Spy Shots: Impreza STI on the road

Finally, pictures of the new Subaru Impreza STI that have not been generated by a computer. Amateur shots taken on a public road in Japan clearly show the traditional enlarged hood scoop, butcher flared arches and two more exhaust pipes than found on the WRX. Those grey alloys would certainly be a departure from STI norm as well, should they make it to the stand at October's Tokyo Motor Show.
The right-hand-drive car spotted is almost certainly destined for the Japan domestic market and as such should be powered by a 1994cc EJ20 boxer rather than the torquier, but less peaky, 2.5-liter lump that will be fitted to STIs for export.
[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]




![Bugatti Bird-gate Followup: Driver identity revealed <b>[*UPDATE:</b> Now with actual crash video!]](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/bugatti-veyron-swim-1258147199_143x85.jpg)


Get a WordPress.com Blog




Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
YouFaceTheTick 11:06AM (9/19/2007)
Nice. The power of an Sti put into a very useful wagon shape.
Reply
Dan 11:13AM (9/19/2007)
nice. it looks like a civic hatchback
Reply
Richard 11:26AM (9/19/2007)
Nice.
I want one! i was going to wait for 2009 and the paddle shift, but may not be able to hold out.
I am still not crazy about the clear tail-lights, but figure that the aftermarket will help me fix that.
Reply
Jeff 11:40AM (9/19/2007)
That is perhaps the most boring uninspired looking automobile I've ever seen. Did Subaru hire Toyota's design staff? It may go like the devil, but it is not a good looking car.
Reply
franke 11:49AM (9/19/2007)
The last model had something going towards the end with the last facelift.
Now they completely destroyed it. It's ugly and boring.
Soobiedood 11:52AM (9/19/2007)
this is a poor designed car, if this is what it looks like, i will not be buying one. was waiting to see what they look like. I am currently on my third STI, and still hold 2 of them in my garage. If i buy this, I mind as well buy a honda and put the soobie engine in it.
Reply
John P. 11:53AM (9/19/2007)
I hate to say, but I kinda like the design of this one. I just wish subaru would find a way to better integrate that giant hole they always put on the hood. it's just nasty.
Overall, not bad for a subaru. I'd still rather have a rally inspired styled Focus though, like the ones ripping up WRC this year.
Reply
MCS05 11:55AM (9/19/2007)
Is this car wider than the WRX? It appears to be. I don't believe this car will compete with the Aston Martins of the world in a beauty contest but what Subaru ever did?
Reply
speedball3 12:08PM (9/19/2007)
Yeah, I can't tell how big the fender flares are.... kinda looks the same as a standard WRX, though I can't find a rear shot of the one to compare w/that rear shot of the supposed STI here.
Reply
drbyers 1:15PM (9/19/2007)
That thing looks like a mazda3, it's so boring-looking.
Another styling miss...
JAYZUS CHRAST!!1
Mike 12:44PM (9/19/2007)
@Ivy League Educated!: ...apparently not enough to know how to use the comments form. ;)
Reply
wslcrew 1:31PM (9/19/2007)
Maybe it's just me but that rear reminds me of Daewoo Lanos...
Reply
Owen 1:51PM (9/19/2007)
Screw you all! I've been waiting for a STI wagon for 5 years now and now I will finally have it, wmahahhaah. I think it looks awesome. I could have turned my old WRX wagon into an STI, but it wouldn't look anywhere near as beautiful as this car.
Reply
Owain Ozymandias Buck 2:01PM (9/19/2007)
The wing is pretty cool. I'm usually virulently anti-wing, but dang it, this one fits. It fits a lot better than the sedan based STi IMHO.
It does look wider.
Overall, it looks a lot better than I thought it would.
Reply
jfunkhouse 2:18PM (9/19/2007)
What's with the old lady driving?
Reply
Owain Ozymandias Buck 2:22PM (9/19/2007)
Is that an old lady, or a Japanese guy with big, funny hair?
Either way, with hair that bad, it's got to be an engineer! ;)
calebe 7:02AM (9/20/2007)
I still hate the tail lights
Reply
YouFaceTheTick 2:44PM (9/19/2007)
Funny how many poseurs are worried about the appearance of the car. Scoobys have never been good looking cars; the STI is all about performance. If you're concentrating on the outside of the car, maybe you should be looking for something else...
Reply
Mike 4:57PM (9/19/2007)
You mean like an EVO, Mustang, or some other performance vehicle that doesn't make you throw up when you look at it?
YouFaceTheTick 5:24PM (9/19/2007)
Mustang is a performance vehicle? don't know when that happened. As for the evo, it looks like exactly what it is: an economy car with a powerful engine and lots of tacky body parts.
You drive a car on the inside...