Subaru WRX STI hits big milestone

Subaru has confirmed today that the iconic Subaru WRX STI has hit the 10,000 sales mark in Australia.

Launching globally two years after the arrival of the turbocharged Subaru Impreza WRX, the STI hit the world scene in 1994 – the same year Subaru replaced its Legacy (Liberty) RS with the WRX STI race car in the World Rally Championship (WRC).

It officially launched in Australia in October 1998 when the 22B STI sent Subie fans into overdrive at the Sydney motor show.

Having won three WRC titles and a string of Australian Rally Championships, the WRX has been an icon of the hot four-cylinder car world, making an indelible name for itself in Australia and overseas.

The 10,000th Subaru WRX STI in Australia was purchased by Bradley McManus of Clandulla in NSW, who got a surprise to mark the milestone – a $5000 parts and accessories package, along with a ride alongside Subaru ambassador and former Australian Rally Champion, Molly Taylor, at a rally stage near Canberra.

Currently priced from $52,640 plus on-road costs, the WRX STI is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol boxer engine that generates 221kW at 6000rpm and 407Nm at 4000rpm, slamming its power down to all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission and Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive and multi-mode driver’s control centre differential (DCCD).

The next-generation Subaru WRX is expected to be revealed in April 2021, followed by the all-new and long-awaited fifth-generation WRX STI in the first half 2022, with Australian-spec models expected to launch late that year.

Subaru is keeping details under wraps, but insiders have confirmed it will be the most powerful WRX STI yet with its 2.4-litre FA24 turbo-petrol engine set to belt out close to 300kW.

Together with some new AWD tech, it’s expected to keep the passion for the WRX STI burning hot.

This is Subaru’s official line on the new model: “While fifth-generation WRX STI is yet to be revealed by Subaru Corporation in Japan, it is certain to push the performance and technological boundaries still further.”

The ‘STI’ part of the car’s name comes from Subaru Tecnica International, which is the Japanese brand’s performance division and set up along similar lines to NISMO (Nissan) and Gazoo Racing (Toyota).

“STI’s eternal appeal is demonstrated by the record-breaking sales success of the current generation, which at over 5000 and counting makes it the best-selling yet,” said Subaru Australia’s general manager Blair Read.

“WRX STI really is the essence of Subaru performance and arguably the ultimate expression of race on Sunday, sell on Monday. Those iconic blue and gold colours along with champion names Possum Bourne and Colin McRae, win performance car lovers’ hearts to this day.

“It’s the pinnacle of our performance range, combining exhilarating power with pure control. A complete package – and it’s an absolute thrill to drive.”

1998
Impreza WRX 22B STI on sale

1999
One-off production run of 400 limited-edition Impreza WRX STI two-door coupes, followed by 400 limited-edition four-door Impreza WRX STI sedans

2001
The STI variant becomes an ongoing part of the Impreza WRX range, on launch of the second generation

2008
Third-generation Impreza WRX STI launches, offering a second choice in the range with both entry-level and spec.R variants

2014
Fourth-generation WRX STI launches, for the first time offering the rear spoiler as a delete option and subtly dropping the Impreza nameplate

2016
Molly Taylor and Bill Hayes take out the 11th WRX STI Australian Rally Championship title, the first since Cody Crocker/Dale Moscatt made it 10 in a row in 2005; Crocker has three titles to his name, while Possum Bourne racked up seven

2020
10,000th WRX STI sold in Australia