Subaru Impreza Design Concept debuts at LA Auto Show
Japanese manufacturer Subaru recently unveiled the Impreza Design Concept, which previews the carmaker’s new ‘Confidence in Motion’ design and brand strategy, at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
For the sporty four-door coupe the designers blended two ideas – ‘dynamic flow’ and ‘confident stance’ – while also incorporating Subaru’s core engineering values of dynamic performance through permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, safety, enjoyment and quality.
The Impreza Design Concept is powered by a combination of the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated Boxer engine with a Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). This combination represents Subaru's next-generation of powertrain. (Lineartronic is currently only available on 2.5-litre models in the UK).
From the front, the Impreza Design Concept is clearly recognizable as a Subaru, with a hexagonal grille and wing-motif located between the hawk-eye-style headlights. Fin-shaped fog lamps, which mirror the wing motif, display a fresh expression of Subaru’s identity. The car’s low-and-wide stance – first seen on the 2011 WRX STI – is meant to convey security and safety, while the prominent wheel arches emphasise the vehicle’s sure-footed stance.
In profile, it has a sleek, continuous line from the A-pillar, along the roof and through the C-pillar. This design allows for both a roomy cabin and an excellent aerodynamic performance. Subaru designers strove for simple and clean lines rather than complicated forms. This produces a contrast with the powerful bumper design and results in a lean side view, accented by silver window frames.
On the inside, the smooth integration of the instrument panel with the door trim and armrests in the Impreza Design Concept suggest a sporty yet comfortable drive. A large touch-screen multimedia display in the centre of the dash combine the control functions for the navigation system with those of the vehicle information and audio.
Subaru's new active safety EyeSight system is installed along the front edge of the roof. The images taken by the camera are relayed to a monitor in the centre of the tri-gauge instrument binnacle. EyeSight is also connected to the firm’s latest collision-prevention technology, underscoring the carmakers safety credentials.
