No flappy paddles for STI... Yet

In the face of archrivals Nissan and Mitsubishi launching high-tech gearboxes in their flagship performance models, Subaru is non-committal on its plans to move away from conventional manual transmissions.

Speaking at the launch of the brand's new manual-only Impreza WRX STI hero model (see our upcoming launch review), Subaru engineering boss Hiroshi Mori told the Carsales Network his team chose to "polish" the operation of the turbo AWD hatch's conventional six-speeder rather than introduce a DSG or similar automated transmission.

He admitted, however, the company was experimenting with high-tech options including dual-clutch, automated manual and 'conventional' automatic boxes.

According to Mori, it is Subaru's belief that even the latest automated gearboxes still miss the mark.

"Twin-clutch [and similar] transmissions have an advantage in shift speeds but overall their total performance are still not up to our requirements," Mori said.

"In a conventional transmission you have total control of shift timing -- for example when you are downchanging approaching a corner. Many current automated gearboxes have poor response times so you cannot perfectly judge your change points. Some will delay or reject your downchange. This is not optimum [in a car like the STI]."

Mori said Subaru was looking at a range of alternative transmission strategies -- both in terms of engineering and software development, but would not be drawn on a timetable for implementation.

"We believe there is significant room for improvement [with existing technologies] via software. We have tested various systems with the previous model Impreza, but we need to look at a new generation of prototypes and discover their potential," he said.

Mori said Subaru had noted the growing popularity of automated gearbox options around the world, even in the sportiest vehicle segments.

"We see the trends of some sort of automatic transmission even in sporty cars and we would like to respond to these customer demands. At this time we are still examining whether that response should be via an automated manual or conventional automatic gearbox," Mori revealed.

The man in charge of the Impreza program overall, Mori also revealed he had a "personal passion" to revisit the 'glory days' of Impreza's two-door past.

"I would very much like to build a three-door STI," Mori told the Carsales Network. "But at this stage there is no official program.

"Personally I believe the demand is there -- especially in markets like Europe. But a three-door would be a whole new business case."

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