TOKYO — For the Japan domestic market only, Subaru has released a new performance flagship, the 2010 Impreza R205.
Based on the mighty WRX STI, the R205 gets some powertrain tweaks — a new blower, a sport exhaust system, a retuned ECU — that take its turbo-4 up to 325 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque.
The STI suspension gets upgraded shocks, coils and stabilizers, plus Bridgestone RE070 tires on 18-inch alloy rims. Brembo brakes feature six-piston calipers in front and four-pots in the rear.
You'll also spot the black roof wing, rear apron, front lip spoiler and other subtle modifications to the familiar STI profile.
If a mere 300 hp is good enough, you might want to take a closer look at the Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S (we're not sure the nameplate can be squeezed into a single line on the rear flank), which features Recaro seats, red stitching, unique alloy wheels and gold-colored brake calipers, all for just under $35,000.
And, sorry, this one is also for the home market only.
Inside Line says: Perhaps if we Americans whined a little harder, they might relent and bring it over here. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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beachturbo127 says:
11:41 PM, 03/14/2010
I agree to disagree. Although hypothetically the R205 would be a expensive option that most US Subaru customers would not be willing to spend. The value they will be getting is unsurpassed in terms of quality and reliability. The japanese spec EJ20 has more quality internal components, and is overall a more efficient engine then the US Spec EJ257. With that being said I believe there would be a select few(including myself) that will be willing to spend the extra cash because they know what they will be getting a better built car. So instead of mass producing the R205 here in the US they should make a very limited number of cars for the performance enthusiasts.
turboxr says:
02:18 PM, 02/24/2010
The R205's base price is 4,510,000 yen without tax or $50,018 at today's exchange rate. I would guess if it did come to the US that it would be around $45,000+ which I suspect means it would find a very minimal audience. I don't think the current STI is finding near the audience it was hitting before in the US given changes that have made it less of a performer than the previous gen and the base price jumping $2,000 or $3,000 over the old one as well (not counting the extra cost for the no longer standard BBS wheels).
deathtollwrx says:
03:48 PM, 01/17/2010
I took years before Subaru trusted us with the WRX.. It sold well
I doubt we will see anything here other than the STI. How good are sales figures in North America for the STI anyways?
gmhl10 says:
08:54 AM, 01/16/2010
No S205... and now no R205 either... :(