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Old 06-26-2007, 01:59 PM   #1
ricochet
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Default 2008 Impreza: Facts, not opinions.



2008 Impreza: Facts, not opinions.
By: Ryan Douthit, Subiesport Magazine

Related Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP6s8VhayVk

At last we had a chance to test drive the 2008 Subaru Impreza. What do we think of it? Unfortunately, you'll have to wait until August for our driving impression, which will be available at Subiesport.com. The in-depth review will appear in an upcoming print edition of the magazine. In the meanwhile, we have some solid facts we wanted to share with you about this new car.

First, the automatic transmission is new. Out with the 4EAT, in with the ACT-4 with Sportshift. When asked, Subaru claimed the new transmission was lighter than the 5EAT, performed better than the 4EAT and was a cost effective solution. For manual-tranny fans, the 5MT has received some additional improvements, though these are evolutionary design changes.

The motor, too, is new to the Impreza. Basically it's a Subaru Legacy GT 2.5 flat-4 with a Mitsubishi TD04 turbo. According to Subaru engineers any current LGT turbo should fit the plumbing no problem. VF40 upgrade anyone?

Moving to the back, there are even more fresh changes. The rear suspension is now a sophisticated double-wishbone configuration. This opens up trunk space and, "enhances driving dynamics." For buyers looking to immediately upgrade to coilovers, the market will need time to respond to this new design. The 2007 coilovers simply will not fit.

In addition to a new suspension setup, the car is also riding on a longer wheelbase. This adds greater legroom for both front and backseat occupants.

Gone is the rear limited-slip differential in the WRX. Instead Subaru chose to focus on the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), standard on the WRX, and an option on the non-turbo 2.5i. Again, we asked the Subaru engineers if the 2007 differentials will work in the new chassis, and they said it should be an easy installation, if someone was so inclined.

The stereo is trick. The optional navigation system will play DVDs (when the handbrake is engaged, of course), or your choice of video when plugged into the RCA jacks located in the elbow rest. Otherwise, it is very similar to the navigation system previously available in the 2007 Tribeca and other upscale Subaru models.

There is a whole laundry list of new features designed to create a more enjoyable driving experience. Pricing has not been officially announced, but it was suggested that pricing will be similar to the outgoing 2007 models. The 2008's will be available near the end of August.
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Old 06-26-2007, 02:03 PM   #2
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good stuff... except for maybe the focus on vdc... I thought that wasn't available on 5mt subarus. I guess either I was wrong or the 5mt will have open diffs.
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Old 06-26-2007, 02:06 PM   #3
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Finally a cool stereo!
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Old 06-26-2007, 02:08 PM   #4
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So the rear diff is open now? Why would they do that?
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Old 06-26-2007, 02:10 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WRXVT View Post
good stuff... except for maybe the focus on vdc... I thought that wasn't available on 5mt subarus. I guess either I was wrong or the 5mt will have open diffs.
I asked about VDC on the 5MT and the reply was "Yes, the 5-speed also has VDC." Since I didn't think that was possible, I apparently need to do more reading on this.

Ryan Douthit, Publisher
Subiesport Magazine
http://www.subiesport.com
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Old 06-26-2007, 02:15 PM   #6
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ricochet,
by what you said about the turbo upgrading, does that mean we will be limited to what we can upgrade because of space?
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Old 06-26-2007, 02:17 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by darksc00by View Post
ricochet,
by what you said about the turbo upgrading, does that mean we will be limited to what we can upgrade because of space?
So long as it fits in the Legacy, it should fit on the new Impreza. Of course, that's just based on information, and not based on real-world application. Your mileage may vary.
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Old 06-26-2007, 02:30 PM   #8
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I think the addition of VDC is going to be good for this car, hopefully the crash rates will decrease, thus lowering the insurance costs for the 08 model. Although I am not sure how well the VDC system will work without the LSD in the rear. My mom has a 3.0R wagon with VDC, I am really impressed how that thing handles on the occasional freeway on ramp.
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Old 06-26-2007, 02:33 PM   #9
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I just moved half of my belongings to my new house in my little 03 TS. Any thoughts or numbers on the interior cargo space in this hatch version? Bigger wheelbase and more rear legroom should equal quite a bit more cargo capacity, right?
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Old 06-26-2007, 02:34 PM   #10
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Ryan,

When I talked to a SPT rep at the Wicked Big Meet he said the new turbo is Mitsubishi but has never been used before. The TD04 does not point upward like the VF40 or VF46.

