Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Encyclopedia
The Subaru Impreza WRX STI, has the highest trim in the Subaru Impreza
compact car
line, produced by Japanese automaker Subaru
.
In the late 1980s, Subaru created the Subaru Tecnica International
(STI) division to coordinate development for the FIA World Rally Championship
and other motorsports activities. After the company had grown, the division was used to create high-performance consumer versions of the Subaru Impreza WRX
, an all-wheel drive car with a turbocharged
boxer engine, leading to the development of the Impreza WRX STi. The Subaru World Rally Team
has used a race-prepared version of the WRX STI as its rally platform since the model trim's creation.
(Australia had it in 1999 with the STi Version V). In 2001, Europe received the STi with the change of the chassis. Subaru
began selling the STI in North America in the spring-summer of 2003 as a 2004 model.
Oceania and Europe had WRX STis in the region before the official versions via grey-market importing.
Five (5) WRX STI S204 were made available to Subaru enthusiasts in New Zealand. However, unlike other S204s sent to other nations these five did not display either the in-cabin or in-enginebay badging that uniquely identifies each of the reported 600 vehicles manufactured. The lack of individual badging for these five cars brings into question the real number of S204s manufactured.
Thirty (30) WRX STI S204s' were made available to Singapore through the main distributor - Motor Image Enterprises.
One common misconception is that every Impreza between 92-01 were "GC8's". The code breakdown is as follows;
G - stands for Impreza,
C - sedan, and coupé for Japanese Domestic Market,
M - coupé, for US Domestic Market,
F - station wagon,
8 - stands for the 2.0 L motor (Either turbo or N/A)
So really, there are many combinations. A coupé STi would be GC8, sedan GC8 also, and wagon GF8. The code for the coupé American 2.5RS's was GM6 (6 standing for the 2.5 L N/A motor). There are also non turbo GC8's from the Japanese Domestic Market, as with the 2L N/A HX20s, or 2L N/A AVCS SRX
To tell the difference between a JDM Sedan and Coupe chassis from the applied model code only, a sedan will have the fifth digit as a 4, representing 4-doors, and a coupé will have a 2, representing 2-doors.
For example, a Version 4 STi coupé could have the code GC8E2DD, with the 2 representing 2-doors
A Version 4 STi sedan could have a code of GC8E4ED
·m (309 N·m
, 228 ft·lbs) at 3500 rpm and weighed 1230 kg (2,710 lb). Before the STi, the highest trimline of the Impreza was the WRX and the WRX RA, first manufactured in November 1992. This version of the STi was the only version where the standard cars were taken at the end of the assembly line and replaced by STi parts. After this version, the standard STi was built alongside the WRX on the production lines.
The WRX STi Type RA (marketing has made usage of the RA acronym in various ways; Record Attempt is the current usage. "R = Racing, A = Group A, FIA the racing class the WRC Impreza competes in" has also been confirmed by Subaru of Japan; the correspondence can be seen on the discussion board for this article) produced 275 PS and 32.5 kgf·m (319 N·m, 235 ft·lbs) of torque. This version of the WRX STi was a stripped out car that had no sound-deadening, radio or air-conditioning. It came sparsely equipped as it was to be sold to racing teams that would throw out the cheap parts for racing parts. This version of the WRX came with a Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD). This device was an electromechanical differential that could lock the differential. The DCCD would be beneficial to people who used it in various rally conditions.
The V-limited STi edition was produced. It was a limited edition that was often used to celebrate a Manufacturer or Driver title award to Subaru's World Rally Team. The interior is colored blue on the seat inserts and carpeting. The WRX Type RA STi received a radio and air-conditioning in the V-limited form. 1000 WRX STi Version 2 V-limited were produced. 555 (the cigarette brand that was the premier sponsor of the Subaru World Rally Team and became synonymous with the Impreza WRC livery) WRX Type RA STi Version 2 V-limited were produced.
With Version III came the start of the coupé version of the WRX STi. It is called the WRX Type R STi. The coupé was chosen by Prodrive
for use in the WRC because it was lighter and stiffer than the 4-door version, although it carried the same exterior dimensions. It was essentially a 2-door version of the WRX Type RA STi meaning it had DCCD, minimal sound insulation, close-gear ratios and hardened gearbox. This car also has a water-spray nozzle to dampen the top of the intercooler. The water will then evaporate, taking heat away from the intercooler and cooling the intake charge. This car was produced on an order-only basis.
Also, there was a WRX STI type RA (4-door) available in Version III. These have the same motor, gearbox and R180 diff as the Version III WRX STI Type R, including DCCD, aluminium bonnet and front guards, no sound deadening and thinner glass. The ECU is also an exclusive tune. The Type R tends to be a bit stiffer and weighs 1190 kg (2,623.5 lb). The DCCD has been known to bite new drivers in the wet. The RA gets a roof vent instead of map lights, and wind up windows, although electrics are an option from factory.
Also available was a WRX Type R V-limited, in version III. It has a WRX motor with no forged internals like the STI, and it misses out on the 4 pot front brakes as they are to be installed by rally teams. It has a roof vent and is lightweight, making a good base for a rally car.
Version III STI runs a VF23 IHI ball bearing turbocharger while the JDM non-STI gets a VF22.
The interior and the cockpit were changed into a newer design along with the new "White color" gauges.
(white faced)
. The engine layout and design was made cleaner and was dubbed as the Boxer Phase 2 engine. The facelift the rest of the Impreza line had was also applied to the STi. The WRX STi weighed 1270 kg (2,800 lb).
There were 1000 WRX Type RA STi Version 5 Limited cars and the WRX Type R STi Version 5 Limited cars had a 4 month waiting period for each order. The interior was also changed slightly from the Version 4 including seats and steering.This model was also produced as a 555 limited edition.
There were 2000 WRX STi Version 6 Limited, 1000 WRX Type R Version 6 Limited and 2000 WRX STi RA Version 6 Limited cars produced.
Also 500 WRX STi Version 6 Limited Hatchback models.
The 22B had the EJ22 engine as opposed to the regular EJ20 engine. (Note internal Subaru material states the block comes from a V3 EJ20G, not the EJ22G as most think. Also the intake manifold and heads were from the V4 EJ20K) This means the displacement was increased from 1994 cc to 2212 cc. The block is a closed-deck design. The heads (valves, valvetrain and such) were lifted from the STi Version 4 engine. It produce 280 PS at 6000 rpm and 363 N·m (267 ft·lbf, 37.0 kgf·m) of torque at a lower engine speed of 3200 rpm. The redline was lowered from 8000 rpm to 7000 rpm. The compression is an 8.0:1. The turbocharger is an IHI RHF 5HB (the internal company usage code is VF23).
This car was given a unique color of blue and had fender flared widebody taken from the Peter Stevens designed WRC car, thus widening the width by 80 mm (3.15 inches) for a total of 1,770 mm (69.7). During assembly, a WRX Type R chassis was taken off the line. The fenders were replaced with the 22B STi fenders. The car's curb weight is 1,270 kg (2,800 lb). The suspension is provided by Bilstein. The brakes were standard 4-piston/2-piston brakes. However, the color is red and the Subaru name cast on the brake calipers and painted white. The wheels were increased in size from the standard WRX Type R STi from 16x7" to 17x8.5" BBS Elektra wheels. The car is shod with 235/40 ZR17 Pirelli P Zeros. The clutch was upgraded to a sintered twin clutch with a ceramic disk. The transmission ratios are the same as the standard WRX Type R, but the gears were shot-peened for added reliability. The car has a unique hood, a WRC-inspired front bumper and a unique adjustable rear wing.
The origin of the name 22B has often been debated. Many assume 22 referred to the 2.2 liter displacement and the B was for the Bilstein suspension. This would correlate with the idea that Subaru sells a Legacy Spec B, where the B represents the Bilstein suspension. Others believe that 22B was meant to represent the much recognized 555 decal (555 is a tobacco company that was a major sponsor for Subaru in the WRC) on the WRC car as 22B is a hexadecimal
representation of the decimal number, 555.
The 22B STi that is supposed to be #13 was never given the plaque. Subaru of America imported #13 to be used as a press car. Three 22B STis were given the #000 plaque, 2 went to the World Rally car drivers for Subaru at the time Colin McRae
and Nicky Grist
, with the third being used by Subaru Japan as their press car. It was widely rumored David Lapworth of Prodrive
owned the third #000 car, however he actually owned #400.
The S201 was a 4-door STi that sported the only body-kitted S-series WRX STi. It had a tri-planar wing and a massive front airsplitter. The entire suspension was composed of STi parts.
There were 300 S201s produced, they used a VF28 spec turbo, with max boost at 1.2 BAR and produced 224 kW (305 PS) and 353 Nm, weighing in at 1270 kg these are a highly desirable variant.
, with longer gear ratios, UK specification lights and an official 3 year warranty. Because 50 22Bs had already been imported privately into the UK, Subaru UK had to wait until 1999 to register the 22B Type UKs under the VCA's
Single Vehicle Approval scheme. The price was £39,950, approximately the same price that grey import 22Bs were being sold for.
to produce an 'official' limited edition of 1,000 two-door cars in Sonic Blue. The chassis was a 2-door coupé. They were taken from the STI Type R lines and used for the P1. The car was the only coupé version of the WRX STI GC chassis to receive ABS. In order to allow for ABS, the DCCD was dropped. Engine output was boosted to 276 bhp, and the suspension optimised for British roads. Options were available from Subaru consisting of 4 piston front brake calipers, electric Recaro
seats, 18" OZ alloys and a P1(Prodrive) stamped backbox. The P1, or Prodrive One, is echoed in the name of the Prodrive P2
concept car.
coupé
was stiffened so that it had 120% torsional stiffness increase. The WRX STi gained 17" x 7.5" alloy wheel
s over the previous 16" x 7" wheels. The 5 speed manual transmission
(reputed to be one of the car's weakpoints) was changed to an STi engineered 6 speed manual transmission
. The engine was retained from the Version 6 STi and still retains the semi-closed deck block and is still labeled as the EJ207, however the engines did gain Variable Valve Timing (AVCS) further improving their low end torque production. The interior was updated with a STi logo on the gauge. The STi's tachometer also has a red shift light. The STi's and optioned Type RA STi have received Brembo
4 piston front and 2 piston rear brakes while the bare-bones Type RA STi still carried the Subaru 4 piston front and 2 piston rear brakes. Externally, the STis had larger hood scoop
s and had foglight covers with STi embossed on them. The DCCD was updated so it can work with anti-lock brakes. During braking, when the ABS
is on, the DCCD will set itself to open-mode (no locking).
The version nomenclature was dropped from the name. Japanese and other auto-enthusiasts often refer to the chassis as GDB/GDF (the STi has a 'B' or 'F'(for USDM models) where as the regular WRX had an 'A'). The fourth character of the VIN gives the revision (A to F where G is the 2007 version).
For quick and easy reference to the different exteriors, Subaru Impreza owners use nicknames based on the headlights. Often relating to a creature that has similar looking eyes: 2001-2003 are 'bug eyes' / 2004-2005 are 'peanut eye', or 'blob eyes'/ 2006-2007 are 'hawk eyes'.
The WRX Type RA STi was used for the Group N homologation.
and body of the WRX STi was minorly updated by Peter Stevens to give it a more angular look when seen from the side. The foglight covers had pink STi lettering. Not much else besides minor suspension improvements and a small increase in torque
output was done.
The WRX Type RA STi was dropped for a new WRX STi Spec C. This model was much lighter than the WRX Type RA as it received lighter glass and body panels. The Spec C's handling was much improved due to an increase in caster
(from 3.5 degrees to 5 degrees). This was achieved not by changing the suspension mounting point, but by lengthening the wheelbase (15 mm). This was done by including different control arm
s. This increased caster significantly helped the turn-in capabilities of the car. The Spec C also has a steering rack ratio of 13:1. The transmission is supplied with its own oil cooler.
