The highlight of the '08 STI is the Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive), which is pretty freakin' awesome considering the options you're now given to improve and control your driving experience. Adjust to your liking-it's like shifting your "boys" when "it's" not sitting right-by manipulating the car's driving characteristics with a twist of a knob from three modes: Intelligent, Sport and Sport Sharp. Each mode electronically adjusts engine torque and power to a specific throttle response curve and can really help depending on the driving situation. The '08 six-speed gearbox remains somewhat unchanged from last year's model (same gear ratios at least) but uses an enhanced Driver control center Differential (DccD) version of Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive found only on the STI and, again, gives you three modes-Auto, Auto(-) and Auto(+)-to adjust the torque bias of the limited slip differential by shifting bias, releasing the lock or tightening the diff based on mode selection. There's always the go-to manual mode as well, where you can vary the front-to-rear distribution of torque (max of 50:50) and if you want to mess with traction control, you can toggle through the three modes of the Vehicle Dynamics control (VDc): Normal, Traction and Off. With this many modes of driving available at your fingertips, it can almost seem overwhelming trying to dial in each function while driving, but of course we don't recommend that. Let's just say that if you left the car in normal pursuit mode, it handles just fine and can take a pounding, but you can get it to react to your personal driving style. That gets an A+ for effort in our book.
But the cool new features don't stop there; yes, the STI isn't just a new body with a new engine and drivetrain. Don't forget the interior must-haves for the '08, like the optional touch-screen nav that comes pre-wired for xm or Sirius radio and has bluetooth capability; you've also got more trunk space thanks to a 60/40 split rear folding seat. The seats aren't as form-fitting as the Recaro-equipped STIs, but they are still quite comfortable and the dashboard is much better looking with a brightly lit instrument cluster and space-age trim. Subaru also managed to squeeze in a special treat for those of you living in the bay Area or who have trouble driving stick up steep inclines: the Incline Start Assist, which keeps the car from rolling backward while taking off from a stop. believe us, that came in real handy in a lot of places.
What Subaru's really done for us with the STI is given us a whole lot of car with a whole lot of power, but also for a whole lot of moola. That's right; this one's not going to be cheap as it's going to start off with a price tag of $35,640 for the base model, $37,640 with the bbS wheel option and $39,440 for a fully loaded STI. but will that stop the true enthusiast? Probably not, and that's OK. This STI is worth every penny.
That New Car Smell
'08 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
The Sticker Starting at $35,640
Under The Hood 2.5L DOhc Dual AVcS turbocharged
The Power 305 hp at 6000 rpm; 290 lb-ft at 4000 rpm
Scale Tipping 3,395lbs
Layout Front engine, all-wheel drive Gearbox six-speed manual
Stiff Stuff 4-wheel independent, high performance sport-tuned inverted front struts and rear doublewishbone; front/rear stabilizer bars; all components designed by STI
Rollers 18x8.5 cast alloy (base); bbS forged alloy (optional)
Stoppers brembo 4-wheel disc brakes with 4-channel 4-sensor Super-Sport anti-lock brake system with g-sensor;
Electronic brake-force distribution and brake Assist
At The Pump 17mpg (city)/23 mpg (highway)
The Pack mitsubishi Lancer Evo x
Deep Thoughts You better have the necessary funds in order to play with this STI. Now's a good time to consider dumping those Upper Deck Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie cards.