Long-time Subaru fans such as myself are no stranger to disappointment, but boy, did they manage to dose plenty of people with the announcement of the first “STI” in ages. Make some sad trombone noises as the carmaker just announce the WRX STI Sport#.
Carrying over from where the 2023 WRX STI Sport# left off, the WRX STI Sport# is still a few tweaks and horsepower shy of a full-flooded WRX STI. The STI Sport moniker means it’s basically a STI Lite—similar to BMW’s M Sport or Mercedes-Benz’s AMG Line. The “#” here isn’t a hashtag; it’s Subaru-speak for “Sharp.” So, yes, this WRX STI Sport Sharp is named after one of the driving modes you find in the Subaru SI-Drive system, or if you prefer, a raise in music tone.
Still limited to Japan and in limited quantities starting in March, the WRX STI Sport# isn’t something unique from Subaru. Like previous STI efforts, they’ve simply dug into the STI parts bin and fitted it with goodies such as an STI flexible draw tower bar and flexible draw stiffeners on both ends.
Thankfully, there are unique touches here such as STI-tuned ZF electronically controlled dampers and a Viscous LSD with central differential fitted to the AWD system. This tells you one important thing: it’s got a 6-speed manual. Yes, while the rest of the world, including the Philippines, has the 6-speed manual option, this marks the first time a three-pedal setup of the current-generation WRX is being offered in Japan since 2019.
18-inch Brembo brakes with gold-painted six pots at the front and two at the rear, 19 x 8.5 J wheels, and 245/35R19 Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires completes the transformation.
Outside, it has a black-painted trunk spoiler, while inside it has a leather-wrapped shift knob, leather-wrapped handbrake (yes, the traditional hand brake is back), and ultrasuede Recaro seats with yellow perforations.
Now, in case you’re wondering, the WRX STI Sport# carries over the WRX powertrain completely stock. The FA24 still makes 275 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and the torque is still set at 350 Nm at 2,000 to 5,200 rpm. Neither has it undergone any weight reduction as its 1,560-kilogram curb weight puts close to the stock WRX.
If there’s a silver lining here, Subaru says the availability of the 6-speed manual on the WRX STI Sport# is another step in making Subarus fun again. So yeah…while this particular “STI” doesn’t live up to expectations, perhaps the next couple of special edition WRXs will make up for it.
Decent effort by Subaru.
ReplyDeleteAt least the manual transmission variant of the WRX Sedan is still available.
we have to accept, while there's still the STI name, its soul had already passed
ReplyDeleteThey are sad, lazy... It's as if the isn't a car person in Subaru anymore. They gave up.
ReplyDelete