2015 Subaru WRX STI Launch Edition appeals to loyalists [video]

Subaru will be offering a Limited Edition 2015 WRX STI Launch Edition that will appeal to those who made the STI a performance icon.

One of the all-new 2015 Subaru WRX STIs that appeared at NAIAS was painted a WR Blue Pearl with gold wheels. This will be a very special car that will be ultra-exclusive for true loyalists. The new 2015 WRX STI Launch Edition will be only offered for a limited time with 1,000 examples making it to the U.S. market. The WR Blue Pearl WRX STI performance car pays tribute to its racing heritage that helped develop the car into what it is today.

The Subaru WRX STI has a rich racing history in the World Rally Championship (WRC). The Subaru WRX STI has deep roots in the WRC as it’s been the perfect testing ground for the performance car. Rally racing is one of the most demanding motorsports on the planet and Subaru has developed the WRX STI on the most challenging rally courses in the world.

Each of those WRC race cars through the years have been painted the same WR Blue Pearl and have had Gold wheels at all four corners. The Subaru Rally teams have raced all over the world and have many championships through the years. The new 2015 WRX STI has deep roots and is a performance car that developed from what Subaru learned on the most challenging race courses on the planet.

The all-new 2015 Subaru WRX STI Launch Edition pays tribute to this racing heritage and comes with a few goodies that make it stand apart. It’s not for everyone and will appeal to those who loyalists who made the STI a high-performance icon. Within the Subaru performance-car community, they understand the significance of the exclusive features.

There will only be 1000 examples of the special 2015 Launch Edition and it will include all the base WRX STI features but adds a few key touches. On the outside, all Launch Editions will all be painted WR Blue Pearl and come equipped with gold-painted 18-inch BBS alloy wheels. This is an iconic color combination long associated with Subaru competition cars. As on all 2015 WRX STI models, the wheels are wrapped in 245/40R18 summer performance tires on all four corners.

2015 WRX STI Launch Edition also comes with special treatments on the inside. It will come exclusively equipped with special interior colors and trim and gets a standard STI Short-Throw Shifter for the 6-speed manual transmission. This has been an option on all WRX STIs from the beginning in 2004 when the first one arrived on U.S. shores. Another standard feature on Launch Edition will be the Keyless Access & Start system, which is offered as an option on WRX STI Premium and Limited models.

Launch Edition will be powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged Boxer engine producing 305-horsepower and 290 lb ft of torque. STI comes with a stiffer chassis and big Brembo brakes for superior handling agility and precision on the race course. The 2015 STI will get a new Active Torque Vectoring advanced handling technology that includes Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), and SI-DRIVE powertrain control system.

The all-new 2015 Subaru WRX STI Launch Edition will be ultra-exclusive and will likely sell out quickly. Subaru will announce pricing closer to its launch. They will be coming to the U.S. market starting in spring 2014. Loyalists will want to get their order in quickly.

Watch WRX STI World Premiere Movie.