To celebrate the 30th anniversary of STi, Subaru
Southern Africa (SSA) is launching a new limited edition of the 2019 WRX STi
called the Diamond Edition. The WRX STi Diamond Edition was developed by Subaru Southern
Africa’s technical team as the most powerful STi ever to be launched in that
region. The turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four engine is now producing 348 hp and 464 Nm of torque, thanks to a remap and a new performance
exhaust.
The title of the most powerful STi ever sold by an
official Subaru arm still belongs to the 2010 Impreza STI CS400, a UK-exclusive
limited-edition model created with the help of Cosworth, packing 395 hp and 542 Nm of torque.
SSA claims that the new WRX STi Diamond Edition can
reach 100 km/h from a standstill in 5 seconds flat, 0.7 seconds faster
than the standard STi. The Diamond Edition is also faster by more than a second
on the 0-160 km/h acceleration test, with 13.7 seconds over the standard
model’s 14.76 seconds. Top speed however remains the same, at 255 km/h. The chassis of the new Diamond
Edition features a new STi engine brace and the Brembo brakes that feature
six-pot calipers at the front and twin-pot at the rear.
The new Diamond Edition also comes with spacers on
all wheels, making it sit 20mm wider compared to the standard WRX STi. A body
kit finished in High Viz Yellow is another exclusive feature, as well as the
special badging all around the car. A set of 19-inch darkened Y-design alloys
are shod in 245/35 rubber.
The cabin gets model-specific dashboard inlays, an
exclusive numbered panel, a seven-speaker 440W Harmon Kardon audio system and
the latest 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Subaru Southern Africa will offer just 30 examples
of the WRX STi Diamond Edition, as a nod to the 30 years of the STi brand.
First deliveries are expected to take place in January 2019.
