NEW YORK AUTO SHOW: Impreza hatch breaks cover

Japanese car maker launches sophisticated AWD hatchback in New York, but the arrival date in Oz is yet to be confirmed
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Subaru staff were handing out 3D glasses at the launch of the new Impreza in New York. They needn't have bothered.

The stylish new Impreza hatch is hardly the sort of car to blend in with the wallpaper. It's all angles, curves and general chunkiness that will divide opinion, but the new car can't be called bland.

Taking inspiration from the company's Liberty models, the new 2012 Subaru Impreza range has been given a 'TBA' arrival in Australia, with Subaru Australia's National Corporate Affairs Manager David Rowley telling the Carsales Network that ideally the car would have been available in the last quarter of the year.

However due to the recent natural disasters in Japan, the supply of components has meant manufacturing has slowed down, and it's now likely we won't see the fresh-faced new Impreza models on local soil until early 2012. Mr Rowley explained that the Gunma plant in Japan where the Australia-bound Imprezas are manufactured has been unaffected by the catastrophic earthquakes, citing logistical bottlenecks, such as a damaged docks and roads, as to the cause of the delays.

One thing is certain though -- Subaru has taken criticism of its interiors onboard and has crafted an improved cabin with more sophistication than the current models'. Sitting in the driver's seat, there are more soft-touch materials in evidence and though there are still some harsher materials and plastics in evidence, it's a more refined and pleasant place to sit.

Sitting in the driver's seat, Subaru has added a high resolution colour LCD screen to the centre stack which together with Bluetooth telephony and dual zone climate control as standard (on US models), lends the cabin a more sophisticated air. The new 6.1-inch touchscreen sat nav system is available as an option on entry-level and mid level models in the US, adding voice control and the ability to send/receive SMS text messages, though whether this system will be available in Australia is not yet clear.

It's also a perceptibly roomier car inside, particularly in the rear seat, which will appeal to family buyers. Though the new MY12 Subaru Impreza hatch model is similar in size to its predecessor, the wheelbase has been extended from 2621mm to 2644mm, which together with improved packaging results in improved interior space.

Walking around the new Impreza hatch at the New York auto show, it's clear that the new design elements have been inspired by the Liberty's styling, with the angular headlights and curved wheel arches a tip of the hat to the Impreza's upmarket sibling.

The overall body shape of the hatch is suitably fresh, and the rear end of the vehicle has a more original -- if somewhat angular -- appearance when compared to its predecessor. Like the sedan version, the 2012 Subaru Impreza hatch will be powered by a new version of the 2.0-litre boxer petrol engine, which will deliver improved fuel economy but no power gains, with outputs remaining at 110kW/196Nm.

Two gearboxes are offered, a CVT and a five-speed manual transmission, and Subaru's all-wheel drive layout is retained on all models. Safety levels have been improved according to the car maker, so expect another five-star ANCAP safety rating to be awarded when the new Impreza arrives in Australia.

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