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Subaru new WRX and STI (photos)

At the 2010 New York auto show, Subaru unveiled a wider-bodied WRX and a sedan version of its STI rally car.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
SubaruWRXSTI_SS01.jpg
1 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

Subaru STI sedan

When Subaru updated the WRX STI in 2009, it was only available as a hatchback, and some complained of its bulbous look. The new sedan model gives prospective buyers another body choice with a more compact design.
SubaruWRXSTI_SS02.jpg
2 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

Subaru STI sedan

Subaru also made suspension improvements to the STI, fitting it with thicker stabilizer bars and new bushings, designed to reduce body roll and increase cornering grip.
SubaruWRXSTI_SS03.jpg
3 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

Subaru STI sedan

With the sedan body style, the STI gets this big wing on back. As a functional performance piece, it increases downforce at speed, contributing to grip and helping the STI regain the ground when it comes flying over a hump in a dirt track.
SubaruWRXSTI_SS04.jpg
4 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

Subaru STI sedan

The interior of the WRX STI is unchanged, and will likely still require the BBS wheel package to get the navigation unit.
SubaruWRXSTI_SS05.jpg
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Subaru WRX widebody

The standard WRX gets the same wide-body design currently used on the STI for 2011. This wide body kit increases the track width by 1.5 inches.
SubaruWRXSTI_SS06.jpg
6 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

Subaru WRX widebody

As before, the WRX can be had in hatchback and sedan form. The only suspension modification for the 2011 WRX are stiffer rear bushings, which should help rear grip.
SubaruWRXSTI_SS07.jpg
7 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

Subaru WRX widebody

The wider fenders allowed Subaru to fit the WRX with wider tires, going from 17x7 inches to 17x8 inches.
SubaruWRXSTI_SS08.jpg
8 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

Subaru WRX widebody

The WRX gets special sport seats with prominent side bolsters and an optional navigation system.

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