" Result? Outstanding response. Anywhere, anytime the APS STi is swelling with turbo-boosted torque. Mid-range acceleration is phenomenal "
Wheels
Magazine
|
APS SUBARU WRX STI
In the not too distant past, hotting up Subarus seemed about as logical as putting bonnet scoops and boost gauges on stock standard Hyundai Excels. But over the last decade, the maker who brought us the Leone, Sherpa and Brumby has had a huge about face. The Liberty RS Turbo pointed the way towards a cult following in 1991 – a car whose performance and handling finally lived up to its on-paper specs – and the Impreza WRX cemented it. Very few cars offer more performance for the money than a Rex, but that hasn’t stopped a burgeoning aftermarket performance industry from popping up out of nowhere. Does it make sense to modify and ‘improve’ a car that already has more grunt than most people will ever need? Depends on your priorities. No if you want to avoid potential hassle and keep your full manufacturer’s warranty, yes if ultimate performance and response are a priority. The warranty issue is a touchy one, although rare is the modern Subaru that disintegrates. Excepting maybe the Forester GT, no current turbocharged Subaru is without its drivability flaws. The standard Rex is very linear in the way it produces power, but it doesn’t have quite enough to overcome its new-found love handles. The Liberty B4 is its antithesis – brilliant top-end stonk, but a lumpy, lackluster mid-range. And the WRX STi? It has the punch the base Rex craves and the response from 3000-5000 rpm the B4 can only dream of. But it’s a laggy thing below the three grand and can be a pain around town. |