New Car Previews: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

There's just something about a car with a big hood scoop and a massive rear wing that appeals to the sport car loving enthusiast in all of us. Sometimes, we don't want our cars to reflect our age. Sometimes, we don't want to have professionalism in every aspect of our lives. Sometimes, we like our cars equipped with big spoilers and hood scoops. Sometimes, we like our cars loud, fast, turbo charged, and with the ability to handle any corner that comes our way. Sometimes, we just want to have some fun. However, with the introduction of the 2008 Subaru STI, it seems that the company might have forgotten, at least in part, about that three letter word.

From the outside, there are more than a few things not to like about the new design for the STI. Namely, what if I don't want to drive a wagon? Yes, the four door, sedan STi is gone, and has been replaced with the wagon only STI (note the capital I). While there's no denying that the STI still looks pretty good, not everyone wants a wagon. And, honestly, sometimes we want our $35,000 sports car to look like it's a sports car, and a little less like a minivan. For the undistinguished eye, the STI looks far too close to the Forrester, sans the more rounded back end and small spoiler off the top of the rear window. Yes, it may have been a tad bit ridiculous, but who didn't love the big square box like spoiler on the back of the outgoing model? It was different, it looked sporty, and it let people know that your car was fast. Oh, and by the way Subaru: FLARED FENDERS DO NOT FIX EVERYTHING. Please, put the fenders of the STI back where they belong, or at least a couple inches closer to the rest of the car. Flares on the fenders do not make a car cool, and the more their flared, sometimes the more awkward they look.

Of course, there is a method behind the changes, and it all does serve a noble purpose: making the STI a more competent and more useable rally machine. The longer wheel base reportedly increases handling and aerodynamics, and the more powerful engine puts out 305 horse power. The more powerful engine is really something to marvel at, and with numbers like these, it is no wonder that the STI has the reputation it does today. Although it is difficult to back up these claims of better performance with the newer model without having actually driven the car, if what Subaru claims is true, than the STI could be an even meaner and more impressive machine than it was in the past.

One definite area of improvement: the interior. Although Subaru's have never exactly been known for their interior design, the new STI looks great on the inside. It's curvy, its fun, and the materials really seem to be made of quality. With a built in navigation system, and several other goodies, it's likely that controlling the 305 horse power monster will be even more fun that before.

A couple of other new goodies help to round out the package, including the ability to adjust the throttle response to suit your needs (either sporty, super sporty or more passive). The other interesting and fun extras come back too, including the water spray over the intercooler, the ability to adjust the center differential, and the transmission has supposedly been strengthened over the previous years. And, of course, it's still a Subaru, and it still has all wheel drive.

While the 2008 STI may represent a sort of mixed bag, we can only hope that what Subaru claims is true, and that the loss of our beloved sedan will be justified in the wake of the new, more performance capable, better handling, and more aerodynamic package.