Subaru WRX S4, Subaru WRX STI launched in Japan

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The Subaru WRX and the Subaru WRX STI have finally been launched in their home market of Japan, months after both have already gone on sale in the rest of the world (including Malaysia).

The Japanese-market version of the WRX, called the Subaru WRX S4 (bearing no similarity to another 300-ish horsepower all-wheel drive sedan), looks practically identical to the one sold elsewhere save for the spiffy new 18-inch wheels nicked from the Levorg estate and some LED light strips in the front bumper.

The interior is also pretty much identical, with a flat-bottomed steering wheel, red stitching, carbon fibre and metallic trim pieces as well as a multi-function display complete with a boost gauge.

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Where the S4 sets itself apart is under the bonnet – the 2.0 litre FA20 direct injection turbo (DIT) flat-four has been uprated to push out 300 PS (32 PS more than in other markets) at 5,600 rpm and 400 Nm (a 50Nm increase) from 2,000 to 4,800 rpm. Mated solely to a Sport Lineartronic CVT and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with Active Torque Vectoring, it does 13.2 km per litre on the Japanese JC08 cycle.

Another differentiating feature is the availability of the latest version of the EyeSight camera-based driver assistance system that provides features such as Active Lane Keep steering assistance system, Pre-Collision Reverse Throttle Management and Brake Light Recognition, Pre-Collision Braking Control and Adaptive Cruise Control.

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Appearing alongside the S4, the JDM Subaru WRX STI is also almost indistinguishable to its overseas brethren everywhere except under the bonnet. Instead of the EJ25 2.5 litre multi-point injection turbo flat four that we get, the Japanese soldier on with the same 2.0 litre version as before, producing 308 PS (8 PS more than elsewhere) at 6,400 rpm and 422 Nm (15 Nm more) at 4,400 rpm.

As with other markets, the STI comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission in Japan. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with Active Torque Vectoring features here too, but the STI also gets a multi-mode Driver’s Control Centre Differential (DCCD) system that that allows the driver to adjust the torque distribution between the front and rear wheels.

Subaru WRX S4

Subaru WRX STI

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • STiEnthusiast on Aug 26, 2014 at 11:14 am

    I reckon the new S207 or R207 will launch pretty soon.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • blackbox on Aug 26, 2014 at 11:14 am

    Please hire a designer to improve the interior of this car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 6
    • Jaybond on Aug 26, 2014 at 11:41 am

      Their designer can actually improve the interior ambience by simply replace the ultra orthodox squarish aircon vents design and replace it with something that have curves or round vents.Simple action can have big impact.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Motorhead (Member) on Aug 26, 2014 at 3:36 pm

      Oh yeah. . Why not you design your own car?

      There’s nothing wrong with the interior. . This is a performance car.. all must be simple & easy. .

      Not everyone love fancy stuffs like you.. are you gays?

      Go buy a CRV.. or Peugeot… unfortunately. . You look at the wrong segment.

      Syiohh.. syiohh..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 1
      • Same L0rrr on Aug 26, 2014 at 4:51 pm

        Motorhead is right.

        Or you look for Proton as example…

        Promised good power? Turbo take 9.6s for 0-100, you kidding me!

        Promised good fuel efficiency? All Proton engine is fuel blackhole and noisy.

        Promised good build quality? This one no need say more.

        Promised good interior? Proton fanboys will syok sendiri on the interior, for normal ppl like us, it is not impressive anyway.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 7
  • lonelyobserve (Member) on Aug 26, 2014 at 11:23 am

    As expected, WRX STi still uses the EJ engine.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • shawal on Aug 26, 2014 at 11:28 am

    S4 looks good….
    Same engine as the forester xt?
    Dat suv was ballistic!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • heybadigol on Aug 26, 2014 at 11:50 am

      Actually, same engine as the Levorg, which is similar to the Forester XT, but with different tuning and of course running on extra premium fuel, which is not sold in Malaysia. Our XT here “only” gets 240hp. So, 300hp is a huge jump.

      Even though the home market gets the car late, they receive the most power/torque. So worth the wait.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • rifle on Aug 26, 2014 at 2:50 pm

      yeah..and this is what a sports sedan needs to be

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • i rather buy this than 3 siries, c class, a4, is or q50..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 13
  • Joe Radzif on Aug 26, 2014 at 11:30 am

    Dear Evo,

    Please wake up.

    Regards,

    JR

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • Jaybond on Aug 26, 2014 at 11:32 am

    After numerous new Impreza launchings from Subaru, you’ve started to wonder whatever happen to the RND dept. at Mitsubishi? Are they sleeping? Or are they actually eager to roll out something that can answer the new Impreza, only to be discarded by their top bosses who are only interested in boring Pick-ups/SUVs and EEVs?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Aug 26, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    wrx s4…gain power…lose handbrake…why la

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
    • lonelyobserve (Member) on Aug 26, 2014 at 12:38 pm

      Refer the joke made by Top Gear presenters, to prevent youngsters from showing off to their girl friends. :)

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • ahmadjohnson97 on Aug 26, 2014 at 6:27 pm

      And also lose the clutch pedal :(

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • So basically the WRX S4 is the sedan version of the Levorg Estate.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • No use as the top speed is limited to 180km/h. All JDM cars are limited to that speed. I have one young Japanese executive friend driving 350Z. But his top speed limit is at 180km/h only. Only police or special purpose vehicle have the ability to maxed out the speed.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
    • JDM FTW on Aug 26, 2014 at 4:43 pm

      Have u ever heard of a gadget called Apexi RSM or pivot speed limit defencer?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • What’s the point? JDM means top speed only 180KM

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
    • Top speed does not matter to them, no skill people like you only care about top speed

      what really matter is cornering speed

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Anti-Fuel-Price on Aug 26, 2014 at 1:17 pm

    Damn!!! she looks gorgeous. But can’t wait for S207!!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Gajen on Aug 26, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    wow the WRX has 300hp and better rims. sweet

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Steve Kok on Aug 26, 2014 at 5:30 pm

    Recond models will be here in 1 year !! yay!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • asrul on Aug 26, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    free Samsung S4 with every purchase of WRX S4, while stocks last.

    still lose a lot to Evo FQ-440 on power output.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
  • jolly_idiot (Member) on Aug 26, 2014 at 11:25 pm

    The front abit look like inspira. I guess it can easily convert

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • heybadigol on Aug 27, 2014 at 10:12 am

    Still waiting for the Levorg to reach Malaysia. Anyways, I much prefer the 18inch rims for Japan, rather than the 17inch available here for the WRX.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • worldwidewait on Aug 27, 2014 at 11:04 am

    400Nm of torque on CVT transmissions is just asking for trouble. All the benefits of fuel-efficiency goes down the drain when the CVT goes south.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
 

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