Subaru Impreza WRX - 2011 Preview

Subaru has previewed its 2011 Impreza WRX at New York in the United States. For the uninitiated, the WRX is basically a tubocharged Impreza and is offered to buyers in both sedan and wagon variants. The 2011 Impreza WRX (both 4 and 5 door models features a widebody design borrowed from its STI cousin which wraps around a 1.5 inches wider front and rear track . It has also been subjected to a few cosmetic changes which include a re-styled front spoiler lip with 3D detailing, a larger blacked-out grille and air intakes on the bumper.

According to Subaru, the widebody design makes the 2011 Impreza WRX look more agressive apart from housing the wider track and tyres which improves grip. Compared to the 2010 model, this variant weighs only 33 pounds more. Speaking on the ocassion, Tom Doll, Executive Vice-President and COO, Subaru America, said that the new wide-body design marks another major step on the continuous evolution of the WRX to give driving enthusiasts an even more compelling all-wheel drive performance package.

The 2011 Impreza WRX will be powered by the same 2.5 liter turbocharged Subaru Boxer engine which develops a max power of 265PS which was introduced on the 2009 model.Along with a 5-speed transmission it also gets Traction control, Vehicle Dynamics Control, continuous All Wheel Drive, rear subframe bushings borrowed from the STI model, wider 235/45 section rubber on 17' inch rims and Incline Start Assist. Both 4 and 5 door variants of the 2011 WRX will be available in showrooms across America by this summer.

by Motoroids

2009 Impreza WRX 5-door SPT at SEMA 2008

Subaru used the SEMA motor show to highlight the potential owners can get when they use parts from the Subaru Genuine Accessory and Subaru Performance Tuning catalogs.

Meant to showcase what is possible for anyone to easily duplicate, the company selected a series of parts in order to maximize the Impreza WRX's style and performance. Exterior modifications are relatively modest but include a new front lip spoiler by STI and fog light protectors. In order to enhance the car's handling the suspension has been outfitted with STI performance springs and a lower chassis brace and strut tower brace.

The WRX's already powerful 2.5-liter Boxer engine which produces 265 hp and 244 lb.-ft of torque has been raised to 275 hp and 250 lb.-ft of torque thanks to a new cat-back exhaust. Other changes include a short-throw shifter, 19x8-in. wheels by OZ Racing, and a turbo heat shield.

Subaru Forester Mountain Rescue Concept at SEMA

Since 1974 Subaru has been a well known brand to skiers and ski communities thanks to the all-weather traction advantages of 4-wheel-drive. As a result, Subaru is honoring the men and women of Ski Patrol teams who risk their lives to rescue skiers and snowboarders by presenting the Mountain Rescue Forester Concept, the ultimate first responder vehicle equipped with trail-driving capability and essential rescue gear.

Co-developed with Detroit-based Specialized Vehicles the Mountain Rescue Forester Concept is based on the Forester 2.5XT turbo crossover and features 14 inches of ground clearance (8.9 in. standard) via an Air Lift custom adjustable ride height air suspension system. Increased traction is provided by Yokohama Geolandar MTS 30 x 9.5-in. tires on custom-reversed 15-in. Subaru steel wheels.

Other features include custom front and rear skid plates, grille guard, fender flares, lower door cladding, a rear gate guard and tail light guards, LED emergency lighting package, 9500-lb. winch, remote rear door openers and external quick-access utility compartments, Yakima ski carriers and rescue toboggan.

Halloween Subaru Impreza WRX at SEMA

Subaru of America will showcase the all-new Impreza and Impreza WRX models during the SEMA show, with a collection of tuned 4 and 5-door 2008 models, including a Halloween themed Impreza WRX and the original Subaru performance icon, the 1998 Impreza 22B.

Show display cars include:

Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) WRX 5-door with engine work by AEM. Boasting 450 HP, this ultimate WRX features extensive engine tuning parts including; programmable engine management system, AIT and Map sensor, Harman Motive GT35R Turbo kit, STI (Subaru Technica International) 6-speed transmission and STI Twin Plate clutch. The interior features Sparco seats and harnesses, a full roll cage and custom gauges. Prodrive 18-inch GTI wheels provide a more menacing appearance to match the performance potential. This vehicle showcases the tuning potential provided by the tried and true combination of Subaru Symmetrical AWD and the turbocharged flat four boxer engine. Just a hint of what will be available in the aftermarket for the WRX.

Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) WRX 5-door outfitted with signature SPT cat-back exhaust system, cold air intake, turbo heat shield and battery tie-down. The car has STI springs, 18-inch STI wheels and various STI interior and exterior styling and performance features.

Subaru Rally Team USA prototype WRX 5-door to be campaigned in the 2008 season by SRTUSA rally driver Ken Block and 2006 and 2007 Rally America National Champion, Travis Pastrana. Featuring an all-new paint scheme, extensive carbon fiber racing parts and a rally-ready 2.0-liter Boxer race engine developing approximately 325 HP and 425 lb.-ft. of torque.

