Subaru Impreza

Impreza STi takes shape

It's not on sale yet, but Subaru's Impreza STi is already making a splash!

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By Chris Thorp

17th July 2007

Following broad condemnation of the conservative five-door hatchback shape, designers have gone wild with the styling of their high-performance flagship.

This exclusive spy shot was taken near Germany's Nürburgring race circuit. While fast laps are crucial to find the perfect high-speed set-up for the STi (Subaru Tecnica international) variant, these test drivers were spotted pounding through potholes, to see how their Impreza prototype coped with broken tarmac. A unique suspension set-up should make this the best-handling Subaru ever, with a revised all-wheel-drive system maximising the hatchback's abilities through fast corners.

While standard Imprezas go on sale here in September, a hot car won't appear until next year. There will be no WRX variant, as the firm strives to cut its range's average emissions. Instead, we must wait for the STi and its tuned 2.5-litre flat-four.

Those mean looks hint at huge pace; the engine will deliver more than 300bhp and around 400Nm. Initial cars will come with Subaru's existing six-speed manual box, with an auto due in 2009. Prices have yet to be confirmed, but are sure to be similar to those for the new Mitsubishi Evo. Meanwhile, the firm promises great value from final editions of its current Impreza WRX and Sports Wagon. The GB270 cars get £7,000 of extra kit, but cost £22,995 - a saving of £2,898 on the saloon and £1,898 on the estate.