2008 STI...

Mr Kleen · Post by **Mr Kleen** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:27 am

on the "Subaru dropping the WRX" rumor:

Autocar doesn't cite its source for this information, and it seems highly unlikely to us...

seems highly unlikely to me as well. maybe they're going to drop the WRX name, but not the configuration.

Post by **Sabre** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:39 am

Ya, I can't see them dropping the WRX either. Everything is a rumor till we see what actually hits the dealers (physically, none of the "this dealer told me this crap either)

Cereb Daithi · Post by **Cereb Daithi** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:12 pm

i have a feeling that if it's true that they are dropping the WRX... they will be introducing a new mid-level turbo-charged version.. i dont think subaru could so easily kill their flagship to the younger generations.

sirwilliam · Post by **sirwilliam** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:18 am

Not sure if these have been posted already of the new '08 Impreza:

Cereb Daithi · Post by **Cereb Daithi** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:30 am

those rims look slightly familiar....

sirwilliam · Post by **sirwilliam** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:34 am

Libra Monkee · Post by **Libra Monkee** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:37 am

I'm liking that front end a lot better but why is it a wagon?

sirwilliam · Post by **sirwilliam** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 12:01 pm

Libra Monkee wrote:I'm liking that front end a lot better but why is it a wagon?

It's not a wagon, it's a hatchback

sirwilliam · Post by **sirwilliam** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 12:53 pm

ARTICLE LINK

2008 Subaru Impreza Shows a New Face
Date posted: 02-06-2007

TOKYO — The 2008 Subaru Impreza will feature a new look next year, as we've seen in pictures leaked from Japan.

The controversial propeller-style motif developed for the current generation of Subaru vehicles under the leadership of former Subaru Design Director Andreas Zapatinas has been exchanged for the new look. As illustrations of the 2008 Subaru Impreza confirm, the new-look grille is broad and narrow, and it's complemented by upswept headlights.

Equally noteworthy is the availability of a new hatchback configuration. Hatchbacks are experiencing a comeback in coolness as seen in the trend-setting Audi A3 and Mazda 3. We've learned the 2008 Subaru Impreza hatchback is 5.1 inches shorter, 2 inches wider and virtually the same height as the current sedan. Entry-level versions will weigh in at about 3,086 pounds.

The 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI will be offered only as a hatchback, as we've already seen in the 2007 Subaru factory rally car. There's a strong possibility the car will feature a new multilink rear suspension. It will get a reworked version of the current intercooled and turbocharged DOHC 2.0-liter flat-4 engine, expected to produce 300 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque.

Subaru's engineers have improved the engine's performance by enhancing engine torque at low and midrange rpm, and we expect some tweaks in the DCCD (Driver's Control Center Differential). A six-speed manual transmission will continue to be used.

We expect full details to be disclosed at the New York auto show.

What this means to you: With the introduction of the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI and 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, interest in hot-rod rally racers will be stronger than ever next year.

It looks like we'll see a scoop that's integrated into the hood, a Mazda-eque hatch design, and gobs of torque!

Post by **complacent** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 12:58 pm

It will get a reworked version of the current intercooled and turbocharged DOHC 2.0-liter flat-4 engine, expected to produce 300 horsepower and 431 pound-feet of torque.

There is man-batter all over that torque number.

sirwilliam · Post by **sirwilliam** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:22 pm

complacent wrote:
It will get a reworked version of the current intercooled and turbocharged DOHC 2.0-liter flat-4 engine, expected to produce 300 horsepower and 431 pound-feet of torque.
There is man-batter all over that torque number.

Yes sir! Me lovey the torquey!

Mr Kleen · Post by **Mr Kleen** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:28 pm

those numbers are for the JDM 2.0 STi, right?

they switching the USDM to 2.0?

WRXWagon2112 · Post by **WRXWagon2112** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:43 pm

sirwilliam wrote:

Not that I've been a big fan of the STi wing ... but it looks even worse on a hatchback than on a regular trunk.

--Alan

sirwilliam · Post by **sirwilliam** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:51 pm

Mr Kleen wrote:those numbers are for the JDM 2.0 STi, right?

they switching the USDM to 2.0?

No, that is for the japan version ours will have basically same numbers but 2.5L engine. Also, I quoted someone who made a typo on the torque. Torque is only 318ft/lbs.

Post by **complacent** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 2:02 pm

sirwilliam wrote:...I quoted someone who made a typo on the torque. Torque is only 318ft/lbs.

tease...

sirwilliam · Post by **sirwilliam** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 2:51 pm

sirwilliam wrote:
Mr Kleen wrote:those numbers are for the JDM 2.0 STi, right?

they switching the USDM to 2.0?
No, that is for the japan version ours will have basically same numbers but 2.5L engine. Also, I quoted someone who made a typo on the torque. Torque is only 318ft/lbs.

Actually, I quoted somebody that copy and pasted from the article which was wrong and then got changed on the website.

snaab · Post by **snaab** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:10 pm

sirwilliam wrote: It looks like we'll see a scoop that's integrated into the hood, a Mazda-eque hatch design, and gobs of torque!

Forget the hatch (which I like), the entire front end is reminiscent of a 90's Protege.

I am pleased though, and the front end can easily have added things to make it look different.

chicken n waffles · Post by **chicken n waffles** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:01 pm

say what you want about the 06/07, but that 08 looks hideous.

thermobox · Post by **thermobox** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 7:33 pm

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoe ... preza.html

Libra Monkee · Post by **Libra Monkee** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 7:57 pm

sirwilliam wrote:
Libra Monkee wrote:I'm liking that front end a lot better but why is it a wagon?
It's not a wagon, it's a hatchback

Hatchback, liftback, wagon, whatever they should've stopped after the hood.

sirwilliam · Post by **sirwilliam** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:24 pm

After a while you will get used to the new design and like it...just like the '06-'07.

GaToR · Post by **GaToR** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 9:38 pm

Dual exhaust!

snaab · Post by **snaab** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:12 am

While we're on the topic, is there a significant and historical difference between a hatchback and a wagon, or is it just a name thing?

Cereb Daithi · Post by **Cereb Daithi** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:23 am

to me i've always classified a wagon as a sedan with an addition..

look at the impreza wagons.. its like the sedan with a bubble on top of the c-pillar.... whereas hatchbacks to me have always been more of a look thing rather than a "cargo capactiy" thing.. however.. certain "hatchbacks" seem to disprove my theories... i have no clue.

GaToR · Post by **GaToR** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:26 am

Cereb Daithi wrote:to me i've always classified a wagon as a sedan with an addition..

look at the impreza wagons.. its like the sedan with a bubble on top of the c-pillar.... whereas hatchbacks to me have always been more of a look thing rather than a "cargo capactiy" thing..

Wikipedia seems to agree with you:

Hatchback vehicles are functionally similar to station wagons (which are intended to carry large volumes), but distinguished by a smaller load area. Some vehicles achieve this by having little car length behind the C-Pillar and thus no room for a side window over the load area.