- It's like clockwork: Subaru upgrades the standard STI, then releases the Spec C.
- Of course, once again the lighter, more powerful Spec C is only for Japan.
- Torque goes up to 317 pound-feet thanks to an ECU retune and changes to the turbo.
TOKYO — To go along with the 2011 upgrades to the standard Impreza WRX STI, Subaru has released a new STI Spec C in the Japan market. Like the previous Spec C, this lighter, more powerful Subaru STI is for Japan only.
As expected, Subaru has tweaked the ECU and fitted a special ball-bearing-type twin-scroll turbocharger for added torque and quicker acceleration. The torque rating on the car's turbocharged, 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine increases to 317 pound-feet on the Spec C (up from 311 lb-ft on the standard STI). Horsepower holds steady at 304. A six-speed manual transmission drives all four wheels through a standard all-wheel-drive system. As on the 2009 Spec C, the rear limited-slip differential is mechanical rather than a Torsen-type.
Suspension tuning is unique to the Spec C upgrade, and engineers have reinforced the front crossmember. Steering feel has reportedly been improved, too, by increasing fluid volume through the power steering pump. Tires are Bridgestone Potenza RE070 summer rubber, either 17 or 18 inches in diameter.
The WRX STI's body is lightened by such small but significant changes as an aluminum hood, lighter window glass and a downsized battery.
Gold-colored Brembo brake calipers are key exterior touches on the Spec C, and paint options are blue, white, silver and black. Recaro seats are offered as an option.
The 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C is priced at the equivalent of $44,565.
Inside Line says: Need we say it again? Yes, here we go: Too bad the Spec C is sold in Japan only. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
terc says:
01:28 PM, 05/23/2011
Can you confirm that they went from a 2.5 liter to a 2.0 liter engine?!
Sounds like a typo, but if not, that deserves a bit more attention than simply mentioning the displacement.
k55 says:
12:15 PM, 01/01/2011
WRX Spec W (as in "who gives a sht"). Cost /benefit ratio is way out of wack here Sube Doobie. Why dont you try going back to your roots and bring out something "less expensive " and performance oriented.......why,what a novel idea......
super_ongoy says:
10:56 PM, 12/31/2010
You can't really take that price tag and get a sense of how much more this car costs over a regular sti. I bet car prices in general are much higher in Japan. So when you compare cars sold in the US against something like this, it's totally pointless.
dghstlstrdp says:
07:22 PM, 12/31/2010
@rod_stewart
its obvious that you've never seen past spec C's in action through Japanese automotive media. the changes are, indeed, small and the car a bit pricey, but the changes always translate to results that go beyond the sum of its parts no matter how little it seems to have changed. don't go criticizing a car just because you're offended that its not going anywhere outside of japan and people elsewhere in the world want one while you can't understand why they do based on the numbers alone.
you may feel the same way about the difference between a 911 GT3 and a GT3RS (at least thats available in a lot more places albeit so much more expensive!) but as we can see in western automotive media, the changes between the two are very real. in fact, i find it a very rare case that special performance versions of seriously fast cars like the WRX STI, the GT-R, etc. don't actually deliver on increased performance overall even if the changes are seemingly little.
if you're a fan of such a car, i really don't find any reason to not desire the special performance version. if your not a fan, then I can understand that you wont be willing to pay the price, but don't go over-rationalizing that sentiment by downplaying the car itself. when it comes out in japan and is tested, we'll know, then, if its worth the money.
rod_stewart says:
12:02 PM, 12/31/2010
"INSIDE LINE SAYS: Need we say it again? Yes, here we go: Too bad the Spec C is sold in Japan only."
Laura Sky Brown...
WHY?!
This STI gets 6 lb/ft of torque--SIX--and a mildly reworked suspension. And it costs 45 grand???! WHY is it "too bad the Spec C is sold in Japan only"???!
Also,
"The WRX STI's body is lightened by such small but significant changes as an aluminum hood, lighter window glass and a downsized battery."
How significant? Do you have numbers? No, you don't.
This reads like a smelly Subaru press release.
-Rod
ed124c says:
09:59 AM, 12/31/2010
I love Subarus in general and I own one, but this just seems too expensive for what you get-- unless you are some kind of professional racer or rallier.
How about something we can all afford, like a V6 Mustang for half the price. Or, if you must, a Mustang GT for 30K.
At some point, the cost of bigger thrills is just too high.
gmhl10 says:
08:11 AM, 12/31/2010
@ jeremy_C
It's not just the Japanese...
335i, M3, C350, E63 AMG, SL65 AMG, SLS, Cayenne - Cayenne S - Cayenne GTS, F150 - F250 - F350 - F450, Pontiac G3 - G5 - G6 - G8, Silverado 1500 - 2500 - 3500... etc....
Some of these guys like to count too.
lions208487 says:
08:05 AM, 12/31/2010
@ jeremy_c at least they use something alpha numeric, and not some corny names like US auto makers use too e.g. Sebring, Fiesta, ranger, etc. To quote Al Bundy "Dodge, then name screams luxury." WRX STI sounds a lot better than Focus. I may like several US auto's but some of the names are just good ol boy redneck.
dgmail says:
07:51 AM, 12/31/2010
Typical Subaru Fuglyness.
chinoyboi says:
12:44 AM, 12/31/2010
@itm1221
It really does.