Power figures will always grab attention but the biggest single part of the way any car drives is the way it handles. The roads in the Japan, America and even Europe do not represent the UK's diverse types of roads and surfaces. In our view the best part of the Type−25 is the way it rides and steers but this has taken a lot of time and work to develop. It is not simply a case of a change of springs but a fundamental redesign of the Subaru suspension and the way it works. The original Type−25’s chassis was a product of detailed testing which started in late 2003 in all types of a conditions including, private test facilities, UK roads and on PowerStation's Chassis Dynometer. Testing showed that the Subaru damping, especially at the rear, was not ideally suited to the bumpy UK roads.
Together with Dutch Suspension firm AST, PowerStation produced a completely new suspension and chassis setup that transforms the Subaru's ride and handling. The carefully valved AST suspension soaks up all that the UK roads can throw at it with better control and quality. The softer ride also makes motorway trips far less bouncy and more relaxing. As the AST suspension is adjustable (12 way), you are able to tailor the suspension to your driving style. Small gold adjusters at the end of the strut allow the damping to be changed within seconds. The same suspension setup was used recently on a Factory supported Spec−C Impreza at the Nurburgring 24Hr Race:
The standard Subaru STI chassis is already superbly judged and the MY07 car also features Subaru’s advanced Driver Controlled Centre Differential (DCCD). This amazing control unit allows the car to apportion 59% of the torque to the rear wheels (previous MY05 STI was 65%) and, according to the car’s DCCD ECU, it can shift torque up to 50/50 locking both front and rear axles together for maximum traction. This system was first launched in 2003 and has been continuously honed year on year with the MY06/7 car now using a new steering input sensor and software perfected around circuits, such as the Nurburgring, and winter testing with rally legend Tommi Makkinen. The system is so subtle that you can barely notice it moving the torque distribution, you just have a car that has huge quantities of grip and that can find staggering amounts of traction in even the most slippery of conditions.
The driver is also able to disengage the DCCD ECU and run the car in Manual mode, allowing the choice of exactly how he/she prefers the torque to be split using the in−dash display. This feature comes into its’ own for prolonged drifting on track days, rain soaked motorways or driving on slippery winter roads.
The Type−25 enhances Subaru's already excellent chassis with stiffer front and rear anti−roll bars to reduce body roll and increase control. The steering caster is further increased over the standard MY06/7 cars. This increase dramatically improves steering feel and weight allowing the driver to really understand the car’s limits making it more instinctive and predictable when pushing on. Braided brake hoses give much greater control and feel, with the front anti−lift kit helping to reduce dive and pitch under acceleration and braking. These components greatly add to the Type−25’s sure−footed nature.
At the Brands Hatch circuit the 2004 Type−25 was able to comfortably set faster lap times than more expensive supercars such as the Lamborghini Gallardo, Aston Martin DB9 and MG SV−R, despite these having considerably more power and a smooth, dry circuit. The Type−25 was able to demonstrate what can be done with a chassis that allows the driver to exploit every aspect of the car’s performance. The Type−25 was, in fact, just 0.7sec behind the track focused Porsche GT3 RS! Because the Type−25 responds so predictably you are able to quickly push to the limit, safe in the knowledge that the Type−25’s benign and forgiving handling will not bite back.
These attributes convert over to the road as well, with the Type−25’s improved, dampened ride allowing it to deal with the mid−corner bumps and camber changes far better than the standard car. This allows the driver to maintain a much faster and smoother pace.
The new Type−25 sees this acclaimed chassis further developed with revised damping and a completely new spring design. This new, improved chassis uses the experience gained from both Type−25 production and our race car program. Our new spring design has allowed us to revise the damper rates whilst still maintaining a smooth comfortable ride. The new spring’s unique shape has also improved noise and vibration characteristics. Combined with the improvements in the powertrain, the new Type−25 now laps quicker than the 996 GT3 RS and Ferrari F430 around a circuit. It also proved faster than a 997 Turbo running track tyres around the high speed Snetterton circuit further proving the level of performance the Type−25 has as a complete package.
The new Type−25’s upgrades transform an already good chassis into an exceptional one. These improvements add up to a chassis that is far more forgiving and enjoyable to drive whether you’re setting lap times around the circuit, attacking your favourite B roads or simply cruising on the motorway. This 4 door family saloon must be one of the fastest point to point vehicles available at any price.
