2007 Subaru WRX tuned by STI

Subaru Australia is launching a new 2007 Subaru WRX special edition, tuned by STI. This special edition features over $12000 of extra equipment for only $7000 over the price of a standard Subaru WRX (Australian dollars).

Image from Subdriven

Some of the performance equipment include a tuned ECU chip and a low back-pressure exhaust, giving a power boost of about 13hp and increasing the overall responsiveness of the engine.

Here’s what you get for the extra bucks:

Performance

• Tuned engine control unit (ECU)
• Low back-pressure exhaust muffler
• Short shift gear linkage

Handling

• 18-inch Enkei alloy wheels
• Pirelli P-Zero Nero tyres
• Sports suspension
• Lowered springs
• Tuned struts
• Larger front stabilizer bar
• Tuned rear stabilizer bar mounting
• Pilot ball rear suspension arms

Interior

• Leather trim
• Aluminium gear knob
• Electric sunroof

Only 200 units of this special edition of the 2007 WRX are being made, and they are available in both rally blue and obsidian black. The black version, as pictured here with its charcoal wheels, is simply gorgeous.

Source: Subdriven

No Subaru Impreza WRX for 2008?

According to the British magazine Autocar, Subaru is not planning to have a 2008 WRX car in production, instead offering the new redesigned 2008 Impreza WRX STI.

That’s right. Subaru’s only going to offer the base Impreza model (a new hatchback, according to the rumors) and the high performance Impreza WRX STI model, skipping the intermediate WRX model entirely.

I really don’t see why they’re dropping the WRX - it’s such a nice car and it offers a lot of performance for the price. There doesn’t appear to be a lot of STI on the road here, but WRX are far more common. We’ll see if the rumors are founded. Let’s hope they’re going to carry over the 2008 WRX!

The 2008 Impreza will be revealed at the New York International Automobile Show in April, according to Autocar. The new 2008 Impreza will be a five door hatchback powered by a choice of 1.5L and 2.0L boxer engine. Unfortunately for the rally driver in us, we will have to wait until 2008 to have a glance at the new WRX STI model.

I sincerely hope that Subaru will also offer a sedan version of the 2008 Impreza. Autocar does not reveal its source; one can always hope that it’s just rumors.

Photo by: Dino Dalle Carbonare

The Subaru Legacy STI is on sale in Japan! Imagine a Subaru Legacy, tuned by STI - Subaru Tecnica International - to offer significant performance upgrades over the base model.

Here’s an overview of the upgrades we’re talking about:

• 280 hp, 253 lb-ft torque
• High-performance Bilstien shocks (car is 15mm lower, springs are 50% stiffer)
• Substantial improvement of the handling
• 18 inches wheels
• Subaru WRX STI Brembo calipers

While all 600 models of the 2007 Subaru Legacy STI have been sold in Japan, we can probably expect to see the upgraded Subaru Legacy models in North America sometime next year. That’s something to make the Subaru WRX line jealous!

Via: Subaru Legacy STI

Image from Subaru World Rally Team

In front of thousands of people, the Subaru World Rally Team put on a good show at the 2007 Monte Carlo Rally. Chris Atkinson was one place short of a podium and finished fourth, while Petter Solberg finished 6th, matching is own personal best time in this rally.

Chris Atkinson:

To be fighting like this on asphalt is so encouraging for the team. It was fantastic to do it in front of so many people and in this setting. I was just trying to be quick and neat rather than spectacular. I think this is one of the best rallies we’ve ever had.

Petter Solberg:

It was good fun, really good fun, the stage was very impressive and I really hope the people here enjoyed watching it as much as we did driving!

The team performed very well on asphalt with their new BFGoodrich tyres, and they are looking forward to their next stop, Sweden. Wait until they get their hands on the new 2007 Subaru WRC car in March, they’ll be unstoppable!

Via: Monte Carlo Rally: Subaru final summary

The Rallye Monte Carlo challenge is taking place this week-end.

The team starts the year with an unchanged driver line-up, with Petter Solberg/Phil Mills and Chris Atkinson/Glenn Macneall at the wheel of the Subaru Impreza WRCs. One aspect of the team that has changed is the tyre supplier, because a new deal has been forged with BFGoodrich for 2007.

It is the 75th running of Rallye Monte Carlo and to commemorate the anniversary the organisers have revised the route to include some classic special stages which have not been used for many years. For the first time the rally is based in Valence, near the river Rhône in south-east France, and most of the asphalt stages will take place on roads in the mountainous Ardeche and Vercors regions, which hosted some of the most famous Monte Carlo stages in the past.

Sadly, the Subaru team won’t be able to drive the new 2007 Impreza until the Mexico event, which is the fourth event of the season.

Via: Subaru World Rally Team - Rallye Monte Carlo 2007 preview

Petter Solberg thinks the new 2007 Subaru WRC and the switch from Pirelli to BFGoodrich tyres will make the Subaru World Rally Team much more competitive than last season.

He says:

“I’m sure that with all the hard work everyone has been putting in back at base and the new car that we will be able to start to fight for the championship again this year.”

Via: Solberg predicts title challenge

Subaru unveiled STI concepts of existing models such as the Outback and the new Stella at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Salon.

We can expect to see more STI concepts cars in the coming years, and who knows, maybe some of these prototypes will hit the street.

For pictures, visit Straightline

The Subaru WRX has left its mark in the rally world. The Subaru WRX, as a production car, makes the envy of many. If you’re looking for a reason to buy one, look no further: here are ten reasons to buy a Subaru WRX.

1. The symmetrical all wheel drive will take you anywhere under any condition. The traction is incredible and the car is a lot of fun to drive in a snowstorm!
2. Subaru makes excellent cars. The Subaru WRX is a very reliable car when properly maintained.
3. The drivability compares to a Porsche, which is a car much more expensive than a WRX.
4. The WRX is a very fun car to drive. The handling, suspension, boxer engine and turbo will give you a kick every time you drive it.
5. The WRX has a nice rally look to it. If you pick the rally blue color for your new STI, your car will compare to the official Subaru WRC car.
6. The Subaru offers a very good handling. You’ll slingshot through corners as you accelerate.
7. The Subaru WRX sticks to the road like glue.
8. You can buy a WRX and still have money left over for you vacation. It’s much cheaper than a sports car of equivalent power.
9. The Subaru is safe to drive (this argument wins the wife). It has dual front airbags and side airbags.
10. It comes fully equipped. Automatic climate control, 6 CD changer and heating seats are all standard on the WRX.

Whether you’re looking for a city car or a highway car, the Subaru WRX might be just for you. It’s a very fun Subaru car to drive, it’s a lot cheaper than sports car of equal speed and the all wheel drive system is very effective.

Subaru’s pioneering work with electric vehicles has attracted a top award from Japan’s Minister of the Environment for helping prevent global warming. […] This is for developing the Subaru R1e electric vehicle in conjunction with Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc (TEPCO) and NEC Lamilion Energy, Ltd.