Cosworth announces Impreza STI CS400

Leading UK motorsport and tuning outfit Cosworth have worked their magic over the Subaru Impreza STI. They said no to the standard STI’s miserable 300PS and 5.2 second 0-100km/h time. They seem to think an STI should have 400PS (295kW), and that it should be able to despatch 100km/h in under four seconds, 3.7 to be precise.

Such belief has led to the birth of a new creation—the Cosworth Impreza STI CS400. Clearly such an impressive boost in power needs more than a few Cossie badges and the lads have turned their attention the engine. The CS400 is not due for release in the UK until June and as such they’re allowing hype to build and aren’t giving away any official details on engine or exhaust mods. We’ll have to stand by for that (or do we?).

Stopping power, on the other hand, has been confirmed to have been developed in partnership with AP Racing. Cosworth seem quite confident that the 355mm six-pot calipers they have fitted to the CS400 will be up to the job.

There will only be 75 Impreza STI CS400s made and we’ll have more details for you sometime between now and June. Like the Focus RS500, though, we’ll just have to admire the pretty pictures and make do with watching TV reviews. There’s about as much chance of the Cossie Rex finding its way down under as there is of Channel Nine making a good version of Top Gear Australia.

The above screen grab was just spotted on the PassionFord forums. Could be a load of cobblers, but it all sounds feasible enough.

COSWORTH IMPREZA WILL HAVE SUPERCAR-HUMBLING PACE

The result of one of the most eagerly anticipated automotive collaborations in recent times is heading fast towards Subaru dealerships. The Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 officially goes on sale in June, and is set to offer performance-car fans the thrill of a lifetime.

Subaru has confirmed the car will boast an impressive 400PS (395bhp) at 5,750rpm, sufficient to dispatch the 0-62mph sprint in just 3.7 seconds (compared to 300PS / 296bhp at 6,000rpm,and 5.2 seconds for the standard Impreza WRX STI). This ensures the Cosworth-tuned car will be one of the most accelerative all-wheel-drive hatchbacks ever.

Subaru also reports that the Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 will feature a bespoke brake package – with six-pot callipers and 355mm discs at the front – developed in partnership with AP Racing, giving the car prodigious stopping power. Coventry-based AP Racing is a leading supplier of brake and clutch components to teams in the Formula One Championship and the World Rally Championship, as well as to leading supercar brands including Bugatti.

A wide range of further upgrades have been made to the suspension, exhaust and to the donor Impreza’s exterior and interior styling. An exclusive, limited edition run of 75 Cosworth Impreza STI CS400s will be produced, and full details of pricing and technical specification will be announced closer to the on-sale date.