The Subaru WRX STI Type RA-R Is A 324bhp Birthday Cake

To celebrate 30 years of Subaru Tecnica International the company has launched a more powerful and lighter new flagship WRX STI... but will cap numbers at 500
The Subaru WRX STI Type RA-R Is A 324bhp Birthday Cake

As 30th birthday presents go, this isn’t a bad one. Subaru’s motorsport division, Subaru Tecnica International (STI) turns the big three-oh this year and has baked itself a small celebration.

The WRX STI Type RA-R is a Japan-only (damn) limited edition with numbers capped to 500, although the original Japanese press release somewhat depressingly acknowledges the possibility that they may not actually sell that many before the 17 December 2018 cut-off.

The Subaru WRX STI Type RA-R Is A 324bhp Birthday Cake

The RA-R is loosely based on the same premise as the old S207 and S208 specials. There’s more of an emphasis on weight reduction here, though, with a 30kg chop versus the two cars above, and even a 10kg saving against the entry-level WRX STI, whose equipment cupboard is as bare as a naturist’s backside.

Inevitably, some equipment has been removed from the RA-R to achieve this, though we’re not told exactly what. The frustratingly vague application of “lightweight parts” has taken care of the rest of the diet.

The Subaru WRX STI Type RA-R Is A 324bhp Birthday Cake

Powering this relatively slimline all-wheel drive beast is an upgraded version of the wonderful EJ20 2.0-litre flat-four boxer engine we know and love. In this car it jumps from 296bhp to 324bhp. The cooling system has been revised and strengthened to work at maximum efficiency, while a gorgeous new exhaust system drops the back-pressure and liberates a few ponies.

Brembo six- and two-piston brakes do a formidable job of throwing the anchor out, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres offer dual-compound stickiness and Active Torque Vectoring uses the brakes to trim the car’s line if needed.

The Subaru WRX STI Type RA-R Is A 324bhp Birthday Cake

Out back there are RA-R and STI 30th Anniversary badges beneath a boot lid that, as standard, carries no spoiler. Wings and more are available as options. The RA-R logo also makes its way to the instrument panel.

There are four colour options: WR Blue Pearl, Crystal White Pearl, Crystal Black Silica and Pure Red. The price including tax is ¥4,998,240, which equates to about £34,200 at the time of writing.

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Comments

Anonymous

Subaru will need to lift its game
For the money, most people go the Golf R route instead it seems

07/25/2018 - 11:00 |
52 | 3
Tomislav Celić

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Or Focus RS
Or Cupra
Or Type R
Or 140i
Or A45

STi doesn’t have an easy life does it?

07/25/2018 - 11:05 |
61 | 1
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

they need to bring back the wrx hatch

07/25/2018 - 17:44 |
1 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Or the many other hot hatches available today with better interiors. Somehow I feel sad. Impreza STI was an icon for decades. Now it’s just another performance sedan in an ocean of similar cars.

07/26/2018 - 10:33 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

19hp upgrade! Where do I sign?! In all seriousness I do think the HP wars aren’t a good thing but the STI should have around 400hp these days IMO. That would return it to being the sports car baiting bargain it once was…

07/25/2018 - 11:15 |
10 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

sigh

It’s probably more than Just 19hp and some weight savings over standard models, but we aren’t informed. Usually the R\RA\RA-R models are pretty HC when inspected more closely. Possibilities include (but aren’t limited to) lighweight windows, more aggressive computer setups, different gearbox ratios, adjusted diffs, additional bracing, seam welded chassis, different engine internals… The list goes on and on.

07/25/2018 - 13:47 |
3 | 0
Griffin Mackenzie

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

An sti won’t hold together at 300hp let alone 400hp 😂

07/25/2018 - 17:27 |
0 | 0
Freddie Skeates

Japan only??

07/25/2018 - 11:29 |
19 | 0

laughs in USA/Canada

07/27/2018 - 22:52 |
0 | 0
CS55

Rich father: Hapy birthday John here is your gift!
John: YOU GOT ME A RHD?
Rich father: Is that good or bad?
John: I GOT A REAL JDM CAR YEET!
After 1 month of ownership: Meh imma buy a Golf R…

07/25/2018 - 12:17 |
7 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by CS55

rich father:i knew i should have bought him one of those tiny convertibles

07/25/2018 - 18:08 |
4 | 0
7heDuke

Gotta love Subaru 😍

07/25/2018 - 12:26 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

“The WRX STI Type RA-R is a Japan-only (damn) limited edition”

Did you honestly think it would be anything other than Japan-only??

07/25/2018 - 13:11 |
3 | 0
Anonymous

Its my bday. Im 16!

07/25/2018 - 13:42 |
3 | 0
Tomislav Celić

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Happy Birthday mate

07/25/2018 - 13:53 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

[DELETED]

07/25/2018 - 13:46 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

RA-R

07/25/2018 - 13:47 |
5 | 0
Olivier (CT's grammar commie)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Rawr XD

(kill me)

07/27/2018 - 22:53 |
0 | 0
TheBigLoser

That title makes me hungry for cake. Then again, I haven’t eaten yet today.

07/25/2018 - 16:11 |
0 | 0