Subaru's Senior suggests STI Junior
click above to view a high-res gallery of the Subaru Impreza STi
Subaru has gained itself quite a cult following with performance Imprezas. Based on its victories in the World Rally Championship, the WRX and STi versions of the Impreza have been a big hit with the gonzo street-racer crowd. With the introduction of the latest STi, Subaru left a gaping hole between the mighty fast 224-hp WRX ($24,350) and the super-fast 305-hp WRX STi ($34,995). Since more customers will want to upgrade from the WRX than can afford the $10k+ leap to the STi, Subaru is reportedly considering slotting a new model in between the two, which could come in a little under $30k and offer about 265 horses under hood.
The report comes from our friends down under at Drive.co.au, who were speaking with Nick Senior of Subaru Australia. According to Senior, parent company Fuji Heavy Industries "has a fair bit on its plate" at the moment, alluding to the reported upcoming Celica which Subaru is developing with partner Toyota, so we shouldn't expect a mid-level WRX anytime soon, but it is on Subaru's radar screen for the future. Senior also said we can expect Subaru to churn out some special-editions, like a stripped-out STi track car, so stay tuned.
[Source: Drive.co.au]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TwinTurbo3000GT 1:17PM (2/07/2008)
i dont think there's a huge market for something like this. If i'm gonna spend 30k, i might as well make the jump to the STi.
Ii think its just the Ralliart lancer making them sweat a little.
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stefan 1:15PM (2/07/2008)
The spec C STI should be out in Japan in a few months.
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dean 1:18PM (2/07/2008)
Well, just give the WRX a "performance" package. Just increase the boost, I'm sure the internals can handle it. Stiffen the suspension, and increase the size of the radiator and intercooler. That can be done for $2500 I'm sure.
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FThorn 1:22PM (2/07/2008)
Makes perfect sense. Now, what about a Sti SUPER? I love the price-to-performance of the SRTs' 427 horsepower engines!
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Richard 2:06PM (2/07/2008)
wow this new STi looks A LOT better than that ugly piece they had before
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mk 1:32PM (2/07/2008)
Gee...
Not like they have a 30k turbocharged 4-door with more horsepower than the WRX, but less than the STI, with about the same interior room and curb weight as the 08 Impreza line.
OH, WAIT, THEY DO!
Legacy 2.5GT Limited.
Heaven forbid Subaru actually claim ownership of that, being better looking than the Impreza, as well.
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Seoultrain 3:14PM (2/07/2008)
Yeah, the Legacy GT is probably the most overlooked good car on the market.
PAT 1:41PM (2/07/2008)
On a seperate note, that grey metallic paint job is sweet!
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Koko 1:46PM (2/07/2008)
Am I the only one that really likes this latest desgin of the Impreza? I just wish it got better gas mileage. The look and design really appeals to me over the boy racer version of old (not that those were bad at all). Is that crickets I hear?....
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speedball3 2:13PM (2/07/2008)
I like it too! I just can't decide whether I like more... Mazdaspeed3 or the STI. Both awesome 5-door hatches (closer in performance than you'd think too), but with a large $12k gap in price. There's probably more aftermarket support for the Subaru than the Mazda though... any ideas?
Neil Schelly 1:51PM (2/07/2008)
No, you're not alone, but complainers are always louder. I'm thrilled to see more performance 5-doors hit our streets.
-N
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broosewee 2:00PM (2/07/2008)
An STI track car, group N, S205, Spec C/RA, etc.; all these variations will come in due time.
A shoe-in between the WRX and STI? Well... maybe it'll come in the form of the Celica, as some have mentioned previously?
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keith 2:07PM (2/07/2008)
I'd definately pay an extra couple grand for the STi fenders and wheels/tires that could fill them. WRX has plenty of power for me, but it looks plain. In reality, it would need to get a lot better mpg for me to actually consider one... so diesel boxer in STi body in the mid 20s and I'd put down a deposit today.
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sw 2:14PM (2/07/2008)
The subaru sti regularly outperforms them though, and can go toe to toe with the shelby gt500 around the track with a 200 hp deficit. an sti with 400+ hp would probably make supercars sweat.
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Travis 2:23PM (2/07/2008)
here's a thought: STOP DUMBING DOWN THE WRX!! in that sub-25k "performance" range there's the WRX, Lancer Ralliart, Mazdaspeed3, Mustang GT, Eclipse GT, etc. And since the MS3 outhandled the (previous version) WRX, all it has left going for it is AWD and it's corresponding 0-60 times. I know that they're trying to protect their precious $35k STi sales, but it's killing WRX sales...
So Subie - stiffen the suspension, turn up the boost a little, and wipe the floor with the competition... Most people looking at a $35k STi aren't going to be satisfied with a $25k WRX anyway.
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DKB_SATX 2:22PM (2/07/2008)
It's quite easy to bump a WRX horsepower up into the high 200s with a firmware update, and way into the 300s with exhaust and intake/intercooler upgrades for total outlay (including the car at MSRP) under $30k. There's a slew of aftermarket suppliers for the Impreza (though I don't know if they're up to speed on the new car yet, we don't have one so I haven't been watching the offerings for the '08.)
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Jimesq 2:49PM (2/07/2008)
I wonder if this is a direct response to the new Mitsu Ralliart. With the Ralliart competing directly with the WRX on power, performance and price, Subaru throws in a midrange model between WRX and STi to maintain sales and spite Mitsubishi.
Then again, I think the 80 hp difference between the WRX and STi is a good point of differentiation between models with a $10,000 price difference. Perhaps, if there were a midrange version at say 270 hp costing around $30K, it would steal sales from the STi. The smaller difference in power of 30 hp makes it more difficult to stomach the extra $5,000 to move up to the STi. At least for me it would.
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almost Dr. G.. 3:19PM (2/07/2008)
a person looking for an STI isnt going to settle for the mid-version. we all need to realize that people who want this car are enthusiasts who want THIS car. otherwise for $35k they could get a g37 which performs really well too.
it wont steal sales from the sti but it may slow down wrx sales bc its easier to bump monthly payments an extra $30 a month to have the nicer and faster car.
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rav3 3:50PM (2/07/2008)
You should be cross-shopping the MS3 with the WRX, not the STI...
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mk 4:04PM (2/07/2008)
If Subaru would just actually market the Legacy GT Turbo...
IT IS THE MIDDLE CAR!
$30k. 5MT or *5-speed auto with sport shift* (which the Impreza line doesn't get)
Nicer interior.
Nicer EXTERIOR.
~250hp and torque, tuneable to ~270 with a simple re-flash. Same block as the STI, with different turbo and intake, which WRX now shares.
Curb weight and interior room are within a small margin of difference.
ALL SUBARU HAS TO DO IS ACTUALLY TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THIS CAR!!!
then, maybe, I won't have to tell so many people when they ask "what the heck kind of cool car is that???" when they see, or ride in mine.
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