New 329hp WRX STI RA-R launched

That most special of Subaru suffixes returns once more and, yes, we're excited all over again

By Matt Bird / Wednesday, 25 July 2018 / Loading comments

We all know the rules as far as Japanese Domestic Market special editions go: the more letters after the name, the better. Be that RS, V-Spec, Type S, Type R or, er, Bathurst, broadly speaking the more that follows after the regular name, the more we're going to want it.

Subaru has always been a great exponent of the concept. Sure, a late-90s Impreza Turbo 2000 is pretty interesting, but how much more interested are you in an Impreza Type R STI V-Limited V6 Spec? Huh? Exactly. And arguably nothing is more notable in the fast Subaru nomenclature than 'RA-R', reserved for the hardest, fastest, nuttiest Impreza specials. Now, to celebrate 30 years of Subaru Tecnica International, there's another Impreza RA-R (yes, we know it's not called that, but it kind of is).

The 2018 WRX STI Type RA-R has been designed "under the concepts of 'light weight', 'speed' and 'enjoyment'", which sounds like jolly good news from here. Indeed Subaru says the car "pursues 'Running, Turning and Stopping', the fundamental performances of an automobile." Super.

To those ends, the RA-R has been extensively overhauled. The hallowed EJ20 flat-four turbo is here producing 329hp at 7,200rpm, thanks to a new turbo, freer-flowing exhaust and an ECU reflash. The RA-R also gets bespoke springs and dampers, new STI wheels (with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres), six-piston front brake calipers (with Brembo discs) and quick ratio steering (now 11:1.)

Subaru claims the RA-R is 30kg lighter than previous S208 and S207 RA-Rs, and 10kg lighter than a regular WRX STI thanks to "the application of lightweight parts" and "even taking some parts from the base model", which appears to mean replacing the spare tyre with a kit. Still, every little helps. And while you may scoff at a 1,480kg dry weight, a 2004 STI was 1,445kg, so it's kept off the middle-age spread pretty well.

The RA-R upgrades elsewhere are largely cosmetic, with new badges, seats and materials. As is always the way with these sorts of cars, production is very limited (to 500) and it will only be offered for sale in one place (Japan). Those buyers have until December to sign themselves up, at a price of 4,998,240 yen. Lucky soandsos. However, there is some good news for RA-R aficionados - there are currently three in the classifieds! Take your pick from the £35k one, the £45k one and the £65,000 one that's basically brand new...