[s-cars] NAC, but more turbo content

[Frank Amoroso]

Sheesh! Subaru is really turning the heat up. As Vinnie Vega said in Pulp
Fiction... "I gotta say, you play with fire, you gonna get burned."

Maybe I should stop reading this stuff...

SUBARU INTRODUCES THE 2004 IMPREZA WRX STi AT NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
AUTO SHOW
--"No-Compromise" The Most Powerful Subaru Ever Offered in North America--

DETROIT, Jan. 6, 2003 ? Subaru of America, Inc. today introduced the
long-awaited 2004MY Impreza WRX STi, an ultra high-performance all-wheel
drive sedan, at the North American International Auto Show. Based on the
critically acclaimed Subaru Impreza WRX, Impreza WRX STi is completely
re-engineered to provide world-class sports car levels of acceleration,
handling and braking performance. Impreza WRX STi will serve as the
performance flagship of the Subaru line when it arrives in dealerships this
summer and will earn distinction as the most powerful Subaru ever offered
for sale in North America. Be sure to check it out at Impreza.Subaru.com.

The Impreza WRX STi draws motorsports technology directly from Subaru
expertise in World Rally Championship (WRC) competition, and is designed to
appeal to the serious driving enthusiast. Impreza WRX STi is powered by a
turbocharged and intercooled 2.5-liter DOHC boxer engine producing 300
horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of peak torque, teamed exclusively to a 6-speed
manual transmission. Power is transferred to all four wheels via a
sophisticated Subaru All-Wheel Drive system designed to optimize
performance in all conditions.

Introducing Subaru Tecnica International (STI)
STI stands for Subaru Tecnica International, the high-performance and
motorsports subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. Subaru, which offers
the only exclusively All-Wheel Drive line of passenger cars and
crossover-type vehicles in the United States, has been proving the
performance and durability of its All-Wheel Drive technology in World Rally
Championship competition since 1989.

Until now, STi-badged Subaru vehicles had been available only in select
world markets. However, the success of the WRX in the U.S. prompted strong
(and vocal) demand from American consumers for an even more
extreme-performance version of this car.

As a result, the U.S.-market Impreza WRX STi gives up nothing compared to
models offered in Europe, Japan and other markets and in some ways offers
more performance. For example, the 2.5-liter turbocharged powerplant is the
largest displacement engine ever installed in a WRX STi model and is
exclusive to the North American market. This unique engine also provides
strong torque characteristics at both low and high rpm.

Rally Tested, Road Ready
The Impreza WRX STi benefits from the redesigned front and rear styling of
the 2004MY Impreza line. The expressive new design is the result of close
consultation with Subaru STi engineers and the Subaru World Rally Team to
improve air resistance, optimize lift force balance, maximize engine
cooling and provide Impreza models with a bolder, more dynamic appearance.
In its exterior design, Impreza WRX STi leaves no doubts about its
performance potential -- a look that is equally functional. The enlarged
hood scoop in the aluminum hood feeds outside air to the intercooler that
is significantly larger than the unit found on Impreza WRX. A completely
functional dual element rear spoiler -- which appears to be borrowed
directly from the Subaru World Rally Car -- helps reduce lift and improve
stability at high speed. Airflow is also managed via front side spoilers on
the front bumper and STi side ground effects. The front fascia features
four high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps with smoke tinted lenses and
distinctive STi fog light insert covers for a no-nonsense look. Large
diameter Brembo® brakes are clearly visible between the spokes of the
17-inch lightweight aluminum- alloy BBS® wheels.

The 2.5-liter horizontally opposed ("boxer") four-cylinder engine is based
on a specially reinforced "semi-closed deck" engine block with forged
aluminum alloy pistons, forged high-carbon steel connecting rods and
sodium-filled exhaust valves. This advanced powerplant incorporates Subaru
AVCS (Active Valve Control System) variable valve timing technology to
optimize the engine's volumetric efficiency throughout the rev band. It is
the first application of this technology on a Subaru in North America. The
large capacity intercooler includes a manually operated water spray feature
to provide additional cooling.

Driver-Adjustable All-Wheel Drive
WRX STi is equipped with the brand's most performance-directed All-Wheel
Drive system with DCCD (Driver Control Center Differential). In automatic
mode, the computer varies the front/rear torque split automatically
depending on driving conditions and driver input. In manual mode, the DCCD
system allows the driver to vary the front-to-rear torque distribution for
different driving conditions.

