2008 Subaru Impreza
 

Good things eventually happen to good automobiles and that includes the latest edition of the Subaru Impreza and its sporty WRX relation.

For the 2008 model year, these all-wheel-drive compacts will get up and go with clean-sheet styling plus plenty of mechanical upgrades to match their sure-footed abilities.

As a niche brand, Subaru shuns the look-at-me hype employed by other mainstream automakers, preferring to quietly focus on its target audience of active, outdoors types who rely on the all-weather abilities for which Subarus are famous. Bikers, hikers, climbers, campers and skiers are included in this group, although other lifestyle segments that appreciate Subaru's rugged disposition also frequent dealer showrooms.

All will be impressed with the reworking of the Impreza's look, or, more correctly, looks. The completely altered four-door sedan is joined by a four-door wagon that, due to the steep angle of the liftgate, could rightfully be considered a hatchback. Subaru avoids both terms, preferring to simply label it a five door. Whatever you call it, the hatch . . . er, wagon, along with the sedan arrive without the controversial grille-within-a-grille nosepiece. The new design is both sporty and elegant, thanks to some bright trim that flanks the grille's egg-crate centre section.

The two body styles -- which can be had in either base or high-performance WRX guise -- are larger than the 2007 models they replace, including a 10-centimetre gain between the front an rear wheels and a 3.5-centimetre increase in height. Surprisingly, the hatchback-wagon (there, that settles it) is shorter than the previous year's wagon and has less space behind the back seat. However, the new Impreza benefits from a less intrusive rear suspension that helps create a wider, deeper trunk and, claims Subaru, better handling and reduced road noise.

Regardless of model or body style, Subaru's own tape measure shows more front shoulder and rear leg room inside the reshaped cabin. An attractive, wrap-around-style dashboard that would look right at home in a premium-priced German sedan makes the interior a more inviting environment.

This time around, Subaru has added frames to its door glass, which creates a more rigid body structure and reduces wind noise. Positives, for sure, but now the car also seems more upscale.

A 170-horsepower 2.5-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder (the engine sits flat with two cylinders straddling each side of the crankshaft) is found in base models while a 224-horse turbocharged version powers the WRX. Both engines return from last year with only slight alterations to decrease emissions and improve fuel efficiency. Fine tuning has produced more torque at a lower engine revs, which should be noticeable during around-town driving.

To improve handling, the engines are positioned closer to the ground for a lower centre of gravity.

Transmissions choices include a five-speed manual or available four-speed automatic.

Although absent for the time being, the high-performance 300-horsepower WRX STi is expected to return later in the model year.

Source: [url=http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id=720c6722-9255-4b93-b483-ad9d7438ebe3]Driving.ca[/url]