2012 Subaru Impreza Debuts: 2011 New York Auto Show

Just the Facts:

• The 2012 Subaru Impreza debuted on Wednesday at the 2011 New York Auto Show with an eye toward better fuel economy, courtesy of a smaller, less powerful engine.
• The 2012 Subaru Impreza is equipped with a new 148-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine; the base 2011 Subaru Impreza 2.5i is equipped with a 170-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine.
• The 2012 Subaru Impreza is expected to return 27 mpg in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway, said the automaker. The outgoing 2011 model returns 20 mpg in city driving and 27 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA.

NEW YORK — The 2012 Subaru Impreza debuted on Wednesday at the 2011 New York Auto Show with an eye toward better fuel economy, courtesy of a smaller, less powerful engine.

The 2012 Impreza will go on sale this fall. Pricing was not announced. The base 2011 Subaru Impreza starts at $18,220, including a $725 destination charge.

Not included in Wednesday's unveiling of the Impreza were the Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI.

"We just renewed STI and WRX last year," wrote Dominick Infante, Subaru of America spokesman in response to an e-mailed query from Inside Line. "They will stay on their current platform for the near term. We will have a new WRX and STI in the future."

The 2012 Subaru Impreza is equipped with a new 148-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine; the base 2011 Subaru Impreza 2.5i is equipped with a 170-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine. The 2012 Impreza can be equipped with either a five-speed manual transmission or a CVT. The outgoing model was offered with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission. The 2012 Impreza Premium, Sport and Limited models with a CVT get a six-speed manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters.

The 2012 Subaru Impreza is expected to return 27 mpg in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway, said the automaker. The outgoing 2011 model returns 20 mpg in city driving and 27 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. The EPA has not yet rated the 2012 Impreza.

Subaru is following the global automotive trend toward smaller, more fuel-efficient engines in an era of rising gas prices. The average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline in the U.S. stood at $3.83 on Wednesday, according to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report. Prices are expected to hit $4 per gallon by Memorial Day.

The 2012 Impreza is stretched a bit, with rear-seat passengers gaining almost 2 inches of legroom. The 2012 model rides on a 104.1-inch wheelbase versus 103.2-inch wheelbase in the outgoing model. Design tweaks are modest and include more powerful wheel arches, a cue borrowed from the 2010 Subaru Legacy.

All 2012 Impreza models get standard stability and traction control, along with standard antilock brakes. The base model gets a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power windows, door locks and side mirrors, outside temperature gauge and other goodies. All get standard all-wheel drive, as usual.

Inside Line says: It's all about the fuel economy. That's the message that's being pounded home at the 2011 New York Auto Show. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent