UPDATE: Video of the WRX live reveal added after the jump
click the above image to view over 100 high-res shots of the 2008 Subaru Impreza
In what was surely one of the most anticipated debuts here at the New York Auto Show, Subaru took the wrapper off its new WRX while reminding us just how excited we should be about its revised sport compact.
We covered the key points of the overall Impreza refresh in our previous post, so we'll mostly stick to the WRX-specific details here. The intake manifold, turbocharger, and top-mounted intercooler are new. Peak power is unchanged, but peak torque now hits 800 RPM sooner, so it should be a bit more forgiving of improper gear selection. If you select the five-door, the boxer will breathe through a single exhaust tip, while the sedan gets twin outlets. Weight, meanwhile, is down by 50 lbs.
Outside, the sedan gets a discrete spoiler, while the hatch will wear an underbody diffuser. Both models will roll on 17x7" wheels shod in 205-section all-session rubber. A stability control system is available, should tail-out driving not be in the cards.
For those interested in WRC, Impreza will be campaigning the five-door version of its rallying rocketship.
Hit the high-res gallery for over 100 still shots of the 2008 Subaru Impreza, check out the official specs after the jump, and click-through to the Autoblog New York Auto Show megapost to see everything else that's been going on here at the Javits convention center.
OFFICIAL SPECS:
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Body Styles |
4-door, 5-passenger 5-door, 5-passenger |
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Engine |
4-cyl. horizontally opposed (Boxer), double overhead-cam (DOHC), turbocharged/intercooled |
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Displacement |
2.5-liter |
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Horsepower |
224 @ 5,200 rpm |
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Torque |
226 @ 2,800 rpm |
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Drivetrain |
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard |
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Transmission types |
Standard: 5-speed manual transmission Optional: 4-speed electronic automatic with SPORTSHIFT manual control |
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Chassis |
Unitized body construction with Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame structure |
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Suspension |
4-wheel independent |
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Front |
Strut-type with lower L-arm |
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Rear |
Double wishbone with upper A-arm |
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Brakes |
Power assisted 4-wheel disc with 4-channel, 4-sensor anti-lock brake system (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) |
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Steering |
Rack-and-pinion with power assist |
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Wheels |
17 x 7.0JJ aluminum alloy |
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Tires |
205/50 R17 all-season |
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Exterior Dimensions |
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Wheelbase |
103.1 in. (2,620 mm) |
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Length |
4-door: 180.3 in. (4,580 mm) 5-door: 173.8 in. (4,415 mm) |
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Height |
58.1 in. (1,475 mm) |
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Width |
68.5 in. (1,740 mm) |
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Fuel capacity |
16.9 gal. |
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Curb weight |
5-speed manual |
4-speed automatic |
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3,142 lbs. (1,425 kg) |
3,208 lbs. (1,455 kg) |
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Fuel Efficiency |
5-speed manual |
4-speed automatic |
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EPA city mpg |
TBD |
TBD |
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EPA highway mpg |
TBD |
TBD |
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
srivendel @ Apr 5th 2007 12:07PM
That actually looks pretty good. A bit of tweaking on the headlights and grille and this could be a nice looking car. Can't wait to see the STI version.
dskinner @ Apr 5th 2007 12:10PM
I love everything that Subie did to the car accept two things: That front grille still doesn't do it for me and the rear end of the sedan has a Suzuki Forenza look to it.
That black interior is a huge improvement over the last gen! Great job Subaru.
Steve @ Apr 5th 2007 12:14PM
The sedan looks a bit better in these photos. I think the Corolla S bodywork is part of the problem. Just doesn't look right in the rocker panel area.
I hope Subie take the critisism to heart and jazzes up the STI alot.
Mike @ Apr 5th 2007 12:15PM
This doesn't Impreza me at all.
I hope the STI looks better.
Rob Thomas @ Apr 5th 2007 12:16PM
The new styling for the Impreza has been, well, controversial to say the least… but for come reason I wanted to believe the ‘official’ release would be a pleasant surprise. Far from it. As a WRX owner I always valued the unique styling of the past generations. Through the last 5 years of the Impreza’s life has been scattered with design change, unique design elements, and plenty of commentary to go along with it. Weather we agreed the changes or not, the brand always kept us enthusiast’s attention. This new design is miserable. It has ripped any character or soul that was once found beneath the sheet metal of our flat-four friend… I have nothing but tears when I look at these pictures.
R-J Heijmen @ Apr 5th 2007 12:18PM
not bad. the hood scoop integration is definitely way better than before
front end is also an improvement, though I still think the "bug eyes" look of the original US WRX was the best.
Tail lights look a bit timid.
ajk @ Apr 5th 2007 12:33PM
Ugh. What happened to the fender flares? Why's this look like a cross between a Chrysler and Corolla? I think the aggressive and unique styling of the WRX was one of the reasons so many were sold. I hear Mitsu dealers cheering this bland design.
sl8anic @ Apr 5th 2007 12:43PM
Ha ha, who's the funny guy with a photoshop and a Corolla S image? Wait, ugh... :(
DC @ Apr 5th 2007 12:43PM
Did anybody else notice that the picture of the iPod shows a headphone plug being inserted into an RCA jack? I also notice it includes a video input. Was there any mention of this in the press releases?
stefan @ Apr 5th 2007 12:46PM
I still don't like the roof it look stupid with the third window and those pillard doors. the front is so boring i miss the 06 all ready.
And there won't be a sti sedan it will be a hatch only.
Dodge @ Apr 5th 2007 12:49PM
Is growing on me..slowly
Allen K. @ Apr 5th 2007 12:52PM
I think this looks really sharp. I'd actually consider buying one now - doesn't look so out there. Great job Subaru.
Ken @ Apr 5th 2007 12:55PM
Too bad the outside doesn't look as good as the inside. Still like the older model better..hopefully they'll refresh the outside soon after the big letdown.
G. Snyder @ Apr 5th 2007 12:59PM
If the doors are pillared (i.e. framed) then it will be a huge jump in perceived quality. Nothing sounds worse than the now omnipresent subie door-slam sound of hollowness and shaking glass panels.
Brooksie @ Apr 5th 2007 1:00PM
I just messed around with some of these pics in photoshop.
It actually looks decent without that spoiler on it...
Matt W. @ Apr 5th 2007 1:00PM
Hey Subaru, Chrysler called and they want their grill back. Also, Acura called and they want their tail lights back.
Brooksie @ Apr 5th 2007 1:02PM
Well...you know...decent for a bitchin corolla.
Aki @ Apr 5th 2007 1:14PM
The difference between this car and WRX's of the past is this one is hopelessly generic.
I hated the bug-eye. Hated the next refresh. Sorta liked the Alfa pig-nose. But love em or hate em, you couldn't deny that they were all unique.
Subaru turned their car into a Kia/Corolla... an ugly one, too. I'm not bugged so much of its bad styling as its utter lack of character. Worst design yet.
mooj @ Apr 5th 2007 1:24PM
AND IT STILL BLOWS DICK!!
Subaru gave us this peice of stylistic trash and had the audacity to not augment the performace in any meaningful way.
Peak power 800 rpm sooner? Be still my racing heart. Whoopty fucking doo.
Very soon, this thing won't have any advantages over a Korean econobox. It's power is slowly becoming uimporessive. It's styling is utter shit.
Please, please, people, staunchly refuse to buy this hoax, so we can have an Impreza again!
NT @ Apr 5th 2007 1:29PM
Well I've been looking at the pics for a week and it hasn't grown on me one bit. It's hideous.
I predict this will be a slow seller, especially without any improvement to the engines, transmissions, and lesser breaks.