With
hot versions like WRX and STi, I bet few of you are actually
interested in reading this article. Anyway, it’s my policy to
describe every car no matter interesting or boring. So let us
have a brief view into the regular Impreza first.
Subaru Impreza does not intend
to compete directly with mainstream family cars like Toyota
Corolla and Honda Civic, primarily because its scale of
investment cannot match with those giant car makers. Instead,
Impreza’s strongest selling point is the adoption of permanent
4-wheel drive, and the image benefited from the rally car. You
can argue whether a family car with 100 horsepower or so really
need 4WD, which makes the Impreza 100 kg heavier than its
mainstream competitors. However, as target sales number is
relatively small, Subaru won’t find it difficult to attract
sufficient customers who think the extra security on snow or wet
justify the added weight and cost.
Sedan or Wagon, the
bread-and-butter 1.5-litre Impreza weighs 1240 kg, which proves
to be too much burden for the 100 horsepower output from the
little sohc 16-valve horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder engine.
(European gets a 1.6-litre version with only 90 hp) Beautiful
sound aside, there is no much to praise. 0-60 mph takes 12
painful seconds, making you wondering why not buy a Ford Focus
1.8 instead.
With only 100hp, any discussion
of the advantage of 4WD is nonsense - at least on dry. There is
simply not enough power to exploit the potential of the rigid
chassis which is 148% stiffer than the first generation. Safety,
however, was the primary objective of the chassis upgrade. The
suspension set up is too soft, not just compare with WRX but
also by class standard. The car floats on bumpy surfaces,
without the planted feeling of European hatchbacks. Cornering
limit is low because of using narrow tyres. The steering is very
light and unlike WRX, provides little feel from the road. On the
positive side, it steer quite neutral and rolls little in
corner. That’s all.
The 2.0-litre engine might be
better, though I have no idea how it actually behave. This is
the normally aspirated version of the EJ20 that powers the WRX.
In Japan, it is equipped with AVCS variable valve timing to
enable a peak power of 155 hp and a broader torque delivery.
Nevertheless, weighing 1320 kg, it is still not a fireball that
the price tag suggest, or in other words, too expensive for such
a small family car.
Small ? yes, although the
second generation Impreza has already been stretched by 55 mm in
length and 30mm in height, the wheelbase gains just 5 mm to 2525
mm, compare with class average of nearly 2600 mm. Although
journalists said there are more room for rear passengers, it’s
still short of leg room compare with nearly all C-segment
rivals, especially Civic, Corolla and Focus. Up front, however,
is as spacious as anyone else. Like the WRX, both driving
position and visibility are excellent. The much improved
dashboard now looks with a little bit style and quality, if not
time-resistant.
In contrast, what you might
resist in the first sight is the new face dominated by
odd-looking circular headlamps. In fact, not just the front, but
the whole car looks odd no matter from where you view. Still
want permanent 4-wheel drive? look and think twice !
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Impreza WRX
Strangely,
the first generation WRX was not a brilliant design in first
sight, but the more you looked the more beautiful it grew on
you. So after 8 years of falling in love with it, it’s hard to
accept a successor so ugly. Ugly ! pardon me, I rarely use such
a subjective description but I can’t help feeling sad about its
styling. No matter how many times I saw it, its strangely
undynamical rectangular shape, odd big circular headlights and
complicated face still conflicts with our inherent sense of
beauty.
OK, we don’t
judge cars purely on styling, especially for this kind of A-to-B
driver’s cars. Let’s see the chassis - 2.5 times as rigid in
torsion as the outgoing car guarantees superior handling, ride
and of course, should pass the strictest safety regulations.
This is what the project manager most proud of. The next thing
is improved interior space while preserving a short wheelbase,
which grew just 5mm, thus guarantees nimble handling. I’m not
too convinced about this one, considering the new WRX has got
much longer front and rear overhangs, hence an extra 55 mm of
overall length. Worse of all, the bigger and stronger chassis
accompany with all other enhancement adds 100 kg to the car,
despite of aluminium bonnet. (note: various figures were quoted
by different sources because they compare the new WRX with
different "old car", say, American sources compared with 2.5RS,
UK sources compared with Impreza Turbo. However, according to
Japanese official figures the new WRX weighs 1340 kg, versus the
1240 kg of the previous non-STi WRX Version VI)
The suspension
is still all struts set up, which has been proved successful by
various WRC teams. Yes, in the world of rallying MacPherson
strut is more favourable than the mighty double wishbones
because it provides better camber control for long-travel
suspensions. In the new WRX, the struts are attached to the
strengthened body with new front sub-frame and revised geometry.
