Subaru is one of the few companies I'm always eager to see unveil their latest models. Unlike most car manufacturers, their redesign and model overhauls are often dramatic, if nothing short of shocking, especially when it comes to exterior looks. Drastic facelifts have been the norm for Subaru over the years, and while the brand-new 2012 might not be sporting a shockingly different look, it's definitely gone through enough changes to attract attention.
Unveiled at the 2011 New York Auto Show, the redesigned 2012 Subaru Impreza is a clear example of Subaru's journey towards making Subarus more mainstream. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. It just means that the cult following Subaru was known to have in the past has expanded to include your neighbour and his parents.
Both the 2012 sedan and hatch received a new exterior look that reflects the design cues and lines of its older brother, the Legacy – even the hawkeye headlights first introduced on the Legacy are carried over to the Impreza. This new look means a growth spurt for the smallest Subaru of the bunch, as it’s being built on a longer wheelbase, which means more cabin space and better visibility – both qualities consumers are concerned with. This length means larger doors that open wider and more legroom as well (50 mm more in the rear, to be exact).
All these be-bigger changes only brought to mind our population's ever-expanding waistlines and I have to wonder if Subaru's latest Impreza really was designed to truly appeal to the mass of the masses. As cars get smaller and smaller, so too do the population who can fit in them. By ensuring their cars are easy to get in and out of and comfortable for all sizes, Subaru is no longer limiting themselves to a single type of buyer.
Just an observation.
With a new exterior look comes new interior goodies in the form of a 3-spoke steering wheel and sporty instrument panel as well as the choice between an information display or a 4.3” multifunctional colour display (only available on Sport and Limited models). Lots of nifty, larger pockets and storage places have been added as well, along with a tilting/telescoping steering wheel.
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| Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com |
Unveiled at the 2011 New York Auto Show, the redesigned 2012 Subaru Impreza is a clear example of Subaru's journey towards making Subarus more mainstream. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. It just means that the cult following Subaru was known to have in the past has expanded to include your neighbour and his parents.
Both the 2012 sedan and hatch received a new exterior look that reflects the design cues and lines of its older brother, the Legacy – even the hawkeye headlights first introduced on the Legacy are carried over to the Impreza. This new look means a growth spurt for the smallest Subaru of the bunch, as it’s being built on a longer wheelbase, which means more cabin space and better visibility – both qualities consumers are concerned with. This length means larger doors that open wider and more legroom as well (50 mm more in the rear, to be exact).
All these be-bigger changes only brought to mind our population's ever-expanding waistlines and I have to wonder if Subaru's latest Impreza really was designed to truly appeal to the mass of the masses. As cars get smaller and smaller, so too do the population who can fit in them. By ensuring their cars are easy to get in and out of and comfortable for all sizes, Subaru is no longer limiting themselves to a single type of buyer.
Just an observation.
With a new exterior look comes new interior goodies in the form of a 3-spoke steering wheel and sporty instrument panel as well as the choice between an information display or a 4.3” multifunctional colour display (only available on Sport and Limited models). Lots of nifty, larger pockets and storage places have been added as well, along with a tilting/telescoping steering wheel.
 |
| Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com |