Subaru Technica International has followed up the recent assortment of special edition WRX STIs with a high output Impreza with a few well thought out upgrades to create the Impreza R205. Based on the standard vehicle, Subaru's in house tuners the beefed the car up in preparation to go racing at the Nurburgring 24 hour race back in 2009 and now we will be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor, the only downside is that there will only be 400 examples of the unrestricted STI.

The new R205 is easily recognizable with a zero bling blacked out front grill as well as matching under spoilers front and rear (take a closer look at the back one) with a wing on the top of the hatch to complete the dark theme. WRC fans might recognize the 18 inch Prodrive P1 style wheels housing a massive brake package consisting of 6 piston calipers up front and 4 pots in the rear, all clamping down on a set of slotted oversized rotors. This is definitely a car meant to be tracked.

Thanks to some heavy duty equipment including a ball bearing IHI turbocharger, free flowing exhaust and a retuned ECU to keep the pistons in the crank case, new car shoppers can now enjoy what the Japanese automaker Subaru is calling their Road Sport Impreza. The new go fast parts are good for a maximum output of 315 HP and 317 lb-ft of torque. The race tested components ensure that this STI will not only be able to endure the hard city life, but allow its owner to unwind all day long at his or her local racing circuit.

Press release after the jump.

2010 Subaru Impreza R205

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2010 Subaru Impreza R205
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Press release

Subaru Tecnica International Inc. (STI)* is pleased to announce the launch of the Subaru Impreza “R205”, a special performance version. The model will go on sale today through Subaru dealerships in Japan.

Based on the Impreza WRX STI, the R205 enhanced the sheer driving performance it shares with former special performance models, such as the “S203” and the “S204”, developed by STI. The R205 is the top performance model of the WRX STI. It features new and exclusive equipment and makes full use of specially designed features and performance parts of the “WRX STI spec C” model, the sporty performance model launched 2009. The “R” of R205 stands for “Road Sport”.

Most efforts focused on refining handling performance by adopting STI tuned dampers, coil springs, flexible type strut tower bar, flexible type lower arm stiffener of front suspension, and Bridgestone’s specially designed RE070 tyres. Thus the R205 ideally balances agile driving and confident driveability by enhancing a linear steering response and excellent road-holding capability. This is exactly the distinctive ride quality that STI is pursuing as its vehicle development theme, “strength and nimbleness” driving. The R205 offers enhanced total driving control not only in city driving on the road or winding road but also in sporty driving at the circuit.

In addition, STI carried out verification tests of selected performance parts of the R205 through the participation of the 2009 Nurburgring 24-hour race with an Impreza WRX STI. Making full use of this precious race-track experience at Nurburgring - in which any road condition is condensed - STI successfully completed the model in order to offer sheer excitement and unique driving feeling as a distinctive “Road Sport Model”.

The R205 delivers an increased 235kW (320PS) of maximum output, and 431N.m (44.0kg.m) by adopting the exclusively designed turbocharger with ball bearings for the turbine axle bearing, specially tuned ECU (Engine Control Unit), and the sport muffler with lowered back pressure exhaust. SI-DRIVE (SUBARU Intelligent Drive) is also available to neatly suit driving style in any driving situation at driver’s command.

The front under spoiler, newly developed rear under spoiler, and the black rear spoiler improve aerodynamics. Exclusively designed 18-inch alloy wheels, specially colored front grille and side STI garnish accentuate its uniqueness.