The WRX STi wagon had ceased to be produced.
The WRX STi Spec C Type RA was released. It sported a carbon-fiber wing and a carbon fiber lip. It also had a new set of BBS wheels as well as a newly tuned engine.
The WRX STi V-Limited was released. It sports 4-way dampers tuned by Subaru World Rally Team's Group N driver Toshi Arai.
The WRX STi was used for Group N homologation
.
The 2004 WRX STi is considered to be the lightest (3263 lbs, official brochure and tested by Car & Driver Magazine) and rawest among 2004-2009 models. The car was sold in the US without a radio or floormats. The car was rated at 300 bhp and 300 lbs-ft torque, although many feel it was under-rated on purpose. What made the car so special to most is the level of performance offered for a mid 30 thousand dollars car, that still has a back seat and a big trunk.
Since its launch, many upgrades became available to increase power, handling and braking capabilities.
Some weak links were discovered in most 2004-2007 models since the 2004 debut.
The oil pickup line inside the oil pan was shown to develop a crack leading to oil starvation and engine damage due to the lack of lubrication when the part fails. Several aftermarket vendors have addressed this issue by re-designing factory oil pickup units with beefier welds/materials.
now brings out a very high grade interior feel.
The WRX STI continues on relatively the same. The Impreza line's looks have been updated.
The WRX STI Spec C's receives the Arai
tuned dampers and a 21 mm (0.826771653543307 in) swaybar. The rear suspension is changed from rubber bushings to pillowball bushings. The strut tower was further stiffened for improved handling and stability. The strut towers were reinforced for better handling and better ride characteristics. The engine mounts were changed from metal to liquid-filled plastic mounts to reduce vibrations into the car's cabin. Some 2006 owners have had issues with these plastic engine mounts. The manufacturer will replace them, under warranty if broken, with the 2005 rubber mounts.
The DCCD is updated with the use of a torque-sensing mechanism inside the DCCD. The torque split is changed to 41/59.
The WRX STI Spec C was used for Group N homologation.
The WRX STI Spec C Type RA was released in November 2005, with 350 units produced. The Type RA added the following to the Spec C model from the STI parts catalogue: 4-way STI adjustable inverted struts, STI Japan-spec pink springs, STI rear lateral links, STI rear trailing links, STI 21 mm (0.826771653543307 in) rear sway bar, STI rear pillowball suspension, STI 110 mm (4.3 in) opening rear axleback exhaust, STI 17" x 8" Enkei
-made wheels and STI V-lip front spoiler
.
Changes include a different turbocharger VF43 equipped with a slightly larger wastegate port to prevent boost creep (VF43, as opposed to VF39 in the older version) and revised gearing on the 6 speed manual transmission. They also use top feed injectors instead of side feed injectors like the previous STi models(04-06USDM). This means the intake manifold is a bit different as well as the TVG (Tumble Valve Generators) used for emissions on cold start-ups.
engine capable of developing 235 kW and a six-speed manual
gearbox. When cruising the S204 achieves 100 km/h (62 mph) at 3000 rpm in top gear and can reach 220 km/h (137 mph) at 6000 rpm.
Suspension can be described as 'stiff' with torsional rigidity enhanced by the inclusion of laterally mounted items described as "performance dampers" bearing both the STi logo and Yamaha. As a result cornering can be described as excellent. The addition of a carbon fibre front-lip spoiler and a rear diffuser on an already low suspension setup plus the use of low-profile Pirelli P Zero (Corsa) tyres implies the S204 is intended mostly for sealed road use.
Recaro
has used carbon-fibre extensively in the manufacture of the driver and front passenger seats available in the S204. The high side bolster
s provide significant support to the driver during maneuvers that induce lateral forces and are considered to be an integral feature to the cornering performance of this vehicle. The seats are rigid in design and have relatively little cushioning compared to other Impreza Models.
Advertising material produced by Subaru for the S204 indicate that a limited run of 600 S204's were made. Individually numbered badges for each car are located within the engine bay and repeated as a small plaque situated at the base of the gear lever. However, five (5) WRX STI S204 were made available to Subaru enthusiasts in New Zealand. Unlike other S204s sent to other nations (for example Singapore) these five cars do not display either the in-cabin or in-engine bay badging that uniquely identifies each of the reported 600 vehicles manufactured. The lack of individual badging for these five cars brings into question the real number of S204s manufactured.
colored Enkei wheels, a black STI front lip and leather seats in order to target the more mature market.
to meet emission standard
s. Engine output was variously rated from 265 PS to 280 PS depending on market.
2005 STis received the long awaited DCCD control available in other markets, as well as a slight wheelbase increase to match the Japanese-spec WRX STi Spec-C and has 280 PS.
In 2006, the model was facelifted like all STIs and the engine was changed to the EJ257 producing 280 PS.
500 were sold in Europe, Australia and South Africa as the Petter Solberg edition; the other 500 were further modified by Prodrive and sold in the UK as the WR1. They had 316 bhp and 309.8 ft.lbf, an incredible 0-60 mph time of only 4.25 seconds and a top speed of 155 mi/h (electronically limited). They were equipped with Prodrive
WRX STI springs, Pirelli
PZero Nero tires, mesh grilles, special Ice Blue metallic paint
and Prodrive PFF7 Pewter wheels. The new ECU
and exhaust were not EU-homologated
, so they were fitted after registering the car. The retail price was £29,995.
adapter and Bluetooth
phone connection were also included. The interior featured standard leather trim on the seats and doors, Auto climate control and extra sound insulation. It was limited to a run of 300 cars in only Crystal Grey Metallic so therefore is even rarer than the RB320. Power on this model is rated at 276 bhp. It has a 0-60 time of 5 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited). New retail price was £28,450.
Echoing the RB5 a limited edition of 320 2007MY cars in Obsidian Black Pearl were released "in memory of Richard Burns
", the 2001 WRC World Champion who died in 2005 due to a brain tumor
. The car produces 320 PS of horsepower and 450 newton metre of torque due to tuning by Prodrive. The suspension has been upgraded with Eibach springs, an Eibach rear stabilizer bar and Bilstein struts. It rides on 18" anthracite alloys. A £1500 option on the car was to have the interior changed to a black leather/alcantara with RB320 stitching on the seat and a new gear (shift) knob. The car has special silver mesh grilles. New retail price was £29,995.
. They used Cosworth's own forged pistons and connecting rods balanced to within 0.5 grams. A modified STI crankshaft and STI engine casing were used and the 'short' engine was assembled by hand.
This ‘short’ engine was sent to Litchfield to be finished . Cosworth honed, big-valve, ported cylinder heads and cams were used and the engine was installed into a 2007 Japanese specification Spec C. The engine produces over 415 bhp and 420 lbft, for a power/weight ratio 1 hp higher than a Porsche 997 Turbo.It costs $10,000 more than the normal 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI.
in the US. Thus, each iteration of the US-spec WRX STi is essentially the same as the respective J-spec STi Spec C. All part numbers matched up, including the part-numbers for the glass windows and damper
s. However, instead of the EJ207, the USA receives the first EJ257, a 2.5 liter version of the EJ207. Unlike the EJ207, it features hypereutectic cast piston
s as opposed to the forged
pistons in the EJ207. The steering rack is the standard STi's 15.2:1 instead of the Spec C's 13:1
In 2007, quite a number of changes were made to the US-spec model. Due to Subaru's decision to reduce costs by cutting the amount of aluminum used, the US-spec STI no longer receives the J-spec Spec C control arms. The control arm
s are now the aluminum ones used on the Japan-spec revision A and B non-Spec C STis. The high caster angle
has been reduced, which in turn reduces the wheelbase from 100" to 99.4". The rear sway bar
has decreased in size from 20 mm (0.78740157480315 in) to 19 mm (0.748031496062992 in). The gear ratio
s of second, third and fourth gears have been made longer (higher ratio) in order to improve fuel economy and driveability, which inadvertently reduces 1/4 mile drag racing times due to the ability to trap 114 mi/h in 4th gear, without the shift to 5th. The transmission oil pump that was deleted in the 06 model year was also brought back for the 07 model year transmission. The EJ257's cylinder head
s have been redesigned to improve cooling, and the sodium
-filled exhaust valves have been deleted. Pistons are the same as previous years. The alternator is changed from a 90A rating to 110 amps. The rear Limited Slip Differential
is now a Torsen
unit, considered an upgrade over the previous model's clutch type unit. The turbo has also been changed to the VF43, which has a different wastegate
actuator than the VF39. The side cowl
braces are stiffer than the 2006MY. The engine mounts are once again the hard rubber mounts used prior to 2006. On the interior, there is an audio jack that replaces the ashtray
, a rear center armrest with trunk pass-through and a 120 W audio system.
The ECU was completely re-engineered in order to meet US LEV2 emissions requirements, which has caused throttle and timing issues. A secondary air pump was also added to help meet LEV2. Top Feed injectors replaced the Side Feed from the previous models.
The WRX STI Limited was introduced with fog lights, leather interior, lip trunk spoiler, and optional moonroof. It is similar to the Japan-spec WRX STI A-line, except the mechanicals of the car are based on the 2007MY US-spec WRX STI.
In terms of safety, the GD chassis scored much higher than the GC chassis and earned a "Good" rating (highest mark) from the IIHS's offset crash test. 4 stars front driver, 5 star front passenger and 4 star side safety ratings from the NHTSA. In a magazine article from the December 2005 Firehouse magazine (a periodical written by and made for firefighters), Ron Moore writes how it is well-known that the Impreza chassis has great protection in its B-pillars. This side structure has 8 layers of high-strength, high-tension steel including a round steel bar running through the middle. The author notes how drivers simply walk away from horrific side-impact accident.
, the WRX Type STi Version VI, at 1260 kg (2,778 lb), was lighter than the contemporary Mazda RX-7
type RZ (1270 kg) and Honda NSX
type S Zero (1270 kg). In this fashion, the GC chassis has a better advantage. However it still remains at a slighter weight by shaving 200 pounds off of its biggest competitor, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
The author mentioned above also notes that the Jaws of Life need to cut the Subaru's B-pillars at certain points in order to cut through the car frame.
The 2008 STI has received a higher degree of parts to differentiate it from its Impreza WRX brethren. Unlike the Impreza WRX, the STI uses aluminum suspension components, and has different fenders that are 2.2 in (56 mm) wider. It adopted "Subaru Intelligent Chassis Design" and "Dynamic Chassis Control Concept". The turbo forces air through a larger top-mount-intercooler which has lost the red "STI" that was on previous generations. It is the first generation of this model with an automatic transmission
which is able to import to outside Japan.
Like other 2008 Impreza models, the 2008 STI benefits from a lower polar moment of inertia due to smaller overhangs, and also features a double wishbone rear suspension. The car also borrows new intake and exhaust components from the Legacy GT platform.
The latest Impreza WRX STI features Multi-mode Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with "Normal", "Traction", and "Off" modes, Subaru Intelligent-Drive (SI-Drive) with 3 modes: Intelligent, Sport, and Sport Sharp (S#), and Multi-mode Driver's Controlled Centre Differential (DCCD). The DCCD enables driver to select the manual or auto: "auto", "auto+", and "auto-" mode in order to distribute the torque based on driving preference or conditions.
The JDM version has a 2.0L 308 PS EJ207 engine with a Twin scroll turbocharger, while other versions of the car have a 2.5L 300 PS EJ257 engine with a single-scroll VF48 turbocharger.
