Subaru Impreza WRX STi and Mitsubishi EVO X previewed by Road and Track
Road & Track has compiled all it knows about the next versions of the Subaru Impreza WRX STi and Mitsubishi EVO X into a tidy little article that currently resides on their website. It includes a lot of information from inside sources, as well as pics that we think represent the magazine's best guess as to what these two terrors will look like.
The new Subaru Impreza WRX STi will likely bow later this year and go on sale in early 2008. The design ethos for the STi is one of muscularity, and we have to say that R&T's rendering look sick, in a good way. Whatever qualms we had about the Impreza redesign melt away in the face of the STi's sheer kick-assness. Just like with the new WRX, mechanical changes won't be extreme, but will include a horsepower bump for the 2.5L flat-four up to 320 or so, with torque topping out at 320 ft-lbs. at 4,000 RPM. The only transmission will be a six-speed manual. The slightly lighter new STi should be able to hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds flat. There are a few electronic aids, DCCD (driver's control center differential), but it appears the new STi will be more of a purist's machine than ever.
The new Mitsubishi EVO X, however, will be outfitted with all the latest acronyms, including AYC (active yaw control), S-AWC (super-all-wheel control), ACD (active center differential) and ASC (anti-skid control). All of those electrons will do their best to tame the 300 horsepower produced by the EVO's new 2.0L turbo four codenamed 4B11. Torque is expected to reach 300 ft-lbs. at a very useable 3,000 rpm, as well. Unlike in the STi, you should be able to order your next EVO X with either a five-speed manual or new 6-speed twin-clutch automatic called SST. R&T reports that it will be similar to Volkswagen's DSG, but likely better considering it's been in development more recently. We all know what the EVO X will look like, of course, having seen the Prototype X that Mitsubishi debuted at the Detroit Auto Show this year, but R&T also rounds out some production details in the car's appearance.
Click the Read the link to skip to Road & Track for the complete article with all the details they've managed to gather on these highly anticipated 2008 models.
[Source: Road and Track, illustration used with permission]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Rampage99 3:21PM (4/25/2007)
The WRX still looks horrible. No amount of "kick-assness" under the hood will change that. I've been a huge fan of the WRX for years and years but this model and the previous one have ruined it for me. This is the first year I'll admit I prefer the new EVO and it really hurts to say that. The WRX is horrifically ugly.
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bgdc 3:24PM (4/25/2007)
I hope those prices are off. Around 09/10 I'm going to be shopping for a roomier car (starting a family) and right now a european delivery 335i is at the top of my list. At 37k via ED (don't question this as I've done ED alread), the 335i sedan may still win my business over the Evo and STi. Priced at 31-32k loaded they are worthwhile. Jump into the mid-30s and it'll be difficult to justify getting an economy sedan for 335i money.
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Mike 3:33PM (4/25/2007)
Now where is the idiot who tried to tell me in the SRT4 post that the STI would not cost $10k more than a SRT4.....
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blitzkrieg79 3:37PM (4/25/2007)
#2, different strokes for different folks, current Evo IX MR has a better 0-60 time than the current 335i, add to that better road holding abilities and even if the next Evo X will be in the same price range as BMW 335i, I would pick Evo as it is simply a drivers car, I don't look for refinement nor luxury in a car, I want performance, I know I am just one of the few but Evo and STi are enthusiasts/raw performance oriented cars. I don't think a person that wants to buy a BMW or Mercedes in the first place will look at Mitsubishi anyway, but a person who is more knowledgeable about performance oriented vehicles will look in to Mitsu/Subaru offerings.
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stefan 3:44PM (4/25/2007)
The new impreza still looks like crap i rather have the evo.
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bgdc 3:44PM (4/25/2007)
Blitz, it's a trade-off. The current gen Evo/Sti = too economy car. The performance is mindblowing. The driving experience when pressing the cars is fantastic. When cruising on the freeway or going out to dinner, that's where I lose interest.
I love performance but I want some trade-off. The next gen of both cars looks more upscale than this current crop. If they held pricing in the low 30s, it'd be an easier choice. I'll still take them out and give them their due. Perhaps they'll win me over. The mid-30k pricing just seems extreme for a compact sedan/wagon.
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Nick 3:48PM (4/25/2007)
Those STI renders look pretty kick-ass. The grille and tail lights, which were pretty much the two biggest dislikes in my mind, are both addressed and look a lot better.
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Dan 3:54PM (4/25/2007)
For some of us with kids or with occasional stuff to haul around, getting a wagon is a necessary evil. If the decision is between a BMW 328i wagon (sorry, no such thing as a 335i wagon), an Audi A4 Wagon, or the WRX STi, I'll take the STi in a heartbeat.
My big question, for both the Mitsubishi and Subaru, is whether they'll have Bluetooth as a standard feature. Bluetooth is now something I can't live without, although I suppose there's always an aftermarket solution.
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DJ_Swammi 4:19PM (4/25/2007)
Too bad those STi shots are photochops. There's no way Subie will make the car look that good (I know, I own a bug-eye WRX)
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SN 4:36PM (4/25/2007)
I know these are guesstimates, but I have to question how the 0-60 times are hte same while the Evo X weighs in at 3500lbs with 300hp and the STi at 3300 with 320hp. Wouldn't the latter be faster as it is lighter and have more HP? Tourque is a wash.
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mk 4:47PM (4/25/2007)
For all the people wanting something more practical than the WRX STI or EVO...
Why not a Legacy? Why jump to BMW at almost $15k more for a car with similar power (335i) and no AWD?
A Legacy has the same engine (albeit detuned) as the STI, AWD, and the GT limited starts less than the STI. Spec B is a bit more, but gives the 6MT with Navigation.
