2011 Subaru Impreza WRX gets the wide-body look of the STI

The 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX will look more like the WRX STI model by adopting the STI's wide-body look, including a wide track front and rear, and wider tires.

The front and rear tracks of the 2011 WRX are 1.5 inches wider, compared with the 2010 model. Wheel diameter remains at 17 inches, but the wheels get an inch wider at 8 inches. The wheels are fitted with 235/45R-17 tires.

The WRX powertrain for 2011 remains the turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four engine, rated at 265 hp and 244 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive.

Subaru says the wide-body 2011 WRX, in four- and five-door body styles, gains 33 pounds over the comparable 2010 model. The car goes on sale this summer.

By Dale Jewett