2008 Subaru Impreza caught in wild with aftermarket bolt-ons
The aftermarket potential of the new 2008 Impreza is likely to equal that of its predecessors, and one Subaru of America employee is getting into the game early. Sporting a set of bronze Grams Light 57Fs, held on by blue anodized lug nuts and equipped with the Duracon shift knob found on the SpecC RA-R, this black five-door model was spotted by a camera phone-wielding member of the NASIOC community in New Jersey.
Aside from the aforementioned exterior and interior bits, the new front-end has dispatched the chrome grille surround with a color-matched piece, while the right side of the instrument cluster looks to be sporting either a shift light or a remote mounted boost gauge.
Questions remain about what this particular Impreza, that hasn't even begun production, is doing sporting some aftermarket gear. Is it a test mule for SOA or for a parts manufacturer? Should we expect a similarly modded version at SEMA this year? We're looking forward to an answer to all these questions and more. Hopefully soon.
Thanks for the tip, Mike!
Follow the 'Read' link for all the pics.
[Source: North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
thetruck454 11:31AM (4/23/2007)
Wow a shot of the car that looks good
Reply
Aki 11:36AM (4/23/2007)
Zomg, what a difference a grille makes. I actually think it looks kinda cool now. I wonder if it was an intentional leak, as if to say the world "See, it's not utter crap as you expected!" I mean, there's absolutely no camo on that thing. Seems kinda staged.
But happy nonetheless to see that the new WRX can look nice.
Reply
bob 11:53AM (4/23/2007)
It looks better now, but still, that new EVO is gorgeous in every way!
Reply
Rampage99 12:05PM (4/23/2007)
Still looks like crap.
Reply
RoadRunnerSTi 12:14PM (4/23/2007)
I gotta agree with #3, it looks better, but the new EVO X still pwns in the aesthetics department.
That rear chrome strip and stupid altezza taillights NEED TO GO though!!!!!
I wanna swap the interior into my 07 STi sooooooo bad though.... LOL
Reply
Doug 12:13PM (4/23/2007)
The car has New Jersey plates. Subaru of America is in Jersey right? Sounds like it's pretty close to home.
Reply
Drewboy 12:24PM (4/23/2007)
Wow, THAT one actually looks nice.
Reply
Bill 12:44PM (4/23/2007)
Since Subaru has NEVER been very good at styling, and since Subaru owners tend to go crazy with the aftermarket stuff, I propose that Subaru just give up on body styling altogether. Deliver the car without body panels, (just doors) and let the aftermarket and the owner take care of everything else.
Reply
Rocket Punch 5:09PM (4/23/2007)
The rear looks so bad its beyond words.
Reply
Sean Gillespie 12:58PM (4/23/2007)
It had NJ plates on it, and they were oddly numbered, suggesting they may be manufacturer plates. Subaru's NA headquarters is in Cherry Hill, NJ. It wouldn't surprise me if this is a test mule. I used to live near Cherry Hill and I'd see odd Subaru's all the time. The president of that office actually drives a Subaru B1, which isn't available here in the states.
Reply
Yayaja 1:09PM (4/23/2007)
That is one sexy hoodscoop
Reply
mlucas2006 1:20PM (4/23/2007)
This smells like a publicity stunt to counter their previous bad PR. In any case, the car does look much better, at least from the front. From the side it looks like a Kia still, though.
Reply
DanDan 1:29PM (4/23/2007)
that hood scoop makes me want to vomit.
Reply
ClutchCargo 2:32PM (4/23/2007)
The black color and the mesh grill do wonders for it. Kind of tones down the B9 looking body. Still, I hate the chrome tail lights and band across the back. Way to tacky.
Reply
Alistair 6:10PM (4/23/2007)
The grille is a huge, huge improvement. I hope Subaru has come to it's senses and substituted this grille for the horrible one they showed recently. The shape is a bit derivative, but the real problem is the detailing. All it needs now are some better taillights and I could give it some serious thought.
Reply
SprtsWgn005 5:08PM (4/23/2007)
I thought the NASIOC guy said he saw the car at a mall in Maryland, not New Jersey...
Reply
Richard 5:52PM (4/23/2007)
Sean,
Please define "odd" Subaru.
Reply
Rob 6:34PM (4/23/2007)
#6, have you seen the BACK of a new lancer/evo yet? It's horrid. It looks like somebody played "Pin the taillights on the car" blindfolded, and wound up putting them on about 4" too high. Then there's a huge expanse of flat metal under them. It's absolutely disgusting looking.
Reply
Ronald 10:02PM (4/23/2007)
hmm, new Jersey looks awefully sunny and summery for this time of year, where is all the snow? it was just snowing not too long ago. stilll should be somewhere, or at least some dirt on the car.
And in new jersey you need front plates. WHERE ARE THEY? Someone check the plates on this thing in a registry. see who owns it.
Reply
Mike 12:21AM (4/24/2007)
gimme gimme
Reply