Subaru Impreza Subaru West Drive 1993 - 1998 Sedan

Improvisation on the topic of the station wagon

Cars are different. Sports and representative, off -road and cargo, finally, just cars, not to mention all kinds of buses, dump trucks, tractors and other self -propelled equipment. Among all this diversity, there are mansions for which the word station wagon was found in the Russian language, which in itself is not talking about anything. This concept is so capacious that when it is difficult to make a choice and determine the class belonging of a particular car, you can safely consider it a universal - in eighty cases you will not be mistaken.
  Having examined the exhibits of an unusual car dealership faster, I froze near Subaru. He sat in the cab and realized: this model will be selected by the president ...
The cabin is spacious, you can stretch your legs. And that is important - only two pedals: gas and brake. It is difficult to confuse.
Subaru was the last in the row. Yeltsin sat in him and said: - This is mine.
  The main feature of the station wagons can be considered a bicrobal body, regardless of its size, capacity and carrying capacity. Perhaps enough to determine the class of this. We will focus on one of the bright representatives of the universal tribe - the Japanese car Subaru Impreza GT Turbo 4WD, the benefit of this extraordinary car - new, from a needle, for several days was at the disposal of the editorial office of the motor. We had every reason to expect a lot of impressions and a sea of \u200b\u200bemotions from this acquaintance: after all, Subaru Impreza GT Turbo 4WD with a body sedan won the World and 1995 World and 1995 championship, and there were no equal on Russian roads in the 1997 season of 1997 - Sergey Uspensky on Subaru became the champion of Russia. Our test pilot Alexei Vasiliev, the new champion of Russia in highland and ring racing and the holder of the Rothmans-Aspas in the Tourism class Cup helped us in conducting tests.
The car at first glance attracts attention. It would seem that a completely normal car, you meet such every day on the roads. Nevertheless, Subaru Impreza cannot be confused with nothing: unusual body proportions with a low hood and rather high roof stands, a windshield with an increased tilt angle that adds swiftness adding silhouette. A similar slope is given to the front roof racks. Symmetrically, the dilated rear racks were bent between the front and rear door to them - this allowed to make the front and rear lateral glass the same, between which there was no outer central rack. The absence of the framework of the doors recalls the pronounced sports character of the car.
An interesting feature of Impreza is the equal length and width of the body of the sedan and station wagon - 4350 mm and 1690 mm, respectively. Only in the third dimension can you find a difference that is 40 extra mm in the station wagon in addition to 1410 mm of the sedan height. Everything is very simple - one of the universal traditions on the roof is installed by handraints for attaching the trunk of long -sized cargoes, so that the skis or a windsurfer board will go with you. Two spoilers, located on the fifth door and on the rear edge of the roof, are distinguished by the Turbo version from a hopeless car. Other external differences include two windows on the hood closed by bars, and a powerful air intake. Two large holes are made along the edges of the front bumper, through which the air enters the front brakes. They are closed by a deliberately rare grille, which, in combination with unusually large fog light headlights, gives the front part of the machine in a good aggressive look. The list of external features completes the branded casting disks Subaru 6JX16 for installing tires in size 205/50R16.
Let's move on to what is under the hood and other body panels. Impreza has an unusual power unit. Longitudinally installed 4-cylinder opposition engine with a working volume of 1994 cm cube. With two sixteen -valve heads and, accordingly, the four upper distributions give out 220 hp. at 5600 vol./min. and develops torque 280 Nm at 4000 rpm. Such indicators would not be possible without a turbocharger with an intermediate air cooler and multi -point electronic injection. Thanks to the opposition of the motor, the total height of the power unit decreased, which made it possible to lower the center of gravity of the car.
The transmission consists of a single -disk dry adhesion, a five -speed gearbox with a sports range of gear ratios, symmetrical (torque between the front and rear wheels is distributed equally) an interdose differential with a viscous coupling as a blocking device and the main transmission that transfers rotation to the rear wheels.
The suspension of all the wheels, as is appropriate in this case, is independent. The front is the traditional Macpherson, and the mixed structure from the transverse and longitudinal lower levers and a telescopic spring rack on each wheel is used at the back. Not without stabilizers of the transverse stability in front and behind. Disk ventilated brakes on all wheels and ABS are standard equipment Subaru Impreza GT Turbo 4WD.
When you find yourself in the cabin, along the way, having once again convinced the absence of glass frames at the door, the first thing that pays attention to itself is the front seats of sports type with pronounced lateral support, the back of which has developed shoulder stops and a built -in headrest with a slit -old hole for Multipling belts of safety at its base. The seats are striking in convenience and a thorough fit: I got the impression that the driver’s place was made specifically for me, but people of another growth had exactly the same feeling. The most interesting thing is that this is achieved by only two (!) Adjustments - along the length and corner of inclination of the back. It’s just nice to sit, the upholstery material reliably holds in an armchair, and it begins to seem that you and the car have become a single creature. Until the beginning of the movement, we will see how the convenience of the driver’s place is combined with other components of the automobile interior.
