10 Subaru WRX STI Upgrades You Didn’t Know About; They Help Push the Limits

If you own a 2014 Subaru WRX STI or older model, you may not know about the new-generation upgrades that help it push the performance limits even further. If you own a 2015-2017 STI, you’ll know exactly what this is about.

The fourth-generation Subaru WRX STI received 10 improvements over the outgoing model that helped improve the STI’s performance considerably. It’s called Kaizen, which is a Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement. Subaru puts it into practice with the STI.

The STI’s power to weight ratio is impressive. It will launch from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, but it’s in the corners where the performance sedan shines. It helps to have a rally-bred history and Subaru Tecnica International’s motorsport knowledge. They applied it to the new-generation performance sedan.

It gets significant upgrades where you can’t see it

The new WRX STI gets extensive use of high-tensile steel in the frame making it stronger than the outgoing model. It gets 40 percent higher torsional rigidity. Bending rigidity was increase by 30 percent.

Front lateral stiffness was improved by 14 percent over the previous generation STI. These improvements increase handling performance in the corners. It also improves occupant protection in the case of a crash.

Complementing it all, the retuned suspension decreases body roll by 24 percent. This combination of chassis and suspension enhancements, along with high-performance tires, helps achieve peak lateral acceleration of .98 Gs.

The steering is tighter thanks to an improved 13:1 steering ratio. Also front sway bars are 125 percent stiffer, and the steering gearbox mount bushings are 400 percent more rigid.

Aerodynamic upgrades

Aerodynamically designed underbody covers, side cooling vents, front under spoiler and side spoilers reduce the STIs drag coefficient by 9 percent. The iconic high-profile rear wing was raised to improve downforce at high speeds. It’s new height also helps improve visibility out the back window.

If you haven’t driven the new-generation STI, its performance is impressive. The 2015-2017 Subaru WRX STI features most of these improvements under the skin where it makes a big difference in driving dynamics. The 2017 Subaru WRX STI is a performance car for the true driving enthusiast.

Source: Subaru Canada

Photo: Subaru