2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI: Radically Rally!
Written by Virgil Moore III
Well folks, the wait is finally over! Subaru has released its latest offering of its rally-inspired, high performance sports vehicle, the Impreza WRX STI. Two words simply describe this new vehicle - fast and furious! Hiroshi Mori, Subaru's project general manager for the STI states, “The Impreza WRX STI was designed to deliver the dynamic performance worthy of the flagship model for the Impreza series.” Subaru boasts that the WRX STI’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system is the heart of the Impreza’s dynamic performance capabilities. Its Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) is newly enhanced for 2008 with three automatic modes controlled by a switch on the center console. The DCCD All-Wheel Drive system takes driver-controlled response to another level as evidenced during our drive through Monterey, California.
The new, less boxy look of the 2008 Impreza WRX STI is sure to please enthusiasts of the vehicle. The wide-fender 5-door body with bulged rear quarter panels, along with the rear gate-mounted spoiler and aerodynamic ground effects makes the WRX STI look like it’s ready for rally-racing on the professional circuit. A new stylish aero package for the WRX STI was designed to reduce overall lift at high speeds. Standard High Intensity Discharge (HID) low beam headlights along with fog light covers add to the WRX STI’s no-nonsense look. The hood scoop has been lowered from its previous version providing a more compact and sleeker look. The hood scoop funnels outside air to an intercooler that feeds the impressive turbo “Boxer” engine. Not to mention that it simply looks cool as well. As for the interior, it’s not overly stylish but still imbued with that sports-rally driver-cockpit feel. New materials including double-stitched fabrics and high-grade interior plastics provide what I found to be an adequate look. And Subaru has sprung for a first-time navigation system now available in the 2008 Impreza WRX STI. The 2008 cabin is 2.2 inches wider than earlier models offering improved hip and shoulder room.
The 2.5-liter, four cylinder intercooled turbocharged Boxer engine, now with a Dual Active Valve Control System, produces a beastly 305-horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 290 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. When your foot touches the gas pedal, you instantly feel the rush! Subaru mated the engine to a six-speed manual transmission with the aforementioned DCCD system. The platform also features Subaru’s “Vehicle Dynamics Control.” These two technologies are added to help the driver get better control and stability. The newly enhanced DCCD AWD System has three modes in the 2008 WRX STI: “Automatic” is the standard setting, with 59 percent of engine power sent to the rear wheels and the rear differential set neutrally. “Auto-Plus” engages the rear differential for more traction in slippery conditions. “Auto-Minus” is ideal for twisty roads where you need sharper turn-in and less traction at the rear.
Zipping through the winding roads of wine country and onto the Mazda Laguna-Seca Raceway, we were able to gain a firm feel for the top-of-the line Subaru speedster. The 2008 models have several changes in their platform and suspension that are mainly responsible for the Impreza WRX STI’s overall rigidity and smoothness on the road. For the first-time ever, Subaru has incorporated a Double-Wishbone rear suspension (Due to more lateral G-Force in the 2008 model) that replaces the previous inverted-strut arrangement at the rear. The feel when engaging turns at its apex was unbelievable! The ‘08 WRX STI displayed its cat like agility during our road exercises and surprisingly always remained on all fours when we gave these speeding bullets the workout of a lifetime. The front suspension has inverted struts that provide high bending resistance that lend a more consistent performance under hard cornering. The 2008 WRX STI uses solid engine mounts to minimize engine movement, and high tensile strength steel has been added in suspension mounting areas.
One might wonder how the STI fares when commanded to bring all of its controlled speed to a halt. Well thanks to the STI’s Brembo brakes, there are no worries there. Four-wheel Super Sport anti-lock (ABS) disc brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), help shorten stopping distances, while the Super Sport system helps to reduce understeer in comparison to conventional ABS systems. The WRX STI also has Brake Assist which analyzes the force and stroke on the brake pedal and increases hydraulic boost to provide enhanced braking, also activating the ABS system early if needed. The ventilated performance brakes are slightly larger than on the 2007 model (The front disc measure 13.0 inches in diameter versus 12.77 inches on the previous model). The new STI has a wider track and larger wheels as well (18” standard, featuring a new five-spoke design). Also available are optional 18x8.5 inch BBS forged aluminum-alloy wheels. All 18 inch wheels wear Dunlop SP600 245/40R18 tires that grip the road like nobody’s business and showed minimal signs of wear after multiple high-speed laps on the track.
Overall I was rather impressed with the new Impreza WRX STI and all its fantastic performance capabilities. The vehicle is aimed toward the young-upwardly mobile professional who has yet to release that inner-child and most likely never will! This Subaru is the perfect toy for that girl or boy. Though pricing has not yet been released look for this road-demon to retail in the mid-to upper thirties. 
