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the 09 wrx gets a lip kit and sportier grill standard, bigger,stickier rubber...and most importantly, much revised suspension tuning. A nice hp and tq bump was apparently in order too.
A new trim callled the impreza GT, which is basically what was this years WRX, will be available in hatch and sedan form, and will feature an auto tranny. This was the trim level they needed to broaden their audience!
It's official folks. Those of you that picked up a 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX have been had. The road-going rally rocket gets an update for 2009 and with it comes a retuned 2.5-liter boxer four-pot producing 265 hp and 244 lb.-ft. of torque – a 41 hp and 18 lb.-ft. increase over the outgoing model. Power will be sent to all four wheels through a five-speed manual – the only transmission available -- with low-profile 225/45R17 summer tires replacing the 205/50R17 rubber of the 2008 model.
The suspension has been revised to include stiffer springs, uprated dampers, upper strut mounts cribbed from the STI and larger anti-roll bars fore and aft. The Aero package is no longer an option – it's standard – and includes an STI-inspired grille on both the sedan and hatch, while the five-door receives the STI's rear spoiler and underbody diffuser.
Impreza obsessives that ran out to buy a 2008 model might be miffed, but Subaru had to make adjustments to keep the WRX competitive, particularly with the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart becoming a serious contender in the turbo'd sedan segment.
I'm glad that for the last year, Subaru finally made the STi a hatch, but it looks too much like a cross between a Mazda 3, and a lexus RX300. The chassis improvements are actually, in my mind, the more important changes. Power is easy to do yourself, but creating a tuned suspension with aftermarket components is much more haphazard. :vtec:
I liked the '08 that I test drove, but not quite well enough to buy it. If I were test driving the '09 and comparing today...the Fit probably wouldn't be in the garage.
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Wifes Car - '08 SSM Sport 5-Speed. Work in progress. Can be seen attacking the N GA mountains.
That is a HOT car, I love the Subaru Imprezza's I just didnt have that type of money when i need a car, that is why i bought the fit (Not that i am in any upset with my choice).. But i am glad now i did not go with the 2008 that i was looking at :P
If i had a Subaru would be blue with gold rims for sure!
I think the aggressive style decreased after the 07 production. My Favorite is still the 04 which I currently have until I sell it and purchase a SSM fit sport!
No one's been had. It's a well known fact in the Subaru community that the 2.5 liter WRXs have ALWAYS been under rated from the factory anyway. To the tune of around 30 HP. Guess what? If my math is correct that means that the 2006+ WRXs have been making around 255-260 HP all along.
They still have that weak dick 5-speed that breaks with ease. Regardless, the STI is superior in all manners. And the WRX is about the same with a lip kit and yet to be determined handling.
No one's been had. It's a well known fact in the Subaru community that the 2.5 liter WRXs have ALWAYS been under rated from the factory anyway. To the tune of around 30 HP. Guess what? If my math is correct that means that the 2006+ WRXs have been making around 255-260 HP all along.
They still have that weak dick 5-speed that breaks with ease. Regardless, the STI is superior in all manners. And the WRX is about the same with a lip kit and yet to be determined handling.
if we go by your logic, that means this new WRX will be around 280 and the sti is rocking near 380 hp.
i know they have underrated in the past, but i do think you are exaggerating it a little bit.
sid meant that 08 owners were had from a handling perspective: the current REX's suspension tuning is well suited for a GT impreza (hence the new trimlevel) but for a regular wrx, it was a bit of an underperformer.
sure the aftermarket solves some of this, but to pay the same price and get it all from the factor is even better.
thanks to the mods for the merge too!
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if i could travel through time sometime....
pep pep?
Originally Posted by Btrthnezr3 Say Wha??? You mean, there's another reason to have a suspension?
if we go by your logic, that means this new WRX will be around 280 and the sti is rocking near 380 hp.
i know they have underrated in the past, but i do think you are exaggerating it a little bit.
sid meant that 08 owners were had from a handling perspective: the current REX's suspension tuning is well suited for a GT impreza (hence the new trimlevel) but for a regular wrx, it was a bit of an underperformer.
sure the aftermarket solves some of this, but to pay the same price and get it all from the factor is even better.
thanks to the mods for the merge too!
I'm not sure about your logic, but it has nothing to do with mine. I'm saying that they are finally reporting what the 2.5 WRX motor is actually making. I doubt there's much difference between the '08 WRX 2.5 and the '09. We'll know more when guys start reporting turbo types on the '09, but I wouldn't be suprised to see the good ol' TD-04 on there.
