Subaru Impreza with Boxer Diesel

Having already earned its stripes in Legacy, Outback and Forester, Subaru’s widely-acclaimed 150 PS Boxer Diesel engine is now available in the stylish Impreza, offering the perfect complement to the model’s supreme five-door practicality. The sporty, yet sophisticated, Impreza 2.0D offers customers a unique take on the small family car, combining spacious, hatchback flexibility and diesel frugality with the superb, confidence-inspiring grip delivered by Subaru’s trademark Symmetrical All-Wheel drive system.

The newcomer clocks up a refreshing 47.9mpg on the combined cycle to give a potential range of 670 miles on a full tank. In true Impreza tradition it’s no slouch, capable of hustling from 0 to 62 mph in a distinctly crisp 9.0 seconds before hitting a top speed of 127 mph.

The Boxer engine layout – very much a Subaru speciality – comes with all the benefits typical of its kind. Its compact size means that it sits low-down in the chassis to give every Impreza an ultra-low centre of gravity for outstanding handling, great grip, reduced body roll and agile steering. The horizontally opposed cylinder layout ensures class-leading noise, vibration and harshness and a smooth response that should maintain Subaru’s established reputation as a manufacturer of engines that last for years.

But beyond its exceptional refinement this punchy turbodiesel offers excellent flexibility and good throttle response, delivering a massive 350 Nm (258 lb ft) of peak torque between 1800 and 2400 rpm. Ably assisted by the carefully selected ratios of the six-speed manual gearbox, effortless performance in everyday driving conditions comes as standard.

Teaming the front strut/rear multi-link chassis with the sure-footedness of Subaru’s permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive makes for a winning combination. Backed up by Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control stability system, it means owners can drive safely in the knowledge that their Impreza will instantly divert power from the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip – it providing the security and reassurance of active safety at all times, whatever the road conditions.

What makes the Impreza Boxer Diesel driving experience all the more satisfying is the host of luxuries that come as standard, such as climate control air conditioning, Xenon headlamps complete with pop-up washers, four power windows, 6CD autochanger, front foglamps, heated front seats and cruise control. The large door mirrors, which can be folded in at the touch of a button, are electrically heated and adjustable.

The Impreza 2.0D comes in a choice of two grades, RC and RX. The former comes with all the equipment described above yet is still priced at a competitive £20,000 on the road. Step up to the RX at £22,255 and gain keyless smart entry, an electric sunroof, rear privacy glass, full leather trim and electric adjustment of the driver’s seat.