2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

[tunersteve]

http://blogs.edmunds.com/.ee9808d/cmd.233/enclosure..ee9808e
http://blogs.edmunds.com/.ee98090/cmd.233/enclosure..ee98091
The 2008 Subaru Impreza has been glimpsed in pictures, but now we have a glimpse of the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI.
Illustrations published in Japan show confirm that the unpopular propeller motif inspired by the company’s aviation heritage has been replaced by a more conventional look. Andreas Zapatinas, former design director at Subaru, had developed the aviation theme in reaction to the bold grilles now fashionable in Europe, but a poor reaction in the marketplace led to his departure last summer.
For 2008, a new hatchback model will join the Impreza lineup, a reaction to the recent comeback by this configuration as seen in trendy examples like the Audi A3 and Mazdaspeed 3 five-door. We hear there's a new multi-link independent rear suspension under both the hatchback and the sedan.
The 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI will be a hatchback, just like the 2007 Subaru WRC rally car. The intercooled and turbocharged, 2.0-liter flat-four engine will produce 300 horsepower, although the engineers have spent more effort on improving power at low- and mid-range rpm.
Full details are expected to be released at the New York Auto Show.

[nealric]

Me likey

[Rally Ninja]

Whats with that pillar down the front lower grill? Front kinda looks like an monte carlo /GTO looking GM thing.

Styling I'd give the new evo points to over this sti

[ForceFed]

This thing is HAWT! (hitit)

[mhrebin]

id probably sell everything i own, minus protege and computer to get that.lol

[smo0f]

looks like a protege with a body kit

[Rally Ninja]

looks like a protege with a body kit

LOL you right!

[CHICO2003]

That thing's a hatch?!! WTF were they thinking? The sedan currently outsells the hatch by like a billion:1 here. If people wanted the hatch.. they'd buy it. Evo all the way

[LEXi73]

looks sweet! would like to see a rear shot and a few others....looks sexy

[Newf]

looks great, but will they ever get rid of that damn spoiler?

[CanMP5]

I hope that when they say "hatch" they mean like the Mazda6 hatch, still sedan-like....

[Kansei]

that is pitifully boring. I like the headlights, but that's about it. The car still lacks a sense of style, unlike the Evo X which just looks stunning (my opinion only of course)

[II-Savy]

I like it, the EVO x is sweet also.

[tunersteve]

I actually like the front end of the car, its a good comprimise between the propellar style that was the last generation, and the previous design which was more normal. I don't like the whole idea of being a hatch. I don't think any other company gets the hatch concept like Mazda does. The P5, the 3 hatch, and the 6 hatch are gorgeous. All these other companies just don't get the sense of style into that extra trunk space like Mazda can.

[Donas64]

Truth be told, I like it. Not as a hatch though! Geez if you're gunna do a hatch, do it right! Also that bar right down the middle of the lower fascia needs some tweaking.

[.paul]

Cool frijoles

I like the whole thing except the wing, it looks uber outta place on the hatch. It's as if come hell or high water, the designers were going to put that wing on the car. I say something like a duck bill spoiler or similar to the MS3 would go a long way looks wise.

*edit*
Shamelessly stolen from NASIOC, interesting pictures:
http://boosted-subie.com/Photo/albums/userpics/normal_2008.bmp
Also:
http://boosted-subie.com/Photo/albums/userpics/normal_mURI_temp_9e55a320.jpg

[CHICO2003]

What are they talking about... "just like the 2007 Subaru WRC rally car". Unless I'm mistaken, that car is a sedan.

All I know is... if this car has any similarity to the insanely fugly wrx "sport wagon" subaru has tried to desperately to sell over the years (seriously.. you can buy these freakin things for like $1k off invoice. it's crazy) it'll bomb harder than the PS3. I'll admit... I'm not a hatch/wagon guy. Even still, my next car is definitely going to be the MS3. Like others have said, Mazda (and VW for that matter) at least know how to make a halfway decent looking hatch. Subaru on the other hand... good god! It reminds me of the 90's accord station wagon. looks like all they did was add a window to the back of an existing sedan. for me, the fender flares MAKE the WRX. The fact that the current (and from the looks of it, new) station wagon lacks them only kills the look that much more.

But who knows? I hated the idea of the MS3 being a hatch and it grew on me so... maybe the same will hold true. As was the case with the original WRX, the good may outweigh the bad so much... it's all irrelevant. Only time will tell.

[wicked]

holly crap,the EVO X looks center section is just like a fucking NEON!!!!!

I wanna cry now.

[chaos2015]

I Like It

[CHICO2003]

holly crap,the EVO X looks center section is just like a fucking NEON!!!!!

I wanna cry now.


Put down the crackpipe. Assuming you're talking about the SRT-4, both cars have a FMIC and a huge spoiler. That's where the similarities end. The new EVO (minus the still hideous spoiler) may just be the PERFECT car!! Unlike the Subaru, it even has the gas tank on the proper side. It's going to be rather strange really. Right now, the EVO and STi are so close in so many ways.... but going forward, the EVO almost reminds me of the new Lexus IS (albeit a far more badass version) while the Sti... lol I guess it wants to be a freakin A3 or some shit. when it comes to looks, it's pretty much class vs ass.

[Phoenix5]

Mmm..looks weird as a hatch,haha!Now,if only they would liven up that boring ass interior,(lol2) like the Evo X.

[altspace]

Whats with that pillar down the front lower grill? Front kinda looks like an monte carlo /GTO looking GM thing.

Styling I'd give the new evo points to over this sti

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[bazooka joe]

i like better than the last iteration!

[FBI14]

http://www.msprotege.com/members/FBI14/74097355.jpghttp://www.msprotege.com/members/FBI14/car_photo_212757_5.jpghttp://www.msprotege.com/members/FBI14/74096788.jpg


http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/205057/subaru_impreza.html

[seanmcsean]

Nice find dude!!!!!

I'm digging the 5 door look. The STI looks fanastic in the more subtle trim without the park bench spoiler. I really really like it. I wonder what kind of performance numbers this thing is going to kick out. All I know is that I like it alot!

[redrims]

I like it a lot!

[Snafu]

That looks good!

[JoseProte83]

the 07 WRC car is still a sedan. I like the new STI esing. I prefer the two door coupe. Old school rules

[tunersteve]

These pictures look like its a hatch with a sedan complex. Look how the rear end of the blue one has the ungodly huge spoiler on it, and how it looks like it used to have a trunk, but got cut due to costs. I don't know, right now I'm not diggin it. Not too many companies right now make a nice hatchback.


http://www.msprotege.com/members/FBI14/74097355.jpghttp://www.msprotege.com/members/FBI14/car_photo_212757_5.jpghttp://www.msprotege.com/members/FBI14/74096788.jpg


http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/205057/subaru_impreza.html

[Kansei]

sadly the black one with the more subtle spoiler is photoshopped.. you can still see the shadow of the park bench

the car looks like a lot of fun but not something I'd pay over 30 grand for.. the Evo X on the other hand... mmmmmmm it looks like a higher class of vehicle. I guess I'll reserve further judgement until I see real pics of this new Impreza. Basically no matter what they do it'll look nicer than the 02-07 models, when you're at the bottom there's only one way you can go, right?

[Kooldino]

Still ugly, but it's an improvement.

I saw a prototype of the next gen STi, and it looks like a turd.

[JOS3]

the side of the car sort of loooks like a saturn ion

[mikeyb]

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1038/normaluntitled13fi4.jpg
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/8833/normaluntitled22um3.jpg
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/1607/untitled30nt6.jpg
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6329/untitled51qj1.jpg

[seanmcsean]

That spoiler is just hideous.. It just doesn't fit with the rest of the car.. It makes it look like a sprint car.

[Kansei]

That spoiler is just hideous.. It just doesn't fit with the rest of the car.. It makes it look like a sprint car.

The spoiler never fit on the 02-07 models either. It almost sorta a little bit fit on like the 2000 year 2.5RS coupes, but still even then it just looked way tacked on. That's the big difference between the STI and Evo of today, they're both great but at least the Evo has a sense of style.

[FBI14]

Still ugly, but it's an improvement.

I saw a prototype of the next gen STi, and it looks like a turd.

The pics on the 2nd page are of the next STi.

[mikeyb]

Everyone thought the rumor that Subaru would be dropping its popular WRX model when it launches a redesigned Impreza was bunk. The rumor originated with an article by Autocar that stated Subaru had "no plans to carry over the intermediate WRX model." Michael McHale, Subaru's Director of Corporate Communications, got in touch with Autoblog to let us know that the WRX is safe and will be present after the relaunch of the redesigned Impreza. Those worrying that the Impreza will only be offered as a five-door hatchback in the future can rest easy, too. Sedan variants will be offered, presumably along with the five-door hatchback we've seen in spy shots. We still expect to see the new Impreza at the New York Auto Show in early April, though it's unclear whether or not Subaru will follow Mitsubishi's lead and introduce only the standard models before trotting out the hotted up WRX and STi variants. We'll be on hand in the Big Apple to let you know from the show floor.

[Source: Subaru]

[ZoomZoomH]

that front grille totally reminds me of the 99-00 Protege grille, lol

[mikeyb]

that front grille totally reminds me of the 99-00 Protege grille, lol

I was thinking current MB SLK and Mitsubishi Galant.

[ChiMSP]

It looks much better.

[ZoomZoomH]

I was thinking current MB SLK and Mitsubishi Galant.

i'm just talking about the front grille, not the headlight/front bumper, compare:

http://blogs.edmunds.com/.ee98090/cmd.233/enclosure..ee98091

http://www.msprotege.com/members/ZoomZoomH/protege_for_sale/protege_02.jpg

[Newf]

wow, you are right, that is really similar

[redrims]

that front grille totally reminds me of the 99-00 Protege grille, lol

Looks exactly like it...lol

[mikeyb]

i'm just talking about the front grille, not the headlight/front bumper, compare:

http://blogs.edmunds.com/.ee98090/cmd.233/enclosure..ee98091

http://www.msprotege.com/members/ZoomZoomH/protege_for_sale/protege_02.jpg

It looks very similar...