Spy photos: 2009 Subaru WRX STI spotted at the Nurburgring

YES!!! You just made my day, Ed! It's interesting that it doesn't have the optional mesh grille with the Subaru six star emblem in the center as seen at the link below.
 
http://66.160.188.111/Straightline/2669

I like the STI version better, at least from what I can see here. The optional WRX grille doesn't look "finished" with the logo just plopped in the center.

It'll look good if they change the smiley lower front opening. But still, a little boring, especially in the rear.

THANK GOD, I was really leaning towards the three diamonds ever since the release of the regular wrx. I'll still have to wait and see the final production model

It might look better camoflauged than without! :) I sure hope it's faster than the Evo X, because it sure doesn't look nicer!

VERY nice!

I thought they were moving away from the "WRX STI" name.

Sorry but the STI from these pics, black on black with black camo. Seems like it's trying to hide the new blandness that the new WRX is. I hope it looks a lot better but somehow I doubt it. Mitsu got the look right with the new Lancer and the new EXO X looks great. Subaru dropped the ball on the design of the new ImprezCamry. Oh sorry that's not fair.... the new Camry looks better than the WRX.
I've been a long time Subie fan but unless this new STI looks 100% different from the new WRX it had better wipe the floor with the EVO X performance wise. Which from what I'm reading probably won't be the case. Mitsu has all te good stuff including Yaw control and what's Subaru going to do? Put the LSD back into the STI that they took out of the WRX?

I think part of the reason people think it looks so ugly is that, grill aside, we're only seeing pictures of it in hatchback form. Maybe the sedan will look slightly better (wishful thinking).

The STI will not be available as a sedan.

Those fender flares add so much to the overall look IMO.

better. MUCH better. still hate the grille but thankfully, there are options.... :) stevecebu, i have to side with you on quite a few things... but hey, much better than the regular impreza...

and the "altezzas" (rear taillights) have GOT TO GO!

Say what you will about this new bodywork, but the looks of the current STI are exactly why I don't own one. Too boy racer for me. I don't think they're ugly, just a little out of place with my burgeoning gray hair.
  
I've owned over the top looking motorcycles and a bright red muscle car. They were perfectly appropriate when I was younger. Now I own a small business, a mortgage, a couple of kids, a dog, a minivan and 15 extra pounds. A bit less 'look-at-me' while retaining STI perfomance... sounds like a winner to this demographic representative.

Yeah, I think once all the camo is removed—and in Paris Hilton's words—"it's hot."
 
Re: taillights: One thing people don't seem to realize is that a clear rear lens is safer than a red rear lens. Here's why:
 
There is far more contrast between clear and bright red than there is between red and bright red when braking. That means, for drivers who are following an Impreza 5-door—and who aren't paying as much attention to driving as they should be, the clear-to-bright red will stand out more and has a better chance of catching their attention.

bob: yes, true but there are ways around this... if you have LED's, then it's not that much of a concern. :)

Turn signals are also much more noticeable when they are the proper amber instead of red, yet the recent trend seems to be abandoning amber signals. What is the logic in that?