New Subaru is a spunky ride
SMOOTHER AND MORE FUEL EFFICIENT ʂ Awarded the highest safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The fifth generation allnew Subaru Impreza sedan has launched in South Africa and is an all-new vehicle that represents Subaru’s Dynamic + Solid design and engineering philosophy. It has been built to deliver on Subaru’s brand promise of Confidence in Motion.
The new Subaru Global Platform enhances all-round safety, interior space and driving dynamics. The platform has been designed to work in tandem with the new FB 2.0-litre Boxer® engine. It’s a direct injection unit that is now 12kg lighter than the previous engine, resulting in a smoother drive with improved performance and fuel efficiency.
The new engine produces 115kW and 196Nm. All SA-spec vehicles will feature the upgraded Lineartronic CVT gearbox that features a seven-speed manual mode with shifter paddles behind the steering wheel. The gearbox too is 7.8kg lighter. Standard on all cars in South Africa, including the new Impreza, is the Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system which distributes power to all four wheels for maximum grip, stability and performance.
This new platform makes extensive use of high-tensile steel to enhance agility and ride comfort, while making noise and vibration levels much less evident. The reworked chassis has improved torsional rigidity by up to 70% for a more solid driving feel, while the electric power steering system is lighter, more compact and produces an improved steering ratio of 13:1 for a quicker response. The suspension systems have also been re-engineered and, when combined with a lower centre of gravity, the result is reduced body roll by 50% compared to the previous Impreza model.
The safety ratings on the new Subaru Impreza are unparalleled. No other car in this segment offers the levels of primary, active, passive and pre-collision safety that are standard in the new Subaru Impreza.
Standard on the launch model 2.0i-S is the inclusion of Active Torque Vectoring for more control during cornering and collision avoidance. Additional safety features aare: Steering Responsive Headlights; High Beam Assist, and Subaru Rear/Side Vehicle Detection which includes Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Steering Responsive Headlights turn in the direction of the corner spreading more light for safer driving.
High Beam Assist automatically switches from high to low beams depending on the vehicle approaching from the front. When a driver signals a lane change, the Subaru Rear/Side Vehicle Detection warns them of vehicles in the adjacent lane (Blind Spot Detection) and of vehicles approaching at a high speed in the adjacent lane (Lane Change Assist) and, when reversing, warns of vehicles from either side approaching the rear of the vehicle (Rear Cross-Traffic Alert).
In October 2017, the 2.0i-S ES Premium Model will be launched with the award-winning EyeSight Driver Assist System. It has four different types of driver assistance functions to reduce or circumvent collisions caused by driver error and to reduce or circumvent collisions caused by driver fatigue. It does this by detecting the presence of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and other hazards. The results play out in seven vehicle outputs: Pre-Collision Braking; Pre-Collision Throttle Management; Adaptive Cruise Control; Lane Sway Warning and Lane Departure Warning.
In addition, when the driver is reversing, four sonar sensors in the rear bumper detect obstructions and will notify the driver and then automatically apply the brakes to avoid or reduce the severity of a collision (Reverse Automatic Braking).
As with all Subaru vehicles, the Impreza is equipped with seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag; whiplash reducing front seats; ABS, BAS and EBD as well as ISOFIX child seat anchors in the rear for the protection of infants and children.
The new Impreza with the EyeSight system has been awarded the highest safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Japanese New Car Assessment Programme.
Inside there’s a sporty and elegant mix of black and chrome contrast in the overall layout. The centre stack is dominated by the new eight-inch LCD Infotainment screen with a choice of connectivity options, in-car applications and media options. SatNav is one of these applications, loaded with TomTom navigation software and functionality too. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available as one of the connectivity options while Siri Eyes Free allow the driver to direct functions using their voice. The leather wheel is tilt/telescopically-adjustable and features the audio, cruise control and mobile phone controls.
There are a number of onetouch functions throughout the cabin, notably the electric windows, electronic park brake as well as the keyless entry push-button start system that allows you to keep the keys on your person while still being able to operate the functions required.
The Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S Premium CVT is available for R399 000. There is a new five-year/150 000km warranty specifically for the new Impreza. The threeyear/75 000km standard maintenance plan is upgradable to a five-year/150 000km period at a subsidised rate.
In October 2017, the 2.0i-S will be joined by the 2.0i Lineartronic CVT standard grade model and the EyeSight equipped 2.0i-S ES Lineartronic CVT, which will be the range’s flagship. Pricing will be confirmed closer to October.