fzanetti Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=109645#8 Enjoy the news!!! The ultimate Impreza takes to the road By Peter Lyon Email Date posted: 03-16-2006 Engineers at Subaru's secretive tuning arm, Subaru Tecnica International (STI), have a new mission in life. No longer satisfied with making high-performance Imprezas, STI product planning boss and ex-Impreza chief engineer Takeshi Ito stressed that the group wants to build the world's ultimate Subarus: "We want our relationship with Subaru to be like BMW's M badge or Mercedes' AMG." The news was delivered at the launch of the latest addition to STI's growing stable, the limited-edition S204. Only 600 will be built. And according to Ito, nearly 400 have already found a home in Japan while 100 will be shipped to the U.K. to commemorate the last model of an era. Subaru's British importer caught wind that the next-generation Impreza, due out in late 2007, will change into a hatchback, and so ordered a batch of the very best Impreza sedans STI could produce. Set to raise the bar in the Japanese sport sedan genre, the S204 is said to have the power and the pedigree to make STI's latest dream come true. And to reach this double-sided goal, it has taken its hottest production car, the WRX STI and added a dash of cosmetic surgery and a healthy dose of steroids to produce the S204. Wearing a new lip spoiler, rear wing and 18-inch wheels, it might look a little dressed down for the occasion, but as they say, don't judge a book by its cover. So how does this new saloon stack up? Is it the M3 of the STI lineup? The answer isn't quite that straightforward. Purposeful power On the road, the S204 is sensational. Inheriting a reworked 2.0-liter, turbo, four-cylinder boxer engine from its predecessor, the S203, the car pumps out 320 hp at 6,400 rpm, while torque is up slightly to 319 pound-feet at 4,400 rpm thanks to a remapped ECU and a more efficient intake system. The 0-to-62-mph sprint is expected to take around 4.5 seconds, with a sub-13-second quarter-mile and a top speed of 155 mph. From 3,000 rpm, beefier midrange torque means the driver can make better use of 3rd gear, particularly in long corners, and still have plenty of revs for lightning exits. Push it beyond 6,000 rpm, however, and the retuned exhaust note invades the cabin as it takes on a primeval howl. The sound is purely addictive and before you realize, you find yourself plucking extra gears, just to "feel" that sound again. The six-speed manual gearbox makes life easy with precise gear changes, but could do with shorter throws. However, for a car costing upward of $43,000 — that's $14,000 more than a standard Japan-spec STI — you'd expect to have your pants blown off. Although the S204 is quick out of the blocks, it's not explosive acceleration, and could do with another 50 hp. Heavenly handling However, there are no complaints about the handling. The newcomer has been dropped 2/3 inch and gets spring rates bolstered by 50 percent. Rear stabilizer bars have been reinforced and the chassis is stronger all around, with better roll rigidity and a revised suspension setup. But it's the innovative step of fitting what STI calls "performance dampers" to the body structure between the front and rear suspension strut towers that makes the difference. Apart from their ability to absorb and dissipate vibrations and bumps, plus give a superb ride, they permit smoother initial turn-in, deliver more information to the driver and virtually eliminate understeer. Point the car where you want it to go and it goes there, boasting the most driver-friendly manners of any STI. The best-handling STI so far, this car devours corners, helped partly by the grippy Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, a product of Subaru's World Rally Championship relationship with the Italian tiremaker. Combined with the chunky, no-nonsense four-piston Brembo brake calipers, the Corsa rubber generates the most grip I've ever experienced on a road car. Inside, though, it's a different story. The cabin might be noticeably quieter than the S203 thanks to the incorporation of some rather effective sound-deadening materials, but the design of the instrumentation and dashboard leaves much to be desired. Based on a stock STI cockpit layout, designers have merely added two leather Recaro seats in addition to splashing a few extra yards of high-quality leather around for good measure. Granted that the Recaro seats are special orders boasting a recline function, they each cost upward of $4,500, are too tight across the hips and lack sufficient shoulder support for a car of this sporty nature. As for the exterior, lose the rear wing, S204 badge and 18-inch BBS alloys, and you'd mistake this for a current STI. Yet while work is definitely needed on the aesthetics, nothing comes close at this price for performance and cornering potential. So STI hasn't quite built a car worthy of BMW's M division — but it's close. Flavio Zanetti Boston, MA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWD_Rules3830 Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 hatchback? I love my car ... basically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aczwild Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 hatchback?Oh dear we're going after the GTi JDM'd All to hell Thanks Jimmy @ Hkc-Speed.com! RIP Coxx & Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShockerGT Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 I thought the Impreza was going to be on the Legacy chassis, which means they are going to make a big arse hatchback? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Simpletons Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 I have faith in Subaru that this thing will kick arse in everyway. Maybe not cosmetics... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fzanetti Posted March 17, 2006 Author Share Posted March 17, 2006 Found this pic... Flavio Zanetti Boston, MA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aczwild Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 Found this pic... Flavio Zanetti Boston, MA Thats not a pic of it, that car was just built to show off the Hybrid engine, no one panic!!!!!!! JDM'd All to hell Thanks Jimmy @ Hkc-Speed.com! RIP Coxx & Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fzanetti Posted March 17, 2006 Author Share Posted March 17, 2006 http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.wheels24.co.za/Images/Photos/20051025090420b5concept.