Subaru’s WRX STI platform has always held a strong following. Over the past two years, however, the future of the vehicle has remained somewhat cloudy; a product of the brand’s announcement that it would discontinue production of the lauded EJ20 engine, which had originally made its mark alongside the flagship chassis. Well, the demise of the sporty namesake turned out to be a farse, and fans rejoiced. Now, the brand’s Japanese branch has announced the WRX S4 STI Sport “#.”
The Subaru WRX S4 STI Sport # makes its debut as an enhanced iteration of the manufacturer’s traditional STI, taking on an evolved 2.0L four-cylinder engine rated at 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. That might not seem like a marked improvement over the base platform, but where the # truly shines is in its performance-focused handling improvements. Below the vehicle’s sleek skin, it’s been adorned with a unique set of Subaru Technica components, as well as STI-tuned Bilstein DTMatic II inverted struts, springs, dampers, and draw stiffeners, allowing the car to negotiate tight turns, roadways, and back roads with increased acuity. It’s also been clad in a new, albeit subtle, aerodynamic package, and includes an updated RECARO interior to offer buyers the true enthusiast’s touch. Only 500 of these models are slated for release, and sadly, they’re only for the Japanese audience. Head over to Subaru’s international website to learn more.
