Photo: Theophilus Chin
Over the years, compact cars have become more and more upscale and upmarket. Just look at the Mazda3 and the Honda Civic. However, Subaru's Impreza has resisted the trend.
The Japanese sedan has lagged behind, with a monotonous design and lackluster interior. That's not so much a problem for the basic $18,000 Impreza, but the expensive WRX STI has taken a pounding when put up against the Golf R.
A response is already being prepared in Japan. We've already taken a look at the 2017 Impreza's interior in a 360-degree video provided by the automaker. It's got an e-brake, leather everywhere and sweet toggles and buttons.
As the new 4-door compact is becoming available in America as well, we're going to take a look at the freshest renderings of the STI model, provided by Theophilus Chin.
He says he is hesitant in rendering aggressive variants of any model, and we can understand why. Not only is the STI an icon, but guessing the sports body kit borders on impossible. Still, a hood scoop, dual exhaust, and some black wheels manage to paint a picture we like.
That being said, this is still not a design that likes to stand out, especially when compared to something like the LED-clad Civic. And with SUVs continuing to rise in popularity, that's a bad thing.
We don't know what Impreza assembly happening in North America means for the WRX and STI. But it can't be bad news from a price perspective. Previous reports suggested the old 2.5-liter boxer engine in the STI will be replaced by a powerful version of the 2.0-liter used in the WRX.
From day one, 2015 STI models sold in Japan were equipped with this type of slightly downsized powertrain. It produces the same amount of power and a little more torque as standard. There's also the S207 special edition that's been revealed at the beginning of the year and raises the bar to 328 PS and 431 Nm (318 lb-ft).
But the horizontally opposed cylinders of a boxer engine create turbo lag problems, so perhaps an electric motor isn't such a bad idea after all.
A response is already being prepared in Japan. We've already taken a look at the 2017 Impreza's interior in a 360-degree video provided by the automaker. It's got an e-brake, leather everywhere and sweet toggles and buttons.
As the new 4-door compact is becoming available in America as well, we're going to take a look at the freshest renderings of the STI model, provided by Theophilus Chin.
He says he is hesitant in rendering aggressive variants of any model, and we can understand why. Not only is the STI an icon, but guessing the sports body kit borders on impossible. Still, a hood scoop, dual exhaust, and some black wheels manage to paint a picture we like.
That being said, this is still not a design that likes to stand out, especially when compared to something like the LED-clad Civic. And with SUVs continuing to rise in popularity, that's a bad thing.
We don't know what Impreza assembly happening in North America means for the WRX and STI. But it can't be bad news from a price perspective. Previous reports suggested the old 2.5-liter boxer engine in the STI will be replaced by a powerful version of the 2.0-liter used in the WRX.
From day one, 2015 STI models sold in Japan were equipped with this type of slightly downsized powertrain. It produces the same amount of power and a little more torque as standard. There's also the S207 special edition that's been revealed at the beginning of the year and raises the bar to 328 PS and 431 Nm (318 lb-ft).
But the horizontally opposed cylinders of a boxer engine create turbo lag problems, so perhaps an electric motor isn't such a bad idea after all.
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