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copied from iwoc. http://www.iwoc.co.uk/news.html

Impreza WRX Online Catalog
Scooby News
Press Release - NEW-LOOK IMPREZA MAKES WORLD DEBUT AT PARIS MOTOR SHOW

Aggressive yet more aerodynamic new front styling
Bumper, bonnet, wings and headlamps all new
Power boost for WRX - now 225 PS
Stronger throttle response for WRX
Improved engine cooling for 265 PS STi
Revised dampers for most models give even better handling
STi gains more rigid front suspension, sharper steering
Interior quality upgrade - new cloth trim, revised centre console
Safety boost includes active front head-restraints, ISOFIX rear child seat mounts, impact-absorbing brake pedal and pedestrian-friendly wipers and bonnet
On sale in UK during February 2003
Subaru's strikingly restyled Impreza made its world debut at the Paris Motor Show on 26 September.

On sale in the UK in February 2003, the new-look Impreza boasts a totally different front-end combining an aggressive presence with pedestrian-friendly safety features and aerodynamic efficiency.

Styled For A Reason
The facelift is shared with the 2003 World Rally Car which will benefit from a similar reduction in drag coefficient and improved high-speed stability.

Unlike some WRC competitors, Subaru has always striven to ensure its road cars inherit the technical and design DNA of its rally machines.

Key design changes include a new front bumper, spoiler, bonnet, wings and 3-Dimensional headlamps. In addition, circular lamps are inlaid in the main headlamp units themselves which have a striking curved dip to their inner edges.

A strong flowing character-line sweeps from the lower edge of the circular headlamps and runs over the more steeply sloping bonnet to the windscreen. The top edge of the bumper is rounded, giving a sleeker look with improved airflow.

The front wings now have a muscle-bound appearance and this menacing presence is complemented by larger air-intakes both above and below the number plate.

At the rear, all models have new bumpers and light units with a curved dip to their inner edges - similar to the headlamps - to enhance design integration.

The WRX STi gains a larger high-rise rear spoiler, front corner spoilers and new side sill spoilers which all contribute to improved high-speed stability. Meanwhile, a larger bonnet air intake enhances intercooler cooling.

More Power, Better Handling
Big news for WRX fans is an increase in power from 218 to 225 PS for the turbo-charged 2.0 litre 'boxer' engine. Equally important is improved throttle response thanks to revisions to the exhaust manifold aimed at smoothing the flow of exhaust gases.

Meanwhile, the cooling performance of the 265 PS STi engine has benefited from a change in the shape of the intercooler water spray nozzle and the air baffle plate inside the air scoop.

The STi also has improved front suspension thanks to strengthened mounts for the transverse linkages and new cross-performance rods. As a result, handling and steering response are even better thanks to a reduction in geometry change during hard cornering.

Both the WRX and naturally-aspirated 2.0 and 1.6 litre Imprezas also have crisper handling characteristics, with increased steering precision - already highly praised by road-testers and customers alike. The reason is sophisticated new shock-absorbers.

Featuring multiple-layer valves, damping forces are optimised in various speed ranges, with enhanced ride comfort as an added bonus.

Interior Quality Upgrade
New, high-quality cloth is used throughout the 2003 Model Year Impreza range with each model having its own pattern and character.

On all 2.0 litre models the centre console which houses the audio and heating controls is now in a dark metallic tone instead of being silver-coloured.

Sporty changes for the WRX include gun-metallic finish wheels and the repositioning of the rev-counter to the centre of the instrument display like the STi. The STi itself gains a new, smaller-diameter (375 mm) Momo steering wheel and blue carpets to match the seats and door trim.

Passenger And Pedestrian Safety Boost
Both occupants and pedestrians are better protected in the 2003 Impreza thanks to a whole series of safety measures. These include new anti-raindrop door mirrors which stay cleaner, enhancing visibility.

Like the new Forester, the new-look Impreza has active front head-restraints which reduce the risk of whiplash injuries. The brake pedal is now energy-absorbing, being designed to snap away under severe impact, protecting the driver's lower limbs. In the rear seat are two ISOFIX-compatible child seat mountings.

Outside, pedestrian injury is reduced thanks to a more rounded contour to the top of the front bumper, a gently curved bonnet and windscreen wipers which crush, softening any impact.

Prices and more detailed improvements will be announced closer to the new-look Impreza's February 2003 on-sale-date.

ENDS

The Waiting is Over!
Today at the Paris Motorshow Tommi Mäkinen revealed a prototype of next year's Subaru Impreza World Rally Car - the WRC2003, and alongside was the new MY03 roadgoing WRX. Here are two pictures that have now been released. The first is of the WRX.

Copyright © Subaru

And the second the WRC 2003 prototype.



"The WRC is now more competitive than ever before and winning rallies demands the very best at every stage. As far as I'm concerned this prototype represents another significant step forward in the development of the Impreza - it is absolutely on the cutting edge," explained 555 Subaru Team Principal David Lapworth. "We've been working on the project for around a year now, and have been involved with our colleagues at Subaru in Japan more closely than ever before. The design of the new road and rally car has been a two way process, with ideas passing backwards and forwards between our design teams. The result of this tandem approach is that changes have been made to the road car which in turn will help us win WRC events."

"The prototype features a number of improvements over the current model, for instance the bodyshell is lighter and stiffer, the aero package uses the air in a far more efficient way and the reduced frontal area makes the whole package more aerodynamic. There are many more improvements under the skin, but until the design is finalised we're remaining tight-lipped."

Further pictures upon the MY2003 page.

7th September (updated from 25th August which was 6th August which was updated from 8th July!)
Dead line missed
The promised mid to the end of August delivery date for the Prodrive Performance Pack for the STi-UK has well and truly been missed. After a massive launch in April which gained a lot of interest and now dealers are now taking orders for it but still no real sign of the thing being available. The current delay is still said to be due to supply problems with some (or one) of the components and also further reliability testing which is going on. The Paris Motorshow is said to also feather the PPP, perhaps this will be the official launch date although once this has been done I can't see how supply can be any better if it has been released to Europe as well.

The Pack is reportedly from several sources to include a complete replacement exhaust from the turbo back as well as a remapped ECU. This will also take into account boost spikes which owners have seen when they unofficially upgrade the down pipe to a de-catted sytem. Power output is said to be 295-301bhp again depending upon source. To enable the car in future to pass the MOT, the downpipe is replaced with a high flow cat rather than a straight catless system.

5th August
Subaru UK Special Edition Impreza 2.0 litre GX Sport


Available in dark blue mica, silver, or black the GX Sport is available in limited numbers from your Subaru UK dealer for an on the road price of £15,995. The price includes the Morrette front headlamp upgrade, and WRC style rear wing. Alloys remain disapointingly at 15in though. Further details on the Subaru UK website.
For further details see the MY2003 page.

Steve Breen

Thats nice.

The url is http://www.iwoc.co.uk/news.html and you've cut and pasted two other articles as well!

Full details of the MY03 is on another page http://www.iwoc.co.uk/my2003.html anyway.

Steve
edited as I thought I might as well advertise the site properly!

[Edited by Steve Breen - 9/30/2002 5:41:41 PM]

scrappydoo

Im still waiting for an official weight of it. After all its the weight which affects the performance. Any news?