Spy Shots: Subaru WRX STI spec C
by Alex Nunez on Jul 16th 2008 at 1:27PM 
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Subaru WRX STI spec C
It looks like a regular STI, right? Well, according to the spies at KGP, it's not. This is actually the forthcoming Impreza WRX STI spec C out for a cruise in some approipriately sloppy weather. Note the white wheels and reworked rear diffuser, which are the visual giveaways in this case. When the spec C arrives, it should tip the scales at around 150 to 200 pounds less than the regular STI and be further augmented with engine upgrades and improved braking. That'll make for a nice neighborhood rally car, indeed. All you'll need is a little snow, some studded rubber, and someone yelling directions at you in Finnish from the passenger seat to really bring that WRC experience home. For the rest of you, just ask your wives to ride shotgun. They'll be shouting directions at you (though probably not in Finnish) in no time. Check out the attached gallery for more shots, both on the street and on the Nordschleife (on a nicer day).
Gallery: Spy Shots: Subaru WRX STI spec C
[Source: KGP Photography]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2004m3driver 1:31PM (7/16/2008)
Oh yeah she will be shouting directions all right.
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Matt 5:25PM (7/16/2008)
All you need is some NON street tires for this OFF-ROAD RALLY CAR, and you'll be all set.
why not the LS2LS7? 1:32PM (7/16/2008)
It's homely, but I still wouldn't mind driving one.
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BlackCanary 1:33PM (7/16/2008)
Rims are awfull other than that is ok.
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Dustin 1:20AM (7/17/2008)
Something tellls me that this ride wasn't made to be pretty
ROOLLY 1:39PM (7/16/2008)
Subaru has to try hard to increase sales.
With that impress they have no chance to challenge evo or whatsoever.
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Torrent 1:42PM (7/16/2008)
For some reason, I like this design. At first, I hated it, but this design has grown on me so much, it has gray hair.
(It's a metaphor for those slow thinking people.)
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Menice 1:44PM (7/16/2008)
i have hated the pics I've seen of the sti, but this week i saw 2 on the road and they looked really good. the pics dont do the car justice.
still looks like an SUV butt though.
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John Johnson 1:47PM (7/16/2008)
A car with aftermarket wheels/spoiler is a prototype now? :/
If this were spied in Japan it's be one thing. But if I'm not mistaken, is that Germany?
Not saying that this can't be a prototype, it sure could. But I don't think it's 100% proven by these pics :p.
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Harrison 2:03PM (7/16/2008)
1. Spec-C translates into internal upgrades
2. This is outside the Nuerburgring, wearing non-stock wheels.
So, yes, this is a proto, possibly.
Kingus 2:12PM (7/16/2008)
the steering wheel is on the wrong side, I don't think they would import the Japanese version to Europe unless they were testing something.
Harrison 6:59PM (7/16/2008)
Plus the license plates on the rear are definitely not those that the average German citizen can get.
They're actually dealer plates that yes, are attached onto things like prototypes.
devtec 1:49PM (7/16/2008)
looks good overall, but holy front overhang! Overhang nearly as long as the diameter of the wheel! I think that kills it for me.
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wagonphile 1:53PM (7/16/2008)
Damn, but you're right on that one. I didn't look too closely at the profile shot. Need to crib some pointers from BMW and tighten that up!
Benfolio 1:59PM (7/16/2008)
That flat four has to go SOMEWHERE.
mk 2:51PM (7/16/2008)
that is the unfortunate bit of hanging the engine off the front of a three-output, two-differential transaxle.
Subaru has not, and I don't think they plan on divorcing the front differential from the transmission case, so the front half-shafts come from behind the flywheel.
A flat four is so nice and short, though, that with the axles swept forward toward the wheels, the front bulkhead of the engine is barely in front of the front edge of the tire.
But then you have the radiator, and bumper structures, etc... in front of that.
Subarus can't really have a short front overhang, without splitting the front diff, and putting it in front of the engine with a sixth drive shaft from the transmission. More like new Audis, and Infiniti's ATTESSA, and a few others.
But look at the Ferrari F430, and Porsche cars... they have long front overhangs, but they do handle quite well, and steer very quickly, with the steering well behind the front bumper. They don't have the requirements for a front engine, as Subaru does.
Richard 7:17PM (7/16/2008)
mk,
very nicely explained!
This Subaru has a fairly drastic weight distribution for a Subbie....like 60% front - very Saab/ Audi-like.
Petter Solberg - their WRC driver - had a lot of input on the design of the car. I can only think that the weight dist is part of an effort to help the car rotate through corners more quickly. Which, with the rear-biased torque distribution, it just might do.
wagonphile 1:51PM (7/16/2008)
I'm starting to warm up to the new styling, though I'm still fond of the round-headlight WRX that everyone thought was too "cute". I appreciate better creature comforts, but the redesign brought took away much of the edgy qualities I really liked. The car is a wonderful daily-driver, but not as performance-focused as it used to be.
Looks pretty good in black, but I wish Subaru (or the aftermarket) would offer red taillights. I tired of the clear/white taillight thing shortly after Lexus made them popular with the Altezza/IS. Overall, the STI has always been too boy-racer for me. Strip the badges, delete the wing, slap on some decent wheels, and show some taste.
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rav3 1:58PM (7/16/2008)
Long live the bugeye!!!
shadysi 3:28PM (7/16/2008)
there already are red plastic covers for tail lights, looks a million times better.