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Subaru Hints At "STi Jr"
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:36 pm
by WRXWagon2112
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
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:57 pm
by chicken n waffles
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
.
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:05 pm
by Libra Monkee
So a WRX TR maybe?
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:20 pm
by chicken n waffles
i'd say more like an sti tr
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:33 pm
by Bluestreak2006
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
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:51 pm
by sirwilliam
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.
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 6:48 am
by Bluestreak2006
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.
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:12 pm
by derangedazn
Looks like Subaru is getting ready for the new Lancer Ralliart...aka mini-evo
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:19 pm
by ElZorro
Why not do the 265hp car as a upgraded Forester XT?
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:30 am
by Sabre
Prob b/c there is "little" market for it...
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:34 am
by sirwilliam
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
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:46 pm
by zaxrex
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.
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:56 pm
by sirwilliam
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.
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:08 am
by Mr Kleen
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.
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:29 am
by sirwilliam
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.
