The
Subaru WRX STi has represented the ultimate in compact car performance for many years. The tuner crowd completely embraced this rally-derived all-wheel drive pocket rocket, which was available both as a sedan and a wagon. The 4 cylinder turbo engine was easy to modify for more performance, and even in stock form the vehicle was fast enough for most people.
In 2008,
Subaru decided to radically re-style the STi, and the reaction has been decidedly mixed. While the original STi was quite boxy in appearance, with widened fender flares and an intimidating rectangular rear wing protruding from the trunk lid, the new STi has taken an almost completely different direction. To begin with, the sedan and wagon have been taken out of the picture and replaced with an egg-shaped, 4 door hatch. The new WRX STi still bears the gulping hood scoop of the previous version, but it is there that the similarity ends, as the scoop sits atop a sloping front end that turns down to meet the new double-smile of the front grille and headlights. The roofline curves up and over the driver to once again taper down at the rear hatch, where a small spoiler sits flush with the top of the car. The rear bumper bulges out from underneath the tail lights and tucks underneath the vehicle.
While
Subaru might have taken some chances with the exterior styling of the WRX STi, they didn’t make too many changes with the winning formula found under the hood. While the 2.0 liter boxer 4 cylinder is out, in its place is a new 2.5 liter engine generating 305 horsepower via a turbo setup – a small bump in power over the previous STi. Also new for 2008 is SI-DRIVE, which gives the driver control over engine characteristics and performance. Setting SI-DIRVE to Intelligent lowers horsepower and torque and even dulls throttle response, all in a bid to conserve fuel. Naturally, if you want to get the most out of the WRX STi, you will want to choose one of the other two settings available: Sport and Sport Sharp. Sport runs the engine in its normal configuration with no restrictions, and all 305 horses are on tap. Sport Sharp takes things to a whole other level and dials the electronic throttle control to it’s maximum sensitivity, creating a super-responsive pedal that runs through the revs in no time.
The WRX STi also improved the Driver Controlled Center Differential, which now has three automatic settings and 6 manual settings that control a number of different parameters when it comes to power distribution. The driver can control the amount of torque that is split between the front and rear wheels and change the amount of slip in the rear differential in order to compensate for low traction surfaces or shift back to regular driving. The entire system is tied in with the Vehicle Dynamics Control system, and can be programmed to automatically choose the appropriate torque settings for you on the fly so that you don’t have to worry about making the wrong decision.
The 2008 WRX STi is a very fast hatch. With the 6-speed manual transmission, it can reach 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds. This puts the car in
Porsche territory in terms of performance, but once you open up the door and sit in the cockpit, you quickly realize that you are not looking at a German sports car but rather a rally racer with clear econobox roots. Interior surfaces are made of inexpensive plastics and with Recaro seats no longer an option, passenger and driver have to make do with sport seating that is merely adequate. The STi is definitely a fun vehicle to drive, but if you are looking to be coddled as well as thrilled, then you might want to look elsewhere.
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May 13, 2008, 7:02 am
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