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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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Comment by wheelnut
31 July 2008
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.
[Reply to this comment]
Comment by Dan Fewster
1 August 2008
I’m with you, as far as aesthetics go, Evo all the way!
[Reply to this comment]
Comment by Jake02
31 July 2008
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.
[Reply to this comment]
Comment by MarcusBrodyFan
1 August 2008
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!
[Reply to this comment]
Comment by Trump
1 August 2008
its becoming a tradition for subaru to completely bolox the look of each fresh impreza
[Reply to this comment]
Comment by Adam
1 August 2008
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.
[Reply to this comment]
Comment by Jake02
1 August 2008
i dont like that Impreza GT though…very ordinary - ugly!
hope subaru oz decides NOT to bring it over here…
[Reply to this comment]
Pingback by aesoramiento para comprar un auto con look y rendimiento deportivo - Página 8 - Foros de CHW
6 August 2008
[...] impreza wrx 2009 vendra con mas HP, y otros cambios esteticos, como sunroof, etc. aca esta el link 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX details revealed si alguien tienen otros linkk donde hablen mas de eso agradeceria postiarlo, ya que si es asi me [...]
Pingback by New Subaru WRX 2009 - I want one! | Alex Wilson
12 October 2008
[...] Article at The Motor Report. [...]
Comment by Kevin Hoffman
13 October 2008
Besides the Impreza not looking too good, its still missing a 6 speed box, 18″ wheels and decent Recaro seats.
Kevin Hoffman
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