At the New York Auto Show, a Subaru spokesman confirmed that the Impreza WRC will be based on the hatch platform, due to its lower polar moment of inertia.
The latest US model of the STI has 305 bhp and 290 ft.lbf. of torque and range in price from $35,640 to $39,440, depending on the options included. The 2008 Impreza STI has the model code GR, reflecting the different "wide body" 5-door Hatchback compared to the GH standard body 5-door Hatchback used for the 2008 Impreza WRX and non-turbo models. The new "wide body 5-door" chassis is 70.7 in (1,796 mm) wide compared to 68.5 in (1,740 mm) for the regular WRX 5-door chassis. Curb weight varies from 1505 kg (3,318 lb) to 1540 kg (3,395 lb) depending on the options.
In 2008, a Subaru WRX STI spec C was in the works for production. It had been spotted lapping the Nurburgring. It is expected to shed 70 kg (154 lb) in weight, have minor engine tweaks, have an updated aero kit, and bigger brakes.
A possible precursor to the WRX STI spec C had surfaced at the MotorSport Japan 2008 auto show, named the Subaru Takumi concept. The only visual cues to differentiate this car from the regular STI are a blacked-out rear spoiler, front lip spoiler, and 12-spoke wheels that are strikingly similar to the ones featured on the spec C test mule spotted around the Nurburgring. The upgraded parts included on the car are drivetrain and suspension modifications. There is no word on performance figures or power output. It was later confirmed by Autoblog that the Takumi concept was in fact just an unveiling of the 20th Anniversary Edition WRX STI and not the spec C. All 300 examples will be exclusive to the Japanese market.
Subaru launched the Impreza WRX STI A-Line with a five speed semi-automatic gearbox on February 24, 2009. Available initially only in Japan and Singapore
, the A-Line features include "Downshifting Blipping Control" and steering wheel-mounted paddles. The engine and transmission in the A-Line are very similar to 2007-2009 Legacy 2.5 GT models. However, the A-line has less torque (35.7kgfm) and slower acceleration (0 to 100 km/h takes 6.1 seconds) compared to the manual STI version, although lighter (1,490 kg vs 1,505 kg). The A-Line is also offered in Hong Kong
, and later in Indonesia
with debut at the 2010 Indonesia International Motor Show in July 2010, and will be exported to Australia in 2011.
Finally, on July 23, 2009, the Subaru Impreza WRX STI spec C was released in Japan. The 900 units limited edition WRX STI spec C has engine, suspension, and body parts improvement over the regular model. The ball bearing on the turbine axle had been modified to reduce friction, the ECU had been retuned for better response, and an intercooler water spray was fitted to prevent rise in the air temperature. The cross member, suspension and power steering were also improved for better handling and body rigidity. Aluminium hood, laminar window glasses, and lighter battery helped to reduce weight.
Subaru (UK) Limited introduced two new WRX STI models at the British Auto Show that have specific tuning by Prodrive. The first is WRX STI 330S, intended to compete with the UK-spec Lancer Evolution X FQ-330. It produces 330 PS and has a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The last of the two would be the WRX STI 380S. It could make it into production within 6 months, pending positive consumer reception. It sports new wheels and an upgraded body kit. It is expected to produce 380 PS. Currently, there are no other specs for the car.
Subaru announced, on September 10, 2008, that the 380S variation will not be produced, due to homologation and specification difficulties. The regular model is called WRX STI Type UK.
The Singaporean, Indonesian, and Australian (all RHD countries) markets received the 2.5 liter Euro-spec version instead of the J-spec version, producing 296 hp and 407 newton metre of torque. Some of Impreza WRX STI's sold in Indonesia are the 2.0 liter JDM spec brought by the general importers before Subaru officially introduced the 2.5 liter model. In Australia the regular WRX STI is sold alongside the WRX STI spec.R which comes with BBS wheels and Recaro seats.
For 2010 model year, Subaru of America introduced the Impreza WRX STI Special Edition. Similar to JDM WRX STI Spec C, this model came with stiffer suspension and thicker stabilizer bar for better handling. It also has 7 twin-spokes dark gray 18 inch alloy wheels. Inside, the limited-run Special Edition STI got manual air conditioner and 4-speaker stereo instead of automatic climate control and 10-speaker premium audio on the regular WRX STI.
engineered forged connecting rods, racing pistons, heavy duty cylinder head studs, multi-layered head gasket, and high pressure oil pump.
The ECU had been remapped, and the new compressor design and wastegate actuator had been applied to the turbo. The exhaust system features larger capacity tubular manifold and bigger diameter downpipes. Clutch was also upgraded.
The Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 can be distinguished from the regular STI from its upper mesh grille with piano black finish on the top frame, modified front bumper with "Cosworth" emblem on the lower mesh grille, and lip spoiler, 18 inch Pro-Race alloy wheels in Antrachite Gray, and trunk waist spoiler.
To match its performance, the CS400 comes with Bilstein struts and Eibach springs for better quality ride, and better handling with less pitch and roll during cornering. Braking was updated by AP Racing's larger diameter ventilated front brakes with six-pot calipers.
Inside, the CS400 has Recaro leather seats with "Cosworth" label, piano black center console panel, and "Cosworth"-badged floor mats.
Australia also received the 2011 model year Impreza WRX STI as 4 door Sedan and 5 door Hatch in the regular STI and luxury STI spec.R with manual and automatic transmissions offered. Electric sunroof, Leather seats, Navigation system, and BBS wheels are standard on the STI spec.R, while Recaro seats are optional.
"production" rally cars are constructed. Group N5-classed (marketed by FIA as Production Car World Rally Championship or PWRC) cars are the major support category for the World Rally Championship
and are the premier category in many national rally championships. For two years (2004 and 2005), the WRX STi has taken the top 3 podiums in Group N. This new effort can be attributed to STi's increased support in Group N motorsports..
, in conjunction with Prodrive
won the WRC manufacturer's title with the World Rally Impreza. The STi's bare chassis is used by Prodrive as the basis of the World Rally Impreza. This WRC class is currently labeled by FIA as Group A8. Colin McRae in 1995, Richard Burns in 2001, and Petter Solberg in 2003 all won the WRC driver's title with the World Rally Impreza.
championships of 2004. Chris Torres was the driver. Sheridan and RJ were involved in a collision around turn 453
(2005 Subaru World Rally Team
driver) and Kumi Sato.
In 2006, Deeble-Bellchambers Racing UK campaigned a Subaru factory supported WRX STI Spec C in the 24 Hour Nürburgring's SP 6 class. It had Motec Engine Management, 3-way adjustable AST coilovers, aftermarket Brembo brakes, an aftermarket turbocharger unit, STI Group N parts, aero pieces and many other modifications, pushing 400 hp. To combat understeer, it ran without a front swaybar. It qualified 37th out of 225 competitors for the starting position. The Autosportif Racing UK/Subaru WRX STI Spec C managed to end with a position of 115 out of the 225, suffering 2 turbocharger unit failures during the course of the race. The car was driven by Alan van de Merwe (the 2003 British F3 champion), Briton Phil Bennett (driven in the BTCC, Le Mans and Nürburgring), Jonathan Price (6-time Nürburg 24 Hours competitor) and Chris Atkinson (2006, 2007 Subaru World Rally Team driver).
In 2008, Cusco's Impreza won the first GT300 race in Sepang. It marked the first AWD car victory in Super GT/JGTC history. Even though they were having very impressive results(with 1 win and 2 podiums) that season, Cusco announced that they would not participate in the 2009 season as they want \
The performance of Cusco was outstanding even though they were using a 4-door car, it later lead the Super GT committee to officially allow all 4-door model cars to participate the series. The Toyota Corolla Axio followed suit in 2009.
2005: Nobushige Kumakubo
is the first to use an GD-chassis WRX STi at the D1 Grand Prix
series. The car is extensively modified as regulations permit only two wheel drive cars. This STi is unique in that it is the first to locate a radiator (with the fan beside it) behind the driver rather than in front of the engine compartment as other cars usually do. His other Team Orange teammates, Kazuhiro Tanaka and Naoto Suenaga, soon followed suit.
2006: Team Orange and Jun Autosports have converted a GC-chassis 2-door STi into a RWD vehicle for drifting to be used by third driver Naoto Suenaga. Drivers Nobushige Kumakubo and Kazuhiro Tanaka took a single win each during the 2006 season and the former took the overall D1GP title.
Subaru Impreza
Introduced in November 1993, the Impreza was offered in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive versions and as a four-door sedan/saloon or five-door station wagon/estate. According to a Motor Trend article written March 1992 on page 26, the name of Subaru's new compact was, initially, to be...
compact car
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
line, produced by Japanese automaker Subaru
Subaru
; is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries .Subaru is internationally known for their use of the boxer engine layout popularized in cars by the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 911, in most of their vehicles above 1500 cc as well as...
.
In the late 1980s, Subaru created the Subaru Tecnica International
Subaru Tecnica International
, or STi, is Fuji Heavy Industries' motorsports division. STi, along with Prodrive of the UK specializes in the preparation of a variety of vehicles for the Subaru World Rally Team which competed in the World Rally Championship...
(STI) division to coordinate development for the FIA World Rally Championship
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
and other motorsports activities. After the company had grown, the division was used to create high-performance consumer versions of the Subaru Impreza WRX
Subaru Impreza WRX
The Subaru Impreza WRX is a turbocharged version of the Subaru Impreza, an all-wheel drive, four-door passenger vehicle. It is available as a sedan or wagon....
, an all-wheel drive car with a turbocharged
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
boxer engine, leading to the development of the Impreza WRX STi. The Subaru World Rally Team
Subaru World Rally Team
The Subaru World Rally Team was Subaru's World Rally Championship team. It used a distinctive blue with yellow color scheme that is a throwback to the sponsorship deal with State Express 555, a BAT cigarette brand popular in Asia. 555 logos were found on Subaru cars from 1993 to 2003...
has used a race-prepared version of the WRX STI as its rally platform since the model trim's creation.
Availability
The Impreza WRX STi was originally sold only in Japan. It was later made officially available in OceaniaOceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
(Australia had it in 1999 with the STi Version V). In 2001, Europe received the STi with the change of the chassis. Subaru
Subaru
; is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries .Subaru is internationally known for their use of the boxer engine layout popularized in cars by the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 911, in most of their vehicles above 1500 cc as well as...
began selling the STI in North America in the spring-summer of 2003 as a 2004 model.
Oceania and Europe had WRX STis in the region before the official versions via grey-market importing.
Five (5) WRX STI S204 were made available to Subaru enthusiasts in New Zealand. However, unlike other S204s sent to other nations these five did not display either the in-cabin or in-enginebay badging that uniquely identifies each of the reported 600 vehicles manufactured. The lack of individual badging for these five cars brings into question the real number of S204s manufactured.
Thirty (30) WRX STI S204s' were made available to Singapore through the main distributor - Motor Image Enterprises.
First generation (1992 - 2000)
There were six versions of the STi. The different versions were marketed with consecutive numbers. Another way to tell the version of a WRX STi was to look at the chassis code. Sedan and Coupé STi Model Codes were GC8, (Unlike USDM coupés having a separate chassis code of "GM") and Station Wagons were GF8, followed by a letter from A to G. There was a GC chassis version of the RS released in 2001 as well in the United States.One common misconception is that every Impreza between 92-01 were "GC8's". The code breakdown is as follows;
G - stands for Impreza,
C - sedan, and coupé for Japanese Domestic Market,
M - coupé, for US Domestic Market,
F - station wagon,
8 - stands for the 2.0 L motor (Either turbo or N/A)
So really, there are many combinations. A coupé STi would be GC8, sedan GC8 also, and wagon GF8. The code for the coupé American 2.5RS's was GM6 (6 standing for the 2.5 L N/A motor). There are also non turbo GC8's from the Japanese Domestic Market, as with the 2L N/A HX20s, or 2L N/A AVCS SRX
To tell the difference between a JDM Sedan and Coupe chassis from the applied model code only, a sedan will have the fifth digit as a 4, representing 4-doors, and a coupé will have a 2, representing 2-doors.
