Subaru's next WRX STi still some months away

We've already seen production shots of the Impreza S-GT, the Japanese market's force-fed Subaru small car (more here), but now our indefatigable and water-proof spy snappers at Carparazzi have caught the WRX STi model in disguise.

This vehicle will not be reaching Australia until early next year, some months after the launch of the mainstream Impreza models. Even in Japan, the STi will not make its debut until the Tokyo motor show in October, which is a month after the Impreza range goes on sale locally.

According to Carparazzi, there's already talk of a facelift model in 2009, which will feature an automated sequential-shift manual transmission to compete with the upcoming Mitsubishi EVO X and its paddle-shift system.

In keeping with STi models from past years, the new car (pre-facelift), will feature all the necessary body kit additions -- such as special bonnet, grille, deeper bumper with larger air intakes and flared wheel arches -- to keep the passion burning.

We think that Subaru may do something outlandish with additional lighting in the brake ducts forward of the front wheel arches.

Note the four exhaust outlets at the rear of the car. These will discharge exhaust gases from the 2.5-litre boxer engine, which is expected to develop in excess of 300bhp of power and 400Nm of torque.

Brembo brakes from the current model are believed to be carried over in the new car, which is said to boast quality and refinement gains from the upgrade to the Impreza range, across the board.

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