gfxdave99 Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 Subaru hatches a Golf GTI chaser http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_images/1pix.gifhttp://www.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_images/_T.gif here's a radical plan being hatched at Subaru - and Auto Express has all the details! In this week's issue we have the clearest pictures yet of the Japanese firm's all-new Impreza, which is due to be unveiled in only 18 months' time. As we revealed in issue 853, the familiar saloon shape has gone, replaced by a daring hatchback. On sale in spring 2008, the Impreza will be transformed from rally-inspired saloon to upmarket family car, and will be available in three and five-door forms. The production machine will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2007, and is set to prove that Subaru is taking the Impreza in a new direction to widen its appeal. As a manufacturer of specialist boxer-engined, four-wheel-drive, rally-derived cars, it has traditionally won strong support from driving enthusiasts. But the new car aims to change that, and is charged with selling in much bigger numbers by appealing to Ford Focus and VW Golf buyers. The engine range is also being overhauled, with UK drivers being offered two units with improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. Entry-level models will be fitted with a new 2.0-litre naturally aspirated boxer engine, mated to a choice of six-speed manual and five-speed auto gearboxes. Delivering 170bhp, it's expected to return around 30mpg. Meanwhile, a turbocharged 2.0-litre boxer engine will power the WRX and STi performance models- the latter producing in excess of 300bhp. To further boost sales, Subaru will introduce its first four-cylinder boxer diesel engine soon after the Impreza arrives in 2008. The firm's new partner company, Toyota, will lend assistance in developing the new range of cleaner, more fuel-efficient powerplants. Keen to hang on to its competition roots, the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol will be a detuned version of the engine that will power Subaru's World Rally Car from 2009. All models will retain the trademark four-wheel-drive layout. The looks will be vastly different, though. As you can see from these images of the flagship STi model, the Impreza features the aircraft-shaped grille and chunky, wheel-at-each-corner stance of the B5 concept which debuted in Tokyo last year (Issue 878). But it adds a new swage line at the rear and a rising tail. The clamshell-style, glass hatchback remains. Larger than a VW Golf, the Impreza should offer lots of space inside, while cabin quality will be benchmarked against Audi's A3. Overall, the new car will see Subaru make a concerted move upmarket. Also on the way is a production version of the turbo boxer hybrid that debuted in the B5 concept. It will be Subaru's first bi-fuel drivetrain, and is being co-developed with Toyota to arrive in 2009 in the all-new Legacy. A facelifted version of the current model is due in 2007. Peter Lyon http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/66912/subaru_hatches_a_golf_gti_chaser.html If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. - Mario Andretti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark_rex Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 As you can see from these images of the flagship STi model... wtf where are the damned pics :fury: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
konrad Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 wtf where are the damned pics :fury: +1 can't see pix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfxdave99 Posted April 26, 2006 Author Share Posted April 26, 2006 Yeah i know the pics on the website dont work which is why i said somebody in the UK should pick one up and scan it pleeeese http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_autoexpress_homepage/images/ae_cover.jpg thats the teaser from the cover but they dont have the pics on the website If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. - Mario Andretti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfxdave99 Posted April 26, 2006 Author Share Posted April 26, 2006 i found a larger size of the cover at least If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. - Mario Andretti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Simpletons Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/26/2008-subaru-impreza-to-be-hatch-only-gti-fighter/ Please no... PLEASE NO... NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfxdave99 Posted April 26, 2006 Author Share Posted April 26, 2006 heres the nasicock thread, im sure somebody will manage to get ahold of the mag and post the pics over there http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=991872&highlight=auto+express If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. - Mario Andretti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zsbaug24 Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/26/2008-subaru-impreza-to-be-hatch-only-gti-fighter/ Please no... PLEASE NO... NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For the 100th time, that is the B5 TPH and has nothing to do with the next Impreza design. Its was only a showcase for their Hybrid system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOXRPWR Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 WoW! that's a radical departure. those more detailed pics are of the "concept" model so the production version will be somewhat tamer. my first reaction wasn't good. but with some tweaking, it might not be that bad. at least Subaru is showing the corp balls to make radical new shapes. and best of all, the flying wing gull look is gone. although that new grill has issues too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOXRPWR Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 For the 100th time, that is the B5 TPH and has nothing to do with the next Impreza design. Its was only a showcase for their Hybrid system. read the article. that's not what it says. it specifically states that the B5 TPH shapes does represent the look of the new Impreza. Just more concept radical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLegacy99 Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Umm Im not real happy bout this. That Impreza is ugly and we have to wait until '09 to get a hybrid. Im gonna be in the market then and I was kinda hoping for a hybrid WRX not Legacy (who know what that will look like). And I dont want one if it looks like that. And a facelift for the Legacy = NEW GRILLE. Uh oh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLegacy99 Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 I mean why would you make the Impreza a family car? Bringing back the SVX? I WANT A RALLY CAR. I ALREADY HAVE A FAMILY MOBILE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlamingSolara Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 That looks an 06 Impreza wagon with the rear doors removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wave251 Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 all nonsense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brhays Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 http://accordionguy.blogware.com/Photos/2005/05/noooooooo.jpg Never start modding, kids. It's too late for me, save yourselves! Hooray for 07+ AccessPORT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IwannaSportSedan Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_50/car_portal_pic_25356.jpghttp://www.leftlanenews.com/wp-images/media/2-B5-tph-subaru-concept.jpg Obviously, it is derivative of the B5 and current STI, with no original design content. THUS, it may not be real. It may be an external hypothesis, rather than a FHI leak. May only be a photo-chop job... A Brenda Priddy-esque shot in the dark. It is interesting. BAD, but interesting. The front end is BAD. as in horrible. Headlights and grille are WORSE than now. Not an improvement. The side of the car... not that bad. Painted uniformly WRB, it actually looks better than the b5's TPH's beige and blue. (who thought of that???) The wing looks tacked on. The shape of the side windows doesn't do to badly, and a hatch that includes the rear half of the roof might be really interesting. I like the resurgence of the "hatch." very practical, and can mean good things for the styling, with a significant angle to the rear glass. I think they will make a mistake if they make it look TOO much like a golf, with a vertical rear hatch. I am not quite sure how they would derive a 5-door with this, though. I too think they need to stay on the course of "rally car" and continue to compete with the Mitsubishi Evo... Not with GTI/R36. Something more in the realm of the euro-market Focus RS/WRC car might be a decent way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Simpletons Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 It's defintely not real. This will go on and on for many many months. It's kind of amusing to see the new renditions come out and watch everybody freak about 'em. Myself included Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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