First drive - 08 Impreza STi.....

Clamman · 11-04-2007, 11:33 AM

2008 WR7 Impreza STi - 5 door..

Impreza testing at the Gunma factory this week everyone.... These cars are very quick indeed...

<RESPONSE TO LATER QUESTIONS> Everyone thinks it's fishy that I watched vehicle production on Friday (Japan time) and then wrote this thread on Sunday (US time). I'm not sure why.. I left Japan on Saturday and arrive at O'Hare on Saturday evening (US time). I slept and then Sunday afternoon I decided to review STi forums and found this site. I do not own an STi so therefore I've never posted before this past Sunday. Since reviewing the STi I thought it would be cool to share my experience and maybe some new information with everyone here..

US Impreza STi model SOP (start of production) on Friday at the Yajima plant. Yes, red is available... Also, pearl blue with the gold wheels.... 245/40 R18 tread on 18"x8.5's on all corners...

I was suurounded by STi's on Friday.... I saw pearl blue, white, silver, gunmetal grey, black all day long....

Oh... And the Recaro seats fit like a glove...

I didn't get a chance to sit in the non-Recaro but it was available on STi for non-US.

Ask your questions here...

<ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM THREADS BELOW>

1. How was the steering.. light/numb or a little heavy and precise? (i hope). Steering is precise although I only drove the vehicle briefly.

2. Does the car sound the same? or did they switch to even length exhaust? The car sounds very crisp through the cross-over muffler and quad tips. My opinion is that is sounds better than the current model.

3. Was there red lighting inside? Was it gimmicky? Didn't see any red lightening inside... I assume by "red lightening" you are talking about the Impreze (pink I) designator. If not, then please elaborate since I'm not a long-standing STi enthusiast. The red STi symbols are present in the interior as depcited on some of the spy photos seen on this site. Ex. steering wheel horn trim, shifter console, seats along with RECARO embrodery. I can't remember if STi was on the IP anywhere.. Oh, thats instrument panel for anyone who doesn't know what an IP is.

4. Does it look a whole lot beefier in person? The STi looks very tough. Everyone I was with on this last trip wants one... Especially after seeing/hearing them scream around the high-bank test track at Gunma. I thought the high-bank was a wall from afar (appeared roughly 45 degree banking).

5. Was there a lot of body roll? Never got it on a slalom course people.. I was only casually driving since it was in a confined area. I was told by FHI Engineers that the hard driving feel is slightly softer than the current STi by design. The FHI Engineers feel that the current model is too stiff for modest street driving.

6. Autoleveling headlights? Yes, but I didn't confirm this... I wasn't looking at the headlights.

7. Are you lying? NO!!

8. Yes, Recaro seats for US. How did I confirm this... I was present at trim #5 Yajima assembly last week and personally viewed Recaro seats being installed into a US market vehicle. I double-checked with both an FHI Engineer that was present and also the US designation on the factory build sheet taped to the hood. I hope this is enough proof for you. I didn't get a photo but this should be good enough for the sceptics here..

<You would think that my answer above would lay to rest this issue> Enjoy your Recaro's everyone.. I am not sure about Canada, but I would assume since US get Recaro's then it would be available for all markets.

9) The vents at the A-pillar (located in the fender) are only decoration.

<RESPONSE TO ADDITIONAL INQUIRIES BELOW> Several questions have been asked about the fender venting. I have only a couple of things to say about this. 1) I am looking at a photo now of the STi vehicle shell. The lower rear of the front vender has te-(10) penetrations. Eight-(8) of the pentrations are for clips to secure this trim to the fender. Two-(2) the penetrations, approximately 1"x1/2" slots I presume are drain punches. If airflow is allowed then it might be through these small holes. Therefore, I do not call this a functioning vent trim. If you do, then you are from some world of auto racing that I'm not familiar with. Do any of you have a photo of the STi shell that can back up my claim? If so, probably onyl a few of you have seem the photo I'm looking at. The photo I refer to is in from an STi brochure that I picked up while at the FHI plant. Secondly, I personally inspected an STi with the front inner fender removed and the vent trim install while at the Yajima plant. Please feel free to remove the lower fender trim from your 08 STi's when you obtain them and let me know your opinion on the "functioning vent trim".

10) Yes, RED paint does exist... Although it's not GUARDS RED fellows

11) US SOP was this past Friday so anyone that says they drove a US STi at a dealers is smok'in.. Look for STi's in dealers in a couple of months. My local dealer doesn't have any literature yet and I only have the Japan STi literature.

12) Vehicle stance is very nice with just enough rake for my taste.

13) The black-chrome 5 spoke wheels look great on all of the vehicle colors except the pearl blue. The vehicle that I spent the most time with was the White with black-chrome wheels.. OMG..

Oh.... Let's not forget the Filipina girls in Ota-city. :P Very nice as well.. :P

Unfortunately I did not review the headlamp switch. If had known that some viewers of this thread were interested then I would've checked..

<RESPONSE TO LATER QUESITONS> Everyone finds it odd that I didn't take any photos of the STi's that were present. I figured that plenty of photos were online already and it really didn't matter to me at the time to take a few photos. Since I have the inside line on Subaru it really wasn't impressive enough to take photos for me. If I buy an STi, which I very might then I plan to heavily modify it anyway so I'm only interested in the basepproduct body styling and performance.

Does anyone have any ligitimate questions? I can contact an FHI Engineer and ask specific questions directly if you would like.

What specifically about the headlamp switch do you want to know? I infer that the vehicle has leveling headlights Similar the current Tribeca model. I know that the Tribeca leveling is controlled by a suspenstion mounted sensor and the headlamps move UP and DOWN . Basically controlling the headlamp UP/DOWN angle over hills. Tribeca lamps do not change LEFT/RIGHT.

< I am posting from a US Verizon account. Yes, I live in the US. You can probably guess at least the region since I'm an insider..>

Everyone gets Brembo brakes as well..... Black powder coated with White STi logos...
It also appears from the brochure that I have that a hill holder is included with manual trans and heat mirrors. I'm not sure if this is on all STi's though. The cheap aluminum/plastic pedal trim must go away... OUCH... They use this in the Legacy GT B-spec as well and it's terrible...

The STi uses an FG part designator within the part # for anyone that is intereste in ordering parts from the dealer.. Wheels, etc.... for your stock Impreza..

Actual example: 18" x 8.5" AL wheel, gold color, 55 mm offset is part #28111FG060 this wheel in silver is likely 28111FG050 but I'm not positive on that part. I only know the gold because I asked in the event gold wasn't coming on the US model. I found out afterward that pearl blue with gold wheels is available for US.

**topend** · 11-04-2007, 11:36 AM

215's!?!?

sneekyseven · 11-04-2007, 11:49 AM

Recaros making it to America?

arkleseizure · 11-04-2007, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneekyseven

Recaros making it to America?

+1! Hopefully...

***Nachos Libres*** · 11-04-2007, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topend

215's!?!?

That can't be right. OP, are you sure it wasn't 245?

Dark_Helmet · 11-04-2007, 12:28 PM

Wow, seems like a 215 would be stretched pretty good over an 8.5.

Clamman · 11-04-2007, 12:49 PM

OOPS... Your correct.. 245/40-18...

Sorry for the error...

The 215/45-18's were the Goodyear ICE Navi - ZEA tires that I was looking at...

philswrx04 · 11-04-2007, 01:02 PM

but does the us get the recaros?

Clamman · 11-04-2007, 01:11 PM

YES!!!!! Recaro seats for US market.. They fit like a glove as well....

***Nachos Libres*** · 11-04-2007, 02:34 PM

^^ Sweet. I said I wouldn't dare get another STI if Subaru hadn't of upgraded their seats.

Syr00 · 11-04-2007, 02:50 PM

ok heres some questions for ya hotshot

1. How was the steering.. light/numb or a little heavy and precise? (i hope)
2. Does the car sound the same? or did they switch to even length exhaust?
3. Was there red lighting inside? Was it gimmicky?
4. Does it look a whole lot beefier in person?
5. Was there a lot of body roll?
6. Autoleveling headlights?
7. Are you lying?

thanks...

philswrx04 · 11-04-2007, 02:52 PM

im skeptical. us isnt being shown till the 15, 2.5 mill is keeping unequal i thought.

njjuliano · 11-04-2007, 03:31 PM

Drove by the Subaru main office here in Cherry Hill and they had one in the lot, in Blue with gold wheels. I was semi-waiting for the driver to come out so I can hear it start but no dice.

MacAlert · 11-04-2007, 07:07 PM

I don't think I believe this guy. First 6 posts are about the new STI....

STi_4_Daddy · 11-04-2007, 08:29 PM

Ttiwwop!!!!

11-04-2007, 11:33 AM	#1
Clamman Amateur STI Driver Car: 01 Subaru WRX STi Spec C Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 15 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	First drive - 08 Impreza STi..... 2008 WR7 Impreza STi - 5 door.. Impreza testing at the Gunma factory this week everyone.... These cars are very quick indeed... <RESPONSE TO LATER QUESTIONS> Everyone thinks it's fishy that I watched vehicle production on Friday (Japan time) and then wrote this thread on Sunday (US time). I'm not sure why.. I left Japan on Saturday and arrive at O'Hare on Saturday evening (US time). I slept and then Sunday afternoon I decided to review STi forums and found this site. I do not own an STi so therefore I've never posted before this past Sunday. Since reviewing the STi I thought it would be cool to share my experience and maybe some new information with everyone here.. US Impreza STi model SOP (start of production) on Friday at the Yajima plant. Yes, red is available... Also, pearl blue with the gold wheels.... 245/40 R18 tread on 18"x8.5's on all corners... I was suurounded by STi's on Friday.... I saw pearl blue, white, silver, gunmetal grey, black all day long.... Oh... And the Recaro seats fit like a glove... I didn't get a chance to sit in the non-Recaro but it was available on STi for non-US. Ask your questions here... <ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM THREADS BELOW> 1. How was the steering.. light/numb or a little heavy and precise? (i hope). Steering is precise although I only drove the vehicle briefly. 2. Does the car sound the same? or did they switch to even length exhaust? The car sounds very crisp through the cross-over muffler and quad tips. My opinion is that is sounds better than the current model. 3. Was there red lighting inside? Was it gimmicky? Didn't see any red lightening inside... I assume by "red lightening" you are talking about the Impreze (pink I) designator. If not, then please elaborate since I'm not a long-standing STi enthusiast. The red STi symbols are present in the interior as depcited on some of the spy photos seen on this site. Ex. steering wheel horn trim, shifter console, seats along with RECARO embrodery. I can't remember if STi was on the IP anywhere.. Oh, thats instrument panel for anyone who doesn't know what an IP is. 4. Does it look a whole lot beefier in person? The STi looks very tough. Everyone I was with on this last trip wants one... Especially after seeing/hearing them scream around the high-bank test track at Gunma. I thought the high-bank was a wall from afar (appeared roughly 45 degree banking). 5. Was there a lot of body roll? Never got it on a slalom course people.. I was only casually driving since it was in a confined area. I was told by FHI Engineers that the hard driving feel is slightly softer than the current STi by design. The FHI Engineers feel that the current model is too stiff for modest street driving. 6. Autoleveling headlights? Yes, but I didn't confirm this... I wasn't looking at the headlights. 7. Are you lying? NO!! 8. Yes, Recaro seats for US. How did I confirm this... I was present at trim #5 Yajima assembly last week and personally viewed Recaro seats being installed into a US market vehicle. I double-checked with both an FHI Engineer that was present and also the US designation on the factory build sheet taped to the hood. I hope this is enough proof for you. I didn't get a photo but this should be good enough for the sceptics here.. <You would think that my answer above would lay to rest this issue> Enjoy your Recaro's everyone.. I am not sure about Canada, but I would assume since US get Recaro's then it would be available for all markets. 9) The vents at the A-pillar (located in the fender) are only decoration. <RESPONSE TO ADDITIONAL INQUIRIES BELOW> Several questions have been asked about the fender venting. I have only a couple of things to say about this. 1) I am looking at a photo now of the STi vehicle shell. The lower rear of the front vender has te-(10) penetrations. Eight-(8) of the pentrations are for clips to secure this trim to the fender. Two-(2) the penetrations, approximately 1"x1/2" slots I presume are drain punches. If airflow is allowed then it might be through these small holes. Therefore, I do not call this a functioning vent trim. If you do, then you are from some world of auto racing that I'm not familiar with. Do any of you have a photo of the STi shell that can back up my claim? If so, probably onyl a few of you have seem the photo I'm looking at. The photo I refer to is in from an STi brochure that I picked up while at the FHI plant. Secondly, I personally inspected an STi with the front inner fender removed and the vent trim install while at the Yajima plant. Please feel free to remove the lower fender trim from your 08 STi's when you obtain them and let me know your opinion on the "functioning vent trim". 10) Yes, RED paint does exist... Although it's not GUARDS RED fellows 11) US SOP was this past Friday so anyone that says they drove a US STi at a dealers is smok'in.. Look for STi's in dealers in a couple of months. My local dealer doesn't have any literature yet and I only have the Japan STi literature. 12) Vehicle stance is very nice with just enough rake for my taste. 13) The black-chrome 5 spoke wheels look great on all of the vehicle colors except the pearl blue. The vehicle that I spent the most time with was the White with black-chrome wheels.. OMG.. Oh.... Let's not forget the Filipina girls in Ota-city. :P Very nice as well.. :P Unfortunately I did not review the headlamp switch. If had known that some viewers of this thread were interested then I would've checked.. <RESPONSE TO LATER QUESITONS> Everyone finds it odd that I didn't take any photos of the STi's that were present. I figured that plenty of photos were online already and it really didn't matter to me at the time to take a few photos. Since I have the inside line on Subaru it really wasn't impressive enough to take photos for me. If I buy an STi, which I very might then I plan to heavily modify it anyway so I'm only interested in the basepproduct body styling and performance. Does anyone have any ligitimate questions? I can contact an FHI Engineer and ask specific questions directly if you would like. What specifically about the headlamp switch do you want to know? I infer that the vehicle has leveling headlights Similar the current Tribeca model. I know that the Tribeca leveling is controlled by a suspenstion mounted sensor and the headlamps move UP and DOWN . Basically controlling the headlamp UP/DOWN angle over hills. Tribeca lamps do not change LEFT/RIGHT. < I am posting from a US Verizon account. Yes, I live in the US. You can probably guess at least the region since I'm an insider..> Everyone gets Brembo brakes as well..... Black powder coated with White STi logos... It also appears from the brochure that I have that a hill holder is included with manual trans and heat mirrors. I'm not sure if this is on all STi's though. The cheap aluminum/plastic pedal trim must go away... OUCH... They use this in the Legacy GT B-spec as well and it's terrible... The STi uses an FG part designator within the part # for anyone that is intereste in ordering parts from the dealer.. Wheels, etc.... for your stock Impreza.. Actual example: 18" x 8.5" AL wheel, gold color, 55 mm offset is part #28111FG060 this wheel in silver is likely 28111FG050 but I'm not positive on that part. I only know the gold because I asked in the event gold wasn't coming on the US model. I found out afterward that pearl blue with gold wheels is available for US. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Last edited by Clamman : 11-06-2007 at 06:16 PM.

11-04-2007, 11:49 AM	#3
sneekyseven STI Driver Location: Winston Salem, NC Posts: 296 Join Date: Aug 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: First drive - 08 Impreza STi..... Recaros making it to America?

11-04-2007, 12:28 PM	#6
Dark_Helmet STI Driver Posts: 212 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: First drive - 08 Impreza STi..... Wow, seems like a 215 would be stretched pretty good over an 8.5.

11-04-2007, 12:49 PM	#7
Clamman Amateur STI Driver Car: 01 Subaru WRX STi Spec C Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 15 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: First drive - 08 Impreza STi..... OOPS... Your correct.. 245/40-18... Sorry for the error... The 215/45-18's were the Goodyear ICE Navi - ZEA tires that I was looking at...

11-04-2007, 01:02 PM	#8
philswrx04 Junior STI Driver Car: 04 java black WRX Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 55 Join Date: Oct 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: First drive - 08 Impreza STi..... but does the us get the recaros?

11-04-2007, 11:36 AM	#2
topend Gold Member Car: 04 wrb/gold Fav Mod: v-limited lip Location: CT Posts: 437 Join Date: Dec 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	Re: First drive - 08 Impreza STi..... 215's!?!?

11-04-2007, 01:11 PM	#9
Clamman Amateur STI Driver Car: 01 Subaru WRX STi Spec C Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 15 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: First drive - 08 Impreza STi..... YES!!!!! Recaro seats for US market.. They fit like a glove as well....

11-04-2007, 02:34 PM	#10
*Nachos Libres* Beneath the clothes, we find a man... and beneath the man, we find his... nucleus. Car: 2005 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Underglows Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 8,589 Join Date: Jul 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: First drive - 08 Impreza STi..... ^^ Sweet. I said I wouldn't dare get another STI if Subaru hadn't of upgraded their seats.

11-04-2007, 02:50 PM	#11
Syr00 Amateur STI Driver Car: Silver 05 Scion tC Fav Mod: Lowered Location: Martinez, CA Posts: 29 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: First drive - 08 Impreza STi..... ok heres some questions for ya hotshot 1. How was the steering.. light/numb or a little heavy and precise? (i hope) 2. Does the car sound the same? or did they switch to even length exhaust? 3. Was there red lighting inside? Was it gimmicky? 4. Does it look a whole lot beefier in person? 5. Was there a lot of body roll? 6. Autoleveling headlights? 7. Are you lying? thanks... Last edited by Syr00 : 11-05-2007 at 10:40 AM.

11-04-2007, 02:52 PM	#12
philswrx04 Junior STI Driver Car: 04 java black WRX Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 55 Join Date: Oct 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: First drive - 08 Impreza STi..... im skeptical. us isnt being shown till the 15, 2.5 mill is keeping unequal i thought.

11-04-2007, 03:31 PM	#13
njjuliano Lurker Posts: 6 Join Date: Feb 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: First drive - 08 Impreza STi..... Drove by the Subaru main office here in Cherry Hill and they had one in the lot, in Blue with gold wheels. I was semi-waiting for the driver to come out so I can hear it start but no dice.

11-04-2007, 07:07 PM	#14
MacAlert Junior STI Driver Car: 03 Nissan Maxima SE Location: Queens, NY Posts: 133 Join Date: Aug 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: First drive - 08 Impreza STi..... I don't think I believe this guy. First 6 posts are about the new STI....

11-04-2007, 08:29 PM	#15
STi_4_Daddy S204 Racer Posts: 3,093 Join Date: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: First drive - 08 Impreza STi..... Ttiwwop!!!! This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.