Subaru will begin marketing its Impreza WRX and STI performance models separately from the conventional Impreza when the car is redesigned next month.

The "Impreza" name will be dropped for the derivatives, and they will get their own platforms when they are redesigned in 2013.

The new strategy allows Subaru to focus on the redesigned Impreza's improved fuel economy and added interior space - important considerations in the compact car segment. The 2012 Impreza goes on sale in November as four door sedan or five door hatch-back. It is priced the same as the current model but, with a new engine and a roomier improved interior. The launch was delayed about two months because of the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The WRX and STI variants will continue on the current Impreza platform until 2013 when they are redesigned. The two sporty versions account for 10-15% of Impreza sales.  For further information, please call 1(800) 411-4551 or come visit us at 150 North Main Street, Branford.   

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Subaru plans to introduce turbocharging, new transmissions and hybrid drivetrains in a bid to boost its fleetwide fuel efficiency 30 percent between 2010 and 2015.  The technology blitz also includes a new, lightweight vehicle platform that will be introduced by 2015 and will replace the platform now used for all Subaru nameplates.

There will be one full model change each year from 2012 through 2015 on top of this year's introduction of the XV small crossover in Japan and next year's debut of the BRZ sporty car.  The XV will come to the United States in the 2013 or 2014 model year.

Subaru's technology push comes as the company, best known for all-wheel-drive crossovers and SUVs, tries to respond to more stringent government emissions regulations and public demand for greener cars.

The aim is to increase fuel efficiency by 30 percent from 2010 to 2015.  Most of the improvement will come from new engines and transmissions, including a new horizontally opposed Boxer engine, already in the Foresters starting in 2011, and scheduled to appear in the new Impreza as well as the upcoming XV.

Subaru also will deploy continuously variable transmissions in most models, replacing automatic transmissions as the mainstay transmission for the brand. Automatic transmissions are expected to be used only in variants of some models, including the BRZ when it arrives.

Further fuel efficiency will be obtained by employing idle-stop technology(still in early stages) and reducing vehicle weight, improving aerodynamics, using low rolling resistance tires, and better management of heating and electrical systems. 

Subaru will also start selling its first electric-gasoline hybrid vehicle in 2013. It has not been released as to what models would get this technology.  More details will be released soon. 

- Brian Edward Canell, Editor-In-Chief

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