Tokyo Motor Show: Subaru WRX STI S207 revealed

Subaru has revealed the ultimate incarnation of the current Impreza, the S207, at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Limited to just 400 units, sadly all for the Japanese domestic market only, the S207 is the latest in a long line of special edition STIs that lift the WRX’s performance to supercar-baiting levels.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four found in Japanese-market STIs (and the motorsport-only NR4 locally) benefits from engine balancing and a new intake, exhaust, ECU and twin-scroll turbocharger to lift outputs from 227kW/422Nm to 241kW/431Nm.

That’s a handy increase over the 221kW/407Nm produced by our local 2.5-litre STIs, but more telling is where the peaks are developed. In the S207 peak power is developed at 7200rpm compared to 6000rpm for our local STI, while peak torque from the uprated 2.0-litre is spread from 3200-4800rpm compared to a 4000rpm peak for the 2.5. Basically, it makes more power everywhere.

The chassis has undergone an even more extensive transformation. There’s bracing for the front strut towers and front and rear subframes, as well as pillow-ball bushing for the rear lateral suspension linkages.

Wheels are lightweight forged aluminium from BBS measuring 19 x 8.5-inch and wrapped in 255/35R19 92Y Dunlop Sport Maxx RT tyres. Massive drilled rotors front and rear are clamped by monoblock Brembo calipers six-piston front and four-piston rear.

Bilstein dampers all ’round (adjustable at the front) combine with a quicker 11:1 steering rack and front-to-rear torque vectoring system to provide more grip and sharper responses, at which point you’ll be glad of the Recaro front bucket seats.

A large front spoiler and redesigned rear bumper differentiate the S207 from a regular STI, though the optional ‘NBR Challenge Package’, limited to 200 units, adds an enormous dry carbon rear wing, black mirrors, black wheels and a suede steering wheel.

The S207 is available in blue, white or black, with 100 NBR Challenge cars available in yellow. Converted from yen, the S207 starts at A$69,159.40, while the NBR Challenge will set you back A$72,897.74, or $73,520.80 if you want it in yellow.