New York show: Next-gen Subaru Impreza teased

SUBARU has teased a single image of the production version next-generation Impreza – the first model to be built on its all-new global platform – ahead of its debut at the New York motor show this month and arrival in Australian showrooms in late 2016.

Having already unveiled sedan and hatchback concept versions at the 2015 Tokyo and Los Angeles motor shows respectively, the solitary teaser image discloses more production-appropriate headlights while offering glimpses of a heavily sculpted front bumper and bonnet.

Although not much else is known about the new Impreza, its underpinnings will be built on the Subaru Global Platform – a new all-wheel-drive template on which all future sedan, wagon and SUV Subarus will be manufactured.

The new platform is said to improve on a number of areas when compared to older models, including increases to straight-line stability, reductions in noise, vibrations and hardness (NVH) levels, added structural rigidity for improved stiffness and stability and raised comfort levels.

Although no powertrain options have been revealed, Subaru Australia national corporate affairs manager David Rowley said that the Subaru Global Platform is flexible enough to utilise various different powerplants if needed.

"I think the idea is that the platform has the huge flexibility in terms of what powerplant can be attached," he said. "Everything from boxer engines, petrol electric and hybrid."The new Impreza could utilise a version of Subaru’s tried and trusted 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated Boxer four-cylinder, which produces 110kW/196Nm in the existing Impreza.

Fuel consumption figures of 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres with an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and 7.1L/100km with a manual gearbox would be improved with generational improvements to weight-saving and powertrain technologies.

Pricing for the new Impreza is likely to remain close to the current range which kicks off with the entry level 2.0i, priced at $22,990 driveaway, before moving to the mid-spec 2.0i Premium ($21,400 before on-road costs) and topping out with the 2.0i-S ($27,990), all available in either hatchback or sedan body styles.

With the production Impreza soon-to-be-revealed, Subaru will now turn its attention to the Impreza-based XV crossover – which was previewed during this month's Geneva motor show in concept guise – and is set to go on sale in 2017.

Mr Rowley hinted at when to expect the debut of the consumer-ready crossover.

"Given the Impreza concept was at Tokyo and LA, now here we are roughly four months away, so if we've done XV now, what's the next big motor show in about four months time?"This could mean a reveal during the world's largest motor show in Frankfurt or an appearance at the Paris motor show later this year.

Mr Rowley also told GoAuto that a new turbocharged WRX and WRX STI based on the platform was "inevitable" but the wait would be "years, rather than months".

The introduction of a fresh Impreza to the Australian market could prompt a lift in sales for Subaru, who sold 790 units of its aging small-car for the first two months of the year, a 21.3 per cent drop over the same period in 2015.

Last year Subaru sold 5221 Imprezas, a 21.3 per cent reduction of the 6636 units it sold the year prior.