2009 Subaru Impreza STI - Introduction

Development Under Way

Late 2007 saw a raft of spy shots, Nurburgring Scoops and Teaser images in the build up to the launch of Subaru’s latest Impreza STI. The new MY09 Japanese Domestic market STI is significant improvements over the outgoing model with the visual attitude to match its huge performance.

The car was officially launched at the Tokyo motorshow on the 24th of October 2007 and Litchfield Imports was invited out to Japan for the unveiling - read more here. We also got the chance to drive the new car in Japan before it is shipped out to the UK - read more here.

Model year 2009 Japanese Subaru Impreza STI brief introduction:

The new STI maintains the Impreza S-GT hatchback body shell but receives some extremely aggressive looking blistered wheel arches and bumpers, a new grille, a larger roof spoiler, a combination of different 18" alloy wheels and twin tail-piped sports exhaust. This new body gives a strong visual impact and houses the STIs extensively reworked chassis. The new STI is 60mm shorter than the outgoing STI saloon, at 4415mm, the width however is significantly Wider at 1795mm (vs 1740mm of the last model), with front/rear track extended to 1530mm/1540mm.

The new JDM Impreza WRX STI will be powered by a revised version of the 2.0L boxer with a twin-scroll turbo, equal length manifold, sodium filled valves and Dual Variable Inlet and Exhaust Valve timing. This significantly improves the engine's efficiency and allows the STI to develop 90% of its peak torque from as little as 2,500rpm. The new engine now 308PS (304bhp) at 6,800rpm and 311 lb-ft (422Nm) of torque at 4,400rpm. See our engine section for more information on our revised standard 330PS (325bhp) version.

The engine also has Subaru's Eco friendly SI-DRIVE fitted which allows the driver to select from 3 distinct ECU maps that change the engine and throttle response to suit the current driving style. This also gives us the option of offering different power levels following our re-programming.

The engine is mated to Subaru's superb 6-speed manual gear box and this transmission is joined by a completely new multi-mode Drivers Control Centre Differential (DCCD) with its proven 41:59 front/rear torque split. A first for the STI model is the use of Subaru's advanced safety and stability system called Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC). Together with the new engines SI-DRIVE feature they are designed to give the driver complete control of how the STI's chassis and engine reacts to their style and environment.

To give an idea of the options that can be quickly selected the Japanese brochure suggests the following settings:

• Normal driving: SI-Drive (SPORT) + Multi-mode DCCD (AUTO) + Multi-mode VDC (NORMAL)
• Fast/Circuit driving: SI-Drive (SPORT #) + Multi-mode DCCD (AUTO -) + Multi-mode VDC (TRACTION)
• Race/Motosports: SI-Drive (SPORT #) + Multi-mode DCCD (MANUAL) + Multi-mode VDC (OFF)
• Snow: SI-Drive (SPORT or INTELLIGENT) + Multi-mode DCCD (AUTO +) + Multi-mode VDC (NORMAL)

Our website now contains detailed information on this exciting new model and we hope to keep the site updated with the latest developments and performance upgrades.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or arrange a test drive.

Video from Japan featuring the new WRX STi:

Download the above movie in either AVI (17.7mb) or MOV (18.2mb) format.