Drag king new Impreza STI could be hybrid turbo
A much bigger and more upmarket Subaru Impreza is about to make its grand entrance at the New York Motor Show and these are the first images. The first of many Subarus to be pegged on the Global Platform, the new car will take on rivals like the Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Golf and Audi A3.
The latest Subaru Impreza will be available as either a hatchback or a sedan but we’ll need to wait for Subaru South Africa to confirm the car’s final positioning. Based on current trends a hatchback surely has the stronger argument.
New Impreza’s wheelbase is up by 25mm, the length extended by 41mm and width by 38mm. For improved aerodynamics, 10mm has been taken off the car’s roofline. Subaru will retain the 4-cylinder turbo engines mated to all-wheel drive but that’s not to say there’s been a complete freeze on engine technology as new efficiency systems like cylinder deactivation will assist with lowering fuel consumption.
The performance-orientated STI version could be the first model to test the Global Platform’s ability to integrate options for hybrid power. At this stage it is believed that the new 2016 Subaru STI will be equipped with an electric motor on the rear axle, assisting the 2.0-litre turbo engine (driving the front axle) for an overall output of 240kW.
If Subaru gets this right we might be looking at the fastest value for money offering – just like it was in the 90s.
Subaru STARLINK will allow owners to download various apps to enhance their phone’s capabilities along with voice control and EyeSight collision avoidance.
