Okay, so they might have made an absolute pig's ear of the styling, but the news that the new Subaru Impreza will be launched in Ireland next month will be good news to at least some of Ireland's 190,000-odd new car buyers for 2008.
Making its official debut this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Subaru decided to abandon (for now anyway) the saloon and estate body styles in favour of a five-door hatchback format.
This is a car that has undergone more changes of image than Madonna, and the new version looks somewhat anonymous in the flesh and is likely to alienate some of the loyal fans of the Impreza. Subaru calls the design "restrained".
Known for its super-fast turbo models, their naturally aspirated models have tended to languish in the background. In an attempt to boost sales, at the expense of the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus, for example, Subaru has opted to focus initially on the new 107bhp 1.5-litre and 150bhp two-litre "boxer" engined models. Both models get all-wheel drive and a dual-range transfer box. This is useful when towing or covering difficult road surfaces.
The all-wheel drive features a 50:50 front-to-rear torque split and uses viscous coupling to proportional grip where needed in the event of a slip. At least we can expect the handling to be good.
The interior quality is still a little on the flimsy side in places, but overall many buyers will be drawn by the driving prowess and the value of the new offering.
While the new five-door hatchback model is shorter and wider than the previous Sport Wagon model, it offers greater interior space because of a longer wheelbase and there is also greater boot space than before, because the new multilink rear suspension is more compact than before.
Subaru's first diesel engine, a 2-litre flat-four developing around 150bhp, will join the range towards the end of next year. 2008 will also see the arrival of the turbocharged 2.5-litre WRX and sizzling WRX STi models.
Prices start from €24,500 for the 1.5-litre R model, which comes very well equipped with climate control, cruise control and xenon lights, among other items. The 2.0-litre R is priced at €28,995, and is even more generously equipped.