Stylish changes to Subaru's All-Wheel Drive Impreza range are reinforcing its image as an icon of sporting substance and eye-catching appeal.

 More power and variable valve timing for Impreza WRX, aggressive new design cues for the world rally-themed Impreza WRX STi and interior and exterior refinements across the entire range are among the highlights.

Gear shift-controlled Sportshift is added to automatic Impreza WRX.

For improved security, all new Imprezas have the protection of DataDot coding, which will be progressively introduced across the entire Subaru range by February 2003.

Taking customer care to a new level, Subaru Australia is introducing a new free 24-hour seven-day-a-week Roadside Assist programme to help Impreza WRX and STi customers in the unlikely event their vehicle breaks down or experiences technical problems.

Fuel consumption on manual WRX models is improved in the highway and combined cycles.

Impreza WRX and STi models have a double locking system on all doors that can normally only be activated or deactivated by the remote control.

Tailgate door key barrels have been removed on all hatch variants.

The turbocharged models have dispensed with a passenger door key barrel. They feature security improvements for the driver's door locking mechanism too.

All Imprezas now have a driver's door central locking button.

Safety in Impreza GX, RX and RV models is enhanced with the introduction of active restraint headrests, which reduce whiplash and the severity of neck injury in rear end collisions.

Impact-absorbing safety brake pedals are standard in all Imprezas, helping reduce lower limb injuries in the event of a frontal collision.

Pedestrian safety has been considered in the revised frontal design, with the shape of the bumper lower edge designed to create minimum injury.

All Model Year 2003 Imprezas feature revised bonnet, light cluster and bumper designs, producing a rounded front with distinctive crease lines.

Smaller fog lights in all models other than Impreza WRX STi, are less obtrusive, while there are new grilles across the range.

Light clusters, with integrated indicators, parking lights, headlights and full beam, feature a clear tinted finish.

Tail lights on both sedan and hatch variants are redesigned to integrate with the lines of the rear quarter panels and bumper.

Wing mirrors have been aerodynamically tested to significantly reduce water penetration on the mirror surface and the side glass surface.

All Imprezas now have a titanium-colour centre console, audio head unit and air vent surrounds, which also helps reduce cabin glare.

The height-adjustable driver's seat lever mechanism has been enhanced for easier setting.

Nick Senior, General Manager, Subaru Australia said: "Impreza is already a much-awarded car for its engineering, safety, performance and value and these latest refinements underline what a great package it is.

"From the aggressive world-rally styling cues of the Impreza WRX STi to the fun-yet-practical philosophy of the RV, Subaru has again raised the benchmark for small normally aspirated and turbocharged performance cars."

He added: "Impreza is enjoying a record year for normally aspirated models, averaging 384 a month, while turbocharged variants are following strongly with an average 234."

Mr Senior said it was likely Impreza would finish 2002 with its second best ever year overall, in a period of heightened competition.

He predicted sales of 500 Imprezas a month in 2003, including 150 WRXs. 

Impreza changes – the detail

Impreza GX and RX

Inside, Impreza GX and RX models feature new fine-weave gray and black seat and door trim material.

Impreza RX also gets a revised Momo leather sports steering wheel.

Impreza RV

The Impreza RV hatch, which has gained a firm following among customers looking for a small recreational-type vehicle, has revised dark gray seat and door trims unique to the model.

The air conditioning is now upgraded to semi-automatic.

Impreza RV dash and door trims are also all gray, distinguishing it from other Impreza models.

Impreza RS

The 2.5-litre Impreza RS sedan has a sporty mesh grille, while the new door and seat trims are charcoal gray.

Key instrument dials now have a silver surround and there's a revised Momo steering wheel too.

Impreza WRX

The 2.0 litre turbocharged horizontally opposed Boxer engine has been refined to produce 168 Kilowatts of power at 6,000 rpm and 300 Newtonmetres of torque at 3,600 rpm.

It includes the Active Valve Control System, which electronically adjusts the intake valve timing. This produces optimum power and torque while minimizing fuel consumption and emissions.

The compression ratio is increased from 8.0:1 to 9.0:1, for better engine response at low revs.

Gear-lever control Sportshift is introduced on automatic Impreza WRX. This gives drivers the option to use the shifter stick to instantly change up or down a gear via electronic control.

A prominent centre tachometer in the instrument binnacle gives instant driver feedback on engine performance.

Outside, there is an all-new aerodynamic bonnet scoop for added engine efficiency.

Titanium-finish alloy wheels and a new mesh-grille give Impreza WRX instant visual appeal.

Inside, there's a chrome hand-brake button.

Steering manoeuvrability and high-speed stability have been improved by using dampers with multiple phase valves, changes to upper suspension mountings and relocation of rear trailing links.

Tracking of the dampers against input from the road surface has also improved.

This translates to smoother driving, even during high-speed lane changes.

Impreza WRX performance:

Impreza WRX STi

The ultimate Impreza sports an aggressive new look that includes a larger bonnet scoop, and World Rally Championship-style body kit featuring flared sills, aerodynamic front bumper side blisters and a bold rear spoiler.

A raft of interior changes include a smaller-diameter STi-design three-spoke sports steering wheel, all-new instrument binnacle back-lit in red with a unique ignition "on" display sequence. The STi logo is clearly visible in the centre-mounted tachometer.

In keeping with the rally theme of Impreza WRX STi, there is blue carpet throughout.

Other detail highlights include chrome doorhandles.

All turbocharged Imprezas feature a keypad immobiliser alarm system as standard. Combined with the DataDot technology, this makes them among the best protected cars available on the Australian market.

Intercooler efficiency has been improved by altering the shape of the air baffle plate inside the scoop and by increasing the spray pattern from the water nozzles.

