Subaru's Power Play: Tuned by STI Impreza WRX

Motoring Channel Staff - 30/Jan/2007

Melbourne, Australia — With FPV, HSV, Walkinshaw, CSV and many other car tuners giving Aussie cars more power and better handling, STI has decided to unleash 200 versions of a specially tuned turbo WRX.

In order to keep interest for the current Subaru Impreza WRX running hot, Subaru Australia has unleashed a $47,000 WRX model, with boosted power, improved cornering capabilities and some visual modifications.

For $46,990, Subaru says that its new creation includes more than $12,000 worth of extra equipment for only $7,000 more than the standard Impreza WRX.

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia said: "This locally tuned variant has put a priority on low down engine performance.

"We’ve used specialised STI engine tuners from FHI [Fuji Heavy Industries] to tailor this car to suit Australian conditions and provide an exhilarating, high performance package."

With the new Mitsubishi Lancer coming in June 2007 - which also means the fire-breathing halo model, the Evolution X, is not far off - Subaru has plans to release a range of new 'Tuned by STI' models and other limited edition Imprezas and Liberties to keep sales steady as it runs out the current range of Impreza models.

The next Subaru Impreza model, the 2008 version, isn't due until the end of 2007 in Australia, which gives the new Lancer a good four or five months lead in with an all-new model. Subaru's MY08 (model year 2008) Subaru Impreza will be based on the Liberty's floorpan and will be an even sleeker design than the current model, with more emphasis on the new look grille. New engines will also arrive with the new MY08 Subaru Impreza, including the world's first'boxer' 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine.

But what does the 'Tuned by STI' limited edition Impreza WRX offer? According to Subaru, the enhancements include a tuned power plant, high grip Italian tyres, light weight Enkei alloy wheels, leather trim and sunroof.

The Japanese company highlights improved engine performance, achieved by recalibration of the ECU and is combined with a low back pressure exhaust muffler, which adds an extra 10kW and 20Nm of torque to the WRX's standard power tune. 

This results in peak power of 179kW, and Subaru says that throttle and torque response is significantly enhanced with 340Nm @ 3200rpm. The combination of a more linear throttle output and improved torque curve means the Impreza WRX tuned by STI is very responsive, and the car sellerclaims that this point was a project priority for Fuji Heavy Industries’ Subaru Tecnica International (STI) engineers.

The addition of genuine STI sports parts give the chassis a more decisive feel, says Subaru, making the car more rigid. These new parts include a sports suspension setup, a larger front stabiliser bar, more effective rear stabiliser bar mounting, lowered springs, tuned struts, and pilot ball rear suspension arms. Working in tandem with these upgrades are lightweight 18-inch STI Enkei alloy wheels with wider Pirelli P-Zero Nero tyres, which will likely make the most difference in this entire package, providing the car with high levels of grip.

On the outside, interested buyers will be tempted by the addition of an STI front lip spoiler, which is claimed to reduce lift and drag.

There's also a range of interior upgrades, including an aluminium gear knob (complete with short shift gear linkage to significantly improve gear shifting), luxury leather trim,and even a factory fitted electric sunroof. 

Subaru Australia will sell 200 units of the "tuned by STI" WRX for $46,990. Only manual sedans have been tuned by STI, and are available in either WR Blue with shadow chrome wheels, or Obsidian Black with charcoal wheels.