Hitting Every Branch of the Pretty Tree (Automotive)

I have not hid the fact that I find the 2008 WRX 5 door or sedan to be ugly. I also fully admit that I own a 2005 Subaru WRX Sti. However, this is exactly why I was so pleased to find an online article by Road and Track regarding the next generation Sti. (and Evo X)

Road and Track used all the information they have gathered so far to create a hypothetical styling prototype, and it looks good. The new Sti will come in a hatch back 5 door configuration only. It's not the favorite style of U.S. buyers, and is much more European. (The same reason the Volkswagen GTI has struggled in the U.S. somewhat, despite stellar reviews) I personally loved the idea, just not the execution I found on the 08 WRX. Fortunately, the Sti's WRX on steroids styling might right a lot of those styling wrongs. A potential 20hp and 20ft lbs of torque boost in power doesn't hurt either. Match that to a stiffer chassis and carrying 50 pounds less weight, and we may have the best standard production Sti ever.

The Evo X is expected to get a power boost to 300hp and 325ft lbs of torque at a very low 3000rpm. (The Sti's torque peaks at 4000rpm) The Mitsubishi is gaining some weight this time around, approximately 200 pounds, but is gaining some amazing technology. For the first time the entire alphabet soup from Japan is coming on the U.S. Evo (AYC=active yaw control, S-AWC=super-all-wheel control, ACD=active center differential,ASC=anti-skid control), but even more impressive is a the new 6 speed DSG style gearbox option.


DSG Explanation, skip if necessary: It was designed by Audi and is available on the TT, GTI, and technically the Bugatti Veyron. It is a true automatic manual that has two clutches, one with the current gear engaged, and the other pre-engaging the next, allowing for instantaneous shifts. It's so good in fact that the DSG equipped GTI has better acceleration times than the manual model. This is only true for a few other models, including the 997 Porsche Turbo which uses a conventional automatic.

I have to say this available sequential transmission option is making me a little jealous. I love rowing my own gears, but my rather terrible commute on the 405 a couple days a week makes me think twice about owning a fully manual car again in the future. In my case I would not be concerned with the fully automatic mode's shifting smoothness. I would drive it just as I do my manual vehicle, shifting it by hand, all the time. I would however be concerned with the transmissions ability to handle higher than stock power numbers. One of the great things about these cars, Sti and Evo, is that they both respond so favorably to power modifications. I would hate to have an overly complicated transmission put a damper on that. If, by some small chance, have built a DSG transmission for an awd car that can handle a 350-400hp, I will be truly amazed, and more than a little jealous. Nothing like perfect shifts anytime, everytime.