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Cool Concept: Subaru Impreza
Subaru is looking to make a change. The automotive arm of Japanese conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries is planning to switch up its global brand and design strategy, and we're sure a lot of Subbie fans out there are ecstatic to learn that the company is looking to revise its current blueprint. To kick off its makeover, Subaru used the 2010 L.A. Auto Show to unveil a concept based around its global compact car, the Impreza. Word is, this actual model may not wind up in dealerships, but a lot of the design language will. That's unfortunate because this Design Concept is sick. Read on to find out why.
It's the best-looking Subaru Impreza ever.
When not dressed in STI wares, the current Impreza may be one of the most awkwardly designed cars on the market. Made to appeal to the mass-market, it's both bland and, at certain angles, ridiculous. This Design Concept looks to change all that with a much more princely look. The tried-and-true Subaru grill is still intact, as are the large wheel arches. But that's about it. In exchange for vanilla curves and odd angles, we get sumptuous, modern-looking swoops which, according to Subaru, were crafted by hours and hours of wind-tunnel testing for better aerodynamics.
It sports a more dynamic interior.
Compared to its competitors, the Impreza already has quite a competent interior. The materials aren't lush, but they're not harsh to the touch; it's not lavish by any means, but it's got what you need. Still, Subaru would like to slightly one-up themselves. The Design Concept sports an interior that is meant to be as sporty as it is comfortable and as technologically advanced as it is intuitive. To that end, it's laid out a very attractive four-seat configuration with a central touchscreen display that handles navigation, audio, and car controls. Elsewhere you'll find touch-panels that control almost everything else in the car.
It's super safe.
These days, safety is of paramount importance to automakers. If you can make a car fast and safe, even better. In hopes of achieving that balance, Subaru has loaded the Design Concept with new technology aimed at keeping the driver alive at any costs. A cool one is the Eye-Sight driver-assist system which places a forward- and rear-facing camera on the edges of the roof to give the driver images of the things they miss on the road.
It's powered by an updated Boxer engine.
Though this concept may not actually hit the streets, its engine will. Located horizontally between the two front wheels is Subaru's next generation Boxer engine. Paired with a Lineartronic CVT transmission, the lump is a 2-liter, naturally-aspirated variant of the 2.5-liter engine that's making its way into the 2011 Forester.
It's made to be economical and sporty.
Despite its eco-aspirations, the Impreza Design Concept still has Subaru DNA running through it. To go along with its sporty, staggered stance, the Design Concept features Subaru's legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system to ensure traction and grip in any situation. To help deliver above-average fuel economy, the designers have installed rear diffusers under the bumper and accentuated the lip on the trunk hood to create less drag, all in the name of miles-per-gallon.
