The Subaru WRX and STI were refreshed for 2018 with updated styling and some new options. America also got the limited-edition WRX STI Type RA, a tribute to the car that made a Nürburgring lap record attempt. Not much has changed for 2019, though we get a new special edition and a new and much needed infotainment system. Also, the STI finally gets a boost in power! The tried and true EJ now cranks out 310 horses. Rejoice?
Since it arrived in the US, the Subaru WRX STI has hovered around 300 horsepower. That was world-class in the early 2000s, but the 2018 model's 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer-four 305 horsepower output is no longer something to write home about. This week, The Truth About Cars reported that the hottest Impreza might get another slight bump. A NHTSA document lists the 2019 model at all of 310 horsepower, the same output as the limited-run WRX STI Type RA.
The letters W, R and X are often featured on the trunklid of a fast, blue Subaru, but the other important letters for a Subaru are STI – standing for Subaru Tecnica International. The STI motorsport brand brings to mind '90s World Rally Championship victories and Impreza legends such as the wide-bodied 1998 22B, but the division is actually a bit older: STI is celebrating its 30th anniversary this week.
The S208 is the WRX STI range-topper at 329 horsepower, the BRZ STI Sport gets no power hike.
The regular Impreza was completely redesigned for 2017, so an all-new WRX seems likely soon.
Look for a refreshed version of the current car for 2018.
Subaru Tecnica International is preparing to unveil performance-tuned concepts based on the XV Crosstrek Hybrid and Levorg wagons at the Tokyo Auto Salon.
Subaru is expanding the availability of the EyeSight safety suite to the 2016 WRX and giving all models its Starlink infotainment system. The 2016 STI Limited offers a smaller wing as a no-cost option.
We curate news and notes from the floor of the New York Auto Show, with a focus on how the Continental name inspired Lincoln's designers.
Subaru is recalling 660,238 vehicles located in 20 US states that use salt on their roads. It's possible that salty water could splash onto the rear brake lines, and it could eventually cause corrosion and potentially perforation, leading to a fluid leak.
It was 1998 when Subaru made some crucial changes to its World Rally Championship Impreza, such as increasing the displacement of the turbocharged flat-four-cylinder engine from 2.0 to 2.2 liters and fitting wide fender flares. Subaru won the WRC manufacturer championship with the car that year, and it also was the year of the automaker's 40th anniversary. To celebrate the milestone, the company
Subaru WRX STI-powered Volkswagen Beetle - Click above to watch the video after the break
Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C – Click above for high-res image gallery
