Today at the Los Angeles Motor Show Subaru gave the WRX-STi its North American debut and during the press conference Tim Colbeck, Vice President of Sales confirmed the pricing will start at $34,995 with orders starting from today.
Powered by a 2.5 liter turbo boxer engine pumping out 305 hp, the WRX-STi will go from 0-60 in 4.9 seconds. It has been designed to be more elegant, but less dramatic with widem Muscular wheel arches, 18 inch wheels and a wider track. The aerodynamics package have been tuned to perfection providing zero lift on the front or back.
The designers even got cocky enough to claim they had to spend more time developing the rear because thats the view most people are going to have, but with the STi we'll let them get away with it.
All-New Platform with Competition-Inspired 5-Door Body
305-HP Intercooled / Turbocharged Boxer Engine
New Multi-Mode DCCD All-Wheel Drive System and VDC
New Double-Wishbone Rear Suspension and 18-Inch Wheels
Subaru of America, Inc. debuts the all-new 2008 Impreza WRX STI today at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The ultimate performance Subaru is powered by a 305-horsepower Boxer engine and features a new level of driver-selectable powertrain- and dynamic handling-control. The 2008 WRX STI is built exclusively as an aggressively styled wide-fender 5-door model with a design strongly influenced by the brand’s competition heritage.
The 2008 WRX STI is the third-generation of the rally-bred supercar, which Subaru of America first launched to the U.S. market in 2004. Developed by Subaru Tecnica International, the high-performance and motorsports subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the WRX STI features an exclusive engine, drivetrain, suspension and interior.
The WRX STI’s revised 2.5-liter intercooled turbocharged Boxer engine, now with Dual Active Valve Control System (Dual AVCS), produces 305 horsepower (SAE) at 6,000 rpm, a gain of 12 over the previous model. The 290 lb.-ft. torque peak is the same as before but arrives at 4,000 rpm, which is 400 rpm earlier, for better response. Significantly, the more powerful 2008 WRX STI achieves the very stringent Bin 5 Tier 2-Federal (EPA) and LEV2-California Tier 2/Bin 5 emissions certification.
The Driver Control Center Differential (DCCD) version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive – which remains exclusive to the Impreza WRX STI – takes driver-controlled response to another level for 2008. The DCCD system now offers three selectable automatic performance modes in addition to the six manual differential-locking settings. For the first time, the DCCD AWD system integrates the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction control system, also with three driver-selectable positions.
The 2008 WRX STI offers five-spoke 18 x 8.5-inch wheels as standard. Also available are optional 18 x 8.5 in. BBS® forged aluminum-alloy wheels. All 18-in. wheels wear Dunlop SP600 245/40R18 tires.
New side-curtain airbags are standard, and the new Incline Start Assist feature can momentarily prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when being driven away from a stop on an incline.
Even with the new, roomier 5-door body, special chassis reinforcements, new double-wishbone rear suspension and added safety features, the 2008 WRX STI (with the available BBS wheel package) weighs just 22 lbs. more than the 2007 WRX STI sedan. In addition, the 2008 WRX STI offers the added refinement instilled throughout the next-generation Impreza model line that was introduced for 2007.
The new suspension with special STI tuning along with the stiffer platform give the 2008 WRX STI the agile responses that have made this model a performance superstar. At the same time, the new WRX STI exhibits a more refined demeanor on any road. The Brembo Performance Brake System employs ventilated 4-wheel Super Sport anti-lock (ABS) disc brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). The braking system is enhanced in the new 2008 WRX STI with slightly larger rotors.
The bulged fenders and rear quarter panels, along with the rear gate-mounted spoiler and aerodynamic ground effects, give the new WRX STI a direct link to Subaru competition cars. The hood scoop, brake-cooling air intakes and engine heat outlets are all functional. The standard high-intensity discharge (HID) low beams use manual height adjusters. Fog light insert covers add to the no-nonsense look, and fog lights are included with the BBS wheel option package.
Standard amenities include an automatic climate control system with cabin air filtration; a standard AM/FM premium stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and 10 speakers, plus a vehicle security system with engine immobilizer. The Radio Broadcast Data System can display a variety of information, including a song’s title and artist. For the first time, the WRX STI is available with an optional navigation system, which integrates a vehicle information center. In addition to an input for MP3 players, the center console also includes video jacks that can accommodate portable gaming devices. The WRX STI comes pre-wired for XM® or SIRIUS® Satellite Radio.
moyusuf
November 16, 2007 3:13:26 AM
Is it just me or did this car get less appealing??
It kinda looks like an old Toyota Camry on crack. I don't know if the designers were drunk or whatnot, but my supercharged YUGO looks even better. I wouldn't buy one even if you pay me. LOL
I think this looks sick. In europe i only saw a handfull of the sedan older STis but with this i think their sales in europe and asia will be better, plus its lighter and shorter than the sedan. DSG? whats wrong with ur left foot? r u a cripple? Why would you want DSG in a rally car, sure if it was a race quality box with under 100ms shift times and ceramic clutches sure.. but normal tranny u wanna take it offroading/rally driving ur gonna overheat it and burn it. Nothing better than a 100% mechanical manual box unless u drop 20,000$ on a race tranny.
No I'm not a cripple. Well, tell that to Mitsubishi for offering that in their Evo then. It's a rally car too, is it not? Rally or not, doesn't matter. Manual cars are yesterdays news. Ferrari, Nissan (GTR), BMW, Audi, VW, Mitsu, and later porsche have all given in to this spectular piece of technology. Go tell them that they need a manual gearbox. I've owned many manuals and still do with my porsche, but I love the new duel clutch tranny's better and will never go back.
You cant compare a ferrari tranny to a subaru tranny. I still think that regardless of the car (except enzo) any of the cars you listed on a track day after 200 laps of hard racing would blow something in the tranny or overheat it and the car turns off cuz of those fancy sensors. The Veyron is auto because they wanted to control the rate at which the clutch was released, they didnt want ppl dropping the clutch in an AWD car with 1000hp, no tranny could take that unless it was kevlar and titanium reinforced.
I guess you missed out what I'm trying to say, I was stating the different companies that use DSG or some type of duel clutch tranny and I've mentioned Mitsu and Nissan in that as well. I don't really care about track use and I know 99% of the people don't either. All I am saying is that it would be nice to offer some kind of duel clutch tranny and that in the future manual transmissions would be a thing of the past. Show me proof that the tranny's blow up after 200 laps or so. All speculations at this point and we'll see how the mitsubishi evos tranny's hold up then.
Is it just me or did this car get less appealing??