The totally redesigned Subaru Impreza WRX STi was officially released by Subaru yesterday. After a trio of teasers released throughout the month and the month before, Subaru decided to turn on the lights in their photo studio for the complete release of the highly-anticipated car. The new WRX STi is all-wheel drive just like its 4-door predecessor.The nee WRX STi is powered by an exclusive 2.0L horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder turbo that produces "an excess of 300 horsepower." The car is also equipped with SI-DRIVE (SUBARU Intelligent Drive) which offers stability during extreme driving conditions. The WRX STi rides on Subaru's Symmetrical AWD drivetrain and is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The longer, wider, and more powerful STi will be officially unveiled to the public for the first time at the Tokyo Motor Show this month.
[Source: Subaru]
Continue reading to view the official preliminary press release and a hi-res image gallery.
PRESS RELEASE: 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI
Subaru offers the new AWD performance icon
Concept
The new WRX STI was developed with the eternal theme and essence of the driver’s car, the “total driving control,” that the preceding WRX STI models also pursued. This AWD sports model gives maximum driving pleasure through its combination of power, performance, handling and ride capabilities thanks to engineering exclusively designed for the WRX STI and its five-door package. It also balances excellent safety and environmental aspects at a high level.
Styling
Using a new five-door body style developed from the Impreza model, the new Impreza WRX STI displays a powerful design language that speaks directly to its performance credentials, integrating function and beauty. Adopting shortened front and rear overhangs, a longer wheelbase and widened body flares, the Impreza WRX STI clearly embodies driving performance in dynamic exterior design that delivers as overwhelming presence and beauty.
Performance
The new Horizontally-Opposed 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo charged engine was developed exclusively for the new WRX STI. By further improving the basic performance of the engine, and mating it to SI-DRIVE (SUBARU Intelligent Drive), the WRX STI offers not only outright performance as might be expected, but also delivers excellent handling under extreme as well as normal driving conditions.
Featuring Subaru’s unique Symmetrical AWD and specially developed in-house 6-speed manual transmission as its base technologies, multi mode DCCD* and VDC**, which control traction and stability more precisely, have also been added to WRX STI. To complete its performance credentials, the evolved chassis by “Subaru Dynamic Chassis Control Concept” has dramatically improved road-hugging capability and will provide exhilaration and confidence in every driving situation.
Initial Specifcations
Body size
- Length - 4415mm
- Width - 1795mm
- Height - 1475mm
- Wheel-base – 2625mm
Track
- Front - 1530mm
- Rear - 1540mm
Engine Type
- Horizontally-Opposed 4-cylinder Dual AVCS 16Valve DOHC twin scroll Turbo
- Capacity - 1994cc
Suspension
- Front - Reverse type strut
- Rear - Double wishbone
Tire Size
- 245-40R18
Equipment
- 6MTSI-DRIVE SUBARU Intelligent Drive
- Multi mode DCCD-Drivers Control Center Di
