Subaru juggles Impreza specs, prices

Subaru has announced more changes to the Impreza range, with extra features to balance the price reductions posted earlier this month (more here).

The base grade Impreza R is now fitted with standard alloy wheels, without affecting the price reduction reported previously, and an electric sunroof is incorporated in the standard specification for the higher-grade Impreza RX. According to Subaru, this constitutes $2000 worth of extra value without change to the pricing, which remains at the discounted level ($22,990 for Impreza R manual, $24,990 for the auto or $26,490 for the RX manual and $28,490 for the auto).

Pricing has changed however, for the Impreza RS. Reduced by $1000, the RS variants are now priced at $28,490 for the manual and $30,490 for the automatic. While the standard specification is unchanged, Subaru is offering an option pack comprising leather trim, sunroof and xenon headlights with pop-up washers for $3000 -- a price that is substantially lower than the $5700 aggregate for the options ordered separately.

"Our currency hedging strategy has again enabled us to offer customers more value at a time when many competitors are looking at price increases," says Nick Senior, Managing Director for Subaru Australia.

"Inevitably we will have to consider our pricing in the future, but for now we intend to pass on the benefit of our successful currency strategy to our customers."

Senior's offsider, National Corporate Affairs Manager, David Rowley echoed the boss's views.

"I think the operative word used by Nick Senior was 'hedge'," he informed the Carsales Network, alluding to the strategy by which Subaru can keep prices relatively low -- and even discount for specific levels of trim.

Rowley advised that only the naturally-aspirated models formed part of the new price and specification plan, since the WRX with its "enhanced specification" was only just launched in December and the sedan "has boosted a sales a bit" already.