Almost no other Subaru is as hotly anticipated as a new version of their rally-rocket STI, and in Detroit this week, Subie finally showed us the latest version. All the essentials are here: hood scoop up front, giant wing out back, rally-blue paint slathered all over, and shod in a pair of golden boots to kick up the dirt. Yes, the new STI is more Impreza-ish than last-year’s coupe-styled WRX concept showcar, but it looks the part, and is a clear progression of the breed. And then there’s what’s going on under the hood.
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On the face of it, not much has changed. The STI still rallies for battle with a 305 horsepower horizontally-opposed turbocharged boxer engine, multi-differential controllable all-wheel-drive system, and six-speed gearbox. However, engine tuning has been tweaked for better throttle response, and the all-wheel-drive system now includes a front-wheel electric torque vectoring system that works in a similar manner to that in the Focus ST or seventh-generation GTI. Don’t worry – if you prefer your Subie-sliding activities to be fully analog, the STI will let you shut off all the electric aids.
The 2015 Subaru WRX STI.
Handout, Subaru
And, speaking of analog, there’s even better news. Unlike the WRX, the STI gets the extra-quick steering rack off the Japanese model, with a 13:1 ratio and no electric assist. The six-speed gearbox has the same number of gears as the WRX, but the STI’s box is sourced from Aisin, and then reinforced by Subaru to handle the STI’s extra power. New, stickier Dunlop tires wrap around the standard 18” alloys, and there’s the de rigeur Brembo brakes to haul everything to a stop. As-before, the STI is ready to handle the gravel, but should be a better tarmac weapon than ever.
The 2015 Subaru WRX STI.
Handout, Subaru
However, all this performance comes with a rather large asterisk. When the STI badge first showed up on our roads in 2004 to terrorize the asphalt and beat gravel into submission, something like a V8 Mustang was making just 260hp. The Golf-based 2004 VW R32 had 240hp. A 2004 BMW M3 made 333hp.
Gallery: On the floor at the 2014 Detroit auto show
The world has moved on, with the ‘Stang now pumping out well over 400hp, the new Golf R taking the fight straight to Subaru with all-wheel-drive and 290hp turbocharged horses, and while an old STI could run with the much more expensive M3 around a race-track, who knows how potent the new Bimmer is going to be? As if that weren’t bad enough, there are upstarts like the CLA45 AMG, with its 360hp.
Without dominating brawn to pound the competition into submission, the STI will now rely on handling prowess to take the checkered flag. Happily, since it’s still a through and through Subaru, you could always take an off-road shortcut.
The 2015 Subaru WRX STI.
Handout, Subaru
