| Pricing Announcement | Bologna Motor Show 2007 | Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type-UK |

Subaru has finally revealed the full specification of its new and long-awaited Impreza STI for the European market. Probably most shocking of all the details is the price - the new STI will sell at £24,995, which is a full £1,600 cheaper than the outgoing model and that's despite drastic improvements in cabin quality and a hike in power.

Using the well-loved flat-four boxer engine, 297bhp is channelled to the tarmac using an electronically controlled four-wheel drive system. The all-wheel drive setup allows the Impreza to shoot from 0-60mph in just 4.8 seconds - in contrast, the acclaimed Renault Mégane R26 takes nearly two seconds longer at 6.5 seconds - so expect the new Scooby to well and truly muscle its way in on the French victory parade and prove its real rallying pedigree on back-route blasts.

With such a task in mind, Subaru has raised its expectations to deliver greater dynamic prowess by altering the STI's chassis from its regular five-door counterpart. And so, the new Impreza sits lower on stiffened springs and spreads itself across more of the twisty, leaf-ridden, dirt-covered asphalt that owners will no doubt strive to experience. The modifications have required more exterior tinkering, which manifests itself in the form of hugely blistered wheel arches that add some 55mm to the overall width and give the Japanese hatch a great WRC-style swagger.

Inside, STIs will get two sporty, bum-clenching seats from Recaro, nicely trimmed in leather and Alcantara, whilst climate control, Xenon headlights and ESP will all feature as standard.

The new Impreza STI is scheduled for UK release in March 2008. Keep an eye on the Subaru Road Tests page for our review.

Kyle Molyneux - 7 Dec 2007