2008 Subaru Impreza Official Release
4 Apr, 2007
31 Comments 
Well it has been a tough few days for Subaru, with leaked pictures, after leaked pictures surfacing on the internet, Subaru Australia as well as Subaru America decided to release details of the 2008 Impreza range as of today.
Originally the idea was to keep the new generation All-Wheel Drive Impreza a secret until the New York International Auto Show. However once the pictures started going around the internet, there was no point.
The new car is perhaps one of the uglier Impreza’s ever built. Australian WRX fans have been debating the look of the new Impreza for the last few days and from what we can gather, Mitsubishi better have some extra supply of the Evo Xs and GSRs ready.
“This third generation Impreza is a quantum leap in the key areas of design, engineering, safety and quality. We will have important advances in engine technology, overall specification, safety and style. Each Impreza variant will offer a convincing package in the quality and value for money equation.”Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said:
Subaru says that this is the roomiest-ever Impreza. Initial launch for the car will be as a five-door hatch in Australia in September, with four-door sedan versions to follow a whole year later! In other words, we are not going to get a Sedan WRX till early 2008!
WRX fans don’t need to worry, because apart from the horrid looks, Subaru hasn’t really messed around too much with the formula that made the rex an icon. As for the STi? Don’t let these pictures fool you, Subaru insists that for once, the STi won’t simply be an addition of more body kits and stuck on parts.
The STi is not due for public display for several more months. Subaru says that the new generation STI will have much greater external and internal differentiation from the WRX, with performance credentials comparable to some of the world’s best premium performance brands.
Of course, all Imprezas feature Subaru’s famed symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, combined with horizontally opposed boxer engines (to give that iconic burble), offering optimum balance and control in all driving conditions.
Subaru has redesigned the interior of the Impreza, one of the current GB series Impreza’s weakest points– cabin detail includes the use of high quality plastics and materials in line with Subaru’s reputation as a premium Japanese brand.
For many years Impreza has enjoyed a fine reputation for resale value and reliability. This will only be enhanced with a sophisticated new style that will broaden its appeal as a premium Japanese small car in the Australian market.” Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said:
To squash all rumours - Subaru has confirmed that the Impreza WRX is lighter than the current version while producing more torque at lower revs, resulting in smoother power delivery, improved drivability, fuel efficiency and lower emissions. The U.S. WRX produces maximum torque 800 rpm earlier than the current car. Australian specifications are still not confirmed, but the WRX has been sighted testing in Victoria.
High tension steel is used at key structural points on all Imprezas, enhancing rigidity and ride comfort. The longer wheelbases aid ride dynamics, improve interior space and reduce noise vibration and harshness (NVH).
Impreza engines also sit slightly lower in the chassis, in turn lowering the centre of gravity. Naturally aspirated engines in Australian Imprezas will differ from U.S. versions. All Imprezas feature new double-wishbone rear suspension. There’s less intrusion into the cargo area, producing a wider and deeper luggage compartment. The suspension also benefits NVH.
Inside, Impreza has a sweeping twin-cockpit design with aluminium-style highlights. Headroom is improved and shoulder room is also up five centimetres. Framed windows are introduced on Impreza, also enhancing body rigidity and NVH.
Lets just hope the STi variant looks a little less like a Toyota Camry, and a little more like the angry WRX that all Subaru fans long for.
Location: Home / Car News / ...
Rate Post: 
(16 votes, average: 2.63 out of 5)
Loading ...
-
Print it:
April 4th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
And the winner of The World’s Ugliest Production Car is…
And people thought the last model was ugly. What were the designers thinking? Designer 1: “Hey, people are saying our cars are ugly.” Designer 2: “Ugly? I’ll give them bloody ugly! Just wait for the new model.” So much for Subaru’s new/old front-end from previous model. The new “wavey” front is just horrible. Oh well, at least it means that I have absolutely no desire to buy a new Subaru because the older, cheaper ones are far, far, far better looking. You can’t have a car like a WRX looking like your Mum’s Corolla that someone’s then stuck a letter-box on the bonnet of. Does not look very mean or tough, just looks like a pissweak car foolishly trying to look tough. Watch Subaru sales go way down in Oz. The Yanks will probably think it looks “just swell” though.
(Report)
April 4th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Don’t worry evil bob
the way things are going at Subaru,
there will be a facelift within the first 6 months. They just updated the Tribeca and thats been out.. what.. 6 months?
(Report)
April 4th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Yeah im over them as well Haaaaaaaaaaaa piss funny comments Evilbob !
(Report)
April 4th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I think that is my final reason to convert over to buying a Mitsubishi EvoX I reckon. That is the ugliest subura I have ever seen.
