By David

GRM Editorial Director

I remember the first time I went for a ride in an STI-badged Subaru. We were at Road Atlanta about 10 years ago and they had a real Type RA Impreza. This was back before Subarus were cool--long before Gran Turismo and the Internet got us hungry for a drive. We finally got our own American-market STI a couple of years back, and a totally new version is waiting in the wings. I got to drive the new STI earlier this week with laps around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and some canyon carving in Monterey.

Time for some good news and bad news. Good news: Power comes from a turbo 2.5-liter boxer engine. Horsepower is 305 and max torque is 290 lb.-ft. While those numbers don't seem much better than before, there's more low-end power. A six-speed box returns, and the 2008 STI only weighs 22 pounds more than the current one. All-wheel drive is standard. Bad news: A media embargo by Subaru means that I can't report on my driving impressions until the beginning of December. Sorry, guys! But here's one more pic of the exterior and one of the interior.

Comments

bonstuvious
Nov 26, 2007 2:40:21 PM

Enthusiasts loved the Japanesey quirk factor looks of both the earlier STI and EVO lineup, now you have plain janes, not as meaty to sell to the merlot drinking crowd.... that have to fit in, all in all to sell to new buyers...that is the rational behind all the changes....the only up side is now you have an STI that has tons of room inside at the expense of fairy copied focus looks....The Cosworth Focus looks better...

bonstuvious
Nov 26, 2007 2:34:15 PM

the Evo is as much or more mistake ridden as the new STI is no manual tranny wonder how the tiptonic clutch less auto is going to hold up over launches and the new aluminum mitsu motor will hold up to cranking up boost.....both mfgs RD guys must have been smoking potent lunches....

bonstuvious
Nov 26, 2007 2:31:29 PM

The new longer wheel base takes all the toss about feel of the car and it looks focus like on steroids..........no thanks will keep my paid for 2.0 base WRX Cobb stage 2 tuned....the 06 and 07 were nice but had similar fugly focus headlights but basically the same oldschool rawness of the early 2000 models....bet it hauls ass and tuning will get the 08 into the high 300 whp range at a blink o an eye......

oosoowreckless
Nov 21, 2007 9:56:18 AM

they did very good on the design so for all u hater the evo x is going to be looking at the back of the new sti
and also the 07 sti

Ruben
Nov 21, 2007 8:39:11 AM

subary wanted to go mainstream... at the cost of its most loyal customers!!!! i've owned to Subarus 2005 and 2007. I dont think i'll go for the 08. Subaru? wake up guys!!!!

Nissan 63
Nov 21, 2007 7:34:09 AM

Nice of Ford to give them the designs for the Focus! Is this a joint venture perhaps?

billyblanks
Nov 20, 2007 8:48:41 PM

this new sti and the new evo x are both FUGLY!!!! the evo IV and the previous sti's were awesome. nothing else that the future has in store will compare bc these cars just keep getting uglier and uglier...

Star-bite
Nov 20, 2007 4:24:27 PM

That car is kaka, It look like a Ford focus, a Kia Spectra S or a Toyota matrix had a three some and that what came out then they fed it steroid? Cause they're no longer in competion with the Evo which get better every generation in all aspect, style and power. This car has no style and it just screams "ugly car, don't buy". Think about it would you want to mary a fast but ugly chick or one that's perfect in everyway.

brooker
Nov 20, 2007 12:37:08 PM

I think this car is ugly what the fuck Subaru were you smokeing..

James
Nov 20, 2007 12:12:17 PM

I have owned 2 STI's and I loved them both for thier performance and looks. I think Subaru made a horrible decision with the hatch and I really can't see myself buying one of these. It looks like a Ford Focus hatchback on steroids, FUGLY!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully when Subaru gets off the crack thier smoking they will come out with a real car.

JRMZ
Nov 20, 2007 9:44:48 AM

AUTHOR: JRMZ
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DATE: 11/20/2007 09:44:48 AM

willito
Nov 20, 2007 4:23:53 AM

increible!!!! what r they smoking at subaru?? looks like a nice version of a kia or somenthing...

Nov 20, 2007 4:23:33 AM

increible!!!! what r they smoking at subaru?? looks like a nice version of a kia or somenthing...

Matt
Nov 19, 2007 11:16:53 PM

The new design is not attractive and neither are the plastic end-tanks for the intercooler, or the plastic intake manifold. what happened subaru??

james
Nov 19, 2007 7:42:59 PM

i am disappointed with this new design by subaru. it doesn't have that subaru look from the previous versions. although the front does looking pretty mean!. but this design might grow on me.

gary
Nov 19, 2007 7:36:38 PM

disappointing the new sti's and subaru's olders better

steve g
Nov 19, 2007 7:06:22 PM

awsome! i wish i could afford one, i really like the new design.

jamie
Nov 19, 2007 6:53:48 PM

aside from the fact that they turned this car into a hatch this car looks very agressive from the front. I think it has alot of potential to be well rounded platform. the body lines are very well done, and the interior looks stellar. lets hope the aftermarket world does well with this car.

haley
Nov 19, 2007 6:07:46 PM

im not a big import fan but for an import the old sti was pretty nice but this thing is just dumb looking

troy
Nov 19, 2007 5:14:25 PM

looks like mitsubishi will be sellin alot more evo x's

GTR
Nov 19, 2007 5:03:19 PM

OMG, now that is just disgusting! Why would Subie do this to thier BEST vehicle? Why take away from the STI what it stood for? It might still be hardcore in performance but NOT nearly half the people will buy this ugly hatchback STI, they better make a sedan....i would say take the 2007 models before they are all gone!!

Ray
Nov 19, 2007 4:09:40 PM

WOW i ...... the subie is ugly as shit the new SRT4 & EVO look way better

NeilG
Nov 17, 2007 8:34:30 AM

I agree with HiJinks, what were they thinking? the last generation of Impreza's were so much nicer looking? what happened. Looks like a beefy version of the Hyundai Accent

Highspeedhijinks
Nov 17, 2007 6:00:50 AM

For some reason this generation will never come to mind when someone says Subaru STI. Its kind of like when someone says 79 Mustang. You just kind of scratch your head and go oh yeah, what were they thinking.

Nov 16, 2007 6:07:57 PM

being on the other side of the world with SAE wrenches, the sti badge was when subarus were no longer cool. Long live the 90hp pimpin powerhouses.They're cool.