What sticks like glue and goes like a cat who’s nicked the neighbouring Rottweiler’s dinner? It might not be cute and fluffy but it does have plenty of pleasant creature comforts on display. Nice looking and user friendly, the new Subaru Impreza R Hatch is as swift as it is practical.

With claw-like road holding, the Subaru Impreza R Hatch is a fun and forgiving drive. You can purposefully throw an Impreza offline knowing that the chassis and limpet like grip can pull you back on course – such is the beauty of All Wheel Drive trannies. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system is a beauty, and it is a statement to Subaru’s WRC prowess and ability. The Subaru Impreza R Hatch comes with VDC, a state of the art stability control which works amazingly to keep the small hatch balanced and in control.

The neat Impreza package is purposeful and highly satisfying. Safety is at a premium level. The five star crash testing results have ensured that this is a stellar performer when things occasionally go to custard. Not of your doing, of course! Six airbags and a hugely strong safety cage lead an advanced array of safety items and equipment.

Exterior lines are purposeful and clean, and the car looks good from all angles. The car is actually a whole lot larger inside than the previous models gone before. With its stylish and ergonomically designed interior, the new generation Impreza has ample passenger room and a wider and deeper luggage area. Black carpet trim, silver trim and black or ivory trim on cloth seats looks exceptionally good. The blue interior illumination lighting is really the icing on the cake for me. The pleasant dash has easy to use instrumentation with clear instrument clusters and premium detailing. Sitting inside the Impreza leaves one inspired. The cabin is classy, comfortable and refreshing. This is a top model, and is one that sits highly on my likelihood lists. The CD player is clear and boasts MP3 and WMA compatibility. The four speakers do an admirable job. There is a handy auxiliary jack in the front centre console, and there are other features that offer practical value such as: cargo luggage hooks, cupholders, an integrated bottle holder – front and rear, a retractable cargo security blind and even an excellent little tool kit. The steering wheel has cruise controls and there is a useful twin trip meter. The Subaru Impreza R Hatch comes with air-conditioning, anti-dust filters.

Inside the engine bay, whether in five-speed manual or four-speed auto form, you will find a sparkling petrol power plant that has a maximum of 110kW at 6400rpm. A maximum twist of 196 Nm is available at 3200 rpm. This means that there is plenty of get up and go when you are pulling out to pass at 80 to 90 km/h – just the way I like it. The manual Impreza R Hatch completes the 0 – 100 km/h sprint in under ten seconds which feels a brisk. The automatic box is for people like me who enjoy a relaxed smooth drive.

Hook into a good thing and check out the little “Soobie” Hatch R.

The current model series includes the:

• Subaru Impreza R Hatch five-speed manual
• Subaru Impreza R Hatch four-speed automatic

For any more information on the Subaru Impreza R, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!) we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Subaru dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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