New Subaru Impreza WRX STI Sets Nurburgring Record

SYDNEY – Jun 9, 2010: The new Model Year 2011 Impreza WRX STI sedan has achieved Subaru’s fastest-ever lap time at Germany’s famed Nürburgring racetrack.

Four-time World Rally Champion Tommi Mäkinen recorded a time of seven minutes, 55 seconds – four seconds faster than Subaru’s previous best time, set in 2004.

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru cars, has released footage of Mäkinen’s drive on the Subaru Global website http://www.subaru-global.com/home.html or at Subaru Australia’s website, www.subaru.com.au

Subaru has been using the world’s toughest Nordschleife course at the Nürburgring since 1992, for advanced research and development, plus tests of the Impreza WRX and WRX STI models.

Major changes to the MY11 Impreza WRX STI include chassis and suspension set-up. Tests at the Nürburgring demonstrated the supreme overall dynamics and linear behaviour.

Tommi Mäkinen said: “The car was controllable with precise and faithful handling even on tricky corners. I could easily predict the car’s behaviour. That is exactly what Subaru is offering: confidence.”

Technical changes to the four-door Impreza WRX STI will also be carried over to the five-door hatchback model.

The revised Impreza WRX STI, including sedan variants, goes on sale in Australia in the last quarter of the year.