2008 IMPREZA WRX

THE SUBARU IMPREZA WRX PERFORMANCE ICON CHANGES SKIN AND ADDS REFINEMENT FOR 2008. IT’S AN ALL-NEW BREED OF AWD PERFORMANCE CAR!

INTRODUCTIONS IN STAGES

New York City in early April was cool and wet, but that did little to dampen the enthusiasm of those awaiting the introduction of the all-new WRX at the New York International Automobile Show. The Impreza and Impreza WRX were revealed at two events – an invitation-only reception at an art gallery near the Jacob Javits Convention Center where the auto show was being held and at the press conference the next day. Once the covers were raised on both the sedan and the 5-door, journalists and photographers swarmed all over them to learn everything they could.

That was our first look at the cars in person. The only official image that we saw months before limited us to two dimensions, and it was of the 5-door, mostly in profile. Like everyone else, we waited for more images, searching online for anything accurate that might have been “leaked.” And some could be found online a couple of days before the press events.

ALL OF THE ORIGINAL, AND MORE

None of the pictures have the same effect as seeing the cars in person. Both the sedan and 5-door models have style and presence – more of an assertive appearance than the previous model. They’re clearly quite different from the 2007s. These cars bring along everything learned from and loved about the original WRX. Nothing that was tempered by competing in the World Rally Championship has been lost.

The turbocharged WRX still delivers, but now in a lighter body. Plus, the engine has been modified for greater torque across a wider band of engine speeds. All this is carried on a longer wheelbase. So the 2008 WRX has an improved ride, greater interior space, and more flexibility in hauling passengers and cargo. Plus, engine changes make the car more drivable and fuel efficient than its predecessor.

ALL-NEW EXTERIOR

Platform/Chassis
Based on a completely different platform, the body of the 2008 Impreza and Impreza WRX share nothing with the previous series. A longer wheelbase (103.1" vs. 99.4") helps to improve stability and handling, plus it adds to ride comfort. Subaru increased rigidity by adding high-tension steel at key points in the body. That added rigidity contributes to improved handling, and the overall body design lowers noise, vibration, and harshness for greater ride comfort.

Body
There are two: the sedan and 5-door. The sedan is unique to North America. Both are five-passenger models and have more room inside than the previous series WRX. Subaru factory teams that race Impreza models will be using the 5-door body configuration.

Despite gains in size and space, the WRX has lost weight. It’s up to 50 pounds lighter in curb weight than the 2007 models.

One of the noticeable changes in body design is in the doors and side windows. For 2008, the windows are framed. That helps to improve body rigidity and reduce interior noise. The doors are larger, with the rear doors capable of opening 75 degrees. The wide openings help improve entry and exit.

The 2008 Impreza WRX styling was intended to be clean and elegant as well as aerodynamic. Body details that reinforce these objectives include:

• Clear rear lenses (5-door)
• Curved fog lamps
• Chrome grille embellishment
• Aggressive front spoiler
• Body side crease
• Short rear overhand (5-door)
• Chrome rear bar trim
• Rear underbody diffuser (5-door)
• Single chrome exhaust pipe (5-door)
• Dual chrome exhaust tips (4-door)
• Rear roof spoiler (5-door)
• Rear trunk spoiler (4-door)

ALL-NEW INTERIOR

The first impression made by the new interior is by its design. Like other vehicles in the Subaru lineup, the Impreza interior now has sweeping twin cockpits up front, emphasized by insets that look like brushed aluminum, sculpted door panels, and a lot of extra head room – especially in the 5-door. The new interior design highlights the available seven-inch navigation screen and information display in the center of the dash.

The center console also has an available auxiliary audio jack and RCA jacks for portable media players. Models with 6-disc CD audio systems will feature SRS Circle Surround^® sound, which provides cinema sound quality for every seat in the vehicle.

The second impression is made by the interior’s size. It’s larger in every dimension, and that’s apparent when sliding into any of the seating positions.

ALL-NEW AND MODIFIED MECHANICAL FEATURES

The WRX retains the Subaru Symmetrical AWD System – part of Subaru core technology. Elements include the Subaru Boxer engine and AWD drivetrain. The new Impreza body/chassis design allows the Subaru Boxer engine to be located lower to the ground, making the vehicle’s center of gravity even lower. That contributes significantly to improved handling.

A chassis feature that impacts interior room is the new double-wishbone rear suspension system. It takes up less space than the previous strut-type design, freeing cabin space. In conjunction with the more rigid body, the double-wishbone suspension contributes to a quieter ride.

The 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder Boxer engine was modified for 2008 with a new intake manifold, intercooler, and turbocharger. The engine delivers both peak horsepower and peak torque at lower engine speeds, improving low-end torque as well as fuel efficiency. (See Engine Comparison chart.)

SAFETY

For 2008, Subaru adds side-curtain airbags to the list of standard safety features for Impreza. The Subaru Advanced Frontal Airbag System with front seat head/chest airbags is also added. The driver’s side front airbag deploys according to the driver’s proximity to the steering wheel, which is measured by a sensor on the seat track. The front passenger seat has a seat occupant detection system sensor that controls airbag deployment.

Other interior passive safety features include a safety brake pedal system, which folds the pedal assembly forward in a severe frontal impact to help reduce injury to the driver. Also, all seating positions have three-point seatbelts, and the front seatbelts have pretensioners and force limiters.

Body and chassis safety features include Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control, or VDC. This stability control system senses when the vehicle begins to oversteer or understeer and helps to correct vehicle direction through brake application and/or engine management. VDC is available on all Impreza 2.5i and WRX models.

Other body and chassis safety systems include:

• Subaru Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame
• Subaru Symmetrical AWD System
• Front and rear crumple zones
• 4-channel/4-sensor ABS

READY FOR ACTION

With its improved comfort, space, and utility, the 2008 Impreza WRX has not lost its rally-bred soul. With a wider power band, lighter overall curb weight, and improved handling, the 2008 WRX builds on the street credentials already established by previous models.