At first look, the Subaru WRX STI Kind RA looks like it got here out of a tuner’s storage and never a Subaru manufacturing unit. Its traditional large wing remains to be there, nevertheless it’s a racier carbon fiber one. Its BBS wheels have a unique design and are barely bigger. The entrance and rear bumpers are angrier and are available nearer to the pavement. However Subaru did not get these components from a visit to the store — it went to the Nürburgring.
Constructed to have a good time Subaru’s record-setting lap on the famed German monitor, this limited-edition sport sedan takes all the pieces we love about the usual STI and amplifies it with a number of key adjustments. It is higher to drive, and relying in your tastes, possibly even higher to have a look at.
It is a look, that is for positive
In an effort to ditch 68 kilos off its curb weight, the STI Kind RA is outfitted with a roof product of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, a carbon-fiber adjustable rear wing and light-weight BBS wheels. Mixed with new rear fender cutouts, a restyled rear bumper and some crimson accents, the ensuing look is extra racer than day by day driver, not that the STI’s commonplace rear wing is not a press release itself. You may should dig that type of aesthetic to not really feel like a weirdo behind the wheel. Make no mistake, it turns heads.
These hints of crimson proceed inside, touchdown on the usual (and really supportive) Recaro sport seats and nearly each half from the doorways to the dashboard. Hell, even the seatbelts are crimson. Fortunately, the STI’s Impreza roots means you get a clear, properly organized cabin with an important seating place and glorious visibility. One benefit of that vast wing: It is tall sufficient to not hinder rearward views in any respect.
Because the adage goes, you do not have to have a look at it whenever you’re driving it.
Nick Miotke/Roadshow
Grasp (again highway) blaster
It is arduous to care concerning the seems at velocity, and fortunately, attaining velocity is simply concerning the best factor to do within the Kind RA. Subaru’s venerable 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-four engine now places out 310 horsepower, a 5-horsepower bump made potential by a retuned ECU, a brand new consumption, new pistons, sodium-filled valves and a beefier exhaust system.
As quickly because the clutch pedal hits its predictable chew level, the Kind RA is able to occasion. That acquainted flat-four engine be aware drags some turbo whoosh alongside for the journey in the direction of the highest of the rev vary, feeling only a bit extra sprightly than the common STI. The shifts are as crisp and simple as ever, and due to a shorter third gear, it feels prefer it needs to maintain accelerating nicely previous the common freeway velocity. Brief gearing means greater revs at freeway speeds, although, which interprets to middling gas financial system — the EPA charges the Kind RA at 22 mpg freeway, and whereas I noticed higher figures nearer to 24 or 25, it is lower than I’ve wrangled from the Subaru’s opponents.
However energy’s solely a part of the equation. The lighter, stiffer Kind RA feels extra rewarding to toss round, partially because of a brand new set of Bilstein dampers. Its low middle of gravity, commonplace all-wheel drive and sticky 245/35R19 Yokohama Advan summer season tires maintain the RA good and planted by way of turns. Dive right into a nook, smash the fuel, wait half a tick for the turbocharger to catch up and off you go.
In fact, all these efficiency components carry a trade-off. Within the metro Detroit space, the place the roads waver between iffy and downright third world, the STI Kind RA’s Bilstein shocks sound loud and really feel crashy. The stiff chassis hops over bumps and results in a good bit of human motion within the seats, however my coworkers in nicer components of the nation say the Kind RA is simply advantageous on smoother pavement.
Tech is low-pri however advantageous
In relation to driver’s automobiles, the main focus isn’t on creature-comfort tech, and that is the story for the STI Kind RA. There’s a normal 7-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system, which works nicely sufficient when it comes to response and ease of use. It consists of each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however for some odd purpose I could not get Apple CarPlay to kick in, nor might editor-in-chief Tim Stevens get Android Auto to work. The infotainment additionally lacks built-in navigation, which is a bummer at this worth however is negated by the cellphone mirroring that comes commonplace.
By way of security tech, the STI Kind RA will get a backup digicam, and that is it. Subaru’s EyeSight suite of energetic and passive security techniques solely goes so far as the WRX (when geared up with a CVT), so that you’re by yourself when it comes to stopping collisions.
There is not a complete ton of tech, however that is probably not the purpose of this automotive.
Nick Miotke/Roadshow
How I would spec it
The STI Kind RA is a straightforward one to spec, as a result of it is solely out there in a single $49,855 specification. You can, nonetheless, possibility it in one in every of three totally different colours — black, blue or white. Contemplating gold wheels look finest with blue paint, that is what I would do. Positive, it seems meaner in black, however the second you wash the automotive with a grimy mitt, it should be Paint Swirl Metropolis.
All the way down to brass tacks
At practically $50,000, the STI Kind RA has some bizarre competitors. It is costlier than the Audi S3, which is a bit smaller however a bit extra luxurious. It is rather less costly than a Mercedes-AMG CLA45, which has a advantageous engine however is in any other case unremarkable at finest. Drop a number of additional thousand , although, and also you’re into 354-horsepower Audi S4 (or 400-hp Audi RS3) territory.
Down on the STI’s conventional beginning worth, although, the Subaru faces some critical opposition from the Ford Focus RS, Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R. You possibly can load all three automobiles to excessive heaven, and whilst you may not get the exclusivity of the Kind RA, you get some superb rides that will not punish you on crappier roads.
The Subaru WRX STI Kind RA is a good sharper knife than ordinary. It can slice its method by way of site visitors and carve up corners, and it’ll by no means cease being enjoyable. It is costly, however you are paying for its 500-example exclusivity (and that garish wing). If you wish to really feel such as you’re continually making an attempt to beat Subaru’s four-door Nürburging lap file, the Kind RA will definitely ship.