***Subaru WRX STi***
In the late 1980s, Subaru created the Subaru Tecnica International (STI) division to coordinate development for the FIA World Rally Championship and other motorsports activities. After the company had grown, the division was used to create high-performance consumer versions of the Subaru Impreza WRX, an all-wheel drive car with a turbocharged boxer engine, leading to the development of the Impreza WRX STi. The Subaru World Rally Team has used a race-prepared version of the WRX STI as its rally platform since the model trim's creation.
Availability
The Impreza WRX STi was originally sold only in Japan. It was later made officially available in Oceania (Australia had it in 1999 with the STi Version V). In 2001, Europe received the STi with the change of the chassis. Subaru began selling the STI in North America in the spring-summer of 2003 as a 2004 model.
Oceania and Europe had WRX STis in the region before the official versions via grey-market importing.
Five (5) WRX STI S204 were made available to Subaru enthusiasts in New Zealand. However, unlike other S204s sent to other nations these five did not display either the in-cabin or in-enginebay badging that uniquely identifies each of the reported 600 vehicles manufactured. The lack of individual badging for these five cars brings into question the real number of S204s manufactured.
Thirty (30) WRX STI S204s' were made available to Singapore through the main distributor - Motor Image Enterprises.
First generation (1992 - 2000)
There were six versions of the STi. The different versions were marketed with consecutive numbers. Another way to tell the version of a WRX STi was to look at the chassis code. Sedan STi Model Codes were GC8, Coupes were GM8 and Station Wagons were GF8, followed by a letter from A to G. There was a GC chassis version of the RS released in 2001 as well in the United States.
One common misconception is that every Impreza between 92-01 were "GC8's". The code breakdown is as follows; G - stands for Impreza, C - sedan, M - coupe, F - station wagon, The 8 stands for the 2.0 L turbo motor. So really, there are many combinations. A coupe STi would be GM8, sedan GC8, wagon GF8. Also, the code for the coupe American 2.5RS's was GM6 (6 standing for the 2.5 L N/A motor)
A JDM Sti Coupe has the code GC8. For example, a version 4 STi coupe has the code GC82DD, with the 2 representing 2-doors.
Japanese-spec
Version I (10/92 – 08/94) - GC8A/B:
The first STi was known simply as WRX STi (there was no "version" moniker added to the name until the version II). 100 Imprezas per month were produced starting from February 1994. In March, production was stabilized to 100 STis a month. It had 250 PS (184 kW; 247 bhp) at 6500 rpm and 31.5 kgf·m (309 N·m, 228 ft·lbs) at 3500 rpm and weighed 1230 kg (2,710 lb). Before the STi, the highest trimline of the Impreza was the WRX and the WRX RA, first manufactured in November 1992. This version of the STi was the only version where the standard cars were taken at the end of the assembly line and replaced by STi parts. After this version, the standard STi was built alongside the WRX on the production lines.
The WRX STi Type RA (marketing has made usage of the RA acronym in various ways; Record Attemptis the current usage. "R = Racing, A = Group A, FIA the racing class the WRC Impreza competes in" has also been confirmed by Subaru of Japan; the correspondence can be seen on the discussion board for this article) produced 275 PS (202 kW; 271 bhp) and 32.5 kgf·m (319 N·m, 235 ft·lbs) of torque. This version of the WRX STi was a stripped out car that had no sound-deadening, radio or air-conditioning. It came sparsely equipped as it was to be sold to racing teams that would throw out the cheap parts for racing parts. This version of the WRX came with a Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD). This device was an electromechanical differential that could lock the differential. The DCCD would be beneficial to people who used it in various rally conditions.
Version II (09/94 – 08/96) - GC8C:
The regular STi's engine output stood at 275 PS (202 kW; 271 bhp) and 32.5 kgf·m (319 N·m, 235 ft·lbs) of torque. This was the year that STi started painting the intake manifold red. The car weighed 1,240 kg (2,734 lb) and had gold wheels like those on the World Rally Championship Impreza.
The V-limited STi edition was produced. It was a limited edition that was often used to celebrate a Manufacturer or Driver title award to Subaru's World Rally Team. The interior is colored blue on the seat inserts and carpeting. The WRX Type RA STi received a radio and air-conditioning in the V-limited form. 1000 WRX STi Version 2 V-limited were produced. 555 (the cigarette brand that was the premier sponsor of the Subaru World Rally Team and became synonymous with the Impreza WRC livery) WRX Type RA STi Version 2 V-limited were produced.
Version III (09/96 – 08/97) - GC8D:
It developed about 300PS but output was reported at the then-established gentlemen's agreement power limit of 280 PS (210 kW; 280 hp). Torque peaked at 4000 rpm with a value of 35.0 kgf·m (343 N·m, 253 ft·lbs). In standard form, this version has a top speed of over 240 km/h. The car gained 10 more kilograms and weighed at 1,250 kg (2,756 lb). The STi shared the same face lift that the rest of the Impreza line received.
With Version III came the start of the coupe version of the WRX STi. It is called the WRX Type R STi. The coupe was chosen by Prodrive for use in the WRC because it was lighter and stiffer than the 4-door version, although it carried the same exterior dimensions. It was essentially a 2-door version of the WRX Type RA STi meaning it had DCCD, minimal sound insulation, close-gear ratios and hardened gearbox. This car also has a water-spray nozzle to dampen the top of the intercooler. The water will then evaporate, taking heat away from the intercooler and cooling the intake charge. This car was produced on an order-only basis.
Also, there was a WRX STI type RA (4-door) available in Version III. These have the same motor, gearbox and R180 diff as the Version III WRX STI Type R, including DCCD, aluminium bonnet and front guards, no sound deadening and thinner glass. The ECU is also an exclusive tune. The Type R tends to be a bit stiffer and weighs 1,190 kg (2,600 lb). The DCCD has been known to bite new drivers in the wet. The RA gets a roof vent instead of map lights, and wind up windows, although electrics are an option from factory.
Also available was a WRX Type R V-limited, in version III. It has a WRX motor with no forged internals like the STI, and it misses out on the 4 pot front brakes as they are to be installed by rally teams. It has a roof vent and is lightweight, making a good base for a rally car.
Version III STI runs a VF23 IHI ball bearing turbocharger while the JDM non-STI gets a VF22.
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