Wide-bodied Impreza revealed

Subaru has revealed a wide-bodied version of the Impreza WRX at the New York motor show.

The car has been inspired by the original Subaru Impreza WRX STI and is available as a four-door saloon and a five-door hatch; it will go on sale in the US this summer, but Subaru hasn’t yet confirmed whether the car will make it to the UK.

See pics of the wide-bodied Subaru Impreza WRX

The new model has had its front and rear tracks widened by around 38mm and has been designed to look as 'wide and low' as possible. Subaru has also made subtle styling revisions to its front wings, bumpers and wheel arches to contribute to this more purposeful stance.

Other additions include a new front splitter and blacked-out fog lamps and headlights. The changes have lowered the car’s drag coefficient, but added around 15kg to the car’s kerb weight.

Powering all four wheels is a turbocharged 261bhp, 244lb ft version of Subaru’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine. It is mated to a five-speed manual ‘box. It features a centre-locking differential, which splits torque 50/50 between the front and rear wheels.

Tom Doll, executive vice-president of Subaru America, said, “The new wide-body designs mark another major step on the continuous evolution of the WRX to give driving enthusiasts an even more compelling all-wheel-drive performance package.”

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