Ôhings move fast at Subaru... very fast. Although the new Impreza has only just arrived, the firm is already plotting to unleash an STi model that could end the Japanese supercar debate with Mitsubishi once and for all.

A senior source at the company told Auto Express: "Subaru has something quite special in the pipeline. We're now working on a 3.0-litre turbo Impreza for Japan and Europe that will generate in excess of 350bhp.

"Unfortunately, we're having teething problems with the transmission as the current WRX STi six-speed box isn't capable of handling the torque the engine produces." Several solutions are being investigated, with the most popular being to ask a company such as Getrag, which has much experience in building heavy-duty gearboxes, to work on the transmission.

But before you race down to your nearest dealer, bear in mind how long this is likely to take. Development of the car is said to be very complicated. Our source suggests we won't see the 3.0-litre turbo powering a Subaru until the next Impreza model

change, due in 2007. However, anyone wanting a taste of what's to come should be aware a muscular 3.0-litre normally aspirated engine - the platform for the turbo unit - will be used in the new Legacy, here in June. Subaru says the non-turbo will pump out close to 240bhp, which is 25bhp over the current car's output.

The company also plans to scrap the twin-turbo 2.0-litre engine that powers the Japan-only Legacy B4 - a car British Subaru fans had coveted. This motor will be replaced by a 2.0-litre single-turbo B4, which will use the unit that debuted in the Impreza STi. The reworked Legacy arrives next year.
Peter Lyon

 

Oooooo ... the daily driver of my dreams.

 

Wow, ya that's pretty impressive. Hopefully they can get the car in the US faster. With the HP wars going on. I would think the competition will be on par too by then. Or maybe we'll run out of oil from all of the H2 hummers sold by then.

 

I think we will see this engine first on the Legacy. Watch out of super fast wagons folks.

 

I called a local Subaru dealer yesterday, asking for some info about the upcoming WRX STI. It was interesting, because he said that even though his dealership was the largest in the area, they would only be getting about 1-2 cars per month! Plus, the STI will not be out until May or June. They also had a waiting list, with about 60 people already on it.
He said some other things that suprised. According to him, the STI was a "street-legal race car". In other words, its not a daily driver, and you sure as hell don't want to get caught in traffic in it. He has a WRX, and is number 2 on the wait list that he mentioned, and he actually won't get the STI. He said it is very limited. He suggested that I get a regular WRX, and mod the hell out of it. His WRX has the STI suspension.

 

Yes, the new sti's are pretty much a track car on the street- they dont even come with a radio

 

Is that still a 4-banger? Wouldn't a 3.0 Liter four-cylinder be a bit over-square?

I remember when Porsche had a 3L unit in the 944 and that articles about it mentioned the over-square issue.

 

I remember the 944S having that 3.0L I4 good for 208hp with its its 10.9:1 compression ratio. That was the car of choice when I was in college.

 

No. This is a Boxer 6. Like the 911s.