How the 2017 Impreza was developed from Subaru's 1000 platform

50 years ago, Fuji Heavy Industries, (FHI) unveiled the new Subaru 1000 at the 12th Tokyo Motor Show on October 21, 1965. How is its platform related to the new 2017 Impreza?

Subaru has come a long way since they introduced the new Subaru 1000 compact two-door car at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1965. This week, the Japanese automaker will bring a new 2017 Subaru Impreza Concept and the VIZIV Concept cars to the Tokyo Motor Show with new platforms. The Subaru 1000 was the forerunner of these vehicles, and it was 50 years ago this month that they were on their way to creating a niche market with their all-wheel-drive recreation-purposed vehicles around the globe.

Subaru didn’t start out building all-wheel-drive vehicles. The Subaru 1000 introduced in 1965 was the first model to be powered by Subaru’s horizontally-opposed engine, in what was a showcase of Subaru’s optimum symmetrical, front-wheel drive platform. It was the symmetrical platform that would later become the base for Subaru’s horizontally-opposed engine that was the basis of the Symmetrical AWD concept. It's still the basic concept that will be revealed 50 years later in the newest 2017 Impreza platform.

In 1965, the front-wheel drive system became the mainstay of the automotive industry for its efficient use of space and excellent driving stability with the boxer engine that sits low in the chassis. Today, Subaru vehicles have the same core values with the boxer engine, symmetrical platform and cars that are high on the fun-to-drive meter.

The new 2017 Subaru Impreza has its roots in the Subaru 1000 that was launched 50 years ago this month. On October 28, 2015, Subaru will bring the newest version of that platform with the 2017 Impreza design that will take the brand another leap forward in the brands evolution. Stay tuned.

Media source: Subaru Global