Subaru Impreza test drive since 2007 sedan

Sports subtraction

The new Subaru Impreza was presented to European journalists a week before the official debut at the Frankfurt car dealership. On the outskirts of Prague, the organizers in several visits gathered the entire corps of European journalists.

 
For the press, we prepared two dozen new Subaru Impreza in versions 1.5R, 2.0R and 2.0R Sport. From now on, Impreza for Europe is produced in the back of the hatchback, the sedan was left for the American market, and there will be no station wagons at all. Studies have shown that compact and spacious hatchbacks are the greatest demand among young people (up to 40 years). It was on this layer of buyers that Subaru was counting on the civil version of the new Impreza. A rich rally heritage, as before, is the prerogative of WRX and STI versions. By the way, these cars will only be delivered to Russia, Europe will not see them.
 
The Japanese, wanting to double sales in Europe, made an all -wheel drive, comfortable and relatively inexpensive car with sports character and excellent controllability. With such a combination of qualities in this price category, not every manufacturer can boast.
 
Meanwhile, there was little left from the sports image, which was enough in ordinary Impreza. The car outwardly became smoother, rounded. The appearance contains hints of the products of several brands, so, deep stamping on the sidewalls reminds of the BMW of the 1st series, rolling food about Ford Focus. In general, it turned out no worse and no better than many. Nevertheless, I would like to mention the stern of the new Impreza, I really liked it: the thin lines of the rear lamps on the LEDs, turning into substeted sidewalls, the rear window of oval shape. Cute. And the front is attractive.
 
Door openings are expanded. The doors open easily and very widely at 90. Even the largest uncle, a lover of donuts and beer, will easily take a place in the cabin. The doors are now with the scope for glasses, as the manufacturer claims, this is a contribution to the hardness of the body and the safety of the car. The landing is deep and comfortable. Side support in European traditions, fixation confident, but unobtrusive. Later, during test tests, especially on an extreme descent along the serpentine, I more than once remembered the correctly made Impreza seats.
 
The spacious salon does not fit in the head, as this could turn out in a compact car. The ceiling is high, the supply above the head of the centimeters is ten (with my height of 183 cm), you can ride on the potholes without fear for the hairstyle. I check what the rear passengers feel. I put up a chair under my height, I transplanted back with a wheelbase of a few centimeters, Subaru has achieved additional comfort and better smoothness. And there were more places for the rear passengers, the difference with the last Impreza is 8.5 cm. When landing, I rested my knees at the driver's seat, but I just just touched it rather soon. Yes, and with the width, all the three adult men of the average complexion are sitting down without cursing. The steering column is adjustable in height and departure. I liked the three -spoke steering wheel with leather trim and with small thickening of the rim in the region of 10 and 14 hours.
 
The dashboard is calm, understandable and well read, without extra buttons and light bulbs. It is designed modern, in style resembles Subaru Trebica, only made of cheaper plastic. On a large display (Touch Screen), navigation data are displayed in the center of the console. The control interface is simple. The interior decoration is made at a decent level. Plastic and other materials are inexpensive, but the joints and joints are impeccable rustling and crackling will have to wait a long time. Many useful and not very pockets.
 
A car is started from an option button. Ahead is a long route on public roads and special stages, where you can fully experience the running qualities of Impreza. In our car, a 2-liter atmospheric engine with a capacity of 150 hp. He works in tandem with a four -speed automatic transmission.
The opposition is not new, it, like an automatic, came here from the previous model. The motor is successful, with an excellent reputation, and the manufacturer did not logically look for good from good. The acceleration is assertive, tormenting quickly increases from the bottom and reaches the maximum by 3200 rpm. With normal acceleration of gear, there occurs in the zone around 6500 rpm. In this case, the box works smoothly. An attempt to hang the machine gun and violate the algorithm for its work with quick and chaotic movements of the gas pedal was unsuccessful. The machine, although four -speed, but switches quickly, does not fall into thought and practices provocative actions almost synchronously. It also has a function of automatically turning on neutral transmission, which allows you to save fuel in traffic jams.
 