For example, a Version 4 STi coupé could have the code GC8E2DD, with the 2 representing 2-doors
A Version 4 STi sedan could have a code of GC8E4ED
Version I (10/92 – 08/94) - GC8A/B
The first STi was known simply as WRX STi (there was no "version" moniker added to the name until the version II). 100 Imprezas per month were produced starting from February 1994. In March, production was stabilized to 100 STis a month. It had 250 PS at 6500 rpm and 31.5 kgfKGF
KGF may refer to:*Keratinocyte Growth Factor*King George's Fields A UK set of 471 memorial playing fields and recreation grounds*Kolar Gold Fields*The IATA code for Sary-Arka Airport, Karaganda, Kazakhstan...
·m (309 N·m
Newton metre
A newton metre is a unit of torque in the SI system. The symbolic form is N m or N·m, and sometimes hyphenated newton-metre...
, 228 ft·lbs) at 3500 rpm and weighed 1230 kg (2,710 lb). Before the STi, the highest trimline of the Impreza was the WRX and the WRX RA, first manufactured in November 1992. This version of the STi was the only version where the standard cars were taken at the end of the assembly line and replaced by STi parts. After this version, the standard STi was built alongside the WRX on the production lines.
The WRX STi Type RA (marketing has made usage of the RA acronym in various ways; Record Attempt is the current usage. "R = Racing, A = Group A, FIA the racing class the WRC Impreza competes in" has also been confirmed by Subaru of Japan; the correspondence can be seen on the discussion board for this article) produced 275 PS and 32.5 kgf·m (319 N·m, 235 ft·lbs) of torque. This version of the WRX STi was a stripped out car that had no sound-deadening, radio or air-conditioning. It came sparsely equipped as it was to be sold to racing teams that would throw out the cheap parts for racing parts. This version of the WRX came with a Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD). This device was an electromechanical differential that could lock the differential. The DCCD would be beneficial to people who used it in various rally conditions.
Version II (09/94 – 08/96) - GC8C
The regular STi's engine output stood at 275 PS and 32.5 kgf·m (319 N·m, 235 ft·lbs) of torque. This was the year that STi started painting the intake manifold red. The car weighed 1240 kg (2,734 lb) and had gold wheels like those on the World Rally Championship Impreza.The V-limited STi edition was produced. It was a limited edition that was often used to celebrate a Manufacturer or Driver title award to Subaru's World Rally Team. The interior is colored blue on the seat inserts and carpeting. The WRX Type RA STi received a radio and air-conditioning in the V-limited form. 1000 WRX STi Version 2 V-limited were produced. 555 (the cigarette brand that was the premier sponsor of the Subaru World Rally Team and became synonymous with the Impreza WRC livery) WRX Type RA STi Version 2 V-limited were produced.
Version III (09/96 – 08/97) - GC8D
. It developed about 300PS but output was reported at the then-established gentlemen's agreement power limit of 280 PS. Torque peaked at 4000 rpm with a value of 35.0 kgf·m (343 N·m, 253 ft·lbs). In standard form, this version has a top speed of over 240 km/h. The car gained 10 more kilograms and weighed at 1250 kg (2,756 lb). The STi shared the same face lift that the rest of the Impreza line received.With Version III came the start of the coupé version of the WRX STi. It is called the WRX Type R STi. The coupé was chosen by Prodrive
Prodrive
Prodrive is a British motorsport and automotive engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. It designs, constructs and races cars for companies and teams such as Subaru, Aston Martin and Ford...
for use in the WRC because it was lighter and stiffer than the 4-door version, although it carried the same exterior dimensions. It was essentially a 2-door version of the WRX Type RA STi meaning it had DCCD, minimal sound insulation, close-gear ratios and hardened gearbox. This car also has a water-spray nozzle to dampen the top of the intercooler. The water will then evaporate, taking heat away from the intercooler and cooling the intake charge. This car was produced on an order-only basis.
Also, there was a WRX STI type RA (4-door) available in Version III. These have the same motor, gearbox and R180 diff as the Version III WRX STI Type R, including DCCD, aluminium bonnet and front guards, no sound deadening and thinner glass. The ECU is also an exclusive tune. The Type R tends to be a bit stiffer and weighs 1190 kg (2,623.5 lb). The DCCD has been known to bite new drivers in the wet. The RA gets a roof vent instead of map lights, and wind up windows, although electrics are an option from factory.
Also available was a WRX Type R V-limited, in version III. It has a WRX motor with no forged internals like the STI, and it misses out on the 4 pot front brakes as they are to be installed by rally teams. It has a roof vent and is lightweight, making a good base for a rally car.
Version III STI runs a VF23 IHI ball bearing turbocharger while the JDM non-STI gets a VF22.
Version IV (09/97 – 08/98) - GC8E
Power remained at 280 PS but torque was raised from 253 lbs./ft of torque to 260. Forged pistons were also added.The interior and the cockpit were changed into a newer design along with the new "White color" gauges.
(white faced)
Version V (09/98-08/99) - GC8F
The power stayed the same as the previous version 280 PS. The engine layout and design was made cleaner and was dubbed as the Boxer Phase 2 engine. The facelift the rest of the Impreza line had was also applied to the STi. The WRX STi weighed 1270 kg (2,800 lb).
There were 1000 WRX Type RA STi Version 5 Limited cars and the WRX Type R STi Version 5 Limited cars had a 4 month waiting period for each order. The interior was also changed slightly from the Version 4 including seats and steering.This model was also produced as a 555 limited edition.
Version VI (09/99-08/00) - GC8G
Again the power stayed the same. Most of the changes were cosmetic. The wing was sculpted to be more aggressive.There were 2000 WRX STi Version 6 Limited, 1000 WRX Type R Version 6 Limited and 2000 WRX STi RA Version 6 Limited cars produced.
Also 500 WRX STi Version 6 Limited Hatchback models.
22B STi (03/98 – 08/98)
In 1998, Subaru of Japan produced a widebody, 2-door, Impreza called the 22B STi. The 22B was used to commemorate both Subaru's 40th anniversary as well as the 3rd consecutive manufacturer's title for Subaru in the FIA World Rally Championship. On the release of the sales, all 399 sold out from 30 minutes to 48 hours, depending on the report. The cars had the starting VIN code of GC8E2SD. Another 25 were produced for export markets - see the 22B Type UK below.The 22B had the EJ22 engine as opposed to the regular EJ20 engine. (Note internal Subaru material states the block comes from a V3 EJ20G, not the EJ22G as most think. Also the intake manifold and heads were from the V4 EJ20K) This means the displacement was increased from 1994 cc to 2212 cc. The block is a closed-deck design. The heads (valves, valvetrain and such) were lifted from the STi Version 4 engine. It produce 280 PS at 6000 rpm and 363 N·m (267 ft·lbf, 37.0 kgf·m) of torque at a lower engine speed of 3200 rpm. The redline was lowered from 8000 rpm to 7000 rpm. The compression is an 8.0:1. The turbocharger is an IHI RHF 5HB (the internal company usage code is VF23).
This car was given a unique color of blue and had fender flared widebody taken from the Peter Stevens designed WRC car, thus widening the width by 80 mm (3.15 inches) for a total of 1,770 mm (69.7). During assembly, a WRX Type R chassis was taken off the line. The fenders were replaced with the 22B STi fenders. The car's curb weight is 1,270 kg (2,800 lb). The suspension is provided by Bilstein. The brakes were standard 4-piston/2-piston brakes. However, the color is red and the Subaru name cast on the brake calipers and painted white. The wheels were increased in size from the standard WRX Type R STi from 16x7" to 17x8.5" BBS Elektra wheels. The car is shod with 235/40 ZR17 Pirelli P Zeros. The clutch was upgraded to a sintered twin clutch with a ceramic disk. The transmission ratios are the same as the standard WRX Type R, but the gears were shot-peened for added reliability. The car has a unique hood, a WRC-inspired front bumper and a unique adjustable rear wing.
The origin of the name 22B has often been debated. Many assume 22 referred to the 2.2 liter displacement and the B was for the Bilstein suspension. This would correlate with the idea that Subaru sells a Legacy Spec B, where the B represents the Bilstein suspension. Others believe that 22B was meant to represent the much recognized 555 decal (555 is a tobacco company that was a major sponsor for Subaru in the WRC) on the WRC car as 22B is a hexadecimal
Hexadecimal
In mathematics and computer science, hexadecimal is a positional numeral system with a radix, or base, of 16. It uses sixteen distinct symbols, most often the symbols 0–9 to represent values zero to nine, and A, B, C, D, E, F to represent values ten to fifteen...
representation of the decimal number, 555.
The 22B STi that is supposed to be #13 was never given the plaque. Subaru of America imported #13 to be used as a press car. Three 22B STis were given the #000 plaque, 2 went to the World Rally car drivers for Subaru at the time Colin McRae
Colin McRae
Colin Steele McRae, MBE was a Scottish rally driver born in Lanark.The son of five-time British Rally Champion Jimmy McRae and brother of rally driver Alister McRae, Colin McRae was the 1991 and 1992 British Rally Champion and, in 1995, became the first British person and the youngest to win the...
and Nicky Grist
Nicky Grist
Nicky Grist is a Welsh former rally co-driver, born in Ebbw Vale. His factory team career in the World Rally Championship lasted from 1993 to 2002. He won 21 rallies and one World championship titles, with more than one driver....
, with the third being used by Subaru Japan as their press car. It was widely rumored David Lapworth of Prodrive
Prodrive
Prodrive is a British motorsport and automotive engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. It designs, constructs and races cars for companies and teams such as Subaru, Aston Martin and Ford...
owned the third #000 car, however he actually owned #400.
S201 STi (2000)
Subaru Tecnica International started the S-series of special Imprezas. This series is a limited production series that sports an engine output of greater than 280 PS [had 224 kW (305 PS)] (special variant cars were excluded from the gentlemen's agreement). The car was decked with nearly every single part from the STi catalogue.The S201 was a 4-door STi that sported the only body-kitted S-series WRX STi. It had a tri-planar wing and a massive front airsplitter. The entire suspension was composed of STi parts.
There were 300 S201s produced, they used a VF28 spec turbo, with max boost at 1.2 BAR and produced 224 kW (305 PS) and 353 Nm, weighing in at 1270 kg these are a highly desirable variant.
22B Type UK (1998)
16 of the 'export' 22Bs (see above) were modified by ProdriveProdrive
Prodrive is a British motorsport and automotive engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. It designs, constructs and races cars for companies and teams such as Subaru, Aston Martin and Ford...
, with longer gear ratios, UK specification lights and an official 3 year warranty. Because 50 22Bs had already been imported privately into the UK, Subaru UK had to wait until 1999 to register the 22B Type UKs under the VCA's
Vehicle Certification Agency
The Vehicle Certification Agency is an executive agency of the United Kingdom Department for Transport, and is the UKs Type Approval authority, and a leading certification body...
Single Vehicle Approval scheme. The price was £39,950, approximately the same price that grey import 22Bs were being sold for.
