Pure speculation at this point until final details are released, but I thought it might be informative to make an "educated" guess at where the US spec. Sti might fit in.

2003 Type UK Sti = 1470 kg (3234 lbs, no DCCD, 2.0L)
2003 ***. Spec. Sti = 1440 kg (3168 lbs = without opt. DCD, 2.0L).
US Spec. Sti ~ 3300 lbs ??? (with DCCD and 2.5L), 300 bhp
US Lancer Evo VIII ~3265 lbs, 271 bhp
US spec. Audi S4 B6, ~3645 lbs, 340 bhp
US spec. BMW M3 ~3415 lbs, 333 bhp
Nissan 350Z "Track" ~3310 lbs, 287 bhp

Power-to Weight estimates (bhp-to-unladen curb weight); obviously the higher the number, the better.........

US Sti ~ 0.091
US Evo VIII ~0.083
Audi S4 B6 ~ 0.093
BMW M3 ~0.098
Nissan 350Z Track ~0.087

These are all estimates (I tried to use data from reliable sources), so don't flame me if some of these are slightly out.

We all know that these figures don't tell the whole story regarding real-world performance, but it gives you some idea where the STi fits in (on paper at least). Other factors, such as torque, gearing, driver ability, turbo lag will play important roles too on the street/track.

 

Another interesting bench-racing point, is to compare torque-to-weight ratios. The M3 isn't such a hotshot anymore, is it?

 

Cligedy,

yeah, you're right about the torque-to-weight issue; neither the M3 (nor a Porsche 996 C4S for that matter) look too sparkling in that comparison.

Moreover, I think it should be relatively easy to extract another 50 bhp and 50 lb/ft of torque (being conservative here) from the Sti very cheaply with just ECU/exhaust modifications, without compromising the day-to-day driveability and risking too many (long term) problems.

It just gets better and better............