Twin Cam ----- www.twincam.ie -----

Road test report --- March 2009 --------------- by Kevin Fenix.

Subaru Impreza diesel


In April of last year, I tested the 1.5 litre petrol engined Subaru Impreza. At the time I was very impressed with what I found. You can still read that report, by clicking on the Medium box under Road tests and then scrolling down to the name and clicking on that. Towards the end of the year in December 2008, I tested the diesel version of the Subaru Legacy saloon. It was fitted with the same engine as is used by this Impreza. They both have the same level of tune, they both use the same gearbox and gear ratios, but as the final drive ratio is different, the overall gear ratios are slightly different. I expected the Legacy to be a bigger, heavier car, but that is not actually the case. As a result, the performances and fuel consumption of this Impreza and the Legacy saloon are very similar. In fact the Legacy is marginally better in some cases. As a result of its lighter weight, the Legacy has a better power/weight ratio.
The big air scoop on the bonnet, gives a very powerful and sporty look. It suggests the sort of performance, we have all come to expect from a Subaru. Being a typical Subaru, the diesel engine is of the horizontally opposed design, so the intercooler for the turbocharger, sits on top of the engine. That impressive looking air scoop feeds cool air directly into the intercooler.


Potential top speed is 205 kph (127 mph), with 0-100 kph acceleration in a very pleasing 9.0 seconds. On the urban cycle it manages an excellent 40 mpg (7.0 lt/100 km), which improves to 54 mpg (5.2 lt/100 km) on the extra urban cycle. This gives a combined cycle average of 47 mpg (5.9 lt/100 km), which should keep the smile on most owners faces, for a long time. That level of fuel consumption gives a combined cycle exhaust emission reading of 155 gm/km, which allows the diesel Impreza to just scrape into Irish road tax band C.
Apart from the comfortable ride and good roadholding, driving pleasure is heightened by the positive feel to the steering, even though it has a comfort oriented 3.2 turns from lock to lock, of the leather covered steering wheel. Other features designed for a driver’s comfort, safety and pure driving pleasure are; heated front seats, four electric windows, electrically adjustable and folding rear view mirrors, front fog lamps, reach and height adjustable steering, reach and height adjustable driver’s seat and two covered vanity mirrors in the sun visors.


I would, however, have one serious reservation, concerning the lack of a spare wheel. They do supply a plug-in compressor and the latex, which is suitable for a very limited range of small punctures, but which is completely useless for anything major, such as a blow-out.
Being a hatchback design, the normal luggage boot has a capacity of 0.419 cubic metres, when all five seats are in use. The rear seat is divided 60/40, so it can be folded in sections, when both rear seat passengers and awkward loads need to be carried. When the rear seat is completely folded, luggage space increases to 1.216 cubic meters. If you need additional space, but also need the rear seat for passengers, you have the option of fitting a suitable roof box, which allows you to carry up to a maximum weight of 80 kg on the roof, or you need to think in terms of a small trailer. This Impreza can take unbraked trailers of up to 600 kg in weight. If it is a caravan you want to tow, the maximum towing weight for braked trailers is 1600 kg.
Interestingly, if you are towing a trailer, the driver’s handbook mentions, that punctures fixed by the latex method are not suitable for use when towing. It also says that Spacesaver spare wheels are likewise unsuitable for use when towing.


Above : Normal luggage space - Cover extended (left), cover retracted (right)

Above left : Expanded luggage space
Above right : Underfloor space with wheel changing tools and puncture repair kit

The two front seats are comfortable, well bolstered, sports style seats, with built in headrests. The three rear seating positions naturally have adjustable head restraints, to facilitate their folding, when maximum luggage space is required. The two outer positions are equipped with ISOfix fittings for child safety seats. To its credit the centre section of the rear seat cushion, is reasonably soft, so a person can sit there in a degree of comfort. However, if that person is an adult, the available shoulder room is severely restricted when the two outer seat passengers are also adults.
The Subaru Impreza diesel comes with a 3 years/160,000 km (100,000 miles) warranty, with 3 years paint cover, 3 years road side assistance and a 12 years anti-perforation guarantee. Regular servicing is needed at intervals of 15,000 km (9,000 miles), or once a year, whichever comes first.


Above : Comfortable, easy to use, well laid out, driving controls.

Below : Comfortable rear seats



Above and below : Easy to see instrument panel and well laid out driving controls


Technical data

Dimensions
Overall length ------------------ 4415 mm
overall width ------------------- 1740 mm
Overall height ------------------ 1470 mm
Wheelbase ----------------------- 2620 mm
Front track ---------------------- 1495 mm
Rear track ----------------------- 1500 mm
Turning circle ------------------ 10.6 M (kerbs)
Unladen weight ---------------- 1455 kg
Gross vehicle weight ---------- 1920 kg
Max. towing weight ------------ 1600 kg (braked) ---------------------- 600 kg (unbraked)
Max. roof load ----------------- 80 kg
Power/weight ratio ------------ 17.454 kg/kW
Luggage capacity --------------- 0.419 cu.M (5 seats) ------------------ 1.216 cu.M (2 seats)
Tank capacity ------------------ 64 lts



