The New Impreza WRX STI Will Debut at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show

CHERRY HILL, N.J. - The third generation Impreza WRX STI, as the latest incarnation of the proud history of Subaru Tecnica International (STI), will be shown to the world on October 24 at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show in Japan.

Debuting on the eve of Subaru Tecnica International's 20th anniversary (April 2008), the new all-wheel drive Impreza WRX STI has been designed to give maximum pleasure through its unique combination of power, performance and handling.

Furthermore, its all-new 5-door design has been developed with the aim of winning the FIA World Rally Championship in future seasons.

STI Models since 1994

STI model versions have been produced since 1994 with the first STI version of the Impreza making its debut that year with a Japanese specification 250 PS @6500 rpm engine and weighed in at 2,650lb. Based on the turbo WRX model, it was tuned by Subaru Tecnica International Inc. to win the WRC, and for the past 13 years the Subaru World Rally Car has been developed based on the Impreza WRX STI model.

Background of Subaru Tecnica International

Subaru Tecnica International inc. is based in Mitaka, Tokyo and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. The acronym "STI" is derived from the name of the company and has come to symbolize Subaru's highest performance models.

The company was founded in April 1988 to develop Subaru's motorsport activities including the WRC. These competitions act as the ultimate testing ground for Subaru vehicles and the feedback gained is reflected in the development of production models. Current President Ichiro Kudoh was appointed in June 2007 as the fourth President of STI. STI's first President, the late Mr. Ryuichiro Kuze, was also the founder of the company. His first program was the development of a Subaru Legacy that set a world speed record for continuous driving over 100,000 km, a record that stood for 16 years.