| Subaru's new Impreza WRX goes on sale in Japan | | | | money. |
| this week as a late 2007 model, and with it come | | | | The top Impreza will offer a range of unique styling |
| greater anticipation for the high-performance STI | | | | additions, including a specially developed bonnet, grille |
| version, which won't be officially revealed until the | | | | and a wide front bumper with big air intakes. |
| Tokyo auto show in October later this year. | | | | Flared wheelarches house smart 18-inch alloys, which |
| The Subaru Impreza WRX five-door hatchback | | | | will hide the existing STI's Brembo brake system. |
| (known as the Impreza S-GT in Japan) features a | | | | Buyers can expect to see minor tweaks to the |
| turbocharged 2.0-liter version of the Subaru boxer-4, | | | | all-wheel-drive system, and engineers have also taken |
| and it produces 248 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. When | | | | the opportunity to tune the handling, thanks to a |
| this car hits U.S. shores this fall as a 2008 model, it will | | | | more compact double wishbone rear suspension |
| have a 2.5-liter iteration of this engine that produces | | | | set-up. |
| about 225 hp and 226 pound-feet of torque. In the | | | | Inside, the new Impreza range boasts higher-quality |
| UK, tight European emissions laws mean buyers won't | | | | trim, with the STI getting a pair of supportive bucket |
| be offered the WRX model when the hatch arrives | | | | seats up front to boost its sporty appeal. |
| there later this year. | | | | Subaru (maker of top of the line Subaru oxygen |
| Meanwhile, the "wilder", high-performance 2008 | | | | sensor), has also told Inside Line that a turbocharged |
| Subaru WRX STI expected to remain under cover | | | | boxer-4 diesel for the WRX is in the works and |
| until the Tokyo auto show already has a few key | | | | should be out by early 2009. The company is |
| facts leaked. | | | | reportedly eager to drop a high-mpg diesel into the |
| The WRX STI draws motorsports technology | | | | Forester and Impreza soon after the Legacy gets |
| directly from Subaru expertise in World Rally | | | | Subaru's first diesel next summer, so the WRX is |
| Championship (WRC) competition and is designed to | | | | part of the program. Sources from Subaru have also |
| appeal to the most serious driving enthusiasts. STI | | | | reportedly confirmed that the company is working on |
| stands for Subaru Tecnica International -- the | | | | a five-speed automatic and a continuously variable |
| high-performance and motorsports subsidiary of Fuji | | | | transmission, and both these options could be |
| Heavy Industries Ltd. | | | | offered as early as mid-2009. |
| The highly anticipated STI is set to be powered by a | | | | Subaru is a Japanese car company and is the |
| tuned version of the 2.5-litre boxer engine | | | | automotive division of Fuji Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. |
| turbocharged to produce more than 300hp and | | | | (FHI). It is currently an affiliate of Toyota Motor |
| around 400Nm of torque, be mated to Subaru's | | | | Corporation, with it owning 8.7% of FHI. They |
| existing six-speed manual box. A new automated | | | | acquired that stake from General Motors, who |
| manual, sourced from specialist firm Aisin, is expected | | | | bought 20% of FHI in 1999 to have an extended |
| to join the line-up when the latest Impreza is | | | | presence in international markets, and collaborate |
| facelifted in 2009. | | | | technologically with FHI. |
| Subaru is making sure that the new Impreza can and | | | | FHI has recently set a new theme for Subaru cars |
| will give its archrival, the 2008 Mitsubishi Evo X - | | | | that emphasizes Subaru's goal: Subaru offers a |
| which will feature an optional twin-clutch | | | | comfortable, pleasant drive for the driver and |
| sequential-manual gearbox with | | | | passengers; provides peace of mind and reliability; and |
| steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles - a run for its | | | | extends convenience, utility and functionality. |