2009 Subaru Impreza WRX first details
July 19, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
*21/07/08 Update* Subaru Australia says details of the MY09 model are still unconfirmed whilst talks are still progressing with Japan. Currently no definite timeline for an official announcement.
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Japanese AWD expert Subaru is about to get serious with the WRX again, if a leaked memo posted on the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club (NOSIAC) forums is genuine.
According to the memo there will be a whole list of additional features for the WRX, including a new model (called Impreza GT) as well as a power boost for the manual WRX.
The biggest update will be the availability of an automatic WRX (Impreza GT), we are unsure whether this will be a five-speed or the four-speed currently available in the lower spec Imprezas.
The all-new Impreza GT will keep the current 169kW 2.5-litre turbocharged boxer engine from current WRX but, the memo says the new manual MY09 model will have a massive power boost to bring it closer to 198kW!
We are not willing to say this is true, Subaru Australia has been contacted for comment, however, such a massive powerboost would put the car much closer to its more hardcore brother the Impreza STi (221kW).
Although, given the Ralliart Lancer is expected to be powered by the EVO X engine and have nearly 200kW of power, we suspect Subaru may be preparing for a showdown.
The standard manual transmission models will also feature a new suspension system as well as an STI-type front grille (although given AU models have a slightly different grille already, this may not happen here). Other modifications include new alloy wheels and the option for a new moonroof in the premium package.
Would 198kW of power change your mind about the WRX?
Make sure you read the following reviews:
Print it: 
certainly heading in the right direction – a definite improvement with a much needed increase in street cred. all they need now is a DSG gearbox.
well done subaru!! (if it is true)
where do I sign?
Subaru AU, if you’re reading this, you have one returning customer if this is for real!
Will there be an option to have less ricey taillights? I could live with the rest of the car, those taillights just look cheap…
Sounds good… I think 200kw will have it exceeding the Ralliart which hasnt had great reviews thus far.
your not still spruking that inside line video on youtube about the ralliart are you TP? If you actually watch it you would see that its actually a positive review! They thought it was a good car!! I don’t know where you got that it was a bad review from…
when will the sedan verison of the impreza/wrx become available in aus???
JP – I believe the sedan will be added to the impreza range in Australia this year, most likely with the MY09 model update (around Aug\Sept).
A step in the right direction indeed, now fix the ugly f&#ker!! as JC said it doesnt cost any more to make a pretty looking car.
oh well more POWER !!
Richo there are a number of reviews out… your not the same idiot who said I was lying last time about performance figures who I proved wrong? The facts are facts. There is also a pommy review of sedan and sportsback and it was completely negative… same issues, the vehicle is to heavy which reduces its handling, its braking, its acceleration.
I don’t believe that lack of power is one of the WRX’s problems.There have been both overseas and Australian reviews showing that some fwd cars out perform the WRX around the track.The much touted AWD system from Subaru is proven but,the competition has moved on to more sophisticated AWD systems.Fwds have also improved.The base WRX doesn’t seem to have the handling dynamics it should.The STi version is much better but obviously it comes at a higher price.
The looks could also be improved for now,with some cosmetic changes until the superseded version is released.
Subaru has seriously underestimated or simply ignored the ethusiasts following of this icon and they are paying the price for it- at the moment Subaru dealers are offering the WRX at $39,990 drive away!
TP what are these bad reviews of the Ralliart Lancer? It’s not out yet, how can there be bad reviews?
How can it be a bad car? Same car as an evo X with a less powerful engine and a very good but older drivetrain?
I’ve grown to rather like the WRX hatch, I originally didn’t like it but it takes time. Much nicer looking than a Golf and better too.
Fasthonda, I don’t think Subaru underestimated anything. I think the switch to hatch was a well planned to get away from the boy racer image, i.e. “enthusiasts”. If previous owners really do like WRXs they’ll buy the new model. Idiot P-platers who like big stereos are the ones who won’t buy this car.
Besides, wouldn’t the cheaper pricing coincide with a cheaper STi than the evo? The Ralliart will probably be close to $50k, so Subaru is trying to undercut Mitsubishi pricewise.
Search YouTube. A number of reviews out.
still looks the same…..UGLY!!!
Give me a link mate. I searched “ralliart lancer review” on YouTube and found a bunch of crap and a review by edmunds.com.
And they basicaly said it’s a crippled evo with shit tyres…which is exactly what it is.
The fact is the chassis is very impressive. The video shows the lancer take on a slalom at 65 mph and although the tyres make the car understeer wide, the electronics and chassis kick in and the driver holds it and puts it straight back through the next slalom. Impressive. Put a better set of tyres and wheels on it and you’ve got a nice car.
So what video were you watching?
The Ralliart has been reviewed in the UK by some magazines etc. Has done ok but the electronics in the EVO is what makes it special. It is rated as heavy and it’s not that fast. Also criticized for cheap horrible interior compared to Golf gti etc that it will compete against.
I agree with SuperCujo … those ricey tailights are Fugly with a capital F.
Flared guards on the STi model look great, though.
Im with Torrent, where do I sign?
How funny, I was just about to go in tomorrow to pick one up for $39999 drive away (using my MY03 as trade in). Then I thought, lets check out caradvice quickly…. arggh!! I would have been spuin if a car with more power was released soon after.
Oh well I might just get a cd player or something to hold me over..
I will be getting a blue one, whacking on some grey black rims, and doing the exhaust and unichip. Thats it.
And I cant effin wait.
Just an update, I picked up an my08, I found out the updates are basically a recaliberated ECU and maybe some suspension stuff ( i still cant tell the diff between my MY99 lowered and my MY03 lowered) and some red stitching possibly.
Awesome mods if you can get them, but 39990 is a really interesting deal for me.
It’s blue!
If only Subaru would do a retro of the GC8 classic… they would have a winner for sure!
Current owner of 08 WRX and gonna trade it in for the 09 without second thoughts. The 09 is going to be 194kw and 344nm of torque according to wheels magazine November 08 issue. So that makes it an extra 25kw and 24nm of torque compared to the 08. The 09 has the same drivetrain and engine but bigger turbo, intercooler, suspension upgrade (stiffer), revised exhaust system and wider tyres.
Looks like subaru are finally heading in the right direction again.
Still, I wish Subaru would do something crazy and have a model above the STi. I know they already have the Spec C etc but the Spec C is basically just same performance with suspension and weight changes. Subaru should release a model like the ‘Litchfield type 25′ but straight from the factory and sell it in all markets. I know they have the resources to do so.
I traded in my MY08, on an MY09. I took it for a test drive and was sold. It felt how my MY03 and MY99 felt…. GOOD! Makes my MY08 feel like a slug.