Better be quick here, as I'm not sure how long this link will remain live. A poster from NASIOC (North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club) got hold of a memo from SOA to dealers about some of the changes that the '09 WRX is getting, and posted it.
Needless to say SOA will be none too happy about this, and probably will pressure NASIOC to remove it. If that happens, fear not as there will be an "official" announcement at the end of this month on the '09 WRX and the other new new Imprezas.
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Adding a moonroof eliminates on criticism I had of the Impreza and WRX.
Now, if they will just add a de-tuned model that will operate on regular...
And bring back the Legacy Wagon please! It is sold in Canada and not the US.
About the 265HP engine, this is what the 2008 WRX should have come out of the gate with, especially with 278HP Toyota Camries and Honda Accords running rampant. Some of the humiliations the 2008 WRX suffered, in comparison tests with the MS3 etc., would have been mitigated, if it came with this engine, along with a firmly sporty suspension. They can soften up the regular Impreza and the Impreza Sport all they want but should have made the WRX a truly focused sporty product.
Anyway, better late than never !
Interesting news about renaming the Auto WRX as the Impreza GT ! Unfortunately, without a 5-speed Auto with paddle shifters, this will fail again, like the prior 4EAT WRX Auto models, unless they spring a surprise and put the 5EAT from the Legacy-based models, into this GT model.
The 08 WRX isn't getting embarrassed by the 265+ HP camry and accords. At 3200 lbs it's significantly lighter than those 3600 lbs fatties and the gearing is aimed at fun.
I think Subaru finally heard our complaints loud and clear. Looks like Subaru is going to move the Legacy GT engine to the WRX and the new Impreza GT will keep the 224hp engine. Many choices are good.
If true—and I have no reason to think not—the '09 WRX will have more power than the '09 Legacy GT. 243 vs. 265.
Interesting move. I guess Subaru is segmenting their market based on auto vs. manual tranny customers, thinking that slushbox ppl are not hardcore enthusiasts and don't need 265hp, while row-it-yourself drivers want that extra HP to play around with.
Most markets don't sell WRXs with automatics, and here the percentage sold is tiny. The fact is nobody wants the.
Now if they offered the 5EAT, or better still a DSG, I'm sure that would change.
Subaru needs a DCT or something similar to compete with competitors offering same. And while true manuals appeal to enthusasists, they're often a pain in today's typical traffic.
Still, sounds like the changes will enhance the WRX's "sport creed", especially if Subaru offers a factory-approved "track kit" as an option.