The Japanese automaker Subaru has just announced pricing for the 2010 Impreza lineup. Prices for the fun to drive all wheel drive four and five door models will start at $17,495 for the 2.5i version that comes equipped with 5 speed manual transmission and will go all the way up to $34,995 for the top of the line factory hot rod STI version that comes with a turbocharged and flat four cylinder engine mated to a six speed manual transmission. Whereas the sporty boosted WRX will go on sale starting at $25,495 for a standard model and rises to $27,995 for the more luxurious WRX Premium.
The Impreza 2.5i, 2.5GT and Outback Sport models add a stylish new grill and an attractive new exterior color called Camellia Red Pearl is available exclusively on the 2.5i and 2.5GT versions. The GT models are powered by a 2.5 Liter intercooled turbocharged Boxer engine that produces 224 HP equipped with an Active AWD version of Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive System.
The high-performance 300 HP WRX STI which will be back for 2010 as a hatchback only model will feature the same boxed fenders and black alcantara trim complete with red stitching to dress up the interior as last year’s model.
It is an honest shame that the economic instability of new car market has caused the Japanese all wheel drive automaker, Subaru to withdrawal from competing on the world’s stage in the World Rally Championship with their Impreza WRX STI. However, despite the fact that there is no longer a factory backed rally car wearing the yellow and blue livery, the automaker hasn’t discontinued production of the model that is based on; the Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C.
The new STI Spec C will be built in a limited run of only 900 units and will be availbel in unique finishes like Sunrise Yellow and Pure White. The idea of the Spec C is to enhance the engine’s potential and increase performance by stiffening the chassis and incorporating a few light weight components which makes the best foundation for a fully built race car. The ECU is upgraded right from the factory so now the new ball bearing turbocharged DOHC 16 valve flat four EJ20 engine now delivers 308 HP and 311 lb-ft of torque. The Spec C comes complete with an aluminum hood, smaller battery, lighter windows and some new 18 inch alloy wheels.
The car’s handling is improved by a reinforced front end, stiffer springs and shock absorbers, larger anti-roll bars and upgraded sub frame bushings. The engineers at Subaru Technica International also decided that the Spec C would benefit from a mechanical Limited Slip Differential in the back as opposed to the standard models gear type LSD.
You may remember Ken Block’s crazy gymkhana Subaru or his latest remix rendition, but what would it be like if the BBC’s production staff had chance to film their own rendition of a Ken Block video? Watch and see as the DC Shoes owner and rally driver takes Top Gear’s James May out for a spin, literally, and do a little racing with dirt bike champion Ricky Carmichael.
When Subaru came up with the current generation Impreza, the Japanese automaker wanted to distance themselves from their once infamous boy racer image in favor of a toned down more mainstream appearance that would not distract a wider audience of new car buyers. Subaru wants to become more than just a niche vehicle for Northeasterners, who appreciate the beauty of all wheel drive; or tuners, who see great bang for your buck in the company’s turbocharged vehicles. The automotive arm of Fuji Heavy Industries is looking for a larger share of the market.
In doing so, the Impreza has grown up. Our $28,000 Satin White Pearl Suabru Impreza GT is fun to drive with its 2.5 Liter turbocharged boxer engine sending 224 HP to all four 17 inch wheels wrapped in low profile 205/50 tires and a comfortable, yet cloth, interior that was just as aggressive as the ride, but the best part is, how the Impreza GT flies under the radar and stays between the lines.
Ken Block is back with an all new Subaru and plenty of BFGs in the highly anticipated sequel to the original Gymkhana video starring the DC Shoes owner behind the wheel. This time Ken is sliding around in a rally inspired2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI built by Crawford performance. In order to top the Segway circling antics of the first Gymkhana video, Ken had to call in few friends to help out. Like MTV’s Rob Dyrdek and satelite radio’s Jason Ellis; the crew at Mad Media also brought along a big bag of props to take Gymkhana 2: The infomercial to the next level.
It is no secret that Subaru Impreza WRX STI is a great performance car being offered by the Japanese manufacturer for a great price. With the company’s recent withdrawal from World Rally Championship competition and absence from the Super GT Japanese racing series, the STI is having a hard time finding a place to shine. So the performance arm of Fuji Heavy Industries, Subaru Tecnica International, have set out to show the world just how good a car they can make, by building a full on race vehicle out of their factory hot rod.
While most manufacturers test on the Nurburgring, Subaru is sending their car off to the Nordschleife to compete in a 24 hour endurance battle at the Green Hell alongside super cars like the Lexus LF-A, but will compete in the SP3 class with other turbocharged cars that displace 2.0 Liters. This STI’s drivers will not only have to compete against the other entrants in the German race twice around the clock, the ‘Ring itself is a formidable opponent. It is a competitor that will rip you off line and send you flying through the air at 100 MPH in the blink of an eye.
This race spec STI was the result of a concentrated effort of the Japanese racing engineers, have a look at their hard work.
If you are a fan of what Subaru has done with their latest STI then you might like this wild concept. Designed by an independent party who calls himself Grid, this STI concept is to say the least, unique. Grid did get a few things right; like the vehicle’s wide aggressive stance, boxed fenders, protruding power bulge and the combination of a World Rally Blue body sitting on gold rims.
However, the concept looks like an elephant sat on one of Subaru’s current STIs and flattened it like a pancake. Whenviewwed from the side, the wedge shaped body is too close to another great rally car to be considered an original design; the STI concept looks too much like Bertone’s original Lancia Stratos.
This STI concept does have attitude, but if Subaru would take the time, money and energy spent creating this monstrosity, and put it back into a World Rally Championship program, they would definitely sell more of their vehicles.
A little while ago Top Speed brought you Ken Block and his crazy Gymkhana Subaru. Well, the boys at DC Shoes have released a few more videos giving more of a behind the scenes look as to how the shoot went down. This video is possibly even better than the original.
Subaru will unveil a special edition Impreza WRX STI at the Chicago Auto Show. It was designed for its factory rally driver Travis Pastrana.
The Pastrana WRX STI come with a stock 305 hp, SPT front strut tower brace and SPT lower chassis brace, BF Goodrich G-Force Super Sport A/S 275/35 ZR18 tires on Work Evolution XD-9 18 x 9-in. wheels in custom satin black.
The rally-bred WRX STI exterior design lights up with custom yellow paint and graphics. The carbon fiber hood and carbon fiber rear wing are unique to the Pastrana’s WRX STI. As on the stock production WRX STI, the functional hood scoop streams outside air to an intercooler. The Sport Mesh Grille is available for all WRX STI owners. Likewise, the STI front chin spoiler and the exhaust finishers are available through Subaru dealers. A set of PIAA 2100 HID driving lights and rally-spec mud flaps underscore the aggressive rally-bred design of the 5-door WRX STI.
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