Subaru Impreza design study breaks cover

The covers have come off the Subaru Impreza Design Concept at the 2010 LA Auto Show. As we anticipated in our earlier report, the concept is a four-door prototype providing a sneak peak of how the next generation Impreza will take shape.

Subaru says the new Impreza concept was "Designed to show a possible direction for future Impreza models," and hinted at a number of new technologies that will feature in the new next gen Impreza range.

On top of the tight, muscular, and somewhat angular styling, which the car maker calls a "simple and clean" style, the Subaru Impreza Design Concept boasts a new driver assistance safety system, dubbed EyeSight.

Like similar systems available in high-end prestige cars, EyeSight makes use of a stereo camera to monitor traffic in front of the vehicle, and though details are sparse it's expected the "collision avoidance technology" will apply brakes and/or turn the steering wheel to help avoid a crash.

The concept car also makes use of side rearview cameras instead of traditional wing mirrors.

The interior of the concept car has also been given the futuristic treatment, with touch pad technology making its debut on a Subaru. "Touch panels are used on the sporty D-shaped steering wheel too, allowing intuitive access to applications," reads the Subaru press statement.

Power for the Impreza concept comes from "a next generation horizontally opposed Boxer engine, with improved environmental performance". Direct-injection technology is most likely for Subaru's new boxer engines, and in this instance the concept is hooked up to a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission, or CVT, which may suggest the Japanese car maker is looking at replacing all automatic gearboxes with CVTs.

Subaru Australia Managing Director, Nick Senior, said: "We're very excited by the new style direction hinted at in this concept.

"At the same time FHI has underscored its future commitment to Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive plus new generation Boxer engines and transmissions.

"Combined with the fantastic style and quality of the cabin too, we’re looking forward to seeing some of these themes become reality," added Senior.

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