Subaru Impreza 4dr (2011) first official picture

Subaru has released this solitary photo of the new US-spec Impreza. The Impreza, in four-door saloon and five-door hatchback form, will debut at the 2011 New York motor show on 20 April.

The new Impreza draws design inspiration from 2010's Impreza Design Concept, and the current Legacy saloon. Although you'd be hard-pressed to tell, as Subaru has seen fit to issue this single photograph in a fairly uninspiring shade of burgundy red. That may well be an accurate representation of what Subaru buyers choose, but it does the new Impreza few visual favours.

In profile the new Impreza seems to be a definite improvement over the unfortunately-styled current Impreza saloon, but we'll need to see the car from different angles before offering a definitive judgement.

Yes, and Subaru claims (at least in the USA) the new Impreza will be the most economical all-wheel-drive car in its class, with 36mpg (43.2mpg UK) quoted for highway fuel economy. There's also the promise of more cabin space with improved comfort and refinement. Although Subaru interiors may be durable, the company certainly has a lot of work to do to match its rivals in this area so we can only hope the improvement is significant.

Those of you hoping to don your blue and gold rally jackets again will have to wait.  The Impreza in the photo is in sensible shoes and Subaru has provided no further technical details or trim level information at this time. More details on the new Impreza will be available when the car is unveiled on April 20.

By Mark Hamilton