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Newsletter - January 2008

2008 Subaru STI a huge hit at the Autosport Show

Litchfield Imports has been at the forefront of Subaru development over recent years and the beginning of 2008 is no exception. Despite the new Subaru STI only just being launched in Japan, we have already received and begun modifying our development car. This Type-20 "Concept" was unveiled at the prestigious Autosport show where it received a very enthusiastic welcome.

The Type-20 "Concept" was displayed with the following specification:

2008 JDM Subaru Impreza STI
2.0 Litre EJ207 Engine with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Twinscroll Turbo
ECUTEK Reprogrammed ECU with switchable engine maps
Milltek 3" Exhaust system with Hi-Flow Sports CAT
Metal Exhaust trims
13.1 Steering Rack
Revised chassis parts with up rated sway bars
AST 12-Way adjustable suspension allowing lower ride height (-30mm)
STI front lip spoiler
STI front strut brace
18x8.5 Lightweight Speedline Turini alloy wheels
High performance 245/40/18 tyres
Front fog lights
Engine Start button
Red Maserati style tail light option (many customers were not keen on the clear "Lexus" look of the standard car)
Revised front grill

Owner Iain Litchfield said "I attended the launch of the new STI in Japan in November and got to drive a car in Tokyo. It was clear then that this car had a huge amount of potential. Subaru have improved the engine and chassis but now it has a more refined and subtle body style. We are very excited about it."

We received the new Impreza in the Summer of 2007 in S-GT (WRX) form and begun working hard on a number of developments ready for the launch of the higher performance STI model.

"The aim is to provide a high performance model to better the new Mitsubishi FQ range and give the Subaru enthusiast the driving thrills they have come to expect from our earlier models. The Autosport show was the first chance potential customers have been able to view the new STI in person and we were delighted with their very positive response." Said Iain Litchfield

Subaru Impreza Type-20 developments well underway

We are now hard at work developing the excellent 2008 JDM STI. The modifications are designed to significantly improve engine power and response, capitalizing on the 2.0 engines free-revving nature. Power has already climbed to over 355 bhp and the engine is producing great low down torque with instant throttle response. The variable exhaust timing makes a decent difference to the car engine and the new Twin scroll turbo spools very quickly. Further tests are due with new inductions systems after testing showed some restrictions in the standard setup.

Milltek have already developed a new stainless steel exhaust system which features the very latest sports Catalyst. The new MY08 car with the Milltek has a completely different sound to before and is very similar to the BMW M3 exhaust note which shares the same exhaust layout. It sounds superb and yet is extremely quiet in normal use.

The chassis development focuses on providing excellent body control, increased steering feel whilst maintaining superb ride comfort. Modifications have been extensive with revised geometry, bushes, roll bars, springs and dampers.

The car is still very much "work in progress" so there will be plenty more to come. More information and images will follow on our website shortly. Japanese Performance Magazine got to sample the Type-20 in early development form and were impressed with its performance. Look out for the feature in their next issue. If you would like to sample the new STI and Type-20 version please feel free to contact us.

Honda Induction kit testing under way

We have now begun testing a number of different induction kits for the FD2 JDM Civic Type-R and will put full details on our website soon. Interestingly after 10,000 miles our standard demonstrator now produces an incredible 247bhp! More details to come.

Full colour range of Civic Type-R's now in stock

Our showroom now displays the 3 colours (Blue, Silver and White) of the critically acclaimed JDM Honda Civic Type-R visit our stock list now to see the cars or book a test drive in our Demonstrator which is now fitted with AST suspension.

Probably the first GTR in the UK arrives in Tewkesbury

After getting to see the car at the Japanese launch it has been difficult to contain the excitement but Iain Litchfield has finally collected his GTR. Already every inch has been inspected by everyone at the workshop and it is clear that Nissan have created an engineering masterpiece. Nissan will have a huge sale success around the world with this car and we are sure the people at Porsche and Ferrari will be taking a lot of interest.

This car will be the perfect benchmark for future models.