Subaru may have models like the Forester and XV, which are arguably their best-selling nameplates at the moment. Yet it is the WRX and WRX STI that really embody what the Pleiades is all about. The sporty nature, combined with the practicality of a four-door sedan make the duo a pick of any car enthusiast that still needs that bit of everyday usability.
To further boost its desirability, Subaru has unveiled an upgraded version of the WRX and WRX STI. The 2018 US-spec models gain a new front fascia with redesigned LED headlights and grille, as well as revised 18- and 19-inch alloy rims (the latter for the WRX STI for the very first time).
Speaking of first time, Subaru has employed power-adjustable Recaro seats for the front occupants. This adds to the premium feel, along with sporty red seatbelts for the STI—still an enthusiasts’ ride, after all.
The upgrades, however, aren’t complete without performance bits that elevate the whole driving experience even further. The brakes on the WRX STI, for instance, are now six-piston monoblock calipers up front and a two-piston set at the rear. You can tell they’re Brembo-spec, thanks to the yellow hue. The suspension and steering have likewise been tweaked, giving sharper responses and a more plaint rude. And the transmission has also been updated, with the WRX STI getting a new Driver’s Control Center Differential for the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.
The performance enhancements are matched the potent pair of engines under the hood of both cars. The WRX gets the 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed flat-four motor with 268hp, mated to either a six-speed manual or Lineartronic CVT. The WRX STI, on the other hand, receives a more powerful 305hp 2.5-liter boxer mill, paired with a six-speed stickshift.
And being a Subaru, both cars get advanced safety gear like Auto Vehicle Hold for the WRX, and steering responsive headlights that follow the direction of the tiller to improve nighttime visibility.
With these revisions, the 2018 Subaru WRX and WRX STI are now even harder to resist.
