Australian MY08 Impreza Specs Released
August 31, 2007 by George Skentzos
Subaru has released the official specifications for the all new Australian 2008 Subaru Impreza. Riddled with controversy over its new look, the new Impreza’s reception was less than warm – however not out of the ordinary for a new Impreza – think ‘bug-eye’.
Despite no longer being in the same market as the all new Mitsubishi Evolution, the top-of-line 2008 Impreza WRX has turned into potentially the hottest hot-hatch and with the STi still to come, things are sure to heat up.
The all new Impreza line-up consists of four models – the R, RX, RS and of course – the turbocharged WRX.
Some notable highlights of the new generation Impreza include:
- Elegant new hatchback design – mesh grille for Australian spec RS and WRX
- Lighter yet stronger – weight savings up to 48 kg
- Vehicle Dynamics Control – class leading safety
- 2.0 litre DOHC naturally aspirated engines – 20 per cent more power, 7 per cent more torque than superseded 2.0 SOHC; 5.3 per cent more torque than superseded 2.0 DOHC
- Turbo engine torque kicks in 800 rpm earlier for enhanced drivability
- All engines more fuel efficient
- SPORTSHIFT transmissions for all automatic Imprezas
- Active Valve Control System – all engines
- Euro STEP4 emission compliant
- Newly developed double wishbone rear suspension for optimum ride and handling
- Larger cabin, shorter body – 4415 mm v 4465 mm previously
- Wider cargo area
- Significant improvements in NVH
- Height and telescopic adjustable steering in all Imprezas
- Hill Start Assist (manual variants) – forward and reverse
- Rear diffuser on RS and WRX for added aerodynamic efficiency
Colours
All variants:
- Obsidian black pearl
- Satin white pearl
- Spark silver metallic (new)
- Lightning red (new)
Impreza R, RX and RS:
- Steel silver metallic (new)
- Dark gray metallic (new)
- Topaz gold metallic (new)
- Newport blue pearl
Impreza WRX:
- WR blue mica
Starting off the range at $24,490 is the Impreza R manual which replaces the previous 2.0i. Also available with a SPORTSHIFT automatic priced at $26,490, the R is equipped with a new four-cylinder 2.0 litre DOHC horizontally opposed boxer engine which is also seen across the naturally aspirated models – R, RX and RS.
“We’re confident it presents a compelling case not only for small car buyers, but for medium and large-car buyers looking for a comprehensively equipped alternative.”
MY08 Impreza R
The NA engine produces 110 kW of power at 6400 rpm and 196 Nm at 3200 rpm – a 20 per cent improvement in power and seven per cent in torque over the superseded 2.0 SOHC engine, and a 5.3 per cent torque increase over the previous 2.0 DOHC unit. Fuel economy is 8.9L/100km for the manual and 0.1L better for the auto – a 9.18 and 8.33 percent improvement respectively over the previous model.
Standard equipment in the R model are as follows:
Safety
- ABS anti-lock brakes with four-wheel discs and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Automatic transmission lock-out – need foot on brake, key in ignition “on” position, to release lever
- Brake Assist
- Child seat anchor points including ISO FIX
- Constant All-Wheel Drive
- Curtain airbags – full length
- Dual front airbags
- Dual side airbags
- Four wheel disc brakes (ventilated front, solid rear)
- Front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. Double pretensioners on driver’s seatbelt
- Front adjustable seatbelt anchorage
- Hill Start Assist
- Rear door child lock
- Seatbelt indicator lights – front seats
- Shock absorbing brake and clutch pedals
- Side intrusion bars
- Three-point A/ELR rear centre seatbelt
- Vehicle Dynamics Control
Interior
- AM/FM radio, single in-dash CD, MP3/WMA compatible, four speakers
- Bottle holders in each door + two cup holders in centre console
- Cargo area light
- Cargo hooks
- Cargo security blind
- Central locking – remote
- Cruise control – steering wheel buttons
- Driver’s footrest
- Height and reach adjustable steering column
- Height adjustable driver’s seat
- Immobiliser security system
- Manual air conditioning
- Map lights (2)
- Power steering, mirrors and windows
- Rear illumination instrument display
- Remote fuel lid release – tethered fuel cap
- Seatback pocket (passenger side)
- SPORTSHIFT four-speed automatic transmission option
- Two remote central locking keys
- Vanity mirror
- 60/40 split/fold rear seat
- 12V/120W power jacks
Exterior
- 16-inch steel wheels – spacesaver spare
- Chrome-surround grille
- Colour-coded mirrors and door handles
- Headlights auto off
- Rear roof spoiler with LED brake light
- Rear roof mounted radio antenna
- Rear wiper
Other features
- Auto hatch unlock on key
- DataDot security technology
- Electronic Throttle Control (ETC)
- Three-year unlimited kilometre warranty
- 2.0 litre DOHC horizontally opposed boxer engine. 110 kW/6400 rpm, 196 Nm/3200 rpm
Another level up brings you to the Impreza RX model. Priced at $26,490 for the manual and $28,490 for the four-speed SPORTSHIFT automatic, it is powered by the same NA aspirated engine as the R. Adding to the standard features in the RX model is a six-stack CD with 10 speakers, 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control air conditioning, front fog lights, leather steering wheel with audio controls and a leather gearshift.
