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This 2015 WRX STI will outperform more expensive sports cars
Denis Flierl's picture
By Denis Flierl May 1 2014 - 7:58am

This 2015 WRX STI will outperform more expensive sports cars

EVO Australia magazine has given the new 2015 Subaru WRX STI a “turbocharge tick”, rating it four and-a-half stars in their May edition.
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Subaru WRX STI
WRX STI
New WRX STI

The Australians love performance cars, and like the 2015 Subaru WRX STI just as much or maybe even more than performance fans in the U.S. But why does the Australian magazine think so highly of the new WRX STI performance car from Subaru? The STI shouldn’t even be in the same conversation with automakers like Porsche, Ferrari or Aston Martin.

But the small Japanese automaker has received praise from Australia’s respected automobile magazine EVO, for what Subaru and Subaru Technica International (STI) have done with the new 2015 WRX STI. Why would a Subaru, the 2015 WRX STI, even me mentioned with names like the Porsche 911 GT3, Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black, Aston Martin V12 Vantage S or the Audi R8 V10 Plus?

EVO Australia magazine has given the new-generation 2015 WRX STI a turbocharge tick, rating it four and-a-half stars in the May edition. The magazine says that the WRX STI is a better performer on the track than many more expensive sports cars. In the 10-page feature, EVO Editor, Jesse Taylor, says, “The STI eats up the tarmac at a rate that would leave many more expensive cars in its wake.”
 
Now this writer hasn’t had a chance to drive the 2015 STI, but I am driving the new 2015 WRX this week and I am thoroughly impressed with the “lighter” version of its more potent big brother. The 268 hp WRX has impressive power in all gears and pulls strong in 6th gear at high speeds. At 70 mph, I pushed the pedal down and found myself at 85 in seconds. After just one day in the WRX, I found myself thinking, “if the WRX will do this, what will the STI do?”

And EVO magazine is impressed with the STI. The new 2015 WRX STI has received noticeable advancements and EVO could tell the difference. Subaru and STI have moved the car forward from the previous generation in terms of improving the chassis and body to better utilize and match the power of the 2.5-liter turbo boxer. Jesse Taylor goes on to say, “It’s astonishing how much throttle the STI will take and how early it can be applied. On dirt or wet tarmac, the Subaru digs deep to find useable grip to employ its full 221kW. The chassis has a terrific, organic feel to how it deals with inputs from driver and road.”

The previous generation STI wouldn’t let the 305 hp 2.5-liter engine fully exploit the full potential of the powerplant. This new chassis appears to be a dramatic improvement that it’s now possible to put all the power down on the road or tarmac. Subaru has come up with a new STI that EVO magazine found is an excellent combination of power and agility and says it will outperform more expensive sports cars. I can’t wait to get my hands on one.

Other 2015 Subaru WRX STI stories of interest.
2015 Subaru WRX gets bump in hp why not 2015 WRX STI?

