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Subaru Impreza Is Top-Rated Small Car in Insurance Institute Crash Tests; 2002 Impreza Achieves Institute's `Best Pick' Distinction

CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 20 -- Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA), announced today that the 2002 Subaru Impreza achieved the highest rating (good) in the most recent series of frontal offset crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Impreza also earned the Institute's coveted ``Best Pick'' designation.

``The occupant compartment of the Subaru Impreza maintained its shape extremely well in the offset test, and the dummy's movement was well controlled. All measures recorded on the dummy indicated low risk of injury,'' said Institute President Brian O'Neill. ``This was a very good performance.''

Vehicle ratings reflect performance in 40-mph frontal offset crash tests into a deformable barrier. Based on the results, the Institute evaluates the crashworthiness of passenger vehicles, assigning each vehicle a rating from good overall to poor. The Institute's frontal offset test is especially demanding of the vehicle's structure, as a relatively small area of the vehicle's front-end structure must manage the crash energy.

``Safety is a primary tenet of the Subaru brand,'' said T.K. Saito, chairman, president and CEO, Subaru of America, Inc. ``We are very pleased with the IIHS results, as they further reinforce our commitment to occupant safety. All Subaru vehicles -- including Legacy, Forester and Impreza -- have received the Institute's highest rating. In addition to providing superior occupant protection in the event of a collision, Subaru vehicles not only provide protection in the event of a collision, but our Subaru All-Wheel Drive system provides drivers with superior traction and control to help avoid accidents.''

The 2002 Impreza lineup includes the 2.5 RS sedan, WRX sedan and Sport Wagon, Outback Sport and 2.5 TS Sport Wagon. Since its introduction, the 2002 Impreza WRX has garnered numerous industry awards, including Automobile Magazine's ``Automobile of the Year'' for 2002 and was selected as one of Car and Driver magazine's ``10 Best'' cars for 2002.