We sample a brief taster of the fifth generation Subaru Impreza

Subaru moved beyond ‘show-and-tell’ by actually offering an off-site demo drive of its fifth generation Subaru Impreza over the same period as the 2017 Singapore Motor Show, in both five-door hatchback and four-door sedan guises. Even if the 2.0i-S model we tested will be special indent for Singapore (we get the 1.6i-S by default), it was an opportunity to come to grips with the Subaru Global Platform (or SGP, for short), which is intended to serve as the underpinning for all new Subaru models following the Impreza.

“With significant improvements to its overall vehicle performance, the new Subaru Global Platform is set to be a game changer for the Subaru brand. The enhancements to the new platform set a new benchmark in driving comfort, performance and safety, promising drivers an experience like no other. We are excited to be able to launch the Subaru Global Platform throughout our vehicle lineup in our markets in the near future,” said Mr. Glenn Tan, Executive Director, Tan Chong International Ltd.

In addition to the different exercises designed to let us experience the dynamics of the new model and platform, Subaru also arranged for key rivals to be made available for back-to-back comparisons. However, we also thought it might have been nice to have had the last gen Impreza there as well, if only to appreciate the new model’s depth of improvements over its predecessor.

The most noticeable take-away that was consistent across the three stations is the new Impreza’s improved torsional rigidity – the new car is more than 70 per cent stiffer than its predecessor. That wasn’t all either, because there was good body control over the rumble strips, as well as the dynamic sections.

With some familiar turbo’d VW Group rivals present, the naturally-aspirated Impreza was noticeable slower off the mark, especially with the CVT gearbox, but the pace is decent even if it isn’t brisk. That’s just it really, as Subaru works to shed the boyracer image by offering the Impreza owners refinement in both ride quality and performance. - PHOTOS: Leow Ju-Len, David Khoo