Subaru launches the Impreza Sedan Concept; announces U.S. production plans at 2015 L.A. Auto Show

LOS ANGELES — Subaru of America introduced the Impreza Sedan Concept on the first press day of the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. It was designed to be the new entry model of the Subaru line-up.

“We chose L.A. to show off the Subaru Impreza sedan concept because this car is way cool,” said Tom Doll, president and CEO of Subaru of America, Inc. “It’s a precursor for what you can expect from the next generation Subaru Impreza sedan. Stylish. Strong. Dynamic. Taking all of the strengths of the Subaru brand–Safety and reliability, all-wheel drive and our legendary Boxer engine and mixing in a healthy dose of design.”

Exterior features include a hexagonal grill, hawk-eye headlights, fender flares and at three-dimensional structure. The new exterior color of ruby red metallic is also being offered for the very first time.

“The current Impreza is being made in Japan, but the next generation will be made in America,” said Yasiyuki Yoshinaga, president and CEO of Fuji Heavy Industries. “U.S. production will begin in late 2016. Our annual production will expand from 200,000 units up to 400,000 units by the end of 2016. The expansion will invest $500 million and create 1,200 new jobs in the U.S. market. From next summer, we can make more Outback and deliver it more quickly to customers.”

Fuji Heavy Industries is the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles. The Impreza Sedan Concept has an overall length of 4,555 mm (179 inches), a width of 1,880 mm (74 inches) and an height of 1,453 mm (57 inches).

“I think if you are someone who is serious about potentially looking at something that might be your next car, you’re going to be looking at some of the things we discussed earlier,” said Akshay Anand, a senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book. “Whether it’s the Elantra or Civic Coupe or LaCrosse or Subaru’s introducing a concept. Product has just become so good now. If you look at product now vs. 10 years ago, almost every car you get is going to last you 150,000 miles or 200,000 miles.”

The Impreza Sedan Concept is the first of Subaru’s next-generation vehicles announced in the company’s “Prominence 2020” strategic plan.

Watch the Subaru press conference from the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show