With the release of the Evo X, it’s time to take a quick peek back in time at one of our favourite Top Gear episodes.

Three hot cars, but which one is the most fun? Prepare for Mitsi vs Subie fan battles!

Popularity: 29% [?]

Subaru continues to whet enthusiast appetites with dark, moody shots of the new STi.

Although not immediately clear in the pics, it seems the STi is going to be designed to stand apart from it’s WRX base with a more masculine, bulked up appearance, with bulging muscular fenders, quad tips, a roof wing, and possibly black versions of the clear tail lights, though it’s hard to tell. It seems Subaru have listened to STi owners classically complaining about the STi looking too similar to the ‘standard’ WRX (Though we’re sure some fans must be wishing Subaru had listened on overall styling, period.).

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi. These photo’s have been brightened

The STi will be revealed on the 24th of October at the Tokyo Motor Show (write it in your diaries or something, Scooby fans!)

Popularity: 33% [?]

There’s nothing worse than getting all giddy and excited, and then have hopes dashed by learning that the photos in Best Car, a popular Japanese car mag are renderings (but damn good ones). Some good news prevails, with some key specifications about the STi, though we’ll have to label these as ‘tentative’ until it all comes out proper (they aren’t expected to differ much though). Check it out:

• Engine/Transmission: EJ20 / 6MT
• Power: 300PS (295 hp) @ 6500 RPM
• Torque: 45 kgm (325 lb-ft) @ 4400 RPM
• Fuel Economy: 10.5 km/l (24.7 US MPG) in the Japanese 10-15 mode test cycle

So a near 300HP (an upgraded air intake away) car with 10.5km/l fuel economy. Sounds good to us! And for the rendered pics, check em out here:

[Images from Carscoop]

Popularity: 14% [?]

Subaru will show 2008 WRC car at the Frankfurt show this September with the Subaru WRC Concept. The car shows us what Petter Solberg will be driving come next years World Rally Championship and also give us some insight into what styling next-gen Subaru Impreza STI will sport when it eventually comes out. I must say the look of the new car is starting to grow on me. More pics @ Autoblog.

[Source: Autoblog]

Popularity: 20% [?]

For those of you who haven’t yet seen it, here’s a CG picture of the Australian model Subaru Impreza WRX.

It’s a little bit different to what is expected over in the States and around the world with that grille, and I can’t say hurts, but doesn’t help either. However I think Subaru will find most people prefer the old styling cues, the number one complaint being the new WRX looks like a Mazda 3 (Perhaps, but a Mazda 3 won’t get up and boogie like a turbocharged 2.0 or 2.5L). My main quarrel isn’t the front of the car, but the BMW 1 series like sides. It’s not a bargain basement BMW, it’s supposed to be a Japanese performance machine.

Sedan plus new styling please.

Popularity: 24% [?]