[Goose42]

News to me.....

Subaru Is Bringing Back the Hardcore WRX STI Type RA

Video:

Subaru of America Releases New Video Showcasing the Subaru WRX STI Type RA NBR Special

 

[Wrexic]

Is it a WRX type RA or a WRX STI type RA? IE will it be an upgrade for the WRX, or the STI? don't know much about the previous RA models, but judging from the article it seems like it will be a performance package for the WRX?

brb trading up

 

[SD_GR]

Road and Track still exists?! Remarkable.

The new RA ought to have a 1,6L engine to be remotely relevant.

 

[Indecisives12]

from the article i saw it's an STI Type RA.

 

[SD_GR]

The STi/WRX distinction is a moot point for an RA car. Example: The actual WRC cars built in the UK used chassis shipped from Japan with WRX, not STi chassis codes.

My question is whether there's an actual point to an RA car at this stage. Subaru are not competitive and I can't imagine a privateer campaigning a car without significant, organized support etc.

 

[Indecisives12]

The STi/WRX distinction is a moot point for an RA car. Example: The actual WRC cars built in the UK used chassis shipped from Japan with WRX, not STi chassis codes.

My question is whether there's an actual point to an RA car at this stage. Subaru are not competitive and I can't imagine a privateer campaigning a car without significant, organized support etc.

i think you're thinking that they're bringing for people to build their own rally cars. nowadays they're using our nostalgia as selling/marketing tools. the Type RA was the basic/hardcore version. now it will be the hardcore version with all the bells and whistles and a bunch of carbon because racecar and people will buy it because there used to be a hardcore type RA back in the day which you bought if you wanted to build a racecar.

its all marketing. look at all the silly "special" editions that subaru does...its the blue one..its the launch one...its the yellow one...and people buy them up.

 

[SD_GR]

You're absolutely correct.

 

[mustwarnorcas]

Yeah it seems to be more and more of a marketing scheme, but hey it's working! and I want to buy all the limited editions!

 

[zax]

The S207 was quite a bit more than just a marketing scheme. It was also ludicrously expensive in Japan and unobtanium to us.

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[Goose42]

Initial reports indicate this one will be coming stateside, time will tell.

 

[WRX John]

Thanks Goose42 for posting. Hope the weather cooperates on their next Nurburgring run.

 

[BigTash]

Here it is:


The 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA Is a Hardcore Track-Ready Weapon

Subaru Ups Performance Envelope With 2018 WRX STI Type RA, BRZ tS


Really wonder what they're trying to charge for the type RA?

 

[rqjoe]

it's making 310 horsepower—up from 305 in the standard car, thanks to a new cold air intake, a high-flow exhaust, stronger pistons, and a retuned ECU

Something does not make sense there; only 5HP from those upgrades ?

 

[BigTash]

it's making 310 horsepower—up from 305 in the standard car, thanks to a new cold air intake, a high-flow exhaust, stronger pistons, and a retuned ECU

Something does not make sense there; only 5HP from those upgrades ?

I agree, I'm by no means super knowledgeable about cars but those additions should add up to way more than 5HP.

 

[zax]

it's making 310 horsepower—up from 305 in the standard car, thanks to a new cold air intake, a high-flow exhaust, stronger pistons, and a retuned ECU

Something does not make sense there; only 5HP from those upgrades ?

No. This isn't the aftermarket.

Subaru still has to comply with EPA and CARB emissions regulations. Aftermarket intakes, when installed without supporting mods tend to make power because they lean out the AFR curve. Leaner fuel mixtures produce increased NOx emissions.

I see the stronger piston statement as purely a marketing gimmick at this moment. What does this mean? Presumably they are still hypereutectic (see first paragraph for reasons) but likely redesigned with a different compression ring and oil ring spacing with higher clearance tolerances for improved dynamic compression and crankcase sealing.

If Subaru wanted to make more power, the focus should have been on blueprinting, a bit larger turbo with a billet compressor, and from-factory CNC headwork. This would keep the BMEP similar to stock (less pressure on the Pistons -- literally) and produce significant gains of 20-30hp. What I see here is what I saw with the 2015 Launch Edition STI; a reason for dealer markup.

Then again, I've not (and probably never will) driven one. Who knows, perhaps the suspension tuning will be insane.

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[zax]

The STI RA of yore was an STI with thinner glass, less sound deadening, overall lighter curb weight, and shorter gearing. In that light it seems Subaru has been true to its roots.

Also, the roof material change is not a novel idea of Subaru. Recall that Mitsubishi offered an aluminum roof panel on the MR trim.

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[BigTash]

@zax, thanks for your input. I hadn't thought of it that way -- still have a lot to learn about cars :thumbup:

 

[SD_GR]

My question is, why would I buy something not homologated? Ok so then I'm not a competitor but a hobbyist interested in track days. Can I use this to tow my track-ready Miata?

 

[zax]

My question is, why would I buy something not homologated? Ok so then I'm not a competitor but a hobbyist interested in track days. Can I use this to tow my track-ready Miata?

Was the RA ever for homologation purposes? Admittedly my knowledge on the subject is limited. At least with Group A and Group N, it seems that the WRX model and its evolution version "STI" should have been sufficient.

Why any models were maintained after the transition to WRC is beyond me.

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[McBill]

To me, all this STi RA brings to the table is it's limited production. If I recall they state only a couple hundred will be produced. I see this as something similar to the Legacy GT Spec.b of the late 2000's. Something that doesn't offer much difference than the optioned out 2018 STi other than it's exclusivity.

On the other hand, the BRZ tS at first glance appears to be a 2018 BRZ track package with a few mods on top ready off the line for the flat billed vapor kids out there.

At this point, I would have no interest in either.