Subaru has unveiled its fifth generation Impreza at the 2016 New York International Auto Show, featuring an impressive suite of technologies, including the first use of the new Subaru global platform.
The Subaru global platform significantly enhances body and chassis rigidity, and strength as well as offering world-class collision safety and hazard avoidance say the manufacturer.
The Subaru global platform, together with Subaru’s core technologies such as Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD), and EyeSight driver assist system, represent a major advance in Subaru’s delivery of “enjoyment and peace-of-mind” for customers. Impreza is the first production model to fully incorporate the company’s DYNAMIC x SOLID design philosophy.
BODY AND CHASSIS
The new platform dramatically increases rigidity throughout the body and chassis (a 70-to-100 per cent increase over present models). It incorporates substantial improvements to the suspension system and achieves a lower centre of gravity, producing highly responsive steering. The eradication of unnecessary movement in handling offers superior straight-line stability and cornering performance, to grip the road surface.
Optimised frame structure and stronger joints between parts allow the new platform to improve overall torsional rigidity by 70 per cent over present models. This distributes the resonance and distortion throughout the body, greatly reducing vibrations from the steering wheel, floor and seats.
The new platform increases the rigidity of the suspension mounting, improving suspension absorption without warping the car body. By mounting the rear stabilizer directly to the body, the new platform reduces body roll by 50 per cent compared to present models.
New Impreza adopts technologies to further enhance safety, including the new platform and the advanced preventive safety system. The new platform achieves a centre of gravity 5 mm lower than present models. Together with major improvements in rigidity and evolution of the suspension system, this offers hazard avoidance capabilities on a level with a high-performance sports car say Subaru.
Thanks to a frame structure that enables more efficient energy absorption in the event of collision, and the enhanced body strength resulting from the increased use of high-tensile steel plates - including materials formed by the hot press method - impact energy absorption is improved by 40 per cent over present models.
EyeSight, Subaru’s innovative and highly acclaimed driver assist technology, delivers extremely reliable preventive safety and reduces driver burden through features such as Pre-Collision Braking Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Keep Assist.
The new High Beam Assist links to the EyeSight stereo camera, automatically switching from high to low beam according to what is happening ahead of the vehicle. Steering Responsive Headlights move the beam right or left when turning, illuminating the direction of travel. Impreza employs the two headlight controls for the first time, dramatically improving night-time visibility and the recognition capabilities of EyeSight.
Impreza has a newly adopted automatic braking system for reversing. When reversing, a sensor inside the rear bumper detects obstacles and alerts the driver of possible collisions. If the driver fails to act, the system automatically brakes to prevent a collision or reduce damage. Impreza also adds blind spot detection and reversing assistance.