Subaru dealers across the country are now taking orders for a naturally aspirated 4-door Impreza.

The AWD sedan comes a year after the new hatchback Impreza that debuted, and shares the same 2620mm wheelbase and price range for all three variants; R, RX, and RS. However the sedan is 165mm longer than the hatch in total, and comes with a slightly larger boot (45mm longer). The car also rides 35mm higher than the previous Impreza sedan, and provides a split-folding rear seat to improve capacity.

The sedan’s engine remains unchanged from the hatch variant, a 110KW(@6400RPM)/196NM(@3200RPM) two litre DOHC Boxer four cylinder petrol engine mated to either a 5 speed manual transmission or 4 speed SportsShift automatic. Subaru claims a combined fuel economy of 8.9L/100km for the manual variants and 8.8L/100km for automatic variants on standard (91RON) unleaded fuel.

The Impreza is available with dual front and side airbags, curtain airbags, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist, VDC stability control, active front head-rests, hill-start assist for manual cars, air conditioning and a standard 4 speaker CD audio. All models are 5-star ANCAP rated.

Purchasing the RX version adds 16” alloy wheels, a 6-stacker, 10 speaker CD audio system, automatic climate control, a leather-rim steering wheel with audio controls and leather gearshift and optional sunroof.

The RS upgrades the alloys to 17”, adds a bodykit with rear diffuser and spoiler, mesh grille, sports seats, rear privacy glass and an upgraded trim. The RS may also be optioned with a leather trim and sunroof package.

The WRX version of the Sedan, packing Subaru’s fabled 169KW/320NM 2.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder is expected in December.

Pricing is as follows:

• Impreza R $24,490 (manual) $26,490 (auto)
• Impreza RX $26,490 (manual) $28,490 (auto)
• Impreza RS $29,490 (manual) $31,490 (auto)

Popularity: 2% [?]

Just in time for Christmas, Honda’s dropped the all new, 5th generation Inspire.

The new Inspire features styling cues seen on the new USDM Accord, and a V6 3.5-liter i-VTEC engine featuring a Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system. The VCM enables cylinder switching (based on driving conditions) between 6, 4 and 3 cylinders.

The V6 produces 206kW (280PS) of power and 342N�m (34.9kg�m) of torque while maintaining emission levels 75% below 2005 Japanese government standards.

Other features include

• Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
• ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
• EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution)
• G-CON (G-force Control) technology
• VGR (variable steering gear ratio)
• Intelligent, dual fully automatic air conditioner (uses GPS information and a sunlight sensor to determine the direction and intensity of the sun�s rays and regulate temperature and air output accordingly.)
• HID (High Intensity Discharge) Headlights

Unfortunately, the Inspire is only available in a 5 speed automatic transmission.

[Source: Honda]

Popularity: 52% [?]

Yes, for the first time, the Nissan GT-R will be sold directly into Australia!

As confirmed on CarAdvice, Nissan Australia�s boss Shinya Hannya has said that all strings will be pulled to get the GT-R downunder before 2009 (We certainly hope so, but we’re looking for more like 2008, Mr Hannya!). No other information on localised specifications (if any are in the works) are currently available.

Popularity: 52% [?]

The new Evolution X has been made official in a new press release from Mitsubishi, with cars hitting dealers in Japan today, October 1st, 2007.

Here’s a quick rundown of the juiciest features on the new Evolution X

• Engine
  • New, completely redesigned aluminium block ‘4B11’ 16-valve, 2.0L DOHC MIVEC intercooled turbocharged engine - 12kg lighter than the outgoing 4G63.
  • Power: 295HP, Torque: 422 Nm @ 3500rpm (300 lb-ft)
• Two trim levels: RS, GSR.

• Transmissions:
  • Twin Clutch SST 6-speed automated manual on the GSR or
  • 5 speed manual also available on the GSR
  • 5 speed manual on the RS only (No SST)

• 4WD S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) on the GSR
  • ACD (Active Center Differential)
  • AYC (Active Yaw Control)
  • Sport ABS (Sport Anti-lock Brake System)
  • Active Stability Control (ASC)
• Suspension/ Tyre / Brakes
  • MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension
  • (GSR) 18-inch Enkei 12-spoke high-rigidity cast alloy wheels. 18-inch BBS lightweight alloy wheels are also available as a factory-fitted option
  • GSR comes standard with Brembo 18-inch front and 17-inch rear ventilated disc brakes. (Unsure if this is a mistake. Though that’s what’s stated on the PR! - ED )
  • Bilstein single tube shock absorbers and Eibach coil springs

• Interior
  • Premium Rockford Fosgate audio, factory-fitted MMCS option with 30Gb hard disk drive audio/navigation system and 7-inch LCD screen on the GSR.
  • Recaro seats
  • Various interior upgrade option packages, including leather
  • High contrast instrument cluster
  • Leather wrapped steering with audio controls
• Pricing:
  • GSR: 3,750,600 yen with 6speed Twin Clutch SST
  • GSR: 3,495,450 yen 5 speed M/T
  • RS: 2,997,750 yen with 5 speed

And of course, required reading - the Press Release itself . This car has tonnes more features, admittedly more than we expected. The Impreza WRX STi has a battle ahead of it with the new Evo.

Popularity: 35% [?]

The all new Lancer just debuted last week here in Australia, and now comprehensive photos of the EVO X have been released by US site Edmunds. It looks like everything we expected, the meanest, biggest and baddest looking EVO yet with small change in the stellar performance expected from the iconic EVO.

The new EVO is expected for global release on October 2nd 2007, and is slated to come with an all alloy engine, new sequential automated twin clutch gearbox, and a stronger body structure, tuned as a comprehensive race ready package. Edmunds claims the EVO X will be released in more than one version, Standard and MR, though this is unlikely for the Australian market. Expect the new EVO to be available in one version in Australia, supplemented by it’s new ‘little brother’ the Ralliart Lancer, which is known to be another turbo offering from Mitsubishi.

The battle is heating up between Subaru and Mitsubishi with the STi due out very soon. For this reason, expect the EVO X’s pricing to be priced very very close to the WRX.

Ohh, and don’t forget to read and drool over Edmunds First Drive Review of the EVO X too!

Popularity: 20% [?]