2009 Subaru Impreza WRX to Make Public Debut at ESPN X Games 14

- Subaru Exclusive Automotive Sponsor of ESPN X Games 14 -

CHERRY HILL, N.J., July 31 -- The newly-announced 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX will make its public debut at X Games 14, to be held in Los Angeles, Calif. July 31 - August 3. Boasting engine and handling upgrades, the 265 horsepower WRX will be on show at the Subaru display in the Sponsor's Village. A 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX will be awarded to the "Subaru Most Outstanding Athlete of the Games" recipient.

"We are excited to be giving the 2009 WRX its debut at X Games," said Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Subaru of America, Inc. "The X Games exemplify the lifestyle of the WRX buyer. The games are all about speed, power and daring creating the perfect venue to launch the new WRX."

Subaru Rally Team USA drivers Ken Block and Travis Pastrana will be piloting all-new rally cars based on the Subaru WRX STI. This year they will also be joined by legendary BMX star Dave Mirra and 2004 World Rally Championship Production Class titleholder Niall McShea. Mirra will partner with co-driver Alex Kihurani and McShea will team up with co-driver Marshall Clarke for the Rally Racing Super Special on August 3. In 2007, Tanner Foust, driving for an independent team, took the Gold in a Subaru WRX STI, continuing the Subaru winning streak started in 2006.

New 2009 Impreza WRX - Quicker, More Powerful, Better Handling

The 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX features a 265-horsepower turbocharged intercooled Boxer engine, retuned suspension and wider, lower-profile summer performance tires and moves closer to its supercar stablemate, the WRX STI in spirit, performance and styling with a new familial grille, integrated front spoiler and body-side moldings and gunmetal gray alloy wheels.

The project team developing the 2009 WRX had a clear aim, summed up as "Kyo-Ka" (translated from Japanese as "strengthening"). To reach their goal, the 2009 WRX, Subaru engineers thoroughly revamped the car's performance character. With a larger turbocharger, increased boost and a new low-density catalyst for reduced exhaust backpressure, the WRX engine now produces 265 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 244 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,000 rpm (vs. 224 hp and 226 lb.-ft. in the 2008 model).

To supplement the increased power, Subaru re-tuned the WRX suspension, increasing spring rates and adding thicker stabilizer bars. Standard 17 x 7- inch alloy wheels wear 225/45R17 summer performance tires, compared to 205/50R17 all-season tires on the 2008 WRX.

The 2009 Impreza WRX is equipped exclusively with a 5-speed manual transmission and, like all Subarus, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction control system, standard on all Impreza models for 2009, helps to enhance road handling safety. An Incline Start Assist feature can help prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when being driven away from a stop on a hill.

Rally-Inspired Interior

The WRX interior for 2009 gains new WRX-exclusive carbon black checkered upholstery, accented by red stitching. A standard tilt and telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel is accented by red stitching, and standard aluminum-alloy pedal covers now include the driver's footrest. Performance-design front seats come with the head restraint integrated into the backrest and provides a one-piece, sporty look. The optional Premium Package gains a power moonroof for 2009; other contents carry over, including the 10-speaker audio upgrade with auxiliary input jack, projector-beam fog lights, dual-mode heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer. A navigation system with video jack inputs is also available.

About ESPN's X Games Franchise

More than 150 of the world's best athletes annually participate in the premier action sports competition featuring BMX Freestyle, Moto X, Skateboard and Rally Car Racing. X Games Los Angeles-based venues include STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. and The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games, Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Malaysia and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards and DVDs.