06 Nov 07
And so it proves, as I power out of the Fuji pitlane. The throttle response is torpid at first, until the turbocharger is really spinning. A torpid throttle? That's with the SI-Drive (Subaru Intelligent Drive) system switched to, yes, Intelligent. This is a throttle response tailored to be gentle on mild openings, designed for easier driving in traffic. There's even a change-up light to tell you how to drive economically, something which is bound to be at the front of every STi driver's mind. The 'intelligent' bit is that if the driver presses the accelerator harder, the system 'escapes tentatively' (so says the Japanese information pack) into Sport mode.
Phew. A proper response now, which you can also select manually. This gives a linear relationship between throttle position and torque delivery, described by Subaru as an 'almighty' setting. I think Subaru actually means 'omnipotent'. Whatever, it's the obvious all-purpose mode, which does what you want an accelerator to do instead of trying to be too clever.
Ah yes, but there's also Sport Sharp mode. This exaggerates the throttle input to make the engine feel sharper, an exaggeration that also has the effect of spooling up the turbocharger more quickly. Subaru recommends this mode for circuit driving. I recommend it for any time you want to drive the STi as it is meant to be driven.
Sport Sharp engaged, it's into the hairpin at the end of the straight, power through and downhill to the fast left and long, tightening, frightening right. The STi is clearly fast - 0-60mph should take around five seconds - but it doesn't feel particularly focused. In fact it feels quite soft and, as we enter the esses I'm disappointed to feel the nose wash wide and the tail unresponsive to throttle inputs.
Hmm. An STi should be all about biting into a bend and flicking its tail with a power-flourish as the bend is exited. This feels far too inert, far too 'safe'. Subaru is determined to broaden the STi's appeal to those who might otherwise buy European, probably German, performance cars, such as the BMW 130i and Porsche Cayman. But dumbing-down its chassis responses isn't the way to go about it.
