US Subaru WRX STi...

Looks to me like things have been done right.

Hopefully the price will hang around 30K.

We've had a US WRX since day 1 of release. I don't know if we can score the STi on day 1 (sometime in May, it is rumoured), but it won't be from lack of effort.

 

dont look now but the lancer evolution is finally coming stateside to compete /versus/images/icons/shocked.gif
http://www.club3g.com/members/te/evo.pdf

 

It's good that the STI is finally coming to North America but I have to say they butchered the way it looks now. I really hate the headlights, makes it look a lot like the legacy. I loved the way the old impreza looked, then I slowly got to love the newer ones...but I doubt I'll ever get used to the 2004 model. I doubt the price will be around 30K...more like 50K...save another 50K and import an R34...

Same thing with the Lancer...it doesn't look as mean anymore! /versus/images/icons/mad.gif ....The lancer evo 6 looked so good.

 

I think it's excellent that the Evolution is finally here. It will probably cost less than the STi but not perform as well.

The EVO is missing some of the cool stuff found on Japanese models - 6 speed trans, electronic differentials, and yaw compensation.

Thanks for the link.

 

I don't mind the new headlights. I like the ones on the 2002 model as well. I agree with you about the Legacy resemblance, and I think Forester headlamps share family genetics with the STi as well.

I read an article in CAR magazine that the 2002-3 Impreza models were originally slated to have round tail lights to match the headlamps, but US styling advisors decided that the current tail light configuration would sell more. Too bad - I would like to see the original round tail light designs just for kicks.

US Evolution models (I saw them at the LA Auto Show), just say "Lancer Evolution" on the rear end. No "VIII" designation. Interior is very bland compared to even the current WRX (I didn't compare it to a base Lancer, though). I think the front end is a bit meaner looking than the VI, though. US Evo should sticker around $29k. I hope the STi is less than $31k. I don't want to see the Japanese performance cars price themselves out of the market again. I thought all the Supra's and RX-7's were worth the price), but not enough other people did (which explains why we're blessed with Infiniti, Lexus, and Acura). Side note - if I had $100k to spend on a car, I WOULD GET an R34 VSpec2. I would then modify it to produce 400-500 hp.

Subaru did not have an STi in their booth at the LA show. Not so good. But VW had the R32, a GTI based car with 3.2L 6 cyl, 18" wheels, fender flares, lowered suspension from the factory, 6-speed - that car is not available here yet... but soon /versus/images/icons/cool.gif

All your performance car are belong to us.

It's about time!