Subaru used the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show to launch a limited-edition version of its WRX STI, which will only be offered in Japan. Just 400 examples of the Subaru WRX STI S207 will be sold in the company’s home market, and buyers will likely be clamoring for one.
The S207 gets a number of performance and styling tweaks, starting with the 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer-four engine. It gets tuned to produce 323 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, compared to the 305 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque of U.S.-spec WRX STI models. As always, that power is fed to the pavement through a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive.
There are plenty of chassis tweaks as well, including a faster steering ratio, flexible tower bar, adjustable dampers, and a brake-based torque-vectoring system, which helps turn the car into corners by shunting torque side to side. The S207 rides on special 19-inch BBS forged aluminum wheels, and boasts upgraded Brembo brakes and a sport exhaust system.
Visual changes include a new grille and larger front spoiler, different rocker moldings, and a new rear bumper with some boy racer-isn air outlets. On the inside, the S207 is distinguished by STI-spec Recaro front bucket seats and customized instruments. All seats are trimmed in black leather with silver stitching, and the obligatory S207 callouts are sprinkled throughout the interior as well.
As if a 400-unit production run wasn’t exclusive enough, Subaru will offer an even more limited run of 200 cars with what it calls the NBR Challenge Package. Its main upgrades include a big carbon-fiber rear wing and a plaque commemorating Subaru’s SP3T class win at this year’s Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race. On top of that, Subaru will also offer 100 cars in the eye-catching Sunrise Yellow pictured above. The standard colors include Crystal Black, Crystal White Pearl, and Subaru’s traditional WR Blue Pearl.
While S207 won’t be offered in the U.S., Subaru does plan to offer more performance models here in the future. It wants to expand the footprint of its STI performance brand by offering more models, although they’ll likely be along the lines of the mildly tuned tS series already offered in Japan.
