Alx

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The latest iteration of the Impreza brought to you by Subaru Technica International will be the S204, which has just been announced for production in Japan starting in January. The S204 follows the S203 and S202, all very limited-edition examples of the Impreza produced by STI. The S204 features the new face of Subaru and a heavily reworked 2.0L flat-four that produces 320 hp and 318 ft-lbs. of torque, which - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER reports is the highest factory torque output to date from Subaru. Other exclusives include a lowered and stiffened suspension, BBS alloy wheels, 18-inch Pirellis and 17-inch brakes. Visual tweaks include a new grille, carbon fiber front skirt and trunk spoiler. The S204 will go for about $41,000, but only 600 examples will be produced.

Check out a full photo gallery of the S204 over at - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Alx

That is rediculous power for such a small engine. Serious abuse!

siko

Such an amazing power for so little cash... very impressing car.

Giannis

i don't think the new Impreza is as goodlooking as the old one!

Alx

really... i like this one alot... after hating the tribeca and finally seeing it in real life, i think this car is awesome looking....

The Artist

wow man this is hot.. the best looking impreza.. after the first one.. the others have always dissappointed me

Alx

yep... i know what you mean for sure!

Audi4Life

performance figures??? anyone??

dOmInIX

Subaru Impreza STi S204


ngineers at Subaru's secretive tuning arm, STi, have a new mission in life. No longer satisfied with making high-performance Imprezas, the group has declared: "We want to build the world's ultimate Subarus. We want our relationship with Subaru to be like BMW's M badge or Mercedes' AMG."

The news was delivered at the launch of the latest addition to STi's growing stable, the limited-edition S204. Set to arrive in the UK as a grey import, the S204 is said to have the power and the pedigree to make the company's latest dream come true.

So how does this new saloon stack up? Is it the M3 of the STi line-up? The answer isn't quite that straightforward.

On the road, the S204 is sensational. Inheriting a reworked 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder boxer engine from its predecessor, the S203, the car puts out 320bhp at 6,400rpm, while torque is 432Nm at 4,400rpm. The 0-60mph sprint is expected to take around 4.5 seconds, and the top speed is 155mph.

From 3,000rpm, stronger mid-range torque means the driver can make better use of third gear, particularly in long corners, and still have plenty of revs for lightning exits. Push it beyond 6,000rpm, however, and the retuned exhaust note invades the cabin as it takes on a primeval howl. The six-speed gearbox has short throws. But for a car costing upwards of £24,000 -that's £7,500 more than a standard Japan-spec

STi - you'd expect to have your pants blown off. Although the S204 is quick out of the blocks, it's not explosive, and could do with another 50bhp.

However, there are no complaints about the handling. The newcomer gets a stronger chassis, better roll rigidity and revised suspension. But it's the innovative step of fitting dampers to the body structure between the front and rear suspension strut towers that makes the difference. Apart from their ability to iron out vibrations and bumps, plus give a superb ride, they permit smoother initial turn-in, deliver more information to the driver and virtually eliminate understeer.

The best-handling STi so far, this car devours corners, helped partly by the grippy Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres, which combine effortlessly with chunky four-piston Brembo brake calipers.

Inside, though, it's a different story. The cabin is based on a stock STi's, but designers have only added two leather Recaro seats - which are too tight across the hips yet cost £2,700 - and a few extra yards of high-quality leather.

As for the exterior, lose the rear wing, S204 badge and 18-inch BBS alloys, and you'd mistake this for a current STi. Yet while work is needed on the aesthetics, nothing comes close at this price for performance and cornering potential. So STi hasn't quite built a car worthy of BMW's M Division - but it's close.


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Carbon

Hopefully I'll be switching to this rear wing on the STi I'll be getting.