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Drive a Subaru, read all about the car you want to experience.
The WRX STI receives a host of detail changes, including a new helical limited-slip front differential, power steering oil cooler and revised alloy wheels. Interior improvements include a redesigned center stack/console layout, full-auto climate control and revised front seats. Last, but not least, an audio system with six premium speakers and a six-disc CD changer is now standard.
To experience what a Subaru is like, you need to drive a subaru.
Introduction:
Is this a great time for Japanese carmakers or what? Who would've thought we'd see the day when you could drive a subaru with 300 horsepower? It wasn't that long ago that car enthusiasts lusted after BMW's previous-generation M3 with its 240-horse straight six. Not only does Subaru's WRX STI have serious power, it has All-Wheel drive to get it to the ground. Three years ago, Subaru redesigned its Impreza compact and unleashed the 227-horsepower, turbocharged Impreza WRX. With All-Wheel drive, this compact powerhouse gave enthusiasts the opportunity to drive a subaru that is very powerful, AWD sport sedan without breaking the bank. When word spread that Mitsubishi was going to follow suit by bringing its rally-bred Lancer Evolution (the street version of its WRC car) to the market with even more power than the WRX, the Subie folks cooked up the even hotter WRX STI. With a 300-horse, 2.5-liter engine and trick features like Brembo brakes, an intercooler water sprayer and a driver-controlled center differential, the STI draws a Pavlovian response from many a car buff. The big hood scoop (which feeds air to the intercooler) leans forward into the wind, as if drawn by a cartoon artist. And the huge rear wing makes a strong statement from any angle. Giving the STi's stance the proper attitude are 17-inch, 10-spoke BBS wheels shod with sticky Bridgestone Potenza performance tires, the tenacious grip of All-Wheel drive, nimble handling and seating for four, the WRX STI offers supercar performance without the supercar price. To experience what a Subaru is really like, you need to drive a subaru.
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The Impreza WRX STI comes only as a sedan. Standard equipment includes Brembo brakes, xenon headlights, 17-inch wheels with 225/45 performance tires, an aluminum hood with functional hood scoop, a large rear wing and ground effects. Inside the cockpit are alloy pedals; automatic climate control; a six-speaker stereo with an in-dash CD changer; keyless entry; sport seats; power windows, locks and mirrors; cruise control; and a Momo leather-wrapped steering wheel.
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Powertrains and Performance:
The STI uses a larger 2.5-liter version of the standard WRX's turbocharged flat-four. With this layout comes a unique, muscular growl that announces serious output to the tune of 300 hp and a stout 300 lb-ft of torque. Sending the power to all four wheels is a six-speed manual gearbox, the only transmission available on the STI. Subaru's World Rally Championship racing technology trickles down to the street, as the STI has a driver-controlled center differential (DCCD). Worked by a thumbwheel on the center console, the DCCD allows the pilot to control the power split between the front and rear axles, for optimum traction in varied conditions.
Safety:
The WRX STI features four-wheel antilock disc brakes, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), side airbags for front occupants and pre-tensioners and force limiters for the front seatbelts. In government crash tests, the Impreza earned four stars (out of a possible five) for driver protection in frontal impacts and five stars for front-passenger safety. The Subaru also earned four stars for front-occupant protection in side impacts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the car a "Good" rating (the highest) for front offset crash protection and named it a "Best Pick" overall.
Interior Design and Special Features:
With heavily bolstered two-tone seats and a fat three-spoke steering wheel, the STI's cockpit won't be mistaken for a standard WRX's. Aluminum pedals and controls for the intercooler sprayer and center differential further hint at the serious performance nature of the STI. Creature comforts have been kept to a minimum, but this year's models do get standard automatic climate control and a premium audio system complete with a six-disc CD changer.
Driving Impressions:
With so much usable power, the STI is scary quick. Zero to 60 mph takes less than 5.0 seconds and the quarter-mile is eaten up in under 14 seconds. Equally impressive is the Subie's braking ability. Stopping from 60 mph takes only 110 feet of asphalt -- a world-class effort. In addition to its fat power band and strong brakes, the STI offers excellent steering feedback, commendable handling and a forgiving nature. The gearshift's action could be more precise and the STI's suspension tuning isn't perfect, but these are minor drawbacks given the STI's overall performance capabilities. To experience what a Subaru is really like, you need to drive a subaru.
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