<<< The
fastest, most powerful Subaru Impreza yet,
the WRX STi WR1, is now on
sale - and over half of the 500 examples available in
the UK have already found owners. The Prodrive-developed
£29,995 WR1, a limited edition model to celebrate Petter
Solberg's driver's championship win in last year's World
Rally Championships, has power upgraded to 320bhp,
torque to 310lb ft, a top speed of 155mph and 0-60
acceleration time of 4.25 seconds. A driver's control
centre differential is fitted to manually select the
torque distribution between the front and rear axles,
and other unique features include uprated springs and
suspension bump-stops with ride height lowered by 25mm.
The WR1 comes in Ice Blue metallic paint only, with
driving lamps, a stainless steel mesh grille, 18-inch
Prodrive seven-spoke alloy wheels with 225/45 Pirelli
PZero tyres, anthracite suede-effect seats and special
interior trim detailing. >>>
The revised Impreza WRX STi will cost about
£26,000 when it goes on sale late 2004. Subaru has also
made an effort to improve the quality feel inside,
something which has been an ongoing criticism of the
car. To that end, there is more cloth trim on the doors,
the aluminium-alike trim on the fascia has been extended
all the way down to the gearshift in one panel and the
air-con controls are large, round 'diamond cut' items
that look almost Germanic.
Subaru is also very keen to keep one step ahead of those
who unofficially import cars directly from Japan. The
latest STi is badged 'Type-UK' to distinguish it from
unofficial cars, and it also sports additional features
that Subaru says you won't find on so-called 'grey'
imports. These include a Category One alarm/immobiliser
(you won't get insurance without this), a satellite
tracking system, enhanced rust proofing, window etching
and locking wheel nuts.
Interestingly, the UK STi also gets a switch to
spray the turbocharger's intercooler with water to
retain power 'during high temperature driving'.
There is also a system that allows the driver to
preset a warning buzzer and light to guard against
over-revving the engine.
Plainly, Subaru expects its UK customers to use
every ounce of the STi's prodigious talent. It'd be
rude not to, really.
The latest STi also gains, as standard, Subaru's
driver's control centre differential (DCCD). This hugely
amusing device allows the driver to alter the four-wheel
drive system's torque split front to rear. Subaru
describes the benefit as 'allowing the driver to have a
sharper cornering turn in', which in polite-speak means
you can shove a load more torque to the back wheels and
have yourself a little hooligan fun with leery oversteer.
The system also incorporates programs to control
unwanted yaw, which is the initial stage of what is more
commonly known as a crash.
Mondeo Power
A wide range of dependable Ford powertrains will be
available, from the highly efficient 1.6-litre Duratec
petrol and 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel, to the
powerful Duratorq 2.0-litre TDCi diesel. There’s also a
high-performance 2.5-litre turbocharged Duratec petrol
unit derived from the engine in Ford’s performance ST
range.
Sustainability index that leads the industry
The new Mondeo has been developed in line with Ford's
Product Sustainability Index (PSI). This holistic
approach to product development is an industry first,
aimed at improving sustainability and performance for
future generations of vehicles. The new Mondeo will
target improved results in all three PSI sustainability
areas: environmental, social and economic performance.
In effect, the STi makes a hero out of whoever happens
to be behind the wheel. The gearshift is fabulously
direct and mechanical and the engine delivers a
classical boxer riff, with a bit of shrieking gear-whine
thrown in for good measure. Left in 'auto', the centre
differential decides which end of the car needs more
torque, and you just get on with the whole Colin McRae
fantasy.
....... Review Continues >> 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type UK
New Subaru
Impreza
