Through Ian's Lens: 2008 Subaru Impreza STI

The Subaru Impreza received a complete redesign for 2008, six years after its last update. Boy, did it need it. The four-door hatchback — there’s also a sedan version — has finally shed its ghastly oblong rear windows and rounded rear end, replacing it with a more angled, aggressive hatch. The front has followed the design cues of its big brother, the Subaru Tribeca, and rid itself of the split grille, replacing it with a nice curved façade. A single hard body line moves from the corner of the headlight across the top of the front fender, past both door handles and finishing at the flared corner of the rear taillight. The STI model I shot has a few exterior features that are quite impressive, including multiple LED brake lights and a generous yet subtle spoiler. The engine in this car still revs at rally levels, but for the first time the exterior wants to live in the city. More photos below.

Comments

[Happymantis]

Not to be critical, but this thing looks like the Darth Vader of all hatchbacks...

But still seems to be a great car, though.

[Spanky]

I know I may be beating a dead horse here, but I don't understand why Subaru, who had such a healthy competition with the EVO, would risk making the STI a hatchback. It seems to be a hotbutton issue with enthusiasts...you like them or you don't. With a sedan model I believe you already had a competitive advantage over Mitsu with "at least" the perception of greater longevity.

[Dave T.]

Spanky,
All anyone said over the last STI was "Why isn't there a hatchback" now everyone is saying "why isn't there a sedan?" My guess is next model year they'll add a sedan though.

[Graham]

Spanky, you need to realise why there is an STI in the first place. The car is the basis for the WRC cars, and the hatchback format is dominant in WRC. You may note that Mitsubishi have been out of the WRC for some years now as the Evo just wasn't up to the task. Ever since Citroen entered WRC, Subaru, Mitusbishi and others have all struggled to compete. The hatchback STI is intended to fix that, and just because many Americans don't like hatchbacks isn't going to alter that.

[Mart]

"...but this thing looks like the Darth Vader of all hatchbacks..."

You say that like it's a BAD thing!!

Seriously, compared to the boring lower spec versions this looks badass. I like how it still looks like a bulbous mutation of a lesser car rather than the more sophisticated look of the new Evo.

And in reply to the question about the sedan. Have you SEEN the sedan Impreza? It's hideous, making the wheelbase look shorter and the body heavier. When you factor in less practicality, the question about this country's love affair with the sedan seems more and more perplexing...

[J]

Graham,

You just spoke my mind out!

People just don't understand what and why the STi is there the first place. Plus, they don't understand what's the merit of a hatch in the compact field!

[Spanky]

To Graham & J: Like I said...It's a hotbutton issue. I thought the WRC had a displacement limit of 2.0liter...perhaps it's changed, but Subaru deviated from that in 2002. I believe the Japanese version of the '08 is going to have a 2.0 and here it's going to be 2.5 still. That's not really sticking with the WRC theme either. I thought Subaru was in the business to SELLING cars. We'll see in the next year how many people pony up to buy one. For my money...I'd still buy the EVO (if I had it of course).

[Roy219]

Ian's photographs using various environs in Chicago as a backdrop for automobiles is once again exemplary with this set. Great job Ian!

[Mart]

Ok, this isn't really a Subaru question but a hatchback question, but it fits into the issues discussed in the posts in here.

Tell me, why do people like sedans ove rhatchbacks here, yet nobody seems to have a dislike for SUVs when they are essentially just big hatchbacks with a higher ride height?

From my view, a hatchback is far more practical than a sedan ever will be, hence why you don't get sedan SUVs. You can get more and usually bulkier stuff in them, and most of the time they look better although of course that is subjective. But for smaller cars especially, hatchbacks surely make more sense?

This is true especially if you compare a Focus or Cobalt - surely a hatch is MUCH more desirable than a 2 door coupe?

[mr. t]

is it me, or does it have an odd resemblence of a smaller, more rounded out Ford Edge?