Subaru Has Another Special WRX STI That Won't Come To America

It's debuting to the Tokyo Auto Salon 2024 along with a BRZ STI we're also not getting.

By: Adrian Padeanu

Updated: Dec 21, 2023 at 2:40am ET

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Two years ago Subaru ruled out doing another WRX STI. The next best thing is the new TR, but it's $4,000 more expensive than the last WRX STI and not that great. But in Japan, Subie will sell an STI-branded WRX from this generation.

Technically it's an STI Sport; think of it as Subaru's equivalent of BMW’s M Performance models. It goes by the full name of WRX S4 STI Sport and it's about to spawn a hotter version. Teased ahead of its world premiere at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2024, the high-performance sedan is touted as being an "STI complete car." The translation is a bit wonky, but we can assume that means it has a full arsenal of goodies from Subaru Tecnica International.

2022 Subaru WRX S4 STI Sport (JDM)

The photo gallery depicts the regular WRX S4 STI Sport while the teaser on top shows the new version complete with a trunk lid spoiler. We're also noticing new wheels with STI center caps, and what appears to be a lowered suspension. It's technically labeled as a prototype but a production version is planned in limited numbers.

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It's going to share the spotlight at TAS with another desirable car we're not getting in the states. It's a BRZ STI Sport decked out with extra STI parts, including a carbon rear spoiler. Even the wagon-based Levorg is getting the STI treatment in Japan with an aerodynamic body kit.

TAS 2024 is scheduled to take place between January 12-14 and Subaru intends to bring a few race cars as well: WRX NBR Challenge (2024 spec), BRZ GT300 (2023 spec), and Team SDA Engineering's BRZ CNF Concept modified to run on carbon-neutral fuel.