Front suspension lateral links are made of aluminium (excluding
US version). The roll center has been raised by 33mm though I
have no idea what this suggest. (we do not say roll center the
higher the better or the lower the better)
Tracks
have been widened as the body is 30mm wider, this should help
cornering stability. Wheels are still 16-inch wearing 205 width
tyres but there is optional 215/45ZR17 which is also standard in
UK’s version. Brakes are no pizza size, with diameter just 294mm
front and 266mm rear, thus it’s still a relatively weak link of
WRX. It seems that Subaru has reserved the best brakes for STi
version.
What matter
most to WRX enthusiasts, however, is the fire-breathing power
plant, which gains least improvement or perhaps even a bit
deterioration due to stricter emission laws. The basic engine is
still that 1994 c.c. boxer 4-cylinder, code name EJ20, still
all-alloy design, still having 4 camshafts, 16 valves and a
single IHI turbocharger mating air-to-air intercooler. What’s
new? Subaru will tell you it’s 80% new, but more specific wise
there are only AVCS variable valve timing at the intake side and
a 11% larger intercooler. Thanks to the variable valve timing,
Subaru claims the torque curve is much more flatter, with 80% of
torque available from 2200rpm. Remarkable? I don’t think so.
There are some European turbo engines can deliver 90% torque at
2000 rpm. Even the high-boost Audi RS4 can reach peak torque at
just 2500 rpm !
Peak power and
torque are 250 hp and 246 lbft (both JIS), compare with the last
280 hp Japanese WRX Version VI (still non-STi, remember), there
is a deficit of 30 horsepower and a weight penalty of 100 kg !
Blame to the new emission regulations which requires 3 catalytic
converters including a close-coupled cat near the exhaust
collector (to deal with cold start emission, see Technical
School). No matter how flatter the torque curve is, undoubtedly
the new WRX will be much slower than its predecessor in
acceleration.
The
above applies to Japanese version only. For the first time, UK
and US are offered with WRX officially and their output are even
lower. UK’s car (which is identical to Australia’s) has 218 hp /
215 lbft while US version has 227 hp / 217 lbft. Most
journalists, such as Car And Driver and Autocar, blamed that to
stricter emission requirement but few of them noticed the export
engines do not have AVCS while the turbine is also smaller in
diameter. The latter means the Japanese pumps out a maximum
boost of 17psi instead of the export versions' 14.2psi. When
deciding to drop these good things, cost may be the biggest
concern. But someone also believe the Japanese prefer to keep
the best thing exclusively for themselves ! Lastly, the UK and
US versions also differ from the Japanese car by a 8.0:1
compression ratio versus 9.0:1, which is probably because of
emission reasons.
The engine
still drives through a 5-speed manual to all 4 wheels via 3
differentials, among which the center differential is
viscous-coupling LSD while the rear is Suretrac (torque biasing)
mechanical LSD by AP. Center LSD normally distribute 50/50
torque to front and rear. In case of wheelspin, it will send
more torque automatically (rather brainlessly as well) to the
opposite axle which has more grip. Need front LSD ? go for the
STi version later. In short, the transmission system remains
nearly unaltered from the old WRX.
On the Road
Now let’s see
how well our technical analysis match the real world
experience.
Start the
engine, you’ll hear the typical boxer noise. Turbine smooth,
rev-happy and red-lined at 7,000 rpm seems everything a
world-class engine possess, but it lacks one important thing -
real power. No matter how it rev and scream, the car does not
accelerate like a fireball - a term that used to describe the
old WRX. Even compare with the UK-only old Impreza Turbo
(215hp), the new UK version WRX (218hp) takes 0.4 more seconds
to finish 0-60mph. That’s 5.7 seconds (250 hp version claimed as
5.3 sec), not bad, but deterioration is hardly acceptable.
