New Impreza targets Mr and Ms Golf with safety and more

All-new, more sophisticated in terms of performance and handling, better equipped and safer than ever, Subaru's controversially-styled new Impreza is officially on sale. Boasting a much-debated new look, revised engines, an all-new chassis and standard setting crash safety stats, the new five-door hatch arrives this week with more standard equipment than ever priced from $24,490.

Those dollars buy you a five-speed manual 2.0-litre 110kW/196Nm Impreza R -- the new base offer. Just $50 more than the car it replaces, the R opens its case with more space, what Subaru claims is a significant upgrade in refinement and arguably the most impressive standard safety equipment suite yet offered in a small car Down Under.

Indeed, safety will be one of the USPs Subaru will push with the new Impreza.

Right across the four-model Impreza launch range, stability control (Vehicle Dynamic Control or VDC, in Subaru speak), four-wheel antilock disc brakes with electronic brake assist, distribution and hill start assist and a full complement of airbags (including side curtain bags) are just the start of the story.

Add in five-star ANCAP crash test rating and four-star pedestrian score -- a first for a car under $100,000, says Subaru -- plus the claimed active safety benefits of all-wheel drive and you end up with a very impressive offer.

And that's before you consult the standard 'comfort and convenience' equipment list. Subaru hasn't been shy with the specification -- even the base model R gets air-conditioning, power windows and mirror, MP3 compatible stereo and cruise control.

As noted above the new line-up comprises four models. One step up from the R is the RX priced at $26,490 -- a saving of $450 over the outgoing model, Subaru says. The sportier RS is still 2.0-litre powered at $29,490 (a $950 saving) and the new top Impreza (until the STI arrives in 2008 at least), the turbocharged 2.5-litre WRX is $450 cheaper than its predecessor priced at $39,990. A four-speed Sportshift auto transmission is a $2000 option on all 2.0-litre models.

Despite a 95 mm longer wheelbase and significantly increased cabin room, the new Impreza's overall length is actually decreased by 50mm. The car is a touch taller than the current model but boasts significantly short overhangs front and rear.

Gone are the frameless windows and the new doors open wider for easier cabin access. A new Liberty-style double wishbone rear suspension promises handling improvements but also positively impacts luggage space.

The new car is also lighter than the outgoing Impreza -- between 5 and 38kg depending on the model.

On the engine front, the new DOHC 2.0-litre boxer is 20 per cent more powerful than the outgoing 2.0i but 8kW down on the old 2.0R mill. Torque is up on both, and significantly improved at lower engine speeds.

Though Subaru recommends 95RON fuel, it'll live with 90.

The WRX's turbocharged 2.5-litre retains the same peak power and torque as the previous model but gets a swag more oomph down low. At 2000rpm there's 300Nm on tap compared to the last generation's 250.

Overall, Subaru says the new cars boasts significant added value over the outgoing models. The blend of safety and comfort equipment adds up to a 'real world' added value of in excess of $4500 on some models, the maker claims.

It's with this sort of offer and a strategy to build sales in its mid and upper-level RX, RS and WRX models that Subaru is planning to claw back the ground it has lost in the Australian marketplace of late.

Despite selling more Foresters and Imprezas than ever, the maker's market share has slipped. The new European-inspired Impreza will be a key model in the maker's reinvigoration Down Under against the likes of Euro success story Volkswagen.

The VW Golf has pushed past the Impreza in the sales race and has in some months nearly doubled the Japanese car's volume. Subaru's keen to redress that balance and will look to work Impreza volumes to beyond the 1000 unit per month mark as soon as possible.

In a small car segment that is increasingly cut-throat at the lower end of the market, selling more Imprezas at higher prices won't hurt the bottom line either.

Subaru's strategy for the new Impreza includes winning back buyers to the brand as well as conquesting new customers. The mid and upper-level Imprezas are aimed four square at well-to-do urbanites and Subaru says it is looking for more female buyers with the new model.

The all-new WRX will largely remain a male-focussed model, but Subaru says thanks to the latest car's more polished overall package it will be looking for higher-income and more mature buyers.

No prizes therefore for guessing which car Subaru chose as benchmark for the new hotshoe... Those who said Golf GTI go to the top of the class.

MY08 Impreza Model Range -- at a glance

Impreza R -- $24,490 (replaces 2.0i)
2.0 litre DOHC boxer four; 110kW at 6400 rpm; 196Nm/3200rpm
Five-speed manual transmission (SportShift four-speed auto optional -- $2000)
ABS anti-lock brakes with four-wheel discs and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Curtain airbags - full length
Vehicle Dynamics Control
Cruise control - steering wheel buttons
Manual air conditioning
16-inch steel wheels - spacesaver spare
Headlights auto off
DataDot security technology

Impreza RS -- $29,490 (replaces 2.0R )
Adds: Sports bucket seats and trim
Sports body kit
Privacy glass
17-inch alloy wheels
Rear diffuser
RS badge
Mesh grille
Optional satellite navigation ($2990 -- also available on WRX)

Impreza WRX -- $39,990
Adds: 2.5-itre turbocharged engine; 169kW at 5200rpm; 320Nm at 2800rpm
Rear Limited Slip Differential
Electroluminescent gauges
17-inch alloy wheels
Self-levelling Xenon headlights with pop-up washers
Three year Roadside Assist
Alarm system

Look out for The Carsales Network's launch review of the new Impreza range next week.

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