MY08 Impreza RX
MY08 Impreza RS
“WRX retains its award-winning performance credentials but delivers them through a far more mature and sophisticated premium package that we are convinced will broaden its appeal.”
MY08 Impreza WRX
On top of the standard features available in lower models, the WRX adds a rear Limited Slip Differential, electroluminescent gauges, 17-inch alloy wheels, self-levelling Xenon headlights with pop-up washers, three year Roadside Assist, alarm system and optional sat nav.
Suspension
Impreza’s new suspension is based on Liberty and has been developed to optimize comfort, stability and driving ease.
The front strut suspension offers high lateral rigidity, improving steering response and cornering stability. Lighter than the previous system, it reduces cabin shock levels over bumps.
All Imprezas have new double-wishbone rear suspension. While enhancing handling, comfort and NVH, this also means less cargo area intrusion.
Security
All Imprezas are equipped with the latest advanced engine immobilisers and DataDot theft protection.
Impreza WRX has only one double-locking barrel lock, located in the driver’s door.
It also has an alarm system with ultrasonic sensors, which is armed by using a remote function.
All Imprezas have remote tailgate unlocking too.
Entertainment
Entry level Impreza has a high quality sound system featuring four speakers with AM/FM/CD tuner and MP3/WMA compatibility.
Impreza RX, RS and WRX feature a 10-speaker six-stack in-dash CD system that adds tweeter speakers installed in each door gusset.
An auxiliary terminal is installed in the centre console.
Steering wheel audio controls are standard on Impreza RX, RS and WRX.
Navigation
The optional navigation system available in Impreza RS and WRX features an intuitive seven-inch touch screen display within easy reach of the driver.
While it removes the six-stack CD changer it includes:
- DVD/CD player
- AV input jacks
- WMA/MP3 compatibility
- VGA screen for in-car entertainment
- Bluetooth compatibility
Whilst the all-new 2008 Impreza may have lost its boy-racer flair, it is still a great package at a competitive price. Don’t rule them out for performance either as Subaru still have an ace up their sleeves with the as yet unrevealed 2008 Subaru WRX STi which is sure to get the adrenaline pumping.
George Skentzos
Print it: 
Looks ugly, better value though
No Auto. on WRX, count me out
Yeah abit strange no auto on the WRX… you cant say the looks have changed to appeal to a greater market but at the same time not offer something like an auto (with semi-auto of course) which the masses want. Whoever made this decision at Subaru should be sacked from a business point of view because their strategy is contradicting itself… blander looks for masses but only offering manual which the masses dont want.
Fantastic model differentiation between base model and WRX – rather what Iam eluding too is massive disappointment by Subaru as take front grill, driving lights and air intake out of the equation and looks indentical to base model = very bad poor effort!
Looks better than recent ugly imprezzas released by Subaru but is totally bland, looks a bit like some Kia’s of old or any other Korean tin for that matter.
Not sure what to make of the new Impreza. Subaru say they are targeting VW Golf buyers, however that vehicle has a far more cohesive and original design than the Impreza. I would have thought they could have done a better job after learning from all their past styling mistakes!
No wonder there is a weight saving as they have replaced the full size spare with a space saver, not a clever idea for Australian conditions I feel. Its also shame the dual range transmission has gone. I hope Subaru doesn’t ignore common sense and include these two items in the new Forester.
Agree Guy. This model easily has to be an improvement over many old weird bug eye designs. Problem now Subaru have is people know it has been chopped and changed so dam many times that this actually works against more sales right now. What the WRX needs is new front end and back end to be in line with earlier aggressive designs. Looks tad cheap too as grille not manufactured in one unit with bumper bar (separate?) and as for the curve under front lights and grille has anybody commented on this (like most complained of lines down side of new Hyundai Elantra) – think not!
Not so sure a performance oriented vehicle like the impreza needs an auto, after all manual transmissions are the performance choice if an auto can’t cut the grade.
Looks very bland.
