2013 Subaru Impreza: Fuel efficient and fun to drive

MISSISSAUGA, ON--Aug. 2, 2012: Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is pleased to announce the release of the 2013 Subaru Impreza.  Offering much more than you'd expect in a compact car, this fourth-generation Impreza is fun to drive and offers a feeling of confidence behind the wheel. The Impreza also offers fuel economy comparable to two-wheel-drive vehicles while still providing all of the performance and active safety benefits inherent in Subaru's symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive system with the choice of two distinct body styles.

Powered by a 2.0-litre SUBARU BOXER engine, the 2013 Impreza comes with a choice of a five-speed manual transmission or the second-generation Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). The 2013 Impreza will offer the highest fuel efficiency of any all-wheel-drive car in North America with fuel efficiency ratings of 7.5 L/100 km city and 5.5 L/100 km highway. Every 2013 Impreza is also equipped with Subaru's symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive, which enhances the fun-to-drive experience and provides greater confidence in all weather conditions.

Select New Features
New for 2013, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity is now standard on all models, allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. All models also now gain a MediaHub with Bluetooth streaming audio, allowing quick and easy connection to an iPod or USB files.

The 2013 Impreza Limited Package now gains a voice-activated in-dash GPS navigation system with back-up camera. This enhancement is part of an audio system that features XM Satellite Radio (subscription required), XM NavTraffic and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity with voice activation.

Impressive Room and Refinement
The combination of a long wheelbase and smartly designed door, roof trim and front seats yield gains in passenger and cargo room, with additional details demonstrating Subaru's mastery of smart vehicle packaging. The wheelbase measures 2,645 mm  and a scalloped-style front seat backrest design offers rear-seat passengers an abundance of comfort and legroom.

With the seats up, the 5-door model offers voluminous cargo volume of 638 litres, while also making it a cinch to load and unload heavy objects. In comparison, the sedan's 340 litres of trunk volume can easily accommodate four golf bags and as an added bonus, the 4-door Impreza also provides a virtually flat load floor with the standard 60/40-split rear seatbacks in the folded position.

The 2013 Impreza interior also delivers a major step up in refinement that's completely unexpected for vehicles in its category. The sporty instrument panel and 3-spoke steering wheel are augmented on all models by an information display or a 4.3-inch colour multi-function display (on Sport and Limited models) with trip computer, located in the centre of the dashboard. Rich-looking appointments and details abound, including soft-touch materials for the dashboard, door trim and centre console armrest. In the higher line models, the armrest features a slide adjustment for greater comfort and versatility.

Carrying space and utility has also been maximized throughout the vehicle. Large door pockets can hold plastic drink bottles and large maps. Numerous compartments located in and around the centre console hold all manner of personal items such as phones, USB drives and MP3 players. For those who still prefer to listen to music on CDs, the console compartments provide ample storage for jewel cases.

Comfort, Convenience and Luxury throughout the Lineup
The 2013 Impreza also offers greater comfort, versatility and more advanced technology. The front seats have been designed with long-distance comfort in mind and feature high seatbacks, lumbar support and cushions that effectively distribute pressure. As in the 2013 Legacy, the seats are optimized for a rear-end collision. A tilt/telescoping steering wheel is standard on all 2013 Impreza models.

Standard comfort and available amenities abound across the Impreza line for 2013. The 2.0i entry model, for example, features power windows, door locks and side mirrors, a 60/40-split flat-folding rear seat, outside temperature gauge, heated body-colour exterior mirrors, cruise control, a multi-function display with fuel economy information, remote keyless entry system, security system with engine immobilizer, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, variable intermittent windshield wipers, and a low windshield washer fluid warning light. For 2013, the entry model also gains an advanced AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA audio system with four speakers as well as Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity with steering-wheel-integrated controls.

Impreza 2.0i Touring Package models add more amenities, including 16-inch alloy wheels, an advanced AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA audio system with six speakers, steering wheel-integrated hands-free and audio controls, a rear stabilizer bar for crisper handling, heated front seats, automatic headlights, and a front windshield wiper de-icer among others.

The Impreza Sport Package adds 17-inch alloy wheels, power sunroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector, upgraded gauges, automatic climate control, aerodynamic side ground effects, front fog lights, rear spoiler, and a stainless steel exhaust tip on 4-door models. A 4.3-inch multi-function display offers a wide array of fuel consumption data as well as maintenance reminders. Also included in this system is a Vehicle Dynamics Control monitor that displays All-Wheel Drive in action on slippery surfaces.

