The e-mail arrived earlier this morning from Fuji Heavy. Yes the e-mail — the one with the first pics of the JDM Impreza WRX STI sans disguise. Subaru's still teasing, however. All we know is it'll come with a 2.0-liter boxer fitted with a twin-scroll turbocharger over six-speed manual. No official word on the 300+ horsepower, but the short paragraph of info says it comes with existing STI gear: SI-DRIVE, Drivers Control Center Differential (DCCD) all-wheel drive and Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC). But you knew that. Click through for official words.
Press Release:
Subaru offers the new AWD performance icon
Concept
The new WRX STI was developed with the eternal theme and essence of the driverʼs car, the "total driving control," that the preceding WRX STI models also pursued. This AWD sports model gives maximum driving pleasure through its combination of power, performance, handling and ride capabilities thanks to engineering exclusively designed for the WRX STI and its five-door package. It also balances excellent safety and environmental aspects at a high level.
Styling
Using a new five-door body style developed from the Impreza model, the new Impreza WRX STI displays a powerful design language that speaks directly to its performance credentials, integrating function and beauty. Adopting shortened front and rear overhangs, a longer wheelbase and widened body flares, the Impreza WRX STI clearly embodies driving performance in dynamic exterior design that delivers as overwhelming presence and beauty.
Performance
The new Horizontally-Opposed 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine was developed exclusively for the new WRX STI. By further improving the basic performance of the engine, and mating it to SI-DRIVE (SUBARU Intelligent Drive), the WRX STI offers not only outright performance as might be expected, but also delivers excellent handling under extreme as well as normal driving conditions. Featuring Subaru's unique Symmetrical AWD and specially developed in-house 6-speed manual transmission as its base technologies, multi mode DCCD* and VDC**, which control traction and stability more precisely, have also been added to WRX STI. To complete its performance credentials, the evolved chassis by "Subaru Dynamic Chassis Control Concept" has dramatically improved road-hugging capability and will provide exhilaration and confidence in every driving situation.
*DCCD: Driver's Control Center Differential
**VDC: Vehicle Dynamics Control
Body size
(length×width×height) 4415×1795×1475mm
Wheel-base
2625mm
Track(front/rear)
1530/1540mm
EngineType
Dual AVCS 16Valve DOHC
Horizontally-Opposed 4-cylinder
twin scroll Turbo
Capacity
1994cc
Suspension
(front / rear)
Reverse type strut/Double wishbone
Equipment
6MT/SI-DRIVE(SUBARU Intelligent Drive)/*DCCD/*VDC
Tire Size
245/40R18