The Subaru Impreza is a compact car that was first introduced by Fuji Heavy Industries in 1993 after the popular Leone/Loyale was cancelled with the aging EA series engine. The Impreza was introduced with the popular EJ series engine found in the larger Subaru Legacy. In Japan, the Impreza sells more than the larger Legacy due to Japanese vehicle size legislation, which offers a reduced tax liability because of its smaller exterior dimensions.
Compared to vehicles in a similar size class such as Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Suzuki SX4, Mitsubishi Lancer (including Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution) and Mazda Protegé/Mazda Axela, only the Impreza has always offered AWD. Subaru Impreza made this feature standard equipment in all trims, while its competitor, Mitsubishi Lancer puts this feature to Ralliart trims and Evolution versions. Subaru produces a lower volume of slightly upscale, well-equipped, sportier Impreza models, unlike other contemporaries in the compact category that offer no-frills base trims.
Subaru chose to continue their longstanding use of the boxer engine in the Impreza. According to Subaru, their configuration of the engine inline with the transmission minimizes body roll due to the lower center of gravity compared with offset engines in most other vehicles. This is similar to the design of the Citroen 2CV, providing light weight and compact, economic design for basic cars. The boxer design provides good vibration mitigation due to the principles of a balanced engine because the movement of each piston is largely countered by a piston in the opposing cylinder bank, eliminating the need for a counter-rotating weighted crankshaft (harmonic balancer), but with some vibration from offsets. Torque steer is also reduced with this type of powertrain layout since the front drive shafts are of equal length and weight.
Introduced in November 1993, the Impreza was offered in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) versions and as a four-door sedan/saloon or five-door station wagon/estate. According to a Motor Trend article written March 1992 on page 26, the name of Subaru's new compact was, initially, to be called the Loyale, displaying an official photograph of the 4-door sedan. In late 1995, a two-door coupe was introduced. The Impreza, like many Subaru-built cars, was equipped with a flat engine, a distinguishing Subaru characteristic. Initial engine choices included 1.6 L, 1.8 L and 2.0 L naturally aspirated engines as well as the turbocharged and intercooled 2.0 L engine. The basic turbocharged motor, the EJ20, produced from 179 kW (243 PS; 240 bhp) to 210 kW (286 PS; 282 bhp) in Japanese market WRX trim depending on model and year. Outside Japan, the turbocharged model was initially rated at 155 kW (211 PS; 208 bhp) and marketed as the 2.0 Turbo, 2.0 GT, 2.0 GT Turbo, 2.0 WRX, or Turbo 2000 AWD in the United Kingdom.
Trim levels were LX, GL and Sport. LX models were front-wheel drive, and powered by a 1.6 L engine; these were four-door only. GL trim levels were either front-wheel drive (Subaru badged these 2WD) or all-wheel-drive (badged AWD); cars launched in 1993 had a choice of 1.6 and 1.8 flat-4 engines, the 1.6 being available with 2WD, the 1.8 an AWD version only. From 1996, the 1.6 and 1.8 versions were dropped (in the European market), and replaced by a 2.0 L engine. Sport versions had alloy wheels, and a 2.0 L engine only. These were "warm hatch" versions which were similar to the WRX, albeit less adorned.
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