☰
conceptcarz.com
✕

2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206

STI to introduce the SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI 'S206'

Subaru Tecnica International Inc. (STI) is pleased to announce the launch of the SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI 'S206', special performance edition. The model will go on sale today through Subaru dealerships in Japan.

Based on the 4-door SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI, S206 is the newest model in STI's 'S' series. This series dons the crown of STI tuned cars with advanced driving performance and exclusively-made items in both interior and exterior designs. As with former STI models such as S204 and R205, S206 is founded on the IMPREZA WRX STI line.

In addition, 'NBR CHALLENGE PACKAGE' model will be released to commemorate the class win at 24 Hours Nürburgring endurance race held in June, with the addition of a carbon roof and original dry carbon rear spoiler. The exterior design incorporates racing car motifs and has an enhanced sporty feel.

S206's body and engine were tuned to perform as expected of STI's best model. The body employs exclusive Bilstein shock absorbers, STI coil springs, a flexible tower bar (front), and a flexible draw stiffener (front). While improving straight-driving performance, motion is steadied when going into corners so that precise and quick turning is possible. Plus, 'Michelin Pilot Super Sport' tires provide refined driving comfort in combination with 'BBS' 19-inch aluminum wheels made only for this model.

In the exclusively-made engine, the weight balance between piston, connecting rod, and crankshaft is optimized to enhance the rev feel. Along with a ball bearing turbocharger, ECU (Engine Control Unit) with STI tuning, and a sports muffler with lowered back pressure exhaust - all of which were designed for this model - the engine can deliver 235kW (320PS) in maximum output and 431N.m (44kg.m) in maximum torque. The accelerator response is heightened and low to mid range torque increased, thereby offering better driveability.

On the outside, the lower front spoiler and front fender outlet grille, both designed for this model, and the trunk spoiler are among its distinctive features. The newly-made front grille and side garnishes were also employed for aerodynamics improvement and a high grade appearance.

In the interior are exclusively-made items such as a genuine leather-wrapped steering wheel, 'RECARO' racing bucket seats, and seatbelts. Together they create a refined appearance and feel, appropriate for this flagship model.

Major equipment of Subaru Impreza S206

Mechanism

STI tuned Bilstein upside down strut and STI coil springs for front suspension

STI tuned Bilstein damper and STI coil springs for rear suspension

S206 BBS designed 19-inch x 8 1/2J forged aluminum wheels (silver)

Michelin Pilot Super Sports 245/35ZR19(93Y) tires

Brembo 6-pot silver colored brake caliper with STI logo and 18-inch 2piece type drilled disk rotors for front brake

Brembo 4-pot silver colored brake caliper with STI logo and 18-inch drilled disk rotors for rear brake

STI designed flexible front strut tower brace

STI designed flexible draw stiffener, front

STI designed flexible support, rear

STI designed support, front kit

STI designed lateral rink with pillow ball bush (front inside, rear inside)

S206 engine balanced with STI

STI designed S206 ECU (Engine Control Unit)

S206 twin scroll ball bearing turbocharger

STI designed S206 sport muffler with lowered back pressure exhaust

Large intercooler with S206 logo

STI designed strengthened silicon intake duct

STI designed air cleaner element

S206 multi mode VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control)

Interior

S206 RECARO designed front bucket seat

S206 seat fabric, ALCANTARA® with black punching / red base, leather seat support (dark gray) with silver stitch

S206 door trim & centered arm rest (black ALCANTARA® with silver stitch)

S206 dark red colored seat belt

S206 silver side sill plate with S206 logo (front)

S206 leather lapped steering wheel with STI logo and silver stitch

STI designed leather shift knob with STI logo and leather shift boot

S206 leather side brake boot

STI designed push engine start switch (red with STI logo)

S206 serial number plate (console, engine compartment)

Exterior

S206 large front under spoiler

S206 front fender outlet grille

Aluminum front hood

STI designed trunk lip spoiler

S206 badges on front grille and rear gate

STI designed side garnish with STI logo (black metallic)

Exclusive for NBR CHALLENGE PACKAGE

S206 dry carbon rear spoiler (2 angle adjustable with S206 logo)

BBS designed 19-inch x 8 1/2J cast aluminum wheels (black)

S206 Nürburgring Challenge sticker (rear)

S206 red side sill plate with S206 logo (front)

by Subaru

by Subaru

Introduced by Subaru in November of 1992, the Impreza is a compact car that was offered in either front wheel or all wheel drive and featured sporty curves. The Impreza came in both four-door sedan/saloon versions or five-door station wagon/estate. More compact than the Legacy, the Impreza had a more enhanced high-performance driving and feeling of quality than its predecessor.

The Impreza became Subaru's entry into the small-car maket segment in U.S., European, Japanese and numorous other world markets. ‘Subura' a Japanese word meaning ‘unite' has a reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction that is represented in their more than 10 million vehicles sold worldwide.

Equipped with a flat engine (or an internal combustion engine, also called a boxermotor) the Impreza came with distinguishable Subaru characteristics. With an engine choice of 1.5: or 1.8L naturally-aspirated engines that were neither turbocharged nor supercharged.

Available in a 4-wheel drive turbo charged version that delivered 211Bhp and had the distinction of the turbo charger mounted on the right side of the engine. The intercooler is located above the engine, therefore the reason for the big central air vent on the bonnet of the Impreza. On the racing version of the Impreza, the intercooler is located in the front bumper.

