Officially Official: Subaru releases full details on 2008 Impreza

Click image for photo gallery
Rather than beat a dead horse, we will simply direct you to Subaru's 2008 Impreza press release after the jump, and to the gallery below, which has had many new photos added to it. As always, the comments are open. We'll talk about it more when we see it in person. Enjoy.
[Source: Subaru]
Gallery: 2008 Subaru Impreza
PRESS RELEASE:
FHI Unveils All-New Subaru Impreza at the New York International Auto Show
Tokyo, April 3, 2007 – Fuji Heavy Industries Inc. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced the unveiling of its all new Subaru Impreza (U.S. specifications) at the New York International Auto Show, which will be held from April 6 through 15. (Press days : April 4 and 5) The third-generation Impreza will hit the market around the world starting this summer.
Developed around the product concept of new, more refined designs for comfort, the latest Impreza incorporates sophisticated styling and rich interior design, roominess and space, and outstanding comfort and utility, while offering a pleasant and safe ride enhanced by Subaru Symmetrical AWD (All-Wheel drive) with the Horizontally-Opposed engine.
1. Advanced core mechanism
The new Impreza showcases a redesigned chassis, body construction and drivetrain, as well as substantially improved overall performance, under the theme "Only Subaru can deliver such attractive performance and values."1 It also provides a pleasant ride with ease of handling and integrates performance with advanced safety and environmental considerations.
1) FHI recently set forth a new theme for Subaru cars that stipulates Subaru's goal: Subaru offers a comfortable, pleasant drive for the driver and passengers; provides peace of mind and reliability; and extends convenience, utility and functionality.
[Chassis]
• The newly designed double-wishbone rear suspension effectively absorbs shocks from road surfaces, ensuring high levels of ride comfort and agile handling.
• The lower center of gravity, enabled by the Boxer engine, has been enhanced by mounting the engine slightly lower in the chassis, thereby further improving stability.
• Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), available on a wider grade range of the Impreza lineup, increases active safety.
[Body construction]
• Additional use of high tension steel and reinforced joints has greatly improved rigidity.
• Streamlined body construction, while ensuring safety, makes weight reduction possible, which in turn improves fuel economy and maneuverability.
[Engines and transmissions]
• The 2.5-liter Boxer engine features ideal power output characteristics under a practical range of driving speeds through improved mid- to low-end torque. The engine has also been modified to improve emissions and fuel efficiency.
• The 2.5-liter SOHC normally aspirated engine adopts a new intake port and other design changes that make improved low-end torque and fuel efficiency possible. Improved emissions were realized by a new catalyst system that optimizes catalyst efficiency.
• Incorporating a newly designed intake manifold, intercooler and turbocharger, the 2.5-liter DOHC turbocharged engine delivers improved mid to low-end torque and fuel efficiency.
• Transmissions, both manual and automatic, were modified for faster, more responsive shifting and better maneuverability.
[Safety]
• Advancing the Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame Body Structure with front and rear crumple zones, the new Impreza has realized high levels of safety and crash worthiness.
• All models are equipped with dual SRS airbags, side SRS airbags, and curtain airbags.
• A collapsible safety pedal is available on all models to reduce the risk to feet in accidents.
2. Refined styling and elegant interior design
The new Impreza combines sporty styling with ample interior space and integrates functionality with elegance.
[Exterior design]
Refined styling is highlighted by a perfectly proportioned body, well calculated panel curves that reflect light and shadow in harmony, and quality details.
• Sweeping character lines on both sides express a sense of speed and individuality.
• A sporty image is underscored by projecting front fenders and rear quarters.
• Projector lamps, used in the headlights, give a dynamic three-dimensional appearance.
5-door model
• A clean and elegant line flows continuously from the front grille, up the A-pillar, across the roof down to the rear gate.
• An aerodynamic rear spoiler, standard on all models, heightens the car's sporty image.
4-door model
• The rear overhang is 165 mm longer than on the 5-door model, which gives the car a more elegant sedan look.
[Interior design]
• Spacious and open interior provides comfort and improves visibility.
• Aluminum-look insets in the center panels and door trim add a sporty feel and airiness.
• The navigation screen, as well as the vehicle information and audio displays are placed at the top of the dashboard for improved visibility and functionality.
• High-grade, double-stitched seat fabrics provide a feeling of quality.
3. Packaging and utility
• The new Impreza rides on a 95-mm-longer wheelbase than its predecessor, which enables expanded interior space.