Torpedo strict laconic shape, without newfangled, often tasteless bells and whistles. The quality of manufacture is five with a plus. There is nothing superfluous, the combination of devices contains a tachometer with a red zone after 7,000 revolutions, a speedometer and fuel level indicators. To inform about oil and voltage in the on -board network is entrusted to control lamps, they also report the condition of the brake system, airbag and engine control system. Perhaps someone will want to know the pressure of the boost, but, as we were convinced, after 170 kilometers (per hour, of course) this desire disappears.
The steering wheel is very convenient, and asks for hands, and the existing adjustment in height makes it possible to give the steering wheel the right position. The hand involuntarily falls on the simply and tasteful lever of the gearbox with a sheathered liner and a small rectangle in the form of the Nardi emblem. The mutual arrangement of the components of the system of steering wheel is very convenient, and the control organ itself allows the hand to make quick and accurate movements.
The layout of the pedal unit pleased with the thoroughness of the elaboration and the convenience of communication, the efforts on all pedals are required small, but this does not interfere with feeling the machine well. Next to the clutch pedal is a convenient platform for relaxation and an emphasis of the left leg, not at all superfluous here. In the middle of the torpedo, the controls of the heater and air conditioning with simple and understandable symbols are compactly located. Below are an electronic clock with a variable brightness of the glow and a place closed for a car radio or CD-reiver. It is assumed that the owner of a car worth almost 40 thousand dollars, the choice of type and model of audio equipment will make at his discretion. However, acoustic systems have already been installed.
External lighting equipment (with the exception of additional fog headlights similar in effects of rear lights and front wipers) was controlled to steering wheel switches. The switches are equipped with rotary tips: the left gives commands to the overall lights and headlights, and the right turns on the rear brush and the washer of glass of the fifth door. On the driver's door, all electric windows are controlled, which is quite common.
The visibility of the driver’s place is very good, the front racks of the roof do not interfere with the road to see the road, and in the side mirrors the rear views with remote adjustment and in the mirror of the cabin you can see everything you need to safely move along the road. Planting the rear seats passengers turned out to be quite comfortable for a car with a relatively small (2520 mm) wheelbase. The volume of the trunk did not amaze with spaciousness, which is excusable for such a car, but, as is customary in the station wagons, the backs of the rear seats can be separately or completely folded, which immediately allows you to increase the dimensions of the cargo transported.
And so the solemn moment of starting the engine comes. After a little shudder, the engine earned evenly and almost silently. We noted the feature of the 4 -cylinder opponent Impreza - with a slight opening of the sorceress shuttle at idle, the engine seems to be tapping, but you know for sure that it is ready for further work. We started to her. The first gear, the pedal to the floor - and immediately such a push follows in the back that, from the habit of a fraction of a second, you lose the ability to perceive what is happening. It became clear why at the start of Formula-1 riders from overload for a moment lose their eyesight.
After 3,000 revolutions per minute, the turbocharger significantly enters the operation, and then when moving on any gear you constantly feel the effect of a tight, elastic force that presses into the seat. The dynamics are amazing! That's what is from scratch to hundreds in six and a half seconds.
Then they decided to go calmer, which turned out to be completely easy. Impreza behaves like an ordinary car, confidently and without failure, holding the engine's speed below the coveted three thousand. This is very important, especially when moving in urban mode. But the reaction to the sharp pressing of the accelerator pedal remains, and the shot does not force itself to wait long, even if the movement is carried out in the fifth gear. You can easily choose another transport mode, moving in reduced gear, when the engine works in the way, which decreases a quick reaction to a sharp increase in fuel supply, and you feel constant pressure on your back. The brakes are selected to match such dynamics. Smooth, well -predicted braking with a large margin of effort until the use of ABS starts: to get it out, you need to try. But even in this case, the system reminds of its existence only with light shocks of the brake pedal.
Subaru Impreza suspension performed by GT Turbo 4WD is very tough. But the rigidity of the stiffness is different. Our car has all the suspension parameters perfectly. The car confidently keeps the road, overcomes irregularities without breakdowns, and almost does not roll in corners.
The force on the steering wheel is small and grows in proportion to the speed, so that the rotation of the controlled wheels in place can be carried out with one finger, which, in fact, is necessary when parking. The steering wheel is quite sharp, but at first I want a faster reaction of the car to the rotation of the steering wheel. Especially on a dirt road. It is likely that this is done specifically in order to reduce the effect on the steering wheel of alternating loads in all -wheel drive transmission. Gradually, you get used to it and begin to understand the actions of the riders who control the Subaru Impreza on rally routes, when a machine rushing at high speed is specially introduced by the steering wheel and a gas pedal into a state of unstable balance. When the engine speed is added in the turn of the Impreza, it behaves like a rear -wheel drive car, tearing off the rear wheels to fully controlled, and during the discharge of gas shows a typically front -wheel drive manner of behavior, obediently drawing into a turn.
