Subaru Impreza WRX STi 2004

Quoth Richard Burns, 2001 WRC driver's titleholder, after the final round of the 2001 season: "Who da man! Nobody messes with me and my Scooby! Now, I think I'm gonna go play some Colin McRae Rally…" For years now, North Americans have been left in the dark concerning the street version of Subaru's rally rocket: the WRX STi. For 2003, the STi receives several nice modifications, but, most importantly, it is now part of Subaru's North American roster.So what's new? A change in the shape of the intercooler water spray nozzle and the air baffle plate inside the air scoop improves the STi's cooling performance, while a revised exhaust manifold improves throttle response and smoothes exhaust flow. New shock absorbers with multiple-layer valves for optimal damping as well as strengthened mounts for the transverse linkages of the front suspension add up to better handling and increased steering precision. The steering wheel itself is a smaller 375mm Momo unit, while the rest of the interior receives a few cosmetic changes and more standard features, such as active front head restraints, which reduce the risk of whiplash injuries.The STi gains spoilers ever which way, including a larger rear one. Its front end has been dramatically revised, yielding a lower drag coefficient, improved high-speed stability and better engine cooling; and should leave bystanders about as opinionated as the old car's. Personally, I found the WRX's googly awkwardness kind of charming, but the new car's aggressive fascia is downright ugly. Where the old car was awkwardly cute, the new one is unpleasantly evil.But objective matters are more important, so on to the kicker: while bitter rival Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII gets diluted to a limp Evo VII by the time it reaches North American shores, the WRX STi goes all out to reach a full 300 horsepower. The horses go through the STi's 6-speed 'box to all four wheels, via a new Driver Control Centre Differential (DCCD). The stakes have been upped once again. Choose your weapon! - by Traian Popescu

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