UK - At last Subaru sees sense and the WRX STi is BACK and cheaper than before.

• Iconic model returns in summer
• Improvements to driveability, safety and packaging
• Priced at £28,995 OTR

It seems like only yesterday when the last WRX STI was sold in the UK amid an outcry of sentiment on the sad loss of this iconic model. Less than one year on, Subaru UK confirms the new WRX STI is coming to these shores in summer.

The good news for performance car fans around the country is that as a result of the recent movements in exchange rates, the new model will be priced at a highly competitive £28,995 when it hits showrooms in May, some £4,000 cheaper than its predecessor.

Unveiled at the Detroit motor show earlier today (14 January) the new WRX STI is based on the WRX saloon car launched at the LA show in November, but with some significant enhancements.

During development, Subaru honed the driveability of the new WRX STI to perfection, testing it under a wide variety of conditions around the world. As with past generations of the model, extensive testing also took place on Germany's Nürburgring circuit to ensure the WRX STI is the pinnacle of Subaru AWD sports performance.

At its heart is a 2.5 litre turbo-charged Subaru Boxer four-pot engine, which in STI guise, produces 305hp and 290lb/ft of torque. The six-speed gearbox has been reinforced and now adopts even shorter throw and slicker, sportier shift feel.

Subaru’s trademark Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive employs the latest vehicle dynamics control (VDC) and Active Torque Vectoring for maximum control and driver engagement. Spring and damper rates have been meticulously re-tuned to provide a more compliant ride while retaining body composure, and the electronic power steering is now mounted on a more rigid steering gearbox mount for improved fuel efficiency and more ‘direct’ feel and response.

An increase in wheelbase of 25mm gives the new WRX STI greater rear leg room as well as more shoulder and elbow room inside the cabin, without increasing the exterior dimensions. By moving the bottom of the A-pillars forward by 200mm and adding a quarter light to the front window, drivers have better visibility all round. Boot space is increased and ingress and egress are improved with larger door apertures.  

A lot of work has also gone into improving the perceived quality of the WRX STI interior. For the new model, highlights include a new D-shaped steering wheel of smaller diameter and designed to give the driver maximum feel. Soft touch materials are used in key areas while new dials and carbon effect and metal trim is also employed to give the STI both a suitably sporty feel and more upmarket ambience.

UK buyers can expect a comprehensive standard spec, in addition to changes over the WRX on the exterior design including the large signature rear wing and larger diameter wheels. At the rear, the diffuser integrated bumper and twin dual mufflers are unmistakably Subaru while new 18in. alloy wheels are designed to be both lighter and more rigid. LED lighting is employed for the headlights, tail and brake lights while ‘STI’ badges are found on the front grille and wings.

This week Subaru UK will be launching a dedicated area of its website (www.subaru.co.uk)  where prospective owners can register their interest. Subaru in Japan has confirmed that a Fuji Heavy Industries entered STI will compete in this year’s Nurburgring 24hr race in June, where the team will be attempting to win its class for a third year in succession.

Paul Tunnicliffe, Subaru UK Managing Director commented: “We wanted to acknowledge the following the WRX STI has, and while both the market and the Brand in the UK has changed in recent years, the WRX STI remains a demonstration of Subaru’s technical know-how.

“The new model will only be available in limited numbers when it goes on sale in summer nevertheless we were keen to give our performance car fans the opportunity to try it here for  themselves.”

Major specifications:

Length / width / height: 4,595 x 1,795 x 1,475 mm*3

Wheelbase: 2,650 mm

Engine: 2.5 litre Horizontally-Opposed turbo

Displacement: 2,457 cc

Transmission: six-speed manual

Maximum output: 305 hp / 6,000 rpm

Maximum torque: 290 lb.-ft. / 4,000 rpm

Tyre size: 245/40 R18

Seating capacity: 5

Further details of the new WRX STI will be announced in coming weeks.

Subaru launches new WRX at Los Angeles Motor Show.

• World premiere of new high performance saloon at Los Angeles Motor Show
• US-specification models equipped with new 2.0-litre turbo Boxer engine
• Choice of six-speed manual and Sport Lineartronic transmissions
• All-new design, greater practicality and higher quality interior for iconic model

The all-new Subaru WRX, the latest in a line of sports saloons from the Japanese brand, today made its world premiere at the 2013 Los Angeles Motor Show. Equipped with Subaru’s famous Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and hallmark Boxer engine, the new WRX combines sports-car performance with four-door saloon practicality.