New WRX Based on “Kyo-Ka” Goal:
More Power, Quicker, Sharper-Handling
CHERRY HILL, NJ--Performance leaps to a higher level in the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX thanks to a 265-horsepower turbocharged intercooled Boxer engine, retuned suspension and wider, lower-profile summer performance tires. The Impreza WRX moves closer to its supercar stablemate, the WRX STI in spirit, performance and styling with a new familial grille, integrated front spoiler and body-side moldings and gunmetal gray alloy wheels.
The project team developing the 2009 WRX had a clear aim, summed up as “Kyo-Ka” (translated from Japanese as “strengthening”). To reach their goal, Subaru engineers thoroughly revamped the car’s performance character. With a larger turbocharger, increased boost and a new low-density catalyst for reduced exhaust backpressure, the WRX engine now produces 265 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 244 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,000 rpm (vs. 224 hp and 226 lb.-ft. in the 2008 model.)
To supplement the increased power, Subaru re-tuned the WRX suspension, increasing spring rates and adding thicker stabilizer bars. Standard 17 x 7-inch alloy wheels wear 225/45R17 summer performance tires, compared to 205/50R17 all-season tires on the 2008 WRX.
The 2009 Impreza WRX is equipped exclusively with a 5-speed manual transmission and, like all Subarus, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction control system, standard on all Impreza models for 2009, helps to enhance road handling safety. An Incline Start Assist feature can help prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when being driven away from a stop on a hill.
Rally-Inspired Interior
The WRX interior for 2009 gains new WRX-exclusive carbon black checkered upholstery, accented by red stitching. A standard tilt and telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel is accented by red stitching, and standard aluminum-alloy pedal covers now include the driver’s footrest. Performance-design front seats come with the head restraint integrated into the backrest and provides a one-piece, sporty look. The optional Premium Package gains a power moonroof for 2009; other contents carry over, including the 10-speaker audio upgrade with auxiliary input jack, projector-beam fog lights, dual-mode heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer. A navigation system with video jack inputs is also available.
New GT model for 2009
A new Impreza 2.5GT model for 2009 (4-Door and 5-Door) is powered by a 224-horsepower turbocharged intercooled Boxer engine mated exclusively to a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with SPORTSHIFT.
Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
Subaru employs four versions of Symmetrical AWD system across its model line. The type used in the WRX utilizes a viscous coupling locking center differential that distributes torque 50:50 front/rear. Should slippage occur, the system transfers more power to the wheels with the best traction. The version of Symmetrical AWD used in the Impreza 2.5 GT utilizes an electronically controlled continually variable hydraulic transfer clutch.
All Impreza models for 2009 feature a 4-wheel disc Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. (The WRX and 2.5GT models feature larger front brakes than other Impreza models.) All Impreza models are equipped with advanced dual stage front air bags, front seat mounted side air bags and side-curtain airbags.
Full pricing is expected to be announced August 25, 2008.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru makes the best-selling All-Wheel Drive car sold in America based on R.L. Polk & Co. new vehicle retail registration statistics calendar year-end 2005. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.
Subaru, Impreza, WRX and STI are registered trademarks of Subaru of America, LLC
Our other car is a Subaru Impreza WRX STI - awesome car, I really love it. It's still the 08 model, though. They didn't change a lot in the interior, looks like mine :p
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Mods & accessories:
blue interior trim kit
cargo tray
rear bumper applique
Aspec axleback exhaust
Pioneer DEH-P6000UB with painted Metra dash kit
I think the aggressive style decreased after the 07 production. My Favorite is still the 04 which I currently have until I sell it and purchase a SSM fit sport!
~myke
Totally agree, the 04 was the best looking model... since they did the remake after the 99's. I never liked the googly-eyed look they have had going on since they did away with the rectangular headlights & giant rally lamps/fogs underneath.
The new WRX sedan is looking better, the backend looks like somebody actually thought about it this time and the lines area clean. I wouldn't mind seeing those tiny little fogs replaced with larger more useful lamps to complete the look. Can't complain about the boost in power, it is only a little bit shy of the STI now and that is easily fixed with some creative thinking.
I still think the hatch version is ugly as f#ck :rolleyes: Can't say the GT looks that much better either, looks like it is missing body parts.
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Last edited by Sugarphreak; 08-01-2008 at 06:53 PM.
It was about damn time. The WRX had really fallen behind. NASIOC has been talking some serious smack about the 08 redesign...and I completely agree.
The ultimate Subaru is still the 22b. In the US...the 05 STi. Best bodystyle, better interior than the 04, plus some needed suspension tweaks. I miss mine so much
^^^ Good taste. I had an '05 STI a few years ago... old pic taken w/ my G1. :)
Nice to see Subaru making the WRX more competitive. Still wouldn't buy one, though. Them getting rid of the LGT Wagon in the US was the last straw for me... that would've been my next Subaru.
I'm actually surprised that Subaru didn't revise the 3-door taillights. They were met with almost unanimous disapproval when revealed early last year.
-Mike
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