The Subaru introduced a new 4-door version of the Impreza WRX STI at the New York Auto Show.The new car promises to offer new styling as well as a revised suspension and lighter 18-inch wheels for even sharper handling.
The new standard 18-inch aluminum wheels feature high-luster paint and weigh 17.6 fewer pounds than the previous standard wheels. The optional 18-by-8.5-inch BBS forged aluminum-alloy wheels are highlighted by silver high-luster paint for 2011. These wheels further reduce unsprung vehicle weight. Dunlop SP600 245/40R18 summer performance tires are used with the standard and optional wheels.
New for 2011, the WRX STI interior is finished in black and silver to highlight its sporty design. Trim panels, the steering wheel air bag cover and steering wheel switches are now dark cast metallic. Also, a new AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player is available featuring Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free calling, iPod control capability, a USB port, 3.5mm aux. input jack and XM/SIRIUS satellite radio
The suspension tuning is borrowed from the 2010 WRX STI Special Edition, a tauter, JDM Spec C-based tune that cuts body roll and increases lateral G forces that can be held. The ride is also lower, with new pillow ball bushings up front and stiffer bushings out back to improve feel as well as changing camber and toe. Thicker anti-roll bars are also added front and rear.
The 2011 Impreza WRX STI models will arrive in Subaru dealerships late this summer. Prices will be announced closer to launch.
Press Release
Subaru of America today introduced a new 4-door version of its Impreza WRX
STI performance flagship model. This will be the first time that the WRX STI has
been offered in two body styles (5-door and 4-door). 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 2011 Subaru Impreza STI has been a recipient of continuous improvement since
its introduction.
Most recently, the 2010 WRX STI Special Edition previewed some of the suspension
enhancements now migrated to the 2011 WRX STI. Thorough and painstakingly
detailed chassis development, including testing on Germany's famed Nurburgring
racetrack, has resulted in the best-handling Impreza WRX STI models Subaru has
ever offered.
"The continuous evolution and development of the 2011 Subaru Impreza STI is
driven by the strong, loyal and vocal support from thousands of enthusiastic
owners of this exciting high-performance vehicle," said Tom Doll, executive vice
president and COO of Subaru of America, Inc. "The 2011 4-door 2011 Subaru
Impreza STI will expand the appeal of this iconic performance model to a wider
range of driving enthusiasts."
New Designs for 2011
In front, the 2011 WRX STI models feature sharpened bumper corners and wider,
blacked-out fog lamp nacelles to accentuate the "wide and low" profile. A
jutting lip spoiler with three-dimensional detailing emphasizes the cars' sporty
intent. The newly designed front grille with black base and blacked-out Subaru
wing highlights the headlights' shape to give the entire front end a more
powerful appearance, accentuated by
larger grille and bumper intake openings.
For the 4-door models, newly designed wider rear fenders are stretched out on
the side beyond the tail lamps, accentuating a look of power and stability. The
new design details contribute to an improved drag coefficient.
New Chassis Tuning for 2011
The Subaru WRX STI was already a highly optimized performance machine. Specific
chassis tuning. Aluminum front lower L-arms reduce unsprung vehicle weight.
Major chassis tuning changes include a lowered ride height and new pillow-ball
bushings in front and stiffer bushings for the rear subframe that supports the
double-wishbone suspension – these improve camber and toe stiffness. Both the
front and rear suspension systems employ 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. Spring rates have increased by 15.6 percent in front and 53
percent in the rear.
New standard 18-inch aluminum wheels feature high-luster paint and weigh 17.6
lbs. less than the previous standard wheels. The optional 18 x 8.5-in. BBS®
forged aluminum-alloy wheels, which further reduce unsprung vehicle weight, are
highlighted by silver high-luster paint for 2011.
Exclusive to the 2011 Subaru Impreza STI, the Brembo Performance Brake System
uses ventilated 4-wheel Super Sport anti-lock (ABS) disc brakes with Electronic
Brake-force Distribution (EBD). Super Sport ABS can control the braking forces
at each rear wheel independently, which optimizes braking ability during hard
cornering to help reduce understeer.
The Ultimate Performance Subaru
The 2011 WRX STI continues as the ultimate-performance Subaru with its
high-boost 305-hp turbocharged/intercooled 4-cyl. Boxer engine and 6-speed
manual transmission. The STI also features Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center
Differential (DCCD) version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with three "Auto"
modes, as well as a manual mode with six driver-selectable differential locking
settings.
The 2011 Subaru Impreza STI is equipped with advanced dynamic control systems,
as well: the Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction
control system is standard and features a track performance-optimized mode;
Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) technology allows the driver to tailor the
car's driving characteristics by choosing from among three selectable modes –
"Intelligent," "Sport" and "Sport Sharp" – using a rotary dial on the center
console.
The 2011 Impreza WRX STI models arrive in Subaru dealerships late this summer.
Sporty, Spacious and Versatile Interior
New for 2011, the 2011 Subaru Impreza STI interior is finished in black and
silver to highlight its sporty design. Trim panels, the steering wheel air bag
cover and steering wheel switches are now dark cast metallic.
The standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel is a three-spoke,
leather-wrapped design embossed with the STI logo and features control switches
for Bluetooth® hands-free phone function. 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). An available navigation system integrates a vehicle
information center and Bluetooth hands-free calling.
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI) unveiled the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI and
WRX (U.S. specifications) models today at the New York International Auto Show
(Press day: March 31 and April 1; Open to the public from April 2 through 11).
The 2011 Subaru Impreza STI offers superior driving performance befitting a
sports model and is Subaru’s performance flagship. The 2011 Subaru Impreza STI
also offers high levels of safety thanks to the Horizontally-Opposed (Boxer)
turbo engine serving as a core of the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system
with its excellent weight balance and a low center of gravity.
Developed under the concept of “The Fastest WRX STI Ever”, the 2011 model has
achieved even more advanced driving performance due to a finely tuned
suspension. To attain such superior performance, the model underwent repeated
testing at the Nurburgring track in Germany as well as in Japan, which served to
refine the essential nature of the car as a true driver’s car that offers “total
driving control” with a high level of cornering performance, secure and supreme
sure handling, and overall vehicle stability.
New 4-Door Sedan
In order to further pursue the performance expected of a road sports model, a
4-door model has been added to the lineup to provide a new Subaru AWD
performance sedan.
New Wide-Body WRX 4- and 5-Door
Adopting the same wide body as the 2011 Subaru Impreza STI, the Impreza WRX
features wider tread and tire widths which, together with a finely tuned
suspension, provide remarkable improvements to stability and road-holding
performance when driving at high speeds. The 4-door and 5-door models have been
thoroughly upgraded in terms of styling and driving performance for enhanced
product appeal.
Main Improvements for the 2011 Subaru Impreza STI
1. Exterior
• The new 4-door model, along with the 5-door, includes a “wide and low” design
concept that is a perfect match for this advanced performance model and gives
the impression of dynamic and powerful road presence.
• The corners of the bumpers have been enlarged and the areas around the fog
lamps have been blacked out in order to provide a front face shape that
expresses a sense of reassuring stability. The newly designed front grill
features virile black tones which, together with enlarged grill and bumper
openings, serve to project functionality matching the vehicle’s high
performance. The adoption of a forward-surging shape for the lip spoiler at the
bottom of the bumper further enhances the sportiness. (For both 4-door and
5-door models)
• Like the 5-door model, a blister fender running from the front to the rear,
providing a side view with a sense of dynamic movement, has been adopted for the
new 4-door model. The rear fender has a strong design that emphasises the wider
track of the rear tires and the performance sedan characteristics.
• For the rear view of the 4-door model, the rear fender surface is stretched
beyond the outer side of the combination lamps, emphasizing the thickness of the
rear end, thereby providing a design that expresses stability. Additionally, the
diffuser shape incorporated at the bottom of the rear bumper completely envelops
the muffler for a refined, sporty look.
• A striking larger rear spoiler was exclusively designed for the STI 4-door
model. The spoiler has a three-dimensional shape in consideration of the
aerodynamics of the wing and further serves to symbolise the advanced
performance of the 2011 Subaru Impreza STI.
• The twin-dual muffler cutters feature a new design unique to the 4-door model.
Stainless steel is used to express both sportiness and high product quality.
• Lightweight 18-inch aluminum wheels have been newly adopted as standard
equipment, and these have been given a high luster finish to heighten the sense
of luxury. Additionally, the optional BBS 18-inch wheels are provided with a
high luster finish. (For both 4-door and 5-door models)
• The new color of “Plasma Blue Silica” has been added. (For both 4-door and
5-door models)
2. Interior (For both 4-door and 5-door models)
• The colors of the instrument panel, door trim and steering decorative parts
have been changed to a dark metallic hue. The contrast of this hue with the
silver decorative parts produces a sporty cockpit.
• A Bluetooth®* function has been added to the standard audio. Additionally, a
switch for Bluetooth hands-free communication has been added to the steering
wheel to improve convenience.
* Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth® Sig, Inc. USA.
• A USB jack has been installed inside the console box in order to provide for
use of USB input devices.
3. Mechanisms (For both 4-door and 5-door models)
• The overall suspension setup has been completely revised and the vehicle
height lowered by 5 mm in order to provide high-precision handling that allows a
driver to accurately power through lines exactly as required.
• A new aluminum lower arm has been designed for the front suspension, while the
rear arm bushes have been changed to a pillow-ball type. These work to improve
toe and tread rigidity in order to provide handling performance that is even
more faithful to the driver’s steering control.
• The specifications of the sub-frame bushings of the rear suspension have been
changed to improve the toe and camber rigidity, resulting in increased vehicle
responsiveness and road hugging capability.
• Specialised tuning of the damping force of both front and rear dampers
provides secure road-holding ability. Changes to specifications of the front and
rear coil springs, and stabilizers have greatly improved roll rigidity.
<2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Major Specifications> (US. Specification models)
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
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