SHANGHAI AUTO SHOW: Subaru's next Impreza hatch revealed

XV Concept for Shanghai provides a 'heads-up' for Subaru's next-gen Impreza hatch
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Forget everything you've been told, the XV Concept unveiled at the Shanghai motor show is a high-riding version of the next Impreza hatch.

The grille is a bit cross-country, as are the wheel arch extensions, but the design study unveiled in China is about 90 per cent ready to go into production as the next Impreza hatchback.

But Subaru is sticking to its cover story that the new concept is nothing more than a tease for what a future production crossover SUV might bring.

"XV Concept clearly flags Subaru's intentions to capture even more of the crossover market in the future and this stunning new design no doubt provides some clues as to what we may expect," Managing Director of Subaru Australia, Nick Senior was quoted as saying.

We beg to differ. Subaru has revealed dimensions for the XV Concept and the difference in length and wheelbase is no more than 20mm beyond the current Impreza's specifications. Based on the concept car, the new Impreza is also likely to be a little wider (1800mm versus 1770mm).

The concept car features a 2.0-litre boxer engine -- likely to be Subaru's new flat four -- driving through a 'Lineartronic' continuously variable transmission, which bodes well for the next production model by the time it goes on sale in Australia.

According to Subaru's press material, the new XV Concept introduces a variation of the company's new corporate (hexagonal) grill and 'hawk eye' headlights. The crossover looks are enhanced by a front apron and the wheel arch flares in black.

In addition, it features a large, glass roof, with metallic/clear-finish roof rails and 19-inch alloy wheels consisting of black rims, silver spokes and blue centre caps. Inside, the XV Concept is trimmed in light-coloured leather with contrasting darker tones for other elements of the interior design.

A centrepiece of the concept model's interior design is an infotainment touchscreen with integrated trip computer. Expect to see this make it into production along with the rest of the car...

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