- Subaru Impreza WRX ST1 exterior - Fuji Heavy Industries
Subaru are currently showcasing their 2010 Impreza WRX STI. How much does it differ from the 2008 model? Well, the answer is, honestly, not very much.
It features the same wide body chassis with flared wheel arches as the 2008 model, and it looks exactly the same too. There aren’t even any minor design modifications to differentiate it. This is not to say it isn’t still an excellent car to drive.
It’s not to be confused with the Impreza WRX, which is not as fast, powerful or sporty as the STI variant. Unlike the WRX, which comes in both sedan and hatchback versions, the STI is only available as a five-door hatch, with a six-speed manual short-shift transmission.
The power comes courtesy of a 2.5 litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which puts out 296hp and 407nm of torque. It will go from 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds, and on up to an electronically limited speed of 155mph, which is about as much as you can ask from what is essentially a five-door Japanese family hatchback.
The interior is slightly let down by an overtly plastic feel, but then it is based on an economy compact. Despite this, it does look good. From the figure hugging racing bucket seats (one of the options is a Recaro seat with an alcantara backing... nice!) to the aluminium finish foot pedals and the red backlit gauges, the overall effect is that of a true performance machine.
The Impreza WRX STI is an Unforgettable Experience
However, it’s not the aesthetics of the Impreza WRX STI that are important. Driving the STI is an experience you won’t forget in a hurry, and that is exactly what this car is all about. The clutch on the STI is extremely sensitive, and even experienced drivers might have the car lurching once or twice before they get the hang of it. The short shift on the gears takes some getting used to, as you have to be very precise on the gear changes.
However, once both these niggles are overcome, you find that the setup is ideal for ‘enthusiastic’ driving. The short throw on the gearstick makes for extremely fast changes, and the delicate clutch makes powering through the gears all the more fun. When you combine this with the STI’s adjustable traction control and differential settings, you’re in for a truly and engaging and enthralling ride.
Impreza STI Features Adjustable Centre Differential and Traction Control
The adjustable centre differential allows you to throw more torque towards the back wheels, giving you that little bit more oversteer when cornering. Playing with these settings on a nice, twisting road is a lot of fun! The differential starts off with a 41/59% front-rear torque split, and in manual mode the driver can choose one of six settings varying the front-rear torque distribution. The default setting is the Auto mode, but within that setting is the Auto (+) mode, which increases the limited-slip differential’s locking force for better traction on slippery surfaces, and Auto (-), which lowers the LSD’s influence and increases torque at the rear for more accurate cornering on dry surfaces.
Then, there is the traction control to play with. In Normal mode, the car does everything for you, including killing the power when you start playing silly-buggers. However, in Traction mode, all of the car’s traction systems and ABS are in full tilt, but the torque is not reduced for safety, so that you can let loose on a circuit without the power disappearing whenever you floor it. And, finally there is the Off mode, which really speaks for itself.
The Closest You’ll Ever Get to Being Ken Block
For that pure sporty feel the Impreza WRX STI beats its direct rival, the Lancer Evolution X. While the Evo is still a well-handling and fast car, it feels watered down when compared to its predecessors. However, the STI still has that awesome combination of power and handling that makes you feel like Ken Block.
(For those who don't know who Ken Block is, they are strongly advised to get on YouTube and check him out, especially the Top Gear clip!)
Of course, the driver needs a twisting country road and some degree of skill. Given that the main aims of the Impreza WRX STI and the Lancer Evolution are to give drivers the closest possible road-legal experience to driving a WRX rally car, the comparison is just.
The Impreza continues to proudly fly the flag of WRX handling in an (almost) normal road car.
Tony Sidgwick - Tony Sidgwick is a British expatriate born, raised and now living and working in the Middle East. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours ...
