News
Subaru Impreza WRX Gets Bold Redesign
for 2004
The Original "Rally Car Tamed for the Street" Gets New Look and
Functional Enhancements
DETROIT, Jan. 6, 2003 -The Subaru Impreza WRX, which established the performance benchmark in the sport-compact segment when introduced two years ago, will turn even more heads for 2004 with its bold new front end redesign. With the introduction of the extreme-performance WRX STi for 2004, the standard WRX remains the high-volume performance model in the Impreza line.
The WRX and WRX STi debut the front and rear redesign of the 2004 Impreza line, which also includes the 2.5 TS Sport Wagon, the 2.5 RS Sedan and the Outback Sport wagon - a look that mixes equals parts form and function. The expressive new design is the direct result of close consultation with Subaru Tecnica International (STI) engineers and the Subaru World Rally Team to help reduce air resistance, optimize lift force balance and improve engine cooling.
Rallying to Improve the Breed
From the front, one will immediately notice the addition of larger headlights,
now combined in a 4-element arrangement to create a bolder, more aggressive
appearance. To maximize airflow, Subaru World Rally Team designers added sharp
edge character lines beginning at the headlamps and grille area and extended
them onto the redesigned hood. All 2004 Impreza models adopt revised air inlets
on the front fascia, and WRX models add projector beam halogen fog lamps to the
list of standard equipment. The taillights and rear bumper are also redesigned.
As before, Impreza WRX is available as both a sedan and a Sport Wagon.
In addition to its bolder styling, Impreza WRX gains new sport-design front bucket seats with integrated head restraints that would not look out of place in a competition car. A redesigned instrument panel relocates the tachometer in the center and includes a new cruise control "engaged" indicator. Silver trim rings add a touch of style to the new gauges.
New seat fabric enhances the comfort and appearance of the driver-optimized cockpit, which includes a standard leather-wrapped MOMO® brand steering wheel and a new color-matched audio faceplate. Also new for 2004, Impreza WRX is available with an optional moonroof and an all-weather package consisting of dual mode heated front seats, windshield wiper de-icer and heated exterior mirrors. New Java Black Pearl and San Remo Red exterior paint complete the color palette for 2004.
New Look, Same Great Performance
The exterior may have changed, but it's what Subaru didn't change that will move
enthusiasts to celebrate-the intercooled/turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder
engine that powers WRX models. This horizontally opposed, double overhead-cam
powerplant produces 227 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 217 lb.-ft. of peak torque
at 4,000 rpm.
Two Types of All-Wheel Drive Technology
The standard Subaru Full-Time All-Wheel Drive system powers all four wheels all
the time, giving Impreza WRX optimal grip on all types of road surfaces, dry or
wet. All-Wheel Drive acts as both a performance advantage and an all-weather
handling aid, especially when compared to front-wheel or rear-wheel drive cars.
When equipped with the standard 5-speed manual transmission, Subaru Impreza WRX uses Continuous All-Wheel Drive. A viscous-coupling center differential built into the transmission case divides engine power 50 percent front / 50 percent rear. Wheel slippage at the front causes more power to shift to the rear, and slippage at the rear transfers power to the front, ensuring that the wheels with the best traction receive the most power. The 5-speed manual transmission features a hydraulic clutch for smooth operation and low maintenance. A flexible flywheel helps ensure smooth shift action.
When equipped with the optional 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, Impreza WRX uses an advanced Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) All-Wheel Drive system. The VTD automatic transmission uses an electronically controlled, continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch that works with a planetary gear-type center differential to control power distribution between the front and rear wheels. In steady state driving, the VTD All-Wheel Drive system splits the power 45 percent front and 55 percent rear. The slight rear-wheel bias enhances the performance-driving feel. VTD All-Wheel Drive monitors throttle input to account for weight transfer and responds to driving conditions to continually optimize power distribution on all road surfaces.
With either All-Wheel Drive system, all
WRX models are equipped with a viscous limited-slip rear differential, which
helps ensure that the rear wheel with the best traction receives the most power.
"High-Density" Sport Machines
Subaru designed Impreza WRX to convey the look and feel of a
"high-density" performance car. Inspiration for the sedan's wider
track and blister-fender design was transferred directly from the Subaru World
Rally Championship rally car. The functional hood scoop supplies outside airflow
to feed the intercooler.
Aside from the front view, WRX Sport Wagon's body design is uniquely different from the sedan, characterized by pronounced fender flares instead of fender blisters. A hydroformed front subframe along with tailored-blank welded B-pillars and side sills provide an exceptionally strong structure that's very stiff in bending and twisting strength. The high degree of rigidity improves handling response and ride quality while helping to reduce interior noise.
Impreza WRX excels in safety. The new-generation Impreza achieved the highest possible rating ("good") for crashworthiness when subjected to a 40-mph frontal offset crash test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), also earning the Institute's "best pick" designation (2002 sedan). The sport-design front seats integrate head/chest side impact airbags into the backrests, and all Impreza models are equipped with the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) for securing specially equipped child seats in the rear seat.
High-Performance Throughout
In addition to the 227-horsepower intercooled/turbocharged engine and Full-Time
All-Wheel Drive, Impreza WRX models come equipped with a full roster of standard
high-performance equipment. Sport-tuned 4-wheel independent suspension provides
sharp handling response and a compliant ride. The front suspension features a
Subaru-optimized strut layout, and the rear uses a dual-link strut arrangement.
Impreza WRX struts now utilize multi-phase valves to improve jounce/rebound
characteristics. WRX Sedan features a front track that's 20-mm wider than that
of the Sport Wagon.
Standard 4-wheel disc brakes with twin-piston front calipers and 11.4-inch front brake rotors provide ample stopping power, and a standard 4-channel, 4-sensor anti-lock brake system (ABS) provides added vehicle control when braking hard. Both Impreza WRX models come equipped with standard 16x6.5-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tires. Subaru dealers can offer available 17 x 7-inch BBS® forged aluminum alloy wheels or 17-inch Subaru 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with recommended 215/45 R17 tires.
Fully Equipped
2004 Impreza WRX models come fully equipped, with standard comfort and
convenience features including:
60/40 split fold down rear seatback (Sport Wagon)
- Air conditioning
- AM/FM 80-Watt stereo with logic-control cassette, in-dash six-disc CD changer
and six speakers
- Body-color power mirrors
- Cruise control
- Fold-down rear seat center armrest with trunk pass-through (sedan)
- Front seat head/chest side impact airbags
- Front seat height adjustment
- Remote keyless entry system
- Power door locks
- Power windows with driver's auto-down
- Tilt-adjustable steering column
Rally Heritage Pays Dividends on the
Road
The turbocharged Impreza WRX performance models demonstrate the value of a
racing pedigree in a road car. Subaru captured the grueling World Rally
Championship (WRC) three years in a row with a specially prepared turbo Impreza.
Rallying encompasses all-weather, high-speed driving on pavement, hard-packed
gravel, mud and snow.
For 2003, Subaru of America, Inc. will return to SCCA ProRally competition in collaboration with STI and the Subaru World Rally Team representative, Prodrive. The team won the SCCA Pro Rally manufacturer's title in 2001 campaigning a Group N car and an Open Class car.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 franchised dealers across the United States.
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