Report: Subaru Coupe STI Model Possible, But Without Turbo

[Hachiroku]

TOKYO -- Subaru will display the production version of the long-awaited sporty car it is co-developing with Toyota at the Tokyo Motor Show in December.

The rear-wheel-drive car, which has a Subaru-designed drivetrain and Toyota-styled body, goes on sale next year. Toyota will sell its version as a Scion in the United States.

Subaru expects a longer-than-average life cycle for the car and is looking at variant packages, including a possible STI version, to keep the offering fresh, says Toshio Masuda, a Subaru senior general manager of product planning.

Subaru's STI tuner package typically offers turbocharging, lower profile tires, more powerful brakes and sport-tuned suspension. But going turbo is doubtful: Subaru officials say the vehicle's original concept calls for keeping the engine naturally aspirated.

The car will be built on a new line at Subaru's plant in Gumma, Japan. Styling will draw from Toyota FT-86 concepts that have made the auto show rounds since 2009.

Power is expected to come from a new generation 2.0-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine that will be used in the redesigned Subaru Impreza arriving this fall. But the engine will be positioned nearly 5 inches lower than in the Impreza to bring down the car's center of gravity and improve handling.

The car also will have Toyota's D-4S fuel injection system. And unlike the new Impreza, which gets an option for a continuously variable transmission, the sporty car will get a manual or automatic.

Subaru hasn't officially commented on the price. But Japan's Nikkan Kogyo business daily said the company plans to price the car in the $20,000 range.

Source: Autonews (subscription required)

[tranzformer]

Thanks for the news. If the WRX STI has a $9-10k price premium over the standard WRX could we expect something similar with this? Or would it be less than that?

[iff2mastamatt]

STI? You just got my attention.

[Dark]

Scion TRD or Subaru STi? Pick and choose.

[Random_Art]

$9-10k premium for a STI version that doesn't have turbo bits attached to it doesn't make sense to me. $3-5k would be more reasonable

[R_E_L]

that must be where the super massive spoiler comes in

[bofa]

Oh no, here goes the NA/turbo chat again...

[Maxim]

Simple. Slap a bored-out 2.5L version of the same engine in it. If they can achieve 200hp from 2.0L, they can achieve 250hp from 2.5L.

I think I like the sound of that even more than a turbo variant. Better engine sounds and it's above my threshold for acceptable power.

Combined with the very small frontal area and what will likely be a good coefficient of drag, 250hp can actually achieve quite good high speed performance.

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by Dark

Scion TRD or Subaru STi? Pick and choose.

Just for the reason that's it's a Scion, I'm going Subaru all the way! At this point, I can care less that's not turbo'd, I'm just happy there is going to be a Subaru version, hopefully going to the US too.

[dilly-o]

well they can't call it an STi unless its got some serious power behind it. STi is not some damn appearance package.

so if a turbo is ruled out, then an FB25 w/ D4S seems like the most logical choice. i doubt an H6 would fit under there...

EDIT: or this rumor is BS, like 95% of the garbage that gets spewed out about the toyobaru.

[Maxim]

I would pay low 30k for a version of the car that still weighed ~2750lbs, with 250hp, brembos, a REALLY good rear diff, some aero work, visual niceties, and an even more performance oriented suspension. Toss some excellent summer-only rubber into the package (Pilot Sport 2s please!) and I will throw my money at them.

Assuming the rest of the car is still good, of course.

Hell, Toyota knows how to do a good launch control system. Throw that in there too. Then copy the "synchro rev match" system from Nissan.

Good fixed HID lights would be a must as well at that price point.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by Maxim

Simple. Slap a bored-out 2.5L version of the same engine in it. If they can achieve 200hp from 2.0L, they can achieve 250hp from 2.5L.

I think I like the sound of that even more than a turbo variant. Better engine sounds and it's above my threshold for acceptable power.

Combined with the very small frontal area and what will likely be a good coefficient of drag, 250hp can actually achieve quite good high speed performance.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by Maxim

I would pay low 30k for a version of the car that still weighed ~2750lbs, with 250hp, brembos, a REALLY good rear diff, some aero work, visual niceties, and an even more performance oriented suspension. Toss some excellent summer-only rubber into the package (Pilot Sport 2s please!) and I will throw my money at them.

Assuming the rest of the car is still good, of course.

Hell, Toyota knows how to do a good launch control system. Throw that in there too. Then copy the "synchro rev match" system from Nissan.

Good fixed HID lights would be a must as well at that price point.

You read my mind so perfectly!!!!

[Dark]

Originally Posted by dilly-o

well they can't call it an STi unless its got some serious power behind it. STi is not some damn appearance package.

so if a turbo is ruled out, then an FB25 w/ D4S seems like the most logical choice. i doubt an H6 would fit under there...

EDIT: or this rumor is BS, like 95% of the garbage that gets spewed out about the toyobaru.

It doesn't need turbo to bump the power up. With all the brembo brake, tweaked suspension and recaro seat, they can easily call it an STi.