1998 Subaru WRX STi 2 Door Coupe

Description

In 1998 Subaru Australia imported a bright yellow ‘Impreza 4WD Pure Sports Coupe WRX Type R STi Version III’ (the full Japanese catalogue description!) for evaluation purposes. Remarkably, despite the rush of interest from enthusiasts queuing up to part with $60K to obtain a two-door STi, just 399 of the (later) STi Version V coupes were imported into the country. (The four-door STi has been part of the Subaru lineup since 1998.) The ‘standard’ Type R STi develops 209kW of power and 329Nm of torque. The Type R seen here varies from Australian-delivered cars in a few ways. For starters, it is some 10kg lighter. One notable feature is a Driver Controlled Centre Diff (DCCD). There is also an intercooler water sprayer electronically controlled from the cabin. There is a close-ratio gearbox, mechanical rear limited-slip differential and higher-geared (sharper) steering. Other desirable STi features are a carbon-fibre-wrapped front strut brace and those trademark and period-evocative gold 16-inch alloy wheels. Perhaps no car evokes the last decade of the twentieth century more potently than the WRX STi coupe.