The 2008 Subaru Impreza has been glimpsed in pictures, but now we have a glimpse of the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI.
Illustrations published in Japan show confirm that the unpopular propeller motif inspired by the company’s aviation heritage has been replaced by a more conventional look. Andreas Zapatinas, former design director at Subaru, had developed the aviation theme in reaction to the bold grilles now fashionable in Europe, but a poor reaction in the marketplace led to his departure last summer.
For 2008, a new hatchback model will join the Impreza lineup, a reaction to the recent comeback by this configuration as seen in trendy examples like the Audi A3 and Mazdaspeed 3 five-door... We hear there's a new multi-link independent rear suspension under both the hatchback and the sedan.
The 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI will be a hatchback, just like the 2007 Subaru WRC rally car. The intercooled and turbocharged, 2.0-liter flat-four engine will produce 300 horsepower, although the engineers have spent more effort on improving power at low- and mid-range rpm.
Full details are expected to be released at the New York Auto Show.
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It's not as bad as the Corolla-inspired photos I saw before, but it doesn't exactly scream "aggressive" either. I like the previous grille more.
I hope the base model and the WRX look as aggressive as this.
Hoping and praying...
Will this be enough to make you leave the Evo camp, Michael? :o)
Inside line states that the Lancer in the picture is the sedan version of the new Impreza. Funny!
Rather than start another Impreza blog thread, I thought I would add this link here. It's from UK's Auto Express.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/205057/subaru_impreza.html
As you can see, the illustration images are very similar to those on this blog thread and in the other blog thread I posted last week.
Bob
This pic looks much better than the last one, which reminded me of a Suzuki Reno.
This one is much sharper, a little Audi A3, and some Mazda3. The grille looks a lot like Mazda's, so I doubt it'll end up like that.
Subaru insiders point out that the B11S concept car -- the predecessor to the B9 Tribeca production vehicle -- was the first Subie to incorporate the now-notorious propellor-inspired grille. Subaru designer Kiyoshi Sugimoto led that project, although Barcelona-based Fuore Design Int'l's Erwin Himmer was brought in as a consultant.
It seems clear to us, though, that Andreas Zapatinas' work at Alfa Romeo inspired Subaru's conversion to the big grille look and led to his position as Subaru's design director. Ironically, the controversy about the grille led to Zapatinas' departure last summer just as the Impreza -- the car he most influneced as design director -- neared production.
Zapatinas was born and raised in Greece, and he first got interested in cars as a kid when he saw the Acropolis Rally, so he was very enthusiastic about the new design for the STI.
It's a shame that Zap became the fall guy here. I've heard that the (also now departed) FHI CEO was the one who originally championed the controversial 3-piece grille—and everyone blamed Zap for it—which really wasn't his idea...
Any idea what Zapatinas is doing now?
I actually really like the 3 piece grill on small cars like the Impreza. It just didn't work on the Tribeca (Along with the silly B9 prefix). I am digging this new model, but it doesn;t stand out as much as the current model imo. Certainly better than the original pictures.
The taillights in that article look like they came straight off a Holden. Does Subaru still have ties with GM?
Nope. GM is no longer part of the picture.
At my first quick glance over the picture, my eye caught the the cool looking red beast in the background - assuming that was the new STI.
I then looked at the blue car in the front, thinking "Why does Saturn all of a sudden want into that game" ? hmmm.. oh-well maybe GM is trying something new.
Then I saw the Mitsubishi logo on the front of the red car ..... wait a minute.. could that mean that the blue car was not a Saturn, but in fact the new STI ??? ...... AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH !!!!! .... it WAS the new STI....... yet another miss from Subaru, and it's even uglier than the last model, but the worst is it's having the exact same front as a basic Saturn clunker.
I hope they change that front before it hits the marked.
Looks like Ill always like the Evolution better.
I like it, except for the T front bumper. I wonder why they aren't using the 2.5L for the US version like they have been. I'm hoping they'll sneak it in. I think they could probably get even more power out of it.
arumage, the 2.0-liter mentioned above is not for the North American market.
Good! They can get the same power out of the 2.5 with less boost, prolonging engine life.
Love the mitsu alot more, Subaru has lost my vote ever since they changed to that horrific front grill
I have been a fan of subaru for a good while now, my dream car has always been the WRX even before they came to the states, and I gotta say Im REALLY glad I got the 2007 model. I think the 2008 model is down right ugly. when I look at that I just dont see a WRX anymore. The Impreza is ok, but this Hatchback thing is just plain awful.
My new favorite car is the evo from now on or until they royally screw that one too.
I use to own a 2002 WRX and then a 2004 STI. I loved both the cars. Then I had to go to a bigger car (which I hate). Next March I plan to buy one of these two vehicles. Unless the Subie can really out perform the EVO I have to say I might be switching to the Mitsubishi. It’s better looking, It’s going to put out 300 horses, and it will have a dual clutch trany. That all sounds pretty awesome to me. I also can’t wait to see how these two cars will be priced.
The Subaru’s looks are really lacking here. My guess is they we do a quick restyle after the first year or so like they did with the 2002 WRX. I also don’t see how they can make the rear spoiler look good on a hatchback. It just looks out of place to me. I know some people think that an EVO or an STI has to have that large fin on the back, but to me it just looks out of place on a hatch back. Who knows, maybe the answer is to give up some horses and go with the R32 :)
OK just received my electronic copy of the July Road & Track. They have the EVO and the STI on the cover. I think the STI is an artist impression based on info from Subaru. It looks really good and it doesn't have the giant wing on the back anymore. Subaru is looking better and better :)
Ok, the headlamps can stay, but the rest of the front end needs to get aggressive, like it was back in 05' Don't know why Im commenting, cause I have an 05' Sti. The best year for it. They should have widened the body, redesign the rear spoiler; carbonfiber. The scoop should be bigger, keep the rear windshild spoiler. Meaner rims. Prodrive, or a newer model of BBS. Blow the public's mind. Im glad to hear 300hp is back, but It could be higher. The 350z is at 306hp now. Take it up to 325-350hp. different top mount intercooler, bigger. It needs to look like a hardcore outlaw prostreet car. Like the GTR in NFS: Most Wanted, but even meaner. I'll whip up a rendering and try to post it soon ; of my idea of the ultimate Impreza
ok,the subaru is flippin awesome i have been waiting for this for a long time. I was surprised. I like the hatchback desighn. i Think it will really kick off. I am also happy that they raised it to 320HP
I thought this was relevant from one of Bob's old Straightline blog entries. It was clarified that Zapatinas did not design the aircraft-inspired grille.
http://66.160.188.111/Straightline/1404
Looking at the 2008 STi is a let down.
I'm sure glad I got a 2007 STi Limited Edition.
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Beaverton, OR