New Subaru Impreza WRX STi First Look
3 Jun, 2007
11 Comments 
Subaru are in trouble, there is no doubt about it, with the enormous negative feedback for the new Impreza still bearing down on Subaru, all hopes now rest with the company’s halo car, the Subaru Impreza WRX STi.
Although there are no official photos of the rally champion yet, UK’s CarMagazine artists have sketched the image above based on insider info. We admit, it still doesn’t look that good. Here is the first problem, in Europe there will not be a Sedan version of the STi and the rest of the world’s chances aren’t looking that crash hot either. However unlike Europe, we will still receive the WRX variant in Sedan guise (the WRX is dropped from European showrooms).
In Australian the new Impreza range will launch with the hatchback only, rumours from inside Subaru Australia say this is due to the company’s ambitions to meet US sales - in other words, Australia is neglected for the time being.
The Sedan version (which outsells the wagon in the WRX variant by more than 3:1) will arrive in Australia in 18 months time, as for the STi? It seems as though there will be no STi sedan at all!
But wait, it gets worse, since Subaru have decided to compete with the Volkswagen Golf (GTi/R32), the new STi will be a little more grown up, a little more mundane in the looks department. The idea is to lose the “boy racer” image that Subaru are so scared of. However it will still keep some of its cool, such as the massive bonnet scoop and very noticeable wheelarches.
There has never been a time when STi have sold an Impreza in Australia without gold wheels or a rear wing, but the new one will set a precedence. The gold wheels will be an option, so will the traditional WRC blue paint.
Fortunately though, despite the styling, the new STi will be faster than ever, the engine will remain relatively unchanged, with 220kWs, the STi will do the 0-100km/hr dash in 4.6 seconds.
Subaru have been able to sell the STi for the last decade without much competition, however now that Mitsubishi have taken it upon themselves to bring the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution range to Australia under a standard vehicle import scheme, Subaru are a little worried.
Not only will the new WRX have to compete with the new Lancer GSR (now referred to as the Galant Fortis), but the new Evo X will not only look better but will also come with a DSG gearbox! The STi on the other hand, will continue with a solid six-speed, while the new WRX will maintain its aging five-speed manual. The Evo X is expected to cost around 75,000k on road. The new STi will undoubtedly retail for a similar price.
Subaru says the new STi is not only lighter, stiffer and has a lower centre of gravity than the outgoing car but the rear suspension setup (double-wishbone) will improve handling and boot space.
The new STi will be on display at the Frankfurt motor show in September and we can finally put a rest to all the rumours. Our biggest concern with the new STi? The lack of DSG style gearbox, coupled with the cars rather mundane look, will make life hard for die hard Subaru fans thinking about switching over to the dark side.
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June 4th, 2007 at 9:58 am
I think you guys are kidding yourselves that the Evo is going to go for $75k, who’s going to buy that, afterall its marketed towards your wearing your baseball cap backwards on you noggin variety, somehow I can’t see them being able to afford it!
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June 4th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Not exactly Aston,
the STi/Evo are no longer aimed at the 20-25 year old bracket, that was more for the WRX - the STi and Evo are aimed at those who want a serious track car but with road manners.
The new Evo comes with DSG while the STi, well, admittedly there isn’t too much excitement in the package yet.
Lets wait and see, both cars will undoubtedly have a price rise.
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June 4th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Looks ok from the back!
I agree with the other guy, $75k is to much, it was never a GT/HSV fighter on price, but now is.
Very quick to 100kmh all the same!
O/A
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June 4th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
The Impreza looks good in WRX STi form,
but then again most cars look good with a bodykit and chunky wheels.
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June 4th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Either Wheels or Motor had an 08 STi mock-up on the cover which looked really good. There is also a spy shot of the 08 WRX in a car park, where it had had the centre chrome insert removed and it looked far better without all the flashy garnish.
I have faith in Subaru, this is exactly how enthusiasts reacted when the current model was first revealed and personally I think it’s the best looking of the lot.
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June 20th, 2007 at 1:25 am
I have the copy of Motor with the new STi on the cover and I WILL be holding my breath to see the new STi because I think it looks hot despite the WRX looking really really bad. I’ll be upgrading my ‘99 WRX to an STi and it’ll either be a 2005 or 2008 (depending on how good it looks), but I like the sound of the 2008’s performance specs so far.
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June 23rd, 2007 at 10:05 am
I HAVE ALWAYS HAD SUBARUS WHEN I SELL MY 05 STI I WILL
NOT BE PURCHASE ANY MORE SUBARUS.I HATE THE NEW LOOK AND WITH 2 KIDS THERES NO ROOM.GOOD LUCK WITH THE SALE
OF THE MAZDA OPPS SUBARU.
BOSS 555
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June 23rd, 2007 at 10:19 am
i think i ll stick with my 05 sti… it looks better and i bet probobly still faster then that ugly 08
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June 23rd, 2007 at 10:20 am
i think i ll stick with my 05 sti from the looks of it 08 fell of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down!!!
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July 4th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
I will be sticking with my 05 Sti, the 08 looks shocking, I may even change over to an evo.
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October 22nd, 2007 at 12:28 am
I have been a huge Impreza WRX/STI fan since the days of the awesome 22B !!! I am really dissapointed in the new model, but on the other hand I know my 2007 Black WRX the last of the good shape will hold its price as it gets older. Looks like I will have to wait for the new generation 4 impreza in 7 years time. I feel for all the rex fans out there, this is so dissapointing!!
Matty………
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