Subaru prepping 375HP Impreza WRX STI concept

Posted Tue Jul 22 2008 6:44 AM by Ralph Hanson

Subaru will display three new special edition Impreza WRX vehicles at this week’s London Motor Show, including a brand new concept version dubbed the WRX STI 380S. The car’s name refers to its 380 metric horsepower rating, which translates to a final output of 375hp (280kW), and depending on its reception at the London event could enter limited production within six months.

The STI 380S includes a complete engine rebuild by British tuner and motorsports company Prodrive, as well as an uprated suspension and exhaust system and enhanced bodykit.

Also on show will be the new WRX-S, which sports a more powerful 252hp (182kW) version of the familiar turbocharged boxer engine in the standard WRX. With the extra power on-board, the WRX-S will be able to sprint from 0-60mph in just 5.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 130mph.

The third model is the Impreza WRX STI 330S (pictured). Its output will be rated at 325hp (243kW) when the car arrives in UK showrooms this September. Top speed is the same 155.3mph as the current STI but the 0-60 mph time drops from 4.8 seconds to 4.4 seconds.

All the cars have been tweaked by Prodrive and are differentiated by their extra power outputs and unique styling elements. Some of the changes include a new recalibrated ECU and a modified exhaust system. Visual changes include anthracite GT1 alloy wheels, a new grille and rear wing. Standard equipment includes a Momo gearknob, a rear diffuser, leather covered steering wheel, a rear limited-slip differential with Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control and xenon headlights. Subaru is yet to reveal if there are plans to offer similar models outside the UK.

Subaru Impreza WRX-S and WRX STI 330S

Gallery: Subaru WRX-S and WRX STI 330S

Reader Comments

Mon Jul 21 2008 10:18 PM
NoNameDenton says

Awesome concept, though I worry about Subaru since Toyota is digging their claws into the company
Tue Jul 22 2008 5:14 PM
SuperSkyline89 says

From what I've read, Toyota is interested in Subaru to get access to some sporty cars like the Impreza and Subaru wants an economical car like the Corolla. I haven't seen anything suggesting that Toyota would do anything to jeopardize cars like this.
Tue Jul 22 2008 7:02 PM
NoNameDenton says

Yeah, and Toyota did not wreck their Scion brand or make their cars and their Lexus brand cars blander then vanilla.
Tue Jul 22 2008 7:15 PM
SuperSkyline89 says

Ya, keep looking in the past, just forget about moving forward into the future.

By your logic, since GM has consistently made lower quality cars than the imports competition in the past, they would never make a good one. But clearly the new Cadillac CTS and Chevy Malibu are quality cars.

Toyota has the mass produced economy car market monopolized, the only thing they don't have is a sports car, that's exactly what they would get from Subaru.
Tue Jul 22 2008 8:35 PM
NoNameDenton says

Uh, can you name one car in Toyota's current line up that is by any means exciting? Even the IS-F is not were near as great as its BMW and Mercedes Benz rivals, so no, not living in the past.
Tue Jul 22 2008 8:49 PM
SuperSkyline89 says

Uh, can you tell me where I said that Toyota makes an exciting car? Oh, sorry, you can't, because I never said that.

What I said is that Toyota will benefit by getting Subaru to make them a sporty car in return for an economical one.

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