At the top of the Impreza range for 2013, the Limited Package delivers the highest level of comfort and convenience ever offered in a Subaru Impreza. Building upon the Sport Package content, the Limited Package adds dual-zone automatic climate control, HID headlights, leather seating surfaces, outside mirror-integrated LED turn signals, a voice-activated in-dash GPS system with 6.1-inch high-resolution touchscreen AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA/DivX, WMV, MP3, SMS text messaging capability, XM NAVTraffic, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity with voice activation, Bluetooth streaming audio, 3.5mm auxiliary jack, USB and back-up camera, XM Satellite Radio (subscription required) as well as chrome trim on the trunk lid and exterior door handles.

Fun, Frugal SUBARU BOXER Engine with Available Lineartronic CVT
The 2013 Impreza is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER engine, teamed to a five-speed manual transmission or the available second-generation Lineartronic CVT.
The 2.0-litre engine produces 148 horsepower and 145 lb.-ft. of torque. This Subaru engine family, which debuted in the 2011 Forester in 2.5-litre form, uses a Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) design. The Dual Active Valve Control System (Dual AVCS) controls valve timing on both the intake and exhaust valves to optimize performance, fuel efficiency and emissions.

Subaru first introduced its Lineartronic CVT in 2010 and the 2013 Impreza features a lighter, quieter and more compact version that delivers both enhanced driving performance and environmental friendliness. Subaru refined the CVT in the 2012 Impreza to deliver smooth, linear acceleration, closer to a conventional automatic transmission while still delivering the efficiency benefits of a CVT. Low-speed acceleration in particular is even stronger than a comparison of performance figures alone might suggest. The engine now also supports standing starts in the pre-selected "second gear" ratio to reduce the likelihood of wheel spin on slippery surfaces.

Impreza Touring, Sport, and Limited Package models with the CVT also feature steering wheel paddle shifters that allow the driver to control the transmission via six pre-set ratios. The driver can engage Manual Mode with the console shift lever or, when in "D" mode, temporarily access manual mode with the paddle shifters. In that case, the transmission will return to automatic mode once the vehicle is travelling at a constant speed.

Subaru Symmetrical Full-time All-Wheel Drive
Subaru offers two different symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive systems in the 2013 Impreza, providing a confident driving experience that exceeds expectations. In models equipped with the five-speed manual transmission, the AWD system uses a viscous-coupling limited-slip centre differential to distribute power 50/50 front to rear.

Impreza models equipped with the Lineartronic CVT feature the electronically controlled Multi-plate Transfer Clutch (MPT) AWD system that uses an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch to actively control power distribution in response to driving conditions. This system can transfer more power to the rear wheels under acceleration, but power is distributed 60/40 front to rear under normal driving conditions.

Independent Suspension
All Subaru models feature a strut-type front suspension with a wide track and long wheel travel. The double-wishbone rear suspension, also on all models, handles rough roads and sharp corners with both poise and precision - ensuring maximum tire contact, minimum vibration and significantly improved ride quality. Together, these characteristics deliver flatter cornering as well as a quieter, more comfortable ride over a variety of road surfaces.

Impreza Exemplifies Subaru's Safety Leadership
Building on Subaru's renowned safety leadership (all 2012 Subaru model lines were IIHS Top Safety Picks), Subaru's advanced ring-shaped reinforcement frame safety structure, proven over a decade in all Subaru models, again forms the foundation for crash protection and occupant safety in the 2013 Impreza. The Impreza's body structure makes great use of high-tensile strength steel and features special stiffening elements at key locations.

As standard equipment, the 2013 Impreza includes front seat side-impact air bags and side curtain air bags that offer additional head protection for front and rear occupants. The driver's front air bag offers added protection for drivers who position themselves close to the steering wheel. Immediately after deployment, the driver's air bag spreads thin and wide and thickens as deployment reaches completion. The passenger-seat front air bag features a shell-type design with a centre groove, thus decreasing the impact force upon deployment. All 2013 Impreza models also include a driver's knee air bag for occupant protection.

All Impreza models for 2013 are equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), which combines stability and traction control functions. Likewise, all 2013 Impreza models are equipped with standard 4-wheel disc brakes with Subaru's 4-wheel, 4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. The 2013 Impreza also features a brake override feature that lowers engine output when both the brake and the throttle pedal are depressed simultaneously, ensuring a drama-free stop.

Vehicle Dynamics Control
Standard on every Subaru, the Vehicle Dynamics Control system monitors and analyzes if the vehicle is following the driver's intended course via an array of smart sensors. If the vehicle approaches the limits of stability, the AWD torque distribution, engine output and brakes at each wheel adjust automatically to assist in keeping the vehicle on course. A Vehicle Dynamics Control 'off' switch is useful for driving out of slushy roads, deep snow or very loose gravel. The 'off' position deactivates the system's torque-reduction control, while the ABS and traction control remain active.