2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C Debuts at the Nürburgring

If the number of letters in its name is at all proportionate with its level of improvements, the 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C should be quite the hatchback. Spotted for the first time lapping the Nürburgring recently, this super STI has a number of upgrades designed to sharpen the performance of the standard model.

According to sources in Japan, this STI's ride height has been lowered by 0.5 inch and fitted with stiffer dampers and springs. The lightweight 18-inch wheels are wrapped in Bridgestone run-flat tires, while the brakes have been upgraded with the six-piston calipers from the Subaru Legacy STi S402.

Finally, the engineers in Subaru City have tweaked the turbocharger and exhaust system of the turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer engine to generate beefier torque at lower revs and lift power from 300 horsepower to around 320 hp. Gear ratios have also been revised, with 1st through 4th gears positioned closer together while 5th and 6th gear have been made taller to enhance top-end speed, as the Spec C is expected to clear 165 mph.


With the performance hardware of the Spec C out of the way, the design team turned to aerodynamics in order to add a little free horsepower.

One source close to the project tells us that in addition to giving the Spec C a fully flat underbody, the Subaru engineers have also fitted a lightweight aluminum rear diffuser that helps generate twice as much downforce at speed than the current body.

No 'Ring lap times are available yet, but our snapper in Germany confirms that the Spec C appeared more composed through low- and high-speed corners and could easily slice 15 seconds off the current STI's time.

Expected to go on sale in Japan by year's end and then in Europe and possibly in the U.S. by mid-2009, the Spec C could have a price tag of around $43,000.