P1 (2000)
To counter the grey imports of high-performance Japanese variants, Subaru UK commissioned ProdriveProdrive
Prodrive is a British motorsport and automotive engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. It designs, constructs and races cars for companies and teams such as Subaru, Aston Martin and Ford...
to produce an 'official' limited edition of 1,000 two-door cars in Sonic Blue. The chassis was a 2-door coupé. They were taken from the STI Type R lines and used for the P1. The car was the only coupé version of the WRX STI GC chassis to receive ABS. In order to allow for ABS, the DCCD was dropped. Engine output was boosted to 276 bhp, and the suspension optimised for British roads. Options were available from Subaru consisting of 4 piston front brake calipers, electric Recaro
Recaro
RECARO GmbH & Co. KG, commonly known as Recaro, is a German company based in Kirchheim unter Teck in the vicinity of Stuttgart, known for their automobile bucket seats...
seats, 18" OZ alloys and a P1(Prodrive) stamped backbox. The P1, or Prodrive One, is echoed in the name of the Prodrive P2
Prodrive P2
The Prodrive P2 is a prototype two-seater sports car designed, engineered and built by Prodrive at its Banbury and Warwick sites. The car is based on the platform of the Subaru R1 kei car and has a modified Subaru Impreza WRX STi engine along with many Prodrive systems originally designed for their...
concept car.
coupé
Second generation (2000- 2008)
In 2000, the Impreza line received a complete update. The chassisChassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
was stiffened so that it had 120% torsional stiffness increase. The WRX STi gained 17" x 7.5" alloy wheel
Alloy wheel
Alloy wheels are automobile wheels which are made from an alloy of aluminium or magnesium. They are typically lighter for the same strength...
s over the previous 16" x 7" wheels. The 5 speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
(reputed to be one of the car's weakpoints) was changed to an STi engineered 6 speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
. The engine was retained from the Version 6 STi and still retains the semi-closed deck block and is still labeled as the EJ207, however the engines did gain Variable Valve Timing (AVCS) further improving their low end torque production. The interior was updated with a STi logo on the gauge. The STi's tachometer also has a red shift light. The STi's and optioned Type RA STi have received Brembo
Brembo
Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time...
4 piston front and 2 piston rear brakes while the bare-bones Type RA STi still carried the Subaru 4 piston front and 2 piston rear brakes. Externally, the STis had larger hood scoop
Hood scoop
A bonnet/hood scoop is an upraised component on the hood of an automobile that either allows a flow of air to directly enter the engine compartment, or appears to do so. It has only one opening and is closed on all other sides...
s and had foglight covers with STi embossed on them. The DCCD was updated so it can work with anti-lock brakes. During braking, when the ABS
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
is on, the DCCD will set itself to open-mode (no locking).
The version nomenclature was dropped from the name. Japanese and other auto-enthusiasts often refer to the chassis as GDB/GDF (the STi has a 'B' or 'F'(for USDM models) where as the regular WRX had an 'A'). The fourth character of the VIN gives the revision (A to F where G is the 2007 version).
For quick and easy reference to the different exteriors, Subaru Impreza owners use nicknames based on the headlights. Often relating to a creature that has similar looking eyes: 2001-2003 are 'bug eyes' / 2004-2005 are 'peanut eye', or 'blob eyes'/ 2006-2007 are 'hawk eyes'.
Rev. A (2000)
In 2000, the WRX STi received the aforementioned updates. The WRX Type RA STi was produced. The STi wagon was still produced but its engine only produced 275 PS . The STi foglight covers had white STi lettering on them.The WRX Type RA STi was used for the Group N homologation.
Rev. B (2002)
Along with the rest of the Impreza line, the grilleGrille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
and body of the WRX STi was minorly updated by Peter Stevens to give it a more angular look when seen from the side. The foglight covers had pink STi lettering. Not much else besides minor suspension improvements and a small increase in torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
output was done.
The WRX Type RA STi was dropped for a new WRX STi Spec C. This model was much lighter than the WRX Type RA as it received lighter glass and body panels. The Spec C's handling was much improved due to an increase in caster
Caster
A caster is an undriven, single, double, or compound wheel that is designed to be mounted to the bottom of a larger object so as to enable that object to be easily moved...
(from 3.5 degrees to 5 degrees). This was achieved not by changing the suspension mounting point, but by lengthening the wheelbase (15 mm). This was done by including different control arm
Control arm
thumb|right|300px|Double Wishbone SuspensionIn automotive suspension, an automobile's control arm or wishbone is a nearly flat and roughly triangular suspension member , that pivots in two places. The broad end of the triangle attaches at the frame and pivots on a bushing...
s. This increased caster significantly helped the turn-in capabilities of the car. The Spec C also has a steering rack ratio of 13:1. The transmission is supplied with its own oil cooler.
The WRX STi wagon had ceased to be produced.
Rev. D (2004)
The WRX STi received the same Peter Stevens-designed facelift that rest of the Imprezas received. The WRX STi is now capable of being ordered with DCCD.The WRX STi Spec C Type RA was released. It sported a carbon-fiber wing and a carbon fiber lip. It also had a new set of BBS wheels as well as a newly tuned engine.
The WRX STi V-Limited was released. It sports 4-way dampers tuned by Subaru World Rally Team's Group N driver Toshi Arai.
The WRX STi was used for Group N homologation
Homologation
Homologation is a technical term, derived from the Greek homologeo for "to agree", which is generally used in English to signify the granting of approval by an official authority...
.
Rev. E (2004)
This was the first Impreza STi model to be offered in the United States. Subaru unveiled this model in the Detroit International Auto Show, only 1 month after Mitsubishi announced the arrival of the 271 horsepower Lancer Evolution 8, which out-performed the 2.0L WRX.The 2004 WRX STi is considered to be the lightest (3263 lbs, official brochure and tested by Car & Driver Magazine) and rawest among 2004-2009 models. The car was sold in the US without a radio or floormats. The car was rated at 300 bhp and 300 lbs-ft torque, although many feel it was under-rated on purpose. What made the car so special to most is the level of performance offered for a mid 30 thousand dollars car, that still has a back seat and a big trunk.
Since its launch, many upgrades became available to increase power, handling and braking capabilities.
Some weak links were discovered in most 2004-2007 models since the 2004 debut.
The oil pickup line inside the oil pan was shown to develop a crack leading to oil starvation and engine damage due to the lack of lubrication when the part fails. Several aftermarket vendors have addressed this issue by re-designing factory oil pickup units with beefier welds/materials.
Rev. F (2005)
The WRX STi receives the same increase in wheelbase as the Spec C. All STis received additional rear arch flaring in order to allow an increase in wheel size. The wheel size changed from 17" x 7.5" to 17" x 8". In accordance with the increased wheel width, steering lock-to-lock turns have been reduced. Wheel hub strength was improved. The P.C.D. was changed from 5 x 100 mm to 5 x 114.3 mm. The interior was vastly improved as well. A whole new center consoleCenter console
Center console or centre console may refer to:*Center console *Center console...
now brings out a very high grade interior feel.
The WRX STI continues on relatively the same. The Impreza line's looks have been updated.
The WRX STI Spec C's receives the Arai
Arai
-People:* Akino Arai* Alberto Arai* Arai Hakuseki* Masaru Arai* Sasagu Arai * Satomi Arai* Hirofumi Arai* Minami Takayama's real name is Izumi Arai* Shoichi Arai-Companies:...
tuned dampers and a 21 mm (0.826771653543307 in) swaybar. The rear suspension is changed from rubber bushings to pillowball bushings. The strut tower was further stiffened for improved handling and stability. The strut towers were reinforced for better handling and better ride characteristics. The engine mounts were changed from metal to liquid-filled plastic mounts to reduce vibrations into the car's cabin. Some 2006 owners have had issues with these plastic engine mounts. The manufacturer will replace them, under warranty if broken, with the 2005 rubber mounts.
The DCCD is updated with the use of a torque-sensing mechanism inside the DCCD. The torque split is changed to 41/59.
The WRX STI Spec C was used for Group N homologation.
The WRX STI Spec C Type RA was released in November 2005, with 350 units produced. The Type RA added the following to the Spec C model from the STI parts catalogue: 4-way STI adjustable inverted struts, STI Japan-spec pink springs, STI rear lateral links, STI rear trailing links, STI 21 mm (0.826771653543307 in) rear sway bar, STI rear pillowball suspension, STI 110 mm (4.3 in) opening rear axleback exhaust, STI 17" x 8" Enkei
Enkei
, also romanized as Enkei, was a after Tokuji and before Ōchō. This period spanned the years from October 1308 through April 1311. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:...
-made wheels and STI V-lip front spoiler
Spoiler (automotive)
A spoiler is an automotive aerodynamic device whose intended design function is to 'spoil' unfavorable air movement across a body of a vehicle in motion. Spoilers on the front of a vehicle are often called air dams, because in addition to directing air flow they also reduce the amount of air...
.
Rev. G (2007)
The WRX STI and STI Spec C is mechanically similar to the previous revision.Changes include a different turbocharger VF43 equipped with a slightly larger wastegate port to prevent boost creep (VF43, as opposed to VF39 in the older version) and revised gearing on the 6 speed manual transmission. They also use top feed injectors instead of side feed injectors like the previous STi models(04-06USDM). This means the intake manifold is a bit different as well as the TVG (Tumble Valve Generators) used for emissions on cold start-ups.
S202
This car was an S-series Impreza based on the Spec C. All of the suspension and powertrain parts included STi parts from the STi part catalogue. The interior included special edition yellow seats with red STi logo stitching. A smaller, lightweight AC compressor was fitted to save weight. The brake rotors were gas slotted. The wheels were STi labeled Rays Volk alloys.S203
This limited edition Subaru was an S-series Impreza based on the WRX STi. Again it is basically a car with all the STi parts available. It was sold with custom made 18 inches (457.2 mm) BBS alloys with Pirellis.S204
The new S204 was released at the end of 2005. It is based on the WRX STi and similar to the S203. It does away with the roof spoiler and has a different grille from the rest of the Impreza line. The S204 has a two-litre (EJ20) H4Flat-4
A flat-4 or horizontally opposed-4 is a flat engine with four cylinders arranged horizontally in two banks of two cylinders on each side of a central crankcase...
engine capable of developing 235 kW and a six-speed manual
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
gearbox. When cruising the S204 achieves 100 km/h (62 mph) at 3000 rpm in top gear and can reach 220 km/h (137 mph) at 6000 rpm.
Suspension can be described as 'stiff' with torsional rigidity enhanced by the inclusion of laterally mounted items described as "performance dampers" bearing both the STi logo and Yamaha. As a result cornering can be described as excellent. The addition of a carbon fibre front-lip spoiler and a rear diffuser on an already low suspension setup plus the use of low-profile Pirelli P Zero (Corsa) tyres implies the S204 is intended mostly for sealed road use.
Recaro
Recaro
RECARO GmbH & Co. KG, commonly known as Recaro, is a German company based in Kirchheim unter Teck in the vicinity of Stuttgart, known for their automobile bucket seats...
has used carbon-fibre extensively in the manufacture of the driver and front passenger seats available in the S204. The high side bolster
Bolster
A bolster is a long narrow pillow or cushion filled with cotton, down, or fibre. In western countries, it is usually placed at the head of bed and functions as head or back support...
s provide significant support to the driver during maneuvers that induce lateral forces and are considered to be an integral feature to the cornering performance of this vehicle. The seats are rigid in design and have relatively little cushioning compared to other Impreza Models.