(Report)
April 4th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
get over it guys…its u g l y and it has no alibi…its ugly…and please give us a mean looking wing on the back as apposed to that butt ugly thing there using now
(Report)
April 5th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
I like the way it looks. I just hope there is a sedan version of the sti. at least it doesn’t look like a fish… (mitsubishi)
(Report)
April 5th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
I own a WRX and have been looking forward to the newer shape for an upgrade. Looking at these I think Subaru and Toyota (Camry Sportivo) are sharing the same manufacturing plant
(Report)
April 5th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
its a bloddy chicks car!
(Report)
April 5th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Hey Mr Subaru designer, you need to give up dropping acid man. Maybe it looked real nice while you were tripping but I gotta say that it is as ugly as a bulldog chewing a wasp!!!
(Report)
April 11th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
I can’t believe they have turned the legend into a rip-off of Kia rio cross Mazda 3… the sedan looks a bit like the last model camry…
Well, Subaru once did say they are phasing out Impreza range eventually, but they didn’t have to do it like this…
Looking at this ugly Betty, I think I would much rather go for the new Lancer.
(Report)
April 12th, 2007 at 8:41 am
I would like to say how happy I am that my MY03 WRX will now depreciate at a much slower rate. I will be holding onto my car now that I have seen that
(Report)
April 12th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Ugly thats all i can see and people thought the bug eyes edition of the wrx and STi was bad this is just dreadful im proud to be an 02 STi owner now and wont be upgrading past and 06 model until they get it right :/
(Report)
April 13th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Thankyou Fuji Heavy Industries, my 2001 Bug Eye just went up in value again, keep up the good work.
(Report)
April 14th, 2007 at 9:24 am
you seriously lost that sport car look bad move ,oh well i will stick to previous model
(Report)
April 14th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Oh dear (*sigh * shakes head*)
That’s not ugly… it’s much, much worse!
A mash of every modern BMW / Kia / Toyota / Mazda styling cue rolled into one and the result is as predictable as it is unattractive.
I remember them telling us ‘the looks will grow on you’ with the bugeye model. But this makes the bugeye look positively gorgeous in comparison! The rear lights on the sedan look like they were grafted from a Falcon XR6 FFS!
The only thing the designers have succeeded in doing is making it look very UN-Subaru. It’s a hash.
(Report)
April 16th, 2007 at 12:23 am
I just picked up one of the last black tuned by STi WRX’s in Australia. The decision was simple. I looked at the spy photos of the 3rd GEN ones first, hated what I could kind of see. Then moved on it.
The last GEN2 of the WRX tuned its 10/10. Even better that it came with all those bits from STi.
(Report)
May 3rd, 2007 at 11:55 am
The pictures don’t look too flattering, but in the flesh the design may be more appealing. Subaru is attempting to broaden the appeal of the Impreza beyond the 20-35yo male market and the 35-45 mid-life crisis male market. The result will be more subarus on the road and higher sales though at the risk of losing some sales in their existing market. However, what else is there on the market that looks more masculine? nothing, is the answer. I just hope that the interior on the new Impreza is a damn site better than previous imprezas which are a disgrace.
(Report)
May 16th, 2007 at 11:17 am
The King is dead. Long live the original mark 1 Impreza. The 1999 Imprezas were the last great works to leave Fuji metal. The Porche 911 has never really changed its shape. If the impreza was the Poor man’s Porsche then why cant it be allowed to live a Porsche way of life? dont change it. it works, leave it. The most terrible sadness is, not only is the models after 2000 ugly, they were bad to drive. The steering was heavy and dragged to one side and behaviour was poor. I dont expect to new ones to be any better to drive… so much for advancement! The end!
(Report)
June 19th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
It sounds to me like a lot of you who viewed the new impreza don’t appreciate brilliant quality and engineering. Subaru is not a huge advertiser as they don’t need to be because every mechanic and anyone who has ever had the joy of driving or owning one in the world speaks so highly of them that they advertise themselves. I guarantee that the new subaru will be a huge seller and this is a revised edition that I personally think looks fantastic. they are economical safe and always have had strong resale. I bet most of the comments here are from people who are not wanting to upgrade because they have been so happy with their current subaru they can’t bear to change over yet. This vehicle will help your resale because it will be awesome just like every model till now.
happy subaruing and I will wave to you as you pass and I promise I won’t say “I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!”
(Report)
July 14th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
The uglist impreza. All the other ones look better than this one, the 1993 version looks better. It looks like a toyota collora, hyundai accent, saturn ion, toyota camary 2005 edition all infused to one!!
