The king of Britain's backroads is dead, a victim of its unconventional looks. Next February, the bug-eyed Subaru Impreza - which caused an uproar at its launch in October 2000 - will be replaced with a range of cars Auto Express can exclusively reveal here...

Set to make a dramatic world debut at this week's Paris Motor Show, the new Impreza line-up will be crowned by this sensational STi edition aimed directly at Mitsubishi's Evo VII.

With sycamore seed-shape headlamps and a bigger than ever bonnet air scoop, it's radically different to the model it succeeds and sports a look that is bound to cause just as much controversy.

Expected to cost less than £30,000 when it goes on sale in February, this all-new STi boasts improved aerodynamics, a more efficient turbo and uprated suspension. The cooling systems have been boosted too, thanks to the bull nose scoop and a reworked front bumper. There's still no official word on performance, but it's thought the UK engine spec is largely unchanged.

That means the standard models will deliver 265bhp from the four-cylinder boxer unit, and a Prodrive-developed kit will offer 300bhp with a top speed of at least 155mph.
Subaru's new six-speed gearbox continues to offer drivers a neat series of close ratios. Power is delivered to the all-wheel-drive system through limited-slip differentials on the front and rear axles. Suspension improvements include additional cross-bracing to stiffen the bodywork, and stronger mounting points to give more predictable handling. Inside, more changes are evident, including a thick-rimmed Momo wheel. The seats have new colour schemes, but the shape and size remain unchanged.

Subaru's engineers have clearly followed a kind of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' approach to improving the car, which should ensure that it remains a keen driver's delight. But will we be able to live with those headlights? Opinion in our office is divided, although there will be no shortage of volunteers keen to drive the car when it arrives next year. The king is dead. Long live the king!

 

Just a quick question. Where does it say the US WRX will make that much HP? It says the UK engine spec remains unchanged. Did it always make 265hp in the UK?

 

The current 2002 UK WRX STi produces 265 horsepower, above that model there is the WRX UK300 and the WRX STi Prodrive edition. I believe the STi Prodrive is already more than 265hp. I believe that there are no chassis or engine changes with the new front.

 

It says, the standard models will deliver 265 HP in the UK.

Now, we know that the Evo 8 is coming to the USA (in a matter of months). We now know that it will make upwards of 270HP (275 HP is the most popular belief). We also know that the 2003 WRX will make more power than the 227 HP (USA spec). Looking at this UK base model making 265 HP and looking at the Evo 8 rumors, it only make sense for us to get the same spec WRX. If not, it will be very close to 265HP. Maybe 260HP, maybe 270HP. No matter what, the WRX folks are feeling the Evo pressure. So we will only benefit.

 

I think they are making a comparison between the standard STi model and the Prodrive STi model not the base WRX.

 

I think you're right. My bad :o

 

considering the mitsu evo is gonna be here soon with HP (250+) close to that, of course they are gonna have to step up the output. thats just obvious like nissan did to acura.

 

Oh no! My favorite part of the WRX (the round headlights) are gone!

 

I think there's some confusion here about the WRX's.

The WRX STi @ ~265hp is going to be the EVO's competition, not the base WRX @ 227hp. There will be both flavors sold in the US, once the STi finally makes it over here.

 

I agree with you on the round lights. They worked on the car.

BTW, what the hell is up with the "sycamore-seed shaped headlights"?

Is that the biggest load of marketing propoganda garbage or what?

I mean really, sycamore-seed?

 

It seems, to catch up with falling sales in the European market.. they are making the car look more like the Legacy. They should have just reintroduced the coupe

 

http://www.subaru-global.com/topics/...400X300_9M.mov


heres some video

 

The car is pretty nice, and probably one of the best bang for bucks. The only problem I have with the car, is it doesnt look mean.

spiro