I do not know what to completely make of this. It seems wierd that Subaru to rebuttle on their word to not show the new Impreza until the NY Autoshow, and to make it only a single magazine exclusive. The publishers of Motor Trend must have paid a pretty penny for this, either to fabricate or to get a peek. The photos look fairly real, but there are some things to point out that could make it fake. For one thing if you check out the interior shot, there is no disc player. Now either Subaru has truely grasped the way of the future and uncluded an PMP with internal HD along with their touch screen navi or that is a mockup. Another is the engine shot is of the exact one found in the current Legacy GT, which could very well be the one found in the next Impreza.

Take a look and judge for yourself, if you haven't somewhere else already:






Aside from the back which looks like a shrunken CX-7 the car looks alright. The front looks like a Subaru even though a blacked out grill would make it look awsome and the side has a BMW profile with the black rimmed windows being all Subaru. Even though I bet most of you will be flocking your loyalty to the EVO.

I want to believe though Subaru gave Motor Trend an early mockup and the one shown at the Auto Show will have some slight changes.

 

It kinda looks like a mazda. Im not really a fan of the new look , but I'm sure it will grow on me just like the 06 fronts.

 

I think they could have gone more aggressive. I agree that it will probably grow on me, but right now, I'm not that impressed. The grill reminds me of a PT Cruiser at first glance. The back makes in look like more of a crossover-type vehicle.

This looks like they took a European car and watered it down for the Americans. Why do they do that?! All the cool looking cars go to Europe and we mostly get boring, crappy-styling cars. Peugeot 207 and 306, Ford Focus (Euro), and the list goes on. Did anyone happen to see the Ford Focus being sold only in Europe in a recent edition of Sport Compact (I think). It was $40,000, but it looked absolutely amazing. Okay...I'm done ranting.

 

Remember though this is not a pic of the STi if this is indeed the real deal. It seems to me that like Mistubishi with the new Lancer Ralliart Subaru is too reserving all their aggressive looks for their top of the line rally homologation. As for the $40k compact hatchback, considering most Americans still have a hard time coming to turms with an almost $30k one like GTi. However that doesn't seem to stop Volvo from bringing the C30 T5 over and if that along with the Mazdaspeed3 sell well your dream of hothatches being widely sold in North America may come true.

 

pics do not work.

 

just as a note, the 07s are already out, i think this is supposed to be for the 08s

 

Eh, not too thrilled bout the new front, looks kinda like a chysler.

 

wreeeeeetch

 

I'd rock one...

-THE DON

 

I don't know, but the front end kinda ressembles the 2002-2006 Camry?

 

I guess theres Toyota's shares at work. Hopefully Subaru's new found relationship with Toyota will bring about more than merely aesthetics and maybe introducing newly engineered transmissions which always has been Subaru's weekpoint, except for the 6 speed manual in the STi and Spec B.

It is good to see Subaru still has the auto enthusiast in mind considering that they shrunk the new Impreza slightly to off set the weight difference brought about by the steel based siding. However, for the sake of appealing to a wider market Subaru should drop the 4EAT in this Impreza in favor of the 5 speed which is currently in the Legacy GT for the sake of true progress.

 

It's a real photo. If you keep flipping through the pages of the magazine, you'll see the entire set where they took the photo. It's a real pic with the car on location. And no I don't like it one bit....that front grille bothers me.....

 

Here is an article from Auto Express which shows how the STi will look like according to mostly accurate official sketches.

They also state there is going to be a new 6EAT slated for the entire Subaru lineup. There is also a 2.2l diesel in the works that will debut 2009. At least they sort of fixed the grill.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...u_impreza.html

But then there is Edmunds who is reporting the tranmission selection for this year will remain the same.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..3.*