Subaru's new WRX STI 08 | 10 | 2010
IT SEEMS timely that just days before RallyScotland kicks off, Subaru — the manufacturer which powered Colin McRae to his World Rally Championship in 1995 — has unveiled its new WRX STI.
Subaru has decided to drop the ‘Impreza’ moniker as the WRX STI arrives after an absence of three years and the newcomer promises to be one of the most exciting cars on the road.
Powered by Subaru's acclaimed 2.5-litre boxer 16-valve turbo engine with Dual Active Valve Control, it produces 300ps at 6000rpm and boasts massive torque – with a peak of 407Nm at 4,000rpm – even from low-revs. It'll scamper to 62mph from standstill in just 5.2secs. Oh, and the revised engine is cleaner, and meets Euro 5 exhaust emissions standards.
Having been tested on a series of roads and under varying conditions, Subaru also used the famous Nordschleife at the Nürburgring in Germany to fine-tune the car.
Not only does the WRX STI have a lower ride height and wider tyres, but it benefits from a stiffened bodyshell and an extensively reworked suspension system. And newly-deigned wheels save 2kgs of un-sprung weight per corner compared to the outgoing model, helping to further improve ride and handling
But at the heart of the car remains Subaru's legendary Symmetrical AWD (All-Wheel drive) system with its sophisticated front, centre and rear differentials. And for the new WRX STI the system has been uprated, with revised settings for the differentials.
The standard set-up delivers a 41:59 front/rear torque distribution for optimum balance, but the driver can adjust this while on the move using the four-mode Driver’s Control Centre Differential system. The car also comes with a new a new exhaust system fitted with a larger centre muffler and larger diameter piping; the result is a measured increase in volume of the engine’s iconic boxer ‘burble’.
Standard equipment includes keyless entry, push-button start, front log lamps, hill start assist, climate control air-conditioning, remote central locking, electric windows front and rear, an all-new radio-CD unit with a 10-speaker audio system, AUX and USB input jacks, hands-free Bluetooth and cruise control.
The WRX STI — £32,995 for both the four-and five-door variants — is available from now from Subaru dealers across Scotland.
Keep up-to-date with all the news by following us on twitter.com/scotcars
Jim McGill