Subaru will take the wraps off of their new Impreza WRX STI Special Edition at the LA Auto Show next month. The car is going to be produced in limited quantities, and only 125 units will be offered in the beginning, all of them white with custom 18-inch rims — which by the looks of it, has a lot in common with its Japanese counterpart, the WRX STI Spec C model. Featuring a new performance suspension, hardened sub-frame bushings and a thicker rear stabilizer have been included with the new model, while the engine stays — the same 2.5l turbo Boxer engine, producing 305 hp with 393 Nm of torque. Actual sales for the Subaru Impreza WRX STI will begin next spring.

The Subaru Impreza WRX STI Carbon has broken cover in Tokyo but to everyone’s surprise the engine is mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox to spoil the fun of driving on the back of a monster. Based on the A-Line special edition, the STI Carbon chooses a carbon fiber roof instead of the normal panel which lowers the centre of gravity and simultaneously reduces the weight of the vehicle. As far as the interior goes, unlike the standard STI, the STI Carbon is lined in suede. Under the hood is a 2.5L four-banger that produces 296 hp. The manual gearbox version slated for the US will render 305hp. Subaru is calling it the display model but the A-Line derivation for the automatic gearbox will be a part of the production facility rolled models as well.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Carbon as the name implies is an STI based A-Line hatch that comes with a carbon fiber roof to ensure weight reduction and hence lowered gravity centre oand increased performance. Currently announced for Tokyo, the hatch is an A-Line baby with a 5 speed automatic gearbox and this helps the car reach out to more customers. It will be offered with two engine choices, either a 2.0L turbo option that produces 308hp with 422Nm of torque or a 2.5L turbo that gets 300hp with 407Nm of torque. To add to the comfort factor, the suede fabric has been used on the inside hence making the hatchback a little more luxurious. The Subaru Impreza WRX STI Carbon Hatch will break cover at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

A more accessibile version of the renowned WRX STI, Subaru announced that they’ll be releasing a new Impreza WRX STI A-Line edition. Using the company’s 4-cylinder turbocharged 2.5 liter Boxer engine mated a five speed automatic transmission dubbed as SPORTSHIFT, it manages to sport 300 hp and 350 Nm of torque. And if we already know what the Japanese can do with the engines and performances, they’ve outdone themselves when it comes to the interior. There’s an 8-directional electronically adjustable driver’s seat (there’s the option for leather) and leather trim on the inner door paneling highlighted with silver stitching. Furios yet elegant, the new Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line is definitely hot in that “Satin White Pearl”.

Here are more details:

• a single scroll turbocharger for steady torque
• Downshifting Blipping Control for better shifting of the automatic transmission
• VTD (Variable Torque Distribution) AWD system
• a Tumble Generation Valve that controls air intake for maximum combustion efficiency

Here are the first shots of the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX sedan, which again moves the approval meter a bit more to the negative side. The front end is virtually the same as the five-door hatchback’s with an obscenely large intake and matte grille flanked by bits of chrome.

Read the rest of this entry »