NAIAS 2014: The Subaru WRX STi Maintains Status Quo

by Jack Baruth

Published: January 14th, 2014

naias 2014 the subaru wrx sti maintains status quo

In the words of Robert Plant, “Does anyone remember laughter?” Does anyone remember when these cars were serious business and hugely desired and not easy meat for V-6 Camrys during freeway rolls? Does anyone remember when showing up somewhere behind the wheel of a pink-trimmed frogeye STi or an Evolution VIII RS was a naked-steel statement of sporting intent? Remember when these cars cost less than the German cars that couldn’t catch ’em?

Well, anyway, here’s the WRX STi, and it’s powered by a twin-turbo flat-six making 482 horsepower.

JUST KIDDING ITS THE SAME ENGINE AS BEFORE AND IT STILL MAKES 305HP

Here’s some good news: Six-speed manual transmission, selectable center diff, Torsen rear diff, helical limited-slip in front. It’s that same stuff you loved ten years ago, in a significantly larger and softer car. The STi is differentiated by a complete bodykit including aluminum hood with top-mounted intercooler that will be immediately be thrown away by most tuners.

There’s also a harmon/kardon sound system and a flat-bottom steering wheel.

They didn’t ruin it, and that’s good. But in order to have the kind of impact on the performance world that the original STi had, the power numbers would have had to be considerably higher. As it is, Subaru can be content with probably having the edge over the fourteen-second-quarter-mile-sloggin’ Mitsubishi Evolution. Just watch out for those sedans.

Jack Baruth

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2 of 71 comments

Thill on Jan 14, 2014

The 2015 WRX looks to be the big value.. Near Evo performance for $26K?? The STI has some welcome improvements but they should have updated the engine. Probably will next year when the Golf R hits the US shores.

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Adub on Jan 14, 2014

It looks cool but hasn't really improved performance since 2004. However, the price has really gone up. Brembo brakes aren't worth that much.

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