The new WRX adopts some of the design elements of the Concept seen earlier in the year,  with aggressive yet refined styling. The front of the new model features Subaru’s unified design motif, the hexagonal grille, while the shape of the new ‘hawkeye’ headlights helps emphasise the car’s low, wide stance. The base of the A-pillar has been moved forwards 200mm giving the car a sleeker silhouette, while the C-pillar flows more smoothly into the rear of the car which is characterised by a diffuser and twin exhausts integrated into the rear bumper while a lip spoiler is designed to enhance aerodynamic performance.

At its heart, the US specification WRX features a new, high-performance 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed direct injection turbo (DIT) Boxer engine, which offers much improved performance over the outgoing 2.5-litre model. The new engine produces 268bhp at 5,600rpm and 258 lb ft torque from 2,000-5,200 rpm (compared to 265bhp at 6,000rpm and 244 lb ft torque at 4,400rpm for the 2.5-litre engine). It also offers improved environmental performance.

The new WRX is equipped as standard with a six-speed manual transmission and a newly developed Sport Lineartronic CVT with an eight-speed shifting mode is available as an option. The shift response of the Lineartronic transmission has been improved for its application in the new WRX.

Subaru engineers have optimised the WRX’s suspension geometry for high performance handling. A stiffer body and carefully-tuned suspension have quickened the vehicle’s response to driver inputs and raised the WRX’s cornering limits. Combined with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) and Active Torque Vectoring, Subaru has manged to achieve even more predictable, yet engaging handling. The electric power steering features more rigid steering gearbox mounts for improved fuel efficiency and a more direct steering feel.

Greater use of ultra-high tensile steel throughout the body of the car has also made the new model lighter and more rigid than the previous-generation, while new safety structures for the bonnet and bulkhead, and greater use of collision-absorbing materials in the engine bay, further improve crash safety performance and pedestrian protection.

Realising improvements to the WRX’s everyday usability, Subaru engineers have stretched the wheelbase of the new model by 25mm (to 2,650mm), expanding rear legroom and improving elbow- and shoulder-room for all passengers. Door openings for front and rear passengers have been enlarged for easier ingress/egress and boot space has been expanded.

US specification models also benefit from new 17-inch alloy wheel designs which are both more rigid and lighter. LED lighting is employed for front and rear lights.

Crucially, the driver-focused interior of the new WRX features higher quality materials and improved design over the outgoing model, with carbon and metal trim accents throughout the cabin and greater use of soft-touch materials. A new flat-bottomed steering wheel and supportive sports seats leave driver and passengers in no doubt about the WRX’s intentions and sports oriented styling carries into many of the details with subtle silver ‘WRX’ logos, red stitching and red lighting. A new 3.5-inch LCD colour display shows the vehicle status at all times, while a revised multi-function display includes a boost pressure gauge.

The new Subaru WRX will go on sale in North America and Japan later in 2014. It is currently unconfirmed whether a new WRX model will come to the UK.

USA - Subaru smashed 2012 full year sales with two months to go

• October sales increased 32 percent over last October
• Year-to-date sales are 347,890, up 28 percent over 2012

Subaru of America, Inc. reported that the company has surpassed its previous annual sales record with two months of reporting remaining for the year. Subaru sold 34,483 vehicles in October and 347,890 total vehicles in 2013. The previous record for annual sales was set in 2012 with 336,441 vehicles sold. This new record means that 2013 will be the fifth consecutive year of sales records for Subaru of America and the sixth consecutive year of sales increases. Subaru is the only manufacturer to increase sales each year for the last six years.

October sales for Forester increased 137 percent, reaching 12,581 vehicles sold. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the 2014 Forester a 2013 IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Forester was also named Motor Trend 2014 Sport/Utility Vehicle of the Year – a second win for Forester and a third win for the Subaru brand.

“We have incredibly hardworking retailers who have made these results possible; and we have the right product for consumers,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “2013 will be another very successful year for Subaru and we look forward to sales of the XV Crosstrek Hybrid – Subaru’s first-ever hybrid vehicle – in December.”

“We have seen record numbers of consumers shopping the Subaru brand and we have seen wonderful acceptance across our line-up. Consumers are not just shopping a single model – there has been demand for Outback, Forester, XV Crosstrek, Impreza as well as our performance models WRX and STI,” said Bill Cyphers, senior vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. “Almost 60 percent of our sales this year have been to customers new to the brand and we have worked closely with our parent company to smartly manage our inventory to meet the demand,” added Cyphers.