Subjectively,
it feels even slower. On the one hand, the so-called improved
torque curve can be hardly detectable. On the contrary, the
extra 100kg burden even made it worse. Off-boast, throttle
response is disappointingly sluggish. Below 3,000 rpm, power
delivery is weak and turbo lag is noticeable. However, it revs
into live since 3200 rpm where full boast is obtained, then the
torque increase linearly and eagerly towards the 7,000 rpm
red-line. No matter low or mid-range, however, Audi S3 feels
decisively more powerful, flexible and responsive. In reality,
S3 also produces stronger mid-range acceleration, in-gear
acceleration as well as 0-100 mph. Both cars have more or less
the same power rating and kerb weight, so the differences lies
on the way they deliver their power.
On
the other hand, the improved sound-deadening and vibration-free
chassis makes the car feel even slower subjectively.
In contrast,
handling is benefited by the rigid chassis. The whole structure
feels stiffer and more secure. It does not twist or bend like
the old car on poor surfaces. As a result, the suspension has
been set up to provide compliant ride million miles ahead of the
old car which was never praised of ride comfort. This is a
road-going rally car you will love to go shopping with.
Is there any
improvement in body control or grip? hard to tell, but it is
sure that now the car steers more neutrally and display safe
understeer much later. There’s almost no understeer unless
reaching its limit. Throttle steer? no problem. The steering
feels a bit too light and not sharp enough in initial feel, but
drive it longer and you’ll discover it actually provides good
communication and accuracy. And there is no kick-back or
vibration from steering column which characterised both the old
WRX or Lancer Evo.
Gearshift now
has less resistance and still a short and snappy throw. Brakes
are effective but pedal feel is too light to inspire
confidence.
Compare with
Audi S3 again, the WRX wins decisively in handling. It has
better controlled ride over poor surfaces, better high speed
body control, more steering feedback and more fluent control
overall.
In the end, the
WRX is still the ultimate driver’s car in its class. There’s
nothing can compare with it once in a twisty road. Performance
is its biggest weakness, so is look and packaging. In my
opinion, STi or Evo 7 are much better bet and worth the extra
money.
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Impreza WRX
STi
As
before, the hottest WRX is the STi version. If you have never
heard the name, let me explain again: STi standards for Subaru
Technica International. Many people say it is equivalent to
BMW’s M-division but I think it is better to be compared to AMG
or HSV. In many ways it operates like an in-house tuner,
concentrating in modifying cars in a human-intensive technique
and supplying racing parts to tuning market. About one-forth of
all WRX produced will be the STi version.
The biggest
improvement from standard WRX is undoubtedly more power, which
is much welcomed because the new WRX is too heavy. Base on the
same variable-valve-timing boxer engine of the Japanese version,
STi installed some racing components - lightweight forged
pistons and connecting rods, lightweight hollow valves
(sodium-filled for better cooling) - to raise rev limit to 8,100
rpm. Then increase boost efficiency by employing a 50% larger
(compare with old STi) intercooler and reposition it to take
advantage of air flow. This should lower intake air temperature
thus improve volumetric efficiency. As before, the STi
intercooler incorporates water spray facility to enable flat-out
use for long time.
The
turbocharger is also upgraded. By attaching a resin ring to the
inner surface of turbine housing, the gap between turbine and
its housing becomes negligible - therefore it is called
"zero-slack turbo". This reduce leakage thus raise boost
pressure. At the exhaust side, a 100 mm diameter exhaust pipe is
used to reduce back pressure. Lastly, to withstand the increase
power, the engine block is stiffened.
Without
surprise, the new STi equals its predecessor in peak power -
both reaches the domestic voluntary limit of 280 hp. Insiders
said the actual figure is around 310 hp, which might not beat
the old one by much but in terms of torque it is undoubtedly
superior - 275 lbft versus 260 lbft. Torque delivery is
particularly stronger at mid range, from 3,000 rpm to 5,500 rpm.
(Due to tougher emission standard, European version of STi is
less powerful - 265hp and 253 lbft. It is also 40kg heavier,
thus performance is less impressive.)
Unlike
the standard WRX, you’ll feel the STi has real power. Turbo lag
is lighter (but still too much compare with Audi or Porsche),
throttle response is sharper, more punch is available all the
time. But compare with the standard car means nothing. Take an
old STi Version IV, V or VI, you’ll feel the extra punch fails
to deliver the same kind of performance in straight line because
it carries an extra 155 kg. Subaru knows that, so it gave STi
the company’s first 6-speed manual to quicken acceleration. It’s
a good transmission, with metallic feel and ideally-spaced
ratios, but I doubt if it can do 0-60 in 4.6 seconds like its
predecessor.
