Subaru unveils Impreza coupe edition to join sedan, wagon
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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"What's the value of smart brakes -- like anti-lock action -- when you're saddled with a set of dumb wheels?"
The question, posed by an automotive engineer steeped in the intricacies of all-wheel-drive traction control systems, served as hypothesis for my January journey to the Keweenaw Research Center, a vehicle testing facility operated by Michigan Technical University on the Keweenaw peninsula, which protrudes like a crooked finger into frigid waters of Lake Superior.
Across this frozen landscape, winter temperatures of 30 degrees below zero and annual snowfalls of 200 inches are not uncommon, which situates the KRC in an ideal climate to test traction systems over slippery winter driving surfaces.
In this instance, I planned to compare conventional front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive products -- including several with electronic traction and brake controls -- against all-wheel-drive systems of Japan's Subaru, recognized as world leader in traction technology.
Subaru, it seems, produces more all-wheel-drive vehicles than all other automakers combined. Currently, AWD models account for 70 percent of all Subaru sales.
With its 1995 line, Subaru developed a 2-door coupe variation of the subcompact Impreza sedan, added optional horsepower from a larger engine and combined that power package with Subaru's all-wheel-drive system. For my tests, I would pit the AWD Impreza Coupe LX against its class rivals rigged with front- or rear-wheel traction, then compare results from accelerating, quick lane changing, slow speed slalom maneuvering and high-speed steering -- on frozen water in the form of packed snow and glare ice.
The Subaru engineer who posed the question of smart brakes for dumb wheels suggested that with Impreza's AWD system a driver develops more confidence in driving through any road condition -- dry, wet, frozen or graveled -- because Subaru's smart wheels transfer power automatically from the wheels that slip to the ones that can grip.
So show me, I said, which explains why I found myself shivering in a down-filled parka on a massive expanse of packed snow, jumping from one car to another in the course of a long and cold day's driving tests.
What did I learn?
For one thing, I found out that you don't want a rear-wheel-drive car if you must navigate on slippery roads. The sporty model I tested performed at the back of the pack for acceleration and lane-change tests.
A popular front-wheel-drive subcompact sedan did a better job of leaping off the line, but it too felt unstable in turns and definitely unfriendly at speeds above 30 mph.
One fancy front-wheel-drive version with electronic traction control worked better in quick lane changes, yet it ended up in a snow bank when pressed with speed into a curvy set because the traction control mechanism, sensing tire slippage, blocked the accelerator at a critical moment and essentially rendered the expensive equipment useless.
But that AWD Impreza: It leaped to the top of all charts measuring acceleration, cornering agility, even higher speed travel. Comparing test figures, I found Impreza's times were not only the best of the bunch, but significantly so -- 10.7 seconds at 41 mph for the Impreza's average acceleration test, for instance, verses 14.69 seconds at only 32 mph for the best front-wheel-drive sedan.
These exemplary scores should not imply that the Subaru is infallible, however, because it too must obey laws of the physical universe in terms of momentum and traction.
One tester did put the Impreza in a ditch, in fact, but only because he had pushed it beyond all reasonable limits.
Overall, what this little coupe provided was confidence to navigate on road surfaces in anything less than ideal conditions. It brings assurances that you'll stick to the surface of the road, whether slick with water, mud or snow, so long as you drive prudently.
Also, I found driving the Impreza requires far less effort wrestling with the steering wheel to maintain forward progress: The experience doesn't exhaust you.
These confidence-building attributes are the reason most Subaru sales now come from AWD versions.
Unlike others, though, Subaru keeps AWD simple.
Its engines, with four cylinders opposed horizontally and set perpendicular to the drive line, employ equal-length drive shafts and function like boxers jabbing directly at one another so there's little vibration. Power moves directly through an intellegent transfer case to the wheels that need traction, with scant loss of energy.
The concept's so simple that it adds only $1,200 to Impreza's bottom line, which is about as much as 2-wheel traction control systems cost on some competitive brands.
Also, due to Subaru's AWD efficiency, there's only a modest sacrifice in fuel economy.
Thus, Subaru's AWD design bursts the bubble of typical 4-wheel-drive systems, which cost a bundle initially, can eat up excessive fuel and are often so noisy you may as well be driving a truck.
With the Subaru system, you end up with sure-footed, confidence-building traction hardware designed to keep you safely on all types of road surfaces for a price that's highly competitive with conventional 2-wheel power setups.
And little Impreza is a likeable package, smooth and shapely on the outside, comfortable and convenient within.
The new coupe is identical to the sedan, only it has two less doors. A 4-door station wagon in Sport trim is also available with a new Outback optional package designed to get seriously involved in the off-road world.
Impreza's base 1.8-liter engine produces 115 hp, while the new 2.2-liter option boosts output to 135 hp. Either plant can combine with Subaru's notchy manual 5-speed stick or smooth 4-speed automatic.
Conveniences begin with a tilt steering wheel and analog instruments but extend to remote releases, reclining front seats and a center console with storage bin.
For Impreza L, extras appear like air conditioning, power mirrors, a tachometer and stereo sound, while Impreza LX gains the 2.2-liter engine as standard, along with the auto shifter, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, plus a rear stabilizer bar, sporty rear spoiler and 15-inch tires.
Then get this: Impreza's pricing dips as low as $11,195. The top coupe, outfitted with that AWD traction system and all perks, adds up to only $16,500.
1995 SUBARU IMPREZA
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| 1995 SUBARU IMPREZA COUPE VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Subcompact coupe, sedan, wagon |
| Model Options: |
Subcompact coupe, sedan, wagon |
| Wheelbase: |
99.2 inches |
| Overall Length: |
172.2 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 1.8-L I-4
SOHC 2.2-L I-4
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
FWD, AWD |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/opt. ABS
LX: Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
FWD 1.8-L M/5: 25/32 mpg
AWD 1.8-L M/5: 24/28 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 11,195 to $ 16,500 |
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