Here’s one good reason to move to Japan: The Subaru Impreza WRX STI, a vehicle that offers one of the best performance for money packages on the market is set to receive a new (set of) enhancement(s) that will only be available for the Japanese domestic market.
We’d certainly like to live in a country that has given the world loony vehicles like the GT-R, the Evo and the Subaru Impreza WRX STI ,Subaru’s Japanese website has published a teaser image of an upcoming incarnation of the Impreza WRX STI tS.
The Japanese of Subaru have teased a carbon fiber roof version of the Subaru Impreza WRX STi built only for the Japanese Domestic Market. Subaru Impreza WRX STi is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine capable of developing 300 HP and 300 lb-ft of torque. Again for the ones not knowing too much about Subaru, tS stands for “tuned by STI” and again STI stands for “Subaru Tecnica International.”
The Subaru Impreza WRX STi is back, baby! Erase those horrid memories of the previous Subaru Impreza WRX STi with abundant body roll and numb steering response. And Subaru has brought back the sedan, big wing and all. Turn one is a very sharp right-hander, which required heavy braking off the front straight before turn in. Getting back to the present day, Subaru has heard and, most important, responded to its loyal followers by returning the Subaru Impreza WRX STi sedan to the lineup and made big strides in tightening up the car. The result is a car that responds to steering inputs quicker and with far less body roll, dive under braking and understeer.
If it were a basketball squad you’d have the starting five of Subaru WRX STI, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Volkswagen GTI, Mazdaspeed3 and Volvo S40 R-Design; and then the bench of Lancer Ralliart, Nissan Sentra Spec V, Mini Cooper JCW, Acura CSX Type S and the Subaru WRX. The differences are pronounced – besides the obvious exaggerated body armour (prominent spoiler and wheels), there’s the power thingy (305 hp on the STI, versus a measly 265 on the WRX; 290 lb.-ft. up against 240) and, of course, the price point (the STI carries a $5,500 premium, so you’re pushing $40,000 with the STI rather than breaking $30,000 with the WRX). Where you likely will notice the difference, though, is while you’re shifting through the WRX’s five-speed manual to get up to speed (the STI uses a six speed). The rear seats are split and fold down flat to the second level of the trunk (there’s a lower level closer to the trunk lid and a slight step up above the rear wheel set). Like the STI, the latest WRX is available in hatchback and sedan bodystyle so it’s up to you to decide what bodystyle suits your needs better.