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TMCNet: Albuquerque Journal, N.M., Ken Walston column: Low-key Impreza GT an engaging sportster

[December 13, 2008]

Albuquerque Journal, N.M., Ken Walston column: Low-key Impreza GT an engaging sportster

(Albuquerque Journal (NM) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Dec. 13--W

hen Subaru redesigned the popular Impreza line for 2008, its mainstream styling elicited a hearty round of yawns.

Where was the quirky attitude so endearing in the previous generation?

And more important, what had become of the WRX, the beloved street brat that brought allwheel-drive high performance to the masses?

The 2008 WRX was roundly criticized as too soft, too bland, too slow. Well, all those things have been rectified for '09. There's more power, tauter suspension tuning and a new, racy-looking body kit.

Also, by making all WRXs for 2009 equipped with manual transmissions, Subaru created an opening for a new model: the Impreza 2.5 GT.

Essentially, the new GT is last year's WRX with a fourspeed automatic gearbox. That means it lacks many of the highperformance tweaks the WRX received, but don't be fooled: the GT is a still quite a hot rod.

What the GT may lack in edginess it makes up in its ability to fly under the radar. No-one gives this little sedan a second look, except for Subie aficionados.

And fly the GT does. Its 224 ponies may pale alongside the 265 in the new WRX, but they still propel the GT with lively alacrity.

Yes, the sport-tuned suspension seems a bit soft for at-the-edge handling, but driven rationally the car proves quite adept through corners. It also provides a pleasantly compliant and comfortable ride on both city streets and rural highways.

The GT's standard all-wheel drive delivers gobs of grip, contributing to the driver's sense of control.

It's a bit surprising that Subaru sticks with its four-speed automatic in this era of five-, six-, and even seven-speed autoboxes, but it seems well-matched to the engine's torque curve and delivers solid, well-timed shifts. An extra gear might help decrease the car's fuel appetite, which is EPA-rated at only 24 miles per gallon on the highway.

The GT comes very well equipped with such niceties as 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, power sunroof, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 10-speaker audio system with in-dash six-CD changer, automatic climate control and electroluminescent gauges.

Along with all-wheel drive, the GT sports a full complement of high-tech safety components, including traction control, stability control, ABS disc brakes and a full array of air bags.

Although overshadowed by the newly re-energized WRX, the Impreza GT is a thoroughly competent and enjoyable sportster. It just prefers to keep a low profile. 2009 Subaru Impreza 2.5 GT 4-Door

BASE PRICE: $26,995 PRICE AS TESTED: $27,660 (est.) VEHICLE TYPE: four-door, five-passenger compact sport sedan POWERTRAIN: 2.5-liter, DOHC, "boxer" turbocharged four-cylinder; 224 horsepower; 226 lb.-ft. torque; four-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive CURB WEIGHT: 3,240 pounds WHEELBASE/LENGTH: 103.1"/180.3" EPA FUEL RATING: 19 mpg city/24 highway

To see more of the Albuquerque Journal, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.abqjournal.com.

Copyright (c) 2008, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

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