The Subaru Impreza is a compact car that was first introduced by Subaru in 1993. "Impreza" is a coined word, deriving from an originally Italian word, Impreza, meaning a feat or achievement. In Polish, "Impreza" means "party", "event" or "show".
The Impreza was introduced after the popular Leone/Loyale was cancelled with the aging EA series engine. The Impreza was introduced with the popular EJ series engine found in the larger Subaru Legacy.
The Impreza was introduced as an updated competitor to other Asian vehicles Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Mitsubishi Lancer and Mazda 323; however the Impreza is the only vehicle in this class to offer AWD and Subaru made this feature standard equipment in 1996, a distinction that is still unique to this day.
Subaru chose to continue their longstanding traditional use of the boxer engine in the Impreza, as well as their other products, to simplify the power train implementation of all wheel drive and because of the natural smoothness of the engine design. According to Subaru, because the engine sits in line with the transmission, instead of being offset, as can be commonly found by other FWD and AWD vehicles, body roll is minimized. The weight of the engine and transmission are balanced instead of being offset, which causes the weight of the engine and transmission to be unbalanced in the engine bay in other vehicles. The boxer engine also affords a low center of gravity because the engine sits low in the engine bay and close to the ground, as opposed to other vehicles, allowing the vehicle to stay more stable in moderate to high speed maneuvers. Other manufacturers attempt to counteract the offset weight by making their power trains weight evenly distributed, which overall causes the power train to be heavier than the Subaru layout, which is lightweight from the beginning, having being manufactured from aluminum. The boxer design also provides perfect vibration mitigation due to the fact that the movement of each piston is exactly countered by the corresponding piston in the opposing cylinder bank, eliminating the need for a harmonic balancer attached to the front of the engine at the crankshaft. Torque steer is also reduced with this type of power train layout. This is achieved by having the front driveshafts being of equal weight and length, and extends from the transmission to the front wheels at almost perpendicular from the transmission.
Models
Subaru introduced the so-called "New Age" Impreza to the world market in 2001. The second generation Impreza was intended to be larger, safer, stiffer, more refined, and more responsive. For many enthusiasts, the changes in the new car made it less desirable because it was heavier and slower with less of a raw edge to it. The WRX Sedan had a 20 mm wider track than its predecessor to aid handling, while the wagon remained the same. The coupe model was no longer available. The ovoid headlamp "bug-eyed" styling of the New Age Impreza was polarizing, but the improvements to the car brought greater mainstream acceptance.
In the United States, release of the basic 227 hp 2.0 L turbocharged Impreza, the WRX, did not occur until the 2002 model year, and the Impreza WRX STi was delayed until the 2004 model year. The US version of the STi includes various departures from the Japanese and European counterparts, such as a turbocharged 2.5L EJ25 engine (not to be confused with the naturally-aspirated engine used in the 2.5RS which is also called EJ25), rather than the twin-scroll turbo 2.0 L engine sold elsewhere. All 2006 American Impreza’s use some form of the 2.5 L EJ25 engine since naturally aspirated and turbo charged are available.
Some customers' and the press' negative reaction to the New Age Impreza's styling forced Subaru to facelift the car by 2003, with more conventional, squarer headlamps, nicknamed 'blob eyes'. All 2006 Imprezas, including the performance models, have been redesigned again with the controversial "jet intake and wings" grille first debuted on the Subaru B9 Tribeca crossover SUV, along with new headlights tail lights, and bumpers. Opinion on this style is split, but is generally regarded as better applied on the Impreza than the Tribeca. For model year 2008, it has been announced that Subaru will be dropping the grille from the upcoming Impreza redesign.
2006-2007
In late 2005 a new range was released; including the entry-level 2.0i (formerly GX), RV, 2.0R (formerly RS), WRX and WRX STi models. The 2.0R changed from a 2.5 L engine to a slightly more powerful 2.0 L engine; while the turbocharged WRX changed from a 2.0 L engine to a 2.5 L engine. The automatic transmission was dropped from the WRX despite the popularity of the sports shift automatic in other Subaru’s such as the Outback. In 2006 the automatic transmission was added to the Limited package which includes heated leather seats, heated mirrors, heated wiper blades, and a moon roof. Side airbags were added as standard across the range. Subaru Impreza WRX has been bought by French Gendarmerie for its Motorway patrols. At the New York Auto Show, Subaru introduced a new WRX.
Specialty models:
2002–2007 —WRX & WRX STi
Options, Features, & Specifications
Year Range: 2002-2007
Passengers: 5
Original MSRP: $17,495 - $33,495
Average Bluebook Today: $12,455 - $20,615
Fuel Mileage: 18 - 28 MPG
Horsepower: 165 - 300 BHP
Torque: 166 - 300 LB-FT
Transmission: AWD only, 4 Speed Automatic, 5 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Manual
List of some of the standard features:
Antilock Brakes, Daytime Running Lights, Child Safety Locks, AC, Cruise control, Power windows, Power locks, Power mirrors, Rear defroster
List of some of the optional features:
CD Players, Premium Sound, Leather, Sun/Moon Roof, Power Seats, Roof Rack, Navigation