Subaru knows that it’s going to have a real fight on its hands in the near future. Mitsubishi has been steadily turning up the wick with each new announcement and model release and it looks like Subaru is readying itself to return fire with the 2009 Impreza WRX.
While exact details for the Australian release are unclear the hot tip is to keep an eye on the next Sydney Motor Show for more info. But why wait? There’s enough official news around to piece it together anyway.
First, there was the rumoured leaked memo from Subaru North America outlining details for ‘09 offerings, including more power, upgraded suspension, aggressive visuals, and the addition of a slightly less powerful but more luxurious WRX - the GT - complete with automatic gearbox.
Then, at this year’s London Motor Show, Subaru displayed two new models, already confirmed for production - the 190kW WRX-S and the 243kW WRX STI 330S. Both vehicles had received treatment from Prodrive and featured enhanced ECU’s, free-flowing exhausts, revised styling, and upgraded suspension.
Now we have an official press release from Subaru North America confirming details from the earlier leaked memo, removing any shadow of a doubt that the 2009 Impreza WRX will most certainly boast the aforementioned extras, and I can’t see why Australia would miss out on any of the fruit.
It was obvious that Subaru needed to make an effort with the ‘09 WRX but whether this effort will be enough to fend off Mitsubishi’s rising challenge remains to be seen. Either way, it’s good news for us and I can’t wait for the next round of head to head road tests.
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Looking at the sedan version I wonder how anyone could call the 02 Impreza ugly?
Any how I’d still go for a new a Mitsubishi EVO Lancer X MR TC-SST.
i really like that grey wrx hatch - looks good and also it looks abit like the my06 gen 2 facelift 3 version - which is quite good.
finally the wrx looks like a boy-racer car.
It’s still bloody ordinary lookin!! If Subaru don’t do something to toughen this thing up - along the lines of the STI - they’ve got no idea how many buyers they’re going to lose to the Ralliart Lancer. Fanboy devotion will only get you so far, Subaru!
I’m with you, as far as aesthetics go, Evo all the way!
its becoming a tradition for subaru to completely bolox the look of each fresh impreza
TO be honest, and fair at the same time, I think both the current WRX/STI AND the current Lancer/Evo have hit the nail on styling, both have excellent exterior styling, and I don’t know why people are complaining that it doesn’t look like a real car?
However, on paper and in reality, the ralliart and evo MR are the King of the road for the next few years, full stop.
i dont like that Impreza GT though…very ordinary - ugly!
hope subaru oz decides NOT to bring it over here…
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Besides the Impreza not looking too good, its still missing a 6 speed box, 18″ wheels and decent Recaro seats.
Kevin Hoffman
I own 202 Impreza RS automatic,Recaro seats love it,forgot GT,Please Stick with the upgrade 2009 WRX 18″ wheels decent Recaro seats and leave(Automatic)= Option = Australians Love Automatic,I am ready to get WRX i congratulate Subaru to give us Quality Cars, Joe Buttafuoco
I am very happy with main RS Subaru like to drive Subaru cars for ever,Regards Joe Buttafuoco,
don’t mind the face and grille it’s got the stis old eingen amazingly the 195kw donk.