It takes just 5 seconds to get from 0-60mph and the top speed is a very precise, 158.4mph. But that is just numbers on a screen and can’t possibly portray the sensation from the driver’s seat. For instance, on the test route is a long slow hill, although not too steep. Just to see what the car would do, I put my foot down at 30mph in 3rd gear. At first, there was a gentle increase in forward momentum and then the turbo came in and heralded a ‘Wow!’ followed by an ‘Oh, my goodness’, which preceded an expletive and a huge grin. Hush my mouth.

The Financial Times has a column on the Subaru WRX STI and Spec. D, in which the WRX STI is compared to the automotive equivalent of skinheads.

There’s no other way to say it: our Imprezas were black, bling and brutal – aggressive snouts, huge bonnet-mounted air scoops capable of sucking up small animals and children, and vast rear spoilers. In terms of looks Imprezas are, along with Mitsubishi’s even more thuggish-looking Evo, the automotive equivalent of skinheads.

But Kinnaird [Peter Kinnaird, managing director of Subaru] was convinced that Subaru might be missing out on a lot of potential customers, who would love to have that performance but cannot live with the boy racer image and so opt for the “safe” choice of a BMW instead. So he persuaded the factory to come up with the Impreza “Spec D”, which is just going on sale.

The 2007 WRX STI Limited delivers all the power and performance of the standard model. This new limited-edition version adds a layer of refinement and design detail enhancements targeted at a new group of driving enthusiasts looking for supercar performance but with an understated demeanor.

The first thing everyone will notice is the car no longer has the trademark STI spoiler or the roof vane spoiler. They have both been replaced by a subtle body-colored rear lip spoiler. In the front we see the addition of the previously-JDM-only V-Limited front lip. Other exterior updates are the new Enkei 17×8″ 10-spoke wheels, while tires are unchanged. The brakes are the same Brembro units as before but now feature black calipers with white lettering.

The 2007 Impreza WRX STI Limited will only be available in 800 units in the USA. 400 will be painted in Satin White, and 400 will be in Urban Gray Metallic.

No word yet if the STI Limited will be sold in Canada, and how much it would cost.

In Europe this vehicle is marketed as the WRX STI spec.D (as in discrete). What it is, is your basic STI street-brawler, but now dressed in a business suit. No more juvenile street-racer clothing here folks. This STI just graduated from charm school, and is ready to take on customers who loved the performance, but hated the looks. I sense this model will transition nicely into the all-new (and more upscale) ’08 Impreza.

Unfortunately for WRX fans in North America, it appears that the spec.D will remain a U.K.-exclusive product for the time being. A Subaru of America spokesman on Thursday said: “We won’t get it. We may have some interesting stuff coming out later this year, but it’s too early to talk about it.”

Read more.

Subaru will show a new model of the WRX STI, the SpecD, at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham this weekend. It’s basically a more discreet version of the STI.

The full name for this turbocharged 281bhp 2.5-litre road-going rally racer is Impreza WRX STi specD, the D standing for “discreet”, apparently. The styling is, therefore, reasonably restrained for an Impreza, this model distinguished by its silver 17-inch wheels, smaller rear roof spoiler, front projector fog lamps and Prodrive lower grille.

There is probably a market for this car, but I think it breaks the purpose of owning an STI.

Read the full article at channel4.com.