2017 Subaru Impreza REVEALED ahead of New York debut

The 2017 Subaru Impreza has been revealed ahead of a debut at the New York Motor Show, with the UK likely to get a hatchback version.

The new Subaru Impreza was teased a few weeks ago, and we hoped it would take much of its design from the impressive Impreza Concept we saw last year. But it really doesn’t seem to.

Yes, the new Impreza is underpinned by a new  Global Platform from Subaru, and it promises a dramatic increase in rigidity, and it’s got a bit more room, but the modern edge the concept has does seem to have been tamed down to look like a generic Japanese saloon.

What does appear to have improved is the cabin, where the layout is far less cluttered, looks much more upmarket with a properly decent infotainment system, higher quality materials and more technology.

Engines will still be Subaru’s Boxer engines, both petrol and diesel, but more economical and more powerful, and the Impreza will get four-wheel-drive.

Perhaps the most interesting prospect is a new WRX STi, which is tipped to get 340bhp from a 2.0 litre petrol turbo and electric motor at the back, and Subaru must hope it will be enough to provide a proper challenge to cars like the Ford Focus RS.

The UK is unlikely to get this new Impreza saloon, but it will be getting a five-door hatchback.