myevo.com

   [back]

[download this article]

myevo.com meets the all new

Subaru Impreza STI 7

Impreza WRX STI 7            last update: 15.09.2001

15.10.2001: Subaru presents the new LHD version of the Impreza WRX STI: 265 PS, 343 Nm at 4000/min-1 with a wonderful 6 speed gearchange ready for the european roads...

more new coming

Impreza WRX STI 7            last update: 21.09.2000

It is the 21 of September 2000 and we are driving in the Swiss Alps, from Andermatt to Hospental. There are only a few tourists’ here, and beautiful mountains roads: the Gotthard pass, the Furka pass, the Oberhalp pass, and the Nüfenen pass. This is the playing ground for rally cars, especially for turbo cars, then at 2000 meters over the sea, non-turbo cars will loose some of their horses.

We drive very fast up to the Gotthard pass, as we met a blue metallic car nobody saw before. Why? Because this car, a right hand drive car, is the all new Subaru Impreza STI 7, the Subaru Tecnica International (STI is the racing company of Subaru, preparing the WRC motors for PRODRIVE UK, who produces the WRC Imprezas for Richard Burns and Kankunnen) evolution of the upcoming Subaru Impreza WRX Turbo. Why are the batteries of our camera down! It’s pity, we can do any photo. The two Japanese guys working near an Opel Minibus look at me and think: a spy? Relaxed, I get out of my car and introduce myself with: „I am lucky today“. The one answers „Yes“ and smiles. No more words needs to be spent, than looking at my eyes he understands I know!

.

The Japanese guys seem not to be very stressed, and the driver has some minutes to speak with me about the car. „A STI 7“ I said. Not bad, it looks great, with the front headlamp covering three single lamps, and the gold colored BREMBO brakes looking powerful. „You are good informed“ replies my Japanese counterpart. This car has 17-inch alu wheels instead of 16 inch as the WRX, bigger brakes and the STI Motor. „280 horsepower“? „Yes, and 380 Nm torque“. This is Lancer Evolution output! Inverted struts suspensions and a new 6-speed gearchange match this power.

And the interior? The instrument panel looks great. In white with chrome rings, like the Alfa Romeo 156, much nicer than the old Impreza. The dashboard looks great too. A lot of aluminium parts are used. The bucket seats are in blue, and the door handles feels German solid.  

The exhaust system delivers the typical Subaru Boxer sound, and the rear spoiler is quite flat, not like the 22B Subaru or the Lancer Evolution. All in all a good car, sadly produced only as RHD. As LHD we will get the sister WRX model, downgraded of most of this STI components (different motor, steering, exhaust, ECU, wheels, brakes), which makes the STI the most desirable car.

This till the ultimate Impreza will be born. From Japan we heard that the Impreza 22B (400 units produced, all pre-sold in one day) will get a new edition: the Impreza STI 30B!

Based on the STI 7, the 30 B will be the ultimate Subaru on the road. We are waiting for more news. Meanwhile we enjoy to have seen the STI 7 tested on the Swiss mountains roads and thank the crew for giving myevo.com the opportunity to take a look at the car.

and... this is the new WRC 2001 Impreza!

25.01.2001: the next generation 22B, the most powerful Impreza, having
received direct feedback from rallying efforts appeared at the Tokyo
Auto Salon.