Subaru enthusiasts will no doubt be raising a few eyebrows with the announcement that the firms new Impreza WRX STI A-Line Carbon is fitted with a 5-speed automatic gearbox. Apparently Subaru figures there’s a crowd out there just dying to lay their hands on the iconic high-performance sport hatch with an automatic box.
Strangely, the Legacy-sourced automatic box in this model is combined with a carbon fibre roof. Subaru says “this helps reduce weight and lower the center of gravity for improved handling and performance”. Figures aren’t available, but unless the gearbox has been on a diet, then shaving weight off the roof probably won’t make a whole lot of difference to the car’s overall weight.
In addition, the interior of the Impreza A-Line Carbon has been adorned with suede fabric, which covers most parts of the cabin, including the top of the dashboard and the Recaro sports seats, and adds a bit of variation to an otherwise sombre cabin.
The new Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line Carbon is scheduled to go on sale in the Japan shortly after the ’09 Tokyo Motor Show.
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