By Peter Lyon


Just don't mention the headlights... Subaru has faced all the criticism it can take over the design of the Impreza WRX. The controversy stirred by the bug-eyed machine launched two years ago has reverberated around the world, forcing the rapid launch of the car Auto Express has driven here.

Tougher opposition hasn't helped, either. Mitsubishi's Evo VII offers a sensational blend of power and grip, while Ford's Focus RS has proved you don't need all-wheel-drive to corner quickly. If the Subaru wants to keep its reputation as one of Britain's best-loved driver's cars, it's going to have to work very hard indeed. The car driven here is the new flagship STi, which goes on sale in February, priced from £30,000 - and there's no doubt it is better-looking than its predecessor. The huge rear wing, gold wheels and massive bonnet vent may be over the top, but you don't buy a bright blue car such as this to be discreet. Inside, the STi is practically unchanged apart from a smaller steering wheel and new lightweight seats.

Despite the savage facelift, Subaru is keen to point out that the really meaningful modifications are under the metal, with the most significant a more efficient turbo similar to the one used in the legendary Evolution VII. This newly fitted turbo has smaller turbines and works in conjunction with a revised exhaust system which divides boost pressure before feeding it evenly to both sides of the 2.0-litre flat-four engine.

Also, a newly located catalyst delivers an im-proved exhaust flow and sharpens throttle response. The changes have had a big effect, with the engine now delivering a significant slug of power from as little as 2,000rpm. By comparison, the previous car struggled to gen- erate any meaningful muscle below 3,000rpm. That said, the 280bhp en-gine of this Japanese-spec model (UK editions will offer 265bhp) still needs to be worked hard, and the maximum torque of 394Nm is not delivered until you hit 4,400rpm.

Acceleration times were not possible on our drive, but a conservative estimate puts the STi's 0-60mph sprint at about five seconds. And although straight-line per-formance is impressive, the vehicle's grip is simply astounding. Through long sweeping bends the car refuses to understeer, holding a line with real determination.

The extra stability comes from a significant redesign of the suspension and axles. Up front, the arrangement is moved 15mm forward to improve rigidity. Stronger components are used and there's more crossbracing, allowing engineers to add more negative camber. At the rear, the Impreza has beefed-up anti-roll bars and mounting points to stop it squirming during hard cornering.

With the new settings, more throttle input results in less understeer. In addition to the centre differential and front Suretrac LSD, Subaru also plans to offer DCCD (Driver's Control Centre Diff) in Japan. This allows the driver to choose how the transmission will deliver the power. The system can also detect wheelspin, and alter its set-up to maximise grip. As a result, corner exit speeds are higher than ever. Sadly, UK cars will not get this modification.

The only downside, if you can call it that, is the Brembo brakes. While they employ four-pot calipers with 326mm discs at the front and 316mm discs at the rear, pedal feedback is not all it should be, feeling soggy and lacking precision. The anchors still bite hard into the discs, but you can't help feeling a little short-changed.

Overall, however, the changes made to the new Impreza certainly improve the package. Get behind the wheel of one of these and the last thing people will ask about is the headlamps!

 

The beauty of all wheel drive

 

0-60 in 5 seconds... nice

That is a sweet car... hopefully they won't detune it too much when it comes to the states....

 

they said the brembo brakes are crap....hmmm i thought brembo was top of the line

 

A few more pictures I still have mixed feelings about the lights.
I think it has to do with the smaller fog lights though.

 

hella improvement on the outside! Cool car, but for that price I would prefer entry luxury over power

 

but im still kinda feelin the jdm lights of the wrx now than the one on the sti

 

"Don't mention the headlights"?? Hell, the redesign is my favorite part! I'm all ahead full trying to figure out how to afford a 2004 WRX next fall when they debut.

Btw, that test drive was in Europe I take it? They're getting them in February and they measure monetary sums in pound sterling.

Next time please provide a link to your article source. Thanks.

Their brake complaints sound a little odd. A mushy pedal could just be the result of a larger master cylinder, which, while feeling mushy, is actually providing more fluid for better actual brake performance.

 

i like it but at 35 grand NO THANK YOU.
If i was to go with a AWD sporty boy racer I'd go with the VW Golf R32 which has a tuned 3.2 v-6 INSTEAD OF A 4 CYLINDER. plus VW's bottom end is bulletproof

besides that hood scoop is wrong on Import car.
maybe on a old mustang or trans am but a import car no.

 

I would rather take the turbo engine, and it would look stupid mines a hood scoop, not to mention it send cold air to the intercooler.

 

That is the most hideous thing i've ever seen

 

The test has been taked place in England. The car is not imported in the USA yet. For sure thought we will see a version of this car starting in summer of 2003. Deposits are now accepted at your local Subaru dealer.

 

35g's???? i rather throw in a little extra for a new S4...v8+luxory+Quattro!!!

 

Relax everyone. The price of cars in GB is always more expensive than in the USA. If it starts in GB at 30K British pounds, then it will probably start at $30K here.

 

aren't all the sti's already sold? Someone told me that dealerships have already received the max # of orders, and that there won't be anymore...???

Any truth to this? Anyone know exactly how many are coming over here?

 

How long have they been using the 2.0-litre flat-four engine? Between the EVO (whatever number) and WRX STi coming to the US, which is a more proven and reliable motor? A friend said the EVO will have a new motor, more problems. He had a 90 or 91 AWD talon. One of the first years. All types of problems, in the shop a lot. Although that was 10 years ago, he is set on the WRX.

 

The EVO will not have a new motor as far as I know. It will still be the well known 4G63. This is the engine used in DSMs by the way, only detuned for 210HP. And as an ex Talon Owner, I can tell you that the 4G63 is more proven than the one the WRX wears. Not that the WRX's engine is not reliable. Both are way overbuilt. But if we are talking about going to extremes, the EVO's engine I think will make more power and break second.

 

The styling isn't terrible. We don't see many Subarus in this part of the country.

 

Yeah not for $35k. The Lancer Evolution here will be around $35-36k with dealer markups.

I'm gunning for a WRX which should still be around $24k, maybe $25k with some options out the door.

 

Nice wheels on it! Hope they don't charge $3K for them like they do now for the upgrades.

As for the S4 comment ... their new pricing is likely going to be north of $45K this time around, IMHO. The S4 will not be seriously cross shopped by mnay WRX buyers.