Subaru Liberty GT 2008 Review

Yes, Subaru does have cars in the luxury car sector complete with leather interior and high performance. Its top car is the Liberty GT tuned by STI.

The “tuned by STI” is the suffix that makes the difference. The GT Spec.B sedan and station wagon are pretty good things already, but the STI extras take them one step higher.

STI is to Subaru what AMG is to Mercedes-Benz - giving a bit more hard-edge engine performance, some chassis (therefore handling and steering) improvements and some aerodynamic and aesthetic touches to the bodywork.

STI stands for Subaru Tecnica International and enthusiasts already know that the STI version is the one to have if you're serious about performance in the Impreza WRX small sports hatchback.

Let's take a quick look at the Liberty GT Spec.B and then see what STI version adds.

The GT Spec.B uses Subaru's four-cylinder boxer engine of 2.5 litres, double overhead camshafts and turbocharged to give 184kW power and 339Nm torque.

It's $55,990 for the sedan, in either the six-speed manual or five-speed sequential automatic, and $57,990 for the wagon.

It comes with black leather interior, dual-zone climate control, eight-way power adjustment for the front seats (driver's with memory), 18in alloy wheels, satellite navigation, all-wheel-drive, airbags for front, front side and curtain, Momo sports steering wheel, ventilated ABS brakes front and rear plus Bilstein sports suspension. Sound system is a six-stack CD with six speakers. And it has the Subaru Intelligent Drive for programmed car settings. The new Subaru Liberty GT tuned by STI gets a series of enhancements (see Small Torque, right) to the above - starting with power raised to 194kW at 6000rm and torque to 350Nm at 2800rpm.

The STI Liberty sedan is listed at $65,990 and the wagon $67,990, again regardless of being the six-speed manual or five-speed sequential automatic.

SMALL TORQUE

STI good stuff

As well as the lift in power and torque, the Subaru Liberty GT tuned by STI gets suspension upgrades and interior treatments.

The Bilstein shock absorbers have damping ratios unique to STI, aimed at giving a flatter ride. The rear suspension kit has partial ball-bearing jointed bushes. This is said to reduce friction and improve road holding. STI springs lower the car by 5mm.

Brembo brakes - four-piston at the front and two-pot on the rear - are painted black. A stainless-steel, mesh-type brake hose is fitted.

The 12-spoke Enkei wheels with STI badging are 2.5kg lighter than the standard Liberty GT wheels and come in what's called luminosity silver.

The front lip and rear boot spoilers are said to suppress lift, give better aerodynamics and stability at speed. The front grille is unique to this STI model.

Inside, the leather and alcantara front seats get a cherry-coloured STI logo. There are further STI logos on instruments and door sills.

Body colours for the STI versions are black, silver, grey and white. The cars carry “tuned by STI” badging.