Subaru's Impreza launches affordable five-door 1.5R Sports Wagon

20 September 2006 17:27 GMT / By Jonathan Goddard

Junior rude boys, rejoice! Subaru's Impreza is about to hit the market in a spec that won’t hit your wallet, insurance premiums or a lamppost.

From 1 October, the five-door 1.5R Sports Wagon will join the range for just £12,495, which given the standard kit is quite amazing. Symmetrical all-wheel drive with a dual-range, low-ratio transfer ’box, alloys, climate-control air-con, radio/cassette/CD player, front and rear electric windows plus driver, passenger and side airbags are all there for just £500 more than a rather wet Ford Focus 1.4 Studio.

The all-new 1.5 litre "boxer" engine has been designed to offer high torque and high revs, and it will give around 107bhp However, top speed is just 109 mph, with a rather tortuous 0-60mph time of 13.5 seconds, Fuel economy is around 35.8mpg on a combined cycle, and exhaust emissions are just 184g/km. As with all Impreza engines, the new 1.5 features twin overhead camshafts and variable valve timing.

In safety’s name, the Sport Wagon also has four-channel anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution. Airbags all-round, energy-absorbing brake pedal and ISOFIX-compatible child seat mountings in the rear seats are also there.

Overall, while it’s looks and performance may not be to everyone’s taste, the Sport Wagon is an amazingly cheap and practical vehicle that’ll go on and on.