Engine
Type ------------------------------ 4 cyl. DOHC 16v horizontally opposed, turbocharged, intercooled, diesel
Capacity ------------------------- 1998 cc
Compression ratio ------------- 16.3 : 1
Max. injection pressure ------ 1800 bar
Max. boost pressure ---------- 1.64 bar
Bore x stroke ------------------- 86 mm x 86 mm
Power ---------------------------- 110 kW @ 3,600 rpm ----------------- Specific output -------- 55.055 kW/lt
Torque --------------------------- 350 Nm @ 1,800 rpm - 2,400 rpm - Specific torque ------ 175.175 Nm/lt
CO2 emissions ------------------ 155 gm/km ----------------------------- Specific CO2 ------ 77.577 gm/km/lt
Transmission
Type ------------------------------ 6 speed manual
Ratios ---------------------------- Gearbox -------------------------------- Overall
1st -------------------------------- 3.454 : 1 --------------------------------- 13.470 : 1
2nd ------------------------------- 1.750 : 1 ---------------------------------- 6.825 : 1
3rd ------------------------------- 1.062 : 1 ---------------------------------- 4.141 : 1
4th -------------------------------- 0.785 : 1 ---------------------------------- 3.061 : 1
5th -------------------------------- 0.634 : 1 ---------------------------------- 2.472 : 1
6th -------------------------------- 0.557 : 1 ---------------------------------- 2.172 : 1
Reverse -------------------------- 3.636 : 1 --------------------------------- 14.180 : 1
Final drive ----------------------- 3.900 : 1 --------------------------------- ***********
Suspension
Front ----------------------------- MacPherson strut, L-shaped lower transverse arm, 20 mm anti-roll bar
Rear ------------------------------ Semi-trailing arm, track control rod, Y-shaped upper transverse arm, long lower rear transverse arm, with coil spring and coaxial telescopic damper, 16 mm anti-roll bar
Steering
Type ------------------------------ Electric, power assisted, rack and pinion
Turns lock to lock ------------- 3.2
Wheel diameter ---------------- 370 mm
Brakes
Type ------------------------------ Servo assisted dual circuit with four channel, four sensor anti-lock, electronic brake force distribution, emergency brake assist, plus an electronic stability programme with dynamic stability control, hill start assist and traction control
Front ----------------------------- Ventilated disc ------------------------- 294 mm x 24 mm
Rear ------------------------------ Disc -------------------------------------- 286 mm x 10 mm
Wheels
Type ------------------------------ 10 spoke, cast alloy, 5 stud
Size ------------------------------- 7 JJ x 17
Spare ----------------------------- None
Tyres
Type ------------------------------ Yokohama Advan A10
Size ------------------------------- 205/50 R 17 ---- 89V
Spare ----------------------------- None
Performance
Top speed ----------------------- 205 kph --------------------------------- 127 mph
0-100 kph ----------------------- 9.0 secs
Fuel consumption
Urban ---------------------------- 7.0 lt/100 km -------------------------- 40 mpg
Extra urban --------------------- 5.2 lt/100 km -------------------------- 54 mpg
Combined ----------------------- 5.9 lt/100 km -------------------------- 47 mpg
Warranty/servicing
Coverage ------------------------ 3 years 160,000 km (100,000 miles), 3 years assistance, 3 years paint, 12 years perforation
Service interval ---------------- 15,000 km (9,000 miles)/1 year

**************************************************

Recommended retail price (excluding delivery and associated charges)
Subaru Impreza Sport 2.0 diesel ---------------------------- Euro 26,995

**************************************************************

Picture gallery











************ END ************

See the Impreza diesel at your local authorised dealer.


Carlow - Active Cars, Hacketstown Road, Co. Carlow - Ph: 059-916-5772

Cork - Denis & Mary Ryan, Ardrostig, Bishopstown, Cork - Ph: 021-434- 6655

Donegal - Browne’s Autos, Porthall, Lifford, Co. Donegal - Ph: 074-914-1225

Dublin - Carroll & Roche Cars Ltd. Unit 1, Newlands Retail Centre, Clondalkin, D22,

Telephone 01-464-2444

- Lusk Motor Group, Station Road, Lusk, Co. Dublin - Ph: 01-843 - 7085

Kerry - Dermot Healy Motors, Mallow Road, Killarney, Co. Kerry - Ph: 064-32242

Kildare - T.P. Waters Ltd. Monasterevin Road, Kildare, Co. Kildare - Ph: 045-521-400


Mayo - J.J. Burke Car Sales Ltd, Claremorris Rd, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo

Telephone : 094-954-1359

Sligo - Peter Mooney Motors, Ballymote Business Park, Ballymote, Co. Sligo

Telephone 071-918-9111

Tipperary - Slattery’s Garage Ltd. Puckane, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary - Ph: 067-24111


Wexford - Wexford Subaru, Ardcavan Business Park, Wexford - Ph: 053-912-2222

Wicklow - Castle Garage Ltd. Castle Street, Bray, - Ph: 01-286-2125 & 01-286-3940

********************************************

*********************************

Reflexology

The Silent Touch of Healing Hands

For appointment call Orla at

086-8945984

*********************************