Subaru has unveiled its 2001 Impreza, based on an entirely new platform with two distinctive body styles to appeal to a wider cross section of small car buyers.

lmpreza’s legendary performance is refined still further, offering wider torque spread and enhanced throttle response. There’s also reduced cabin noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), bold new designs for both sedan and hatch; and increased cabin space.

The wide-body sedan features flared guards, highlighting its sporty, performance origins, while the hatch’s bold lines and extended cabin underline its recreational and practical influences.

Using the cues of "active driving, active safety" Subaru has created a new Impreza that builds strongly on the renowned reputation of its predecessor.

Body rigidity has been vastly improved and Subaru engineers are confident the new Impreza will easily surpass international safety standards.

It also carries a list of standard features that exceed many luxury marques.

All models now get cruise control, ABS anti-lock brakes, four-wheel disc brakes, dual front SRS airbags, remote central locking integrated with hazard lights for visual recognition, Super Seat Lifter height adjustable driver’s seat (a first for an entire car range in this class), AM/FM radio with CD, variable intermittent windscreen wiper control, trip meters and metallic finish centre console and side air vents.

Also common to all models are the new distinctive round cluster headlights, integrating high and low beam, parking lights and indicator functions in a single unit, and new design tail light combinations, with different units to distinguish sedans and hatches.

Front and rear fog lights are standard too, along with immobiliser. lmpreza hatches all get cargo security blinds and distinctive rear spoilers, while the RX and WRX sedan and hatch get sports spoilers unique to these models.

As with the entire Subaru range, All-Wheel Drive is a standard feature.

Interior expansion
Across the Impreza range there are vast improvements in interior finish, including surfaces, gaps and visual appearance. Passenger space is also increased.

In what is believed to be a first for a small car range, all Imprezas have height adjustable driver’s seats, featuring Subaru’s "Super Seat Lifter" ratchet device, with 50 mm of movement.

To assist in achieving the optimum driving position, the steering column is also tilt adjustable, with 50 mm of movement - a 20 mm improvement over the previous model. For ease of operation, the tilt mechanism includes a balance spring.

The driver’s seat hip point has also increased 30 mm to 515 mm, making it easier to achieve the optimum position.

Front seats are 15 mm higher, with the added benefit of creating extra foot space for rear seat passengers, and roof height in the sedan has increased by 35 mm and in the hatch by 60 mm.

Both sedan and hatch cabins offer superb visibility and feature UV-protective glass, with the windscreen offering 100 per cent protection and other glass areas between 69 and 77 per cent.

Another innovative feature is a small middle sun visor, to reduce glare in the area between the rearview mirror and the windscreen top.

The 2001 Impreza range begins with GX sedan and hatch, then the RX sedan and hatch, and is topped off with the icon WRX sedan and hatch.

Suspension changes
Across the range, a variety of suspension innovations have improved steering control and stability on both rough and smooth surfaces. Steering feedback is also enhanced, while NVH is reduced.

The rally-proven successful layout of all-round Macpherson strut-type suspension has been retained, with the following refinements:

Rear shock absorber struts are better isolated from the body.

Re-evaluation of suspension geometry has improved stability on both straights and turns.

Aluminium L-shaped lower arms are used in the WRX sedan to reduce unsprung weight.

The roll angle has been reduced due to the recalibrating of suspension damping. This improves stability during lane changing, avoidance manoeuvres and turns. It also benefits the car’s attitude during acceleration and braking.

Rear suspension geometry raises the roll centre by 33 mm, for improved stability and handling.

The widened tread of lmpreza sedan helps reduce body roll. Flared guards in the sedan serve the practical purpose of allowing more room for the widened tread, which is 20 mm greater than the hatch. Combined with the high level of engine responsiveness, this produces more nimble handling and improved cornering.

Engine details
While emissions have been reduced, this has not affected power output in either normally aspirated or turbocharger engines.

In the turbocharged engine, the low-to-mid speed range is improved, producing increased torque at lower RPM, resulting in an overall flatter torque curve.

In line with tough new emission regulations, all Impreza engines meet the benchmark STEP3 European standard and produce emissions 25 per cent less than the strict 2000 Japanese standard.

This includes the WRX’S engine, a remarkable feat for a high performance turbo engine, and a significant achievement when environmental issues are likely to become more prevalent during the life of the car.

In the WRX, new engine features producing reduced emission and greater fuel efficiency include a pre-catalytic converter between the exhaust port and the turbocharger, and a bigger intercooler.

The intercooler’s width is increased 11 per cent, the core area is up 14 per cent and the intercooler angle, in conjunction with the bonnet scoop design, provides for increased airflow through the intercooler, producing increased efficiency. The turbocharger’s turbine wheel is larger, up from 41.2 mm/47.0 mm to 45.6mm/52.0 mm. The wastegate port is also 2 mm larger, at 27 mm, representing a 16 per cent increase in size, for more responsive boost control.

Steering system
An all-new power steering pump construction adapts to varying loads, to provide the correct amount of assistance. The efficient system varies hydraulic assistance in response to steering load and engine speed. Demand on engine power reduces when steering assistance is least required.

On the WRX, a power steering oil cooler maintains the viscosity of power steering fluid for more stable operation.

A rubber coupling on the steering arm reduces noise and vibration and improves smoothness, while the power steering tank is remotely mounted from the oil pump, suppressing pump noise.

In the WRX the power steering pump includes a load pressure-sensitive valve for added steering precision.

The power steering oil cooler in all Imprezas is manufactured from aluminium. This helps control the temperature increase of power steering oil and improves the durability of oil seals and maintains consistency of power steering assistance.