Subaru Hints At "STi Jr"

WRXWagon2112 · Post by **WRXWagon2112** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:36 pm

Or so says a Subaru Australia rep: here

Subaru has gained itself quite a cult following with performance Imprezas. Based on its victories in the World Rally Championship, the WRX and STi versions of the Impreza have been a big hit with the gonzo street-racer crowd. With the introduction of the latest STi, Subaru left a gaping hole between the mighty fast 224-hp WRX ($24,350) and the super-fast 305-hp WRX STi ($34,995). Since more customers will want to upgrade from the WRX than can afford the $10k+ leap to the STi, Subaru is reportedly considering slotting a new model in between the two, which could come in a little under $30k and offer about 265 horses under hood.

The report comes from our friends down under at Drive.co.au, who were speaking with Nick Senior of Subaru Australia. According to Senior, parent company Fuji Heavy Industries "has a fair bit on its plate" at the moment, alluding to the reported upcoming Celica which Subaru is developing with partner Toyota, so we shouldn't expect a mid-level WRX anytime soon, but it is on Subaru's radar screen for the future. Senior also said we can expect Subaru to churn out some special-editions, like a stripped-out STi track car, so stay tuned.

--Alan

chicken n waffles · Post by **chicken n waffles** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:57 pm

i KNEW it. this is what i've quietly assumed all along, that the giant chasm between the 08 wrx and sti would facilitate a middle-ground model. way cool if it comes to fruition. way cool.

i'm still pissed about the new sti's price though

.

Libra Monkee · Post by **Libra Monkee** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:05 pm

So a WRX TR maybe?

chicken n waffles · Post by **chicken n waffles** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:20 pm

i'd say more like an sti tr

Bluestreak2006 · Post by **Bluestreak2006** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:33 pm

I think a WRX STI done up like the Evo 8 RS's would be hot. Drop 300 pounds and make it stiffer and louder. Yum

sirwilliam · Post by **sirwilliam** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:51 pm

So you take the WRX and put the Legacy GT powertrain in it w/ a slight bump in the ecu programming. Not a huge change...but it would be cool to basically buy a stage 2 powered car from the factory w/ a warranty. Will have to see if it is worth it, though. Maybe the extra cash will go towards upgrading the not-so-easy-on-the-eyes exterior of the current WRX.

Bluestreak2006 · Post by **Bluestreak2006** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 6:48 am

The car I would like to see was the STI tuned naturally aspirated concept Impreza. Low weight, high reving motor, shake your fillings loose suspension. And it looked good.

derangedazn · Post by **derangedazn** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:12 pm

Looks like Subaru is getting ready for the new Lancer Ralliart...aka mini-evo

Post by **ElZorro** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:19 pm

Why not do the 265hp car as a upgraded Forester XT?

Post by **Sabre** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:30 am

Prob b/c there is "little" market for it...

sirwilliam · Post by **sirwilliam** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:34 am

Sabre wrote:Prob b/c there is "little" market for it...

Bring an FSTi to these shores and see how "little" that market becomes

Us (MT) XT owners are getting the shaft from this '09 Forester lineup

zaxrex · Post by **zaxrex** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:46 pm

sirwilliam wrote:Bring an FSTi to these shores and see how "little" that market becomes Us (MT) XT owners are getting the shaft from this '09 Forester lineup

Well, think about it. Of all Impreza units sold, what is the percentage of 2.5I 4D, 2.5I 5D, OBS, WRX 4D, WRX 5D, and STis? Mmmkay? Now do the same thing for the Forester offerings 2.5XS, 2.5XP, 2.5 XLL.Bean, 2.5X, 2.5XT, 2.5 XTL.

I would think that the "Market" for the turbo'ed Imprezas is much larger than that of the turbo'ed Foresters.

sirwilliam · Post by **sirwilliam** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:56 pm

zaxrex wrote:
sirwilliam wrote:Bring an FSTi to these shores and see how "little" that market becomes Us (MT) XT owners are getting the shaft from this '09 Forester lineup
Well, think about it. Of all Impreza units sold, what is the percentage of 2.5I 4D, 2.5I 5D, OBS, WRX 4D, WRX 5D, and STis? Mmmkay? Now do the same thing for the Forester offerings 2.5XS, 2.5XP, 2.5 XLL.Bean, 2.5X, 2.5XT, 2.5 XTL.

I would think that the "Market" for the turbo'ed Imprezas is much larger than that of the turbo'ed Foresters.

It is but I am saying if SOA would let the US get an FSTi, you would see a lot of WRX STi owners converting to the FSTi.

Mr Kleen · Post by **Mr Kleen** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:08 am

sirwilliam wrote:It is but I am saying if SOA would let the US get an FSTi, you would see a lot of WRX STi owners converting to the FSTi.

if that is the case, you just answered your own question.

sirwilliam · Post by **sirwilliam** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:29 am

Mr Kleen wrote:
sirwilliam wrote:It is but I am saying if SOA would let the US get an FSTi, you would see a lot of WRX STi owners converting to the FSTi.
if that is the case, you just answered your own question.

Yeah...I know...it really sucks, though.