The next generation Subaru Impreza is already in the process for a worldwide release together with a new Liberty and Outback models. Subaru has been a very cautious car manufacturer when it come to introducing new generation cabin appointments as we can see from their past models.
Staying true to their all wheel drive technology year after year and their tough as a truck build quality and reliability, Subaru has had great consumer confidence in North America and most of ASIA with its range of off road vehicles and also it road going performance cars.
Now comes news that Subaru will be incorporating a touch screen tablet in its dashboard centre stack to be side by side with all it segment rivals and this new tablet like control panel will also be introduced in the next generation XV and Forester.
While the sharp lines of the previous generation Subaru interior remaining as before, those details are now mixed with a large central portrait touchscreen infotainment display. Along with the vertical vents, at a glance one can’t help but wonder if this interior actually belongs to a Volvo.
That being said though, with Volvo interiors being one of the best in the business, having a Volvo-esque interior in a Subaru is no bad thing.
From that main picture, notice that the screen is actually smaller than it looks. Because on either side of that portrait screen is two thick black borders with physical controls. On the top right there is a cut out for a physical hazard light button. Lower down meanwhile, there are two physical rotary dials that appear to control the volume and the tuner, and beneath those are possibly haptic-feedback buttons for temperature settings of the dual zone climate control.
On the topic of the climate control, it would seem like the bottom of the portrait screen will be a permanent display dedicated to the climate control settings. A nice touch as occupants will not need to go through to another menu to fiddle around with the climate settings, disrupting what was already on the main screen.
Despite bearing significant resemblance to the Swedish automaker, there are still some distinctively Subaru touches on the interior that harks back to its rallying heritage. You won’t find a bright red starter button or drilled aluminium pedals on any stock Volvo that’s for sure.
A chunky, flat bottomed, multi-function steering wheel further emphasises that you are driving a car from the 3 constructors and drivers championships in the World Rally Championship. And behind that thick-rimmed wheel is a TFT digital instrument display, a first for the Japanese manufacturer.
Already spotted undisguised around Japan, the new Levorg should hit Japanese showrooms at the end of November this year, with the Impreza following close behind.
As of now, it is still uncertain what powertrains will be available on the Levorg, all we do now however is that there will be a 2.4 litre turbocharged Levorg STI utilising the same engine that is slated to go in the next generation WRX STI.
A 2.4 litre turbocharged WRX STI with a desirable interior, this new STI may be king of the hot hatches once more.
Research by Joshua Chin
