The current Subaru WRX will not receive an STI variant. Although disappointing, insights into what a prospective 2023 Subaru WRX STI might have offered can be gleaned from the brand’s participation in the Nürburgring 24 Hours event with the Subaru WRX NBR Challenge 2023.
This customized WRX exemplifies Subaru’s 14th official entry in the prestigious race, where it has clinched no less than five class victories. Despite the WRX being rooted in rallying, recent top-performing Subaru variants have leaned towards tarmac prowess, evident in its record lap achievement at the Isle of Man. It’s no wonder, then, that the WRX would excel on the shorter yet more iconic Nürburgring circuit.
Subaru WRX NBR Challenge 2023. Subaru
This year, the enhanced WRX is powered by a new 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four “boxer” engine, positioning it in a higher performance category with corresponding adjustments. Generating 375 horsepower and 435 pound-feet of torque, the engine transmits power through a six-speed sequential manual gearbox to all four wheels, as tradition dictates.
The chassis benefits from increased rigidity, courtesy of a lighter and sturdier strut tower brace, while STI enhances the front ball joints with larger, more robust variants. Similarly, the six-piston front and four-piston rear brakes have been upgraded, complemented by an aggressive aerodynamic package consisting of a front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, rear wing, and flat underbody for optimized aerodynamic performance.
Subaru WRX NBR Challenge 2023. Subaru
The WRX dedicated to ‘Ring racing deviates significantly from its previous off-road inclinations, yet the prospect of its enjoyment as a road-going vehicle remains appealing. Subaru’s commitment to endure 24 hours at such power levels with the FA24 engine suggests its viability for daily use, even if aftermarket enhancements are necessary. Consequently, even in the potential introduction of an electric STE before an official STI revival, enthusiasts can consider the endurance racer as a blueprint for their unofficial STI interpretation.
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