Frankfurt IAA 2017 275 Subaru Impreza

Subaru Impreza Premiers at Frankfurt

The all-new Subaru Impreza hatch is making its European Debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show.

Impreza is a compact hatchback, following Subaru’s unique formula of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive paired with a Boxer engine. It’s the fifth generation of the Impreza model. The car is aimed for people wanting the option of driving anywhere with the reassurance of permanent All-Wheel Drive, but don’t want an SUV sized vehicle.

Heavily revised engines and Lineartronic gearbox are fitted to the Global Platform and ensure Impreza is the most capable C-segment hatchback Subaru has produced. The stiffer chassis, more responsive handling and acceleration ensure a significantly improved driver experience with improved collision avoidance, whilst still retaining Subaru’s renowned off-road capability.

Subaru Impreza

Subaru Impreza Design

Subaru’s design philosophy for Impreza is DYNAMIC x SOLID. It’s a dynamic, urban-influenced design contrasted with a fit-for-purpose aesthetic, form-backing function in a well-designed package with nothing extra added.

Exterior Design

The design is a tougher, more dynamic iteration of Impreza with the Subaru hexagonal grille and hawk-eye headlight family face. Built on the proportions of the outgoing Impreza, but with sharper lines focused towards the rear of the vehicle.

It will be available in a choice of five colours: Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Blue Pearl, Venetian Red Pearl, and Dark Grey Metallic

Subaru Impreza – Interior Design

The all-new Impreza interior has been designed to make sure the driver is free to focus on the road ahead and enjoy driving the car. The dash profile is heavily sculptured – a continuous piece – whilst the seats have been designed to feel substantial and make the driver feel secure.

The quality of soft touch plastics and finishes have been improved across the interior, without losing the functionality and hard-wearing features.

Multimedia

The all-new Subaru Impreza is fitted with an 8-inch touchscreen. The system is equipped with Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ integration and DAB radio.

A new combination meter is also included, which provides additional details to the driver, such as the status of EyeSight. A Multi-Function Display sits on top of the dash and this provides at-a-glance information on key vehicle systems.

Packaging

The new Subaru Impreza has been re-packaged for improved interior comfort and versatility. The car is 10mm lower, 35mm wider and has a 25mm longer wheelbase.

Dynamic Quality

One of the core benefits of the SGP is improved driving capability and dynamic feel.

For a dynamic driving feel, straight line stability and handling need to be high, noise and vibration need to be low, and the ride comfort needs to be compliant yet firm.

Chassis Rigidity

Chassis rigidity has been improved significantly across four key areas: front body lateral bending rigidity, torsional rigidity, front suspension rigidity and rear subframe rigidity, meaning the vehicle reacts quickly when the driver steers the vehicle.

Noise and Vibration

A key development goal for SGP was to reduce floor and steering vibration. The chassis design effectively disperses chassis and seat resonance which cuts back on vibrations from the steering, floor and seats.

Ride Comfort

The Subaru Impreza ride quality is designed to be firm, but comfortable.

Suspension mount rigidity has been increased which ensures the damper moves as intended by ensuring the mounting point has minimal flex and is holding the damper securely in place. The rear stabilisers are also mounted directly to the chassis which reduces body vibration.

EyeSight

EyeSight is Subaru’s advanced driver assist technology. It acts as a second pair of eyes for the driver. The new Subaru Impreza retains this feature amongst others.

EyeSight was developed with three objectives in mind: safety, lowering carbon emissions by reducing incident congestion, and, as a result, economic efficiency by reducing time sat in traffic.

Subaru have been developing driver assistance technology for nearly 30 years. In the UK, Outback was the first model to be fitted with EyeSight, followed by Levorg in early 2017. Going forwards, EyeSight will be introduced across the range.

The institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis in Japan produced a study of Subaru vehicles involved in accidents from 2010-2014 and found that there were 61% fewer accidents involving EyeSight equipped cars versus cars without EyeSight.

EyeSight uses two stereo cameras to capture three-dimensional colour images with excellent image recognition, and is nearly as capable as the human eye. EyeSight can recognise vehicles, motorbikes, bicycles, pedestrians, lane markings and road furniture. It differentiates between these to determine the general traffic conditions.

Subaru Impreza

Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection System (SRVD)

SRVD helps the driver to change lanes on the motorway safely or detect hard to see hazards when completing low speed manoeuvres. SRVD is a radar-based system. Radars fitted beneath the Impreza’s tail lamps and covered by the rear bumper detect vehicles on either side of the car.

SRVD is a package of three technologies, designed to alert the driver to potential hazards behind the vehicle. These are Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Engines

Boxer engines are integral to what makes a Subaru a Subaru. Using a Boxer engine means that the engine can be positioned in line with the drivetrain for maximum transfer of power.

The punch-counterpunch movements of the pistons balance each other out, which means the engine is smoother with reduced vibrations and noise. Additionally, the unit provides a lower centre of gravity and in turn, exquisite handling and poise. This also gives greatly reduced roll when cornering.

At launch in the UK, a 1.6 litre from the FB series of engines will be available. A 2.0 litre will join the range after launch.

The 2.0 is also from the FB series of engines. 80% of the engine has been redesigned, including a 12kg weight reduction.

The compression ratio has also increased. A new tumble generation valve and port internal baffle is fitted to the intake to revise air flow. This increases airflow into the cylinder to achieve a better mixture and improved fuel efficiency.

Furthermore, the rigidity of the engine block has been increased, and additional mounting points help to minimise vibrations and reduce noise across various engine operating ranges. This adds to a more consistent feel between acceleration performance and the engine noise.

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