Subaru pulled the curtain back on it's latest boy racer, and its a little more grown up then you might expect.
2015 Subaru WRX STI - Launch Edition
2015 Subaru WRX STI video
WRX STI fans finally got to see the fruits of Subaru's refresh of their halo car. And sadly it is as we all feared, it is not the concept. Wa-Wa.
Stop teasing us Subaru!
But that's alright, right? I mean there are plenty of other upgrades I'm sure we can talk about that will take your mind off that. Like the horsepower increase of... or a weight reduction of... well I'm sure there's a MPG increase? No? Well what about the price?
Ok well the HANDLING is better, thanks to some electronic assist in the form of the DCCD AWD system and a stiffer suspension thanks to the use of high-tensile steel. Oh and a tighter steering ratio, from the 14.5:1 of the standard WRX to a 13:0:1 steering ration in the STI.
And the styling? A little more mature, but still very timely. Reminds me of the Evo almost. Sure the wing is still big enough to build a drone with, but that's part of the charm after all. For everyone else there's always a screw driver, and hey you can always sell it to the kid down the street with the Civic.
2015 Subaru WRX STI
And inside? It's nicer too. The wheelbase is an inch longer so you have that extra bit of room, the windshield is more raked, and the doors open a little wider. Even the power moonroof opens an inch further then the previous model. In almost every way, the new STI seems to be just that one inch better.
Oh there are real updates to the interior, it is after all a Subaru. The STI now features dual-zone climate as standard, so no more fights with your spotter to turn the heat up, and the new standard audio system combines HD radio and a single disk cd player so you won't have to throw out that dubstep cd collection you spent all that time putting together.
Aw who am I kidding, it's got iPod control capability anyways, so who needs CD's? And there's the optional 6.1" LCD or possibly something smaller depending on what you spring for.
Of course all this innovation meant Subaru had to cut some corners. It's difficult, but it happens. As a result, no more 5-door boy racers. Like the WRX, the STI is sedan only so if you want some Subaru hot-hatch action then your best recourse is the turbo powered Forester. What? I'm being serious here.
Also, for what we can only assume is also budget reasons, the signature WR Blue Pearl with gold rims STI will only be offered in a limited offering of 1,000. Dubbed the Launch Edition, it will have special cabin trim with blue highlights to go with its blue exterior, gold painted BBS forged alloy wheels, an STI short throw shifter, and keyless access & start.
And remember, there's only going to be 1,000 of them, so a certain number of them will probably die a glorious but hoon-filled death. For the rest of us, there's always spray paint and the aftermarket.
So in the end, the all new WRX STI is the most refined one yet. I'm sure we all cannot wait to see what the next one brings. CAN. NOT. WAIT.
