2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Car
The original 227-horsepower WRX . Then, the 271-horse Mitsubishi Evolution . Now, Subaru ups the ante in the compact-sedan wars again--with the 300-horsepower WRX STi . Don't confuse it with the 2.0-liter/ 286-horse STi sold in Europe since 2002; the car received substantial remodeling on its way will be sold '04 model. Imprezas get a facial from the front doors forward. The more handsome and aggressive look comes courtesy of Peter Stevens, who (among other things) designed the McLaren Formula One supercar. The new front fascia shuttles air to the brakes, and the massive basket-handle rear wing provides effective downforce. In order to deliver the torque levels, the STi's flat-four (now designated E525) goes from 2.0 to 2.5 liters and gets variable valve timing plus drive-by-wire throttle . A larger-than-WRX-spec air scoop and intercooler help the IHI turbo feed the engine up to 14.5 pounds of boost. A driver-activated sprayer system shoots two-second spurts of wate