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]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
YouFaceTheTick @ Sep 19th 2007 11:06AM
Nice. The power of an Sti put into a very useful wagon shape.
Dan @ Sep 19th 2007 11:13AM
nice. it looks like a civic hatchback
Richard @ Sep 19th 2007 11:26AM
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.
Jeff @ Sep 19th 2007 11:40AM
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.
franke @ Sep 19th 2007 11:49AM
The last model had something going towards the end with the last facelift.
Now they completely destroyed it. It's ugly and boring.
Soobiedood @ Sep 19th 2007 11:52AM
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.
John P. @ Sep 19th 2007 11:53AM
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.
MCS05 @ Sep 19th 2007 11:55AM
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?
speedball3 @ Sep 19th 2007 12:08PM
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.
drbyers @ Sep 19th 2007 1:15PM
That thing looks like a mazda3, it's so boring-looking.
Another styling miss...
JAYZUS CHRAST!!1
Mike @ Sep 19th 2007 12:44PM
@Ivy League Educated!: ...apparently not enough to know how to use the comments form. ;)
wslcrew @ Sep 19th 2007 1:31PM
Maybe it's just me but that rear reminds me of Daewoo Lanos...
Owen @ Sep 19th 2007 1:51PM
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.
Owain Ozymandias Buck @ Sep 19th 2007 2:01PM
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.
jfunkhouse @ Sep 19th 2007 2:18PM
What's with the old lady driving?
Owain Ozymandias Buck @ Sep 19th 2007 2:22PM
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! ;)
YouFaceTheTick @ Sep 19th 2007 2:44PM
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...
Mike @ Sep 19th 2007 4:57PM
You mean like an EVO, Mustang, or some other performance vehicle that doesn't make you throw up when you look at it?
YouFaceTheTick @ Sep 19th 2007 5:24PM
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...
FLR @ Sep 19th 2007 3:08PM
When I look at the rear I hear...."Introducing the new Subaru RX330!!!"