There are enough power. Passing at high speed steep turns, you immediately note with what readily the new Impreza obeys the helm, how carefully holds the trajectory. Here they are, sports genes! Even a peaceful version will delight with its behavior a sophisticated driver. Neither serious rolls, nor breakdowns of pendants, only accurate quick reactions: perhaps in its Subaru Impreza class one of the most drivership cars. A symmetrical all -wheel drive combined with phenomenal controllability is admirable. The new two -generation double -cutting rear suspension was clearly successful in Subaru. By the way, when it was created in the foreground, there was comfort, not controllability, while they did it, abandoning computer modeling.
 
The suspension is collected on a special subframe and attached to the body on four pillows. Due to which the noise from the road and vibrations transmitted to the body is better extinguished. But the main result is a feeling of unity with a machine that any more or less prepared driver dreams of.
 
In addition, to reduce the center of gravity and minimization of rolls, the opposition engine was lowered by 22 mm from the front and 10 mm from the interdosseous differential. The clearance of 155 mm seems quite sufficient for trips not only around the city, but also in rural areas. The option with five -speed mechanics is even more pepper. Controlling traction is much more convenient, and the dynamics is better. When recruiting speed and climbing the serpentine, the capabilities of a two -liter atmosphere are quite enough. For loose soil, descents and towing in the mechanics, a lowering is provided, which is turned on by the handle near the gearbox lever. A very useful thing. Our colleagues, taking advantage of it, easily dragged upstairs along a steep rise, stalled old Skoda, causing delight among its elderly host.
 
The course of the μPP lever is long, but the switching is accurate and soft. The clutch pedal has a shortened move, but grasping occurs at a convenient height and without twitching, even if you release the pedal sharply. The brakes are excellent. The Impreza is installed an amplifier of the brake system with spacer studs, minimizing the expansion of the frame when creating brake pressure in the system. The effect is obvious. The force is subtly dosed, the highest effectiveness.
 
I crossed the Impreza with a 1.5-liter engine, we were somewhat disappointed. In dynamics, the difference is tangible: 107 forces are not enough for energetic driving. Acceleration is sluggish, even a small climb on a serpentine forced to switch to a reduced gear. The same situation with overtaking. You have to gain speed ahead of time or switch to a low gear and tear the engine to the red zone. EURO 4 standards on this engine had a greater influence than on its older brothers. The rest of the budget Impreza is not much different from 2-liter versions. The same fantastic accuracy and clarity in management, the same comfort and impenetration of the suspension, the same symmetrical four -wheel drive with an inter -beard differential and viscousyft, the same box with the possibility of turning on a lowering transmission. And if you like a calm and confident ride, without torn rhythm and high -speed extracts, one and a half liters is enough for you, despite the fact that the general comfort will not seem small. In this price category, the new Subaru Impreza is the best offer.
 
Prices and configuration

The dealers are asked for Subaru Impreza with a 1.5-liter MKPP-5 engine from 577 700 to 612,400 rubles, depending on the configuration. With automatic transmission-4, such an impreza costs from 618 500 to 653 200 rubles. With a 2-liter engine and mechanics, Impreza will cost from 730 800 to 799 100 rubles, with an automaton from 771 600 to 839 900 rubles. The IMPREZA 2.0 Sport version with manual transmission will cost from 805,900 to 848,000 rubles, with automatic transmission from 846 700 to 888 800 rubles. On Impreza 2.0r Sport, 17 inches and an aerodynamic body kit are installed, which includes the front, side and rear spoilers, chrome nozzles for muffler.
Optionally, you can order a leather steering wheel and handle of gearboxes, side mirrors and doors in the color of the body, engine start button, cruise control, side airbags, automatic air conditioning system, multi-channel block of the audio system and navigation system. The most powerful version of the 2.5-turbo WRX will be sold in a single configuration with a full set of PB, 5-speed manual transmission, 17-inch discs, with climate and cruise control, an audio system with 6 CD, VDC, xenon, and an aerodynamic body kit.
 
Alexander Goryunov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

A source: Motor magazine [October 2007]