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Without seeing new STIs, we look back on the carmaker’s fastest and coolest trips
Publication date:
May 21, 2022 • 35 minutes ago • 8 minutes of reading • Join the conversation
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There is no doubt that Subaru has gained a reputation over the years among those looking for all-wheel drive performance, which has caused enthusiasts around the world to gasp in disbelief when the carmaker announced that the next-generation WRX STI would be discontinued.
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Between its factory teams from the United States and Japan in the World Rally Championship, Rally America, Canadian Rally, Rallycross and SuperGT, the carmaker has more than 100 podiums to its name.
It is this success that has created many great cars over the years. While other carmakers supply sleek, low-altitude sports cars that can go through the chain with ease, Subaru doesn’t seem willing to compromise on its proven formula for success. As a result, many of their coolest cars are closer to road-ready rally cars than anything else designed and engineered, while demystifying a difficult off-road stage in the middle of a forest.
We hope you are already familiar with the Impreza compact car, as this forms the basis of a number of these high-speed machines. But don’t forget the Subaru Legacy and even the Forester, which had their own special models that lift hair. Let’s go through the list and you can see all sorts of similarities.
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1989 Subaru Legacy RS Turbo
Legacy RS Turbo from 1989 won a record for endurance at land speed Photo by Subaru
Based on: 1989 Subaru Legacy Powered by: boxer engine with turbocharger. Drive Wheels: All Was There a North American Model? Yes Why is this on the list? A record for endurance at ground speed and a cool nickname in Europe
Back in 1989, Subaru was just finding its grip on all-wheel drive to success in North America. Although it offered all-wheel drive, the carmaker pressed the envelope to prove it had the goods to compete globally. The Legacy RS uses a four-cylinder turbo engine with 217 horsepower, along with four-wheel drive. Subaru brought three of these cars to the FIA test track in Phoenix, Arizona, and spun them around the track at an average speed of 223.4 km / h for approximately 19 days, adding up to 100,000 kilometers. This stunt brought Subaru a new world record for endurance at ground speed. Subaru won several fans that day, but perhaps the most telling legend about the Legacy RS Turbo is that Europeans called it Lunacy. Think of all the epic names in automotive history: Godzilla, Rambo Lambo, the Goat, Screaming Chicken … Please throw Lunacy in the mix.
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2006 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT spec.B.
Spec.B says you can be fast and cool without looking like a fool Photo by Subaru
Based on: 2006 Subaru Legacy Powered by: boxed turbocharged engine. Drive Wheels: All Was There a North American Model? Yes Why is this on the list? He had a WRX STI performance without a glaring look
Let’s stick to the Legacy, as most of Subaru’s best cars have four doors, and why not the bigger ones. In 2006, Subaru made 500 examples of the Legacy 2.5GT Spec.B, which uses the same engine from fans’ favorite hot hatch Subaru Impreza WRX. That means 250 horsepower, but as everyone knows, power is not everything. It included a sports suspension and a Torsen limited slip differential, along with the brand’s SI-Drive, a feature that allowed tighter control of engine response.
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Subaru Forester STI
Fast jeeps before they are cool Photo by User3204 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
Based on: Subaru Forester from 2003 to 2008. Powered by: boxer engine with turbocharger. Drive Wheels: All Was There a North American Model? No, why is this on the list? It was a performance-oriented crossover long before they were as cool as they are today.
In a perfect world, anyone could get 265 horsepower, a manual transmission, a practical boxing crossover like this, but this world only exists in Japan. In a short period of time, the Japanese carmaker offered a high-performance version of its square crossover, and that was something else. Lower, firmer, stronger and with better braking, it can handle anything on the road. The North American market came closer to the Forester XT, which was not as powerful but looked just as cool as the STI. Eventually, the name Forester became known for less exciting, family crossovers, and memories of this STI faded.
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2018 Subaru BRZ tS
Subaru’s performance is RWD Photo by Subaru
Based on: 2018 Subaru BRZ Powered by: boxer naturally aspirated engine. Drive wheels: Rear wheels Was there a North American model? Yes Why is this on the list? Subaru’s modern RWD coupe deserves a little love.
Subaru BRZ is weird, even today. The coupe, designed by Toyota and manufactured by Subaru, BRZ felt incompatible with the modern Subaru, which is known for its practical, compact, family-friendly and ubiquitous vehicles. However, the carmaker has expanded its engineering know-how and provided fun to drive and affordable rear-wheel drive coupe. In 2018, Suburu expanded it with 500 examples of tS, which are said to be “tuned by STI”, albeit without forced induction, as it is known to make the arm for performance. It features more traction with larger tires, tuned suspension and improved aerodynamics. This meant that it reacted faster on the track, providing a lot of confidence and faster lap times. It’s always easy to get faster results with more power, but to do so without any engine changes has been shown by Subaru’s expertise in performance.
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2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Cosworth CS400
A party with 400 horsepower? Yes please! Photo by Subaru UK
Based on: 2011 Subaru Impreza Powered by: boxer engine with turbocharger. Drive Wheels: All Was There a North American Model? No. Why is this on the list? Nearly 400 horsepower, under 4 seconds 0-100 km / h time, only 75 made.
In 2011, the British tuning company Cosworth added its special flavor to the Impreza WRX STI. A pinch of extra power at the time meant that this compact limited series included 395 horsepower through various pistons, new connecting rods, a redesigned head gasket and a new turbo. So much horsepower allows acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 3.8 seconds, which sounds terribly great. Throw in the special Eibach springs, the Bilstein shock absorbers and the adjustable rear rollover and this Impreza can cut the tops of whatever track you throw it on. Only 75 examples of this wild CD were made and they were quickly absorbed by the most dedicated enthusiasts.
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2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA
RA = Attempt to record or really great, your choice
Based on: 2018 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Powered by: boxer turbocharged engine Drive wheels: All Was there a North American model? Yes Why is this on the list? Inspired by record time for a tour of the Nurburgring, ready for a track performance over the rally.
In 2017, Subaru set a new record by circling the infamous Nurburgring in just 6: 57.5, making it the fastest four-door at the time. Of course, this was not a production car that worked, but a deceived luxury race car. But Subaru was cool about it and made a production car inspired by its hero – one that could be bought by anyone! And by each we mean only 500 people, because that’s how many are made. Compared to other STIs from 2018, the Type RA features slightly more power, along with a revised third-gear ratio, short shift, Bilstein inverted front struts, suspension changes and a lightweight carbon fiber roof, huge carbon-fiber rear wing and lighter BBS wheels. Of course, it was sweet to fight, breaking through the corners of every track you could get to. Not surprisingly, he enjoys the track the best – but it’s kind of the point of a list of the best cars.
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2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206
Another championship, another great special edition Photo from Subaru Japan
Based on: 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Powered by: boxer turbocharged engine Drive wheels: All Was there a North American model? No. Why is this on the list? Inspired by the 24-hour victory in the Nurburgring class, another high-speed machine on the track
The 2018 Type RA was not the first time Subaru used its exploits at the Nürburgring to sell a car. As early as 2011, the carmaker achieved a class victory in the 24 Hours Nurburgring endurance race, which conveniently helped it promote the new S206. The Subaru S-Series was handcrafted by the carmaker’s Subaru Technica International performance division and was among its worst models. Those who have something for vents and spoons and carbon fiber, here ….
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