Got this c/o autoexpress:
Wednesday 15th May 2002



Bug Eyes Axed On Impreza


Take a long, hard look at this latest Subaru Impreza – because you won't see its like again. The most outrageous road-going version ever, it's the last to feature the controversial bug-eyed looks that drew huge criticism when we revealed them in Issue 616 in October 2000.

Bosses have confirmed the high-performance four-wheel-drive machine has been secretly facelifted, axing the front end far earlier than expected. The new car will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in September before it goes on sale in the UK next January. Full details about the redesign remain a closely guarded secret, but insiders have hinted there will be a new nose. The model seen here is the all-new WRX S202. Launched in Japan this week, the limited-edition machine offers an astounding 315bhp from its modified 2.0-litre engine, thanks to high-lift camshafts and a reworked turbo. Based on the Japan-only

WRX RA Type C – 90kg lighter than the standard WRX – it promises to prove substantially faster than the current STi flagship. There are no plans to bring this car to the UK, but it looks certain that the facelifted model will be tuned by Prodrive next year.

Meanwhile, Subaru engineers are working flat-out on their most powerful car ever. It's an STi-tuned twin-turbo Legacy, to be called the B4 STi. Peter Lyon


Or check out tara ugly duckling
So has any1 got pix i recall sum1 posted 1 the other day but was it da real deal?
Si

 

This should act as an alert to those who own their Ugly Imprezas, as opposed to those who have them as company cars, to sell immediately!!!!

If the facelift is anything decent then the Ugly version resale price is going to drop faster than a ****** draws at Xmas!!

Pete

 

Speaking from experience are

Stefan

 

We??? .................................. yes!!

Pete

 

Pete, more information on that is NOT required

 

Scooby_si - nah, that was me playing around with PhotoShop

This one you mean:



IMHO it looks great and I would defo have one if it looked like this (though the chin spoiler would need to be smaller)

DW

 

Oh no I shall sell ugly car now!

These "rumours" must be true!

If this is the 100th time this has been posted.

 

you ???.......

In my defence, I've had one or two beers while watching the Champions League final

Stefan

 

Nah i new that 1 was a joke i mean who wood design such an ugly car Uh oh watch out subaru may make sumin even more ugly now i've said that but hopefully it'll b lush
Si

 

This looks nice though

 

Maybe the value will go up in a few years since there will be a limited number of bug eyes out there, afterall the car is not a lemon, it is just the looks which may become a sort after collectors item in time....just my 2 cents worth

By the way I own a bug eye JPN spec STI 7 and love the way it looks !!!!!

Cheers,
Ray

 

The max power nova look of smoothed out rear door handles, oversized alloys and those VW Golf headlights get my vote

 

You can buy the new S202 from Litchfield Imports.
Check out there site for full details on it at www.litimports.co.uk

Has an impressive spec on paper 285 lbft of torque and 90kg lighter than a normal STI!

 

Yeah but the 1 above looks like a 315 bhp lemon
Si

 

so how does that yellow thing look different to a standard WRX? and i mean different enough for ppl to say one is ugly and one isnt?

 

Looking at some of the pics, it appears to be built on the 2001 chassis. Maybe a shed load of RA type C's that were looking for a home?

Ken

 

The yellow thing aint the new impreza we'll see in Sept it's just a beast of an ugly car
Si

 

noone else heard the phrase "better the devil you know"? I wouldn't rush out and sell a bug eyes car (not that I ever had the money). o actually no quick sell that ugly car! I'll give you £50 for it

 

Dash out, sell MY01, and replace it with what exactly?

Subaru, in common with most manufacturers, rely on repeat business from satisfied punters.

If they offer crap trade ins, they can kiss that goodbye.

Gawd knows, the "new" bog off bug eye might look even worse!

 

Would any changes be done on the WRC before the production models?

 

Am i correct in thinking no as WRC r based on road going versions?
Si

 

WRC cars dont have to comply that closely to the road cars now as much as they did under GroupA rules.

The works cars will match the production car when that is released, most likely Prodrive will get a road version as soon as it's released for testing at places like MIRA prior to sale. You wont see the WRC car change till the road car is oficially launched.

 

Hey MIRA is only up the road from me do u reckon they'd let me have a go n all
Si (optimism mode on yet again)

 

no

 

Fashists [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
Si