First look: Subaru gets the bugs out of Impreza

THE widely criticised "bug-eyed" face of Subaru's current Impreza range is set be replaced by a fresh new look before the end of this year.

Unveiled at the Paris motor show late last week, the mid-life 2003 Model Year Impreza facelift features styling revisions to the bonnet, headlights, tail-lights and bumpers.

However, WRX fans will also be happy to hear a slight power increase is at last on the cards, as the rally rocket's vital engine stats have not changed - apart from a nominal 2Nm torque increase for the '01 model year - since 1998.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine in European models will produce an additional 7hp to lift maximum power to 225hp, which translates into a 5kW increase to 165kW for the Australian-spec cars.

Throttle response is also said to be improved courtesy of revisions to the exhaust manifold aimed at smoothing the flow of exhaust gases.

But the most significant part of the change is to the headlights - gone are the current car's controversial large round "eyes", replaced by more angular, Liberty-esque items with teardrop high beam sections that extend into the bumper, in a similar style to Holden's VX Commodore.

The WRX's trademark rally foglights are still there, but the downsizing that began when the second-generation model arrived in mid-2000 has continued - they are now even smaller, although large bumper cut-outs lend some size to the overall look.

The bonnet now has a raised centre section that sweeps around the headlight teardrops and into the new bumper design, while the current car's blistered front wheel arches have been retained, although they now taper downwards at the front to match the lower guard/bonnet line of the new front treatment.

The front-end changes are said to have benefited the Impreza's aerodynamics, with a reduction in the drag co-efficient, as well as improved high-speed stability.

Changes to the rear are more subtle, with small tear-drop sections on the lower inside edge of the tail-lights (matching those on the headlights) and a new circular-theme jewel-effect lens design, as well as a minor re-styling of the bumper with some additional sculpting of the lower flanks.

The high-performance STi model will wear a rally-inspired high-rise Prodrive rear spoiler for the 2003 model year, a move that should help to further distance the top Impreza from its WRX sibling, answering criticisms that the current STi is too similar to the standard WRX.

For the hero car there are also splitters integrated into the corners of the front bumper, restyled side skirts and a larger bonnet air intake to improve airflow to the intercooler (the standard WRX also gets a larger, more angular bonnet scoop).

Beneath the restyled exterior, the STi has undergone some front suspension revisions, including strengthened mounts for the transverse linkages and stiffer cross bracing, to reduce geometry changes during hard cornering and improve steering response.

For the "cooking" models, including the WRX, crisper handling, enhanced ride comfort and increased steering precision is claimed to be the result of new dampers that feature multiple-layer valves.

The interior of the Impreza remains relatively unchanged though, save for new seat and door trim, an upgraded audio system and an STi-style instrument panel with centrally-mounted tachometer - at least for the WRX - while optional leather seats are considered a possibility for the hatch models in an effort to push them further upmarket.

The STi picks up a new, smaller diameter three-spoke steering wheel and WRC-blue floor carpet to match the seat and door trim.

Safety improvements come in the form of new anti-raindrop door mirrors, which are claimed to stay cleaner thereby enhancing visibility, as well as active front-seat head restraints, as per the recently updated Forester.

But we will have to wait until late November for the announcement of full Australian specifications, as Subaru Australia officials refused to give away any details surrounding the new model, except to say it will go on sale locally in December.

The STi is scheduled to arrive in the first quarter of 2003, around three months after the mainstream Impreza range.