January
sees the launch of the 260bhp (253 lb-ft of torque) Impreza WRX STi. Two
versions will be available in the UK – the ‘standard’ STi and the special
edition STi Prodrive Style with Prodrive-designed spoilers, grille and front
bumper.
Both will be designated and badged ‘Type-UK’ as Suburu seek to
distinguish them from grey imports which. Subaru are keen to differentiate them
from ‘grey’ imports which do not have European Type Approval and they are
providing extra features to differentiate them too.
Amongst the additional features included for the UK are the security features
necessary to discourage scrotes from making off with the new toys. These include
a Category One alarm/immobiliser and a satellite tracking system. Type UK cars
also get enhanced rust proofing locking wheel nuts and a three year/60,000 mile
warranty plus three year membership of Subaru Assistance.
WRX
STi styling features include smoked glass projector beam headlamps, bigger
bonnet air intakes and a single large-diameter rear exhaust pipe. Other shared
differences to the regular WRX include special gold-coloured spoked alloy
wheels, colour-keyed sill spoilers and an interior featuring blue suede-effect
seats with STi logos and red stitching for the steering wheel, gear knob and
handbrake lever.
In addition, the STi Prodrive Style features a massive high-riding boot
spoiler, newly designed sill spoilers and a deeper, squarer front bumper. The
grille and badging resemble the WRC rally car. Interior enhancements over the
standard STi include dark blue-coloured instruments with red needles. Also
inside - and sure to please gadget freaks - is the switch to spray the
intercooler with water.
The Impreza STi will be available in four colours: WR Blue Mica, Blue Black
Mica, Premium Silver Metallic and Pure White, the latter two being special order
only. Provide Style customers can choose between WR Blue Mica and Blue Black
Mica. The Prodrive Style costs £27,495 on-the-road.
Performance? 148mph and 0-60 in 5.2 seconds.
[links]Scooby|subaru[/links]
|
ENGINE |
| Up to 80 per cent of the STi’s all-alloy engine is
new compared to the standard turbocharged 2.0 litre four-cam ‘boxer’
unit as fitted to the regular Impreza WRX. In order to meet the
stringent Euro3 exhaust emission levels, the catalyst is uprated, the
air-fuel ratio sensor modified and special multi-hole fuel-injectors
fitted.
Engine strength and rigidity are boosted by using
semi-closed-deck cylinder blocks, reshaping the piston head, fitting
screw-in type connecting rods and using forged pistons and shimless
valve lifters. Also aimed at high-rev durability are sodium-filled
exhaust valves and hollow intake valves.
A larger intercooler and air intake provide better
cooling and a special intercooler water spray is fitted, operated by the
driver with the water tank fitted in the boot. Also specially fitted to
the STi is Subaru’s Active Valve Control System – variable valve
timing – which ensures maximum engine response over a wide rev-range.
The result is a maximum power output of 265 PS (261.5
bhp/195 kW) at an accessible 6,000 rpm and 253 lb ft (343 Nm) torque at
an equally usable 4,000 rpm. This compares with the standard WRX figures
of 218 PS at 5,600 rpm and 215.4 lb ft of torque at 3,600 rpm –
significant increases of 47 PS and 37.6 lb ft.
As with the normal WRX, the horizontally-opposed
four-cam, 16-valve ‘boxer’ engine has a bore and stroke of 92x75 mm
for a capacity of 1,994 cc and runs on an 8.0:1 compression ratio.
While not a top priority for performance car owners,
fuel economy is a respectable 29.7 mpg on the Extra Urban cycle. |
|
TRANSMISSION |
 The
European version of the STi features the same completely new six-speed
transmission as the Japanese model.
This short-throw close-ratio ‘box’ has been designed
to withstand high torque outputs and features extra rigidity thanks to
expanding the distance of the main gear shaft by 10 mm and increasing the
facewidth of the gears.
Instead of turning the STi’s sixth gear into an
economy-orientated overdrive, Subaru’s engineers have chosen low gearing
for lively acceleration. For example, the STi’s fourth gear virtually
matches third on the standard WRX, while sixth pulls 24.5 mph/1000 rpm
versus the WRX’s 24.7/1000 rpm.
The clutch is uprated and larger, with increased loading
on the clutch cover. Meanwhile, both lubrication and cooling are improved
through the use of an oil pump in the main case. Engagement of reverse
gear now requires the lifting of a pull-up slider ring. |
|
WHEELS / TYRES / BRAKES |
 The
STi’s wheels and tyres are slightly larger than the standard WRX. The
specially designed multi-spoke gold alloy wheels measure 17x7.5 ins
instead of 17x7 ins and the tyres grow from 215/45 to 225/45.
Brakes are supplied by Brembo and include an ABS system.
Key features include larger ventilated front and rear brakes with four-pot
aluminium callipers at the front and twin-pot offset opposed aluminium
callipers at the rear.
Actual front/rear brake size grows from the 11.5 ins
(292mm)/11.3 ins (288mm) of the standard WRX to 13 ins (330mm)/12 ins
(305mm) for the STi.
The enhanced ABS system also benefits from a lateral G
sensor and EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution). This ensures maximum
braking control. |
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 4 3"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1 1"%3E%3C/svg%3E)