08 Subaru Impreza safety first

The ratings, given by the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), measure the safety of various aspects of a car based on crash tests.

The car received a rating of five out of five stars for occupant safety and four out of four stars for pedestrian impact safety.

The Impreza now joins stablemates, Liberty, Outback, Tribeca and the All-Wheel Drive Forester with ANCAP’s highest possible occupant safety star rating.

Subaru Managing Director Nick Senior said: “Safety is a major consideration during the vehicle purchase.

“This should be a major influencer for not only private buyers, but government and statutory authorities.”

During the ANCAP process, Subaru volunteered the Impreza for optional pole testing, where it achieved a rating of two out of two. A pole test is where the car travels sideways at 29 km/h, striking a round pole lined up with the driver’s head. This measures the effectiveness of head protecting side airbags and can result in extra points being scored.

• Offset test: 14.93 (out of 16)

• Side impact test: 15.73 (out of 16)

• Pole test: 2 (out of 2)

• Seat belt warnings: 2 (out of 3)

Total = 34.66 (out of a possible 37)

Pedestrian test: 27.76 (out of 36)

Across the whole Subaru range, not just for the Impreza, all safety features described below are divided into active and passive categories.

Active safety systems include constant All-Wheel Drive, anti-lock brakes, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution which improves rear braking and Vehicle Dynamics Control(VDC).

VDC monitors vehicle stability and makes appropriate adjustments to the car’s suspension and handling. In extreme cases like swerving or entering a spin, VDC controls each wheel individually via braking, engine output, and the All-Wheel Drive system.

Passive safety features includedual front and side SRS airbags, front seatbelt pretentioners, Automatic Emergency Locking Retractors(A/ELR), steering wheel impact minimisation, reinforced door beams and strengthened side frames, and safety pedals.

The ANCAP five-star success began for Subaru in 2003 with the Forester XS Luxury pack and they have since achieved the prestigious rating across the range every year up to 2007 with the new Impreza.

“Safety has been a long-term commitment for Subaru and we’re delighted to gain five stars for every car in the range. Said Senior.

“It is now undeniable that we are producing some of the safest vehicles in the world.”