Subaru's stylish Impreza coupé: Exclusive Pics

Stunning Subaru coupé marks a new dawn for Japanese firm, with rear-wheel drive set to replace traditional 4WD layout.

Auto Express Car Reviews

Text: Jack Rix / Photos: Milos Dvorak

03rd December 2010

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.

For an alternative review of the latest Subaru Impreza visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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17 Comments

same ol-same ol

Does very single new Japanese coupe have to look like the NISSAN GT-R?

By fastpep1 on 13 December, 2010, 8:14pm

Simply Stunning - Cant Wait!!

As a former Subaru Impreza owner I cant wait for this to come out . This is exactly the sort of car Subaru need - shame the standard hatch doesnt look more like this. I am confused at the comment above though - because if it does look like a Nissan GTR, whats wrong with that? - the GTR is one of the coolest looking cars around.

By cousins11 on 13 December, 2010, 8:45pm

Just a sketch

Relax guys. It's just an AutoExpress sketch. While this one is probably pretty close to the finished piece, their former predictions haven't always been right on the money.

GT-R is a pretty fierce looking car. To say that a car looks like the GT-R is paying it a compliment. There's also a heavy tone of LFA in the rear bumper. That too, imho, is a compliment.

By chickenfeed on 13 December, 2010, 10:58pm

Not much difference to the FT86 BUT so what!

Fastpep1 this looks nothing like a GTR. Put your specs on mate.
If anything it's closer to a 350 or 370Z.
I for one think its something refreshingly stylish from the Japanese car makers. About time we see a new Celica replacement.
I don't see much difference between this and the Toyota offering.

By Bugeye on 14 December, 2010, 6:41am

Count me out

It's typical of Japanese manufacturers to slowly build a sports car business case out of one of their more pedestrian models, and they build this cult following based upon the unassuming (and relatively interesting) merits of pumping out the flanks, lowering the body and slapping in some better hardware. The problem happens when they decide that the market's ready for the "next level", in which case we have to evaluate the car on the basis of its merits no longer as a Q-car but as an intentional sports car. Often, that ends up in a car that looks compromised and a little soul-less. This design isn't distinctive in the slightest and if it weren't for the putty blue colour, would hardly make you believe it's from Subaru. Needs more... kamikaze, if you ask me.

By mariospants on 14 December, 2010, 6:58am

Sorry...

I'll take Toyota's coupe any time before this one. I keep my fingers crossed that Toyota doesn't change anything on the FT86 though.

By voyager on 14 December, 2010, 7:54am

Where's the USP? What's the point?

Subaru have carved a niche for themselves as the only manufacturer with an entirely 4WD range (I don't count the Justy in that as it's a Daihatsu). In the recent cold snap, I'm sure that Subaru owners were among the ranks of the smug who could still get to wherever they needed to go.

Because of this unique selling point, buyers have been accommodating about the cheap interior trim and other foibles that help keep the price low for such a technically sophisticated vehicle.

So I can't understand the decision to leap head-first into BMW's back yard with a pricey RWD-only coupé. The styling is identikit Japanese sports-car-look and - if AE is to be believed (yes, I know) - looks nothing like the rest of the range.

For 25 big ones, I'd rather buy a souped-up Impreza and have a heck of a lot more fun.

By snappyuk on 14 December, 2010, 7:59am

A good effort

Bit Jaguar-ish at the rear, BMW-ish at the side and Hyundai Coupe-ish from the front. But overall, not a bad effort - just a shame they will ditch 4WD, the thing that always attracted me to Scoobies.

By RogerWillis3 on 14 December, 2010, 9:31am

Must be insane

Snappyuk has hit the nail on the head here.

I only buy Subarus and that's been down to their fabulous 4wd system and handling.

Ever since the 22B I've hoped there would be a WRX based coupe or sports 2 seater with the 4wd we know and love.

What are they thinking?

I'd never buy one of these derivative rwd coupes.

By kanko on 14 December, 2010, 9:57am

Back to the future?

Back to the past! No 4WD, no double-clutch box? Add a starting handle and put a man with a flag in front?

(First time I've seen that a that the double-clutch box is too heavy to be worthwhile. Please ask the VAG folk what they think of that one!)

By ThatOne on 14 December, 2010, 10:08am

Glasses!

Bottom line, all the current japanese coupes are looking the same, be it NISSAN HONDA or TOYOTA. `oh and had an eye test and new glasses on Saturday

By fastpep1 on 14 December, 2010, 10:51am

Inspired by PGR

Firstly, I also think it would be a huge mistake for Subaru to drop the 4WD platform, after all, it's what they have been all about for years.

Secondly, this mock up looks suspiciously similar to the Delfino Feroce, a British coupe conceived in 2000 based on Impreza running gear. Sadly, the project never saw the light of day, but with a 0-60 time of 4 seconds and the modified scooby 4WD chassis clothed in light weight coupe style bodywork, I'm sure it would have been a able to put the 'willys' up a few Porsche and Ferarri owners, especially on the twisty stuff. It was definitely my favorite car in the Project Gotham Racing game on the original Xbox.

By sgtgrash on 14 December, 2010, 11:10am

Toybaru

I like it, a lot. Even has a passing resemblance to a Ferrari Marenello. I'm sure Subaru is not going to drop it's 4WD platform, it's just not the brief for this vehicle.

By LANMAN on 14 December, 2010, 12:38pm

2wd... oh dear.

I loved my old Subaru Turdo 2000 (pre-WRX in the UK) and would have liked another... except the bug ugly one came out in about 2000, causing me to go to another manufacturer. I was really hoping this would be a return to form for Subaru with the fabulous All Wheel Drive safety and control. But no, instead they have decided to go 2WD, in a market full of 2WD cars. Why do they expect people to buy it? It's the same as all the other coupes out there? Don't they know all the old Subaru fans loved the all wheel drive capability? Shame.

By Top90 on 14 December, 2010, 3:08pm

I hope more go to RWD

I would love to see small cars return to RWD and a real manual gearbox and give control back to the driver as it used to be, I expect many young modern drivers will disgree as some would like cars with just stop go buttons maybe voice activated also.

By Contax on 14 December, 2010, 3:26pm

nice change

this is a nice looking car and at £25k you will be lucky to buy a basic 320i coupe for that.Its nice to see that subaru are prepared to step outside their normal rally/agricultural derived cars and build something different.They may yet do a 4x4 in the future when they launch the turbo version,although i dont think this car is intended for rallying or driving on fields.RWD is still way better than any dreary boring FWD coupe.

By nickbsmooth on 14 December, 2010, 5:31pm

2wd oh dear .

I have alway loved Impreza's.By the time I got one this year it turned into a 5 door hatchback.My wifes car and she loves it.Always been Fords for god knows how many years.My wife says it makes her feel very safe in bad weather,And I love it in the good weather (2ltr).Subaru to me means 4 wheel drive.This coupe thing does not seem like a real Subrau.We will see.Doubt if we will ever return to Fords.

By stewartsf1 on 16 December, 2010, 10:02pm

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Subaru's stylish Impreza coupé: Exclusive Pics