2008 Subaru Impreza WRX & STi News Update
June 12, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
About a week ago we mentioned that Subaru Japan have ditched the WRX badge and have gone with “Turbo S GT” as the model name variant – at the time we had no confirmation from Subaru Australia regarding the name changes here.
However, this morning, Subaru Spokesman David Rowley told Car Advice to stop worrying:
There was never any intention for the WRX badge to disappear from the Australian market, where the car has a very strong following going back to 1994. He said.
But why exactly is Japan changing the name? This is still a mystery; however the Japanese variant of the new WRX differs to the Australian models:
The new Japanese turbocharged variant of Impreza has considerably different specification to the WRX that will be sold in Australia, including aspects of engine, suspension and interior specification. The full details of Australian spec will be announced by early September. Mr Rowley said.
We also took the opportunity to ask Mr Rowley about Subaru’s halo car, the WRX STi.
We believe the STi’s arch nemesis, the new Evo X will be priced roughly $10,000 more than the current model Evo IX ($56,789). Given that both current model STi/Evo IX differ in price by a mere few hundred dollars, will the new STi also jump in price? Mr Rowley asked for our patience while prices are confirmed.
Subaru will not bring the Sedan variant of the new Impreza to Australia for 12 months (after the initial launch of the new hatch). We Asked Mr Rowley if the current (pig-eye) Sedan variant will continue to sell alongside the new generation hatch?
New generation Impreza will initially be available in Australia exclusively as a hatch, with a sedan likely to follow in approximately 12 months.
It seems the best performance car to buy right now is a MY07 Impreza WRX Sedan. Not only will it retain a strong resale value due to it’s Subaru heritage, but it will be the only Sedan variant available for another 12 months!
Print it: 
WTF you can easily mistake that first pic for a camry with a bonnet scoop and subaru badge :O
Subaru have officially lost the plot
In those photos, from the front it looks like a hotted up Suzuki Liana, and the back looks like a Mazda 3 with the Lexus IS300 (or 350?) tail light treatment.
In other words, they’ve hired the guy who designed the Hyundai Sonata. Which from various angles looks like a Ford Falcon, Honda Accord Euro and Toyota Aurion.
The original WRX still looks the best to me.
Steve
Subaru killed a great car. WTF were the designers smoking at the time to come up with this hyundaiesque crap!
They have killed a good car… but from their point of view I can understand the image change, the previous demographic they were attracting with the WRX wasnt the one that is large and get them sales, being relatively young people. With a change they are hoping to target more mid sized market like Id say the Camry etc… except abit more performance orientated. Change takes time but it could turn out to be a good decision on their part differentiating the Sti for those people who want all out performance while accomdating for those who want abit more convervatism.
Subaru just ruined the STI. It looks like crap now, they totally just screwed up one of the best cars ever. What in the hell were they thinking!
I was going to buy an STI, not anymore. Why couldnt they just keep it the same as the 2007 model? The 2008 model reminds me of a Ford Tauras, or a suzuki esteem. Are the purposely tryin to get people not to buy one?, I would be embarassed to drive one.
Holy Sh#t!
What is Subaru doing? The reason I bought a WRX (2002 – changed the lame rims of course) was because it looked DIFFERENT and hot. This is neither. I can’t tell who manufactured this car? Kia? Toyota? Daewoo?
The arguement that they are targeting an older market is bogus, because “older” people buy the M3, M5, Corvette and all blow this away. I can see getting rid of the stupid super-sonic-ghetto wing on the STI, but that’s about it.
Shame, shame, shame….
No more Subaru for me, unless they come up with a sedan version of the STI. But I’m almost afraid to see how they botch that too.
All i can say is……….. F*$&ING SH*T!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All cars look the same now, just like old mate before said he got one because they are different, as did i. Never again will i buy on if they keep looking like dogs balls!!
I am at present on my third Impreza in 9 years. I skipped the bug eyed version as I thought that Subaru had at that time lost the plot. Well I feel much the same about the 2008 version it looks rubbish and I cirtainly will be skipping that one. I have the 2006 version STI which is streets in front as far as I am concerned so please Subaru get your act together and take notice of your customers comments or lose yet another round of sales to loads of other cars that just look the same !!
its so cool ill prefer having that car than a girlfrien or even a wife
your car sucks and stinks so suck my &$#$%^&*) first then ill accept it and you could give me one free subaru makers you are just some#%^*(&%$!!!!!!
WHY???!!!!! Ok lets start pointing fingers… Who is responcible for this car? (look there he/she is) fire that person ok now ford, toyota can hire them back. Its not fair if i have to explain to my friends why my car looks like a cammry or corola or focus.
The new WRX isnt that bad… these early released photos where shyte, which is strange youd think theyd want the best pics released. Eitherway in the metal it looks decent, less aggressive then… but better looking then the older ones as far as Im concerned.
If Subaru’s plan was to create a sterile looking car well, my congratulations! Who come up with the atrociously cheap chromy grid?
Did you (Subaru) hired Kia’s, Hyundai’s or Daewoo’s designers? Looks like all of them (and couple of others) had their share creating this… It looks like Picasso’s Guernica (there is everything and all together it doesn’t make sense)
If you wanted to kill Impreza, why are you still using the name?
Impreza, model 1999 and 2006, was the best you had. This (together with 2002 model) is the worse you can offer.
A fan of Impreza with charisma.
I can’t believe they would do this to me. Just when they were starting to look better they come out with this unsightly monstrosity. FOCUS…PROTÉGÉ…COROLA…arrrrg!!!
If they’re dropping the WRX name.. can they also drop the Impreza name as the 08 model doesn’t deserve to wear the same name as the previous Imprezas – not just the WRX.
The previous models had aggressive styling which made them look like a performance car.. Whereas this looks like a wannabe. A Corolla x Daewoo with a tacky after-market bodykit
the 2008 wrx is hideous. I saw it in person it sucks and is over priced. the 2002-2005 are by far the best looking. I drive a 2006 wrx because I got a great deal on it and wanted the 2.5 L, but I wish it looked like an 05. i wanted to buy a new sti but i guess i will have to look for 2005 wrx sti’s, but i’m starting to wonder if subaru deserves my money for f*cking up such a good car.
Lol new WRX is by far the best… previous ones to me are hideous. I agree though they are over-priced, hell all cars in Australia are, in the U.S a WRX is like $30k yet one of simialar spec in Aus is $45k
OK hands down the best year for the wrx and sti where 2006 and 2007. Lets prey that this 2008 misplaced car will disapear really soon.
I have to agree with all the previous comments made on the ‘08 Impreza designs, hatch / sedan. Really wasn’t impressed when Australia only received the hatch.
However, the only reason I would stop buying the Subaru is if it had another ‘Brands’ engine under the bonnet, i.e. Toyota, Daiwoo, etc.
Yes the designs are ugly and look wrong, but everyone has a year (or 2 it seems) of bad decisions / designs (I’m sure, just like the Coke-a-Cola add for the new Mother, the designers have now been k-o’d).
At least the engine is still good! I’m still a fan and a loyal buyer, as is my family – we are a Subaru family, all of us – myself (Liberty ‘03), mum (Impreza ‘06) and brother (Liberty ‘98).
Subary, just don’t loose the engine value, we can get over your looks!!