More Impreza news: hatch only, for the moment

With considerable rumour flying around the airwaves, Subaru Australia has taken the unusual move of releasing limited details of its new Impreza three days ahead of the model's debut at the New York International Auto Show.

And while the Subaru release is heavy on rhetoric and short on detail, the big news is that Australian buyers will only be offered the new hatch version of the Impreza for at least a year.

According to Subaru Australia, the new Impreza five-door will arrive Down Under in September. The sedan version will follow a year later, the company says.

Scotching some rumour, however, both naturally-aspirated and turbo versions (WRX) of the Impreza will be offered from the outset. The engine choices will be "targeted to broaden appeal to different consumer and driving needs," Subaru says.

The 'atmo' Impreza will be the volume model, targeted at premium European hatches. Subaru says the new model will feature "a comprehensive standard specification list that might normally be associated with high end medium or large cars."

Both WRX and WRX STI versions will also be offered. Subaru says the all-wheel drive performance car icon has grown up in its latest iteration and is a "more mature and sophisticated premium package."

The WRX is pictured but the STI is not due to be unveiled "for several months" says Subaru. When it does surface, Subaru says it will feature "much greater external and internal differentiation from the WRX, with performance credentials comparable to some of the world's best premium performance brands."

Subaru Australia boss, Nick Senior said: "This third generation Impreza is a quantum leap in the key areas of design, engineering, safety and quality.

"We will have important advances in engine technology, overall specification, safety and style."

Though details are still guarded major changes incorporated into the new generation Impreza include:

Specifications and pricing for Australian Impreza variants will be announced to coincide with local launch. Subaru has made it clear that the Imprezas due to be unveiled at the New York show later this week are US specification-only.

The naturally-aspirated engines in Australian Imprezas will be among the things that differ from their US equivalents, the company said.

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