Beginnings
Impreza of the first generation of the 1992 model was built on a shortened platform of the Outback model and received a wide range of atmospheric opposition motors (volume 1.5, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 liters), which became the hallmark of Subaru. Later, a 2.5-liter unit joined them, which migrated from under the hood of the older Outback model and was intended, first of all, for the American market. They could be paired with either 4-speed automatic box or 5-speed mechanics.
Impreza was available in three body types: a sedan (factory code GC) and hatchback universal (GF) and compartment (GM), and could be equipped with both front and all-wheel drive. And then Subaru engineers began to bake powerful sports versions with turbocharged motors, which provided the brand position, reputation, and name in the world of rally, as well as the appearance of two magic abbreviations in the names, WRX (World Rally eXperimental) and STi (Subaru Technica International).
Everything in the complex quickly led to the fact that the model, the sales of which against the general background looked very modest in comparison with classmates, acquired its very loyal audience. In the year of change of millennia, there was a change of generations of Impreza. But it was more an evolution and deep restyling than a revolution: the model retained both the philosophy and the range of power units (from which the 1.8-liter EJ18-H4 was dropped), except for the fact that the production of Impreza in the back of the coupe stopped: there were a sedan GD and a universal GG on the market. Finally, on April 2, 2007, at the New York Motor Show, the third generation of Impreza was premiered, which, in fact, will be discussed.
Such different modifications
Let's say at once: the turbo versions of WRX and WRX STI, both in "combat" positions (with safety frames, sequential boxes and other attributes of a beautiful sports life) and in "civil" design were excluded from our attention, especially since these cars were built on a separate platform with an expanded by 38 mm gauge, which led to an increase in the transverse size of the body by 56 mm. We will only talk about "normal" Subaru Impreza.
Birth of the third generation was marked by the fact that the body "wagon", or "hatchback-universal" was replaced by a classic hatchback (factory code GH), and GE sedan joined it a year later, in 2008. Bodies found side door glass with frames and, of course, lost part of their originality, but this change has significantly improved the situation with aerodynamic noise.
The car was still equipped only with opposing motors. Initially, their lineup consisted of atmospheric EL15 (1.5 liters, 107 hp), EJ20 (2.0 liters, 150 hp) and EJ25 (2.5 liters of 170 hp). In 2009, in Paris, for the first time was shown a version of the Subaru Impreza with an opposition turbodiesel EE20 rated at 150 hp and a maximum torque of 350 nM. Paired with these engines could work well known to fans of the brand 4-speed ACP and 5-speed "mechanics".
This range allowed the brand to have a fairly flexible marketing policy. So, for example, only versions with 2.5-liter engines were supplied to the U.S. market, and only cars with 1.5 and 2.0-liter engines were supplied to Russia, and initially - only in the hatchback body. The truck received a front suspension of McPherson type and a new rear suspension with twin A-shaped levers, in addition, for the first time the Subaru car was equipped with electronic stabilization systems.
The rationally designed power structure of the body, symmetrical all-wheel drive, and electronic systems allowed Impreza to get the highest safety ratings both during the tests of the National Institute of Road Safety of the USA and the Australian ANCAP. But in the course of the European tests on the EuroNCAP system, it was revealed that the car does not protect the driver and passengers well enough from whiplash injuries in the rear, for which the model lost one star.
In 2009, the model underwent a small facelift, which consisted mainly of changing the radiator lining, and in 2010, the version Impreza XV went on sale, which became a "transitional stage" before the appearance of the crossover Subaru XV, presented as a separate model. The Impreza XV differed from the basic model in that it had an increased ground clearance of 30 mm, thicker anti-roll bars, stiffer springs, shock absorbers and silent blocks, an impact-resistant plastic cover, and standard luggage rails.