Advertising material produced by Subaru for the S204 indicate that a limited run of 600 S204's were made. Individually numbered badges for each car are located within the engine bay and repeated as a small plaque situated at the base of the gear lever. However, five (5) WRX STI S204 were made available to Subaru enthusiasts in New Zealand
WRX STI Spec C Type RA-R
At the end of October, 300 2007MY WRX STI Spec C Type RA-Rs were open for ordering. These cars are based on the WRX STI Spec C. The wheels are changed for 18 inches (457.2 mm), STI-branded, Enkei-made, white wheels. The engine has been blueprinted and balanced. It produces 320 PS of power. The suspension is built with the latest STI parts from the STI catalogue. The front brakes are 6-piston brembo brakes. The turbo charger is based on the larger S203/S204 twinscroll unit. The brakes are made so that they change from silver to gold when heated from usage. The rotors are slotted. The 2nd R in "RA-R" is stated by an STI engineer to mean "Radical".February 2007 Edition Best Motoring Interview of STI engineer at 7:00 [Video no longer available]WRX STI A-Line
This WRX STI A-Line is mechanically the same as the Japan-spec STI. The exterior has been toned down with the removal of large rear spoiler, black Brembo brakes, titaniumTitanium
Titanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. It has a low density and is a strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant transition metal with a silver color....
colored Enkei wheels, a black STI front lip and leather seats in order to target the more mature market.
Asia, Oceania and European specifications
In 2000, most of Asia, Oceania and Europe received the new STi. The engine was detunedDetuning
Detuning can refer to:*Musical tuning, the act of tuning an instrument or voice.*Laser detuning, the difference between an laser frequency and a resonant frequency....
to meet emission standard
Emission standard
Emission standards are requirements that set specific limits to the amount of pollutants that can be released into the environment. Many emissions standards focus on regulating pollutants released by automobiles and other powered vehicles but they can also regulate emissions from industry, power...
s. Engine output was variously rated from 265 PS to 280 PS depending on market.
2005 STis received the long awaited DCCD control available in other markets, as well as a slight wheelbase increase to match the Japanese-spec WRX STi Spec-C and has 280 PS.
In 2006, the model was facelifted like all STIs and the engine was changed to the EJ257 producing 280 PS.
United Kingdom special variants
WR1 (2004)
A limited edition of 1000 Japanese MY04 WRX STI's with DCCD were exported to celebrate victory in the 2003 WRC drivers' championship.500 were sold in Europe, Australia and South Africa as the Petter Solberg edition; the other 500 were further modified by Prodrive and sold in the UK as the WR1. They had 316 bhp and 309.8 ft.lbf, an incredible 0-60 mph time of only 4.25 seconds and a top speed of 155 mi/h (electronically limited). They were equipped with Prodrive
Prodrive
Prodrive is a British motorsport and automotive engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. It designs, constructs and races cars for companies and teams such as Subaru, Aston Martin and Ford...
WRX STI springs, Pirelli
Pirelli
Pirelli & C. SpA is a diverse multinational company based in Milan, Italy. The company, the world’s fifth largest tyre manufacturer, is present in over 160 countries, has 20 manufacturing sites around the world and a network of around 10,000 distributors and retailers.Founded in Milan in 1872,...
PZero Nero tires, mesh grilles, special Ice Blue metallic paint
Metallic paint
Metallic paint, also called polychromatic or "metal flake" paint, is used on the majority of new automobiles sold. Metallic paint can reveal the contours of bodywork more than non-metallic, or "solid" paint, Close-up, the small metal flakes included in the paint create a sparkling...
and Prodrive PFF7 Pewter wheels. The new ECU
Electronic control unit
In automotive electronics, electronic control unit is a generic term for any embedded system that controls one or more of the electrical systems or subsystems in a motor vehicle....
and exhaust were not EU-homologated
Homologation
Homologation is a technical term, derived from the Greek homologeo for "to agree", which is generally used in English to signify the granting of approval by an official authority...
, so they were fitted after registering the car. The retail price was £29,995.
Spec D (2006)
A 'discreet' version of the STI was made for a more conservative market. It is similar to the Japanese-spec A-Line except it had a regular WRX spoiler on the boot, silver wheels (not Gold) and no rear roof vane. As standard it has projector-style fog lights, Smartnav with touch screen operation, Vehicle Tracker,and safe speed system. A 200W Pioneer DEH-P70BT head unit, iPodIPod
iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
adapter and Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
phone connection were also included. The interior featured standard leather trim on the seats and doors, Auto climate control and extra sound insulation. It was limited to a run of 300 cars in only Crystal Grey Metallic so therefore is even rarer than the RB320. Power on this model is rated at 276 bhp. It has a 0-60 time of 5 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited). New retail price was £28,450.
RB320 (2007)
Richard Burns
Richard Alexander Burns was an English rally driver. He was born in Reading, Berkshire. He was the 2001 World Rally Champion, having previously finished runner-up in the series in 1999 and 2000. He also helped Mitsubishi to the world manufacturers' title in 1998, and Peugeot in 2002...
", the 2001 WRC World Champion who died in 2005 due to a brain tumor
Brain tumor
A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal...
. The car produces 320 PS of horsepower and 450 newton metre of torque due to tuning by Prodrive. The suspension has been upgraded with Eibach springs, an Eibach rear stabilizer bar and Bilstein struts. It rides on 18" anthracite alloys. A £1500 option on the car was to have the interior changed to a black leather/alcantara with RB320 stitching on the seat and a new gear (shift) knob. The car has special silver mesh grilles. New retail price was £29,995.
Litchfield Type 25 (2004)
Litchfield Imports initially imported Japanese specification Subarus, including the Spec C, into the UK. The motivation for them to create a new version of the Impreza came when Subaru removed creature comforts like air conditioning and electric windows from the Spec C at the end of 2003. Iain Litchfield wanted to continue to offer an 'everyday' Impreza as fast as the Spec C. Litchfield saw the potential of the newly released USDM EJ257 and imported it, and Iain Litchfield modified car, tuning it to produce 350 bhp. The engines were installed into a Japanese specification STI and upgraded the suspension with rebound adjustable AST Sportline I coilovers, Whiteline anti-roll (stabiliser) bars and an anti-lift kit, with custom geometry settings. The May 2004 edition of EVO magazine. called it the 'Best Impreza Ever' when tested against the WR1, Spec C and P1.Litchfield Type 25 (2007)
The new Type 25, like the previous Type-25, used a modified EJ257 block but it was built by CosworthCosworth
Cosworth is a high performance engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in engines and electronics for automobile racing , mainstream automotive and defence industries...
. They used Cosworth's own forged pistons and connecting rods balanced to within 0.5 grams. A modified STI crankshaft and STI engine casing were used and the 'short' engine was assembled by hand.
This ‘short’ engine was sent to Litchfield to be finished . Cosworth honed, big-valve, ported cylinder heads and cams were used and the engine was installed into a 2007 Japanese specification Spec C. The engine produces over 415 bhp and 420 lbft, for a power/weight ratio 1 hp higher than a Porsche 997 Turbo.It costs $10,000 more than the normal 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI.
Rev. D (2004)
In 2004, Subaru of America announced it would sell the WRX STi. Subaru Tecnica International's president said in an interview with Road & Track magazine that he wished to beat the Mitsubishi Lancer EvolutionMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, colloquially known as the Lancer Evo or Evo, is a high-performance sedan manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors. There have been ten official versions to date, and the designation of each model is most commonly a roman numeral...
in the US. Thus, each iteration of the US-spec WRX STi is essentially the same as the respective J-spec STi Spec C. All part numbers matched up, including the part-numbers for the glass windows and damper
Damper
A damper is a device that deadens, restrains, or depresses.Damper may refer to:* Dashpot, a type of hydraulic or mechanical damper,* Shock absorber , a mechanical device designed to dissipate kinetic energy...
s. However, instead of the EJ207, the USA receives the first EJ257, a 2.5 liter version of the EJ207. Unlike the EJ207, it features hypereutectic cast piston
Piston
A piston is a component of reciprocating engines, reciprocating pumps, gas compressors and pneumatic cylinders, among other similar mechanisms. It is the moving component that is contained by a cylinder and is made gas-tight by piston rings. In an engine, its purpose is to transfer force from...
s as opposed to the forged
Forged
Forged is a book written by biblical scholar, Bart D. Ehrman which attempts to analyze the historical accuracy of the Christian Bible. The book posits that 11 or more books out of the 27 books of the Christian New Testament canon were written as certain types of forgeries related to the politics...
pistons in the EJ207. The steering rack is the standard STi's 15.2:1 instead of the Spec C's 13:1
Rev. E (2005)
As with the Japanese-spec C models, US-spec STis received additional rear fender flaring in order to allow an increase in wheel size. The wheel size went from 17" x 7.5" to 17" x 8". In accordance with the increased wheel width, steering lock-to-lock turns have been reduced. Wheel hub strength was improved. The P.C.D. was changed from 5 x 100 to 5 x 114.3. The Suretrac front LSD in the 04 model was replaced with a helical unit, the rear differential remains the same clutch type unit. Torque split is set at 35/65. In the interior, the Stereo became standard. The badging has been revised and different look was given to the steering wheel, shift knob, HVAC controls, and center console.Rev. F (2006)
The US-spec STIs receive the same facelift as the Japanese-spec STIs. Mechanically speaking, the DCCD (Driver Controlled Center Differential) and the engine mounts have been changed. Like the Japanese-spec STIs engine mounts were changed from metal to liquid-filled plastic mounts to reduce vibrations into the car's cabin. On the largest Impreza forum, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club (NASIOC), 2006 owners have had issues with these plastic engine mounts. The manufacturer will replace them, under warranty, if broken, with the 2005 rubber and metal mounts. Later 2006 vehicles were equipped from the factory with 2005 mounts. The center differential is updated with the addition of a mechanical limited slip mechanism to supplement the electromagnetic DCCD. The torque split is changed to 41/59. The oil pump within the transmission was also deleted. The 2006 STI weighs approximately 3350 lb (1,520 kg).Rev. G (2007)
Control arm
thumb|right|300px|Double Wishbone SuspensionIn automotive suspension, an automobile's control arm or wishbone is a nearly flat and roughly triangular suspension member , that pivots in two places. The broad end of the triangle attaches at the frame and pivots on a bushing...
s are now the aluminum ones used on the Japan-spec revision A and B non-Spec C STis. The high caster angle
Caster angle
thumb|250px|θ is the caster angle, the red line is the pivot line, and the grey area is the tire.Caster angle or castor angle is the angular displacement from the vertical axis of the suspension of a steered wheel in a car, bicycle or other vehicle, measured in the longitudinal direction...
has been reduced, which in turn reduces the wheelbase from 100" to 99.4". The rear sway bar
Sway bar
A sway bar or anti-roll bar or stabilizer bar is a part of an automobile suspension that helps reduce the roll of a vehicle that is induced by cornering or road irregularities. It connects opposite wheels together through short lever arms linked by a torsion spring...
has decreased in size from 20 mm (0.78740157480315 in) to 19 mm (0.748031496062992 in). The gear ratio
Gear ratio
The gear ratio of a gear train is the ratio of the angular velocity of the input gear to the angular velocity of the output gear, also known as the speed ratio of the gear train. The gear ratio can be computed directly from the numbers of teeth of the various gears that engage to form the gear...
s of second, third and fourth gears have been made longer (higher ratio) in order to improve fuel economy and driveability, which inadvertently reduces 1/4 mile drag racing times due to the ability to trap 114 mi/h in 4th gear, without the shift to 5th. The transmission oil pump that was deleted in the 06 model year was also brought back for the 07 model year transmission. The EJ257's cylinder head
Cylinder head
In an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber. This joint is sealed by a head gasket...
s have been redesigned to improve cooling, and the sodium
Sodium
Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal and is a member of the alkali metals; its only stable isotope is 23Na. It is an abundant element that exists in numerous minerals, most commonly as sodium chloride...
