LOS ANGELES — Subaru is dropping the Impreza sedan and focusing efforts available in the market for entry-level automobiles with a redesigned 2024 Impreza hatchback, giving the sixth-generation compact improved efficiency, upgraded security and infotainment techniques and a resurrected scorching hatch RS trim stage.
The Japanese model revealed the redesigned 2024 Impreza on Thursday right here on the Los Angeles Auto Present, 30 years after introducing the first-generation model on the 1992 present. Whereas the model will discontinue the four-door Impreza after the 2023 mannequin yr, it’s bringing again the new hatch RS trim stage for the primary time since 2007. A Subaru spokesman stated the present hatchback model accounted for 73 p.c of Impreza gross sales thus far this yr, with the sedan model making up the remaining.
The brand new Impreza can be out there in Comfort, Touring, and new RS and Sport-tech trim ranges in Canada.
The Comfort and Touring fashions are powered by a 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder engine that produces 152 hp and 145 pound-feet of torque, whereas the RS and Sport-tech fashions can be powered by a 2.5-litre boxer four-cylinder engine producing 182 hp and 178 pound-feet of torque. Each engines are paired to a constantly variable transmission.
The returning Impreza RS trim and Sport-tech trims distinguish themselves from the opposite trims with bolder exterior styling, particular RS badging, normal 18-inch, darkish gray alloy wheels, upgraded LED headlamps and fog lights, and black end on the grille, facet spoilers and facet mirrors. The interiors function an upgraded speaker system, energy moonroof and driver seat, specialised trim accents and logo-emblazoned floormats, in addition to a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter and aluminum alloy pedals. Sport-tech beneficial properties leather-based seating surfaces.
All-wheel drive will come normal and have lively torque vectoring to enhance dealing with. Engineers additionally improved the Impreza’s digital energy steering with the most recent era, the model says, and improved torsional rigidity by 10 per cent to enhance efficiency.
Contained in the cabin, the Impreza hatch will function a redesigned HVAC system, which the model says will concentrate on occupied seats in an effort to enhance gas financial system, although dual-zone local weather controls come normal. For the primary time, the Subaru Starling 11.6-inch tablet-style infotainment system is out there for Impreza.
The newest era of Subaru’s EyeSight driver help and security suite comes normal throughout all trim ranges. The model says the improved system encompasses a wider discipline of view, up to date management software program and a newly added electrical brake booster, enhancing recognition of bicycles and pedestrians. Computerized emergency steering is included on fashions geared up with blind-spot detection and lane maintaining, aiding with steering management to assist keep away from collisions at speeds lower than 80 km/h.
Mixed Canada gross sales of the Impreza sedan and hatchback fell 36 per cent to 2,091 by October. Canada’s compact automobile phase shrank 27 per cent to 101,065 within the first three quarters as customers proceed to embrace crossovers and automakers prioritize bigger, extra worthwhile light-truck output amid a scarcity of key parts, notably microchips.
On the similar time, mixed U.S. gross sales fell 3.2 per cent to 25,490 by October. The U.S. compact automobile phase shrank 32 per cent to 583,679 within the first three quarters.
Pricing particulars weren’t introduced. The 2024 Impreza is predicted to be out there in dealerships in spring 2023, a Subaru spokesman stated.