new WRX in Motor Trend

[Crazy_pilot]

Then again, in a time where this pukestain can sell, I guess it might have a chance.



God I hate that thing....

Almost as much as Smart Cars....

[Chiketkd]

To be honest, I HATED the new '08 Impreza design and considered writing a letter to SOA to express my discontent!

However, I decide to wait until I'd seen more pics of the production WRX sedan and hatchback as well as looked-over the new specs, which were just released today:

SPECS Cut-n-paste is below:

2008 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX
Preliminary Specifications
Body Styles 4-door, 5-passenger 5-door, 5-passenger

Engine 4-cyl. horizontally opposed (Boxer), double overhead-cam (DOHC),
turbocharged/intercooled
Displacement 2.5-liter
Horsepower 224 @ 5,200 rpm
Torque 226 @ 2,800 rpm

Drivetrain Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard
Transmission types Standard: 5-speed manual transmission Optional: 4-speed electronic automatic with
SPORTSHIFT manual control

Chassis Unitized body construction with Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame structure
Suspension 4-wheel independent
Front Strut-type with lower L-arm
Rear Double wishbone with upper A-arm
Brakes Power assisted 4-wheel disc with 4-channel, 4-sensor anti-lock brake system (ABS)
and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Steering Rack-and-pinion with power assist
Wheels 17 x 7.0JJ aluminum alloy
Tires 205/50 R17 all-season

Exterior Dimensions
Wheelbase 103.1 in. (2,620 mm)
Length 4-door: 180.3 in. (4,580 mm) 5-door: 173.8 in. (4,415 mm)
Height 58.1 in. (1,475 mm)
Width 68.5 in. (1,740 mm)

Fuel capacity 16.9 gal.
Curb weight 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
3,142 lbs. (1,425 kg) 3,208 lbs. (1,455 kg)
Fuel Efficiency 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
EPA city mpg TBD TBD
EPA highway mpg TBD TBD

*All specifications are preliminary and subject to change

The following statement was made in a Subaru press release on the new WRX's 2.5L engine:

The 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-four Boxer engine in the WRX delivers its maximum torque and
horsepower earlier than the previous model, with 224 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm and 226 lb.-ft. of
torque @ 2,800 rpm, a full 800 rpm earlier than the previous generation WRX. Low end torque
and fuel efficiency was improved through the addition of a new intake manifold, intercooler and
turbocharger.

LINK TO FULL PRESS RELEASE

From the looks of things, the new WRX has the '05+ LGT engine (w/ plastic intake manifold) and VF-40 turbo. This turbo is slightly larger than the TD04, and from browsing the lgt.com forum, typical LGT Stage 2 numbers are in the 240-250whp and 285-295wtq range (w/ down-pipe and AP). Put this performance into a WRX that's 50lbs lighter than the outgoing model, and things could be interesting...











P.S. While I do not 'love' this new design, it's slowly growing on me and I'm definitely not going to write that letter to SOA. This new WRX is lighter, has a slightly bigger turbo, a better rear suspension, MUCH better interior and could just be a winner in the 20-25K sport compact segment.

I won't be rushing to trade in my '06 WRX for one, but maybe in late '09 when the 'updated' 2010 models are coming out, I might just consider trading my car in for one.

P.P.S. These pics I posted are from the official Subaru Press Release from the New York Int'l Auto Show.

[shelfy]

it's really starting to grow on me. and it has rear wiper!

[bwb3]

The black grille is much nicer that the chrome one illustrated in the Motor Trend spread. Maybe the after market will come up with more improvements.
Gene

[NikFu S.]

Even I cannot endorse this.

STI looks ok.

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by NikFu S.

Even I cannot endorse this.

STI looks ok.

No official pics of the STI have been posted yet - only the 2.5i Impreza and WRX. While the 2.5i and WRX will be sold in sedan and hatchback variants, the STI (which should be released in the Fall of '07) will be available as a hatchback ONLY...

[RSVX]

This is MUCH better than the previous pics...

[demonsvx]

The grill looks like something from General Motors,change it and put a Subaru grill(single bar type or floating Subaru emblem) and the car wouldnt look cheap

[n00b on demand]

That car looks like such a wimp....subaru has lost its rally balls

That car looks hideous....the back end looks like a kia. **** this

[Manarius]

The hatch back end looks like crap. Those lights are tasteless. The front end is all right. The sedan rear lights are okay, but I much prefer the 06-07 design to this (even with the Edsel front end). The sedan looks like a corolla S and the hatch looks like a MazdaSpeed 3.

I hope the STI comes in a Sedan or else Subaru will not be getting my business for one.

[Budfreak]

hhmm, The Sedan is kind of nice and the hatckback is growing on me(but only a little). My eyes tell me I could probably make a sedan look really good with little work. I would prefer a Legacy type grill on it though over what it has which would be one thing I'd change quick if I ever bought one.

[StelthSvx]

Loooks like a p****y A** HUYNDAI........weeek. Someone Call Guigaro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Crazy_pilot]

It just looks...I don't know...weak. I think the consensus is that the '05 look was the best, and everything up to the current tri-grille version had a fairly boxy look, more of a blunt instrument than a curvy, swoopy design. They looked like they had some meat to them. This one just looks too dainty and curvy. Too much roof, not enough front/rear glass, too pointy nose, weak rear end...

The Legacy is the only current Subie that fits a pointy nose, to me anyway.

I dunno, doesn't do it for me. I actually don't mind the current Impreza nose. The current version with a Legacy style grill would be the nicest IMHO.

[shelfy]

the more people diss on it, the more i like it. i think i'm in love with the hatchback. i'm just afraid it will have the cheap econobox feel that i'm trying to avoid. i guess my hyundai is spoiling me.

[Landshark]

helloooooo EVO!!!


damn, i thought the '06 "urinal grille" Imprezas were ugly ..... they look like vintage Bugattis compared to this new monstrosity.


hatch only for the STi. uh, WTF?!?!?!?