The Subaru Impreza STI 330S is headed to European showrooms this September, packing 252 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque courtesy of a Prodrive Performance Package. The 330S drops four-tenths of a second from the stock STI's 0-60 time (down to 4.4 seconds), through the use of a modified ECU and a reworked exhaust. Included in the kit are standard Recaro thrones, satellite navigation, push-button start and 18x8.5-inch wheels wrapped in 245/40/18 gumballs.
The WRX STI 380S concept is exactly that but, judging by the reception it garnered in London, it's expected to go on sale early next year. The 380S is packing a modified 2.5-liter boxer rebuilt by Prodrive and features a tuned ECU and a new exhaust sending 375 horsepower to all four 18x8.5-inch BBS wheels. An upgraded suspension, new front fascia, side sills and underbody diffuser rounds out the package, and both models benefit from a leather-wrapped steering wheel, xenon headlamps, and a rear limited-slip differential linked to Subaru's Vehicle Dynamics Control system.
Another Reason To Move Abroad
Rumors&Lies* Last month, we served up the details on Lotus' new 2+2, which has eschewed its Eagle codename for the Evora moniker. Sales are slated to begin next year, but in true Lotus tradition, more variants are on the way. Six different versions are planned over the Evora's eight-year lifespan, including a convertible and a revised 3.5-liter V6 upping the coupe's output from 280 to 320 hp. But Lotus won't stop there. The placement of the mid-mounted V6 was designed to accept a supercharger, so a 400 horsepower version is on the way, dropping the Evora's 0-60 time to under four seconds and making the "S" variant a serious player against other top-dollar exotics.
* The combination of new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations and a lackluster economy have put Toyota's plans for high performance vehicles on hold. The newest casualties of high mpg requirements and an economic slowdown include the Supra's successor and the GS-F sedan. The LF-A is also being delayed until the supercar can reach its desired performance benchmarks. On the bright side, Toyota will have more resources to put towards its rear-wheel drive coupe, jointly developed with Subaru, and the Lexus SC430 will be killed within the next year.
* NISMO will begin selling parts for the R35 Nissan GT-R in Japan beginning on August 20th. Tuning packages will range from street to circuit kits, and will include carbon fiber aero parts, upgraded cooling components, exhaust systems and ECUs. However, don't run down to your local Nissan dealer yet. These parts won't be officially for sale in the States until sometime next year, but rest assured that importers are working around the clock to get these parts into GT-R owners' hands.
* The Mazdaspeed MX-5 is officially dead. At least that's what we've been told by a Mazda spokesperson. It was originally assumed that Mazda would fit the turbocharged 2.3-liter found in the Mazdaspeed3 into the MX-5 to make a boosted version of everyone's favorite roadster, but a high-pressure fuel pump, on the back of the head and driven off the cam, would have required a notch in the firewall. Too bad, but we suspect that Mazda will remedy the situation when the next MX-5 debuts in 2010.
SEMA-Bound RMR Genesis CoupeHyundai plans to blow up the SEMA show this November with three Genesis coupes and trio of Genesis sedans to prove the aftermarket potential of its first foray into rear-wheel-drive performance.
By Damon Lavrine
Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!