Check out http://www.evo.co.uk/
(Just logged on..sorry if anyone else has already posted this!).
I assume the 5 door will get similar tweaks (it'd be nice if it got wider track and an STi version too), anyone heard anything?

Greg

 

Impreza's New Clothes


his is the new face of the Impreza and you'll be seeing it on UK roads early next year. Just as UK buyers got used to the bug-eyed new-generation Impreza, it has been subject to an extensive facelift to make a more aggressive and dynamic statement.

The round headlights are ditched in favour of radically swept-back units and at the rear there is a new IS200-style tail-light cluster.

The new STi version also has a deeper front spoiler and sideskirts and an even bigger trademark bonnet scoop. Subaru will still honour the 280PS power ceiling that all Japanese manufacturers have agreed to, but will concentrate on improving mid-range torque on both WRX and flagship WRX STi models.

The new-generation Impreza was given a lukewarm reception when it was launched in late 2000, but the addition to the range of the STi Type UK has begun to win fans of the original Impreza around. In fact there are very few brand new STis left in the UK. Enquiries revealed it is virtually impossible to get a new bespoilered STi Prodrive, while the standard STi is nearly as scarce.

The facelifted Impreza - expected to be at this month's Paris motor show - is mainly a cosmetic makeover to get rid of the much-criticised front headlamp treatment, but a new interior (with higher quality materials, following the lead of the new Forester) and added safety equipment mean that the Impreza's weight goes up by around 30kg.

With Mitsubishi due to launch the Evo VIII, which promises to be an even better drive than the superb Evo VII, in early 2003, Subaru has tweaked the Impreza's chassis to provide a sharper driving experience, despite the extra weight. Prodrive's 'Performance Pack' for the current STi is imminent and the company is sure to tune the new model for the rigours of UK roads soon after it is released. International Motors (official importers of Subarus in the UK) has yet to officially announce the facelift or set prices but we expect no significant price hikes.

 

They are getting there!!! Slowly but surely

 

[Edited by Mickle - 9/5/2002 11:56:43 AM]

 

...thank god I have a MY00 !

 

Yet another mockup
The rear lights are clear, yet in the picture of the front you can see red rear lights

 

Front lights a bit Mercedes / Lexus GS ish, rears VERY IS200 (bit aftermarket looking to me!). I'd be interested to see what they do with the new interior (presumably v. similar to the new Forester's from the sounds of the article).

 

the wonders of photoshop!

 

Be patient and wait for the real thing at Paris.
None of these pics look right to me.

I'll post pics if I can get some.(cloak and dagger)

Ian

 

nope, still prefer the old stylee shape, 'The true impreza shape..... :-0

 

Those lights look ugly!! Think i'll stick to my MY02 now.

 

From what I have heard and speaking to someone who supplies items for Prodrive, these pictures are, how did he say "yeah right"

Mark

 

The only thing missing is a 'Q' plate ie photoshopped in your garden shed

 

Looks like a Honda from the front, Hate it with a passion. Bugeyes live forever........

 

hardly worth the change imho

 

dogs dinner ??

 

The underside of the headlights look familar. 3 series anyone?

 

IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING BETWEEN A LATE INTEGRA AND A C-CLASS in the front, the back is like the present with clear glass and internals from an IS-200

 

I quite like that actually...

 

but do you want a car that's front wheels point in totally different directions?

 

Mine do now

 

yeuk. is it me? looks cross eyed from the front. i agree with you its a photoshop and lets wait and see what comes out in paris.
The rally team already moan of the extra weightof the new style my00, if the car gains another 30kgs as evo says then we'll be running with the super 1600 cars for stage times!!!

 

Is anyone else getting fed up with these threads

 

Its very very ugly, an improvement on the currect one, but still very very ugly.

 

Its very very ugly, an improvement on the currect one, but still very very ugly.

 

Not a great improvement and looks so fake.

 

I'm surprised that Evo even bothered to publish this photo. If you look in the magazine, you'll see the poor quality of the 'print'. If you look carefully at the front wheels, you can see a blue tint to the outside of the tyres - don't think these might have been lifted from another image??? Nah cousre not . As has already been pointed out, there are also differences between the two shots with the rear light clusters and the front brakes look different aswell.

Chris

 

And on top of that another 30kg heavier to blunt the performance of the standard one even further

 

Yep, and all the skirts around the bottom of the sides and the front have clearly been lifted from a lower resolution image