Subaru Impreza ‘WRX’ – no more? Turbo S-GT?
June 6, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
It seems that even Subaru employees are lost as to what Subaru are really up to, we recently had a chat to a few high level Subaru insiders who all admited that the company is taking a massive risk with the new Impreza lineup. However just WHAT are Subaru thinking?
Here in Australia Subaru made its name with the WRX, the ultimate bang for your buck car of the 90s undoubtedly revolutionized the market. However times have changed, more and more manufacturers continue to release turbo cars to compete, and while none offer the same AWD system – its obvious that Subaru’s formula is ageing.
Despite the criticism, the WRX (and the STi of course) is still a remarkable car – often referred to as a cheap man’s Porsche 911 – the rally car has built Subaru’s credibility amongst the 20-40 year old demographic.
But its all set to change. Subaru have decided the WRX name has far too much negative social stigma for their new target audience (who that might be is still a good question) and so they have dropped the name, the new WRX will be called Impreza turbo S-GT. Don’t panic, this is currently only confirmed for Japan. It is also possible the reasoning is to further differentiate the WRX STi (which will keep its name) from the standard WRX.
We have asked Subaru Australia to confirm or deny the name change for the Australian market – more on this as soon as we know. Furthermore, winding road reports the new Impreza really isn’t all that ugly in flesh. With reports of the car testing in Brisbane – its not too far now.
Print it: 
and while non offer the same AWD system – its obvious that Subaru’s formula is ageing.
“none” ..
I really think these guys are losing it. Cannot wait for another 6 month redesign. I personally think they may get out of this because I liked the Mk8 Impreza which came after the dreaded bug-eye version, even though they merely moderised it, it seemed like a totally new car. I just annoys me so badly that they let it get so far out of hand. The Evo X is going to miles ahead of the Sti. I mean, they need a new chassis to compete with the new X, the boxer engine is becoming far too old and cheap (they get 2.5 litres of displacement and the Evo still puts out more power and torqu from the 2 litre), the gearbox will be disgraced againts the DSG. I have always preferred Evo’s, but for all those people who dispised the Impreza as a boy’s car and wanted to see it nailed to the ground, I hope your happy with what you wished for. Dam Subi haters, and dam Fuji Heavy Industries for life!!!!!
yeah i dont know whats happened, they seem to have really lost it.
front looks like a commodore
bring on evo X
“often referred to as a cheap man’s Porsche 911″
Don’t know where you heard that from but they must have been smoking something strong. The WRX is an all-wheel drive car with a front mounted, turbo charged, boxer engine. Oh yeah and its built in Japan…by Suburu.
I couldn’t think of a car furthur from a Porshce 911.
The principle (apart from the mid engine) is the same, AWD Turbo using a boxer engine!
I guess we have to ask who are Subaru aming this car at now,surely not the same client that once purchased it!! Too family looking ,thought thats what the Liberty was for??
Thanks for getting me in the shot :)
alborz the 911 is rear-engined. Hence, the handling characteristics of each car are completely different. Oh, and the 911 is twin turbo (AWD variant).
sorry jason, thats what I meant (how many times have I opened the boot of a 911 to put stuff in it?)
My point was, the WRX is as close as it gets to the feel of a 911, and believe it or not, that expression “poor mans 911″ is quite common.
I do stress the POOR part :D
Calling Rex “poor mans 911″ ha ha ha. What a joke!!
Porsche is an uberglorified, ugly frog driven by people who got no idea how to enjoy a car.
WRX is a machine desired and dreamed by the youth and older guys alike, it’s simply a legend! Rex – The King of street and track.
The good news for Porsche is that the upcoming MY08 “Rex” is created specifically to kill the WRX we all know. They can try to kill the legend but while we have our Rexies the legend will live on!
yeah but dude, its a subaru
a porsche is a porsche. and its RWD
i love rexies but awd just isnt my thing
I agree with Jason. A Sti is a poor mans Porsche? It doesn’t make sense. Maybe the author of the article was just trying you use it as a catch phrase, but it’s not really accurate. A Porsche 911 is rear engined, originally based off the VW beetle, and the 997 series( 2005-present) is twin turbod with a flat 6 cilinder engine. There is an AWD version, but it’s not anything like the Sti. The Porsche is a german sports car, when the Sti is a Japanese rally car. The Sti has a flat 4 engine, and is only available in AWD. The engine is located in the front, and since the car has 4 cilinders, is not twin turbod, but simply turbo charged. So basically they aren’t very much similar, aside the fact that they both are amazingly fast.
I really don’t know what happened to the new Sti and Evo, they turned uglier, slower and lost horsepower and torque. I’m guessing it was partially due to new safety regulations, but I know I’d rather own a 2006 Sti or a 2006 Evo Mr9 fq series,than a new Sti or that weak Evo X.
WTF – If you want an sedan with symmetrical AWD a 2.5 Litre Turbocharged Boxer engine but don’t necessarily want the negative [boy racer/ram raider] stigma that supposedly goes with the “WRX” badge then why not buy a Liberty GT its virtually the same car.
Infact I think that compared to the new Impreza it looks better – that is of course until the new Liberty is released
thanks wheelnut,
thats exactly why i drive a liberty GT