Subaru’s all-new Impreza sports a new skin

THE REDESIGNED engine of the all-new Subaru Impreza has been engineered for better efficiency and less friction.

The all-new Subaru Impreza sports a refreshingly new and attractive front and its makeover isn’t just a pretty face. While the car has been totally restyled with similar styling cues from its bigger sibling the Legacy and the new XV, with a distinctive hexagon grille and squared-off deck, it still retains its proven symmetrical all-wheel drive and flat-four cylinder engine platform with about an inch of extra wheelbase length, giving it more cabin room. Surprisingly, it is also about 165 pounds lighter than its predecessor. Its 2-liter boxer engine has not improved much in terms of increase in horsepower, the car’s reduced weight and mass has made it perkier than the previous model. Speaking from previous experience, this writer owned a previous generation RS hatchback driven by no less than Subaru’s master of maneuvers, United Kingdom’s Guinness World Record holder and stunt driver Russ Swift himself in several stunt performances during the Manila International Auto Show a few years back.

Its redesigned engine has been engineered for better efficiency and less friction, giving it a better low-torque response and its naturally aspirated engine that promises lesser CO2 emissions of up to about 185 g per km. Mating its newly reengineered engine with the new Subaru Dynamic Chassis Control Concept also gives a more civilized suspension for braving the grueling everyday traffic while robust enough to allow drivers to have that balanced sporty feel and handling, which forms part of the Subaru racing heritage and DNA. For this writer’s test unit, the automatic transmission didn’t stop him from having an exhilarating time with its Lineartronic paddle shifters that includes a sports manual mode for higher revs and better power output. Its electric sunroof is also a nice plus for that morning sun gleaning into the cabin’s redesigned interior and nicely laid out cockpit.

Impreza 2012 kicks off

Motor Image Pilipinas will formally launch the all-new Impreza this coming Saturday at the Bonifacio High Street’s Activity Area. This will coincide with the Manila leg of the Subaru Impreza 2012 Challenge that was postponed due to the severe monsoon rains, locally known as “Habagat,” so that its contestants would have ample time to prepare for this grueling challenge. Hundreds of participants are expected to join this unique endurance contest where contestants will have to place the palm of their hands on a marked specific area on a Subaru Impreza car and hold their position until the last person standing wins the top spot. There is a 5-minute break for every six hours and they will also be asked to do some challenges during the contest.

THE ELECTRIC sunroof is also a nice plus for that morning sun gleaning into the cabin’s redesigned interior.

The last 10 standing contestants who did not remove their palms on the car will qualify for the regional contest and an all-expense trip to Singapore this coming October 27th to join in the final elimination round. The overall regional winner will win an all-new Subaru Impreza valued over a million pesos. The record for the longest time is held by George Lee of Singapore with a record time of 81 hours and 32 minutes.

For more information about the contest visit www.motorimage.net/PH/web/Subaru-Impreza-Challenge/ and download an application form to get a chance to represent the Philippines in the Subaru Impreza Challenge. Interested participants can also visit the “I Love Subaru” Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/ILOVESUBARU or call the Motor Image office at 727-8333 or 727-3687.