New world of possibilities for Subaru

Subaru is switching to a new global architecture that it says will guarantee competitiveness through 2025.

The Subaru Global Platform is designed for gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid and electric powerplants. The first car on the market using the global architecture will be the redesigned Impreza compact that goes on sale at the end of the year.

Subaru is also improving its semiautonomous systems to prepare for a self-driving car in the coming decade. In 2017, Subaru will launch a new traffic-jam assist system that stops and starts a car automatically in traffic and can steer it around curves.

BRZ: The two-door that was jointly developed with Toyota has been freshened with new head- and taillights and a rear spoiler. Subaru also improved handling with updated coil springs and dampers and a larger rear stabilizer bar. The updated model goes on sale this fall. A new Performance Package version debuts in early 2017.

Subaru executives have said a second generation of the rear-wheel-drive car launched in 2012 is in the works. The new car could come in 2018.

Impreza: The redesigned four- and five-door compact goes on sale late this year. Production shifts to the Subaru factory in Indiana from Japan.

The Impreza is the first model to get Subaru's new modular platform and to feature the brand's new design language. The car is slightly larger; the wheelbase has grown an inch to 105.1 inches. The sedan and five-door are both 1.6 inches longer, 1.5 inches wider and 0.4 inch lower than the current car. Subaru will offer new driver-assist technology and multimedia features including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Subaru's EyeSight system includes adaptive cruise control, automatic pre-collision braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist. Options include blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and steering-responsive headlights.

A freshening is expected in 2020.

Crosstrek: The Impreza-based crossover will be redesigned in 2017.

WRX/WRX STI: The high-performance cars are expected to be redesigned in 2018 or 2019 when they switch to the new global platform. The WRX and STI are expected to get more powerful engines as Subaru continues to push them further away from the Impreza, which the current models are based on.

Legacy: A redesign of the midsize car is likely in 2019.

Forester: The compact crossover will be redesigned in 2018.

Outback: A redesign of the midsize crossover is likely in 2019.

Plug-in hybrid: A plug-in hybrid powertrain will be offered in 2018. Subaru has said it will power a vehicle in its current range rather than an all-new model. The hybrid system is being developed internally -- Subaru won't use a Toyota system.

Seven-seat crossover: Subaru's new three-row crossover -- which will replace the Tribeca -- will go on sale in 2018 and be produced in Indiana. Not many details have been released, and there's no decent spy art. The crossover is expected to debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

Subaru has to get the seven-seater right to cash in on the hot midsize crossover segment.