The Limited-Edition Subaru WRX S4 tS Is Here, But You Probably Can't Buy It
Remember that awesome limited-edition S207 WRX STI Subaru revealed last year? The boffins at Subaru Tecnica International have now taken a WRX and festooned it with many the S207’s fancy chassis bits, while leaving the under-bonnet gubbins mostly standard. The result is this: the S4 tS.
So what we’re looking at is a cut-price S207, something that’s quite a tempting proposition. Except there’s another key aspect the S4 tS shares with the S207: it’s only available in Japan, at a price of ¥4,968,000 (£38,000).
If you haven’t just closed this browser window in disgust and would like to torture yourself with more details about this delicious piece of forbidden fruit, let us fill you in. We’re looking at a whole host of STI parts, including ‘DampMatic II’ adjustable front dampers, STI-tuned rear dampers, a beefier strut brace, uprated rear suspension links and four-piston Brembo brakes.
Fancy some shoutier details on the outside? The ‘NBR Challenge Package’ gives you exactly that, with 19-inch forged wheels and a bloody great carbonfibre rear wing. Oh, and a suede steering wheel. Lovely
The 218bhp, 2.0-litre turbocharged boxer engine is - as mentioned - left pretty much alone, save for some unnamed “modified air intake/exhaust parts” which give a 10 per cent increase in torque under hard acceleration.
The big surprise though is what that boxer is attached to: a “Sport Lineartronic” transmission. Translate the marketing speak, and that’s a CVT gearbox. Fitted to a racier WRX. With no other transmission option available. Actually Japan, maybe you can keep this one…
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
That means it will be quick af
If it had a DSG maybe, but not with a CVT.
This has a cvt well for now they make a 5 speed gear cluster for it
Not sure where you obtained the 218BHP figure it’s actually 300PS /221KW(same as standard WRX S4) according to STi……….
http://sti.jp/product/wrxs4ts/data_specifications.html
218 would likely be wheel horsepower, but it does seem an odd thing to report on…
They may be doing a performance CVT in Japan only because they are the only ones they can trust to give the technology a fair shot. They have the potential to keep the engine constantly in the peak power range during acceleration. After a few years, word will get out about how it performs, and then everyone will want one like that.
Could you imagine a CVT strong enough for HP/TQ v8s? Make for one Hell of a drag car!
Finally got a chance to drive a CVT equipped WRX last week. Still no replacement for a manual transmission but surprisingly adequate in S# mode. If I had to deal with rush hour to and from work on a daily basis. I wouldn’t think twice about getting one.
Stubaru is probably crying behind this webiste right now..
Automatic, ffs this should definitely stay in Japan
breathes in deeply OH TRUCK YOU SUBARU I’VE ALWAYS LOVED YOUR SPECIAL EDITION SUBARUS WHY CAN’T IT BE AVAILAB- oh wait its got a CVT gearbox. Never liked subarus anyways
the S4 tS actually has 300PS which is 296HP
Having this catch my eye but scroll down to find out this comes with a CVT as standard is just like walking up to a girl I want to ask out after chickening out so many times..only for her to walk off with her boyfriend.