RE: Goodbye STI - Subaru calls time on the WRX

[rovermorris999]

OctyScout said:

Not according to some reports...

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2017/6/27/The-2020-Sub...

But who knows!

Let's hope so!

[rovermorris999]

daemon said:

Well i do recall a big announcement a number of years ago that they were no longer bringing STis to the UK, and then they quietly started bringing them in again.

I think the reason they've gone this time (along with the 3.6 flat 6 a few years ago) is the fleet mpg/emission regs being brought in soon. The easiest way to meet these is to drop the thirstiest options in the fleet. Hence also one reason the Lineartronic transmission becoming the default as it's more economical than the manual. The other is that Subaru are also positioning themselves as a safety-conscious brand with the excellent Eyesight system. That only works with the CVT. So I doubt we'll see the like of the current STI again, at least in the UK/Europe.

[daemon]

rovermorris999 said:

daemon said:

Well i do recall a big announcement a number of years ago that they were no longer bringing STis to the UK, and then they quietly started bringing them in again.

I think the reason they've gone this time (along with the 3.6 flat 6 a few years ago) is the fleet mpg/emission regs being brought in soon. The easiest way to meet these is to drop the thirstiest options in the fleet. Hence also one reason the Lineartronic transmission becoming the default as it's more economical than the manual. The other is that Subaru are also positioning themselves as a safety-conscious brand with the excellent Eyesight system. That only works with the CVT. So I doubt we'll see the like of the current STI again, at least in the UK/Europe.

Interesting. Its a shame and and end of an era as such.

[F1GTRUeno]

They could've at least made the wheels gold.

[aaron_2000]

johnmacdonald said:

Oh, and by the way aaron 2000, my other car is a Merc 306 bhp C350 V6 AMG coupe...

All in good nature Why bother working all your life if you can't enjoy it?

[blearyeyedboy]

daemon said:

rovermorris999 said:

daemon said:

Well i do recall a big announcement a number of years ago that they were no longer bringing STis to the UK, and then they quietly started bringing them in again.

I think the reason they've gone this time (along with the 3.6 flat 6 a few years ago) is the fleet mpg/emission regs being brought in soon. The easiest way to meet these is to drop the thirstiest options in the fleet. Hence also one reason the Lineartronic transmission becoming the default as it's more economical than the manual. The other is that Subaru are also positioning themselves as a safety-conscious brand with the excellent Eyesight system. That only works with the CVT. So I doubt we'll see the like of the current STI again, at least in the UK/Europe.

Interesting. Its a shame and and end of an era as such.

I know it's a cliché, but Brexit might change something here. It'll be a decade before the legislative mess is clear enough to address things like this, though.

If European cars become too expensive, might emission regs keeping some US or Japanese cars or be relaxed...

I'm idly hoping, I guess.

[GravelBen]

blearyeyedboy said:

I know it's a cliché, but Brexit might change something here. It'll be a decade before the legislative mess is clear enough to address things like this, though.

If European cars become too expensive, might emission regs keeping some US or Japanese cars or be relaxed...

I'm idly hoping, I guess.

Here in NZ an STI is over 20% cheaper than a Golf R, I wonder how much of the UK pricing is partially due to EU taxation on imports to favour their own car industry? Brexit could influence that as well in future I guess.

[rovermorris999]

I believe there is currently a 10% tariff on Japanese car imports to the EU which will slowly be removed over the next 7 years under the new EU/Japan trade deal if it all goes to plan so theoretically prices could fall. It's strange really, the remain side keep banging on about tariffs that may be applied to us if we leave with no deal but forget to mention the tariffs that the EU put on imports from outside the EU which we could dump. The world price of sugar for example is much lower than the EU price. Many things would become much cheaper if we wished. But I'm drifting OT.
Sadly, Brexit or no Brexit, the green lobby seems to have most political parties by the throat so I don't see much change there. Odd really, as just about everyone I talk to thinks it's a load of bks.

[Justin-xiyf2]

Sad to see the end of the “scooby” but it’s long overdue. They, and the Evo are just years behind on refinement and fuel economy.

I’ve owned both a standard P1 and an Evo X (400bhp, 400lb/ft) previously. Kept neither more than 4 months as they just drink fuel. Most I got in the P1 on country roads was 16 mpg. Both cars when “enjoyed” would return around 4-6mpg. This wears thin very fast. I suppose my mistake was using them as daily drivers. But they were marketed as such. No denying the awesome performance in both though. Bar my friend’s GT-R, nothing could keep up with the Evo. Back then of course. Onwards and upwards...

