Changes coming for Subaru's Impreza

AFTER nearly two years on the market, Subaru's fourth-generation Impreza will play host to numerous styling and safety upgrades that should arrive in Australia next year.

The facelifted Impreza is currently only confirmed for the American market and Subaru Australia's national corporate affairs manager David Rowley said specifications for the Australian market are yet to be finalised.

However, the updated Impreza should be a strong indication of the mid-cycle refresh imminent for Subaru's small sized sedan and hatchback in Australia.

The biggest change coming to the 2015 Impreza is the introduction of Subaru's EyeSight active safety system.

It features two cameras that are positioned on either side of the rear view mirror, scanning the road ahead for obstructions. The use of two cameras allows the system to perceive depth and determine the distance of oncoming objects, permitting the application of brakes when the system determines a collision is imminent.

Although, this marks the first time the EyeSight system has made its way into an Impreza outside of Japan, it's has been offered on other Subaru models in the past.

Australia was first to receive the EyeSight technology when it was introduced in 2011 via the Liberty and Outback models and Subaru has since extended the technology to the Forester.

Other changes to the 2015 Impreza include a revised front fascia that features a new grille, bumper, headlights and fog-light covers, which Subaru says gives the car a “sportier appearance.”

The large side mirrors found on the current Impreza have also been redesigned, shrinking in size to allow for better forward visibility.

The sedan version will also receive a new rear spoiler as standard.

Newly designed 16-inch aluminium wheels and a new colour option, Crystal White Pearl, will round out the exterior changes made to the refreshed Impreza.

Stepping inside the cabin, Subaru will add silver stitching to the seats, armrests and other upholstery components while a redesigned centre console, incorporating both navigation and audio systems into one large touch-controlled interface, will freshen the interior.

Mechanically, Subaru has used more sound-deadening materials throughout the body to bring noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels down, while the suspension and steering have been retuned to increase comfort.

The 2.0-litre four cylinder boxer engine also receives a rework, with Subaru taking “steps to reduction friction,” leading to an improvement in fuel economy.

The Impreza continues to sell strongly for Subaru in the Australian market with sales climbing to 3,868 vehicles this year, an increase of 19.0 per cent over the same period last year. The Impreza, and its performance orientated sibling the WRX, represent the only AWD options in their segment.