Subaru has made the Impreza irresistible thanks to diesel!
The latest Impreza 2.0 litre diesel delivers not only the excellent handling and grip we're used to from the family hatchback but a reduced thirst at the pumps. Saintly driving is rewarded with a fuel tank range of 1,000 kilometres. Prices start at just €21,495.
Like all Imprezas, the AWD (all-wheel drive) car has an excellent pedigree and impeccable on-road manners, but that superb symmetrical four-wheel drive running gear has always come at a price at the filling stations. Thankfully, in these running cost conscious days, diesel has come to the rescue. Diesel engines by their nature have greater pulling power than their petrol powered equivalents, albeit at the expenses of out and out speed. But thanks to turbo charging and a greater awareness among drivers of inappropriate speed, the smart money these days buys a diesel. Diesels pull harder from low revs, often allow drivers to move off in second gear and can crawl along better in slow-moving traffic on tick over.
Compared to earlier versions, the Impreza is now a handsome car that is very spacious inside for its class. It is only available in Ireland as a five-door hatchback and generally there is only one contentious point about its exterior styling: the bonnet scoop. Either you love it (me and my five-year-old son) or you think it's ugly (my two young daughters). The scoop is there to aid engine/turbo cooling and is not just a 'boy racer' add-on. Inside the dash is modern and the seats supportive.
Subaru, which is owned by Fuji Heavy Industries, has been making 'Boxer' engines for years - these have horizontally opposing cylinders and therefore a very low centre of gravity compared to conventional rivals. The Japanese firm had resisted making a diesel engine but thankfully gave in a few years ago and developed this excellent unit, which can now be found in quite a few Subaru models. There is 350nm of torque available from the common rail diesel in the 1800-2400 rev range and there is 150bhp on tap, so the five-seat Impreza can shift quite impressively when provoked. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard and my only gripe is the heavy clutch pedal. CO2 is 152 g/km (Band 'C': €302 annual road tax), thanks to the use of a diesel particulate filter, oxidation catalytic converter and ERG (exhaust gas recirculation).
On twisty Irish roads the Impreza is confident and fun. VDC (vehicle dynamic control, Subaru's ESP) is standard across the three specifications (TD, TDS and TDRS). All versions come with alloys and air conditioning. €21,495 is a very tempting price point even in these hard times but, if you want a few more toys, €26,995 gets the 'TDS' spec and a Lotto win might tempt you to opt for the 'TDRS' spec.
The Impreza diesel is a genuine alternative to the usual Focus, Astra, Golf etc and is deserving of far more than a cult following.
Michael Sheridan