Did they say TD04?
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Old 06-26-2007, 02:35 PM   #11
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wishbone suspension for the win...I would like to know how hard it would be to convert the frontend to a bugeye.....other than that the car is pretty sweet...but my views may change once it hits the market in August and I see it in person...

-kovy
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Old 06-26-2007, 02:52 PM   #12
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i want that ACT-4 in my bugeye!
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Old 06-26-2007, 03:06 PM   #13
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What's the ACT-4 acronym stand for? I can infer every letter but the "C".
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Old 06-26-2007, 03:12 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alaskan_awd View Post
So the rear diff is open now? Why would they do that?
haha, so the owners of the new corrola S, oops I mean WRX don't get over confident and street race.

At least they are using a double wishbone suspension, if anybody has ever been behind the wheel of a vehicle using all wheel idwbs it handles like it's on rails.
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Old 06-26-2007, 03:21 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keepclam View Post
What's the ACT-4 acronym stand for? I can infer every letter but the "C".

it stands for Automatic's are Crap Transmission.


real people drive manual. ^^
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Old 06-26-2007, 03:24 PM   #16
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TD04? Not again. All the articles a month ago pointed to a larger turbo. No LSD either...I hope that VDC really works.
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Old 06-26-2007, 03:30 PM   #17
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wait ti'll august ghey..
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Old 06-26-2007, 03:31 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Imprez04 View Post
it stands for Automatic's are Crap Transmission.


real people drive manual. ^^
Thanks for the informative and helpful post NOOB
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Old 06-26-2007, 03:33 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Imprez04 View Post
it stands for Automatic's are Crap Transmission.


real people drive manual. ^^
HAHA!!! niicee.....i like your style...
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Old 06-26-2007, 03:40 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Imprez04 View Post
it stands for Automatic's are Crap Transmission.


real people drive manual. ^^
+1
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Old 06-26-2007, 03:41 PM   #21
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+ 1 for the wishbone suspension. I would love to test drive one. But very disappointed about the removal of the rear lsd. It seems that now, car manufacturers are going cheap on a lot of parts that make the cars great in the first place (notice the wallet size intercooler). Oh well we will have to wait to see what happens.
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Old 06-26-2007, 03:41 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alaskan_awd
So the rear diff is open now? Why would they do that?
Even if it is, trust me, you won't notice. This last winter there was no difference between how my RS (open rear diff) and the WRX drove on snow/ice. And they both are identical when I practice rallying in the dirt.
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Old 06-26-2007, 03:47 PM   #23
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The MY07 and MY08 Outback XT 5 speed cars have VDC so it can work with the manual. The limited slip shoulnt have much effect on it as long as the VDC is turned on. Once it is off you will be spinning the inside rear like the older(ie 98)2.5RS. My only real concern with VDC is the ability to turn it off and leave it off. The old systems would automaticlly turn back on when road speeds were over 38 mph. Ive been told that the perfomance cars(ie Spec B and 3.0R Legacy) dont turn back on until the car is shut off.
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Old 06-26-2007, 03:48 PM   #24
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With an aftermarket (read: not chrome) grill, that thing won't look half-bad.....
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Old 06-26-2007, 03:52 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snow Drift View Post
Ryan,

When I talked to a SPT rep at the Wicked Big Meet he said the new turbo is Mitsubishi but has never been used before. The TD04 does not point upward like the VF40 or VF46.

Did they say TD04?
Yes, I was told, specifically, the Mitsubishi TD04 with a max boost of 11.9psi. That was as of last Thursday.

All of the facts in this report are either from the press kit or answers to specific questions from Subaru engineers or product reps.
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