G5 Impreza

THE first all-new Subaru since the original Liberty/Legacy of 1989, the fifth-generation Impreza ushered in a completely new architecture in the form of the Subaru Global Platform (SGP). The goal was to substantially improve ride comfort, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) suppression, and dynamic agility.

Shorter yet wider than before, the Japanese-built hatch and sedan sat on a 25mm longer wheelbase, to boost cabin space significantly. Key changes also included an all-new dashboard, large central touchscreen, and updated multimedia connectivity.

Revised by 80 per cent, the FB20 115kW/196Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated and horizontally opposed (boxer) four-cylinder petrol engine drove all four wheels via an overhauled Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with seven, instead of six, stepped ratios. The manual gearbox was dropped.

New from-the-ground-up was the lighter, stronger, and more aluminium-intensive MacPherson-type struts front and double wishbone rear suspension set-up, faster-ratio electric steering system, and four-wheel disc brakes.