'06 Imprezas are rolling onto dealer lots...
 

...pics are from NASIOC:

'06 2.5L WRX
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y20...ofDSC02319.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y20...ofDSC02255.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y20...ofDSC02251.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y20...ofDSC02258.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y20...ofDSC02257.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y20...ofDSC02253.jpg

'06 STI
http://www.smcars.com/pics/06sti1.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~eric.r.downey/xP1020536.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~eric.r.downey/xP1020517.JPG

-Chike

More...
 

http://www.mattdell.com/gallery/albu...iver50th78.jpg

Petter Solberg
http://www.mattdell.com/gallery/albu...iver50th88.jpg

http://www.mattdell.com/gallery/albu...iver50th09.jpg

http://www.mattdell.com/gallery/albu...iver50th04.jpg

http://www.mattdell.com/gallery/albu...iver50th06.jpg

Got brakes?
http://www.mattdell.com/gallery/albu...iver50th05.jpg

-Chike

More '06 WRX pics...
 

http://www.mattdell.com/gallery/albu...iver50th04.jpg

http://www.mattdell.com/gallery/albu...iver50th05.jpg

http://www.mattdell.com/gallery/albu...iver50th09.jpg

http://www.mattdell.com/gallery/albu...iver50th14.jpg

http://www.mattdell.com/gallery/albu...iver50th15.jpg

http://www.mattdell.com/gallery/albu...iver50th75.jpg

Love the new interior...
http://www.mattdell.com/gallery/albu...iver50th08.jpg

-Chike

P.S. The '06 re-design of the Impreza is definitely growing on me. Even the standard WRX will be a serious performer with the 2.5L 250hp boxer 4, 17" wheels, red brake calipers, and front brake cooling ducts.

It's not ugly, but it just doesn't scream and and say "I'M A WRX LOOK AT ME."

And its got a diffuser. Subaru seems to be using every trick in the book to maximize performance.

One correction...
 

Official specs for the '06 WRX engine performance are:

Horsepower 230 @ 5,600 rpm
Torque 235 @ 3,600 rpm
Max boost 13.5psi

-Chike

P.S. I find that hp rating highly suspicious though basedon the increase in engine size and higher stock boost pressure (up from 12.1 psi in the former 2.0L).

you know i think the WRX looks better then the STi..

as far as the power numbers....im with you. Unlss they did some serious compression reduction or something.
phil

What are the numbers for the STi? They probably just didn't want them to be competitive.
They might also be phasing out the 2.0 to lower production costs.

According to this article on subdriven...

http://www.subdriven.com/news/publis...icle_390.shtml

Compression on the new '06 is 8.4:1. Previously it was 8.0:1 according to an archived article on that same site. Another thing that's interesting is that torque climbed from 217ft-lbs @ 4000rpms, to 235 ft-lbs @ 3600rpms. That much increase in torque should result in a bigger improvement than just 3hp. :rolleyes:

Subaru probably under-rated it at 230hp as that's what Dodge claims for their SRT-4 (which really makes around 250hp+)

-Chike

Those numbers haven't been released yet. I'm definitely waiting on pins & needles... :D

-Chike

I've got $100 on 320hp and 315tq.

I find it unlikely. Japan and a lot of other countries still use a 2.0l in their new WRX and STI.

I also agree the WRX looks better than the STI. The wheels, Small rear spoiler and no "window spoiler" look a lot nicer.

I also was under the impression that stock boost on the 2.0 was 15psi? Or is that the STI?

Oh and does anyone know if I can buy one of those emblems like the one on the back of the red WRX (the pleiades). Its the perfect depth and color for a project I have in mind.

i like the 2.5L engine, higher boost, painted brake calipers (just painted teh wife's calipers and rotor hats the other day - PITA!), and the seats on the WRX.

i don't like the 7-spoke wheels, ricey taillights, and of course, the front end.

can't wait to see what the aftermarket can do about that ugly nose.

The boost pressure in the '04-'05 STI is 14.5psi according to the 10/04 STI vs Evo comparo in Motortrend.

I've seen stock boost numbers for the '02 WRX listed at 12.1psi - however, I did find it listed as 13.5psi for the '04-'05 models. Not sure if Subaru quietly raised it later on...

-Chike

ah thanks for the clearup.

I'm also very dissapointed with the look of the new seats. They seem too cheesy in the pictures, almost generic.

I wouldn't expect to see too much done about the front end of the car. They ugly part of the grill is molded into the bumper and the hood is formed to wrap around it on closure. Any front end changes would be very expensive.