The Impreza came with an engine that was mounted longitudinally, making the gearbox and transmission much easier to fit and service.

For drivers searching for a car that provides thrills without major frills, the Japanese manufacturers have gained the status of being the only ones still able to produce a car for such a low price. Subaru Impreza turbo is gaining impressive commercial success due to price to performance ratio, its racing successes and reliable features.

The Impreza turbo's commercial success has led to production of more impressive versions that aren't available outside of Japan. The Impreza GT turbo evolved into becoming a multiple World Rally Champion with three world championship titles.

Common in Japan and Europe, special editions of the Impreza were available, usually coinciding with significant victories at World Rally Championships.

For the 1997 model year, the Impreza received an updated exterior facelift that was followed by a complete interior redesign in 1998.

A first-generation Impreza, turbocharged was never received in the North American market.

by Jessican Donaldson

Subaru introduced its Impreza Compact Car in 1993 and has since become a pinnacle of performance. The name 'Impreza' was derived from an Italian word 'impresa', meaning a feat or achievement. In Polish, the name 'Impreza' means to 'party', an 'event' or 'show'. In either language, the name is suitable.

When the Impreza was first introduced in November of 1993, it was available in either front wheel drive or all wheel drive configuration. Two bodystyles were offered, a four-door sedan or five-door station wagon. The two-door coupe followed a few years later, in 1995. Trim levels included the LX, GL, and Sport. Adding to the vehicles versatility, the Impreza was offered with a variety of engines, including a 1.6, 1.8, and 2.0-liter engine. To boost performance further, a turbocharger and intercooler was available on the 2-liter engine. Horsepower for the forced-induction engine was an impressive 208. In the Japanese market, the output was even higher.

Subaru Tecnica International (STi) was formed in 1988; their purpose was to specialize in the preparation of vehicles for rallies. In 1994, they were given the opportunity to create a version of the Impreza to bear the 'STi' nameplate. When introduced, it was only available in the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and European Domestic Market (EDM). These versions featured performance-tuned engines, transmission, and suspensions. Horsepower was raised above the normal WRX models, and could carry the vehicles from zero-to-sixty in just 4.9 seconds. Top speed was electronically limited at 122 mph. The European market had a slightly de-tuned version of the engine, though performance was still impressive. Additional steps were taken to prepare the vehicles for rally competition. The soundproofing material was reduced, the air conditioning removed, and void of many non-essential amenities. The overall weight of the vehicle was reduced significantly.

The Impreza received cosmetic changes in 1997 and the interior was redesigned in the following year. The design-inspiration for the interior was borrowed from the Forester.

Special edition Impreza's have been introduced throughout its production lifespan. These limited edition models are often tuned for greater performance or given unique cosmetic changes. The purpose is often to commemorate a racing success or to honor a racing legend. Editions include the Series McRae, 555, Catalunya, Terzo, RB5, P1, and 22B. A limited edition version of the Impreza Wagon was even offered for a short time, dubbed the CasaBlanca.

The European market received a performance upgraded version of the Impreza in 1999 which featured an improved turbocharger and 4-pot calibers with larger disc brakes. The suspension was improved and the seating became more racer-oriented with bucket seats similar to the STi version.

While the rest of the world was offered the turbocharger version of the Impreza, the North American market was left to sit on the side-lines. The turbocharger would not come across 'the pond' during the first generation of the Impreza. The Impreza was offered with the 1.8-liter engine with either front- or all-wheel drive. A 2.2-liter version of the engine became available in 1995. The FWD was later droped and all Subaru's became all-wheel drive as standard.

Subaru was unsure of the performance market in North America, and thus, offered only basic engines. In 1998, the year the 1.8-liter engine was no longer available, Subaru decided to explore the possibilities of performance in the US. They offered a performance model dubbed the Impreza 2.5RS. The 2.5-liter DOHC naturally-aspirated engine produced 165 horsepower and had performance upgrades throughout the vehicle, including larger brakes and 16-inch five-spoke gold-colored wheels. Hood vents, rear spoiler, and a hood scoop helped segregate the styling from this 'special' model and its non-tuned sibling.

In 2001, Subaru introduced a larger, more refined and improved, Impreza. For some, the changes were a step in the wrong direction, as the car grew in size and weight. It was tamer beast for the typical day-to-day driving conditions and the extra size meant it was more versatile. Also, the coupe model was no longer offered.

The WRX version, for the United States, with its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that cranked out nearly 230 horsepower became available the following year, in 2002. The US had to wait a long time to get the STi version, which did not enter into production for the States until 2004. To comply with safety and emission control laws in the United States, it was not the same thoroughbred racer as in other parts of the world. Still, it was a very impressive machine. In other markets, the STi was equipped with a twin-scroll turbocharger 2.0-liter engine. In the US, the STi was powered by a 2.5-liter EJ25 engine mated with a turbocharger.

In 2003, the Impreza was given a facelift, mainly due to the negative reaction by some media outlets. One of the more noticeable changes were to the headlamps, which became more square. Another redesign occurred in 2006 on all Impreza's, featuring changes to its headlights, taillights, and bumpers - among other changes.

The Third generation of the Impreza was introduced to the world at the 2007 New York Auto Show, ready for sale in 2008. It will be available as a four-door sedan and five-door hatchback.

by Dan Vaughan