Impreza: Ready For iPod

Think of the Impreza. What comes to your mind? You might think of the uber fast blue rally cars. Or perhaps - a sober version. A what?

Oh yeah, Subaru will be rolling out a sober version of the Impreza. Calm and confident - the pleasant ride quality makes the new version feel like a pricier car. Under the helm of a new chief exec, a range of a range of promising new cars and features are about to march into the UK auto industry.

As the Subaru brush guard continues to support the façade of the Impreza, the company is also looking forward to wrap its lineup with fabulous features.

One of the much-awaited features is the iPod. The automaker said it will introduce a technology that allows easy control of iPod through vehicle's audio system. While many new vehicles offer only an auxiliary input jack as part of their factory audio system, the 2008 Subaru Impreza takes portable music to the next level with the debut of the company’s integrated interface of the popular Apple iPod through the vehicle’s audio system, the company added.

On select 2008 Impreza models, owners can enjoy iPod functions through the dashboard. Functions include text display of playlist, artist, album and song information, fast forward and rewind, and browsing by playlist, artist, album, Podcast, and Audiobook - and even charges the music player’s battery.

The new Impreza iPod interface also manages the digital music player’s power by turning the unit off when the vehicle’s ignition is turned off, and resuming playback when the vehicle’s ignition is turned back on – an added benefit, since control via an auxiliary input jack requires manually switching the unit on and off.

Now you can take your music while driving the Impreza. The iPod will be turned off when the car’s ignition is turned off, and will resume playback when the ignition is turned back on. If the head unit is switched to AM/FM/CD or Aux modes, the iPod will pause and resume playback once the “SAT” button is pressed, the company’s release stated. Also, the dock connector is located in the center console, freeing the interior of unsightly cables and keeping the iPod hidden from view.

The company claims they offer a "sports casual" driving experience. In short, the new Imprezas are much more fun to drive than they look.

Tech Spec:

Price/availability: from £12,495, 2.0R from £14,995. Automatic £1,000 extra. On sale now.

Engine/transmission: 1.5R, 1,498cc horizontally opposed four-cylinder petrol engine with DOHC and four valves per cylinder; 106bhp at 6,000rpm, 104.7lb ft of torque at 3,200rpm. 2.0R/RX, 1,994cc, 147.5bhp at 6,400rpm, 144.6lb ft of torque at 3,200rpm. Five-speed manual gearbox with dual range. Permanent four-wheel drive with centre differential/viscous coupling.

Performance: 1.5R, top speed 109mph (auto 104mph), 0-60mph in 13.7sec (14.8sec), EU Urban fuel consumption 29.4mpg (28.8mpg), CO2 emissions 176g/km (177g/km). 2.0R/RX, TBA/9.2sec (auto11.3sec)/25.4mpg (25.4sec)/199g/km (194g/km).

Alternatives: Honda Civic five-door hatchback, from £13,207. Mazda3 five-door hatchback, from £11,430; VW Golf five-door hatchback, from £12,627.