Front suspension rigidity has been strengthened by adding a performance rod to the front cross member and by strengthening the mounts of the transverse linkages, resulting in better steering response.

Rear cross member reinforcement brackets have been added.

Handling has also been enhanced by minimizing geometry variations during cornering.

For better noise and vibration supression, rear cross member bushings have been modified too.

Standard features at a glance
Impreza GX:

• ABS anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Adjustable steering column
• AM/FM radio with in-dash CD
• Antenna integrated in window
• Cargo area light
• Cargo security blind (hatch only)
• Child seat anchor points
• Cruise control
• Cup holders
• Dual front airbags
• Dual-range transmission (manual hatch)
• Dual trip meters
• Four-wheel disc brakes
• Fog lamps (front)
• Front adjustable seatbelt anchorage
• Immobiliser security system
• Lights auto off
• Power steering, windows and mirrors
• Rear door child lock
• Rear spoiler on the hatch
• Rear wiper (hatch)
• Remote central locking, integrated with hazard lights for visual recognition
• Remote fuel lid release
• Roof rails (hatch)
• Side intrusion bars
• Super Seat Lifter height adjustable driver's seat
• Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
• Tachometer
• Three-point A/ELR rear centre seatbelt
• Three year unlimited kilometre warranty
• Vanity mirror in passenger sun visor
• Variable intermittent windscreen wiper control
• 15-inch wheels with new design wheel covers
• 2.0 litre horizontally opposed Boxer engine
• 60/40 split/fold rear seat (hatch only)

MY03 Impreza GX changes at a glance:

• Active restraint headrests
• Bonnet
• Bumpers – front and rear
• Fog lights
• Headlights
• Security – DataDots and driver's side central locking button
• Super Seat Lifter – revised mechanism for even easier operation
• Tail-lights
• Trim
• Wing mirrors

Impreza RX adds (to GX specification):

• Momo leather steering wheel
• Rear spoiler – sedan and hatch
• Semi-automatic air-conditioning
• Sports body kit (sills, spoilers)
• 15-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels

MY03 Impreza RX changes at a glance:

• New design Momo leather steering wheel

Impreza RV adds (to GX specification):

• Duotone exterior colour scheme
• Semi automatic air conditioning
• Trim - unique to model
• 16-inch alloy wheels

MY03 Impreza RV changes at a glance:

• Trim – revised dark gray seats and door material
• Dashboard – all gray
• Doors – all gray

Impreza RS adds (to GX specification):

• Momo leather steering wheel
• Rear differential has viscous coupling
• Semi-automatic air conditioning
• Sports interior, including bucket seats
• Suspension upgrade
• 16-inch five-spoke alloy wheels
• 2.5 litre horizontally opposed Boxer engine
• 60 litre fuel tank

MY03 Impreza RS changes at a glance:

• Instruments – silver surround
• Mesh grille
• Momo steering wheel – new design
• Trim – charcoal gray inserts

Impreza WRX adds (to GX specification):

• Aluminium bonnet
• Aluminium lower suspension arm - sedan only
• Aluminium pedals
• Keypad immobiliser alarm system
• Momo signature leather steering wheel
• Rear spoilers for sedan and hatch
• Semi-automatic air-conditioning
• Sports interior and body kit
• Unique tumble-generating valves in intake manifold
• 2.0 litre turbocharged horizontally opposed Boxer engine
• 4 pot front and 2 pot rear brakes, all discs ventilated
• 17 inch five-spoke alloy wheels

(Impreza WRX hatch does not include dual range transmission)

MY03 Impreza WRX changes:

• Active Valve Control System – for improved engine efficiency
• Bonnet scoop – revised for aerodynamic efficiency
• Centre tachometer
• Gear lever-controlled Sportshift for automatic transmission models
• Handbrake lever – chrome button
• Mesh grille
• Power – 2.0 litre turbocharged engine now produces 168 kW at 6,000 rpm
• Wheels – titanium finish

Impreza WRX STi additions (to MY03 WRX specification):

• AM/FM radio with six-CD in-dash stacker, cassette and six speakers
• Brembo brakes 326mm 4-pot front, 316mm 2-pot rear, vacuum assisted
• Fog light aperture covers
• Grille unique to STi
• Instrument panel with large centre STi tachometer – driver adjustable rpm warning
• Intercooler waterspray
• Larger bonnet scoop (than Impreza WRX)
• Momo leather steering wheel
• Red stitching on leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake lever
• Six-speed close ratio manual transmission
• Sports ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Sports bodykit
• Sports interior, including bucket seats with STi logo and blue inserts
• STi badging on grille, front doors, boot and front bumper
• STi gearshift surround
• STi large diameter exhaust
• STi logo on intercooler
• Suretrac front and rear Limited Slip Differentials
• 17-inch five-spoke gold-finish alloy wheels unique to STi

MY03 Impreza WRX STi changes:

• Blue carpet
• Bonnet scoop – larger aerodynamic design
• Chrome interior door handles
• Fog light aperture covers
• Flared sills
• Front bumper
• Instrument binnacle – all new with unique ignition "on" display sequence
• Rear spoiler – larger aerodynamic unit
• Sports body kit
• STi-design smaller diameter three-spoke steering
• Uprated suspension dynamics

Colours

The Impreza range is available in the following colours:

Bright red (GX, RX, RV, RS, WRX)
Dark green mica (GX, RX, RV, RS, WRX)
Graphite black mica (GX, RX, RS, WRX, STi)
Premium silver metallic (GX, RX, RS, WRX, STi)
Pure white (all variants)
Reddish blue mica (GX, RX, RV, RS, WRX)
WR blue mica (WRX, STi)

All RV variants with duotone.

Pricing (rrp)