2018 Subaru WRX STi Malaysian preview

This mean looking blue warrior just wants to play doesn't it? Well, with the kind of monster lurking under that imposing bonnet vent, it's begging to be liberated from the scorching cage that houses it. Meet the 2018 Subaru WRX STi, which is by the way not yet officially launched in the Malaysian market. This is just a preview of what is to come. 

Once it does, expect it to arrive in 2 trim levels: 2.0 CVT and 2.5 manual. The former will cost circa RM269k and the latter circa RM310k. The model on display at the Malaysia Autoshow 2017 in MAEPS, Serdang is the top spec 2.5 manual.

Let's start with the party piece: drivetrain. Under the bonnet is a 2.5 litre turbocharged DOHC 16-valve flat 4 churning out 300 PS at 6000 rpm and 407 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. All this grunt is channeled to the company's Symmetrical All Wheel Drive mediated by the 6 speed manual transmission. 

Subaru ensures you won't fly off the cliff under the mercy of such brute output thanks to the Brembo Performance Brake with 6 pot caliper ventilated front disc brake and 2 pot caliper ventilated rear disc brake. Just check out that stonking yellow caliper bearing the STi emblem. That looks so snazzy.

Since this thing just wants to play, feast on the ridiculously huge rear spoiler and diffuser that will generate the pounds of downforce.

LED headlight with LED daytime running light graces the bow of the car. The rear end features the fog lamp and dual twin tailpipe.

ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Brake Override, Brake Assist, ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor, SRS Front, Side, Curtain and Knee Airbag complete the list of safety equipment.