2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Australian spy photos
2 Dec, 2007
27 Comments 
In our quest to bring you the latest spy photos from around the world and Australia, we have stumbled upon the all-new STi.
Our latest spy photos come from ‘John’, a loyal reader in NSW who managed to catch the new STi on his phone while it was being filmed in Wynyard, Sydney.
According to John the MY08 STi looks “100 gazillion times better than the WRX” in the flesh, which is just what we wanted to hear!
The quad exhausts definitely push the right buttons, and the rear wing is starting to look more and more appealing. But the question remains, will Subaru’s latest rally king instill fear into the hearts of Mitsubishi fans?
From our sources inside Subaru we know the power output is 221 kW at 6000rpm with 407 Nm of torque at 4000rpm. We also know that for the first time the STi will be offered in lightning red as well as all the other colours (except Midnight Blue).
There will be two variants, the standard STi and the STi Spec R which comes with the addition of 18-inch BBS rims and Recaro Seats. Pricing has not yet been finalised but rumour has it the standard variant will start below $60k with the Spec R at around $65k.
Due to pedestrian safety requirements, the STi’s 2.5-litre turbocharged engine will be protected by a steel bonnet (we were hoping for an alloy bonnet) and the car is expected in STi dealerships in the next week or two with the official launch scheduled for early February.
CarAdvice will bring you a comprehensive road test of the new STi as soon as humanly possible!
Check out all the pictures in the gallery below:
Location: Home / spy photos, Subaru / ...
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December 2nd, 2007 at 2:15 pm
this car can actually look quite good, all u need to do is smoke de back lights
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December 2nd, 2007 at 2:32 pm
I agree, the rear lights kill it.
Now hopefully it has the performance.
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December 2nd, 2007 at 2:42 pm
The question is…will it measure up to the EVO X?
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December 2nd, 2007 at 2:59 pm
WHAT! It hasn’t come out yet? I’m sure I saw a WRX wagon on the street.
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December 2nd, 2007 at 3:05 pm
STi isn’t out yet Me. The standard rex and impreza are both on the roads.
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December 2nd, 2007 at 3:06 pm
wagon?
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December 2nd, 2007 at 3:16 pm
I like it; the beefed up wheel arches makes the car look less like an altered Daewoo Lanos
Though you’d have to be careful in built up areas as that bonnet scoop is big enough to suck in children and small dogs should they happen to cross your path
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December 2nd, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Yeah, it might of been a standard Rex.
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December 2nd, 2007 at 4:10 pm
It’s starting to look good!
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December 2nd, 2007 at 4:24 pm
still looks like a riced hyundai i30, and still not the visual match for the tough looking evo. lets see how the stats stack up, and see whether they’ve made the interior less cheesy and if they’ve put in a decent seat… not the wrx seat with little to no lateral support at all. the evo seat does hold firm. i do like the quad tails though.
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December 2nd, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Looks a lot better than the standard but still the arse end does it no justice.
Is it me or does the front over hang look too long?
Personally I prefer the look of the Evo….even though I am a Subaru owner, albeit a Forester owner
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December 2nd, 2007 at 8:03 pm
I like it!!!!
Does this version have a burble ??????????I have been told the isn’t an exhaust to get the burble back……..true???
Thats a big hole in the bonnet ha……..plenty of air getting in ya think!!
How come the wheels are different on each car?
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December 2nd, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Looks great i think. Smoking the rear lights would set it off nicely but i dont think its legal unless done from the factory. Could be wrong but im pretty sure thats the case. Reason for the different wheels is that there are two specs, one gets 18s and sports seats then the next model up gets 18inch lightweight forged wheels and recaro bucket seats! As for burble, this one should have a burble and all thats needed for any of the other wrxs is just an aftermarket muffler or exhaust.. Looks awesome to me..
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December 2nd, 2007 at 9:56 pm
This model Impreza is starting to finally have appeal.
& Dear spy reader “john” did u capture any video & sound?
if so please post!
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December 2nd, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Looks great and all, but the rear lights really ruin it for me.
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December 3rd, 2007 at 12:31 am
I’m not even joking, I started laughing uncontrollably at those front guards. What the HELL was that styling department doing.
Fear into Mitsu fans? From my teary eyes and sore gut I\’m saying no at the moment.
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December 3rd, 2007 at 9:08 am
What a great looking car!!! its exactly what is needed for the STI and its high performance image!!the rear tail lights on new model imprezas look awesome when brake lights are actually on ALL individual LED lights!!
If sti is like new WRX in refinement but with a much harder performance edge i WANT ONE!!
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December 3rd, 2007 at 9:12 am
Only problem i have with the new STI is my wife wont let us trade in our 2007 liberty wagon on one,something about
practicalty and having to be resposible with two little kids LOL!!
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December 3rd, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Good point. Wife vs 220kw STI? Wife always wins.
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December 3rd, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Caradvice where did you get your info that it will be in the dealerships in the next fortnight - is that in the dealership ready to be test driven?
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December 3rd, 2007 at 3:14 pm
why not….220kw sti for wife. that should settle it.
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December 3rd, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Momo. hmmm…re the wife comment…mine is happy to for me to get one… even with the tribe we have around our ankles… something about making me happy and of great importance etc…I will have my wife speak to your wife and talk some common sense into her.
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December 3rd, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Flying high, it will be in dealerships for preview AFAIK, don’t think test drives will happen till early feb next year and all the details are worked out.
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December 4th, 2007 at 12:36 am
if its under 60K (lower range), I would buy it.
Its either this, a V-Spec R34, IS250, Liberty GT B-Spec or EVO…
but recent long drives and transportation woes with small sedans… pushing me to get a Hatch… a 221kW 5 door 4WD Hatch… its the most practical car in its performance range and price…. Think about it people..
Looks wise, always liked it.. white or silver.. black maybe..
EVO is very good, but just less practical…. Subaru knew what they were doing with the STi Hatch… now potential R32/GTi VW, Renault Megane RS225, Audi S3 potential buyers will have a tough time over looking this….
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December 4th, 2007 at 12:41 am
For those who have erection problems and, brains just above the drivers seat or maybe even touching. Oh it has “burble”,tried it in the bath have we? Doesn”t matter really.
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December 5th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Hey Matt……did you read todays Auto blog regarding the Subaru making Motor Bikes???
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January 3rd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
That girl looks hot!……………………….um…….yeah, the car does look better than the WRX……i mean you want it to be, because the wrx sti is more expensive!
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