[rovermorris999]

I used to get low 20's from my RB320 in normal driving, more on a run. I expect similar from the new one. It was using much more when being pushed but realistically you can't drive everywhere like that. I found it pleasurable to use at legal speeds as it could hold those speeds in corners when not much else would and the overtaking ability made it a very safe car for making legal progress. Surprisingly comfortable as well compared to a friend's Civic Type R which was bone-hard.
You're right though, their time has been and gone sadly.

[GravelBen]

Justin-xiyf2 said:

Most I got in the P1 on country roads was 16 mpg

Was something wrong with it or did you cane it everywhere? Most turbo Subarus will do 30+ mpg on a run and mid 20s average is pretty normal in mixed use. Obviously not the most economical things in the world, but not too unreasonable IMO considering the performance and permanent AWD etc.

Best I've had over a tank from my Legacy GTB (280bhp 2.0TT) is 33mpg, long term average is about 27.5.

[plenty]

GravelBen said:

Justin-xiyf2 said:

Most I got in the P1 on country roads was 16 mpg

Was something wrong with it or did you cane it everywhere? Most turbo Subarus will do 30+ mpg on a run and mid 20s average is pretty normal in mixed use. Obviously not the most economical things in the world, but not too unreasonable IMO considering the performance and permanent AWD etc.

Best I've had over a tank from my Legacy GTB (280bhp 2.0TT) is 33mpg, long term average is about 27.5.

Here we go again

[GravelBen]

plenty said:

Here we go again

Yes...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[rossub]

You'd have to be driving like a dick to average sub 20 mpg all the time.

My Spec C RA with the even less fuel efficient twin scroll turbo averages 24 mpg.

[plenty]

Speaks volumes about the state of motoring today, when driving a car as it's intended for is behaving "like a dick".

The best I ever saw on a tank on my current twinscroll was 25 mpg, and that was trying quite hard.

Why own an Impreza if you're going to drive it like Miss Daisy?

[Barryhh]

The new versions just don’t excite that’s Subaru and Mitsubishi?
Had three showroom Subaru’s the first i think it was an ‘L’ reg (you do the maths) the second followed two years later but went to Prodrive for a bit of a tweak! Then the booootiful two door arrived in Yellow it wasn’t for sale only doing a PR tour but after much negotiation parted with 35k for the first one in the country so special Top Gear heard about it and asked to do a piece on it too which I obviously obliged at Pebble Mill with top man Quentin Wilson.
From there two Mitsi Evos the latter being the Tommi Makinen
Happy days and glad I was part of it!

[lewis87]

Who really cars about the MPG of STI/Evo's etc. They are very fast, fun cars, you don't buy them for fuel economy.

My 05 STI averages about 21mpg and I've got quite a heavy foot. My DC2 would average about 26mpg for comparison, but the STI is far faster.

[rossub]

plenty said:

Speaks volumes about the state of motoring today, when driving a car as it's intended for is behaving "like a dick".

The best I ever saw on a tank on my current twinscroll was 25 mpg, and that was trying quite hard.

Why own an Impreza if you're going to drive it like Miss Daisy?

Disagree. I'm fairly sure I piss quite a few people off with my fast overtakes, so getting sub 20 all the time must mean you're pissing people off on a daily basis.

[plenty]

rossub said:

Disagree. I'm fairly sure I piss quite a few people off with my fast overtakes, so getting sub 20 all the time must mean you're pissing people off on a daily basis.

Ah right, the old "anyone who drives quicker than I do must be a dick" thing.

Most of my Impreza driving is done between 5-8 on a Sunday morning, or in rural Wales or Scotland, or in Europe. I prefer to find times and places where I can enjoy my drives to the fullest. And I'd like to think that I don't piss people off with overtakes.

[aaron_2000]

Barryhh said:

The new versions just don’t excite that’s Subaru and Mitsubishi?
Then the booootiful two door arrived in Yellow it wasn’t for sale only doing a PR tour but after much negotiation parted with 35k for the first one in the country so special Top Gear heard about it and asked to do a piece on it too which I obviously obliged at Pebble Mill with top man Quentin Wilson.
Happy days and glad I was part of it!

Sounds like the perfect Type R, Quentin Willson is a top guy too