Road TestCar reviews - Subaru - Impreza - WRX STi sedanSubaru modelsOverviewSubaru builds a better STi, complete with 2.5 turbo power and a controversial nose2 Jun 2006 SINCE its original release in 1999, Subaru’s Impreza WRX STi has carved a formidable reputation as the king of affordable performance cars. While official power figures have hardly changed to the dissatisfaction of many cult fans, each STi model has become a more track-focussed weapon with sharper handling via reworked suspension and a clever driver-controlled centre differential (from MY05) to adjust power delivery between the front and rear wheels. The MY06 STi, meanwhile, has matured and become a more civilised and compliant sportscar without loosing its hardcore rally roots. With the adoption of the US-spec 2.5-litre engine, think of the MY06 STi as a better-trained pit bull terrier. Unfortunate it seems then, that everyone is distracted by Subaru’s new front-end styling, creating controversy once again. Model release date: 1 October 2005 to 1 August 2007 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen Previous modelFirst arriving Down Under as a limited-edition coupe in February 1999, then as a sedan in October 1999, Subaru's WRX STi has been a full-time range member since December 2001, based on that year's all-new Impreza. A facelift to remove those polarising "bug-eyes" arrived in March 2003, while the model year 2004 car went on sale in November 2003, and the MY05 was launched in August 2004. |
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