The sixth-generation Subaru Impreza, only available as a five-door hatchback, has made its debut at the 2022 Los Angeles motor show.
Compared to the Crosstrek unveiled at the end of October, the Impreza sits lower to the ground, has different grille and bumper designs, and misses out on plastic wheel arch extensions.
“Impreza has been part of the Subaru family for 30 years, and we look forward to sharing more details for the Australian market in due course,” said a spokesperson for Subaru Australia.
Although Subaru has yet to provide dimensions for the new Impreza, it should be roughly the same size as the Crosstrek, which is said to be 4480mm long, 1800mm wide, and rides on a 2670mm wheelbase.
The Crosstrek is 5mm shorter than the outgoing XV, but has a 5mm longer wheelbase.
According to the automaker, the Subaru Global Platform underpinning the new Impreza is 10 per cent more torsionally rigid, and includes a full inner frame.
With 3.4 times more structural adhesive than before, the Impreza is claimed to be lighter than before, but Subaru has yet to quantify by how much.
For American buyers there are two engines to choose from. The standard mill is a 2.0-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine making 113kW of power and 197Nm of torque.
Sportier variants have a larger 2.5-litre boxer-four generating 136kW and 241Nm.
Both engines are exclusively paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, which now comes with torque vectoring as standard.
In upscale variants, the CVT also has eight preset gear ratios that are accessible via shift paddles behind the steering wheel.
Standard features throughout the US range include keyless entry, tyre pressure monitoring with readouts for each tyre, and dual-zone climate control.
There’s also an upgraded version of Subaru’s EyeSight safety system, which has a wider field of view and can detect pedestrians and cyclists at intersections more promptly, a rear-seat reminder system, and a new electric brake booster.
Autonomous emergency steering is now fitted to vehicles with blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Other available equipment includes rear USB charging ports, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and 10-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat.
Top-spec models are equipped with a large 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen with over-the-air software updates, wireless Apple AirPlay, and wireless Android Auto.
The sportiest American model wears RS badging, and comes with 18-inch dark grey alloy wheels, blacked out grille and mirrors, faux carbon-fibre interior trim, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear shifter, and sport front seats with red bolsters.