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.wheels24.co.za/Wheels24/Tokyo_Motor_Show/0,,1369-1950_1822929,00.html&h=266&w=400&sz=19&tbnid=5m6bW8tgWJPtxM:&tbnh=79&tbnw=120&hl=en&start=7&prev=/images%3Fq%3D2007%2BSubaru%2Bimpreza%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN Another article.... Hmmm looks like they are really going hatch now... Flavio Zanetti Boston, MA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.T.Subie Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 What about the forester STI? Denial is your best friend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShockerGT Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 Yeah, that was a concept pic of their B5 hybrid, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fzanetti Posted March 17, 2006 Author Share Posted March 17, 2006 http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/gossip/is-subarus-b5-concept-the-new-impreza-129490.php Another article.... Is Subaru’s B5 Concept the New Impreza? READ MORE: 2008, Concept Cars, Gossip, impreza, japan, subaru, tokyo http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/images/subaru_b5tph.jpg Auto Express is reporting that Subaru’s replacement plans for its Impreza involve a radical hatchback, which may look like the B5 concept (pictured) the company will be unveiling at the Tokyo motor show this year. The new Impreza, set to be launched in mid-2007, AE says, will mark Scooby’s move up-class, with build quality reportedly rivaling Audi’s supporting radical new styling cues. The car will also get Subaru’s new, turbo-supported hybrid-drive system, the Turbo Parallel Hybrid (TPH), which is based on the company’s 2.0-liter boxer engine. The system is being touted as offering a notable boost in both horsepower and torque. Stay tuned, kids. [Thanks to Denis for the tip.] Impreza hatches out Interesting.... Flavio Zanetti Boston, MA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fzanetti Posted March 17, 2006 Author Share Posted March 17, 2006 and yet another!!!! Is Subaru Planning a Hot STi Hatchback for 2007? Filed under Gossip: Subaru http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/images/STi_hatch.jpg According to some illustrations in a Japanese car magazine, Subaru may be preparing a hottie hatchback version of its Impreza. Word is, the move could have something to do with meeting new rules laid down by World Rally Car (WRC) dealing with size and weight. (Any rally heads care to explain this to us? — tips@jalopnik.com.) You already know how we feel about hatches, so we don’t have to remark on how cool this is. [Many thanks to Trent for the tip.] 2007 STi scoop from Japan!!! March 30th 2005 [imprezaWRXSTi.com] Related: Subaru Impreza RS Taps its Inner STi Flavio Zanetti Boston, MA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Simpletons Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8797/subaruimprezaconcept3kc.jpg http://img345.imageshack.us/img345/3233/1subarub11s24056gp.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fzanetti Posted March 17, 2006 Author Share Posted March 17, 2006 THere you go!!! These are the pics I saw on a car magazine today at lunch!!!!!!! Where did you find them? Flavio Zanetti Boston, MA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speeding_gaijin Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 I actually saw some scoop pics of impressa hatchback... maybe they will go with it to WRC in couple years... I hope not, i hate hatchbacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fzanetti Posted March 17, 2006 Author Share Posted March 17, 2006 I actually saw some scoop pics of impressa hatchback... maybe they will go with it to WRC in couple years... I hope not, i hate hatchbacks Heheheh I loooove hatchbacks!!!!! 2 or 4 door, doesn't matter... My favorite car from a looooong time was the AUDI RS2, and then the S3, but they never sold those in the States.... :-( Flavio Zanetti Boston, MA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtmenace Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 can i offer a pirated copy of photoshop or paint shop pro or anything to get you to crop pics. i started reading and scrolled so far right that i voted for bush. please crop pics! edit your post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboliberty Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 None of those articles are relaible enough to confirm a hatchback Impreza. If you check the dates, these articles are from fall/winter 2005. Right around the time that the B5 concept was set to debut. It was speculation then, it's still speculation now. And here I thought this was really confirmed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWD_Rules3830 Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW .... what is Subie thinking? seriously ... PLEASE SUBARU LET US KEEP THE SEDAN VERSION TOOO PLEASE !!! I love my car ... basically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedi Pimp Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 WTLY!!! http://derfotohof.net/autos/wrx/car_portal_pic_19383.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krzyss Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 Most Subaru competitors are using smaller cars in WRC (Mitsubishi is exception) and they are hatchbacks. I guess the size will be similar to Golf or Focus hatchback. Krzys PS Think about BMW 1 series, Audi A3 as competition and you feel better ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fzanetti Posted March 17, 2006 Author Share Posted March 17, 2006 WTLY!!! http://derfotohof.net/autos/wrx/car_portal_pic_19383.jpg Wow, I actually loved this picture!!!!!! Interesting.... Flavio Zanetti Boston, MA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommyh Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 While I'm not so keen on the big silly spoiler, I do like the rest of it. Don't expect me to trade in the LGT-W "TR" for it though. Martin Luther - "Who loves not women, wine and song remains a fool his whole life long." EL4NFZT7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagcars26 Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 i started reading and scrolled so far right that i voted for bush. please crop pics! edit your post! :lol: well played Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawGT Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 THose last pics are HOTTTTTTTTTTT. I'll take it minus the spoiler, i think it ruins its lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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