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| WRX STI |
Subaru heard the complaints and has made an effort to right its wrongs for 2011 by returning the STI sedan to the lineup and thoroughly reworking the suspension. This leads us to our newest long-termed, a 2011 “WR blue pearl” Impreza WRX STI Limited sedan.
To morph the sedan into an STI, it gained the wide-body panels from the hatch, bigger wheels and tires, STI budging and the signature tall rear wing. Central to the suspension improvements are new pillow-ball bushings attaching the aluminum lower control arms to the front suspension’s sub frame. While the old STI used less expensive rubber bushings with steel sleeves, the new design employs steel bearings to provide twice the stiffness to fore/aft forces and to improve camber and toe stiffness.
In addition, spring rates are increased 15.6 percent up front and 53.0 percent in the rear, ride height drops five millimeters, and the ant roll bars are thicker compared with those on the 2010 STI. The result, according to Subaru, is 33 percent less body roll.
The 2008–10 Subaru WRX STI was something of an enigma, a bit like people who enjoy eating headcheese. Stiffer springs, thicker front and rear anti-roll bars, revised front control-arm bushings, and firmer rear sub frame bushings have been fitted.
Unlike the WRX, the STI features the adjustable SI-Drive system that allows the pilot to tune throttle response, and there are multiple modes for the STI-specific driver-controlled center differential (DCCD). At 3420 pounds, the sedan we tested here was 34 pounds heavier than our long-term 2008 STI hatch. Both STI models get a more aggressive front fascia and a blacked-out grille; the sedan gets a wing that’s big enough to adorn a Formula 1 car.
The STI rides in a suppler, controlled manner than the previous car, despite the stiffer front springs, which also help mitigate under steer at the limit.
The only thing separating them visually is the BBS wheels and the STI sedan’s gigantic wing. We’d stick with the WRX.
This latest version of Subarus venerable Impreza WRX STI features a striking exterior that understates this cars very real performance credentials.
Standard front seat mount, and front and rear curtain airbags offer occupant protection. All STI receive standard heated mirrors, front seats, and windshield wiper de-icier for 2011. The standard audio system now features a single CD, USB port, and audio streaming.
