Now that Subaru’s newest Impreza is getting more comfortable in its fifth-generation skin, there came the inevitable question of the more performance-focused WRX - traditionally an offshoot model. But as the years passed after Subaru officially pulled out of the World Rally Championship and global trends shifted away from compact sedan being the main sales driver in general for automakers, Subaru has had to let the Impreza evolve away from its normal pattern.
So, at the ongoing 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, the company formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries lifted the veil on what could probably go on to become Subaru’s next hot sedan. It’s called the Viziv Performance and it basically looks like an Impreza that’s had more than the recommended steroid dosage and has been through some warrior-level psychological conditioning.
However, given that Subaru only mentions the Impreza in hindsight over the course of their official press statement, its clear that there is meant to be some deal of distance between this and their more sedate offerings. The visual cues may exist and it may even share identical underpinnings along with a near-identical footprint to the Impreza, but is intended to occupy and appeal to a wholly different part of the Subaru fanbase.
In their own words: “Subaru VIZIV Performance Concept draws on iconic models symbolising superior Subaru driving performance and the Symmetrical AWD layout powered by a boxer engine honed over more than five decades of development. In sports sedan form, it conveys the concept of driving enjoyment that Subaru will continue to pursue.”
Its already widened body, with a more boldly angular take on the brand’s “Dynamic x Solid” design philosophy, is supplemented by very aggressive all-around fenders and side skirt extensions along with mean looking 20-inch alloys - apparently to “testify” to the ability of the company’s Symmetrical AWD system.
The front fascia is just as menacing with a large grille flanked by three gaping air intakes. Of course, the signature ram air scoop returns and is neatly integrated into the bonnet curve. At the rear we have quad tailpipes that are arranged diagonally, which looks lot like the arrangement used by Lexus on the IS F and GS F, and on the Viziv Performance help to frame a monstrous rear diffuser.
Subaru have, a little annoyingly, kept their mouths shut about much of the car’s specifications, only detailing its measurements for all the good that might do: 4,630mm long, 1,950mm wide, and 1,430mm high. Apart from that, we can only confirm that it will feature five seats, four doors, and a turbocharged Boxer flat-four that will supply more than enough power/torque and quick acceleration (duh), and all-wheel drive (also, duh).
Probably because no car company wouldn’t dare roll out a concept car without somehow mentioning either electrification or self-driving systems or both, the Viziv Performance will also include the company’s next-generation EyeSight active safety suite and some measure of automated driving ability.
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