The work of auxiliary systems, including the heater, did not cause complaints. Fighting headlights for lighting the road immediately in front of the hood were also useful in the dark.
Subaru Impreza GT Turbo 4WD I really liked. This is really a station wagon in the broadest sense of the word: a unique car, equally well suitable for both urban driving and high -speed overcoming space. It allows you to test new and unforgettable sensations from fully controlled movement, giving an incomparable feeling of complete freedom on the road, which only the driver himself can limit.
SPECIAL OPINION
Alexey Vasiliev, Miller Pilot team racer
Landing
It is selected very easily. The seat adjustments are made under the right hand. All adjustments are mechanical, no electric drives even in luxury versions are a feature of all Subaru cars, which emphasizes the sports ideology of the brand.
Seat
Very comfortable. Not even a seat, but rather a pilot chair. Well -developed side support in the hip area is both at the pillow and the back of the chair.
The headrest is integrated. Large side sorties for the shoulders. The slots in the back of the chair are involved in the installation to order and racing multi -point belts of safety.
Review
Excellent. Neither the head restraints of the rear seats, nor the wide backs of the front, or even the cabs of the cab, do not interfere.
Wheel
It is very pleasant both in diameter and cross-section and the location of the knitting needles, so even serial does not require replacement with some special sports.
Pedals
Well spaced. The move is small. The clutch has a rather soft drive. Gas pedal by effort - like a clutch pedal. With sports driving, this is convenient.
Box lever
Small length. Comfortable. The box drive is very hard, there is practically no backlash in the lever, which allows you to quickly and clearly slip the gears.
The overall impression of the cabin in the interior used very good materials. Interesting design. It seems to me that Subaru thoroughly passes from the usual Japanese to the European style salon, the main features of which are visible in the contours of the dashboard and door panels. In terms of interest of plastic pens, switches and other trifles, Impreza reminded the last cars from Pininfarina. The quality of the assembly and docking of the parts is very high. In a word - a beautiful and practical salon.
Suspension
Quite tough, as it should be in a car with sports temperament. But due to the widespread use in the suspension of rubber elements, noise and vibration from it are not transmitted to the body. The rigidity of the suspension is fully evaluated when driving, when the car does not roll and does not lead in corners. Not many cars managed to feel so comfortable with such a hard suspension.
Engine and box
With the motor, everything is clear - powerful and dynamic. The box is well selected for a turbocharged motor, the main power growth of which begins at about 3,000 revolutions. The box just determines the optimal operating mode and allows you to be constantly in it - and when accelerating, when operating a lever up, and when working a lever down, when you begin to besiege the machine using the engine.
Dynamics.
Excellent. With an increase in engine speed and speed, the noise in the cabin is practically absent. Because of this, sometimes you lose a sense of true speed. When moving in the fifth gear at a speed of 100 km/h and above, you can only navigate along the speedometer. Maybe this is not very good for Russian drivers who have not yet accustomed to travel quickly and at the same time safely on our roads.
Sergei Uspensky, who is chasing Subaru in our championship, said that the main volume of repair of powerful cars of this brand at the stations falls on a tin - a direct consequence of the concealment of speed. People who do not suspect that they go under 200 km/h suddenly rested on concrete borders on the Yauza embankment.
Controllability
When distributing torque, 50/50 should expect a deterioration in the controllability and predictability of the car. But in Impreza, due to a successful weight amenization, it was possible to achieve its almost complete predictability during dynamic driving. With a short moment on the wheels, Impreza behaves like a front -wheel drive car, that is, it easily draws into the turn at the entrance, and when the gas is discharged, it remains there.
With an increase in torque on the same trajectory, there is already a rear -wheel drive behavior - a released ass is felt, which is easily controlled by a gas pedal. So you can go through all three phases of turning in counterattack, like on any rear -wheel drive car. For all -wheel drive, this is a paradox.
None of the cars of this type - Audi Quattro, Volvo AWD - does not behave like that. Subaru has achieved (probably due to the fact that all my life the company is engaged only in all -wheel drive) absolute predictability of the car’s behavior at any point of turn and at any speed.
Brakes
Great. They grab clearly and in standard modes cope with the slowdown in the car before the ABS turns on.
Bliss
As a racer, received a very large charge of adrenaline from the control of this machine. The buzz and the joy of all actions behind the wheel are huge. The car is a hurricane.
I think that an amateur will experience the same emotions. This car, due to its very good controllability and dynamics, is able to teach proper piloting. Of course, you can’t teach a fool, but Impreza is good for both a beginner and professional racers.
 

Source: Motor magazine [No. 11/1997]