Subaru teaser to WRX STi

Subaru has given its first official big hint of the eagerly awaited new Impreza WRX STi.

The Subaru World Rally Car concept gives a hint of how Subaru will make the look of its performance hero bolder and more overt than the regular Impreza WRX.

A press release from Subaru titled “Subaru’s STIrring sight for Frankfurt” is accompanied by two images showing what is officially a “concept car”.

However, like many concepts, the World Rally Car concept is expected to be pretty close to the genuine Subaru World Rally Car, which will contest the 2008 championship.

Subaru says the World Rally Car concept “conjures up images of future styling trends for a world rally car”.

However, the World Rally Car concept itself gives a strong hint towards the road-going Impreza WRX STi.

The STi is the king of Subaru’s performance range and will arrive in Australian dealerships around February 2008.

Due to be unveiled at the Tokyo motor show in October, the new STi will take Subaru performance to a new level.

Some estimates have already said the new STi accelerating to 100km/h in less than five seconds (click the link at the end of this story for more details and exclusive spy images of the new STi).

The regular Impreza WRX the STi is based on has received a less than friendly reception since being unveiled earlier in 2007; its more conservative hatchback styling has been criticised.

However, Subaru is quietly confident the WRX STi will receive more praise from the driving enthusiasts who have turned the Subaru WRX into a cult car.

Subaru Australia recently explained the difference in thinking with the new Impreza.

“The WRX is being moved closer towards the mainstream Impreza,” Subaru Australia spokesman David Rowley told Drive. “There will be greater differentiation between the STi and WRX than with the previous generation.”


Full details of the new WRX – and the regular Impreza range - will be revealed on Drive on Friday, August 31.

Source: SMH