Subaru to Launch Next Impreza in New York

Subaru is raising the game with the next generation of its Impreza compactcar, set to debut this spring. After several major updates, the Japanese automaker’s most affordable product is set for a serious overhaul for model year 2008, delivering a big strike against arch rival Mitsubishi and its all-new Lancer, plus the rest of the highly competitive C-segment.

Subaru is said to be shifting away from the current four-door sedan and wagon layout to a new five-door hatchback, a body style that will be better received in Europe. The car is expected to take on a similar shape and similar style to the B5 TPH three-door hatchback/wagon concept that was shown at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show. Though its exterior signifies serious change, stepping away from the stodgy and somewhat dated styling of the current car, it is sticking to tradition for the drivetrain. At launch, the Impreza reportedly gets power from one of two engines, including 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder units. That’s smaller than thecurrent 2.5-liter H-4, but there’s no doubt that the engines are more advanced and more efficient. And yes, all-wheel drive is still an integral part of the vehicle.

Some sources report that Subaru will be eliminating the stopgap between the regular Impreza and the supercar-destroying STI rally weapon, but to us this just doesn’t make any sense. Although its more hard-core sibling overshadows the WRX, the lesser car still occupies viable ground for Subaru. The current 230 horsepower machine provides a good deal of thrills at a price that’s still affordable to many, not to mention that it’s still capable of trouncing the majority of the players in the sport compact segment. What makes us really want to call bluff is the pending release of the new Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, which reportedly ups the Impreza’s arch rival to levels equal the WRX, thanks to a turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. It would be silly for Subaru to cede this market niche without putting up a battle.

As for the STI, we’ll have to wait another year before it arrives, but as usual we have big hopes. And the long-awaited Subaru boxer-four diesel? It turns out that the first vehicle to feature it will be the Legacy and Outback models, as opposed to the Impreza. Subaru is gunning for BMW’s 2.0-liter turbodiesel four that’s found in the 120/320d models. They project outputs to be in the range of 170 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque, quite a lot of punch for such a small displacement engine. We can only hope that Subaru will drop this engine in the Impreza, and then deliver it to North American buyers.

More information will be revealed during the car’s world debut at the New York International Auto Show this April, but for the time being it’s going to be a matter of playing the waiting game.