Filed under: Sports/GTs, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Subaru
Subaru teases the Impreza WRX STI's tush
by Alex Nunez on Sep 28th 2007 at 10:34AM 
Click image for photo gallery
Subaru's not officially revealing the new Impreza WRX STI until October 24 (place your bets on who'll blow that embargo to smithereens before then), but it has released a teaser shot of the car's rear end. (We showed you the official teaser of the front end last week.) With the number of high-quality spy photos being churned out now, there's little mystery left anyway, but we'll take what we can get from Subaru. The new shot, as posted on the Subaru website, is very dark. We lightened it up a bit so you can better see the fender bulges, dual twin-tipped exhaust outlets, and the roof wing. Between this and the spy shots flying around, it's looking as if the STI will boast an appropriately muscled-up appearance compared to the far more reserved-looking WRX. It'll be shown to the public for the first time at next month's Tokyo Motor Show, and we'll be on hand for the festivities.
Thanks for the heads-up, Dustin!
[Source: Subaru]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
RidinLow 10:52AM (9/28/2007)
Can't wait to drive it! Looks like some massive rubber under those haunches.
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geo.stewart 11:59AM (9/28/2007)
doesnt look to be more than 215 or 225s. I have those on my GLI.
granted, I have to be going above 90 on a country road hairpin to get it to engage traction control.
so maybe thats all it will need.
shoblime 2:33PM (10/05/2007)
Your GLI doesn't have AWD.....
Gil 10:52AM (9/28/2007)
They watered down the base WRX soo much it really doesnt deserve the WRX moniker... Impreza Gt maybe but no WRX... The STI better be miles ahead in looks/handling/power.....
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Max 11:02AM (9/28/2007)
The STI looks pretty watered down too. The lighting makes the fender flares look a lot bigger than they actually are. With the EVO making such a bold statement, I have to imagine the STI is gonna get lost in the crowd.
Pete 11:37AM (9/28/2007)
I don't agree. The only thing that is bold at all about the new Evo is the front end...which I will admit is extremely aggressive. However, the rest of the car looks small and dare I say weak by comparison to the front. The side profile and rear do not look as beefy as the STi. The STi has better overall proportions to my eyes. The front of the STi is the only part that lacks in the overall package (and maybe some red taillights instead of clear!!).
speedball3 11:49AM (9/28/2007)
I dunno, those flares seem to go past the tail lights... seem pretty big to me. But then again, the passenger side doesn't seem to bulge out as much, so you might be right. As for the Evo making such a big statement.... not really. Perhaps to the overall public, but not to the hardcore Evo fan. The Evo has been watered down too... TC-SST only for the MR? Slower than the outgoing model? More refined? C'mon, the Evo used the one of the rawest cars out there.
Richard 1:43PM (9/28/2007)
I don't know. When I look at the reflection at the top of the Left Rear fender bulge, it looks like the top of the bulge is cut-away to clear the tail lights. That might not be too attractive in real life. We'll have to see.
Anonymust 11:04AM (9/28/2007)
Articles/press releases/advertisements on this vehicle is getting old.
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danms6 11:06AM (9/28/2007)
That rear quarter shot looks just like the Tribeca, doesn't thrill me at all.
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ATL 11:24AM (9/28/2007)
Any word on pricing? This vehicle needs to be $30K - $33K to have a chance. Too many other vehicles in the mid $20's now boasting similar power numbers (i.e. Caliber SRT-4, MazdaSpeed 3, HHR SS). Granted the STi is "supposed to be"
a beast, but if Subaru wants to get $10K more than the other pocket-rocket wagons, they need to bring a competitive price to the table as well.
Jared 11:16AM (9/28/2007)
So bring into photoshop and lighten it up. Not hard.
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Alex Nunez 11:18AM (9/28/2007)
From the post, Jared:
"We lightened it up a bit so you can better see the fender bulges, dual twin-tipped exhaust outlets, and the roof wing."
Richard 11:29AM (9/28/2007)
This is beautiful...
...and somewhat reminiscent of one of my other favourite bubble-arsed hatches:
http://www.autosarticulated.com/archives/bmw_m_coupe.jpg
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Pete 11:32AM (9/28/2007)
This is going to be one of those cars that looks good in photos, but will probably look absolutely bad-ass on the street with those muscular proportions next to more sedate cars. I bought a Mazdaspeed 3 though because this car is going to be too pricey. I can't justify the need for AWD living in a big city.
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Richard 11:48AM (9/28/2007)
P.S.
It isn't really a "wing" is it.
Without a slot for some airflow around the thing it is more like ... a shelf.
I wonder if Subie have shaped the car to be aerodynamically neutral (lift-wise) at the rear. That would be awesome!
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dan spalinger 11:48AM (9/28/2007)
It's still so damn ugly...I saw the first TV ad the other day for the new Impreza and was shocked at how boring and Daewoo-ish it looks....AWD used to be Subaru's niche...thats gone....then styling was big...thats gone....What's left that would make someone really want a Subaru??
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2004m3driver 12:11PM (9/28/2007)
Um I am pretty sure the AWD is still there. The subies were always a little quirky looking to begin with. Thats what attracted people to them since they were a bit goofy looking. I actually love this new design, it looks very unique and it isn't evolutionary look the previous ones. This one is a revolution. Anyone interested in a slightly abused M3? jk
CoffeeJones 12:19PM (9/28/2007)
Do any of you think a BMW 135i is similar to an STI in terms of performance and price?
The Bimmer will be a few thou more, because it's a BMW, but still?
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2004m3driver 1:43PM (9/28/2007)
Can't compare the two cars. One is a 5door AWD suped econobox. The other is a baby coupe wanna be lux bimmer with its big brothers engine.
The 1 series reminds me of a fun to drive chick car (miata). The subie looks like a yeah I know I'm ugly, but I go like stink car.