We got a chance to drive the all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza last week in Victoria, and will have to wait until October before sharing our driving impressions. In the meantime, here’s some detailed info on the new model.

Subaru will be spinning off the Impreza from the performance-oriented WRX and WRX STI versions. The platform of the new 2012 Impreza will be used for sedan and five-door hatchback models only, and will no longer underpin the WRX.

 Exterior
For the exterior specifications, the only unchanged dimension on the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback is that of overall length.

When you look head-on at the new Impreza, the grille opening is larger and of a significantly different shape than last year’s car. The surrounding fascia is different, although the hawk eye-shaped headlamp design is a carryover.

Looking at the side will show that the base of the windscreen has been pushed out a bit to create slightly better aerodynamics and a feeling of spaciousness. The roof has been basically left alone, but the back window and tail sections of both the sedan and hatchback have been totally reshaped.

Inside the cabin
Cargo capacity has been increased in both body styles, although the sedan does have the edge in useful cargo space. New rear treatments also mean new taillights, bumper covers and everything else that goes into the rear fascia.

More space inside has to come from somewhere, and Subaru has increased the wheelbase by about 50 mm most of which has gone into increasing rear-seat comfort. I found that I was actually able to sit in the rear seat and have room to spare for my knees and feet in both the sedan and five-door hatchback versions.

All four versions (2.0i, 2.0i Touring, 2.0i Sport and 2.0i Limited) available in Canada this fall will have some special Canada-only treatments that US versions will not. The black-faced gauges with white numerals, which are standard, come from Europe while the colour information screen in the Sport and Limited is from Japan. The software for providing both English and French was developed from scratch here in Canada. Dual-zone climate control is standard in the Limited trim on Canadian Imprezas.

Dash, doors and centre console have had soft-touch materials added to provide a richer, more comfortable-feeling interior. The beltline has been lowered and side glass increased, which in turn makes the cabin feel larger and more comfortable. Seats have been redesigned to provide more comfort over a larger range of body types.

Photo: Subaru