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**Redwood** · 11-12-2007, 06:03 PM

Re: November 12, 2007

Edmunds' First Drive of the 2008 Subaru WRX STI (Japanese-spec)

Subaru tells us the 3,263-pound 2.0-liter STI will reach 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. This is just as quick as the current Japan-spec STI Spec C — not bad considering the new STI is 23 pounds heavier and the engine delivers both better fuel economy and cleaner air emissions.

In the U.S., however, we will get a turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine with a single-scroll turbo. We hear that its peak power will be similar to the Japanese 2.0-liter at around 300 hp, while more torque in the midrange should produce a more linear and progressive throttle response. The U.S.-spec model is expected to sprint to 60 mph in the low 5s.

Hiroshi Mori says, "In the Japanese market, people love the rev-happy type engine, so we have the 2.0-liter. Also it is the WRC homologation. For the export model, low-end torque is the priority, so there is the 2.5-liter."

...<snip>...

The more you play around with the traction control systems and engine mapping, the more you will appreciate what Subaru has done with the car's handling. It's simply superb. Turn in and the STI stays flatter in the corners with less body roll than ever before, as all four 245/40R18 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires work hard to retain maximum grip. Chief engineer Mori reminds us that new double wishbones up the back suppress roll when compared to the ousted struts.

After a few hot laps around Fuji, we know exactly what he means. The car corners sharper, understeers less at the limit, and feels more planted going into and coming out of corners.

...<snip>...

When secrets started leaking out about the new STI and the Evo X a year ago, public opinion was swayed by the Mitsubishi's sharp styling, new dual-clutch automated manual transmission and upgraded all-wheel drive. But now that we've driven both cars, we can safely say that the perceived gap between the two doesn't exist, as both cars offer superior levels of handling and performance. The levels of technology in both are outstanding and the driving experience is second to none.

And there should be more to come for the STI. Project Engineer Hiroshi Mori tells us that while his team is looking into a dual-clutch gearbox, Subaru is not happy that such systems still do not deliver a rewarding experience. We think you can expect to see Subaru's own interpretation of a dual-clutch gearbox in late 2009 when the Impreza comes in for its two-year face-lift.

From Car & Driver...

"Expanded dimensions, plus comprehensive body-shell stiffening and extensive (and seemingly effective) work in the area of sound deadening, yield higher curb weights—a claimed 3400 pounds for the U.S. car. The last STI we tested [“Bad Boy Sedans,” February 2005] weighed 3308, which means the new car won’t likely accelerate any quicker than the previous STI (0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds, the quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds)."

The other part of the ride-and-quality equation is suspension tuning that’s distinctly softer. As before, the front is supported by struts, but there’s a new subframe-mounted multilink arrangement at the rear. Rally driver Petter Solberg, a key figure in Subaru’s 2008 World Rally Championship plans, was also central to the STI’s dynamic development, and he reportedly saw no problem combining ample body roll with crisp responses.

Announcement

November 12, 2007

November 12, 2007

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