Subaru Shows Off Lighter, Less Powerful 2012 Impreza In New York
Subaru debuted the new 2012 Impreza at the New York Auto Show with the idea that less is more. Less weight and less horsepower means more miles per gallon, and with rising gas prices, Subaru picked a great time to get its little Impreza out of the fuel economy doghouse.
Gone is the old car's 2.5-liter boxer engine. It has been replaced with a 2.0-liter unit that makes 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. That is a downgrade of 22 hp and 25 lb-ft. Subaru has tried to compensate some of the power loss by giving the boxer engine a longer stroke, which maximizes low and mid-range torque.
As with all Subarus, all-wheel drive is still standard, but this one is 33% more efficient than its predecessor. The extra fuel economy in the new Impreza was not just achieved through a smaller, lighter engine. Subaru also dropped about 100 lbs and added new efficiency features such as electronic power steering, lower rolling resistance tires, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
CVT transmissions are not always favorable to enthusiasts because the infinite number of gear ratios means the engine won't have traditional shift points or hit its redline. Subaru is combating this by also including a paddle-shift mode on the CVT that mimics a six-speed transmission as well as offering a five-speed manual transmission on some Impreza models.
Outside, the 2012Â Subaru Impreza has been altered to resemble its big brother Subaru Legacy. Available in both sedan and 5-door (wagon) versions, the new body receives some welcomed edges and creases that were missing from the last car's design. The wheelbase of the new Impreza was enlarged, but shorter overhangs mean this Impreza occupies the same space as its predecessor.
Although the growth between the wheels was only about an inch, it yields more interior leg and hip room. Inside, the 2012 Impreza also gains upgrades such as a redesigned three-spoke steering wheel, better gauges, and upgraded materials quality. All Imprezas get features such as tilt steering wheel, power windows, power lock, and power mirrors as standard.
Subaru may have found a legitimate place for the 2012 Impreza in its lineup by shedding power and weight. The last generation Impreza was a good platform to base the hot rod WRX version, but the Impreza itself was relatively unremarkable. The outgoing car's base 2.5-liter engine was overburdened with weight from the additional features like Subaru's standard all-wheel drive. The result was a double whammy to the car because it was not particularly quick or particularly efficient (20/27 mpg city/highway) against its class competitors. So the old Impreza was sold mostly on its all-wheel drive merits.
Now Subaru says the 2012 Impreza returns 27/36 mpg city/highway. Those figures put the Impreza in good company with cars like the Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus (non-SFE model), and Chevrolet Cruze (non-Eco model). The 2012 Impreza now can be sold as an efficient vehicle with its all-wheel drive as a distinction instead of the only virtue. This Impreza is still not likely to win any drag races, but that is why the WRX and WRX STI models are built.
Pricing for the 2012 Subaru Impreza has not yet been announced, but it should not stray too far from the outgoing model's mid-$17k base. Exact pricing will be available before the new Impreza hits showrooms this summer.