Drive Time:Subaru Wrx StiSubaru hit commercial pay dirt with the WRX. For a brand that used to go hand in hand with women that love women, the rally-bred WRX brought it attention from folks who spent less time at the Lilith Fair than out on L.A.'s street after dark, racing breathed-on Civics and Foci.
But 227 never was enough, and smartly Subaru got its act together by bringing us the 300-hp WRX STi just a couple of years after giving in on the whole idea of selling rally cars to Americans.
"STi," you know by now, is short for Subaru Technica International, the performance division they set up in 1988. And it's STi not just because it's more powerful, but because of the way it's more powerful. Put plainly, the STi's motor has more high-tech metal than a room full of teenage Trekkies and their braces. The 2.5-liter turbo flat four gets forged aluminum pistons for high-speed strength, variable valve timing, an IHI turbocharger identical to Subaru's rally versions, and an intercooler that's 30 percent bigger than in the WRX.
The tranny and all-wheel-drive, too, are mechanical marvels. The Prodrive gearbox has six speeds, double-cone synchros on first, third and reverse gears and three cones on second, and its own internal oil pump. The all-wheel-drive system has three differentials, the center having a 35/65 torque split most of the time. For true control freaks, the center diff also has a driver-selectable option so you can dial in your favorite amount of torque-ours is 54 percent to the rear for a touch of oversteer, thanks. Big Brembos (12.7 inches across up front, 12.3 inches across in back) and unidirectional 225/45ZR Bridgestone Potenzas virtually Velcro your butt to the road. How do we know? We actually compared the gripping power. The Subaru, as you might have guessed, was a lot less uncomfortable and easier to explain to the cops.
Up front you'll notice bigger scoops and different headlights (adjustable from the cockpit); inside there's blue trim nearly everywhere and a marked lack of any kind of radio. If you really miss your AM or FM, or XM for that matter, you can do it yourself or ante up for one of Subaru's dealer-installed units.
Subaru says they'll sell only 300 STis per month, as opposed to 2000 WRXs. Partly it's because they want to keep the thrills in the hands of a select few. Then again, the $31,445 sticker price has that affect already.