2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI by Billy

The new Subaru Impreza WRX STI, with a heavily-revised new 296 bhp turbocharged 2.5 liter ‘boxer’ engine, totally new platform and suspension plus even more advanced symmetrical all-wheel drive system, the World Rally Championship look-alike is sure to satisfy Subaru traditionalists.

At the rear, four exhaust pipes twinned in pairs at either side of the body not only give a distinctive look but reduce exhaust air-flow resistance by 38 per cent, increasing power and reducing noise. The new Impreza WRX STI boasts a much plusher interior than before, offering leather/Alcantara-covered sports seats as standard with Recaro seats as an option. Curtain airbags are standard and the audio system has been upgraded.

The braking system has been developed in conjunction with Italian specialist, Brembo, and features four-pot calipers at the front and twin-pot at the rear ��" both ventilated discs.

A multi-mode Vehicle Dynamics Control System allows the driver to select the best setting for the prevalent road conditions. For example, it can be turned off altogether or set to ‘Traction’ which delays artificial interference.

More Power, More Driver Involvement

The award-winning 2.5 liter horizontally-opposed ‘boxer’ engine benefits from a thorough revision which includes a larger and more efficient intercooler which increases power.

The new STI also boasts stronger low to mid-speed torque thanks to variable-valve timing for the intake and exhaust system and a fast-warm catalytic converter for reduced emissions.

Power is now 296 bhp at 6,000 rpm with torque of 300 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm.

The much-praised six-speed manual transmission has been revised, with a shorter-throw gear-change and lighter movements, especially from neutral to 1st and 1st to 2nd gear thanks to a revised synchromesh.

A firm favorite with existing STI owners, the Driver’s Control Centre Differential has been improved, giving even more choice of handling characteristics.

The DCCD is operated via a switch in the centre console, allowing the driver to manually select the torque distribution front to rear, reverting to automatic mode every time the ignition is switched off....

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Mitsubishi Evo 8 vs Subaru Impreza

In the world of rally there have always been the two big names. Mitsubishi and Subaru. Sure Ford is doing well this season, and Peugeot and Citroën were fairly dominant for the past couple of years, but they aren’t the pin ups of the bedroom walls. Those are reserved for Subaru’s making a splash, Burn’s 2001 championship pose on top of the car, or a Mitsubishi on ice in Sweden, they are the shots that capture the essence of rallying.
What we want to find out is which is better. The Impreza or the Evolution.
We’ll go straight to the (nearly) top of the tree for the Impreza with the 2.5 WRX STi (AWD) 4 door, starting at £26, 995. For this you get drilled aluminium pedals, some fairly tacky plastic on the centre console, and a single CD radio, with a couple of tweeters, and 4 speakers. Standard items include the bonnet scoop, gold alloys, two spoilers, and plenty of pink STi badges, inside and out.
With the Mitsubishi we start at what is essentially the base model, the FQ 300. You get a 2 litre engine and lots of sporty exterior features, including a spoiler, silver split rim alloys, slatted aluminium pedals, and an even worse interior than the Impreza, all for £27,999. The stereo is fiddly, and you will need a PHD, or a teenager, to get it working at all, but you do get deep Ricaro sports seats.
What you will really want to know, is which will get you the bragging rights down the pub. The Evo’s 0-62 is 0.2 seconds quicker than the Impreza at 4.8 seconds, but whilst having 305 bhp, over the Scooby’s 277, it’s top speed is actually slower. For anyone wanting either of these on a company car scheme then you’ll be interested to know that the extra 28bhp you get with the Evo equates to 334g/km of CO2 compared to 257g/km from the Impreza.
Read the conclusion, and get all the stats of these two amazing vehcles at RoadBusters - Mitsubishi Evo 8 vs Subaru Impreza.
For more information and a friendly and knowledable online community visit RoadBusters.com!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Clayson

New Subaru Impreza WRX Goes on Sale in Japan

Subaru’s new Impreza WRX goes on sale in Japan this week as a late 2007 model, and with it come greater anticipation for the high-performance STI version, which won't be officially revealed until the Tokyo auto show in October later this year.
The Subaru Impreza WRX five-door hatchback (known as the Impreza S-GT in Japan) features a turbocharged 2.0-liter version of the Subaru boxer-4, and it produces 248 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. When this car hits U.S. shores this fall as a 2008 model, it will have a 2.5-liter iteration of this engine that produces about 225 hp and 226 pound-feet of torque. In the UK, tight European emissions laws mean buyers won't be offered the WRX model when the hatch arrives there later this year.
Meanwhile, the “wilder”, high-performance 2008 Subaru WRX STI expected to remain under cover until the Tokyo auto show already has a few key facts leaked.
The WRX STI draws motorsports technology directly from Subaru expertise in World Rally Championship (WRC) competition and is designed to appeal to the most serious driving enthusiasts. STI stands for Subaru Tecnica International -- the high-performance and motorsports subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
The highly anticipated STI is set to be powered by a tuned version of the 2.5-litre boxer engine turbocharged to produce more than 300hp and around 400Nm of torque, be mated to Subaru's existing six-speed manual box. A new automated manual, sourced from specialist firm Aisin, is expected to join the line-up when the latest Impreza is facelifted in 2009.
Subaru is making sure that the new Impreza can and will give its archrival, the 2008 Mitsubishi Evo X - which will feature an optional twin-clutch sequential-manual gearbox with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles – a run for its money.
The top Impreza will offer a range of unique styling additions, including a specially developed bonnet, grille and a wide front bumper with big air intakes.
Flared wheelarches house smart 18-inch alloys, which will hide the existing STI's Brembo brake system. Buyers can expect to see minor tweaks to the all-wheel-drive system, and engineers have also taken the opportunity to tune the handling, thanks to a more compact double wishbone rear suspension set-up.
Inside, the new Impreza range boasts higher-quality trim, with the STI getting a pair of supportive bucket seats up front to boost its sporty appeal.
Subaru (maker of top of the line Subaru oxygen sensor), has also told Inside Line that a turbocharged boxer-4 diesel for the WRX is in the works and should be out by early 2009. The company is reportedly eager to drop a high-mpg diesel into the Forester and Impreza soon after the Legacy gets Subaru's first diesel next summer, so the WRX is part of the program. Sources from Subaru have also reportedly confirmed that the company is working on a five-speed automatic and a continuously variable transmission, and both these options could be offered as early as mid-2009.
Subaru is a Japanese car company and is the automotive division of Fuji Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (FHI). It is currently an affiliate of Toyota Motor Corporation, with it owning 8.7% of FHI. They acquired that stake from General Motors, who bought 20% of FHI in 1999 to have an extended presence in international markets, and collaborate technologically with FHI.
FHI has recently set a new theme for Subaru cars that emphasizes Subaru’s goal: Subaru offers a comfortable, pleasant drive for the driver and passengers; provides peace of mind and reliability; and extends convenience, utility and functionality.
For your Oxygen Sensor parts needs like Subaru oxygen sensor, visit your trusted online dealer.

Zeke Gervis has a degree in Human Resource Management. He is an F1 fanatic and is a collector of racing memorabilias. At present, he enjoys working at a consulting firm in Iowa.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zeke_Gervis