Autoblog

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The island continent has a good thing going when it comes to the cars its citizens can buy. They get their own, highly-desirable, locally-produced products, as well as some of the great imported machinery we regularly pine for, such as the new Ford Mondeo and sport versions of the Euro Focus and Fiesta. It extends to the Japanese automakers, too, as evidenced by Subaru Australia's announcement that a limited run of 300 Liberty GT Tuned by STi cars will be offered. (The Liberty is the Australian Legacy.) In terms of visual and performance enhancements, the STi-enhanced Liberty is very similar to its JDM cousin.

The cars start as Liberty GT spec.B sedans or wagons, and they get a full workover from there. Engine output is 260 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with 256 lb-ft of torque starting at 2,800 rpm. Manually-equipped cars receive a short-throw shifter, while autos benefit from a reprogrammed transmission control unit for a more sporting experience. An upgraded interior, high-end stereo, STi suspension components, STi/Brembo brakes, 18" Enkeis, a sport exhaust, and updated bodywork complete the transformation. Like the Japanese Legacy Tuned by STi we showed you last summer, the Liberty Tuned by STi is a looker that's not just all for show. Also like its Japanese-market counterpart, you can't get it here. Sigh.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: Subaru Australia]