Using a small control wheel on the car's center console, the driver can set
the system to transfer as much as 65 percent of available torque to the
rear wheels to increase handling agility. Impreza WRX STi employs a new
Suretrac® limited-slip front differential and a mechanical limited-slip
rear differential. The Suretrac differential is a gearless unit that
responds to a torque differential between left and right wheels to increase
traction and reduce understeer.

Form Follows Function
Inside are several reminders that Impreza WRX STi is a special vehicle. The
sport-design front seats feature substantial side bolsters, an integrated
head restraint design and an embroidered "STi" logo. The seats are
upholstered in unique perforated blue Ecsaine® fabric with contrasting
black knit bolsters, complemented by expressive blue floor carpeting. STI
engineers also examined a wide range of measures to help reduce weight,
eliminating items that did not enhance performance. As a result, Impreza
WRX STi does not include a standard sound system. However, an optional
sound system will be available at Subaru dealers. Other weight reduction
measures include the use of lightweight rear window glass, aluminum control
arms and forged aluminum wheels. Comfort features such as air conditioning,
power windows, power door locks and power mirrors - amenities that an owner
cannot add after the sale - are included as standard equipment.

A revised STi instrument gauge cluster places a 9,000-rpm tachometer in the
center, complemented by a 160-mph speedometer, DCCD display, fuel and
temperature gauges. Red LED indicators and an illuminated "STi" logo in the
tachometer reinforce the sporty driving environment. Offering a preview the
vehicle's performance potential, all the gauge needles swing to their
maximum positions when the ignition is switched on, then fall back to their
normal positions. All three primary gauges are trimmed with aluminum rings.
A Subaru World Rally Team-designed black leather-wrapped MOMO® brand
steering wheel with red upper stitching and black lower stitching and
matching leather-wrapped parking brake handle with red stitching are also
unique to Impreza WRX STi.

Competition-Proven Handling
A super-stiff Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame body structure with a
hydroformed front subframe form the basis of the high-integrity Impreza
platform. The 4-wheel independent suspension inherits technology from the
Impreza World Rally Championship competition car, but has been strictly
optimized in the WRX STi for high cornering performance on paved roads.

Compared to the standard WRX, the STi version has been lowered by 0.4-inch,
yielding a lower center of gravity. New inverted struts in the front and
rear suspension reduce unsprung vehicle weight and increase bending
resistance for quicker and more consistent performance under hard
cornering.

The WRX STi employs a quicker steering ratio than the standard WRX model -
15.0-to-1 compared to 16.5-to-1 for the WRX. As standard equipment, Subaru
equips the WRX STi with 17 x 7.5-inch BBS aluminum-alloy wheels and 225/45
ZR17 Bridgestone Potenza RE070 directional performance tires.

Brembo® Brakes with Super Sport ABS
Subaru has equipped the Impreza WRX STi with one of the most advanced and
performance-optimized braking systems on the market today. The powerful
Brembo Performance Brake System employs ventilated 4-wheel disc brakes to
help ensure stopping power and consistency commensurate with the vehicle's
extreme performance capability. The front discs measure 12.7 inches in
diameter and 1.2-inch thick and utilize four-piston, fixed-position
calipers. The rear discs are 12.3 inches in diameter and 0.8-inch thick and
make use of two-piston, fixed-position calipers.

A combination of Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) and a new Super
Sport Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps to reduce stopping distances and
understeer when compared to conventional ABS systems. Conventional ABS
systems control the rear wheels as a pair, reducing the braking force to
both wheels when a loss of traction is detected at either wheel. Using
input from a lateral g-sensor, Super Sport ABS can independently control
the braking forces at each wheel, optimizing the braking ability during
hard cornering - resulting in reduced understeer. EBD also provides a more
precise control of braking pressure between the front and rear wheels based
on the vehicle load to improve stopping distances and stability.

Standard safety features include front seat head/chest side impact air bags
(SRS), dual front airbags and three-point seatbelts. Front seat belts
include electrically triggered pre-tensioners and force limiters. All 2004
Impreza models receive collapsible pedal controls that "break away" during
a frontal impact to help reduce foot injuries.

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