- Subaru has launched the WRX STI Sport# in the Japanese market.
- It features a tweaked engine, an STI-tuned chassis, and optional aero.
- Production is limited to 600 units available through a lottery system.
Subaru has launched the WRX STI Sport# in Japan following its debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this year. The limited-run model pairs STI hardware with a refined boxer engine and, crucially, a six-speed manual, giving this generation a proper three-pedal option at home. Production is capped at 600 units, all allocated through a lottery.
Visually, the STI Sport# rides on 19-inch alloy wheels finished in matte gray, just like the US-spec WRX TR. However the Japanese model features STI badges on the grille and tailgate. Interestingly, Subaru opted for a discreet lip spoiler instead of a proper rear wing like the R-Black Limited STI Performance Edition.
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For those wanting a bit more edge, Subaru offers an optional STI aero package that brings sharper bumper extensions and matching side skirts, finished in either black or cherry red. It looks the part, too, paired with quad exhaust tips, but oddly enough, that setup can’t be combined with the optional STI Performance Muffler, so you’ll have to choose between the visual drama and the added soundtrack.
The STI Sport# keeps things tight on color choice, limited to WR Blue Pearl, Ceramic White, and Sunrise Yellow. That last one will cost you extra, as expected.
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Inside, we find standard Recaro seats upholstered in Ultrasuede and synthetic leather with yellow perforation and the STI emblem on the headrests. These are complemented by a leather-wrapped shift knob and handbrake lever. Options include STI-branded floor mats and different shift knobs.
To emphasize the driver-focused nature of the build, Subaru has stripped back some of the tech features of the standard WRX S4. More specifically, the EyeSight X suite, reverse-linked and folding mirrors, seat memory functions, rear A/C vents, and illuminated cup holders have been omitted to save weight.
STI Chassis And A Balanced Engine
The important upgrades are hidden under the skin. The STI Sport# is fitted with electronically controlled dampers by ZF with a bespoke STI tune, complemented by a flexible draw tower bar and flexible draw stiffeners to sharpen handling and stability.
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Braking is handled by an uprated Brembo system with gold-painted monoblock calipers, six-piston at the front and two-piston at the rear, clamping onto drilled rotors for improved fade resistance. As for the tires, the 19-inch wheels are wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza S007 rubber.
Under the hood, the turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer produces the same 271 hp (202 kW / 275 PS) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque as in the standard WRX S4. However, it has received a number of refinements with Subaru calling it a “balanced engine”.
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STI engineers have tightened the weight tolerance of the pistons and connecting rods by 50% compared to standard mass-produced components. The crankshaft, flywheel, and clutch cover have also undergone precision rotational balancing, resulting in smoother revving and a more immediate response to driver inputs.
Limited Availability
The Subaru WRX STI Sport# is priced at ¥6,105,000 ($38,400), making it the flagship trim of the performance sedan in the Japanese market and a full ¥803,000 ($5,000) more expensive than the STI Sport R-Black Limited.
Applications will be accepted at local dealerships from April 9 to May 17, after which a lottery will determine the 600 buyers.
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Despite the limited run, Japanese outlet Creative Trend reports that a more accessible manual version of the WRX S4 could join the lineup for the 2027 model year. That version would not include the precision-balanced engine or the full suite of STI hardware found here.
Subaru has also confirmed that the STI Sport won’t return in the WRX lineup after the 2026 model year. Alongside the Performance-B STI Concept and the HiPerfX2 race cars, this has fueled speculation about a future WRX STI, potentially returning with a widebody hatchback design.