The Subaru WRX is
without a doubt a strong candidate for the car model with the highest number
grades and special editions. Add to the many existing WRX variants a new one
that has just launched in Japan. It’s called the WRX S4 STI Sport, and it
debuts as the range-topping WRX S4 model.
It’s not the first
Subaru vehicle to get the STI Sport designation in Japan: both the Levorg and
BRZ have got there first. As with those models, the WRX S4 STI Sport is jointly
developed with Subaru Tecnica International (STI), and that’s obviously a good
thing.
Subaru claims the
new model brings improved driving performance, combining supple ride comfort
with agile handling and increased cornering stability. That’s due to mechanical
upgrades such as the STI-tuned Bilstein DTMatic II inverted struts at the
front, as well as the conventional dampers and springs at the rear (also tuned
by STI).
The WRX S4 STI
Sport also features unique exterior design touches, headlined by the dark metal
front grille with STI badge and dark gray 18-inch alloys. A number of
black-painted elements are easy to spot and they include the boot lid spoiler,
shark fin antenna, mirror caps, and front fender trim.
Inside, the
range-topping WRX S4 gains Recaro front seats upholstered in Bordeaux leather
and ultra suede, leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitching, stainless
steel sill plates, and the STI logo visible all over the place.
The engine is the
same as in the regular WRX S4: 2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer unit rated at 300
PS and 400 Nm of torque, mated to a Sport Lineartronic CVT
automatic and Subaru’s AWD system. The Subaru WRX S4
STI Sport will arrive in Japanese dealerships on September 21 with a starting
price of 4,093,200 yen (US$ 38,850), including the local consumption tax.
