Friday 6th January 2017

Subaru WRX STI MY18 updates

US-only, but there are one or two interesting changes afoot for the NotImpreza - get them here Subaru!

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While far from flavour of the month at present, there remains plenty to like about the Subaru WRX STI. With 'proper' four-wheel drive and that famed boxer turbo, a drive in an STI is still unlike anything else.

New wheels, new brakes and new calipers too

For the 2018 model year it's being further enhanced, with a raft of tweaks announced for "a more rewarding driving experience". At present they're only confirmed for US customers and won't be coming to the UK, but we rather think they should. Come on Subaru!

Power is unchanged at 305hp but there are changes to the six-speed manual including a new synchro design and reduced friction for "enhanced shifter feel". The Driver Controlled Centre Differential is revised - where there used to be mechanical and electronic diff control, it's now solely electronic for quicker response - with suspension updates to benefit ride and stability. The brakes are significantly upgraded too, with six-piston Brembo calipers at the front, new drilled discs and bigger brake pads.

There are some cosmetic tweaks inside and out - new 19-inch wheels for example - but when red seatbelts are listed as an update you know it's fairly modest. Certainly this is not the facelift to get people out of their Golf Rs.

Despite that, we're still glad that it exists and Subaru sees the worth in tinkering with the STI. If only it were coming to the UK so we could try it... The MY2018 car will be at Detroit from next week, ahead of sales commencing in the spring.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Love those rims!

[Krikkit]

Surely they should roll those changes out over here?

[MikeGoodwin]

I would like one but the Mrs said no. So I will probably get one as my next car (be a few years yet) unless the new Megane RS is as good as its older brother.

[R66STU]

have they got the year wrong, or did i miss a year somewhere? or is this an early post for next years car?

[C7 JFW]

Funny how you mention it won't tempt Golf R owners.

I'm tempted and I've recently looked at a Golf R.

[cib24]

R66STU said:

have they got the year wrong, or did i miss a year somewhere? or is this an early post for next years car?

In the US cars are sold that way. So, right now if you went to a dealership in the US cars would be advertised as 2018 models (which are 2017 models here) despite having their build dates in late 2016 or throughout 2017. Not sure why this is but it's how it goes.

[SuperVM]

cib24 said:

R66STU said:

have they got the year wrong, or did i miss a year somewhere? or is this an early post for next years car?

In the US cars are sold that way. So, right now if you went to a dealership in the US cars would be advertised as 2018 models (which are 2017 models here) despite having their build dates in late 2016 or throughout 2017. Not sure why this is but it's how it goes.

I think typically it was that from the beginning of the 4th quarter onwards, cars became the following model year. I believe now it is legal to sell a 2018 model year car from January 1st, 2017. I don't know if you still have to wait for manufacturing from July onwards, as that used to be the case.

[Falsey]

I had my MY17 delivered in October, Id be interested to see if I could pick up any updates for it. All of the bits come from Japan anyway and the dealers seem happy to supply it if you cant be arsed ordering direct.

[Ved]

I think most in the UK will be happy with what they have and under warranty. I'm sat in RCM today getting my Forester XT serviced and they really don't like the current 2.5 in any guise. Still, if it's under warranty who cares if it lunches itself? I'm waiting until they drop it for the 2.0 but there's no reason to think it won't be fragile as the GT86 and BRZ are starting to see issues too. Shame really.

[Dalmahoy]

Speaking to my Subaru dealer, I was under the impression they only have a single production line producing WRX STi's.
As a result they spend 3 months building LHD cars then switch to RHD cars for 3 months and so on.
Any changes to the LHD USA motors should follow on directly to RHD motors once production has switched.
This was my understanding - with expected delivery of my car due on April 1st.

[Ved]

Dalmahoy said:

Speaking to my Subaru dealer, I was under the impression they only have a single production line producing WRX STi's.
As a result they spend 3 months building LHD cars then switch to RHD cars for 3 months and so on.
Any changes to the LHD USA motors should follow on directly to RHD motors once production has switched.
This was my understanding - with expected delivery of my car due on April 1st.

I'm sure it'll be worth it On a separate note, is the new Starlink headunit any good? A friend in the US has one in his Outback and loves it.

[5ohmustang]

Considering its 20bhp more than a gc8 sti from 20 years ago, that is a pretty poor increase.

[Evil.soup]

I know the figures of the Sti haven't moved on much and on paper they are a long way off the rivals like the RS, Type-r and Golf R but in truth I doubt a novice driver will be able to get any of them down the road any quicker than the Sti so they are a real bargain in my eyes! I would love to own one.

[Ved]

5ohmustang said:

Considering its 20bhp more than a gc8 sti from 20 years ago, that is a pretty poor increase.

That wasn't sold in the UK so it's really a 100bhp increase over the Turbo 2000 by your logic.

(nice STI, by the way)

Edited by Ved on Friday 6th January 18:15

[Matt Bird]

C7 JFW said:

Funny how you mention it won't tempt Golf R owners.

I'm tempted and I've recently looked at a Golf R.

Excellent, always nice to be corrected on these things! What did you go for in the end?


Matt

[Welshwonder]

It'll be interesting to see if we get anything at all in the UK. We've had a very poorly specced STi compared with almost all other markets to keep the price down. If these upgrades come through and bump the price up, STi sales will be in trouble. I already had a letter a couple of weeks ago from my local dealer warning of price increases due to the exchange rate. The STi will be firmly in Focus RS territory then, and it just can't compete at the moment. Maybe the new tax bands this year will soften the blow (STi currently costs £500 to tax compared to £180 for the Focus.)

The 2018 US car also gets optional Recaro seats. Although this is interesting to read, I hope they're better than the Focus RS ones!

Not liking the 19's or the bumper. The ride quality of my 2015 is only just bearable on 18's- lower profile again won't improve things! Great upgrades for track work though.

The 305 BHP has been perfectly adequate in my car, so I hope we get some decent upgrades just in time for my trade-in window at the end of this year.

[Freds]

I think they can get away with this one final mild upgrade until the next model comes along. The front end is an improvement and certainly looks more purposeful, we have a 2015 in the family so I'm familiar with the model and all previous incarnations, I agree the 257 needs to be replaced, it's a pity the s207 power unit isn't it's replacement. The STI is an enthusiasts choice nowadays, I've driven a Golf R, it wasn't my cup of tea, granted its a better motorway cruiser but it lacks the raw driving experience and involvement of the Subaru.

[Falsey]

Ved said:

I'm sure it'll be worth it On a separate note, is the new Starlink headunit any good? A friend in the US has one in his Outback and loves it.

Its nice enough, nothing special. Speakers are weak though, no real power to them and a total lack of any lower frequency.

[anonymous-user]

wow, it's like, 2004, all over again! Please hurry up and get the matching Mistuwishy Evo "model update" out to us too....... ;-)

[Dalmahoy]

Glad these things still exist.
Variety is always a welcome addition..