It would be more appealing as a 4-door sedan as in the previous generation.

And they should do a double-clutch instead of the torque converter slush box.

Agreed Stiggie.

You can get the double clutch with the GTI, and the the upcoming GTI or R20.

Left foot braking made easy!

@Zcarsales:
Except the GTI/R20 will still be FWD, and spinning your fronts just ain’t cool.

@The Stig:
I agree 100%. There’s something decidedly unsporty about even the best slushboxes, even with trickery like lockup-TC’s and rev-matching-downshifts. First they made the STI ugly(er), now they’ve made it chick-driveable. Can we expect back-cameras and rear-seat DVD players next? Mommy will be so happy she’ll never miss another soccer practice.

Automatic? Um NO. NO NO NO NO NO! I don’t give a crap about paddle shifters. I don’t want to see a 50 year old woman driving an STI around town. Save it for the Forester.

It will be in the US, I gaurantee it. We are the biggest market for auto trannies in the world and they want to compete with the Mitsu Evo X with their dual clutch unit.

@350Zed -
The R20 will use VW’s 4Motion AWD, so check your facts. In addition, my ‘07 has never had a problem of it’s front tire’s “spinning”. They are made for 4 weather climates, like that of the midwest, so when you’re “cool” rear tires are spinning out of control when their’s the slightest touch of snow on the roads, mine’s quite nice and planted, thank you. I’ll make sure and give you a honk when you’re in the ditch.

I’m sure I’ll get a lot of slack for this – but I’m on board with the WRX STi with an auto. I’m in the market for a fun to drive car, AWD, 5-door hatch to replace my Lexus RX350. I really like the Subaru – from the looks to the rally history and the driving experience. I’m now in Seattle which has a lot of hills – prefer an auto that will make life easier, and allow others to drive it. If Subaru brings it to the US in the near future (next 2-4 months), I’d be glad to head down and put down the deposit and pick up one of the first to arrive. If not, I’ll probably pick up the manual and just keep all the fun to myself.

With it being a Subaru, isn’t the WRX-STi an AWD car? Just curious.

I think Panasonic vibrator should be included as key chain.

Echo Hoosier’s sentiment:

[Darth vader]NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO![/Darth Vader]

@JakeK66:

The R20 drivetrain has not been confirmed by VW. Rumors state either FWD with E-LSD or AWD, depending on source.

Sounds to me like you need an arse-whisk and an attitude adjustment. Your e-penis is huge. Congrats!

the sedan is hideous im glad they made it a hatchback, so for many of us the hatchback is more appealing, Stig.
and the R20/GTI-R whatever it is WILL come equipped with 4Motion AWD and a similarly tuned 2.0t to the european S3.

@350Zed

Since the previous 2 R32’s were AWD, you can assume they will have at least one specialty AWD GTI in the next generation, due to it having the same platform.

Otherwise, just let me know when you need a tow truck, I got a number of a good company!

Right after you drive it off the lot. VW’s are such unreliable pieces of sh1t. Their owners are wackjobs as well.

Buy a Cobalt SS, this thing is a POS.

Buy American. Buy GM. It is your duty.

LOL @ NMOFGM, he’s actually right on both… When new, my GTI’s fuel injectors pooped out after 4 days off the lot and was towed back to the dealer for a whole new system.

Still would never buy the Cobalt SS instead of it though. Different types of cars, can’t even compare ride quality or interior quality. Plus I love my DSG not on any GM’s.

its a subaru, I can see you dropped out of school before the completion of reading

to NMOFGM

I get that some people don’t want a full on manual transmission, be it for convenience in congested traffic, talking on cel phones while driving or just not being a confident manual driver. But isn’t the market for STI’s people who are at least somewhat car enthusiasts? Wouldn’t the simplest of STI buyers prefer some sort of DSG to an auto? I guess these are tough economic times and whatever they think will sell is worth trying.

I was really hoping to see DSG’s on more cars by 2010, it’s a shame. A neighbor of mine buys VW’s exclusively (husband, wife and two teens, all with silver VW’s) and he’s quite often either fixing them himself or sending them in to get fixed. I guess if you account for the fact that there’s 4 of them, each individual one doesn’t require too much maintenance?

@JakeK66:

Never stuck once in either my 350Z or G35, but thanks for your concern. Snow tires FTW.

If you can’t drive RWD in the snow, I know a lot of lady drivers who have the same problem as you. Come to think of it, they’re bitchy and hormonal like you too. Imagine that.

Anyways…

DSG + AWD would be ideal–if VW makes this available–and on paper that would certainly would trump this slush-boxed STI. However, even the R20 would be down on power and outright performance vs. the STI, with both at a similar price-point, so it would still be tough to ignore this STI variant if you’re in the market for a clutchless AWD rocket.

I’m with you Stig… DSG. The only cars I’ve gotten a chance to try DSG in were the VW Eos and the Audi A3. VW makes a really nice Tiptronic 6 spd Auto but their DSG is just that much better. And I’ve heard that in Europe, their up to a 7 spd DSG.

@ A4

The R20 and GTI are two separate cars. The 2010 GTI is more than enough power with an improved hp and torque rating at 210hp/265lbs-ft. The R20 is going be unholy 270hp out of a 2.0 L 4cylinder, AWD, and a choice between DSG and 6 spd manual. This is unlike the 08 R32 in which the only thing available was the DSG.

I really thought they would put an auto in the WRX, let alone the STI, this kinda seems like a waste of an automatic, and an even more waste of a perfectly good STI

350Zed – Sorry I’m “bitchy and hormonal” for being right. At least I don’t use name calling to attack someone, only facts.

If they bring it to the US, I’m guessing it will be in notchback form only.. I’d love to see the STi’s flared fenders and fasciae applied to the sedan!

Maybe if I had a death wish, sure I’d pick the Cobalt SS to do some spirited mountain driving.

Well put HoosierHero! I second that emotion.