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Subaru has launched a limited edition Impreza WRX STI for the US market.

The Subaru Impreza WRX STI Special Edition will be limited to just 125 units and it will make its debut at the Los Angeles motor show next week.

See the Subaru Impreza WRX STI Special Edition pics

The main change over the standard WRX STi occurs under the skin, where the car gets an upgraded performance su...Read the full article

I've no doubt this is a special car, but god it's front is ugly!, what were Subaru thinking when they signed this off, i think it's time for a quick fix, don't you?, afterall they had to do it before with a certain Subaru before, remember?. 

Peter Cavellini:

time for a quick fix, don't you?, afterall they had to do it before with a certain Subaru

Yes, Peter Stevens was called in to do a quick, and quite effective, job.

Even a quick fix to the nose doesn't hide the fact that it's not the best hatch back there is.   My test drive was marred by the handbrake sticking in to my leg!   Nor was it as spacious as the saloon either.   Felt it has been downsized.

But if you were going for a white knuckle ride it hung on like a leech!   However, tottering about and it didn't give you any confidence at all....

125 Special Editions for the UK would be a year's sales.....

Sorry Subaru, but please please please excite us like you did before, and ditch the UK importer so that you can bring the UK price down to what it should be.

OK, the STi beats the 2009 Ford Focus RS by over 2 seconds on the Top Gear track.

The Sti is a very fast car, its faster than any hot hatch and is better termed as a high performance monster and brutal acceleration from four wheel drive.

Figure like 0-60 in 4.8 seconds and 3-70 in 4.4 seconds have Focus RS owners reaching for tissues. What the STi about is raw speed and handling and now up to 35mpg fuel economy even with all that 300+bhp burbling, the hatchback looks better than any previous scooby and the STi is doing well in the US. For those in the UK, the low sales volume should help restore the Sti to 50% retained value after 3 years, also Sti servicing is now much cheaper.

 I think Subaru (and Toyoya, now owner of Subaru), may just have the last laugh. There is very little wrong with the STi, the americans love it.

Lionheart:

Figure like 0-60 in 4.8 seconds

Subaru quotes the 0-62 as 5.2 seconds.   Not 4.8s.

Lionheart:

and now up to 35mpg fuel economy

Combined is quoted by Subaru as being 27.4mpg.   My experience in the real world is that you can take 25% off that, expect 20.6mpg.   That experience includes Subaru ownership.

My criticism of the current STi is from my test drives of it (I honestly nearly bought one!   But had to go for multiple tests to prove what I initially thought was right.) and from my previous ownership of an Impreza WRX PPP with the lowered springs.   If you drive the hatchback hard it's impressive, but less so when you're not.   And as a hatchback there's better offerings.

Totally agree, Symanski. I don't know of any boxer-engined Subaru (bar the diesels, of course) that'll give you 35mpg, even when pootling along at sensible speeds. And while I'll admit that this car doesn't look too bad in white, it's still a munter - Subaru has got to do something about those rear lights: they stink!

 

Sorry to say this but I fear Subaru may be the next Lancia in the UK: unappealing cars = few sales = rapid exit. And I say that as a very happy ex-owner of an original Impreza Turbo.

Wholigan:

And I say that as a very happy ex-owner of an original Impreza Turbo.

I think I speak for all ex-Subaru owners when I say we honestly want Subaru to do well and continue to bring high performance cars that you can use every day to us.   In my ownership it never once let me down, and really was a joy to own.   You'd find yourself going on back roads rather than dual carriageways because they're fun to drive!

Car driving fun?   It's hard to believe that driving is something to be enjoyed with all eco nutters wanting us all to go back to horse and cart!

 

But, Symanski, how much are you prepared too pay for a limited edition?,Hnda are talking £38K for a souped up Civic,£4K gets your RS fettled too 370bhp, gulp!, what are they going tooo ask for this rice box?, my guess is £30K,what's yours?

The Subaru special edition will be priced around 26-27k, bargin !

0-60 in 4.8 seconds as tested by Autoexpress and EVO, Subaru figures are conservative.

 Subaru STI now has idrive technology to remap the car (flick of a switch), many examples of 35mpg on motorway runs. Folks who changed from the 2007 STI to the hatchback STI have reported much better fuel economy (and rattle free cabins now)

Focus RS 0-60 tests Autocar 6.3 and EVO 6.0 seconds, 30-70 in 5.8 seconds in Autoexpress. Handling wise the RS is very good, but there is still some torque steer though not bad for a 297bhp car.

 The Focus RS retails at £26,400 in basic white, however the base models are not available unless you want to wait 6 months, so you are stuck with cars availalble at Ford dealerships with lots of options so nearer 30k and I dont think the RS is good value at this price, same goes for the Civic Type R Mugen.

 Also, I saw a base Focus RS in northampton, badly chipped alloys and parking dents, 2 owners (ex-demo), 10,800 miles, Price £26,395. It sold at the full asking price.

I drive a VW golf, but when the time is right the STI is high on my shopping list next to the new Audi S4 (which I've seen new for under £30k)

Peter Cavellini:

Symanski, how much are you prepared too pay for a limited edition?

Very good point.

I don't think the current Subaru importer would do it for less than £ 30k.   If you look at what some of the car supermarkets have been able to sell WRX Imprezas (and even STis) at you'll see how much of a mark up the Subaru UK are making.

If the hatchback Impreza WRX and STi price was dropped the same proportion as the standard car was on launch (a £ 15k base model became £ 12.5k) then it would be a a much better proposal.