Ltd Edition WRX Sti - want one?

[Mike Rotch]

Subaru's fastest and most powerful Impreza yet – the WRX STi WR1 – is about to enter showrooms in the UK with more than half of the 500 limited run already spoken for... which isn't surprising, when you consider how they go.

The special edition was created to celebrate Petter Solberg winning the 2003 World Rally Drivers' championship and has a power upgrade to around 240kW plus a host of technical and visual upgrades.

The car, developed by ProDrive, was unveiled in January at the Autosport in the UK show and has just received official Subaru (UK) engineering approval after recording the best performance figures yet for a road-legal, UK-spec Impreza.

For example, 0-100km/h in 4.25 seconds and 0-160 in 10.67. ProDrive technicians also logged a quarter-mile time of 12.8 while the top speed is limited to 250km/h – the European "gentlemen's agreement" between most performance car manufacturers.

By comparison, the standard 200kW Impreza STi is quoted with a 0-160km/h time of 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 244km/h.

Peak power for the WR1 is 240kW at a relatively low 5800rpm, with maximum torque of 420Nm at 4000 rpm.

The standard STi produces 199kW at 6000rpm and 343Nm at 4000rpm while the optional ProDrive-developed Performance Pack liberates 240kW and 405Nm at the same revs.

Other test track statistics see the WR1 shaving 0.7 seconds off the STi's 50-80km/h time in 4th – down to four seconds – and 0.8 seconds off the 50-70mph (80-112km/h) time in 5th – now 4.6 seconds.

Finally, illustrating its supercar performance, the new WR1 has a 130-160km/h time of a only 3.6 seconds in 4th gear and 6.5 seconds in 6th (4.6 and 7.8 for the STi).

The WR1's extra power and torque are achieved thanks to a revised engine control unit (ECU), high-flow catalyst and sports silencer.

Also guaranteed to excite enthusiasts is a driver-controlled centre differential (DCCD) – there's a switch next to the handbrake that allows torque distribution between front and rear wheels to be manually selected.

Hence the driver can choose a sharper cornering turn-in or more stable straight-line running. The system defaults to auto mode whenever the ignition is restarted.

Also new for the WR1 are special ProDrive-developed uprated springs and bump-stops with a 25mm lower ride height.

Other handling-enhancing features include 18" spoked alloy rims and 225/45 Pirelli P Zero tyres.

Externally, the WR1 can be instantly recognised thanks to its new Ice Blue Metallic paint plus driving lights and a grille made of stainless-steel mesh.

Interior changes include anthracite instead of blue suede-effect seats, a special gear knob, imaged carpet mats and a tax disc holder engraved with the special-edition number.

Features shared with all Impreza WRX STi's range from a six-speed gearbox to Brembo brakes and front and rear Suretrac differentials.

 

[Race Idiot]

Whats 240kw in bhp?

Very agressive looking, I like it.

 

[Party for GT4]

To go into Scooby nerd-speak, I prefer the
Subaru Impreza WRX STi Type RA Spec C (J version).
This one:

 

[Mike Rotch]

240Kw = 322 Hp

420n.M = 309.7761 lb/foot

 

[Party for GT4]

The Spec C has330bhp+ 290lb/ft and weighs 1310kg (120kg less than the standard STi.
Another pic:

 

[pimp racer]

Man only 400 being built not enough i mean at least 500.

 

[Jay]

Originally posted by Mike Rotch
By comparison, the standard 200kW Impreza STi is quoted with a 0-160km/h time of 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 244km/h.

am i the only one that noticed this?

 

[Mike Rotch]

Yea, that is a mistake, otherwise..

*looks up subaru dealer in yellow pages*

 

[DRIFT4EVA]

Imagine if it could do 160Kph in 5.1 Seconds. That would open up a can of whoop a** on all ricers even though the car is still stock.

 

[TS1AWD]

My goal in life is to have one EVO and one of those!!!

 

[TsLeng]

Originally posted by TS1AWD
My goal in life is to have one EVO and one of those!!!

Why? Any 1 of them will be good enough. They're in the same class(and performance) anyway.

 

[Party for GT4]

I've always prefered scoobies.

 

[eddieturner2002]

This has obviously been released to compete with the new SE Evo realeased with 320 odd bhp. Subaru say its released becaused Solberg won WRC, but we know different, right.

 

[Majarvis]

Originally posted by eddieturner2002
This has obviously been released to compete with the new SE Evo realeased with 320 odd bhp

The what now?

 

[TS1AWD]

Originally posted by TsLeng
Why? Any 1 of them will be good enough. They're in the same class(and performance) anyway.

I love both of the cars just as much. If I had to choose I would take the EVO. My girlfriend wants to drive the STi while I drive the EVO. (In a perfect world)

 

[Fenrir51]

Id rather have a Ford RS200 but thats me

 

[Lt.Doomsday]

i rather have a 4x4 Truck.

pref.70 or 80's Chevy with mildy built 383,built tranmission,33 swamper tires and painted either Silver or Black

 

[Delphic Reason]

Originally posted by Fenrir51
Id rather have a Ford RS200 but thats me

Agreed.... or an Audi S1 Rally Edition, like this one, I took a picture of, at a local rally..........

Gotta love the Rally roots........ Go Group B!!!!

 

[rollazn]

Originally posted by Party for GT4
The Spec C has330bhp+ 290lb/ft and weighs 1310kg (120kg less than the standard STi.
Another pic:

Actually its rated at the same 280ps/ 276bhp. They said to have dynoed around 300, also where did you get the 330bhp figure, im just wondering, im sure they pump out around that number.

As for the strong STi wise is the 98 22B. Only 400 was built. Producing a power of 350hp, when dynoed. It was rated at the 280ps just like any other japanese cars. It produce the most power of any STi and the most power of all production japanese sport car making 350hp. It has 302ft/lb torque thats quite impressive.

 

[Goomba]

Originally posted by eddieturner2002
This has obviously been released to compete with the new SE Evo realeased with 320 odd bhp. Subaru say its released becaused Solberg won WRC, but we know different, right.

I believe that is Subaru Impreza WRX STi V-Limited, not the WR1.

Oh, and that frost blue color that they have is teh sex.

 

[eddieturner2002]

Originally posted by Majarvis
The what now?

An Evo has recently been released at a limited edition that has 320 odd bhp and this has obviously been released to compete with it.