Subaru Corporation (newly minted from being called Fuji Heavy Industries) has introduced the an STI-badged version of their Levorg wagon, just as we were expecting, in Japan. A couple of weeks ago, the signs of an imminent hot version of the Levorg were plentiful. Not much of a secret.
And even without those obvious spoilers, the Levorg is arguably just dying for an STI-tuned version with that fast estate shape, hood scoop, squatted stance. It’s Subaru, daring itself – or so it would seem.
But, as confounding at it is, the new Subaru Levorg STI Sport isn’t a full STI model. It does, however, receive quite a bit of work to sharpen the car’s handling and response, but it is missing the nutter power figures that we typically expect from an STI-badged Subaru.
The Levorg STI maintains the dual engine choices that were available from launch (at least in Japan), either the 125kW/250Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged boxer four or the 218kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged boxer four. Both are mated to Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT and drives the wheels through their Symmetrical AWD system.
One could argue that a 2.0-litre engine that pokey is enough for the Levorg to reach most of its STI-ish potential. But the consensus among fans was that it was expecting the Levorg to gain the WRX STI S207 edition’s 241kW/431Nm engine and a manual gearbox option. No such luck.
Make no mistake, though, 218kW and 400Nm is enough to make any five-door family sports wagon serious rapid. And with the STI-fettled bits such as the DampMatic II active suspension and upgraded Bilstein shock absorbers, revised steering, the Levorg could be very capable indeed.
The Levorg STI certainly looks the part too with its 18-inch alloy wheels, more aggressive front bumper, front apron, and side skirts. Inside, the Levorg STI wears Bordeaux red leather contrasted by black and aluminium trim.
It’s not yet known whether Subaru is planning to have the Levorg STI Sport sold in markets outside Japan but here’s hoping it reaches us sooner rather than later.
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