GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

New models - Subaru - Impreza

Subaru STi updates face new threat

A handle on handling: Subaru aims to improve handling with the STi update.

Subaru’s performance flagship hands control to the driver as Evo VIII fight flares

25 Aug 2004

THE escalating battle between Subaru and Mitsubishi for the hearts, minds and wallets of fast-four fanatics enters the next round in late September when the 2005 model year Impreza STi goes on sale.

Part of an MY05 update for the entire Impreza range, STi is by far the headline act, which considering its role as the flagship of the range is only appropriate.

STi’s combination of turbocharged performance, all-paw grip and rally heritage had been virtually unchallenged since it first appeared here as a limited edition in 1999 and then became a full-time member of the range in late 2001.

"Competitors come and competitors go, but WRX STi stays the course," was how Subaru Australia general manager Nick Senior summed it up at last week’s launch.

That’s an obvious reference to Mitsubishi, which dabbled in these waters in 2001 with the Lancer Ralliart Evolution VI Tommi Makinen Edition. Just 100 examples at a cool $79,990 barely caused a ripple for Subaru back then.

But Mitsubishi is back in 2004 with Evo VIII and starting to impinge on STi territory, even outpointing it in Motor magazine’s annual Bang for your Bucks performance comparison.

While currently a limited run import of 100, there are more Evo VIIIs on the way, with the promise it will become a full-time model from Evo IX time.

With pricing brought down from the stratosphere to $61,990 and a technical kit that includes an adjustable centre differential with snow, gravel and tarmac settings, Evo VIII is now a serious player in terms of price, performance and gadgetry.

So time for a response from Subaru, the cornerstone of which is a driver control centre differential (acronymed to DCCD), which allows the driver to dial up the preferred torque split in manual mode, or opt for auto mode and let the diff do the work for you.

In manual mode the DCCD can be adjusted from a locked 50:50 front/rear split up to a maximum of 35:65 torque split (front/rear). When in automatic mode, the DCCD uses input from a yaw rate sensor that ensures optimum torque split when cornering. A new front helical limited slip differential is added as well, with the aim of providing a more linear drive transfer.

2 center image "DCCD provides driver choice," said Subaru Australia technical manager Derek Ashby. "In open state it is more like a rear-wheel drive car. In 50:50 split it is more stable with a bit more understeer." Our brief sample on a wet slalom and then in the safe environs of Eastern Creek raceway in Sydney revealed that DCCD’s adjustability was very much noticeable.

Full rear bias produced tail-sliding fun, 50:50 lock a safe accuracy and auto meant on-the-run adjustability handled by the computer.

Our preference? Auto is the fast way around, a view shared by Australian rally champion Cody Crocker, who was on-hand on the day to demonstrate the system at its limit.

DCCD is not the only new STi weapon. There’s a smattering of other technical changes too:
  • Wider eight-spoke 17x8-inch wheels.

  • A ‘cannon mount’ steering rack.

  • Rear track widens by 10mm thanks to new 225/45 Bridgestone Potenza tyres.

  • Wheelbase lengthens by 15mm to 2540mm because of a revised rear suspension mount.

  • An underfloor cover results in a 0.0006 drag cut.

  • Damper valves added to reduce steering column kickback.

  • Rear differential cushion spring rate is increased.

  • Front suspension bracket housing strengthened.

  • Front and rear suspension links are aluminium.

  • Increased diameter front and rear sway bars.

  • Unique wheel mounting and bearing design.

If you notice a theme emerging here that relates to handling, you’re dead right.

Chassis behaviour is an area where Evo VIII has been ranked ahead of the STi by independent testing and these moves are an obvious attempt to overcome that.

The proof Subaru supplies is a claimed maximum lateral g-force rating up from 9.4m/s2 to 9.7m/s2.

All that focus on chassis means life stays unchanged in the engine bay, where STi’s turbocharged 2.0-litre boxer engine continues to produce 195kW and 343Nm. That adds up to a 5.5 seconds claimed 0-100km/h dash and 13.8 seconds standing 400 metres.

Pricing for the STi will stay unchanged at $56,630, while the sales rate is also forecast not to alter much, staying around 40 per month.

STi versus Evo VIII

STi Evo VIII
Price$56,630$61,990
Power195kW@6000rpm195kW@6000rpm
Torque343Nm@4000rpm355Nm@3500rpm
Kerb weight1470kg1470kg
0-100km/h5.5 sec6.1 sec
0-400m13.8 sec14.5 sec

GoAuto can help you buy a new Impreza

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

Subaru models

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here