2011 Impreza STI Saloon
Since the launch of it’s first ever model back in the early 90′s It’s a widely known fact that the Subaru Impreza is a car that has always been looked at with a controversial eye, its becoming a bit of a marmite car, you either really want one or you really don’t. I was fortunate enough to have been at one of the many press launches for the latest shape Subaru Impreza back in 2007, once the lights came up on the hatch back model many of the journalists looked at the car then back at each other in shock, I even recall one of them asking… “where’s the rest of it?”.
I think it’s fair to say now though with the help of WRC and the likes of Ken Block in all his viral glory the global nation of petrol heads have learned to love the hatchback Impreza. But now, something exiting seems to be on the horizon, it would appear that the saloon is making a come back. Word is that the Subaru importer known as the ”IM Group” are currently in the process of launching a four door saloon and rumour has it that its due to a public out cry from the STI customer market.
So here it is, the so far unofficial imagery for the 2011 Subaru Impreza STI Saloon, further news and spec reports are to be released after its official launch later this year.
So, what do we think? – Personally I really like it, “Welcome back to the Impreza saloon!”
- John Marcar
Hmm, not convinced. There is more than a smattering of Elantra about that back end, and thats not a good thing…
Never liked the hatch if I’m honest, it’s a sinfully ugly car. I mean, while no Scooby’s has ever been what you’d call a pretty car, they have at least looked impressive, cool and menacing.
Words which I’d not use to describe the hatch, which rather conjours “unimaginative” “limp” and “hopeless”.
Now imagine what Tommi Makkinen in his Evo VI would have thought if MacRae or Burns (God Rest Their Souls) had turned up in that glorified washing machine? He’s have laughed all the way to his umpteenth WDC.
Finally it appears Subaru have realised; If you make a scooby a Hatchback its main sales rival becomes not a rip snorting, manchild’s wet dream of an Evo XI but a sensible and practical Golf GTI. The last time the Japanese embarked on such a suicide mission it was 1945! (Which, inscidentally was not THAT long after Ze German’s were whoo’ing the world with the Volkswagen Beetle and Subaru was making…erm…tractors.)
The new Impreza Saloon appears to still not be a pretty car (no problem there its not meant to be) but by adding a proper boot they’ve re-addressed the proportions of the car, which has made a world of difference. Like its nemesis, the Evo, an Impreza is meant to look like it wants to eat other cars in it way. And once again it does. Thank god, and as John quite rightly says, welcome back indeed, the Subaru Impreza.
I like it and I hate it, thing is it still doesnt resemble the original which I think deep down we are all crying out for.
Infact it reminds me of the Mitsubishi Evo 5? based Proton Wira which doesnt do it any favours as we’re suppose to be going forward not backwards.
For me I don’t care about Block or that it was used in the last Fast and Furious film, in away Subaru kinda died when they announced their departure in the WRC a day before entry signing back in 2009.