Recently imported for one of our Personal Import customers, this Spec C is another WRC homologation special — and as we all know, that basically means you've got yourself a road-legal rally weapon to hoon around in.
Born from Subaru’s last hurrah before pulling out of the WRC in 2008, the Spec C was never meant to be a mass-market model. Originally, just 1,000 were planned, and none were officially sold outside of Japan — so seeing one here in the UK is always a bit special.
Don’t go looking for Spec C badges though — Subaru kept it subtle. The only visual clue is the gold brake calipers unique to this version.
Underneath, it's a different story. Unlike the standard STI, the Spec C is a full-blooded performance upgrade. It sheds 30kg thanks to a weight-saving program, swaps in the more aggressive Japan-spec 2.0-litre flat-four (instead of the UK’s 2.5), and pushes out 304bhp. A ball-bearing turbo sharpens throttle response, while a clever intercooler spray system keeps intake temps cool — dropping from 70°C to 40°C — so it can maintain peak power even under hard use.
Where it really comes alive is in the handling. A mechanical rear LSD, revised suspension, and sharper geometry give it a much more focused feel. Turn-in is crisp, the steering has more feedback, and the car just feels alive beneath you. The Brembo four-piston brakes are equally up to the job, with almost zero fade even after repeated hard stops.
No badges. No fluff. Just a pure rally-bred machine doing exactly what it was built to do. And while you won’t find one in a UK showroom — that’s where we come in.
Import your dream car through our Personal Import Service.
