SUBARu Impreza sets out to impress

Over the years, the Subaru Impreza WRX STi has been a symbol of an "affordable sports car".

With the STi, you do not have to spend a fortune to get a Ferrari or Porsche in order to get the thrill of driving a powerful sports car.

Last month, I was invited for the launch of the new WRX STi in Singapore, where I got a glimpse of what the new model has to offer.

Of course, I have seen the STi before - at the Tokyo Motor Show and at the recent Bangkok International Motor Show - but this was the first time I got the opportunity of driving the car, even if it was for just a short distance.

Unfortunately, Singapore is no place to test drive a car due to the country's strict regulations. However, Motor Image Enterprises Group chief executive Glenn Tan assured me that the car will be offered for road tests again in Thailand.

I did not particularly like the design of the new Impreza, especially when compared with the previous models. Not that the previous models were any better in terms of design, but they were sedans rather than a 5-door hatchback such as the new STi. The design is reminiscent of European hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus and looks like a souped-up hatchback for wives.

Subaru says that with the design of the new Impreza line-up, it wants the car to appeal to a wider group of customers and turn into a mass-market producer rather than a niche carmaker.

That is a tricky thing to do, since old customers, who are used to the sedan-style body, would surely disapprove of the new design that has traded in a lot of the Subaru's beefy looks for sleeker modern design cues.

Fortunately, one thing that remains unchanged in the STi is the exceptional performance.

Power comes from a horizontally opposed DOHC 16-valve, 2.5-litre engine with turbocharger and intercooler capable of pumping out 300 horsepower and as much as 407Nm of torque.

Forget the automatic transmission, this car comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox that minimises any power loss and delivers that hair-raising acceleration STi fans are used to.

The new Impreza comes with even more technology. For example, the SIDrive (Subaru Intelligent Drive) system allows the driver to control car settings via three driving modes - Intelligent, Sports and Sports Sharp. Each setting has a predeter-

mined throttle opening that controls the engine response and overall

performance.

Choose intelligent for driving in traffic so that fuel consumption is minimised and step up for faster drives.

Meanwhile, the DCCD (Driver Control Centre Differential) allows the driver to choose manual and

automatic modes for the centre differential, allowing optimal road handling and desired manoeuvering.

There are also three modes for the VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) - normal traction, off and a Hill-Start Assist system that remains active all the time.

Suspension comprises  a front strut and rear multi-link type while brakes, supplied by braking specialist Brembo, are vented discs all

round with Super Sports ABS and EBD.

As mentioned earlier, this was not a proper test drive, and the short route prepared at an abandoned turf club went through parking lots and included a short sweeper which allowed drivers to try out the

difference in DCCD settings.

Apart from a 6-step manual adjustment mode, there are three automatic modes. First is Auto followed by Auto (+) and Auto (-).

Switching on the Auto (+) mode increases centre differential locking force for enhanced stability, focusing on traction while driving on slippery roads.

On the other hand, the Auto (-) mode decreases the centre differential locking force for enhanced turning capability, emphasising on agile and responsive handling on winding roads.

Surely, the new STi is a better drive than its predecessor, but not necessarily in terms of rawness that many enthusiasts enjoy.

It is a more cultured and advanced evolution that has been designed to appeal to a wider audience.

Ultimate in Luxury

The Luxury LS 460 is a wonderfully comfaortable car fitted with all mod cons, althoough not necessarily the most fun vehicle to drive.