Subaru is set to bring back the Impreza Hatchback for sale in the UK in May 2014, which marks the return of the Impreza models to the UK since it pulled out in late 2011. However, petrolheads shouldn’t get excited yet as the new Impreza for the UK will be catered primarily to the mass market.
Having said that, a mild 1.6L flat-four boxer petrol engine that produces 112bhp and 150 Nm of torque is being used, mated to either a five-speed manual or a CVT gearbox. Acceleration figures are best described as modest as 0-100 km/h is only 12.3 seconds in manual form. Top speed is a mere 183 km/h but the Impreza sips fuel as it can return a 44.1mpg on a combined cycle.
Forget the body hugging bucket seats or large air scoop that’s associated with the older Impreza as this new Impreza has standard equipment ranging from automatic headlights and wipers, 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone air conditioning, heated front seats and a reverse camera. However, the good news is unlike that other European marque, they did not ditch the feature that made Subaru a distinctive brand – all-wheel-drive.
For those who desire a hot and faster Impreza, fear not as the WRX STI (in the UK, the hot Impreza is known as the WRX STI) will make a long awaited return in the UK this summer for £28,995 and comes with a 2.5L flat four power unit developing around 305bhp. However for those seeking a simple, practical car with good mileage but sticks to the tarmac like glue, look no further than this Impreza hatchback that starts at less than £18,000 in the UK.
However, looking at the images I can’t help but think it does look like this particular car that is familiar on our roads.
[Source: Autocar UK]
