This is a VAB generation Subaru WRX STI Type S, and we think it might be one of the most underrated performance saloons you can import from Japan. It has one of the latest evolutions of the EJ20, paired with Subaru's most refined DCCD and SI Drive, meaning it's seriously fast on tricky roads.
What Makes the Type S Different
The Type S gets its own body and chassis modifications, and Subaru's multi mode Driver's Control Center Differential, fitted as standard rather than added on. It's said to sharpen steering response, add rear grip and keep the car flatter through corners than the regular STI manages.
Power comes from the same EJ20 turbocharged 2.0 litre boxer engine, found in many other models within the STI range. Rated at 305hp, but the Type S gets 311lb ft of torque compared to 290lb ft in the standard car. Same headline power figure, more torque, from an engine that had years of development behind it by this point.
The six speed manual carries over too, but with revised internals. Gears lock in more solidly and the shift feels sportier and more direct than the standard STI box.
Type S specific kit includes Bilstein dampers in place of the standard STI setup, forged 18 inch BBS alloy wheels, a 10 way power adjustable driver's seat and a larger rear spoiler, small details that add up to a noticeably different car to drive and live with. Smaller updates which focused on refinement rather than performance included a higher quality headliner, an aerodynamic rear wiper and improved front door weather strips to cut down on wind and road noise.
Styling
Out of the box there aren't many performance cars that look this aggressive. Most need a lip here, an extension there and the right fitment before they look finished. The Type S comes with the STI front lip and side skirts, a rear diffuser with an integrated F1 style brake light and an angular, sculpted rear wing that dominates the rear view mirror while completing the silhouette of the car. You also get the widetrack style front arches, a nice throwback to earlier Impreza generations.
New front fender ducts and side sills mark it out further, along with LED headlights and lighter, more rigid BBS 18 inch alloys.
Inside, it's largely the same as a standard STI, but you get a D shaped wheel and revised dash accents, along with the red interior accents that are exclusive to the STI. Seats are shaped for proper lateral support with STI embossed headrests, so it still feels like an occasion every time you get in.
Our Thoughts on its Performance
It's hard to explain how and why Subarus feel to someone who hasn't driven one. Third and fourth gear are properly punchy, which is where you'll spend most of your time on a B-road, with that unmistakable Subaru twin scroll turbo feel. The car invites aggressive driving, harsh braking and big steering inputs, and somehow gets you round whatever corner you throw at it and out the other side in one piece.
What really sets it apart is the adjustable SI Drive and the centre diff. It genuinely transforms how the car behaves and lets you work out your own driving style, how much you want the electronics doing versus how much you want to feel through the wheel and pedals yourself. It's the same flexibility people praise the GR Yaris for now, except Subaru were doing this years before. Shows how far ahead of the curve they've always been with their drivetrain systems.
This One in Particular
Imported as an auction grade 4, this 2015 example came over from Japan on 63,000 miles, destined for our showroom but selling before it made it to the website. New tech and added comfort take away some of the rawness you'd get from a 90s or 00s car, but the trade off is a Subaru that's far more liveable day to day. It feels like the perfect all rounder if you're a JDM enthusiast, and noticeably less numb than any European equivalent while still retaining that distinctive JDM feel.
These typically come with quad exhaust tips from the factory, but this one is fitted with a twin exit Greddy exhaust, an improvement in both sound and looks over the standard setup. Its only other modification is a set of Blitz coilovers, but we think it's every Subaru owner's duty to fit an induction kit and blow off valve to get the full Subaru experience...
Why You Should Buy One
The WRX STI Type S is a car that feels better the harder you drive it. In true Impreza fashion it invites being chucked around with some aggression and rewards you for it every time. From what we can tell, it's overlooked within the petrolhead community, which is exactly why now is a good time to be importing one before that changes.
Key Spec
- Engine: EJ20 turbocharged 2.0 litre flat four
- Power: 305hp
- Torque: 311lb ft
- Transmission: Six speed manual, revised internals
- Drivetrain: Symmetrical AWD with multi mode DCCD and SI Drive
- Notable mods: Twin exit Greddy exhaust, Blitz Coilovers
Import Your Own
This is exactly the kind of car Torque GT exists to find. The versions with real engineering behind them, not just badges. We source directly from Japanese auction houses through our personal import service, handling everything from the auction floor to your driveway.
Get in touch if you want to talk about importing a WRX STI Type S of your own.
