Tokyo 2009: WRX STi Carbon gets a weave
by Jonathon Ramsey on Oct 21st 2009 at 11:01AM 
Subaru WRX STi Carbon -- Click above for high-res image gallery
Most people we talked with don't seem to understand the point of the Subaru WRX STi Carbon unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show – but it's a JDM-only car, and frankly, there are a lot of things that outsiders don't understand about the Japanese market.
The carbon-roofed A-Line will come with two choices of engine, but since the model isn't earmarked for America, we probably don't need to worry about it. That said, the powerplants are as intriguing as the car: a 2.5-liter turbo with 296 horsepower, and a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo with 305 hp. Both will operate through the only tranny on offer: a five-speed automatic. If you got past that last sentence, there's also suede inside. So you'll be more comfortable shifting... your automatic. Have a look at it in the gallery of high-res photos below.
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Subaru WRX STi Carbon
Photos copyright ©2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tommy 11:20AM (10/21/2009)
Although I HATE automatic transmissions, this is propably not a bad idea for busy Tokyo traffic. I imagine this caters towards 40+ crowd
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Eh 11:44AM (10/21/2009)
Its probably a direct shift gearbox automatic instead of a regular automatic, DSG's are really nice. I cant imagine them putting a regular automatic in a car that powerful, when it gets confused and laggy it would be the death of you.
Victor 11:57AM (10/21/2009)
It's a 5 speed auto, if I'm correct. Having lived in japan, i can understand the need for an Auto trans.
BoxerFanatic 11:21AM (10/21/2009)
whoopie.... an A-spec STI, *now, NEW AND IMPROVED!!! with Carbon Fiber, and Alcantara!"
The dark roof treatment does slightly lessen the hunchback look, but it still looks liffy, and the rest of the bodywork is cartoonishly styled, and blunt on the front.
Underneath, it is an A-spec "luxury" version of the japanese WRX STI. They have had an A-spec, or A-line, or whatever they call the automatic version, for a few years now.
They also have had in the past a Legacy 3.0R Spec B with a 6-speed stick, and they have never sold an H6 with a manual gearbox in the US, ever, that I can tell.
More subarus for the domestic market that the US will never ever see.
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Benfolio 12:05PM (10/21/2009)
But that's why Subarus are like Legos.
If you don't like what you got, parts and peices from other Subarus will most likely bolt right on.
dasupersprint91 11:23AM (10/21/2009)
Does it make sense to offer two different engines wich have a 8hp difference? I mean...it's 2% more powerful...
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Fazzster 11:33AM (10/21/2009)
They make the 2.0 for WRC homolagation rules as well as for the markets who tax cars on displacement.
Farris 11:39AM (10/21/2009)
I thought Subaru dropped out of WRC?
molson3530 11:42AM (10/21/2009)
Fazzter: you must have missed this http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/16/officially-official-subaru-leaving-world-rally-championship/ So Subaru makes a homologation engine for a series they no longer participate in? Interesting....
Josiah 1:07PM (10/21/2009)
OMG you must be right. You should call Subaru immediately and inform them of this slip up.
/sarcasm
dasupersprint91 1:11PM (10/21/2009)
@Josiah
mmm...no. Are you having a bad day buddy?
tankd0g 11:00PM (10/21/2009)
Subaru is not going to stop manufacturing an engine mid stream just because they don't have a factory team in WRC, there are plenty of STIs still running in WRC.
Steve_S 11:39AM (10/21/2009)
Looks nice an all, wished the NA market got the push button start and Recaro's. They need to put on more performance parts and make an enthusiast edition. The new STI is a tad too watered down.
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Kumar 11:57AM (10/21/2009)
I saw that push button start too. Noticed Legacy and Outback get turn signal mirrors outside the US too (2010 model).
Lack of a push button isn't as bad as the lack of stop/start systems that are seemingly in every country but the US.
Fazzster 11:53AM (10/21/2009)
Subaru dropped out of WRC after the development of the 2.0. With much invested in the 2.0, it would be foolish to drop the engine. Pulling out of the WRC is only temporary and a matter of financial necessity in a very bad economy.
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petee209 12:23PM (10/21/2009)
I wish we had the 2.0l in NA.
I think Subaru dropping out of WRC had more to do with the new rules more than the economics situation.
Joao Rodrigues 1:00PM (10/21/2009)
That's not the reason. Subaru still compete in PWRC, and they have to have a 2.0L engine, so they use that engine for PWRC homologation.
m 11:59AM (10/21/2009)
There's nothing wrong with automatic transmissions. What are wrong are torque converters. So does this thing have a slushbox?
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BoxerFanatic 12:56PM (10/21/2009)
yes, it does.
it is not an automated gearbox. it is a hydraulic automatic, and is only one of the SEVERAL versions of the WRX STI that Japan gets.
and it is in Japan only, not the US. All US cars are 6MT.
ThreePedals 3:02PM (10/21/2009)
There are several things wrong with automated shifting dohickeys that even the elimination of the rubber bands (or torque converters, as you call them) cannot aleviate. It's yet another layer of isolation between the car and the driver that has no place in an enthusiast's car.