It looks like Subaru is going to tweak its popular WRX right before its closest competitor, the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart is launched.
A forum member over at NASIOC has intercepted a memo that was sent to Subaru dealers from corporate about the changes to the 2009 Impreza line. The 09' Impreza is going to be refreshed with interior changes to the ivory interior, a sunroof on premium models and a new Impreza GT. The Impreza GT gets the current (08') 224 WRX engine and is mated to an automatic transmission, only. The big news is that the 09' WRX is going to get a bump in horsepower to an estimated 265HP. The WRX is also going to get a new STI-type front grille, a standard aero package, an upgraded suspension and will only be available with a manual transmission.
Full Story: NASIOC
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Comments (12)
1st
"will only be available with a manual transmission." They're really aiming for the purists. Sounds good to me. DSG doesn't sound like it'd be any fun.
Ignoring how they look, I'd rather have this than the Ralliart. It seems more performance focused.
Posted by 1st is stupid | July 18, 2008 9:38 AM
Posted on July 18, 2008 09:38
this thing is such a minger
Posted by lotus1 | July 18, 2008 9:54 AM
Posted on July 18, 2008 09:54
Drive a DSG equipped car before making an opinion. They're perfect for small, turbocharged engines (or any performance oriented car, really). They shift better than any human can...not to mention they rev match downshifts as if it were nothing.
Posted by Noya | July 18, 2008 11:41 AM
Posted on July 18, 2008 11:41
if they come with a 6 speed, then im sold over the ralliart
Posted by dracolnyte | July 18, 2008 2:13 PM
Posted on July 18, 2008 14:13
No clutch, no fun
Posted by ifwui45 | July 18, 2008 9:40 PM
Posted on July 18, 2008 21:40
agree with Noya.
Why the bourgeous trunk? Are you bringing your own luggage?
Posted by Waldorf and Statler | July 19, 2008 2:45 AM
Posted on July 19, 2008 02:45
Still ugly...
Posted by Gaston | July 21, 2008 6:34 AM
Posted on July 21, 2008 06:34
uh-oh!
Posted by patman | July 21, 2008 7:34 AM
Posted on July 21, 2008 07:34
Hmm, here's an interesting observation:
The WRX in most places other than America is a a 2.0L turbo. In America just about everything Subaru has is the 2.5L. The WRX here, is a 2.5L turbo. I assume it is more or less a similar engine to the STi. So, boosting power is simply a matter of tweaking the fuel and turbo maps. Just wondering if this is more of a thing for America, or if the 2.0 will see the same power bump.
Not that the 2.0 can't handle 265hp, the old 2.2L in the WRX STi made 300 plus.
I love the idea of DSG, but I don't want to know much that clutch cost to replace, shudder.
Posted by Brian | July 21, 2008 7:45 AM
Posted on July 21, 2008 07:45
Why does it look like a last generation Corolla? Subaru drastically needs better aesthetics.
Posted by Matt | July 21, 2008 12:15 PM
Posted on July 21, 2008 12:15
Why does it look like a last generation Corolla? Subaru drastically needs better aesthetics.
Posted by Matt | July 21, 2008 12:16 PM
Posted on July 21, 2008 12:16
I think the the looks is fine. If it gets flashy, you loose the trend really quick. For example, I think EVO X will loose its trend in 3 years. It will look ugly much faster than WRX series. However, I still want to get straight out WRX STI. Though I want Japanese version with the twin scroll turbo and other things that US took them off. LAME =p. Over all, I'd still take this car over EVO any day. Boxer engine and symmetrical AWD is the key. I saw the test and I am sold.
Posted by Krit | July 25, 2008 3:43 PM
Posted on July 25, 2008 15:43