Subaru of America has officially unveiled the 4-door sedan version of its Impreza WRX STI at the New York International Auto Show. This is the first time Subaru introduced WRX STI in two body styles i.e. 5-door hatchback and 4-door sedan.
At the exterior, the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI features sharpened bumper corners and wider, blacked-out fog lamp nacelles, lip spoiler with three-dimensional detailing, newly designed front grille with black base and blacked-out Subaru wing.
The 4-door model comes with newly designed wider rear fenders that are stretched out on the side beyond the tail lamps to improve the drag coefficient.
In addition to the new styling, the 2011 2011 Subaru Impreza STI features significantly revised suspension tuning and lighter 18-inch wheels for even sharper handling.
The tuning on the chassis of the new WRX STI includes a lowered ride height and new pillow-ball bushings in front and stiffer bushings for the rear subframe that supports the double-wishbone suspension to improve camber and toe stiffness, aluminum front lower L-arms to reduce unsprung vehicle weight, higher-rate springs and thicker front and rear stabilizer bars than the 2010 model (21 mm vs. 20 mm in front and 19 mm vs. 18 mm in rear) and increased spring rates i.e. 15.6% in the front and 53% in the rear.
The Impreza stands on new 18-inch aluminum wheels in high-luster paint and weigh 17.6 lbs. less than the previous standard wheels. The optional 18×8.5-inch BBS forged alloy wheels highlighted by silver high-luster wheels are also available.
The brake system for the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI consists of Brembo brake system that comes with 4-wheel supersport anti-lock (ABS) disc brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). The braking forces at each rear wheel can be controlled independently with the Super Sport ABS, which optimizes braking ability during hard cornering to help reduce understeer.
The 2011 WRX STI is powered by a 2.5-liter Horizontally-Opposed 4-cylinder DOHC turbocharged engine that produces 305 hp at 6,000 rpm and the maximum torque of 290 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. The boxer engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The car also features Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with three “Auto” modes, and also a manual mode with six driver-selectable differential locking settings.
Other features include advanced dynamic control systems, Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction control system, Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) technology that features three selectable modes – “Intelligent,” “Sport” and “Sport Sharp” driving characteristics that can be selected using a rotary dial on the center console.
Inside, the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI features black and silver finishes to highlight its sporty design, dark cast metallic trim panels, steering wheel air bag cover and steering wheel switches, three-spoke, leather-wrapped design embossed with the STI logo and features control switches for Bluetooth hands-free phone function steering wheel, a new AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player features Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free calling, iPod control capability, a USB port, 3.5mm aux. input jack and XM/SIRIUS satellite radio (subscription is extra) and a navigation system that integrates a vehicle information center and Bluetooth hands-free calling.
The 2011 Impreza WRX STI models arrive in Subaru dealerships in the US late this summer.
Below are the US model 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Major Specifications
- Overall Length × Width × Height (mm): 4,580 (4-door), 4,415 (5-door) × 1,795 × 1,470
- Wheelbase (mm): 2,625
- Track Front/Rear (mm): 1,530/1,540
- Engine Type: Horizontally-Opposed 4-cylinder DOHC turbocharged engine
- Displacement: 2,457 cc
- Max. Output: 305 hp@6,000 rpm
- Max. Torque: 290Ib-ft@4,000 rpm
- Tires: 245/40 R18 Seating Capacity: 5
