MOTORING
Dressed to ‘Impreza’ .. Subaru
.
bring back iconic new model
ubaru UK recently brought back its iconic
Impreza to the UK, with the latest model going
on sale at the beginning May.
The new model is limited to one, non-turbo
engine and one trim level with a choice of
transmissions. The new 1.6-litre Impreza RC is
priced from £17,495 (on-the-road) for five-speed
manual models and from £18,995 for models
fitted with Subaru’s Lineartronic transmission.
The Impreza is the only car in the C-segment to
offer All-Wheel Drive (AWD) as standard on
every model.
A combination of a more favourable exchange
rate and persistent customer demand has led to
the decision to make the Impreza available again
in the UK market in small volumes, and offers an
interesting and price competitive alternative to
much more established competition in the highly
competitive C-segment. The latest Impreza has
been enjoying significant sales success in both its
home market of Japan and in the US since its
launch in 2012.
S
Since its introduction to the global market in
1992, the Impreza has become the most famous
of Subaru model names, with the brand’s hightech Symmetrical AWD system and four-cylinder
horizontally-opposed Boxer engines core to the
car’s road-going abilities and appeal.
The new Impreza retains these attributes,
featuring a new-generation 1.6-litre Boxer petrol
engine, the latest version of Subaru’s hallmark
All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment, and an
impressive range of safety and fuel efficiency aids.
The UK model comes in RC specification, and
customers will benefit from high levels of
standard equipment to improve convenience.
This includes automatic on/off headlamps and
rain-sensing windscreen wipers, front fog lamps,
power-folding heated door mirrors with LED turn
signals, windscreen wiper de-icer system, 16-inch
alloy wheels, tyre repair kit and daytime running
lights.
For occupant comfort, every Impreza is
equipped with dual-zone air-conditioning, rear
passenger heating and ventilation ducts, six-way
manually-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front
seats, 60/40 split-fold rear seats, leatherwrapped steering wheel and gear knob, two 12V
power outlets, USB and aux-in jacks, and a
reversing camera.
Optional equipment to upgrade further
includes leather seating and a Pioneer satellite
navigation system. Three exterior colours will be
available: Satin White, Ice Silver and Quartz Blue.
June/July 2014 65