2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

[tunersteve]

The 2008 Subaru Impreza has been glimpsed in pictures, but now we have a glimpse of the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI.
Illustrations published in Japan show confirm that the unpopular propeller motif inspired by the companys aviation heritage has been replaced by a more conventional look. Andreas Zapatinas, former design director at Subaru, had developed the aviation theme in reaction to the bold grilles now fashionable in Europe, but a poor reaction in the marketplace led to his departure last summer.
For 2008, a new hatchback model will join the Impreza lineup, a reaction to the recent comeback by this configuration as seen in trendy examples like the Audi A3 and Mazdaspeed 3 five-door. We hear there's a new multi-link independent rear suspension under both the hatchback and the sedan.
The 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI will be a hatchback, just like the 2007 Subaru WRC rally car. The intercooled and turbocharged, 2.0-liter flat-four engine will produce 300 horsepower, although the engineers have spent more effort on improving power at low- and mid-range rpm.
Full details are expected to be released at the New York Auto Show.

 

[nealric]

Me likey

 

[Rally Ninja]

Whats with that pillar down the front lower grill? Front kinda looks like an monte carlo /GTO looking GM thing.

Styling I'd give the new evo points to over this sti

 

[ForceFed]

This thing is HAWT! (hitit)

 

[mhrebin]

id probably sell everything i own, minus protege and computer to get that.lol

 

[smo0f]

looks like a protege with a body kit

 

[Rally Ninja]

looks like a protege with a body kit

LOL you right!

 

[CHICO2003]

That thing's a hatch?!! WTF were they thinking? The sedan currently outsells the hatch by like a billion:1 here. If people wanted the hatch.. they'd buy it. Evo all the way

 

[LEXi73]

looks sweet! would like to see a rear shot and a few others....looks sexy

 

[Newf]

looks great, but will they ever get rid of that damn spoiler?

 

[CanMP5]

I hope that when they say "hatch" they mean like the Mazda6 hatch, still sedan-like....

 

[Kansei]

that is pitifully boring. I like the headlights, but that's about it. The car still lacks a sense of style, unlike the Evo X which just looks stunning (my opinion only of course)

 

[II-Savy]

I like it, the EVO x is sweet also.

 

[tunersteve]

I actually like the front end of the car, its a good comprimise between the propellar style that was the last generation, and the previous design which was more normal. I don't like the whole idea of being a hatch. I don't think any other company gets the hatch concept like Mazda does. The P5, the 3 hatch, and the 6 hatch are gorgeous. All these other companies just don't get the sense of style into that extra trunk space like Mazda can.

 

[Donas64]

Truth be told, I like it. Not as a hatch though! Geez if you're gunna do a hatch, do it right! Also that bar right down the middle of the lower fascia needs some tweaking.

 

[.paul]

Cool frijoles

I like the whole thing except the wing, it looks uber outta place on the hatch. It's as if come hell or high water, the designers were going to put that wing on the car. I say something like a duck bill spoiler or similar to the MS3 would go a long way looks wise.

*edit*
Shamelessly stolen from NASIOC, interesting pictures:

Also:

 

[CHICO2003]

What are they talking about... "just like the 2007 Subaru WRC rally car". Unless I'm mistaken, that car is a sedan.

All I know is... if this car has any similarity to the insanely fugly wrx "sport wagon" subaru has tried to desperately to sell over the years (seriously.. you can buy these freakin things for like $1k off invoice. it's crazy) it'll bomb harder than the PS3. I'll admit... I'm not a hatch/wagon guy. Even still, my next car is definitely going to be the MS3. Like others have said, Mazda (and VW for that matter) at least know how to make a halfway decent looking hatch. Subaru on the other hand... good god! It reminds me of the 90's accord station wagon. looks like all they did was add a window to the back of an existing sedan. for me, the fender flares MAKE the WRX. The fact that the current (and from the looks of it, new) station wagon lacks them only kills the look that much more.

But who knows? I hated the idea of the MS3 being a hatch and it grew on me so... maybe the same will hold true. As was the case with the original WRX, the good may outweigh the bad so much... it's all irrelevant. Only time will tell.

 

[wicked]

holly crap,the EVO X looks center section is just like a ******* NEON!!!!!

I wanna cry now.

 

[chaos2015]

I Like It

 

[CHICO2003]

holly crap,the EVO X looks center section is just like a ******* NEON!!!!!

I wanna cry now.

Put down the crackpipe. Assuming you're talking about the SRT-4, both cars have a FMIC and a huge spoiler. That's where the similarities end. The new EVO (minus the still hideous spoiler) may just be the PERFECT car!! Unlike the Subaru, it even has the gas tank on the proper side. It's going to be rather strange really. Right now, the EVO and STi are so close in so many ways.... but going forward, the EVO almost reminds me of the new Lexus IS (albeit a far more badass version) while the Sti... lol I guess it wants to be a freakin A3 or some s***. when it comes to looks, it's pretty much class vs ass.