RE: Impreza hatchback confirmed
Wednesday 16th August 2006
2006 Subaru Impreza just a stopgapStories about the shape of the next generation Subaru Impreza continue to grow, with Auto Express seeming to confirm that it will be a hatchback. It's due next summer, and will be followed by the saloon we all know and -- er --
Impreza hatchback confirmed
Next gen Scoobie obsoletes 2006 model?
2006 Subaru Impreza just a stopgap
It's a big jump for the company that's made its reputation on indestructible estates and relatively low-cost but PDQ turbo-charged saloons.
Impreza chief engineer, Hiroshi Mori, is reported to have said that the car is likely to look different, as well as being lighter and cheaper to build than today's Impreza.
The car will feature a shorter wheelbase and stiffer body, contributing to better handling. It's to be squared off at the rear with long nose -- prompted presumably by pedestrian-safety legislation rather than stylistic reasons. The intercooler moves to the front of the car rather than sitting on top, under that definitive bonnet scoop.
The new hatch will consist of 1.5 and 2.0-litre entry-level variants, according to Auto Express, with the flagship models housing a turbo-charged 2.0-litre lump kicking out 300bhp, and mated to five and six-speed manual gearboxes. There'll even be a five-speed auto. And there'll also be the fancy electronics to allow you to challenge the laws of adhesion and friction.
Expect to see the first evidence at the Geneva motor show next spring.
Discussion
. I've always felt that the Scoobie was just to ugly to consider, although you have to respect the capabilities of the top of the range models. 
Monster performance and handling.I would agree there, just scene VladD's and it's not so bad. One thing I love about the Scoobie / EVO arena is the modifying that goes on., Obviously bonkers the lot of em 
. My mate made some er adjustments over a period of time. Money well spent in his eyes, wasn't so impressed though with the 6-8 MPG it returned 
. My mate made some er adjustments over a period of time. Money well spent in his eyes, wasn't so impressed though with the 6-8 MPG it returned 
It always irritates me when articles say things like: article said:
...And there'll also be the fancy electronics to allow you to challenge the laws of adhesion and friction...
when they're talking about Scoobs. Admittedly there is a little more in some of the newer ones (ie DCCD-A) but for most of them its not electronics at all, its fairly simple well-designed mechanical systems such as 4wd with limited-slip diffs. Imprezas have significantly less electronic 'driver aids' than the likes of M3's, Porsche 996/ 997/ Boxster/ Cayman (996 GT3 aside), Ferraris et al, but you don't see articles commenting on their electronic gizmos 'allowing you to challenge the laws of adhesion', do you? Just seems like a degree of automotive snobbery to me.
/Rant over
Anyways, I guess part of the reason for making a smaller hatch version is that it seems to be a requirement for WRC success at the moment, and they've been flagging a bit this year. It
well better be lighter too 
, the new Imprezas have got decidedly bloated - almost 1500kg for a new STi, compared to ~1300 for classic-shape STi (or 1200 for type-RA). No doubt it'll be a damn good B-road weapon like always.
I'm the proud owner of the Chrysler Neon inspired (!) bug-eyed variant Impreza that you are all slagging off here. How dare you call her ugly. From the front I think 'frog eyed freak' or 'ugliest bugger I've ever seen' are more appropriate. From the back they look great though, which to be honest is the end most people see!!! 
Anyway, I'm not sure about the hatchback - the saloon has a really good sized boot with lots of rear headroom - they could shoot themselves in the doodah's by fiddling with such things and loose out on shifting them off the forecourts.
Anyway, I'm not sure about the hatchback - the saloon has a really good sized boot with lots of rear headroom - they could shoot themselves in the doodah's by fiddling with such things and loose out on shifting them off the forecourts.I've read that Subaru is going to ditch the aero-inspired grille as well, due to a less than favourable reception. To be honest with you though, I don't mind it, but it is very colour-concious. There's a 2006 model Impreza 2.0R near me which is white and the hatchback, and it looks quite nice, as does the black 2006 STi that's usually parked near it (sans rear bumper dent). But in blue or red, it doesn't look so good.
Overall though, I like the Impreza. A mate has a 2004 GX hatch (red) and the only reason he's alive is because it has AWD (he drives like a dickhead, but my it's fun). I'd have one.
Ali.
Overall though, I like the Impreza. A mate has a 2004 GX hatch (red) and the only reason he's alive is because it has AWD (he drives like a dickhead, but my it's fun). I'd have one.
Ali.
hoonfest said:
I would agree there, just scene VladD's and it's not so bad. One thing I love about the Scoobie / EVO arena is the modifying that goes on., Obviously bonkers the lot of em . My mate made some er adjustments over a period of time. Money well spent in his eyes, wasn't so impressed though with the 6-8 MPG it returned
. My mate made some er adjustments over a period of time. Money well spent in his eyes, wasn't so impressed though with the 6-8 MPG it returned yeah.. right 6 mpg - who bug*8red up that conversion?
What's not to like?
mechsympathy said:
Do you use a harness? We're looking at getting a dog and I can just see the poor mutt getting chucked about
I bought the car specifically because my list of requirements was:
Fast
Not FWD
Trackday friendly
Must carry family
Fast
Able to carry dog (when wet and muddy)
Fast
Able to be left at station without being keyed / nicked
Less than 7k
Fast
A subaru boot liner came with the car which I thought was great until I took the first corner and heard skitter skitter thump from the back and a forlorn looking face reared up staring at me through the rear view mirror with a look of panic in her eyes. Trouble is the harnesses only work on the back seat which is fine if you have a small, non messy, reasonably well behaved hound. Mine is none of these things. I have resorted to just putting some scrap carpet in the boot liner to give her some grip and trying to remember she's there when you see a nice set bends come into view.
Incidentally, keep your eye out for the official subaru dog guard on ebay etc. they are much better than the halfrauds generic jobs.
Sorry for the threadnap.
mechsympathy said:
Do you use a harness? We're looking at getting a dog and I can just see the poor mutt getting chucked aboutMy Legacy has tie-down points in the boot, if the Impreza has those you could always just strap it down?
/runsandhidesfromRSPCA - I don't hate animals really!
ETA- It also has a net built into the back seats which rolls out and clips into the roof to keep your animals (and luggage) in the back if you have to hit the brakes. and theres an extra set of clips just behind the front seats so you can still clip it to the roof with the back seats folded down flat. very handy.
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 17th August 10:57
GravelBen said:
mechsympathy said:
Do you use a harness? We're looking at getting a dog and I can just see the poor mutt getting chucked aboutMy Legacy has tie-down points in the boot, if the Impreza has those you could always just strap it down?
/runsandhidesfromRSPCA - I don't hate animals really!
We don't have tie downs but we do have roof rails
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff