[EtoS]

This is a good indication of what the USDM 09 is gonna be like and I LIKE alot.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE HAT-TRICK FROM SUBARU

Three new high-performance Special Edition Imprezas

255 PS Impreza WRX-S at £22,495 OTR

330 PS Impreza WRX STI 330S for around £30,000 OTR

Ultimate 380 PS Impreza WRX STI 380S concept

Subaru has scored a high-performance hat-trick for the British International Motor Show with the launch of no less than three new Special Edition new-shape Impreza models – two of which can be seen at the show.

All receive Prodrive engine upgrades plus comfort and styling tweaks, giving enthusiasts an unprecedented choice of sporty Subarus.

The 255 PS Impreza WRX-S costs a highly-competitive £22,495 while the 330 PS Impreza WRX STI 330S will be priced at around £30,000 (both on-the-road). First deliveries are expected in September.

Still in concept stage is the 380 PS Impreza WRX STI 380S which could become available within the next six months pending positive customer response.

Visitors to the show (July 23 to August 3, ExCeL, London) can see both the STI 380S concept and the WRX-S on Subaru’s stand N23.

Impreza WRX-S Offers More Power And Style
Based on the new Impreza WRX, the ‘S’ model offers £4,500 worth of extras for a £2,500 premium, costing £22,495 OTR.

Banbury-based Prodrive has re-programmed the 2.5 litre ‘boxer’ engine’s ECU (electronic control unit) and modified the exhaust system. This sees power leap from 230 PS at 5,200 rpm to 255 PS at 5,400 rpm while the torque improvement is even greater, growing from 236 lb.ft at 2,800 rpm to 287.6 at 3,000 rpm – a staggering 51 lb. ft more.

Maximum speed remains at 130 mph but the 0-60 mph time drops from 6.1 seconds to 5.5 seconds. Naturally, in-gear flexibility is greatly enhanced.

The new Impreza WRX-S also boasts 18x7.5 ins anthracite GT1 alloy wheels with 225/40 tyres, an STI front grille, STI front lip spoiler and STI rear wing and body-colour tailgate moulding.

Also standard is a MOMO ‘Air-Race’ gearknob while the colour choice is between San Remo Red, WR Blue Mica, Obsidian Black Pearl and Satin White Pearl.

Standard equipment on the Impreza 2.5 WRX-S includes front and rear spoilers, side skirts, a rear diffuser, leather-covered steering wheel, all-wheel drive, a rear limited-slip differential with Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control, 10-speaker, six-disc radio/CD player and xenon headlamps.

Impreza WRX STI 330S Brings Back The Burble
The new Impreza WRX STI 330S also benefits from a Prodrive Performance pack with modified ECU and exhaust system – this time with paired twin 90 mm diameter stainless steel exhaust pipes to bring back the burble so loved by ‘scooby’ fans.

Power goes up to 330 PS at only 5,400 rpm compared to the 300.5 PS at 6,000 rpm of the standard model.

Torque is boosted from 300.2 lb ft at 4,000 rpm to 346.6 lb ft at a lower 3,400 rpm making for an even swifter, effortless driving experience.

Top speed is the same 155.3 mph but the 0-60 mph time drops from an already swift 4.8 seconds to only 4.4 seconds.

Expected to be priced at around £30,000 OTR, the new Impreza WRX STI 330S has an especially luxurious specification – even compared to the already well-equipped standard STI which costs £26,595 OTR.

Upgrades include leather-covered Recaro front seats, satellite navigation, Smart-entry and push-button start.

Visually, the new special-edition sports new five-spoke 18x8.5 ins alloy wheels wearing 245/40 R18 tyres. It will be available in the full range of STI colours.

Standard equipment on the Impreza WRX STI includes a six-speed gearbox, Si-Drive giving three different engine response modes, a Multi-mode Driver Control Centre Differential, Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control and – of course – symmetrical all-wheel drive with front and rear limited-slip differentials.

Show-Stopping WRX STI 380S Concept
Sure to be a crowd-puller is Subaru’s range-topping special edition Impreza WRX STI 380S which previews at the London International Motor Show.

Dubbed a concept, the STI 380S could reach dealers within six months pending positive response. Its final specification will be finalised following customer input and will be hand-built to order.

The STI 380S will include a complete engine rebuild by Prodrive with many up-rated components to reliably achieve the target 380 PS.

Improvements over the standard Impreza WRX STI will include uprated suspension and exhaust system plus an enhanced body kit.

Other visual changes will be the option of either gold or silver-coloured 18x8.5 ins BBS alloy wheels with 245/40 tyres.

Subaru "Hat-Trick" @ 2008 British International Motor Show - NASIOC

[solovus]

UK always has 3rd party cooperation with Subaru to bring some bad-a$$ cars to their roads. I doubt we will see anything like that, but we can dream.

Litchfield...yum Litchfield Imports | New & Used Cars from Europe and Japan

[GeorgeWrx]

Good (that it's a dream) - don't want to have to trade up after only a year!

[EtoS]

Originally Posted by GeorgeWrx

Good (that it's a dream) - don't want to have to trade up after only a year!

I don't expect the prodrive stuff. Everything else I'd say it's possible like leather-covered Recaro front seats, satellite navigation, Smart-entry and push-button start. Just that and fixes from the 08 like better sway bars, safer tune, and lighter 5 spoke wheels and I'd definitely buy an 09 over an 08. But if the STi doesn't see any important change at all- then the 09 WRX still looks to be a great car as well with the new more STi look anyway.

[Garrett]

Originally Posted by EtoS

I don't expect the prodrive stuff. Everything else I'd say it's possible like leather-covered Recaro front seats, satellite navigation, Smart-entry and push-button start. Just that and fixes from the 08 like better sway bars, safer tune, and lighter 5 spoke wheels and I'd definitely buy an 09 over an 08. But if the STi doesn't see any important change at all- then the 09 WRX still looks to be a great car as well with the new more STi look anyway.

Your link doesn't go anywhere...! Can you site a source?





-Garrett

[EtoS]

Originally Posted by Garrett

Your link doesn't go anywhere...! Can you site a source?





-Garrett

Honestly no, I didn't notice it didn't go anywhere. Doesn't matter that much cause either way we're not seeing an upgrade to the extent euro has it. But some things were believable even without it. So if it's fake sorry for being a fool for jumping the gun, but like someone else said, one can dream till we see what really happens

Also one thing I want real bad is the push start. I can mod the STi to perform the way I'd like it to. But push start is something you can reasonably only get from the factory. Looking at the white STi at the bottom of the first post on NASIOC, you'll notice the door handles have the button associated with push start vehicles. So there's definitely a line of GR STi's somewhere with push start.

[caveguru]

I'm sorry, but I don't see much to drool over in this description. Basically the standard overpriced Prodrive tricks- some aero, some wheels, and an engine tune. Wooha. Spec C still sounds better. Now if Prodrive were to ever bring that semi-active suspension to the market...

Frank

[paikman]

that sucks
their 330hp special model gets our base model 5spoke 30lb'ers

[Garrett]

Here: With photos!



I'm defiantly waiting for the 09's then!




.

[mattjk]

just like the last prodrive versions, that the U.S. didn't get.

I'm not worried about any 09 changes, even if they bump up the turbo size and get 30hp; i plan on upgrading my turbo anyway so it's a non-issue.

on a side note, looks like they kept the clear tails

[EtoS]

Originally Posted by paikman

that sucks
their 330hp special model gets our base model 5spoke 30lb'ers

" Visually, the new special-edition sports new five-spoke 18x8.5 ins alloy wheels" I think they're just lighter 5 spokes. Doubt we'd have that as standard on the STi- option maybe.

[HRCboy]

Why wait?? Accessport and exhaust will give you even more hp/tq gains.

But the Recaro seats would be nice.

[Garrett]

Originally Posted by mattjk

just like the last prodrive versions, that the U.S. didn't get.

I think Subaru has learned with the sales of the new BMW 1 series, that it is viable to sell upgraded version of their STi here.





-Garrett

[YeloFva]

Originally Posted by solovus

UK always has 3rd party cooperation with Subaru to bring some bad-a$$ cars to their roads. I doubt we will see anything like that, but we can dream.

Litchfield...yum Litchfield Imports | New & Used Cars from Europe and Japan

Ditto Solvus! I'd take a Litchfield Type 25 over any other "Special STI" any day!

[chargedvette02]

Originally Posted by YeloFva

Ditto Solvus! I'd take a Litchfield Type 25 over any other "Special STI" any day!

Over a 22b?