After being teased a few weeks ago, the Impreza->ke1319 WRX STI tS and A-Line tS (based off the AT model) have been officially unveiled. Of course, it doesn't really make a difference to us because the folks in the Japanese market will be the only ones strolling around in these sports cars. Nevertheless, the WRX STI tS and A-Line tS will be made available starting January 25th, 2011.

The new tS versions are based off the 4-door Subaru WRX STI (duh!) and will carry some of the same features as the standard model, including the same front and rear dampers, special coil springs tuned by STI, a flexible tower bar front, and flexible draw-stiffeners. Power for the tS will still come from the 305hp, turbocharged/intercooled 4-cyl. Boxer engine, while the A-Line tS will receive the 300hp, single-scroll turbocharged 2.5 liter engine. A bump in power, however, will still come thanks to the weight reduction brought on by the carbon fiber roof and aluminum hood.

The Subaru's->ke86 handling has also been greatly improved with the use of the new flexible rear support and rear suspension link. The WRX STI tS is also differentiated by a front under spoiler, special tS front and rear ornaments, and a special STI rear ornament. The logo is then placed on the steering wheel and the new side sill plates to customize the vehicle even further.

Only 400 units of these models will be made in either satin white pearl, obsidian black pearl, spark silver metallic, and WR blue mica with prices starting at 4,020,000 yen (or $48,000 at the current rates).

Press release after the jump.

2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI tS and A-Line tS

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI tS and A-Line tS
  • Engine/Motor: WRX tS: 4-cyl. Boxer engine A-Line tS: 2.5L engine
  • Horsepower: WRX tS: 305hp A-Line tS: 300hp
  • Transmission: WRX tS: 5-speed manual A-Line tS: 5-speed auto
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Press release

Subaru Tecnica International (STI, President Hiroyuki Karamatsu) announces "WRX STI tS" and "WRX STI A-Line tS" special specifications vehicle that are based on 4-door SUBARU WRX STI and WRX STI A-Line (AT model) featuring the unique equipment and tasting. They will be available at Subaru dealerships throughout Japan from 25, January 2011.

The "WRX STI tS" and the "WRX STI A-Line tS" based on 4-door SUBARU WRX STI models are STI complete cars adopting STI's unique specifications equipment to exterior, interior and chassis, and give drivers even more satisfaction to own and drive the vehicle. This is the third tS model since the release of Legacy tS in this June, the carbon roof* jointly developed by Fuji Heavy Industries and Toray Industries, Inc.** is adopted to SUBARU mass production vehicle for the first time.

These models have been designed to provide drivers with "feeling of superior handling" under the concept common to all the STI complete cars "Sport, Always!" (which means "interacting with the car is always like playing sports, at anytime and on any roads you drive"). The new models are equipped with components including Flexible Rear Support and Rear Suspension Link, in addition to the front and rear Dampers and special Coil Springs tuned by the STI, Flexible Tower Bar front, and the Flexible Draw-Stiffeners that have been adopted to the R205 model released in 2010. Further, components such as bushings are also tuned to provide "Flexible yet elegant drive feel" which is the distinctive feature of the STI complete car.

Also, carbon roof and aluminum hoods are adopted to achieve both weight reduction and performance enhancements. Other features include Front Under Spoiler, newly designed STI 18 inch alloy Wheel, side sill plates with the "tS" logo, special tS front and rear Ornaments, special STI rear Ornament, Steering Wheel with the "tS" logo, and Push Engine Switch. The MT model is equipped with Ball Bearing Turbo Charger.

Exterior body colors available: satin white pearl, obsidian black pearl, spark silver metallic, and WR blue mica. Also to enhance tS ownership, STI Real Leather Access Key Cover (red) is selected as the premium accessory.