In a day and age of high gas prices and global warming, does one really need all that gas guzzling horsepower?

Niche vehicles like this; contribute so little to global warming it makes no difference in the larger picture.

Air travel, energy for computers, consumer electronics and industrial growth in the developing world are all greater contributors.

Lazy consumers all using standby and non energy efficient bulbs probably contribute more to global warming than a few high horsepower vehicles.

I'll still be driving my STI around.

So why hasn't Subaru learned from Honda, that even if hatchbacks perform better, nobody wants one, like the 2003-2005 Civic SI hatch, that thing was a train wreck! This car is going to lose a huge following, and people are going to go to the EVO camp...atleast those torn between the two (obviously there's some DIE HARD SUBARU fans that will post after this!) FLAME ON!

Not sure about people not wanting a hatch, the design of the new Impreza is Euro inspired, and cars like the Golf GTi, Renault Megane S225 etc.... they sell well.

And the Sti specs and price wise will be better value that those aforementioned cars.

But thats not the only thing... since its still pretty much a Subaru WRX... it already has a user base.... yes they are all crying out loud on the styling.. but I think the design grows on you...

So basically... with the current design.. it appeals with a wider audience..

And it actually benefits their rally car dynamics as mentioned.

The EVO is still pretty much a very aggressive looking car.. and I'm still interested on it.. but seeing the pumped up guards and sticked out fenders, quad exhaust on the Sti... its definitelty making me wait...

is it just me or did the STi get even wider fenders? almost looks like the old 22B (fenders, at least)

It looks a little better in this picture, probably because its dark and you can't see much of it.

I want one. I like the hatch. I think the old STi sedan is ugly. This car, with the fender flares looks cool. As far as global warming goes, we can't predict the weather for next week accurately, why should I believe prediction for 50 years from now. And 30 years ago people were worried about global cooling. There is no conclusive evidence that global waring is man made. We don't have enough records of weather to know all of the earth's weather patterns. If you want to drive a slow car to save resources that's cool, It'll make my gas prices lower. Otherwise I can afford $3-5 per gallon.

I think the attitudes towards hatches are changing too. Even if it was only a 3 years ago, the market has had a big shift since that time: Generation Y. If we agree that Generation U was born starting in 1979, then the first Gen Yers to graduate college would be graduating (assuming a 4 year degree) as early as 2002, but at that time there were only so few actually in it! Between 02 and 04, the numbers entering were small, now however those numbers are getting larger and larger and by 2010 we can expect the bulk of Gen Y to be shopping for cars.

And what demographic likes the hatch design? Predominately the younger crowd, as in under 30. Right now, its even lower really, more like people in their early early 20s. These are people still in college!

So in 2010, when baby boomers are retiring and buying their last cars, Gen Y, which did not have a problem with the hatches of the early 2000s (and only couldnt afford them because well, they were still in high school) will be buying the new cars of the world.

And it even makes logical sense: hatches offer the interior storage capabilities of many SUVs while still getting great mpg and being decently fun cars to drive. In other words, the perfect commuter car for a first time buyer. Compare that to an SUV or truck: this generation is not one that will buy a vehicle just to be ready for that one day out of every year where they need to put something in the bed. Thats what the rent-a-trucks at home depot are for.

What is with you yanks and bagging out hatches.

Hatches out sell sedan equivalents in other markets(asia, europe, asia pacific etc) mainly beacuase of practicality. Ultimately a sedan is useless. You can't get anything in the boot because of the small opening and you can't load them up like a hatch. Why do you think so many SUV's sell. mainly because they are like a hatch/wagon. You can get stuff in the back of it.

And personally i think hatches look better. They are more finished off at the read end.

You know the idea of a "hot hatch" seems pretty pointless. I mean with the idea that a hatch is better space usage, and better handling then why don't you you see the higher end companies doing it. Does BMW, Mercedes, or even Audi/VW? (Ok the GTI, which really isn't that hot). American car companies, well we barely know what a hatch is. It's like a combination between a minivan and a sedan.....and it loses on all fronts. Us yanks like our coupes, sedans and trucks.

Besides the rest of the world thinks we all drive SUV's because we just love killing the planet. In reality most SUV's are driven by women who just want to not feel like they are going to die when they either get into or cause an accident. But that's just my opinion.....

Like I'd said multiple times bring back the 22b coupe (drool...).

Aesthetics are debatable, what looks nice to one person isn't nice to another. You have to admit though, while the lines of this new Impreza are attractive, the overall package isn't as sleek as a coupe. I'd think for a top of the line Sports model, the STI should be a coupe or atleast a sedan. All Skyline GTR's were coupe's... despite having a sedan and wagon version of the car with 4wd and a 2.5l turbo 6. Although that's a bad example, and perhaps the only example, it is true.

I think hot hatches should be for the lower end of the price spectrum. I don't see the appeal of a hatchback that costs upward of $25k. But then again, I'm not marketing personel at Subaru. Maybe they know something we don't...

All the "higher" companies do it. You don't see it in this country because the badge buyers want more space. None of the smaller "premium" brand cars sell well in the US.

They all make "hot" hackbacks.
Audi A3
BMW 1 series
Mercedes A class

All are available in a hatchback configurations in europe. As well as diesel motors....

Funny that they don't show the back of the new STI... because they realize NO ONE likes it. If I wanted an ugly fast hatchback I would put a turbo, suspension, and some mods on a CRX. I don't want a piece of junk, the old STi's are much better and the new EVO X is just astonishing. It can be fast as balls but if it looks like poop then I don't want it.