New Subaru Impreza R205

Subaru has revealed a successor to its Impreza S203 and S204 special performance models with the new S205 that benefits from chassis, engine and styling upgrades. The bad: at least for now, it's only available in Japan.

Billed as the top performance model of the WRX STI lineup, Subaru says that the R205 -where "R" stands for "Road Sport"- makes full use of specially designed features and performance parts of the "WRX STI spec C" model.



In the handling department, the R205 adopts STI tuned dampers, coil springs, flexible type strut tower bar, flexible type lower arm stiffener of front suspension, and 18-inch alloys wrapped in Bridgestone's specially designed RE070 tires size 245/40 R18.

Stopping power is provided by a Brembo brake system with 6-pot calipers up front and 4-pot calipers at the back.

Subaru also tweaked the Impreza WRX STI's engine by adopting an exclusively designed turbocharger with ball bearings for the turbine axle bearing, specially tuned ECU, and a new sport muffler with lowered back pressure exhaust. The result is an increased output of 325-horsepower and 431Nm or 317.9 lb-ft of peak torque.

As for the R205's looks, aside from the different alloy wheels, Subaru added newly designed front under spoiler, rear apron and black roof wing, as well as specially colored front grille and side STI garnish.