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Comments

Carl wrote on May 1, 2014 - 10:46am
“if the WRX will do this, what will the STI do?” About 150 mph ...stock, without tweaking (other than making damn sure you have speed rated tires on it.) The minor detail that it's more comfortable as a daily driver than it's predecessor is a huge plus.
Kurt wrote on May 5, 2014 - 9:51pm
I've got the 2015 Launch Edition STI. I traded my 2005 STI in for it. My 2005 was heavily modified with improved suspension and chassis stiffening. The 2015 seems to be better in every way. I'm still in the process of breaking my car in so haven't had a chance to really push it to its potential, But the little I've done with it is fantastic. There's talk about not being great as a daily driver... This is a street legal race car. The suspension / ride is still better than most other performance vehicles I've owned.
Dave wrote on May 20, 2014 - 10:26am
I own a 2008 evo x. The new Subaru looks identical to the new evo...lol... Guess Subaru cant find its own design. I can put a cai on my evo x and be at 305hp...lol.. Not worth the money id say.
Brandon wrote on September 12, 2014 - 6:53pm
Listen to this boy racer, 14hp from a cai? Guess you believe everything you read on the intakes website. Yea, the subaru ripped off styling of the evo, mainly the headlights, but made it better. Stock grill on evo's are fugly, and half the time you cant tell an evo from an mitsu suv.
dave wrote on September 14, 2014 - 10:40am
They come stock with 296.... So its only 8 HP. Not 14. And obviously you have no clue how much easier it is to make HP on an evo then a wrx. And the only thing that makes it look anything different from an evo is a the grill. Kinda looks like a shitty tauras. Only thing Subaru has going for it is the sound.... Which, the power doesn't back it up at all. Also, the evo x can run close to 500hp on stock internals before needing cams, etc.... Wrx would blow its motor near 400.... Junk. And as for the boy commen, I'm 29 years old and grew up all my life around cars.... Good luck with the Subaru deal though.
Brandon wrote on September 15, 2014 - 7:44pm
Stock 291, straight from mitsu. And you backed up the boy racer comment with your big flame over how much hp your evo can make. Who cares? Take off the spoiler and look at both cars from the side, ta da, you have the design of almost every 4 door family sedan out there. Neither car looks that great design wise, but it doesn't really matter. CAI's supposedly dont work on FI engines as well either, as soon as the air is compressed the temp difference is negligible. I grew up around houses, doesn't make me an expert on them. I like both cars, but for most people, the subaru will be the far better car. If you want to go to track days every weekend and juice your car up, ok, you're part of a small percentage and the evo might be better for you.
joe wrote on March 2, 2015 - 12:48pm
Let's see what the 2016 Evo looks like. Oh wait..
dan wrote on May 23, 2014 - 1:43am
I had a 2004 sti with a lot of mods. Awesome car but unfortunately another car totaled mine. I purchased a 2015 sti. For being stock it drives a hell of a lot better. I'm really impressed with the grip and how rigid and strong the chassis feels. This is the best sti subaru has made. Can't wait to go Cobb on it.
Mike W wrote on July 4, 2015 - 6:10am
Its funny how everyone thinks that the 2015 STI is some great improvement. The STI has barely gotten any quicker since it first came out nearly 12 years ago, and the 15 offers slight handling improvement but thats it. Back in the day it used to be faster than the mustang gt and camaro, and would even out launch the vette with ease. Fast forward to today and the mustang and camaro have left the STI behind in almost every aspect of performance. The 04 STI would demolish an 04 mustang gt in a staight line or road track, and now the 15 Mustang GT would demolish the STI in a straight line or road track. And on top of that the EVO is gone, the 370z hasn't changed much either. whats going on with these import cars? They used to be on top but they let the domestic US cars walk right by them and now the 2015 mustang GT and 2016 camaro ss completely own any import car around their price range around a track. The STI should have 450hp by now...
JZ wrote on September 18, 2016 - 9:32am
I think the 2017 WRX STI is a big improvement over the last generation. I do agree that it can use more power but for its weight 3391 the 305 horsepower is not that bad. The All wheel drive really helps make faster acceleration as well. Plus in the right hand the 2.5 boxer can be tuned to have a lot more power. And the transmission/drivetrain is bullet proof..And nothing beats that boxer sound. As far as cars like the Mustang and Camaro leaving it behind comments? From what ive seen its still a drivers race. But you have to understand those two cars morphed into small 2 seated sports cars with an unusable back seat and they are rear wheel drive. The WRX/STI is built for Ralley racing which is totally different. The 4 doors amazing AWD makes it a much more practical car. And it would stomp a Mustang in an off road track and road course. Also try sit in the back seat of the Mustang and then go sit in the back seat of an STI. Totally different class of car and should not even be compared. Subaru is in a unique position and in a league of its own especially with the Evo gone. A 4 door practical AWD performance Rally Racing Sedan...
Pingutux wrote on December 1, 2016 - 9:59am
"15 Mustang GT would demolish the STI " nope nope : own the 15 mustang, that was great but I just signed for 17 STI : with no regrets and lets go to track, the people that complain never drove it : this is magic.