Review: 2010 Subaru WRX STI Special Edition

2010 is a brand-new year for the Subaru WRX-Impreza STI lineup. This year will be the first release of a limited edition Subaru STI with only 125 units going on sale this spring. Officially unveiled at the 2009 Los Angeles auto show the STI special edition is more focused on its tuner market of enthusiasts, the Subaru STI special edition comes race ready with very few creature comforts than the previous models in favor of upgraded suspension components from the JDM Subaru WRX STI spec C.

The Subaru WRX. STI special edition will grip the concrete like no other car in its class. The JDM STI spec C is giving up some of it's suspension parts to lend a hand to the U.S. STI special edition. The Subaru STI special edition will get stiffer rear subframe bushings, revised race inspired springs, and a 1 mm thicker rear sway bar from the it's older brother the JDM STI spec C. The Subaru STI special edition will continue with its factory 305 hp 2.5 L boxer four cylinder, no changes have been made to the power plant; but with that much power would it really be necessary. An automatic transmission is not an option on the STI special edition, it's only fitted with Subaru's remarkable six speed manual gear box.

The Subaru WRX STI special edition will get treatments in the headlight department, but not the ones that you think it would; the typical STI's HID headlights will be replaced with cheaper halogen units. This small change is no doubt a plot to lower costs of production and pass the savings on to the consumer, with all of the suspension upgrades some of the amenities' will have to go out the window; such as the 10 speaker surround sound system that is being replaced with a four speaker unit and the manual A/C is taking place via automatic climate control.

From the outside there is no discernible difference in the STI special edition and a regular STI, the only clue that passersby will have two at 16% stiffer front springs and 29% stiffer rear shocks is the unique Aspen White color that is unique only to the STI special edition. Another upgrade to the exterior of this STI special edition is the 18 inch seven twin spoke gunmetal colored wheels also taken from the JDM STI spec C.

The rest of the Subaru STI special edition takes its cues from the standard U.S. spec Subaru STI such as its highly adaptable powertrain and handling settings. The Subaru STI special edition still allows the driver to pick among three automatic performance modes plus six manual center differential locking settings. The STI special edition will still stop on a dime with his four-wheel race inspired ABS floating rotor disc brakes from Brembo. The 2010 Subaru WRX STI special edition will start at a base price of $35,690. After the 125 special edition units are sold in the spring of 2010 you can expect sooner than later to see a U.S. version of the JDM STI spec C on our soil in 2011. So if you're not one of the lucky 125 that gets a crack at the special edition just wait for production to start on these high-performance machines in 2011.

SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI SPECIAL EDITION
Engine : 4 cylinder, turbocharged DOHC, front engine AWD
Displacement : 2,475 cc
Valve : 16 valves, 4 valves per cylinder
Transmission : 6-spd manual
Fuel economy : city - 17 mpg
highway - 23 mpg

Suspension : F - Independent MacPherson strut
R - Independent double wishbone
Brakes : F - Vented discs
R - Vented discs

Horsepower : 305 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque : 290 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Redline : 6600 rpm

Top speed : 155 mph(electronically limited)
0-60 mph : 4.8 sec.
0-¼ mile : 13.5 sec @ 100.6 mph
60-0 braking distance : 109 ft
200 ft skidpad : 0.90 g

Curb Weight : 3395 lbs
Overall length : 173.8 in.
Wheelbase : 103.3 in.
Overall Width : 70.7 in.
Height : 58.1 in.