So here they are, the first non-press, non-photoshopped pictures of the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX sedan. And what do you know, it looks just as nondescript sitting on a show stage as it does getting the full treatment on a photo shoot. Previous photos have shown a hatchback that resembles a mildly massaged Mazda 3, but looking at this sedan from behind we can't help but see a little Toyota Yaris sedan in its lines. The former is probably a good thing; the latter is most certainly not.
Here's what we managed to learn from today's press conference:
-- Although the brake calipers may be smaller two-piston units borrowed from the Legacy, Subaru officials claim the overall brake system weighs less and delivers equivalent braking power compared to the four-piston setup used on the previous WRX.
-- Subaru was initially vague about improvements to the all-wheel-drive system, but we confirmed with the product planners that it will carryover unchanged.
-- The decision to stick with the five-speed manual transmission and four-speed automatic was made to save weight and assure reliability. We've heard from other sources it has more to do with production capacity, but Subaru officials are sticking to their story.
-- VDC will be available across the lineup regardless of transmission or trim.
-- There will be an Impreza Outback, but not for at least another year. Same goes for the Impreza Limited.
-- Travis Pastrana will debut the rally car version of this Impreza at this year's X Games. â Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor
-- Subaru was initially vague about improvements to the all-wheel-drive system, but we confirmed with the product planners that it will carryover unchanged.
-- The decision to stick with the five-speed manual transmission and four-speed automatic was made to save weight and assure reliability. We've heard from other sources it has more to do with production capacity, but Subaru officials are sticking to their story.
-- VDC will be available across the lineup regardless of transmission or trim.
-- There will be an Impreza Outback, but not for at least another year. Same goes for the Impreza Limited.
-- Travis Pastrana will debut the rally car version of this Impreza at this year's X Games. â Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor
ateixeira says:
08:13 AM, 04/ 5/07
I see more BMW influence, check out this angle of a Bimmer:
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/sedans/0507_Bmw_325i+2006_BMW_325i+Driver_Side_Rear_View.jpg
The Yaris has a bloated look, with convex panels, sort of the opposite of the WRX and BMW. The nose is body color and seems to bulge upward, which the WRX doesn't do at all.
The only thing I see that is similar is the tail lights, and even then the WRX looks like the Yaris' tail lights turned upside down. The overall effect is very different.
trackwrex says:
09:12 AM, 04/ 5/07
there are some flattering angles (as with every car except maybe the Aztec). rear totally looks like a kia to me; esp. the lights. thanks for the info ed! i'm hoping that they hire someone like pininfarina to design the next legacy!
SubyTrojan says:
09:21 AM, 04/ 5/07
Hey, Ed! Thanks for the info!
I'm still confused about the brakes on the vehicle. I'm inclined to think they're late MY2002-2005 USDM WRX (I said late MY2002 because there was a revision mid-year) brakes. Why?
-The "old" USDM WRX (pre-MY2006) brakes supposedly stop as well as the newer (MY2006-2007) 4-pot/2-pots and are lighter (they just wouldn't hold up to extreme conditions as well - which is why many GC and GD/GG-chassis rally cars still use them in Rally America and other lower cost rally classes).
-Legacy (GT) brakes are definitely heavier than WRX brakes. I carried a box of Rex's stock front brakes a few weeks ago and can vouch for that. :o)
-The brakes don't visually look bigger in the photos I've seen or maybe I just have bad eyes.
2006 WRX brakes profile view:
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/EI/2006/Subaru/2006.subaru.impreza.20077197-E.jpg (lighting isn't as good)
Now that I look at that photo though, the rotor size in your wheel profile photo does look larger. :confused:
I think my reasoning matches what Subaru officials are claiming (stop as well, lighter). I'm so confused!
Your last point means STI and WRC fans should have a preview of the new (hopefully aggressive-looking) STI and WRC challenger at the X Games!
mj85 says:
01:05 PM, 04/ 5/07
Subaru,
Please bring back the wagon...I hope the pictures I've seen simply do not do justice to the hatchback, but the back end just doesn't look right. It loses something without the C pillars of the 2007 wagon, making it look more like a warm and fuzzy econocar than a hard-edged boy racer (Read, soft or whimpy). I think going from wagon to hatch was a step in the wrong direction in the Impreza's case. I would have bought the 2007 wagon, but I'd rather have a Mazda3 hatch (which does a more convincing job of being a cool hatchback) than the new Impreza hatch. The overall look of the redesigned sedan is growing on me, though.
rsholland says:
01:17 PM, 04/ 5/07
In the words Prez. Bush #1, "not gonna happen."