What it lost in
straight line is gained back in corners. The new WRX chassis is
already very strong and has wider tracks, the STi further
improve it with titanium strut tower bar and inverted dampers.
The suspensions employ forged aluminium lower arms and is set
30% stiffer than the standard car. For the 4-wheel-drive system,
viscous-coupling center LSD and rear Suretrac torque-biasing LSD
remains unchanged, but the front axle also got a Suretrac.
Stripped-out version Type RA still employs a variable split
ratio center differential instead of viscous-coupler. It allows
the driver to choose from the 6 fixed front-to-rear torque split
ratios, sounds interesting but no way as clever as Mitsubishi’s
active differential.
The STi feels
home on windy B-roads and wet surfaces. It rides firm but soak
up bumps far better than Lancer Evo VII. While it might not
corner as agile as its arch-rival, it handles better than the
standard WRX in all aspects. The steering feel is slightly
heavier and quicker, turn-in is sharper, brake pedal feels
meatier, Brembo brakes are powerful and fadeless, gearchange is
superior, wider tyres generate superior grip, higher cornering
limit accompany with less understeer, body roll is minimized
.... Subaru claims it can lap Nurburgring 4 seconds quicker than
the old car despite of slower straight line acceleration. This
prove how much better the new car corners.
This must be
the world’s second-best cross-country driver’s car - just behind
the new Lancer Evo VII. For those cannot put up with the Evo’s
harsh ride, WRX STi is definitely the only choice.
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STi versus
Lancer Evo VII

STi and Evo has
been arch-rival since 1994. The complete renewal of both cars
brings the competition to hottest level. Generally speaking,
people agree that the new Evo is quicker but the Impreza is
easier to live with.
The Evo’s
engine is more responsive to throttle and has less turbo lag. It
needs a few hundred rpm less to get into power band and at the
peak delivers 7 lbft more torque than the STi. Carrying 30 kg
less, the Evo feels obviously quicker all the time. The STi
strikes back with the new 6-speed gearbox, not only having one
more ratio but also shifts slicker.
ACD and AYC
gives the Evo incomparable cornering ability. It laps Japan’s
Tsukuba race track in 1 min 4.5 sec or 1 sec quicker than its
rival. Steering is more responsive while it can enter corner at
higher speed and power out earlier. STi understeer quite a lot.
However, the
Subaru rides more compliant. To many people, Evo rides too harsh
thus is not an ideal machine for distant travel.
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Impreza
facelift
Poor
sales proves that people hated the design of the bug-eye
second-generation Impreza. Therefore after just less than 2
years, Subaru made an early facelift to the Impreza. The restyle
was penned by Prodrive design chief Peter Steven. It has a much
revised front end, from a pair of smaller headlights to reshaped
bonnet and bumpers. It certainly improves visual appeal.
The look of STi
has even more changes - the intercooler intake duct on bonnet
becomes more pronounced to improve cooling. Intercooler and
water spray were also improved slightly. As a result, the engine
feels a little more punchy and a little quicker in acceleration.
Another important change is the use of a big rear wing to
improve high speed stability.
In comparison,
chassis changed little. Basically the modifications involve just
minor tweaks to suspension bushings. The European version WRX
gets 7 more horsepower.
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Prodrive
STi
In Europe,
tougher emission regulations led to a considerable reduction of
power and torque to the STi. To restore the lost ground, Subaru
chose a tricky but now increasingly common way to by-pass the EU
type approval: it offers a performance upgrade kit via its
subsidiary Prodrive. Seen as an aftermarket kit, it doesn’t need
to get type approval. The kit costs £2000 including
installation, thus the whole car still costs less than Evo VII.
The kit is
actually just a re-mapped ECU chip. It releases the full
potential of the previously self-limited turbocharged engine.
Peak power and torque jump to 300 horsepower and 299 pound-foot
respectively, that’s even more than the Japanese version STi
(although its 280hp is also self-restrained). The torque now
spreads over a wider band, comes earlier at the rev and last
later. In particular, from low to mid rev range the stronger
torque delivery makes a big difference to acceleration and
overtaking. Now performance is on a par with Evo. The 1470kg
Prodrive STi is claimed to be capable of topping 155mph and
finishing 0-60mph in 4.7 sec.