• The all-new double-wishbone rear suspension makes room for a wider and deeper luggage compartment, enhancing the utility of the car.
• On the 5-door model, the rear seats feature a 60/40 split folding mechanism that allows various seating arrangements and increases cargo capacity. The wide and flat load floor can accommodate two Tour-size golf bags, or five carry-on bags.
• The 4-door model provides a larger trunk that can accommodate three Tour-size golf bags. The rear seats feature standard 60/40 split backs, giving pass-through access to the trunk.
• Larger door openings, which are enabled through new sash construction, afford improved ingress and egress, and the rear doors open 75 degrees to allow for better rear seat access.
• The door panels house molded recesses that can hold 720-mL PET bottles.












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Patrick 6:32PM (4/03/2007)
What? Still no pics of the back end of the sedan... I guess they know its shit!
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srivendel 6:33PM (4/03/2007)
"Only Subaru can deliver such attractive performance and values." Alright! Subaru is already bringing the Engrish! All your base will belong to us.
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shimman 6:33PM (4/03/2007)
this none turbo model reminds me of the last gen of hyundai elantra hatchback model.
subaru really needs to get a new leadership in designing
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Simon Miller 6:33PM (4/03/2007)
Subaru can't be happy with the reaction to this car. I smell another rushed re-hash.
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Aetius 6:34PM (4/03/2007)
Subaru tried to copy the design of my Mazda3 Sport GT (hatch). But it's nowhere close to being as hot/sexy as my car. My car turns heads. This one looks like a rental.
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joe 6:37PM (4/03/2007)
That looks like a Foucs and some KIA hatchback had sex and pooped out this thing...
Man, I loved my 04. That is hideous..
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Richie638 6:39PM (4/03/2007)
Stay in Japan
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Rafael A. Illan 6:40PM (4/03/2007)
here the pic of the rear of the car(from car and driver)
http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/image/2007/Q2/040220071519399294.jpg
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iQuack 6:39PM (4/03/2007)
#1, the sedan photo is here:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/2b85qw
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Cheezedog 6:51PM (4/03/2007)
Its ugly, but its still a Subaru... and if it sells that will be the reason why. Besides, this is why god invented Car Bras...
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CaliberSRT4 6:48PM (4/03/2007)
Yeah the sedan has fat Saturn Ion taillights! I just started comparing the new with the old. I sure hope the base model is less than $17,000. They should make it $14,000 since it looks like a Suzuki Reno.
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WillTheThrill 4:23PM (4/04/2007)
Looks like the young hipsters have grown up and produced kids. This has grocery-getter all over it. Can anyone say "Mommy Mobile?"
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zahn 6:58PM (4/03/2007)
This is getting from to worse to hopeless... I hope this koreanian horror is just some late april fools joke...
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SSBR 7:00PM (4/03/2007)
I know people hate Bangle, but did Subaru recently hire Frankenstein's maker? The hatchback looks like a Suzuki Reno. And the sedan has the body style of the current E90 3-Series BMW, with the front lights looking like a mutant cross hybrid of the Saturn ION and Mazda. Subaru gets the engine and build quality right, but they just can't get the front (or rear) look right.
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lgrunauer1 7:09PM (4/03/2007)
#6 you got that right!
that thing is hideous!!
subaru is going to have a really hard time selling this car, specially because its biggest competitor actually looks nice!
i just hope they hit it so bad with sales that they get forced to hire some good body designers....
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adelossa 7:13PM (4/03/2007)
When in doubt, copy the best (Mazda3). I can't wait for their redesign in '09
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Kotse 7:31PM (4/03/2007)
Must be the same idiots who designed the Tribeca..such abominations!
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G-Dog 7:15PM (4/03/2007)
What's with the doors having frames? I drive an 07' Mazda 3 and agree previous writers that this new Impreza looks like a cross between a 3 and a low rent Korean hatch. Why are they trying to go mainstream? They tried that back in the early 90's with their Legacy going head to head with Honda and Toyota. They recovered only by going after the AWD niche. This is dissapointing.
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Patrick 7:19PM (4/03/2007)
WOW, that rear is even worse than I imagine..eeekk.
Heads are going to be rolling over at Fuji Ind. over the coming weeks for sure..
"ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to introduce.... The Homer.."
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AndyH 7:21PM (4/03/2007)
Another photo of the rear of the new sedan:
http://www.drivingsportsvideo.com/subiesport/08sedan_tail.jpg
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