Subaru lobs WRX STI EJ25 Final Edition from $62,440

SUBARU Australia has revealed what could prove to be the ultimate version of the current-generation WRX in the form of the STI EJ25 Final Edition; a limited run of 75 highly specified STIs designed to be the last hurrah of the fourth-gen WRX.

Priced from $62,440 plus on-road costs, the STI EJ25 Final Edition is based on the flagship STI Spec.R with the $3000 price premium netting a heap of unique exterior and interior upgrades.

Available in just three colours – WR Blue Pearl (50 units), Crystal White Pearl (15 units) and Crystal Black Silica (10 units) – the EJ25 Editions flaunt gold 19-inch BBS alloy wheels, silver Brembo brake callipers, black door mirrors, shark fin antenna, fender inserts and WRX rear badge, a pinstriped front grille and ‘EJ25 Final Edition’ badging on the boot lid and engine cover.

Inside the cabin are silver highlighted Recaro sports bucket front seats, an Ultrasuede steering wheel, red STI push-start button, silver seatbelts and interior stitching, carbon-fibre look instrument panel and an ‘EJ25 Final Edition’ numbered badge.

Save for these changes, all of the Spec.R’s standard equipment trinkets are retained, including rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rearview mirror, keyless entry and start, heated front seats with eight-way power-adjustment for driver, 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, Harmon Kardon sound system, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity and more.

The same goes for under the bonnet too with the venerable turbocharged 2.5-litre ‘EJ25’ flat four-cylinder petrol engine going completely untouched.

That means power and torque remain steady at 221kW/407Nm, still distributed to all four wheels exclusively via a six-speed manual transmission.

As previously reported by GoAuto, the new-generation WRX and adjoining STI are expected to be powered by Subaru’s new force-fed 2.4-litre Boxer engine with the latter tipped to be headed towards the 300kW mark.

Given the limited numbers, Subaru says 30 examples will be solely available to order via its website while the remaining 45 will be sold through its dealer network.

To help up the sense of occasion and exclusivity even more, online buyers will be given the chance to make a $1000 donation to the Australian Road Safety Foundation, in return for which they can opt for an individualised delivery experience where rally drivers Molly Taylor, Cody Crocker, Mark Stacey or Dean Herridge will hand over the car in person.

According to Subaru Australia managing director Blair Read, the fourth-generation STI has served the brand well with strengthening sales even in the twilight of its lifecycle.

“We’re getting towards the last in line for fourth-gen STI, which has served us so well since launch in 2014,” he said.

“It’s the car that underpinned Molly Taylor’s 2016 win in the Australian Rally Championship, which is an indication of its fantastic credentials as a capable performance car.

“This final edition pays tribute to an engine and chassis combo that have earned their stripes in both competition and on road as an adrenaline-pumping, fun drive.”

Local bosses have already confirmed the new WRX will be in Aussie showrooms by Christmas with the rampant STI sometime in 2022 – we anticipate it to the be the first half of the year.

Subaru has sold 373 WRXs so far this year ending March (including the STI variants), marking a 22.7 per cent increase year-on-year and netting the ageing all-paw hero a 1.4 per cent share of the sub-$40,000 small car segment in the process.

2021 Subaru WRX STI pricing*