Autoblog

If you watched the first episode of Top Gear's season 11, you likely smirked at the lackluster Vauxhalls that the British bobbies have to drive in pursuit of "the baddies". But once in a while the constables in the UK gets something special in their motor-pools, like the Caparo T1, Lotus Exige, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 and Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. While few officers have actually had the chance to drive any of these epic exotics since they're used purely for demonstration purposes, the latest addition is here to stay: Prodrive has prepared a fleet of Subaru Impreza GB270s especially for the Automatic Number Plate Recognition Team at the Essex Police department.

Not only did Prodrive set up the vehicle for the team, commonly known as "The Intereptors", but the 21 officers that make up their ranks received a day of special instruction on how to get the most out of their new 270hp all-wheel-drive speed machines. As you can see in the press release after the jump, however, "The day was not about driving these cars fast, but understanding how and when to use their capability in a safe way." Way to make something exciting very boring, guv'na.

[Source: Prodrive]

Click image for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

I remember the last red Subaru I drove. I was in high school, and the car was my dad's – a new '88 GL wagon with an automatic and push-button 4WD on the shifter. I dug that Scooby. It wasn't powerful but it was fun -- especially when it snowed. Somehow I managed to avoid bouncing it off a lamppost while sliding it around corners. This had much more to do with luck than skill, as I was in high school and clearly an idiot. But I digress -- after all, this isn't about my dad's old GL. It is, however, about a red Subaru – the new Impreza WRX STI, to be specific. If this thing was around back during my neighborhood rally-pretender salad days, I'd probably just be getting my license back right about now.


All photos Copyright ©2008 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.

It's been generally accepted that the sales success of the first generation Subaru Impreza WRX caused Mitsubishi to rethink its policy of keeping the Evo off U.S.-bound boats. The Evolution's introduction in the States was quickly followed by the STI's, and all was right in the AWD performance segment. Not quite. Mitsubishi needs a direct competitor to the base WRX and as we've seen already, the Ralliart moniker is coming back, and it won't be limited to a couple of stickers and 15-inch O.Z. wheels.

Some European journalists were assembled by Mitsubishi this week (likely an Evo X ride and drive) and it was revealed that a five-door version of the Lancer would be made available abroad sporting a 260 hp engine and the Evolution IX's all-wheel-drive system. If this is the same setup as the Ralliart Lancer we'll be getting in the U.S., that pegs the 2008 Subaru WRX with a 36 hp deficiency, not to mention the wizardry of the last generation Evo AWD system.

Also noted in the article were three different versions of the Evolution X that our friends across the pond will get in the coming years, with models creating 295 hp, 330 hp and 360 hp. No surprise, since they've been blessed with a number of FQ-models over the course of the Evo's lifespan.

[Source: 4Car]

click above image for more pics of the 2008 Subaru Impreza and WRX

Though not officially announced, pricing for the new 2008 Subaru Impreza has leaked out onto the web courtesy of a dealer with loose lips. The complete breakdown of models and packages shows that the redesigned 2008 Impreza will have a base MSRP of $16,995 for a four-door sedan with the 2.5L boxer-four. That's a full $1,000 less expensive than the outgoing 2007 Impreza 2.5i sedan.

At the other end of the spectrum, the WRX model with its turbocharged version of the 2.5L engine producing 224 horsepower will start at $24,350 for the four-door sedan and $24,850 for the five-door hatch. This model year's 2007 WRX TR (Tuner Ready) starts lower at $23,995, but is somewhat of a blank canvas car meant for customers who will immediately begin customizing their WRX. The base 2007 WRX sedan, however, starts at $24,995, meaning the 2008 model with its controversial new skin and upgraded interior will be $645 less expensive than the outgoing model.

It appears that Impreza prices have dropped across the board, which should help satisfy potential defectors who aren't pleased with the new design. If you've got money in your pockets, the most expensive Impreza until the STi appears will be a five-door WRX model with the Satellite Radio and Navigation package that retails for $28,950. There will also be an Outback Sport version of the five-door hatch, though not the sedan, that starts at $19,995. Destination charges, don't forget, will raise the price of any model by $645.

Click here to view the 2008 Impreza's complete pricing structure.

Thanks for the tip, Sam!

[Source: North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club]

Wow, that didn't take very long. Those new WRX ads we just told you about are already on YouTube. You know, the ones that use "traditional" Japanese cultural references like "Fast and Furious," "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," and "Blade Runner". Several of you picked up on the fact that the American ad agency responsible for this new campaign might have their Chinese and Japanese mixed up a bit, but the point remains that as elements of popular culture, these all appeal to the target market for the new WRX, the 20- and 30-year-old guys who are into manga and anime. Follow the jump to see the "Legend Reborn" clip where a WRX slices through the jungle and heeds the call of the wild, flexing its trail muscles along the way. And we find out that apparently the call of the wild is loud enough for people in the city hear, as well. Check it out.

[Source: Subaru via YouTube]

click above image to view both pics of the 2008 Subaru Impreza

The amount of time that's passed since we first laid eyes on the 2008 Subaru Impreza has not served to sooth our gag reflex upon seeing it again. Though cast in a different hue this time, the general shape of the new hatchback body style in conjunction with the new chrome grille make the '08 Impreza look like the bastard offspring of a Kia Spectra5 and Toyota Camry. Since Motor Trend spilled the beans this week, Inside Line decided to drop with all the details they have on the new Impreza so far, and unfortunately there's no silver lining to report on this storm cloud.

[Source: Inside Line]

Everyone thought the rumor that Subaru would be dropping its popular WRX model when it launches a redesigned Impreza was bunk. The rumor originated with an article by Autocar that stated Subaru had "no plans to carry over the intermediate WRX model." Michael McHale, Subaru's Director of Corporate Communications, got in touch with Autoblog to let us know that the WRX is safe and will be present after the relaunch of the redesigned Impreza. Those worrying that the Impreza will only be offered as a five-door hatchback in the future can rest easy, too. Sedan variants will be offered, presumably along with the five-door hatchback we've seen in spy shots. We still expect to see the new Impreza at the New York Auto Show in early April, though it's unclear whether or not Subaru will follow Mitsubishi's lead and introduce only the standard models before trotting out the hotted up WRX and STi variants. We'll be on hand in the Big Apple to let you know from the show floor.

[Source: Subaru]