(Report)
July 15th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Hey Mr Subaru designer, Fuji Heavy Industries employed you to disign the SUBARU IMPREZA or just copy cat from another designer for Mumy or girly cars!!! Poor SUBARU IMPREZA icon!!!!
(Report)
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:57 am
Damn it! I was ready to fork out for a new WRX that would scare small children.. this one will appeal to my girlfriend who drives a Toyota Starlet and rates a vanity mirror with lights highly on her list of car essentials.
Sure, let the Japanese squeeze every last kilowatt of power out of an engine and put it in a car that feels like its stuck to the road on rails, but leave the body design to people who don’t think Pokemons are great.
American cars are generally big, ugly, overpowered and underperforming with appaling build quality - but they look mean. Subaru should headhunt the Chrysler 300, Mitsubishi Evo (JPN) and designers of other fine looking cars. Lets face it, most of the time you can’t put your WRX into ‘hyperdrive’ as you sit on Punt Road in traffic, but at least people should be able to appreciate some fine lines while you are in second gear. Until Subaru sorts this out, I’m going to have to rub my 1998 model with a nappy and hope for the best.
(Report)
August 10th, 2007 at 6:05 am
This is the worse looking subaru ever…whoever says that this is better looking than 2001-2005 models need to get their heads examined… these designers are dumbasses. It looks like an car that was designed from etch a sketch for kids
(Report)
August 24th, 2007 at 10:17 am
I am also of the opinion that the designers of the 2008 Impreza must have been on drugs. I love Subarus but will not be rushing out to buy the new Impreza.
I like a car that looks as good as it perfoms, and this is not it.
Regards GP.
(Report)
August 30th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Being the odd one here I like it,I willnot buy the WRX because I’m not in my 20’s(STUPID) or 50’s(AGE CRISIS) and that blue is the most horrid colour for a car I have ever seen.When the car is on the market I will look at buying one I think they look good as I have seen one on display at my local Subaru dealer.For me I have never been interested in Subaru until now.As a general rule I do find Ausralians have”redneck” comments when it comes to cars????
(Report)
October 5th, 2007 at 2:20 am
DAMN!! Since iv’e been a little kid, Subaru’s were always the sexiest cars around.. From the 1998 2 the 2005 Subie’s were very HOT!! But sadly, the new 2008 model, HUGE dissapointment!!! Will be hanging on to my 2001 ProDrive baby till that “thing” gets a serios make-over!!
(Report)
November 9th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
We purchased a my08 impreza. The vehicle was delivered in an unroadworthy condition due to an extremely inaccurate speedo.
Paint is missing from the inside of the driver’s door.
Poor quality paint is flaking away from a stone chip.
Is this model made by Subaru or have they rebadged a lemon?
(Report)
December 24th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
This is much nicer than mitsi the wrx version sedan imo, this isnt the sti either this is best loooking subaru ever imo sorry guys your just not with it. How can you say that car is ugly omg i feel sick losers.
(Report)
January 17th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Well, I have just been over night test drive with the WRX, and being an owner of the 2005 (with Mods) well, it was not up to speck. I never bought my WRX because it was nice, pretty or good looking, in fact I thought my WRX was butt ugly, but geez was it a great drive car & track car. I loved the contol, speed and the noise.
The new WRX and the STI sound like a camry.
But the new WRX felt very soft, nose lifts under acceleration, the arse flops all over the place.
Steering is not a real as previous model’s.
Subaru, I think you have got this one wrong.
If you were making a family car, you got it right.
But for me Power, Control, Noise, you got it wrong, and Im not happy, I have sold my 2005 WRX. What the heck do I replace it with now, it was meant to be a WRX damm it.
(Report)
May 7th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
6 months ago I became the proud beaming owner of a 07 model prezzy (could never have been happier) but unfortunately a week ago my car was written off … I now have to ‘upgrade’ to an ugly space ship looking 08 Subaru model(due to no availability of 07 model and the smart owners holding onto their stunners that are now going to skyrocket in value). The new model Impreza has clearly lost the style,class and well known sporty look that it was renouned for!!!… which to my angry doesnt even have the drive quality or feeling of being stuck on tracks .. I seriously thought I’d be a life long fan … throughly dissappointed … Cannot decide on a car to replace my beloved prezzy!!! : (
(Report)
September 24th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
The 2008 Subaru Impreza hatch is sex on legs! They are finally catering to the classy people in society, not just the guys that need a car which is an extension of something else. Those who don’t like it I recommend you look to medical assistance not a new car.
The hatch is neat, swifty, sporty, and very similar in shape to a BMW 120i.
Well done Subaru, you have certainly delivered a quality car!
(Report)