I think the pic at the top is an old concept sketch, from the era of the changes between the old and New Age Imprezas. Note the identical headlamps to the newer Legacies, before they decided to go with the "bug-eye" look.
The design director of the Impreza (or was it the head of Fuji?) was quoted as saying, "round headlights are IN" and they have no intention of changing the design, no matter what anyone says about it. Subaru has built up a wonderful ability to completely ignore design critics (how else could you justify the Brat and the new Baja?)
Besides, I've grown to like the bug eyes.
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JP Rowland jeremyrowland -at- mac.com
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"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." -- Isaiah 45:22