Subaru Australia's STI Special

By Motoring Channel Staff - 21/12/2004

What would happen if you took a Subaru Impreza WRX, added key STI components, Australian planning, design and engineering?

The result is Subaru's new Limited Edition Impreza WRX WRP10 – a model exclusive to the Australian market.

The WRP10 will be available from late January 2005 and is limited to 200 units, featuring individually numbered badges. Subaru expects the model will fetch about 50 large.

Nick Senior, Subaru Australia's GM, says the WRP10 derived its name from elements that are all integral to the Subaru brand.

"The “WR” represents Impreza WRX's success in World Rally competition, “P” the enormous rallying contribution from Pirelli tyres and “10” the years since launch of the original Impreza WRX."

Available exclusively as a Crystal Grey Metallic manual sedan, the WRP10 includes an STI engine performance upgrade kit increasing peak power from standard WRX's not-insignificant 168kW @ 6000rpm to 175kW @ 6000rpm (or about 238 horsepower).

The STI upgrade kit includes a replacement Electronic Control Unit to change fuel injection mapping and other aspects, plus upgraded exhaust components and a unique large single tip muffler.

Combined, these additions give WRP10 more responsive, linear engine performance when accelerating into the higher rpm range.

A carbon fibre strut brace and WRX suspension lowering kit with stiffer springs drop the car's ride height by 15mm. Together, the STI sports parts increase rigidity for improved ride and handling and give WRP10 a more aggressive stance.

WRP10 is finished off with high performance, lightweight 5-spoke forged alloy RAYS wheels and Pirelli P Zero Nero tyres (215/45 ZR17 [91Y]).

Nick Senior said the WRP10 shows Subaru's commitment to technical development in Australia and the impressive talents of STI Australia, based in Melbourne: "The limited edition model is the first developed by STI Australia, in conjunction with STI Japan and provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase the performance credentials of Subaru and STI engineers.

"The WRP10 is sure to have strong appeal for Impreza WRX enthusiasts and will provide us with a chance to assess the potential for further limited editions and how Australia can contribute to the product planning and engineering process in the future."

Whilst pricing is yet to be finalised, the factory guaranteed WRP10 is expected to retail around $50,000, and remember that only 200 of the rare STI Australia models will be sold. News: The WRP10 will be on sale from the third week of January 2005 with a Recommended Retail Price of $48,490.

Nick Senior, General Manager, Subaru Australia believes the pricing reflects Subaru's commitment to providing customers with outstanding value. "The Impreza WRP10 represents fantastic value for those looking for something slightly different to a standard Impreza WRX. We are pleased to be able to offer a limited edition designed especially for the Australian market which showcases the very best our STI engineers can offer."

In other Subaru news, the Japanese corporation has announced that its all-new 7-seat crossover utility vehicle will be officially named the 'B9 Tribeca'.

The vehicle will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, USA, on January 10, 2005, and will be introduced on the North American market during the year.

"B9" denotes Subaru's signature, horizontally-opposed Boxer engine and the number 9 comes from a part of Subaru's product line-up category codes.

Tribeca is a vibrant New York City neighbourhood with many distinctive boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, where young artists work and cutting-edge trends are created that attract worldwide attention.

Its name is an abbreviation of Triangle Below Canal Street (a triangle-shaped area south of Canal Street and north of Wall Street in Manhattan).

Originally announced as the B9X, Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), the maker of Subaru vehicles, selected the name B9 Tribeca after consulting with existing owners, potential customers and business partners.

"We feel that the name Subaru B9 Tribeca has a greater resonance in the North American marketplace and will more effectively position the car when it is launched early next (Northern) summer," said Mr Kyoji Takenaka, president and CEO of FHI.

"Subaru can leverage the vested equity already associated with the progressive style, art, and culture that the name Tribeca represents."