered in
the lower-cost models.
Subaru in Australia is also struggling a little
with consumer perception of the latest facelift of the Impreza.
The new ‘three-piece’ front end is a bold departure in styling
for the Japanese marque. Subaru takes the point of view that if
big-name European car marques have a signature front grille that’s
instantly recognised, Subaru should also have a strong visible
image.
We’ve spoken to several Subaru owners who don’t
like the new style of the Impreza. However, these guys can be on
the conservative side as Subarus have appealed to their
no-nonsense approach to life, and we suspect they will come to
like the three-piece grille shape once they understand what it’s
all about.
There are also changes to the Impreza cabin,
especially in the dash area. These are less radical than the
revamp of the grille and bonnet and everyone we have spoken to
likes the internal revamp.
The new model, called the Impreza 2.0R, is the
subject of our road test this week. It uses a modern 2.0-litre
twin-cam engine in place of the single-cam 2.5-litre unit on the
now-superseded RS it replaces.
The new engine has the added control of
fly-by-wire throttle control. It has nicely linear power delivery.
Flexibility, always a Subaru strong point, is thus further
improved and this new flat-four engine is a delight to sit behind.
Our test car had a five-speed manual gearbox, a
four-speed automatic transmission is also on offer. This ‘box is
slicker than average for a small car these days due to the fact
that it sits just in front of the gear lever. Subaru Impreza, of
course, comes with the traction advantage of all-wheel drive.
On test, our manual Impreza used about 10 to 11
litres per hundred kilometres in fairly heavy suburban running.
That consumption dropped to a respectable eight to nine litres per
hundred during our country running. An automatic would use around
five per cent more petrol.
Ride comfort is very good, even on the worst of
Australian bush roads, it’s no surprise that country owners, and
city folk who like to travel a lot, have fallen in love with
Subaru's products almost since the day they were launched in the
1970s. As well as a comfortable ride the Impreza also has a solid
feeling that’s almost German.
Handling is safe and predictable, there's some
trace of understeer if you really push the car hard, but the
all-wheel drive gives a feeling of security, even on the
slipperiest of surfaces. AWD has been a feature of all Subarus
sold in Australia for many years now and knowledgeable buyers are
attracted to it. Subaru has been able to provide it with little
effect on the price.
The interior of the latest Impreza is relatively
spacious, with only a little compromising required between adults
in the front and rear seats. The back seat is easy to get into and
has decent headroom and elbow space.
Luggage room is fine, with a boot that’s
reasonably deep and which is well shaped so that it can accept
quite bulky items without protest.
Subaru's latest Impreza is a significant step up
from the model on which it is based. Other than the controversial
styling, it’s hard to think that it wouldn’t appeal to just
about everyone in the market for a comfortable, safe and sensible
mid-size car.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Impreza 2.0i 2.0-litre four-door sedan - $23,990
Impreza 2.0R 2.0-litre four-door sedan - $29,990
Impreza 2.0i 2.0-litre five-door hatch - $24,440
Impreza 2.0R 2.0-litre five-door hatch - $30,440
Impreza RV 2.0-litre five-door hatch - $26,940
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard on all models
Air Conditioning: Standard on all models
Automatic Transmission: $2000 option on all models
CD Player: Standard on all models
Central Locking: Standard on all models
Cruise Control: Standard on all models
Driver Airbag: Standard on all models
Passenger Airbag: Standard on all models
Front Side Airbags: Not offered
SPECIFICATIONS (Subaru Impreza 2.0R 2.0-litre
five-door hatch)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.994 litres
Configuration: Longitudinal, four cylinders horizontally-opposed
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Bore/Stroke: 92.0 x 75.0mm
Maximum Power: 118kW @ 6400rpm
Maximum Torque: 186Nm @ 3200rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: All-wheel drive
Manual Transmission: Five-speed
Automatic Transmission: Four-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 4.111:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4465mm
Wheelbase: 2525mm
Width: 1695mm
Height: 1465mm
Turning Circle: 10.4 metres
Kerb Mass: 1388kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres
Towing Ability: 500kg (900kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs,
anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Independent, dual-link struts, coil springs,
anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated Disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 10.2 secs
Standing 400 Metres: 17.6 secs
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
City Cycle: 10.2 L/100km
Highway Cycle: 8.3 L/100km
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/unlimited km
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Marque Publishing Company
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