2012 Subaru Impreza trades style for fuel economy

[Mr Kleen]

my point is that is hasn't always LOOKED like every other econobox on the road.

[Raven]

I think you and everyone else in this thread are deluding yourselves.

[scheherazade]

-scheherazade

[complacent]

i was in the middle of doing something similar, thanks.

they are pretty damn close between the last two years. in silhouette.

faces and asses are significantly different though. headlights and taillights are of obviously different design.

i'd be willing to say that the base impreza looks similar to the 2012 impreza from a profile shot.

[Mr Kleen]

It might look similar to the current Impreza, but I don't care for the current Impreza either.
Sorry if I'm being "Clarkson" about this.

[Raven]

My honest opinion is I like it. The headlights have a nice, sharp, angular look to them. I think with the right set of wheels it'll look very cool.

[PGT]

2008 Impreza was based upon the BL/BP Legacy platform. Why is this surprising? One of the reasons that capability went up in the GRB STI....multilink rear suspension

[Mr Kleen]

My honest opinion is I like it. The headlights have a nice, sharp, angular look to them. I think with the right set of wheels it'll look very cool.

But you also like Saabs [not made by Subaru].

The STi might pull off an OK look, who knows...

[complacent]

pics are up.

view at your own risk. if you have a sensitive stomach, you might just


(i don't think it's really that bad.)

[chicken n waffles]

for the first time ever i prefer the wagon over the sedan.

the interior looks a lot... well not nicer. busier, yes. hopefully it's not a hollow plastic chasm of agony.

[complacent]

totally agree on the interior. and the wagon over the sedan. looks very civic with a busted grill.

still happy with my toaster though.

[Mr Kleen]

the wagon is better than the sedan by a mile, even with the weird area at the rear corners. hopefully the STi will use that body style. the interior seems good if they use good materials, and different seats for the STi of course.

Hey, at least it isn't the new Lexus LF-Gh. (brace yourself indeed...)

[boomee]

I like it sedan or wagon that could be my next commuter car whenever i retire the forester XT (i never wanna retire that car )

[drwrx]

I love the wagon, and if the CVT is as good as the auto press deems it, I think this would make a perfect commuter car.
And 36 MPG (highway) is damn impessive for a AWD vehicle.

[complacent]

I love the wagon, and if the CVT is as good as the auto press deems it, I think this would make a perfect commuter car.
And 36 MPG (highway) is damn impessive for a AWD vehicle.

bingo. my thoughts exactly.

[sirwilliam]

I wonder the MPG (and weight gain) of the Wagon vs. the sedan. I would definitely rock that grey/silver wagon in that trim shown (huge improvement over the shown sedan).

[complacent]

here's another article on the 2012 impreza from the gang at autoblog.

lots of pictures to check out. worth clicking through for the curious.

interesting tidbits:

Beneath the hood lies a brand-new 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine, which produces 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. When paired with Subaru's new CVT, the Impreza achieves the aforementioned 36 mile per gallon highway fuel-economy rating, and also returns 27 mpg in the city. And though the 2012 Impreza occupies the same footprint as the model it replaces, the wheelbase has been pushed out an extra inch, which allows for more interior space yet no trunk room was compromised.

looks like they'll be here this summer. i think it'll be a great (and S-L-O-W) commuter car. especially for those with a need for awd. i dig it.

[drwrx]

looks like they'll be here this summer. i think it'll be a great (and S-L-O-W) commuter car. especially for those with a need for awd. i dig it.

It certainly isn't going to come close to WRX or STi levels of performance, but according to Autoblog:

with the CVT and lighter weight it still gets to 60 miles per hour in 9.8 seconds – a 0.3-second improvement. Not only that, but every passing metric, 50 mph to 70 mph, for instance, is improved.

I'd be curious what kind of improvements could be produced from some tuning and mods?
Subiesport had a project RS that they got very impressive performance out of but at a very high cost.

[sirwilliam]

I am pretty much sold on it. I think it will be a big seller if those stats are true about the improvements.

[Sabre]

I'd be curious what kind of improvements could be produced from some tuning and mods?
Subiesport had a project RS that they got very impressive performance out of but at a very high cost.

Once CVT's are built that can handle the torque sports cars put out, I think traditional transmissions (even awesome ones like the Ferrari's and Porches) are going to go the way of the dodobird.
Evolution of gear boxes:
Manual
Automatic
Dual Clutch Manual
CVT

A transmission that always keeps you in the sweet spot for your setup will rule the roost.

[boomee]

for commuting i dont mind the evolution but for me for weekend car ( and my current forester) Manual FTW

[drwrx]

As much as I was once an advocate of manual transmisions (I had never owned an auto til last year), it only took two drives (GT-R and EVO X) to convince me that swapping cogs through a stick in the floor was obsolete.

I've only driven one CVT (Sentra) and came away thinking it was a big step up from their 4EAT.

But I'm with Julian on this one.

[Raven]

I'll keep my old fashioned stick shift. I openly admit it's slower than the more sophisticated modern gearboxes, but working the gearbox of a sports car is a far more rewarding experience than lap times can reveal.

[Mr Kleen]

I'll keep my old fashioned stick shift. I openly admit it's slower than the more sophisticated modern gearboxes, but working the gearbox of a sports car is a far more rewarding experience than lap times can reveal.

sometimes it's more fun to do it the hard way.
knowwhatImean

[chicken n waffles]

I'll keep my old fashioned stick shift. I openly admit it's slower than the more sophisticated modern gearboxes, but working the gearbox of a sports car is a far more rewarding experience than lap times can reveal.

this*







*until my left knee finally gives out