THE WING IS BACK!
SUBARU DEBUTS NEW 4-DOOR IMPREZA(r) WRX(r) STI(r) MODEL FOR 2011
- First Time Subaru Performance Flagship Offered in Two Body Styles
- New WRX STI Four-Door with Wide-Body Design
- Retuned Suspension for Even Sharper Handling
New York, April 1, 2010 - Subaru of America today introduced a new 4-door version of the 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 WRX STI features heavily revised suspension tuning and lighter 18-inch wheels for even sharper handling.
The WRX 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 WRX 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 WRX STI will expand the appeal of this iconic performance model to a wider range of driving enthusiasts."
The 2011 Impreza WRX STI models arrive in Subaru dealerships late this summer.
All-New 4-Door Wide Body Design for 2011
The new WRX STI 4-door design is based on a "wide and low" concept that gives the car an aggressive road presence. Like the wide-body design already used for the 5-door WRX STI, the new 4-door WRX STI features widened front and rear track dimensions and wider, more pronounced front fenders and rear quarter panels. The design maintains a consistent flow from front to rear bumper, creating a distinctive identity and a sense of stability.
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 a black grille inset and blacked-out Subaru floating wing also signify the 2011 model and set off the headlights' shape to give the entire front end a more powerful appearance.
For the WRX STI 4-door sedan model, newly designed wider rear fenders are stretched out on the side more than the tail lamps, and this accentuates a look of stability. A striking larger rear spoiler was exclusively designed for the STI 4-door. The new design details contribute to an improved drag coefficient, and the rear spoiler design contributes to stable high-speed handling and achievement of zero lift. The WRX STI 4-door features its own version of the polished stainless steel quad-tailpipe exhaust, with tailpipe diameter enlarged to three inches.
New WRX STI Chassis Tuning for 2011
The Subaru WRX STI was already a highly optimized performance machine. Changes in chassis tuning for 2011 reflect both owner / enthusiast feedback and the brand's commitment to keeping this model at the peak of the segment's performance offerings. The fundamentals remain the same as before, but specific tuning - previewed by the 2010 WRX STI Special Edition - results in reduced body roll, more neutral handling response and higher lateral-G capability.
The basics: The WRX STI delivers ultra-crisp handling along with everyday ride compliance. High-tensile-strength steel is used at key structural points and the suspension-mounting areas. Inverted struts used for the front suspension provide high bending resistance for quicker and more consistent performance under hard cornering. Aluminum front lower L-arms reduce unsprung vehicle weight.
Major changes to suspension tuning for the 2011 WRX STI 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. (The 2010 WRX STI Special Edition already had the thicker rear stabilizer.) Spring rates have increased by 15.6 percent in front and 53 percent in the rear. (Rear spring rate for the 2011 WRX STI is 18-percent over the already-higher rate rear springs introduced in 2010 WRX STI Special Edition).
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(r) 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.