Subaru is turning on the style! In a bold departure, the Japanese firm has an all-new coupé waiting in the wings – and it’s seeking to reignite enthusiasts’ passion for rally-inspired models, such as the Impreza, by reinventing the brand for a new audience. Our exclusive pictures show how the car will look when it hits UK roads.
The 2+2 coupé is being jointly developed with the Toyota FT-86. In a move to help reduce costs, Subaru will contribute the hardware for both cars. The chassis is a modified version of the Legacy’s platform, while the firm’s famous 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine appears under the bonnet.
This unit currently produces 148bhp in the Impreza hatch, but a new cylinder head with revised camshafts, pistons and valves will raise that figure to 200bhp. The 0-62mph sprint will take less than seven seconds, while a top speed of 140mph is expected. Using Toyota’s expertise in fuel efficiency, economy of 40mpg should be feasible, too. However, we can expect a more powerful 300bhp turbo version to follow.
The suspension, steering and brakes will all be tuned to deliver the sharpest driving experience possible, and again will be shared between the two models, as will the rear-wheel-drive layout. It’s a leap of faith for Subaru, a company famous for using 4WD, but one that’s necessary for lightness and agility. For the same reason, both cars will use a six-speed manual gearbox, instead of a heavier dual-clutch unit.
Displaying a striking new look, the production model will take its inspiration from the Impreza Design Concept shown at the Los Angeles Motor Show last month. Specifically, the hawkeye headlights and front air vents with integrated LED running lights will be carried over, giving the car a purposeful face to match its performance.
Marking the Subaru out will be a prominent rear diffuser with twin tailpipes, body-coloured A-pillars – instead of the wraparound windscreen seen on the FT-86 – and a huge bonnet scoop to help cool the engine. The production version of Toyota’s coupé is scheduled to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show next October.
However, considering the common components of both cars, expect the newcomers to debut as a pair, and cost around £25,000 when they reach UK showrooms early in 2012.
