TEST DROVE THE MY08 STi JDM SUBARU TODAY

[T5NYW]

I took the JDM MY08 STi out for a test drive he are some of the Pic's I took of it

The Car was a Prototype type 20 (still under developement) remapping the new ECU is far more complex than previous ECU's also still tweaking the suspension.

The 2.0ltr engines power was at 350bhp for running in. It really pulled strong, more low end torque compare to my MY06 Type 20.

handling was very excellent on the country roads would love to have a track ride in one, Although I didn't have chance to tweak the AST suspension for Track settings.

Driving posistion is nicer seems lower in the seat than my Car

The Cabin space seems to have much more room than my Saloon.

Suprisingly the boot space was bigger that i thought it would be, folding rear seats give more flexabilty.

looks far better in the flesh and the rear lights have been fixed

so quite a few positive for me really, some of you doubters ought to try it before they knock it IMHO

Tony

[T5NYW]

[_Al_]

Seen one in the flesh and was definitely not impressed. Would be interested in a drive of one though. Can't imagine the chasis on mine is as fresh as it used to be so this would be an interesting comparrison.

350bhp sounds like plenty! How is it weight-wise?

[GravelBen]

_Al_ said:

Seen one in the flesh and was definitely not impressed. Would be interested in a drive of one though. Can't imagine the chasis on mine is as fresh as it used to be so this would be an interesting comparrison.

350bhp sounds like plenty! How is it weight-wise?

The NZ-spec car is around 1500kg, JDM maybe slightly lighter though? Heavy compared to a classic Impreza but light compared the 1620kg Exo X.


ETA: Not so sure about those boxy bits over the exhausts but the rest of it I quite like. Bit of an Integrale thing going on being a hatch with big flared guards, gives a bit more aggression than the regular WRX and the wider track stops it looking so nose-heavy.

Edited by GravelBen on Monday 28th January 23:29

[_Al_]

Wow. It looked quite compact in the flesh - I did briefly think that it may at least be lightweight. Guess not!

[ScoobieWRX]

The only thing i like about that is the bonnet scoop which is nicely sculpted into the bonnet rather than on it. I said the same about the new WRX's that came over here as a 'make do' till the STi comes out next year. Not impressed!!

I noticed they are still using the old 4dr Hawkeye Impreza at the Monte Carlo Rally just gone as Subaru WRC choice of chariot. As the JDM STi is already out surely they would use that if it is any good, or is it still early days.

I'll gladly take a hawkeye over this imposter!!!

[GravelBen]

_Al_ said:

Wow. It looked quite compact in the flesh - I did briefly think that it may at least be lightweight. Guess not!

Unfortunately not, though its not much of an increase over the last of the sedans. A lot of the weight comes from safety and luxury gear which is stepped up a lot over the previous models, whenever they make one with less of that stuff to save weight buyers (UK especially IMO) complain about it feeling 'cheap' or being made of plastic, then go and buy a 1600kg Golf R32 instead

[GravelBen]

ScoobieWRX said:

I noticed they are still using the old 4dr Hawkeye Impreza at the Monte Carlo Rally just gone as Subaru WRC choice of chariot. As the JDM STi is already out surely they would use that if it is any good, or is it still early days.

I'll gladly take a hawkeye over this imposter!!!

The WRC08 car is still in development, they have Markko Martin as test driver and he seems to like it (though you never know with press releases), with WRC regs being better suited to shorter-wheelbase hatchbacks it should (hopefully) be pretty competitive once they start using it.

The latest NZ Autocar mag has an STI v Evo X test in it and the give the win to the STI, both cars are a bit softer and 'more mature' than the old models but the Evo has sold out to a much higher degree and become more of a mainstream car. STI is quicker in a straight line due to less weight and more power, and better in the corners primarily due to having a front LSD which the Evo misses out on.

Most of whats being said about the new car is the same stuff said about the bugeye when it came out, and Subaru haven't lost their character in the 7 or 8 years since that so I don't see why they'll lose it now.

Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 29th January 00:10

[ScoobieWRX]

I may well be proved wrong in 5 or 6 years from now and i may look back on my old bugeye and think it was a pile of poo compared to the new brew hatch, but i will stick to my guns for now and stay with the classics.

Maybe when i get to drive the new STi i will change my mind about the car itself but on the looks front i still think the Hawkeye looks more purposeful. This hatch looks like any other hatch and worse than some others.

[Wadeski]

you appear to have taken photos of a Focus RS with a hoodscoo....


...oh no wait it IS the new subaru. I see the badge now.

[_Batty_]

i really like the STi, sorry.
hate the WRX mind, think the arches give it somthing else....

[TotalControl]

I think i'm going to give it a while before i decide on whether or not i like this one. I had to wait 2 years before i realised that the blob eye model was in fact a very good car. I reckon given time, this will become liked in exactly the same way for some.

[RobCrezz]

I think it looks really good, much better than scoobs of old, which to be fair have never been great looking. The last model was not too bad to look at, and some of the old ones were alright, but the bug eye.... ewwwww

[pbirkett]

I'm sure its good to drive, or at least, it should be.

Still looks absolutely revolting though. Back looks like a squashed BMW X5. Front looks like a Proton. Not for me.

[ScoobieWRX]

RobCrezz said:

I think it looks really good, much better than scoobs of old, which to be fair have never been great looking. The last model was not too bad to look at, and some of the old ones were alright, but the bug eye.... ewwwww

I disagree ( i would though wouldn't i), the bugeye has a lot more character to it than the new hatch and when done up witih all the bits of rally bling it knocks spots off the new one. I have seen one of these new WRX's at my local stealership with all the stickers and rear spoiler etc...!!

Looked awful apart from the bonnet scoop that i just love!!

[TotalControl]

The bonnet scoop kinda looks like the Toyota Celica ST185's (early models) and even like the Toyota Levin Supercharged one, and these cars were available quite some time ago..... maybe its just me.....

[RobCrezz]

ScoobieWRX said:

RobCrezz said:

I think it looks really good, much better than scoobs of old, which to be fair have never been great looking. The last model was not too bad to look at, and some of the old ones were alright, but the bug eye.... ewwwww

I disagree ( i would though wouldn't i), the bugeye has a lot more character to it than the new hatch and when done up witih all the bits of rally bling it knocks spots off the new one. I have seen one of these new WRX's at my local stealership with all the stickers and rear spoiler etc...!!

Looked awful apart from the bonnet scoop that i just love!!

I only posted that because of your comment up the page about the bug eye

[ScoobieWRX]

RobCrezz said:

ScoobieWRX said:

RobCrezz said:

I think it looks really good, much better than scoobs of old, which to be fair have never been great looking. The last model was not too bad to look at, and some of the old ones were alright, but the bug eye.... ewwwww

I disagree ( i would though wouldn't i), the bugeye has a lot more character to it than the new hatch and when done up witih all the bits of rally bling it knocks spots off the new one. I have seen one of these new WRX's at my local stealership with all the stickers and rear spoiler etc...!!

Looked awful apart from the bonnet scoop that i just love!!

I only posted that because of your comment up the page about the bug eye

[T5NYW]

as said its still a bit lardy but should imagine when the Spec C version comes out around September it will be Blisteringly quick

They have already had a Production vlass when with the Standard ish STi with Japanese driver Arai Tosh******(sp)


http://www.subaru-sti.co.jp/e/GRN/news/08001.html
Here is some testiing in Sardinia


http://youtube.com/watch?v=y83D6PLGsRo 
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yn0SNIziCF4 
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ht5AFbDcuXw 
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QFC7MTaov-g 
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9BmsOXe2beo 
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lT0VRkldqp0 


Tony

[ScoobieWRX]

In the first vid while idling it sounded like an Abo playing his digeridoo.

The new car seems to like yumping the humps and it looked pretty quick too. But the burble has well and truly gone for good.
Come back burble all is forgiven