Happy Halloween. This one-of-a kind WRX 5-door “Ten Thirty-One” car by Subaru features Halloween lighting effects to the headlights, taillights, wheel openings, front grille and undercarriage all wrapped in a Halloween-themed orange and black body.

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX sedan by Sport Compact Car Magazine. The new SCC project car features SPT cat-back exhaust system and turbo heat shield, Crawford Performance downpipe and I-Speed USA ECU, AP Racing front four-piston big brake kit, 13-inch two-piece front brake rotors, rear two-piston big brake kit with 13-inch rear brake rotors. The interior features a Pioneer Electronics stereo and Sparco seats. A custom flat-black paint job offset by unique white painted Prodrive 18-inch wheels that announce this as an SCC project car.

Kicker Impreza 2.5i sedan equipped with a full line of Kicker car audio equipment including Kicker RS56.2 - 4 sets, ZX650.4 – 2, ZX1500.1 – 2, CVX10 4ohm – 6, Stinger SP1000 – 1, SP800 – 3 and 2 Clarion VMA7196 7” monitors highlighting an Xbox360 Elite. Bodywork incorporates the latest in STI accessories, with STI sport springs and carbon fiber body kit.

The limited production 1998 Impreza 22B STI Coupe developed to commemorate 40 years of Subaru and celebrate the Subaru World Rally Team’s third World Rally Championship (WRC) Manufacturers title. Subaru produced just 400 of these legendary cars for the Japanese market and only 24 cars for the rest of the world. Three non-numbered cars were built for competition in the WRC and driven by the late Colin McRae.

Subaru WRX 1999

EXTERIOR MODIFICATIONS:

22B front bar with Sti bottom lip, 22B adjustable rear wing, pumped and rolled guards, colour coded skirts and body mouldings

INTERIOR MODIFICATIONS:
Sparco junior race seats, Momo gear knob, Apexi boost gauge, Blitz turbo timer, silver air brushed trim panels

ICE (In Car Entertainment, Audio & Security):
standard

ENGINE MODIFICATIONS:
EJ20 2.0lt, standard internals, Sti VF22 ball bearing turbo running 17psi, Motec m48 pro engine managment, K&N pod filter in custom cold air box, three-inch inlet piping, custom 720x260mm custom intercooler, custom oil catch can, three-inch turbo back exhaust with waste gate dump pipe into atmosphere, twin Apexi blow off valves, braided lines and Earls anodized fittings, custom polished alloy paneling, 185kw on 4wd dyno

TRANSMISSION UPGRADE:
factory 5 speed, Sti clutch and MRT lightened flywheel and short shift kit

SUSPENSION MODIFICATIONS:
King Sports Pro coil -overs

WHEELS:
18x7in gold Speedy

TIRES / TYRES:
215/35x18 Toyo Proxes (front and rear)

BRAKE CONVERSION:
standard 99 spec front & rea, Bendix Ultimate pads with 5 dot brake fluid

PERFORMANCE:

0-60	NA	1/4 Mile	12.5
Top speed	NA	Power (BHP)	350

Subaru Impreza WRC Concept 2007

Petter Solberg unveiled the new Subaru Impreza WRC concept on the first media day of the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Scheduled to commence WRC testing towards the end of 2007, the car represents a fundamentally new approach to the Impreza.

Richard Taylor, Subaru World Rally Team managing director, commented: "We are on schedule with development of the 2008 car and the first body shell will be completed within a matter of weeks. We aim to be running the car in the last quarter of this year, and its competitive debut will be decided by the progress of testing and also that of the current car."

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Rally Hero Edition

Subaru has announced a new special edition Impreza WRX STI in memory of rally hero Richard Burns who died in November last year of cancer.

Called the RB320, the new car features around £6,000 worth of extra equipment including the 320 bhp Prodrive Performance Pack, yet costs £29,995 on-the-road – an increase of only £3,500.

Available only in Obsidian Black, the RB320 features bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels and specially developed Prodrive suspension comprising Bilstein dampers, a sports spring kit with revised rear anti-roll bar and a ride height lowered by 30 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear.

Also standard on the RB320 are a chrome mesh front grille, front lip spoiler, quickshift gearchange, side sill plates and RB320-branded gear knob, carpet mats and exclusive exterior badging. Each owner will also receive an individually numbered black alloy tax disc holder.

The PPP boosts power to 320 bhp at 6,000 rpm with torque leaping to 332 lb-ft at 3,700 rpm. This reduces the 0-60 mph time to 4.8 seconds with a 0-100 mph time of 12.2 seconds.

And as a further incentive, those customers placing early orders with deposits will be offered a limited number of places at a special RB320 launch event next March at Prodrive’s test track in Warwickshire.

Not only will RB320 fans take delivery of their cars at the circuit but will be able to drive demonstration STIs around the track and meet rally celebrities.

In addition, customers will also be able to register on-line and reserve the limited-edition number of their choice via a special sub-section of Subaru’s website.

Finally, the first car is to be given away in a special raffle organised by Autosport magazine, donated by Subaru (UK) Limited.

The proceeds will go to the Richard Burns Foundation which helps those suffering from serious injury and illness.