Yes Adam but you miss the point… they are trying to appeal to a broader demographic, not performance enthusiasts. Of course from a performance perspective we would all want manual > auto (well at least non-DSG auto)… but if you want to make a car for the masses you dont just offer manual
$39,990 good value, BUT you can buy a Mazda CX7 for that, yes less performance tuned and more *family* based of which is what i want….
Also want CA to test vehicle, prefer this decade if possible, as *promised* :-)
Cheers
F-0
frugal one there is a first steer of the new wrx on the site, has been for some time :)
ugly…………
Give me the 08 Ralliart Lancer instead of wrx.
Subaru Impreza 2008 Summary
Overall Looks: Kia Rio on drugs (like someone said in this post)
Rear: Mitsubishi Outlander
Front: Fish on high with wide opened mouth
Forever rest in peace you POS Subaru Impreza. One more ugly duckling from Suby like the Tribeca..
Forget about Suby enter the world of new lancer…
Check this out! the new Lancer Project:
http://www.lancerproject.com/lancer/
wrx = ok
other models look BLAND AS!!!!!!
It’s not a bad looking car from the front, but the rear really makes it look awful – the tail lights are shocking! I think that they should’ve included a sedan variant in WRX spec (US only afaik) in the lineup as that doesn’t look so bad.
i thought we were getting the sedan around this time next year?
unfortuntely i havent heard anything anout an sti version of the sedan which would look better than the hatch imo
I like the new Impreza.
I just hope it does not have narrow seats and can acomodate a reasonably sized person. The previous Impreza’s had very narrow seats.
and I hope it gives a more comfortable ride. I’m only interested in the base model as an automatic.,,and in a sedan when they are released next year.
“No Auto. on WRX, count me out”
Reminds me of that “man cans” commercial.. I don’t understand why Australians are so fond of automatics. Too damn lazy like the Americans.
^
Yes but you could say that for the car itself, are you to lazy to walk!? If you have something better available, you use it. Personally I prefer auto unless its a performance orientated vehicle.
Subaru let the team down…on a positive note, Im laughing because my 07 rexy will keep its value longer because the new one looks a little girly. Just a note on the Mitsubishi blog posted before – the lancer evo is one crapy car, might look good but it has too many moving parts, any good mechanic will confirm this… rexy’s will always live longer than a company thats about to go bust.
wow subaru have really screwed up this time, was the designer on drugs or something? lol, who cares about moving parts? a car always has moving parts, might as well kick urself.
Subaru Impreza my08 Problems
Vehicle was delivered with a extreme speedometer accuracy defect.
Paint is flaking away from a small stone chip.
Paint missing from inside front door.
Touch up paint to repair defects is unavailable
This is the 3rd Subaru we have owned and have had no problems with the build quality before and we are wondering if this vehicle was in fact manufactured by Subaru.
“Forget about Suby enter the world of new lancer…”
I have been a Subaru owner for well over a decade and am on my third one. Having sat in the latest one, though, I know I won’t be buying one.
Having seen the Lancer project site referred to above, I would almost be tempted to change camps – just so long as Mitsi can produce an interior that is better than a bin liner.
I’ll look forward to seeing one in the flesh!!
Test drove it and brought it yesterday!
Lost none of its speed, quieter, lighter and shorter, got mine for 38k on road with crappy trade, 3 year roadside warranty too. Just waiting delivery feels like forever….
The new Impreza is lovely to drive and the ride is smooth. It a pity that the seats are so narrow and that the steering wheel sits so low that it’s sad. I’ll go for the new Lancer instead.
It’s obvious that most of the comments so far come from people who have not driven the new Impreza MY 08. I drove a 1997 Impreza GX for 10 years and sold it in October 2007 before buying an Impreza MY 08 in November. I liked the GX and it gave me no problems over 190,000 km and was good to drive under most conditions. So far I have driven the new Ipreza for about 4,000 km and it is better in most respects than my previous Impreza. Imprezas require a few thousand kilometres for the engines to give their best and initially don’t seem to have the power listed on the spec. However they get better and better the further they are driven and I have noticed a marked improvement in the automatic gear change points as the power becomes available. Handling is flatter than the previous model and the suspension is superior so it is a lovely car to drive and certainly competitive with anything else in the price range. Appearance is a matter of taste and I have had no adverse comments on my car so far.
Just drove the Impreza R MY08 and i can tell you its a better ride(suspension and steering) than the Focus CL, Lancer VR.
Engine wise it was lacking a little torque under 3k which would make it perfect.
Styling has grown on me… :P
Mitsubishi lancer Just Beter than suby
lancer all of model so nice