-filled exhaust valves have been deleted. Pistons are the same as previous years. The alternator is changed from a 90A rating to 110 amps. The rear Limited Slip Differential
Limited slip differential
A limited slip differential is a type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in angular velocity of the output shafts, but imposes a mechanical bound on the disparity...
is now a Torsen
Torsen
Torsen is a type of differential used in automobiles. It was invented by American Vernon Gleasman and manufactured by the Gleason Corporation. Torsen is a contraction of Torque-Sensing...
unit, considered an upgrade over the previous model's clutch type unit. The turbo has also been changed to the VF43, which has a different wastegate
Wastegate
A wastegate is a valve that diverts exhaust gases away from the turbine wheel in a turbocharged engine system. Diversion of exhaust gases regulates the turbine speed, which in turn regulates the rotating speed of the compressor. The primary function of the wastegate is to regulate the maximum boost...
actuator than the VF39. The side cowl
Cowl
This article is about the garment used by monks and nuns. For other uses, see Cowl or Cowling .The cowl is an item of clothing consisting of a long, hooded garment with wide sleeves. Originally it may have referred simply to the hooded portion of a cloak...
braces are stiffer than the 2006MY. The engine mounts are once again the hard rubber mounts used prior to 2006. On the interior, there is an audio jack that replaces the ashtray
Ashtray
An ashtray is a receptacle for ash and butts from cigarettes and cigars. Ashtrays are typically made of fireproof material such as glass, heat-resistant plastic, pottery, metal, or rock....
, a rear center armrest with trunk pass-through and a 120 W audio system.
The ECU was completely re-engineered in order to meet US LEV2 emissions requirements, which has caused throttle and timing issues. A secondary air pump was also added to help meet LEV2. Top Feed injectors replaced the Side Feed from the previous models.
The WRX STI Limited was introduced with fog lights, leather interior, lip trunk spoiler, and optional moonroof. It is similar to the Japan-spec WRX STI A-line, except the mechanicals of the car are based on the 2007MY US-spec WRX STI.
Pros
Subaru claims that the GD chassis is 10 percent and 82 percent stiffer in torsional and beam rigidity, respectively, than the GC chassis. Due to the increase in stiffness, the car has much better stability in corners and is easier to control at the limit.In terms of safety, the GD chassis scored much higher than the GC chassis and earned a "Good" rating (highest mark) from the IIHS's offset crash test. 4 stars front driver, 5 star front passenger and 4 star side safety ratings from the NHTSA. In a magazine article from the December 2005 Firehouse magazine (a periodical written by and made for firefighters), Ron Moore writes how it is well-known that the Impreza chassis has great protection in its B-pillars. This side structure has 8 layers of high-strength, high-tension steel including a round steel bar running through the middle. The author notes how drivers simply walk away from horrific side-impact accident.
Cons
One of the biggest complaints with the GD chassis is that it gains nearly 200 kg (441 lb) in weight over the GC chassis. Much of this weight came in the form of chassis stiffening as the car was made to meet every country's crash standards. The weight also hampers the cars maneuverability, transitions and turn-in capabilities. The GC Imprezas were notable for being very lightweight despite having AWDAWD
AWD may refer to:* AWD Holding, , a German company* Acute Watery Diarrhoea, a symptom associated with cholera* Afghan War Diary, a collection of thousands of US military documents that were leaked to the public via Wikileaks in July, 2010* Agency Worker Directive * Air Warfare Destroyer* All-wheel...
, the WRX Type STi Version VI, at 1260 kg (2,778 lb), was lighter than the contemporary Mazda RX-7
Mazda RX-7
Series 1 is commonly referred to as the "SA22C" from the first alphanumerics of the vehicle identification number. This series of RX-7 had exposed steel bumpers and a high-mounted indentation-located license plate, called by Werner Buhrer of Road & Track magazine a "Baroque depression."In 1980...
type RZ (1270 kg) and Honda NSX
Honda NSX
The Honda NSX, or Acura NSX, is a sports car that was produced between 1990 and 2005 by the Japanese automaker Honda. It is equipped with a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, powered by an all-aluminium V6 gasoline engine featuring Honda's Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control ...
type S Zero (1270 kg). In this fashion, the GC chassis has a better advantage. However it still remains at a slighter weight by shaving 200 pounds off of its biggest competitor, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
The author mentioned above also notes that the Jaws of Life need to cut the Subaru's B-pillars at certain points in order to cut through the car frame.
Third generation (2008-2012)
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
which is able to import to outside Japan.
Like other 2008 Impreza models, the 2008 STI benefits from a lower polar moment of inertia due to smaller overhangs, and also features a double wishbone rear suspension. The car also borrows new intake and exhaust components from the Legacy GT platform.
The latest Impreza WRX STI features Multi-mode Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with "Normal", "Traction", and "Off" modes, Subaru Intelligent-Drive (SI-Drive) with 3 modes: Intelligent, Sport, and Sport Sharp (S#), and Multi-mode Driver's Controlled Centre Differential (DCCD). The DCCD enables driver to select the manual or auto: "auto", "auto+", and "auto-" mode in order to distribute the torque based on driving preference or conditions.
The JDM version has a 2.0L 308 PS EJ207 engine with a Twin scroll turbocharger, while other versions of the car have a 2.5L 300 PS EJ257 engine with a single-scroll VF48 turbocharger.
At the New York Auto Show, a Subaru spokesman confirmed that the Impreza WRC will be based on the hatch platform, due to its lower polar moment of inertia.
The latest US model of the STI has 305 bhp and 290 ft.lbf. of torque and range in price from $35,640 to $39,440, depending on the options included. The 2008 Impreza STI has the model code GR, reflecting the different "wide body" 5-door Hatchback compared to the GH standard body 5-door Hatchback used for the 2008 Impreza WRX and non-turbo models. The new "wide body 5-door" chassis is 70.7 in (1,796 mm) wide compared to 68.5 in (1,740 mm) for the regular WRX 5-door chassis. Curb weight varies from 1505 kg (3,318 lb) to 1540 kg (3,395 lb) depending on the options.
In 2008, a Subaru WRX STI spec C was in the works for production. It had been spotted lapping the Nurburgring. It is expected to shed 70 kg (154 lb) in weight, have minor engine tweaks, have an updated aero kit, and bigger brakes.
A possible precursor to the WRX STI spec C had surfaced at the MotorSport Japan 2008 auto show, named the Subaru Takumi concept. The only visual cues to differentiate this car from the regular STI are a blacked-out rear spoiler, front lip spoiler, and 12-spoke wheels that are strikingly similar to the ones featured on the spec C test mule spotted around the Nurburgring. The upgraded parts included on the car are drivetrain and suspension modifications. There is no word on performance figures or power output. It was later confirmed by Autoblog that the Takumi concept was in fact just an unveiling of the 20th Anniversary Edition WRX STI and not the spec C. All 300 examples will be exclusive to the Japanese market.
Subaru launched the Impreza WRX STI A-Line with a five speed semi-automatic gearbox on February 24, 2009. Available initially only in Japan and Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, the A-Line features include "Downshifting Blipping Control" and steering wheel-mounted paddles. The engine and transmission in the A-Line are very similar to 2007-2009 Legacy 2.5 GT models. However, the A-line has less torque (35.7kgfm) and slower acceleration (0 to 100 km/h takes 6.1 seconds) compared to the manual STI version, although lighter (1,490 kg vs 1,505 kg). The A-Line is also offered in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, and later in Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
with debut at the 2010 Indonesia International Motor Show in July 2010, and will be exported to Australia in 2011.
Finally, on July 23, 2009, the Subaru Impreza WRX STI spec C was released in Japan. The 900 units limited edition WRX STI spec C has engine, suspension, and body parts improvement over the regular model. The ball bearing on the turbine axle had been modified to reduce friction, the ECU had been retuned for better response, and an intercooler water spray was fitted to prevent rise in the air temperature. The cross member, suspension and power steering were also improved for better handling and body rigidity. Aluminium hood, laminar window glasses, and lighter battery helped to reduce weight.
Subaru (UK) Limited introduced two new WRX STI models at the British Auto Show that have specific tuning by Prodrive. The first is WRX STI 330S, intended to compete with the UK-spec Lancer Evolution X FQ-330. It produces 330 PS and has a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The last of the two would be the WRX STI 380S. It could make it into production within 6 months, pending positive consumer reception. It sports new wheels and an upgraded body kit. It is expected to produce 380 PS. Currently, there are no other specs for the car.
Subaru announced, on September 10, 2008, that the 380S variation will not be produced, due to homologation and specification difficulties. The regular model is called WRX STI Type UK.
The Singaporean, Indonesian, and Australian (all RHD countries) markets received the 2.5 liter Euro-spec version instead of the J-spec version, producing 296 hp and 407 newton metre of torque. Some of Impreza WRX STI's sold in Indonesia are the 2.0 liter JDM spec brought by the general importers before Subaru officially introduced the 2.5 liter model. In Australia the regular WRX STI is sold alongside the WRX STI spec.R which comes with BBS wheels and Recaro seats.
For 2010 model year, Subaru of America introduced the Impreza WRX STI Special Edition. Similar to JDM WRX STI Spec C, this model came with stiffer suspension and thicker stabilizer bar for better handling. It also has 7 twin-spokes dark gray 18 inch alloy wheels. Inside, the limited-run Special Edition STI got manual air conditioner and 4-speaker stereo instead of automatic climate control and 10-speaker premium audio on the regular WRX STI.
Cosworth Impreza STI CS400
Available for the UK market only, the Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 was announced in late May 2010. Only 75 units built, the STI CS400 is powered by a 400 PS 2.5 liter turbocharged engine which has CosworthCosworth
Cosworth is a high performance engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in engines and electronics for automobile racing , mainstream automotive and defence industries...
engineered forged connecting rods, racing pistons, heavy duty cylinder head studs, multi-layered head gasket, and high pressure oil pump.
The ECU had been remapped, and the new compressor design and wastegate actuator had been applied to the turbo. The exhaust system features larger capacity tubular manifold and bigger diameter downpipes. Clutch was also upgraded.
The Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 can be distinguished from the regular STI from its upper mesh grille with piano black finish on the top frame, modified front bumper with "Cosworth" emblem on the lower mesh grille, and lip spoiler, 18 inch Pro-Race alloy wheels in Antrachite Gray, and trunk waist spoiler.
To match its performance, the CS400 comes with Bilstein struts and Eibach springs for better quality ride, and better handling with less pitch and roll during cornering. Braking was updated by AP Racing's larger diameter ventilated front brakes with six-pot calipers.
Inside, the CS400 has Recaro leather seats with "Cosworth" label, piano black center console panel, and "Cosworth"-badged floor mats.
(2011-)
The 2011 model year Impreza WRX STI will be offered in the 4 door Sedan bodystyle once again after a three year absence from the STI line-up since the introduction of third generation model. The new WRX STI Sedan is built as "wide body" with flared fenders, front skirts, and rear valance, while the Hatchback model also come with similar treatments. The most noticeable feature on the STI Sedan is a large rear wing, characteristic of the last generation Impreza STI Sedan. With the new front bumper, the 2011 Impreza WRX STI is more aggressive compared to 2008-2010 models. The 2.5 flat four turbocharged engine with 305 horsepower is carried over, while tweaks in suspension improve handling. The 2011 model year STI has stiffer springs, bigger anti roll bars, and new pillow ball bushings on the front lower arms, as well as wider standard tires . Also, US dealers are now requiring synthetic oil for 2011 models. It is officially claimed to do 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and the quarter mile 13.7 seconds. It should also be noted that, in Japan and Europe, the WRX STI models lack the Impreza name. They are officially referred to as the Subaru WRX STI 4-door and Subaru WRX STI 5-door.Australia also received the 2011 model year Impreza WRX STI as 4 door Sedan and 5 door Hatch in the regular STI and luxury STI spec.R with manual and automatic transmissions offered. Electric sunroof, Leather seats, Navigation system, and BBS wheels are standard on the STI spec.R, while Recaro seats are optional.
