Impressive price cuts from Subaru for midrange models

Subaru's WRX, which has been reduced in price by $3000.

Subaru has sharpened the pricing of its midrange 2.0R and WRX models for the 2007 model year.

The cars go on sale this month with their development costs having being amortised over the life of the current Impreza range.

Both the 118kW Impreza 2.0R and the 169kW Impreza WRX have been reduced in price by $3000. The WRX has a price of $41,990, while the 2.0R is tagged at $31,990.

The WRX is powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged version of Subaru's trademark boxer engine, voted the best 2.0 to 2.5-litre engine in the world by an international panel of motoring journalists this year.

The WRX now comes with tinted rear side and back windows; while for the first time the DOHC 2.0R will be available in the iconic WRC blue, which until now has only been available on WRX and STI models.

"The WRX represents unbeatable value for money," said Chris Rickards, general manager of Subaru New Zealand.

"Anything else on the market with similar performance is considerably dearer, while similar priced cars don't have the performance."

The entry-level Impreza 2.0i model maintains its price position in the sedan variant from $24,990. However, the hatch comes down $1000 and is now also available from $24,990. The top-of-the-range WRX STI is available to order.