2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.0-liter : First Look

Tokyo marked the global launch of the hot-rod rally-champ WRX STI -- or at least the one the rest of the world will be getting. The North American model breaks cover next month at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. What are the differences? The biggie is under the hood, where the global model stays true to the World Rally Championship homologation regs with a 2.0-liter boxer engine boosted to 14.7 psi by a twin-scroll Mitsubishi turbocharger to produce 295 SAE horsepower and 299 pound-feet of torque (Wiki editors note: The 308 PS/304 bhp/311 pound-foot power figures widely quoted everywhere were generated using Japanese Industry Standard testing procedures, which differ from our SAE test).

We'll continue to get the 2.5-liter engine boosted by a single-scroll Mitsubishi turbo that's said to produce slightly more horsepower (a shade over 300 SAE net, we hear) and slightly less torque. Yes, it's counter-intuitive for the bigger engine to produce less twist, and we won't believe it until Subaru engineers spill the beans next month, but the 2.5 is said to have a broader torque curve and to feel torquier, and it won't have to work quite as frenetically to make a few more ponies. Gearing is the same, so ours should outperform the global STI. We'll get Dunlop tires instead of the Bridgestone Potenza RE050As everybody else gets, but we're promised the rest of the suspension design and tuning is identical.
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Obliv - 10/26/2007 1:10:16 PM

0 Boost

So shamefully ugly :(

EnnNorak - 10/27/2007 2:57:42 PM

+1 Boost

It's all in the eye of the beholder -- I happen to love it but I want the WRX STI with automatic and, unfortunately, the STI is available with manual tarnsmission only.
I also wish Subaru would offer it with a normally aspirated H6 engine.

cpruitt - 10/26/2007 2:25:38 PM

+3 Boost

I'm past that, it grew on me and I actually like it now.

EnnNorak - 10/27/2007 2:59:30 PM

+1 Boost

I think the new style has much more character and Subaru should receive a product improvement medal for finally installing window frames on the doors.

Motorhead - 10/27/2007 1:10:38 PM

+1 Boost

Shoot the designer! Gonna need bodykit to fix the look. After a good majority of people bloggin on the net complaining about the look, they still went ahead with the design. Best thing anyone can do now dont buy'em, Junky sales = redesign hehe

pitang - 10/28/2007 12:19:00 AM

+1 Boost

The new hatch back design may help in body strength.The VW R32 is well excepted as a high performance all wheel drive pocket rocket,so why should people be offended by this look on the Subaru WRX.I would like to see a sporty two door version of this model and not the five door people mover look.