The 2011 Subaru Impreza Coupe

The Subaru Impreza is a compact car that was first introduced by Subaru in 1993.  "Impreza" is a coined word, deriving from an originally Italian word, impresa, meaning a feat or achievement. Subaru will roll out the Impreza coupé for the 2011 model year.   Joining the recently launched hatch-back model, it will allow the Japanese company to tackle the BMW 3-Series Coupé and Nissan 350Z head-on, as well as reach out to new customers. Subaru hasn't sold a two door Impreza since the late 1990s, a coupe was sold in most countries as a limited edition version of the potent STI model but it was eventually phased with the introduction of the MY01 Impreza earlier this decade. The car has been developed as part of a joint venture with Toyota, who holds an 8 percent stake in Subaru.  The project will also spawn a long-awaited successor to the Nineties Celica.  The compact rear-wheel Subaru coupe is envisioned to offer a new 'fun to drive' experience based on an all-new vehicle platform

2011 Coupe Power

Power will come from a choice of two engines, both employing the flat-four boxer layout for which Subaru is famous. Subaru chose to continue their longstanding use of the boxer engine in the Impreza Coupe; according to Subaru, their configuration of the engine inline with the transmission minimizes body roll due to the l ower center of gravity compared with offset engines in most other vehicles. The boxer design provides perfect vibration mitigation due to the fact that the movement of each piston is exactly countered by the corresponding piston in the opposing cylinder bank, eliminating the need for a counter-rotating weighted crankshaft (harmonic balancer). Torque steer is also reduced with this type of powertrain layout since the front drive shafts are of equal length. There's a normally aspirated 2.0-litre unit giving around 180bhp, or a high-performance 2.5-litre turbo powerplant borrowed from the range-topping five-door STi. The latter will deliver in the region of 300hp. There is a chance that the AWD system will be dropped for entry level models in favor of a lightweight, more affordable rear-drive setup, while the upper level trims will continue to get AWD.  A 300-hp version equipped with the turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four is also destined for production. New suspension tuning on the 2011 Impreza Coupe will have higher-rate springs, larger-diameter stabilizer bars and dedicated damping force tuning for sharper handling response.

Impreza Coupe Design

The Impreza Coupé takes styling cues from the five-door model, but it will feature certain design elements to make it stand out from the crowd and will get a rakish rear end. That gives it a chunky yet athletic appearance, it also features a much lower slung roof line thanks to the deleted rear doors, a new front bumper, swept back headlamps bulging fender flares, and a more aggressive approach on the current Impreza front end.  The Impreza Coupe will get a hatch similar to that found on the WRX/STI. Dual tailpipes, body-colored door handles and mirrors, power mirrors and rear lip spoiler are standard.

Cabin Features

The interior of the coupe will likely come with standard air conditioning, standard cruise control, standard power windows and locks, and automatic climate control.  An optional touch-screen navigation system with Bluetooth will be available. The interior will likely be sporty considering the type of vehicle it is, and will be offered in a range of trims, from a basic verison to a more luxurious feeling cabin.

Impreza Coupe Safety Features

All 2011 Impreza Coupes will include an impressive array of safety features. These include standard side impact and side-curtain airbags, standard electronic stability system with traction control, standard antilock brakes with brake-force distribution and brake assist,  and standard daytime running lamps.

This will be the first two-door Impreza from Subaru in almost a decade, not seen since 399 of the first-generation STi Impreza's were imported as a two-door exclusively for the Australian market - the 400th fell off the boat.  The latest reports say that the Japanese manufacturer will begin the production of a Subaru Impreza coupe in 2010. The new car, along with its Toyota sibling that is expected to be made, will be made at a new Subaru factory in Gunma, Japan. The new model will enter the market as a rival for the Nissan 350Z and the BMW 3-Series Coupe.