Specifications
| Japanese version | |A-Line (JDM) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo | twin-scroll turbo | single-scroll turbo | single-scroll turbo |
| Displacement | 1994 cc | 2457 cc | 2457 cc |
| Power | 308 PS | 300 PS | 300 PS |
| RPM | 6,400 | 6,000 | 6,800 |
| Torque | 43 kg.m | 41.5 kg.m | 35.7 kg.m |
| RPM | 4,400 | 4,000 | 3,000-6,000 |
Rally
FIA PWRC
The STi serves as the basis from which Group NGroup N
In relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group N refers to a set of regulations providing 'standard' production vehicles for competition, often referred to as the "Showroom Class"....
"production" rally cars are constructed. Group N5-classed (marketed by FIA as Production Car World Rally Championship or PWRC) cars are the major support category for the World Rally Championship
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
and are the premier category in many national rally championships. For two years (2004 and 2005), the WRX STi has taken the top 3 podiums in Group N. This new effort can be attributed to STi's increased support in Group N motorsports..
FIA WRC
In 1995, 1996 and 1997 World Rally Championships, the Subaru World Rally TeamSubaru World Rally Team
The Subaru World Rally Team was Subaru's World Rally Championship team. It used a distinctive blue with yellow color scheme that is a throwback to the sponsorship deal with State Express 555, a BAT cigarette brand popular in Asia. 555 logos were found on Subaru cars from 1993 to 2003...
, in conjunction with Prodrive
Prodrive
Prodrive is a British motorsport and automotive engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. It designs, constructs and races cars for companies and teams such as Subaru, Aston Martin and Ford...
won the WRC manufacturer's title with the World Rally Impreza. The STi's bare chassis is used by Prodrive as the basis of the World Rally Impreza. This WRC class is currently labeled by FIA as Group A8. Colin McRae in 1995, Richard Burns in 2001, and Petter Solberg in 2003 all won the WRC driver's title with the World Rally Impreza.
Rally America
The STI has been a prominent contender in Rally America events since the series began in 2005. The STI has won every championship except for one (2010 L'Estange/Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X). Recently, Subaru factory driver Dave Higgins drove a 2011-spec STI to a series victory.JAF Events
An STi Spec C won 1st place in the All Japan gymkhanaGymkhana (motorsport)
Gymkhana is a type of motorsport practiced in an increasing number of countries. Similar to autocross, gymkhana courses are often very complex and memorizing the course is a significant part of achieving a fast time....
championships of 2004. Chris Torres was the driver. Sheridan and RJ were involved in a collision around turn 453
SCCA Events
In 2005, a 2004 STi took first place in the STU class of the Tire Rack SCCA Solo Nationals. The next year at the Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo in Topeka, Kansas, STis took first place in the AS and STU classes; an STi took first place in the STU class at the Tire Rack SCCA Solo Nationals that same year.FIA Events
In 2005, Chris Deable took a STI-supported WRX STI to 2nd place in the A6 class and 14th overall in the 24-hour Nürburgring race. The car was set up to have around -5 degrees of camber at the front wheels. The wheels are Enkei pieces. The car also uses the roof vane seen on the 2006MY WRX STI. The car used Tein SRC coilovers. The car was driven by Kazuo Shimizu (Super Taikyu driver and winner), Toshihiro Yoshida (Super Taikyu driver and winner), Stéphane SarrazinStéphane Sarrazin
Stéphane Sarrazin is a Peugeot factory racing driver from France. He participated in 1 Formula One Grand Prix for Minardi, debuting on April 11, 1999 at the Brazilian Grand Prix. He was a replacement for Luca Badoer, who had injured his wrist. He suffered a big spin in the race coming up to the...
(2005 Subaru World Rally Team
Subaru World Rally Team
The Subaru World Rally Team was Subaru's World Rally Championship team. It used a distinctive blue with yellow color scheme that is a throwback to the sponsorship deal with State Express 555, a BAT cigarette brand popular in Asia. 555 logos were found on Subaru cars from 1993 to 2003...
driver) and Kumi Sato.
In 2006, Deeble-Bellchambers Racing UK campaigned a Subaru factory supported WRX STI Spec C in the 24 Hour Nürburgring's SP 6 class. It had Motec Engine Management, 3-way adjustable AST coilovers, aftermarket Brembo brakes, an aftermarket turbocharger unit, STI Group N parts, aero pieces and many other modifications, pushing 400 hp. To combat understeer, it ran without a front swaybar. It qualified 37th out of 225 competitors for the starting position. The Autosportif Racing UK/Subaru WRX STI Spec C managed to end with a position of 115 out of the 225, suffering 2 turbocharger unit failures during the course of the race. The car was driven by Alan van de Merwe (the 2003 British F3 champion), Briton Phil Bennett (driven in the BTCC, Le Mans and Nürburgring), Jonathan Price (6-time Nürburg 24 Hours competitor) and Chris Atkinson (2006, 2007 Subaru World Rally Team driver).
Grand-Am Events
In 2011, the Subaru Road Racing Team will be campaigning a 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI sedan in the Grand Sport (GS) class of the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series.SCCA Events
In 2005 and 2006, Icy Racing's 2004MY STi's took 1st and 2nd place in Club Racing's T2 division. ESX Motorsports announced the introduction of the WRX STI in World Challenge's GT class in 2005.Super GT
The Cusco team have been campaigning a heavily modified STi with a rear drive conversion as required by regulations since the late nineties and having no two-door model available at present, the Super GT committee gave a special permit for them to race with a four-door model instead of a two-door one. The rear drive conversion rule was lifted in 2006, and since then they returned to all-wheel drive with a transaxle gearbox.In 2008, Cusco's Impreza won the first GT300 race in Sepang. It marked the first AWD car victory in Super GT/JGTC history. Even though they were having very impressive results(with 1 win and 2 podiums) that season, Cusco announced that they would not participate in the 2009 season as they want \
The performance of Cusco was outstanding even though they were using a 4-door car, it later lead the Super GT committee to officially allow all 4-door model cars to participate the series. The Toyota Corolla Axio followed suit in 2009.
Subaru Impreza WRX STI Super GT Specifications (2008)
- Chassis: Tubular frames with bellhousing, integrated driver safety cell and defined front must be FIA, JAF approval.
- Engine: Custom-built SubaruSubaru; is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries .Subaru is internationally known for their use of the boxer engine layout popularized in cars by the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 911, in most of their vehicles above 1500 cc as well as...
EJ-20 engine, Horizontally Opposed 4-cylinder Single turbocharger, DOHCOverhead camshaftOverhead cam valvetrain configurations place the engine camshaft within the cylinder heads, above the combustion chambers, and drive the valves or lifters in a more direct manner compared to overhead valves and pushrods...
, 4-valves per cylinder. - Engine displacement: 2 litre.
- Bodywork: CUSCOCUSCO JapanCUSCO is a Japanese automotive parts company, specializing in car suspension parts. They're most famous for their coilover suspensions, and are a large presence in the Japanese after-market automotive scene both in Japan, and in the JDM scene around the globe....
. - Power: Over 300 bhp.
- Torque: Over 40 kgf.m.
- Roll cage: SAFETY21.
- Gearbox: 6-speed sequential transaxle AWD gear-box.
- Differential: Mechanical L.S.D..
- Front: CUSCO Type-RS.
- Center: 1WAY RS.
- Rear: 1WAY RS.
- Brakes: Endless.
- Clutch: EXEDY carbon 5.5in.
- Wheelbase: 2540 mm (100 in).
- Length: 4465 mm (176 in).
- Height: 1430 mm (56 in).
- Width: 1840 mm (72 in).
- Front track: 1530 mm (60 in).
- Rear track: 1530 mm (60 in).
- Weight : 1150 kg (2,535 lb).
- Fuel Capacity: Approximately 16 imp gal (73 l; 19 US gal).
- Springs: CUSCO.
- Suspension arm: CUSCO pillow ball suspension.
- Damper: ZF SachsZF SachsZF Sachs AG is a German manufacturer of automotive parts, producing powertrain and suspension components. It was formerly known as Fichtel & Sachs, Mannesmann Sachs and Sachs...
. - Wheels: Racing Hart CP-035 MAG 11.0J-18 (Front and Rear).
- Tires: Dunlop Direzza 280/710 R18 (F&R).
- Fuel: Moty's.
- Oil: Moty's.
- Fuel delivery: Injected fuelFuel injectionFuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
system. - Racing seat: BRIDE Gardis CFPR.
- Seatbelt: TAKATA MPH-350R.
- Team: CUSCO/Dunlop Subaru Impreza.
D1 Grand Prix
Nobushige Kumakubo
is a drifting driver from Japan who competes in the D1 Grand Prix series and racetrack and land owner. Nicknamed Kuma, he is commonly referred to one of the pioneers of drifting....
is the first to use an GD-chassis WRX STi at the D1 Grand Prix
D1 Grand Prix
The , abbreviated as D1GP and subtitled Professional Drift, is a production car drifting series from Japan. After several years of hosting amateur drifting contests, Option magazine & Tokyo Auto Salon founder Daijiro Inada, and drifting legend Keiichi Tsuchiya hosted a professional level drifting...
series. The car is extensively modified as regulations permit only two wheel drive cars. This STi is unique in that it is the first to locate a radiator (with the fan beside it) behind the driver rather than in front of the engine compartment as other cars usually do. His other Team Orange teammates, Kazuhiro Tanaka and Naoto Suenaga, soon followed suit.
2006: Team Orange and Jun Autosports have converted a GC-chassis 2-door STi into a RWD vehicle for drifting to be used by third driver Naoto Suenaga. Drivers Nobushige Kumakubo and Kazuhiro Tanaka took a single win each during the 2006 season and the former took the overall D1GP title.
See also
- Subaru ImprezaSubaru ImprezaIntroduced in November 1993, the Impreza was offered in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive versions and as a four-door sedan/saloon or five-door station wagon/estate. According to a Motor Trend article written March 1992 on page 26, the name of Subaru's new compact was, initially, to be...
- Subaru Impreza WRXSubaru Impreza WRXThe Subaru Impreza WRX is a turbocharged version of the Subaru Impreza, an all-wheel drive, four-door passenger vehicle. It is available as a sedan or wagon....
- Subaru LegacySubaru LegacyThe Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car built by the Japanese company Fuji Heavy Industries, and manufactured by its division Subaru since 1989, and is available as a sedan or wagon. Part of the original design goals for the Legacy model was to provide Subaru a vehicle in which they could compete in...
- Subaru ForesterSubaru ForesterThe Subaru Forester is an all-wheel drive crossover wagon manufactured since 1997 by Fuji Heavy Industries and sold under the Subaru brand...
- Mitsubishi Lancer EvolutionMitsubishi Lancer EvolutionThe Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, colloquially known as the Lancer Evo or Evo, is a high-performance sedan manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors. There have been ten official versions to date, and the designation of each model is most commonly a roman numeral...
- Prodrive P2Prodrive P2The Prodrive P2 is a prototype two-seater sports car designed, engineered and built by Prodrive at its Banbury and Warwick sites. The car is based on the platform of the Subaru R1 kei car and has a modified Subaru Impreza WRX STi engine along with many Prodrive systems originally designed for their...
- Subaru World Rally TeamSubaru World Rally TeamThe Subaru World Rally Team was Subaru's World Rally Championship team. It used a distinctive blue with yellow color scheme that is a throwback to the sponsorship deal with State Express 555, a BAT cigarette brand popular in Asia. 555 logos were found on Subaru cars from 1993 to 2003...