Other changes
are just limited to cosmetic (bumpers etc.) and a big rear
spoiler which has already been applied to standard STi since the
facelift.
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American
STi 2.5
American
car lovers used to be treated as "second-class citizens" by
Japanese car makers. They are usually offered with less powerful
cars compare with Japanese or European markets. Now Subaru is
going to change this by introducing a 300-horsepower Impreza WRX
STi to the US market. This car has more power than its Japanese
and European sisters, which should make the latter jealous.
While other STI
have a 2-litre engine, the American version gets a 2.5-litre
version of the boxer four. More capacity allows it to run at
lower turbo boost pressure - 14.5 psi instead of the Japanese
version's 17.5 psi - yet produces 20 more horsepower (although
the Japanese figure is somewhat understated) and 25 more
pound-foot of torque. Performance is therefore sparkling -
expect it to match the European Prodrive version which also has
a 300hp / 300 lbft output. However, unlike the Prodrive, the
American STi has its engine running at lower stress thus it
complies with emission regulations. In contrast, the Prodrive
does not comply with European type approval thus can only be
sold as a tuning kit.
In other areas,
the American STi matches that of the Japanese STi. All the
sophisticated hardware are retained, such as the adjustable
center differential, 6-speed gearbox, front and rear LSD and
Brembo brakes. Subaru is more generous than Mitsubishi.
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Specifications
Model
|
Impreza 2.0
|
Impreza WRX
(Jap)
|
Impreza WRX
(Euro)
|
Layout
|
Front-engined, 4wd
|
Front-engined, 4wd
|
Front-engined, 4wd
|
L / W / H / WB (mm)
|
4405 / 1695 / 1465 / 2525
|
4405 / 1730 / 1435 / 2525
|
4405 / 1730 / 1440 / 2525
|
Engine
|
Flat-4, dohc, 4v/cyl, VVT.
|
Flat-4, dohc, 4v/cyl, VVT,
turbo.
|
Flat-4, dohc, 4v/cyl,
turbo.
|
Capacity
|
1994 cc
|
1994 cc
|
1994 cc
|
Power
|
155 hp
|
250 hp
|
225 hp
|
Torque
|
145 lbft
|
246 lbft
|
221 lbft
|
Transmission
|
5M
|
5M
|
5M
|
Suspension (F/R)
|
All: strut
|
All: strut
|
All: strut
|
Tyres (F/R)
|
N/A
|
205/50 R16
|
215/45 ZR17
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Weight
|
1320 kg
|
1340 kg
|
1385 kg
|
Top speed
|
128 mph (est)
|
148 mph (est)
|
140 mph*
|
0-60 mph
|
9.2 sec (est)
|
5.4 sec (est)
|
5.5 sec*
|
0-100 mph
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
16.1 sec*
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Model
|
Impreza WRX
STi (Jap)
|
Impreza WRX
STi (Euro)
|
Impreza WRX
STi (US)
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Layout
|
Front-engined, 4wd
|
Front-engined, 4wd
|
Front-engined, 4wd
|
L / W / H / WB (mm)
|
4405 / 1730 / 1435 / 2525
|
4405 / 1730 / 1440 / 2525
|
4415 / 1740 / 1430 / 2525
|
Engine
|
Flat-4, dohc, 4v/cyl, VVT,
turbo.
|
Flat-4, dohc, 4v/cyl, VVT,
turbo.
|
Flat-4, dohc, 4v/cyl, VVT,
turbo.
|
Capacity
|
1994 cc
|
1994 cc
|
2457 cc
|
Power
|
280 hp
|
265 hp
|
300 hp
|
Torque
|
275 lbft
|
253 lbft
|
300 lbft
|
Transmission
|
6M
|
6M
|
6M
|
Suspension (F/R)
|
All: strut
|
All: strut
|
All: strut
|
Tyres (F/R)
|
225/45 ZR17
|
225/45 ZR17
|
225/45 ZR17
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Weight
|
1430 kg
|
1470 kg
|
1480 kg
|
Top speed
|
152 mph*
|
148 mph*
|
145 mph (limited)
|
0-60 mph
|
4.6 sec*
|
5.3 sec*
|
4.6 sec**
|
0-100 mph
|
12.5 sec*
|
13.7 sec*
|
12.4 sec**
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Article source
Autozine.net |