KABLAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...E13232,00.html

SUBARU STI FEATURED FOR ITS SMALL STEERING WHEEL!!!

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!!

SMALL DIAMETER MOMO WHEEL!!!!!!!


Subaru Impreza WRX STi

April 03, 2003
Verdict
The Subaru Impreza WRX Sti has blistering performance, all-wheel drive and
handling, but interior packaging is off the pace and down-market, Terry
Martin says.

Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Specs at time of test

Comment: Brilliant package for the performance buff. Engine response is
stunning once over the turbo lag, while the handling is outstanding. More
interior sophistication and a more accomplished ride will complete the
package.
Grateful bonus ... room for baggage and kids is there, too.
Price: $56,630
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Power/Torque: 195kW/343Nm
Transmission: Four-wheel drive, six-speed manual
Seats/Weight: Five/1470kg
Fuel tank/type: 60 litres/premium unleaded
Litres/100km: 13.0 city, 9.2 highway
0-100km/h: 5.45 seconds
Turning circle: 11.0m
Airbags/ABS: Two/Yes

Verdict
Verdict
Verdict


THE interior is basic, the low-speed ride harsh and the turbo engine
insufferable under 4000rpm.

Yet the pink bits marking this car as something even wilder than the faddish
WRX Impreza does not - let us repeat - does not mean its appeal is limited
to video-mad lads and their older brothers.

Rather, the people who tend to purchase the Impreza STi could well be their
dads: high-income men in their late-40s and 50s who want something exotic,
and exhilarating, to add to their private collection.

For some of their peers, a plusher, quieter, self-shifting prestige coupe
will be a better bet.

But leaving the Calais parked at home and spending some one-to-one time with
the STi soon reveals its raw, irresistible appeal and presents a good
argument for spending an extra $10,000 over WRX to get more power and torque
(27kW/43Nm), a six-speed manual gearbox, uprated suspension, front and rear
limited slip diffs and huge Brembo brakes. Among other things.

How long it takes for this car-driver dialogue to begin depends on the
distance required to break suburban shackles and leave stop-start traffic,
and higher-speed arterial roads, far behind.

In these conditions, lag with the 2.0-litre turbo at low rpm can be painful
(downshifts and a degree of patience are needed), the suspension often
crashes through rough-hew portions of road and certain irritations with the
packaging and presentation come to the fore.

There's no doubt that the aggressive body adornments and better headlight
treatment do the business to the outer skin, however the doors feel
insubstantial, brittle plastic is used at touch points for the elbow/arm,
the dash design is a hotchpotch and the cup holder on our test car was prone
to springing out from the dash.

A trip computer, side airbags, rear head restraints, boot-lid struts, boot
release on the remote plipper and a bigger dose of sound-deadening measures
(coarse-chip bitumen sends up a racket) are also needed.

Still, there is little point going on about this. As soon as the engine gets
a chance to breathe and the roads become less mundane, the true value
inherent in the Impreza STi looms large.

Despite the need to stack on some revs, the mountain of torque available
from 4000rpm onwards means the driver needn't feel compelled to push the
huge tacho needle to the point where the (adjustable) gear-change alert in
the sunset-red instrument panel starts buzzing and flashing.

Acceleration is startling, and while the gearshift action is not what we'd
call slick, the ultra-short gearing and full-time four-wheel drive traction
ensure that each kilowatt is put to maximum effect.

The fundamental handling trait is neutral, traction is nothing less than
enormous and the poise and balance exhibited during directional changes is
remarkable. The steering is super-quick, well weighted and at all times
talks to the driver about the road surface and available grip.

The one distraction is some unwanted vibration through the steering column
when tackling rough corners.

Did we mention brakes? Four-piston callipers up front and two at the rear
cling onto 326/316mm (front/rear) discs and provide loads of stopping power
and outstanding resistance to fade. Sports-tuned ABS with EBD is there as
well.

Gripped in a vice-like bucket seat, and never hankering for fore-aft
adjustment with the steering wheel, most keen drivers will revel in the
experience. Features such as the bonnet scoop and a switch controlling the
intercooler water gun are emotive as well as practical, while the outrageous
rear wing obscures vision right at the point, on a long straight, where blue
lights could be flashing in the distance.

STi markings throughout the cockpit are over-used, ad hoc sports details
(silver dash insert, chrome-coloured gearshift surround, red lighting, pink
stickers, and so on) are a mishmash, the blue carpet looks cheap once wear
marks set in and a more convenient alarm/immobiliser than the PIN-code unit
still being used is now long overdue. Foam was also starting to spill out
from behind the driver's seat on our test car.

The rear compartment has three lap-sash seatbelts and a ski-hatch, and can
hold two adults in good comfort - that is, providing the front occupants
limit their seat travel. There are no headrests, cup holders, storage
facilities or a split-fold function. In similar fashion, the boot is a
reasonable size but lacks amenities.

Standard features run to air-conditioning, cruise control, dual front
airbags, six-speaker stereo with in-dash six-CD and tape deck, leather
gearknob, small-diameter Momo steering wheel and 17-inch gold-painted alloy
wheels. Considering the car is an obvious theft target, data-dot component
marking is also an excellent inclusion.

Notwithstanding its shortcomings, the sub-$60,000 STi represents incredible
value for enthusiasts and those who can afford to have cars to suit
particular moods. When wildness is called for, it sure beats the Calais.


AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!!!!!!

DOESN'T EVEN UNDERSTAND HIS OWN CAR!!!!!!!!!

Amen!

"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
oups.com...
That's why performance cars don't have big wheels.


Oh. My. God. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!


RB
35s5
NY