Although I will admit that the Legacy doesn't get the performance focus that the WRX STI does, but it should. Tt is still very much a performance sedan, and a value at that. I LOVE mine, and nobody sees it coming until they already see my tail lights, and it still goes strong in the midwest winter.
Subaru made another classically stupid move of cancelling the Wagon bodystyle of the Legacy (GT included) But the Legacy's twin, the Outback only comes in a wagon bodystyle now, and the XT model does have the turbocharged motor, and IIRC, a manual transmission option that the Legacy GT wagon lost in 2006.
Maybe with the negative impact of the WRX bodystyle, the Legacy will get back some of it's popularity, although it shouldn't have to come at the WRX's expense.
Subaru may be making blunders, but Mitsubishi is completely off the map with anything bigger than the Evo. All they have are odd looking SUVs and underpowered Galants. A Galant RalliArt or VR4 something with the EVO's drivetrain in a more practical car would also probably do quite well. But then so would a turbo AWD Eclipse, which they also don't have.
As BMWs become less affordable, heavier, more luxury focused, and less attractive aesthetically, a nice affordable contender under their market position has real opportunity. Others like the G35 are capitalizing on that. The A4 is underpowered, and the S4 is again, expensive. The TSX replacement is rumored to be turbocharged with SH-AWD, as well, so the practical value performance sedan segment may just be heating up.
No Doubt that Mitsubishi and Subaru need to step up with the rest of their line, and make sure options are available for people to seriously consider them, if the Evo and STI are too impractical or unattractive.
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jh 4:42PM (4/25/2007)
^Also, the current STi, which is heavier and has only 300hp (vs. the 320 predicted for '08) hits 60 in 4.5 seconds. So... shouldn't the new one be even quicker?
although 4.5 *is* devestatingly fast.
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Nick 4:46PM (4/25/2007)
"9. Too bad those STi shots are photochops. There's no way Subie will make the car look that good (I know, I own a bug-eye WRX)"
From what I can tell, the only things done in these renders are a different grille, dechromed tail lights, rear spoiler (i think), and a wider body, all of which are far from out of the question on an STI.
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Matt Dell 4:58PM (4/25/2007)
Even though it's rendered, that STi looks HOTTTT!!!
I was extremely put off by the WRX, but if the STi looks 90% like that, I'm definitely gonna have to reconsider my plans to purchase an S2000. And I really don't think I'd be sorry.
Subaru of America... TAKE NOTICE!
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bgdc 5:27PM (4/25/2007)
Sti in that rendering is nice looking. Hopefully they're right! Evo's just nice but that weight scares me.
mk, because the Legacy isn't worth the money they charge for it. It's a bland car with a bad interior, lousy gearing and a underpowered engine matched to too much weight and a soft suspension. It's the worst of all worlds with no benefits.
FWIW, the 335 is available with AWD. Why you would mar RWD with AWD is beyond me. But if you prefer the limits and weight of AWD, be my guest.
As for pricing...the Legacy 2.5 GT spec starts@ 34.620k. It only has 243 hp/241 tq and it's well over 5 seconds to 60.
Thanks but a 335i via ED with ZSP (sport package) and $1,000 dealer profit will only cost me $36,120 ($500 BMWCCA rebate). Frequent flyer miles gets me there for free and I can be back in California within 48 hours. Night at the Munich Marriott on priceline is $55. Free maintenance for 4 yrs/50k miles. Warranty work comes with a free rental.
I've DONE European Delivery already. So my numbers are real and easy. Can't fathom why I'd go near a slow, bland Legacy for that kinda dough? The 08 STI is a possibility, along with the Evo X. But a Legacy? I'd rather die.
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Jp 5:41PM (4/25/2007)
If those cars run a 12.5 stock I'll sell my M coupe for a vespa.
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Toy Yoda 6:59PM (4/25/2007)
Question to the Evo fans. Does Mitsubishi release the Evo X one year, only to follow up with a slightly higher HP version about a year later like BMW does with it's lineup? (Like 645, 650).
Does it also have an "M" version of it's lineup like BMW does?
I really want to get an Evo X as my next car, but I can wait 1-2 years longer if there is bump up in HP.
thanks!
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Miranda 8:13PM (4/26/2007)
After the Evo X debutes next year Mitusbishi is going to follow it up with the Ralliart lancer 9 months or so after.. The Ralliart will probably end up being a 2.4 with around 200 hp. (if you judge by the difference between the old stock lancer hp and the ralliart hp)
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chris 8:01PM (4/25/2007)
Jp, the Japanese-spec EVO IX will already hit 12.5s in the quarter mile. I'd be stunned if even the heavier (because of all the crazy safety stuff) and less powerful (because of fuel quality) American-spec EVO X was slower than that. 300hp also seems pretty low I'd think, EVOs have been making 300hp for several years now, they wouldn't make a new engine in a totally new car with the same power.
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Mike 11:18PM (4/25/2007)
#15 bgdc... reality check...
The Legacy GT starts @ $28K the spec.b starts at $34k... and that includes a lot of stuff. It's 243 hp gets it 0-60 in 5.1-5.3 seconds. That's damn fast for a $28k family sedan. It's a Gold top safety pick. Even the $34k model is $12k less expensive than a comparatively equipped 328xi... which is nowhere near as fast or sporty... and $7k less than the Audi 2.0T... which again... is nowhere near as fast or sporty. And the Legacy has huge aftermarket support.
Here's some reading... http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=3280 old spec.B trounced the G35x, 325xi, IS 250 AWD, Volvo s40 AWD, A4 Quattro S-Line, in performance and on the track. And was less expensive than every car there except for the mazdaspeed6. This was the model year prior to it getting a 6 speed and techno goodies.
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