2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Sedan Confirmed For Australia In Late 2010

LATE LAST WEEK, Subaru unveiled the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI at the New York Auto Show. As many had speculated, last week's wide-body 2011 WRX announcement was a precursor to bigger news today: the Impreza sedan bodyshape has (re)joined the STI line-up.

Today, Subaru Australia has confirmed that the WRX STI sedan bodystyle will join the Australian range in late 2010,although specific details and pricing have yet to be revealed.

“We can confirm a four-door Impreza WRX STI will join our Australian line-up much later in the year and will be available from our exclusive STI retail network,” Subaru Australia Managing Director, Nick Senior said.

The sedan isn't the only update to the Impreza STI range for 2011, with the STI's spring rates getting an increase of 15.6 percent up front and 52 percent at the rear - settings gained from the 2010 WRX STI Special Edition.

Thicker anti-roll bars at front and rear, along with new pillow ball bushings up front and stiffer bushings at the rear also figure among the handling updates.

Lighter 18-inch wheels sit at each corner, weighing around 8kg less overall than previously. 

With handling being the main focus of the 2011 WRX STI's performance tweaks, output remains unchanged, both models developing 221kW and 407Nm of torque.

On the cosmetic front, the new STI gets an updated front bumper, with sharper corners and blacked-out fog light housings. A new grille is in place, and for the sedan, that big rear wing and the STI-specific bumper are the standout features up back.

Inside, dark metallic trim panels and a new stereo system are featured, along with Bluetooth audio and hands-free, iPod compatibility and USB and aux inputs.

The 2011 WRX STI is set to go on sale in the US around August.