Impreza: First To Top Pedestrian Safety

Anthony Fontanelle
September 5, 2007

So you think Volvo cars are the safest? Think again. According to the latest crash test results, the Subaru Impreza is Australia’s safest car.

The tests from the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) found that the new Imprezas rate five out of five in safety for occupants and four out of four in pedestrian safety. After spending weeks driving the car into walls, poles and crash-test dummies, an ANCAP spokesperson said that the Impreza was the first vehicle to have the maximum rating for pedestrian protection.

Additionally, the Impreza even beat the Volvos for the rating. Volvos, to stress, has long established a name for safety and milestones connected to it. And for a Subaru to outperform the Swedish automaker which is keeping the reign for decades now is a big achievement. That fact alone calls for a celebration.

“This result for the new Impreza model demonstrates Subaru’s commitment to improving vehicle safety and is great news for car buyers,” the spokesperson said. According to an ANCAP statement, a “frontal impact” crash test while the car was traveling at 64km/hour revealed that the Impreza’s compartment was “very strong” and reduced potential injuries to occupants. It was also highly rated in side-impact and side-pole testing.

ANCAP commended Japanese automaker Subaru for its implementation of new safety technology, including its Electronic Stability Control and side airbags. “We are pleased to see more manufacturers providing the latest safety technologies,” the spokesperson said.

Earlier this month, the IIHS crash-tested the 2.5i 5-door Impreza and gave it the highest ranking available due to the test results the car achieved. The Impreza is elevating Subaru’s reputation for producing cars that consistently earn the institute’s highest rating. So if you were to be hit by a vehicle, better wish it is an Impreza and not any other car.

The next generation Subaru Impreza WRX made its official debut at this year’s New York Auto Show. The new Impreza features the EJ253 engine carries over from the previous generation to power the 2.5i and the EJ255 engine carries over from the previous generation to power the turbocharged WRX trim levels. The engine is mated to reliable auto parts accessories such as Subaru brake pads, radiator, fuel pump and more.

The range for the new Impreza, offered as a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback, has been modified, a 1.5 liter engine is equipped with the base model, next is the 2.0 liter, the 2.0 liter turbocharged engine and the WRX 2.5 liter turbocharged engine. The turbo engines are available in a 5-door hatchback. The shift is made to rival BMWs and Alfa Romeos.

The new base model Impreza is 50 mm shorter than its ancestor but is wider and has a longer wheel base. The dashboard, meanwhile, is much more open and is easier to configure. Also, the windows now feature frames to enhance NVH levels and rigidity of the car.

The Impreza is expected to save the company from sales doldrums. To note, Subaru of America Inc. said last Monday that August U.S. sales fell on lower sales of nearly all its models. Subaru sold 16,573 vehicles in August, down 6.9 percent from 17,809 over same month last year.

Sales of Legacy models dived 13.6 percent to 6,432 vehicles. The Impreza sales dropped 2.8 percent to 4,393 and Forester sales plummeted 2.5 percent to 3,902. Sales of Baja fell to 11 vehicles from 482 in August 2006. Sales of the Tribeca, the only model with a gain, increased 33.3 percent to 1,835.

So far this year, the Japanese automaker’s sales have fallen eight percent to 122,165 product lines from 132,758 in the previous year.

Source:  Amazines.com