IMPREZA WRX STI A-Line : Subaru Japon dévoile sa nouvelle Impreza WRX STI A-Line

Le grade "A-Line" est généralement synonyme de voiture polyvalente, comme cette Impreza WRX STI A-Line. Il y a quelques temps de cela, nous avions eu la chance de tester la précédente génération de Impreza WRX STI A-Line, et nous avions trouvé que ce véhicule était plutôt docile. Nous avions en effet, le sentiment d'avoir une voiture plutôt destinée au conducteur occasionnel à la recherche de performance plutôt qu'une voiture destinée à faire des malheurs sur la route.

(Vous pouvez accéder à notre Test-Drive de la WRX STI A-Line 2007 en cliquant ici: Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line, HDTV).

Et c'est donc cette semaine, soit deux ans plus tard, que Subaru nous a annoncé l'arrivée de la nouvelle WRX STI A-Line avec quelques surprises fort sympathiques, comme cette transmission automatique 5 vitesses et les indispensables palettes au volant

Sous le capot, vous pourrez y trouver l'habituel moteur 2.5-Litres Turbo développant une puissance de 300Ch lequel est équipé du Dual Active Valve Control System (AVCS). Enfin, pour compléter le tout, Subaru se voit équipée de siège avants réglables électriquement et chauffants.

Pour plus d'informations, voici le communiqué de presse officiel:

Tokyo, February 24, 2009 - Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today launches “Subaru Impreza WRX A-Line” which is a new addition to the current WRX STI model. The model goes on sale nationwide through Subaru dealerships today in Japan.

Based on the Impreza WRX STI, the WRX STI A-Line model was developed to offer its distinctive driving performance to a wider range of customers by integrating 2.5-litre turbocharged Boxer engine and 5 Speed Automatic Transmission with SPORTSHIFT*.
In addition, the current WRX STI was given some refinements to enhance comfort and quality feel; 8 way power adjustable front seats and a new body color, “Satin White Pearl”, is now available.
*SPORTSHIFT is a registered trademark of Prodrive Ltd.


The model features the exclusively developed 2.5-litre Subaru BOXER turbo engine with SPORTSHIFT* E-5AT, while retaining the basic component such as chassis and body of the WRX STI, Subaru’s performance flagship.
Engine:
- The unique 2.5-litre BOXER engine comes with a single scroll turbocharger and produces a flat torque from the low and mid-rev range to high-rev range.
- Dual Active Valve Control System (AVCS) was adopted to control continuously valve timing on both intake and exhaust valves, which improves low and mid-range range torque, high-rev range output and environmental friendliness.
- Tumble Generation Valve (TGV) controls the intake air stream to generate high combustion efficiency.

Drive train:
- SI-DRIVE (SUBARU Intelligent Drive), that enables the drivers to choose three different engine mappings, is standard.
- Paddle shift is featured to allow manual shifting without requiring the driver to release the steering wheel.
- Downshifting Blipping Control system was adopted. When down-shifting, the automatic transmission control unit interacts with the engine management system and increases engine revolutions instantly and to the exact required setting.
- Changing gears with the paddle shift can also be done by a temporary operation that does not require the selection lever to be set to the manual position.
- VTD (Variable Torque Distribution)-AWD system was adopted to provide excellent stability of the vehicle, which controls the torque distribution ratio between the front and rear axles depending on driving conditions.
- 17-inches ventilated dual piston disk brakes for the front, and 16-inches ventilated disk brakes for the rear were fitted.
- VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) System is standard.
Interior:
- 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat is standard. Leather seats are available as optional and include (front) seat heating. Soft leather door trim with silver stitch is featured.

Major specifications:
-Engine type: Horizontally-Opposed 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbocharged engine
-Displacement: 2457 cc
-Maximum output: 221kW (300 PS)/6200 rpm
-Maximum torque: 350 Nm (35.7 kgf·m)/2800～6000 rpm
-Turbo type: Single Scroll turbocharger

Posted on 27/02/09 By G-A.G