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Officially Official: Subaru Impreza WRX STI

The wait is finally over. Subaru has released official photos and initial info on the new JDM-spec Impreza WRX STI. Details remain scant, however, as Subaru only tells us that the new STI is powered by a 16v 2.0L boxer with a twin-scroll turbo mated to a 6-speed manual. SI-DRIVE, multi-mode Drivers Control Center Differential (DCCD) and Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) are also standard. All of these things have been widely speculated on and/or reported already. Specific power numbers are conspicuously absent, so we'll have to wait for the rest of it when the car bows in Tokyo in a couple of weeks. Based on what's already been leaked, look for 304 horses and 311 lb-ft of torque in the Japanese-market model. What's no longer a mystery is the car's appearance, which is muscular and aggressive -- a huge improvement over the base WRX. Head to the gallery below to see the car unmasked at last.

Autoblog post w/pix

ok, i'm warming up to the new sti, but i'm still not sold. gotta see one in person. much improved over the bland wrx though. the legacy-esque 5-spoke wheels totally throw the exterior appearance of the car off.

i like how it looks in silver. and the high-res interior shot gives me half a stack.

chicken n waffles wrote:i like how it looks in silver. and the high-res interior shot gives me half a stack.

^^x2

How many different wheel options are there? I wonder if the US will be lucky enough to acquire the twinscroll!!!!!

Yeah I want that. The fender flares are nice and I like the multi spoke wheels. The other wheels look like takeoffs from a 350z. So any word about how bad the si drive is on it?

it would be cool if it ends up looking good in person, then i could add it to the list of cool cars i can't afford. glad i got a WRX before they ruined it...


also: Subaru's SI drive is not BMW's iDrive.

It looks hot, inside and out.

Amazing the difference fender flares can make, yea?

very much so. the fender flares are the main reason i don't feel an overwhelming desire to firebomb this car.

complacent wrote:Amazing the difference fender flares can make, yea?

Yeah, no kidding.

the rear flares are a bit much for me, and wtf is with the lines by the fog lights? Also the center of the steering wheel looks really cheesy.


other than that, I'll take one in OBP with 18's an s203 wi--- wait.. damn it!

I'd rock one if the interior is that nice. looks like it could compete with the S4 as far as interior looks (assuming the wheel is not plastic)

Wow, I really like it. Much more aggressive in all the right places. The two lines by the fog lights don't really appeal to me (I always liked the big JDM fogs filling that area), but the rest of it looks good. Even the ass is looking good!

The interior is great (not the stop/start button), but the little sliding area in the console... I can just see getting smashed in or something.

I can't WAIT for the USDM version.... wasn't there a rumor it would be Oct 10th when it would be revealed? or was that the JDM version (a day early).

Images from the JDM booklet:



Definitely not diggin' the 5 spokes

sirwilliam wrote:Images from the JDM booklet:



Definitely not diggin' the 5 spokes

But do you dig the obshidian paint?

--Alan

The interior looks great! The exterior is a lot less of an eye-sore compared to the WRX model. However, the hatch still isn't sitting right with me. I'm trying to get over it, I just can't. This car's going to have to earn my respect.

please note the RED sti

thats nice!

<homer>mmmmm.... midnight blue pearl....</homer>

That is gonna be a crapload of bumper cutting to fit a FMIC in there...

Shoulda come with one grumble grumble.

FYI:

yano wrote:I was talking to my local dealer today asking him if he liked the new STI hatchback. He said it has its place in the market place and subaru has done extensive research and determined this is a good niche for the subaru but he went on to say that his personal taste is for the sedan and he said that he will have to wait until next year.

I asked him what he meant, he said that he recently got back from a trip to Subaru in japan, and that subaru is currently testing an STI Sedan that should be ready for release in 2009.

So for the hatchback haters, looks like you can pick up a sedan in 09.

SubyDoode wrote:thats what i heard from my manager as well as i work at a subaru dealership

meanwhile WRX owners are left out in the cold.

and where was this "extensive market research" when the Tribecca was launched with the Alfa nose?

*Happy Dance*

I think it looks pretty good. Its an acquired taste i guess, i hated it the first time i saw it.

I want a white one!

WRXWagon2112 wrote:But do you dig the obshidian paint?

--Alan

"obushidian" is how you write it in Japanese. They have difficulty pronouncing is as "obsidian" without saying "sh" and someone poor sap probably forget the right way to spell it.

And Colin, they refer to Midnight Blue as having "An adult sportiness" and being a dark blue with depth.

snaab wrote:
And Colin, they refer to Midnight Blue as having "An adult sportiness" and being a dark blue with depth.

Wow, that almost sounds seductive.

complacent wrote:

snaab wrote:
And Colin, they refer to Midnight Blue as having "An adult sportiness" and being a dark blue with depth.

Wow, that almost sounds seductive.

Maybe "grown-up" is better, and opposes the traditional blue which might be seen as flashy and childish... hmm