The hatch, er, excuse me... "5-door," was designed as a world car. In fact, the sedan will only be sold in North America. Subaru is simply not large enough to engineer a lot of different models.
Also, by offering a 5-door, and not a wagan, it helps separate the Impreza lineup from the Forester and Outback models.
aaykay says:
04:30 PM, 04/ 5/07
My statement to Subaru would be to either introduce a credible 5EAT with Sportshift and SI-Drive in the WRX or get rid of the Automatic from the WRX. The WRX is a halo car and has really put Subaru in the minds of millions.
Subaru is screwing up big time by putting in half measures like a 4-speed Auto in the WRX, when the whole world has moved to 5-Speed Autos and beyond. Even their grandma-quality Outbacks and other legacies have come with 5EATs for several years and re-introducing the 4EAT in a "completely redesigned" WRX, is pitiable. They are cheapening the WRX brandname by having the 4EAT in it, especially since $14K Honda Fits (and Honda Civics) have had 5EATs for over a year.
The product planner who made the decision to reintroduce the 4EAT to the WRX (while Subaru merrily adds 5EATs with sportshift and SI drive to similarly priced Legacies), should be fired and be escorted out the door mercilessly.
smoothvq says:
04:33 PM, 04/ 5/07
wow, i like the interior; it's lexus is350-esque, but what an unfortunate front end!
aaykay says:
04:46 PM, 04/ 5/07
Frankly, I want this Impreza to fail in the marketplace, as I am certain it will. That will teach Subaru not to take a critical product for granted.
Key ingredients in a newly introduced, redesigned product are missing from this redesign, where you expect improvements on all fronts, when competing in a tight marketplace. Downgrading of the brakes (4-piston to 2-piston), retaining of the 7-model years old engines and transmissions (including the sorry 4EAT instead of the available off-the-shelf 5EAT), downgrading of the tires (215/45/17 to 205/50/17), reduction of interior capacity in the 5-door, cheap looking taillights etc.
After this model bombs in the marketplace, Subaru will get rid of the product planners who made the equipment decisions above, go back to the drawing board (like they did with the Tribeca) and introduce a worthy product that is critical in boosting their bottomline. I will then vote for that product with my wallet.
If we buy this product, we will simply be rewarding mediocrity.
waynetam says:
10:59 PM, 04/ 5/07
I own a 2005 Sti and it's sad to see what Subaru is doing to the WRX....The new one is beyond ugly....It's totally uninspiring and generic looking....The older WRX/Sti although are never considered by people to be pretty but never the less they're unique and unforgetable. The new WRX can be easily mistaken for some kind of a GM product or like a Suzuki or something. I can't believe even the re-styled Tribeca received more improvement then this new WRX! The new Tribeca gets a significantly larger engine with better milage. The new WRX gets a brake downgrade, uninspiring design, 4 speed automatic.....Like aaykay above said, I wish Subaru fails miserablely this time to teach them a lesson! Sorry, but the new Evo coming out is 10 times better than the old Evo and certainly way beyond the new WRX in terms of technological inovations.....like the new S-AWC, dual clutch semimanuel transmission, aggressive design....I'll gladly sell my Sti to get into the Evo X than getting into the new Sti when it comes out. Subaru you guys screw up big this time!
estreka says:
05:55 PM, 04/ 8/07
Yes, the WRX was considered by many to be ugly. I would often compare it to the A-10 Warthog. It's not that pretty, but it definately has its own charm. And boy could it get the job done!
jgomezsti says:
08:07 PM, 04/22/07
i 2 own a 2005 sti and i think that this 08 model is ugly. It just makes me want to sell my car and go with a lexus i.s 350 or even a g35.
and i do agree with aaykay i do hope that 08 model's just fall out so they can go back to the drawing bord and see a diffrent style not a toyota corrola front end and yaris back end or susuki back end (generic looking)