- Concept showcases STI performance capabilities.
- Concept features enhancements for chassis, body, and air intake/exhaust systems.
- Concept’s engine is based on the racing engine from the Subaru BRZ Super GT race car.
- Concept signifies the North American expansion of STI, the performance division of Subaru.
(NEW YORK, N.Y.) — Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) today announced the unveiling of the STI Performance Concept at the New York International Auto Show. The STI Performance Concept signifies the North American expansion of Subaru Tecnica International, Inc. (STI) – the performance division of Subaru – in its three core business areas: parts and accessories, complete cars and motorsports.
Looking ahead, parts and accessories as well as further models tuned by STI will be available in Canada, focusing on suspension, braking, chassis and aerodynamic upgrades. There is also potential for an increased engineering presence in future motorsports activity.
Complete cars and performance parts available now in Japan focus on the WRX STI, Forester and BRZ models. The Japanese domestic market uses the nomenclature S model” as its naming for the WRX STI and uses tS” on BRZ and Forester vehicles that have STI components, but a naming convention for any future North American models has not yet been established.
The STI Performance Concept is a showcase for the engineering prowess and tuning capabilities of STI, featuring the racing engine developed by STI for the BRZ Super GT racecar, suspension and chassis components and aerodynamic upgrades.
The STI Performance Concept was developed for display purposes to announce the launch of the North American expansion of the STI brand and performance division of Subaru. There are no plans for Subaru to build or produce any production model resembling the STI Performance Concept, including a turbocharged BRZ. This is strictly a concept vehicle with a specially designed race engine prepared for track-use only.
At STI we know from our racing that to win, it is important not only to have high power, but also that all aspects of performance are balanced over the whole car,” said Yoshio Hirakawa, president of Subaru Tecnica International, Inc. When we achieve this balance, the driver feels that the car is easy to handle and reliable, and he can use it fully to the limits of its performance. Our plan is to produce cars and accessories that drivers can really enjoy, not only through power alone, but also to deliver balanced performance over the whole car.”
Subaru has an unwavering commitment to safety, performance, versatility and durability,” said Shiro Ohta, chairman, president and CEO of Subaru Canada, Inc. The North American expansion of STI, the performance division of Subaru, speaks to these underlying characteristics of the Subaru brand and further enhances our commitment to performance.”
STI was founded as Subaru parent company Fuji Heavy Industries’ motor sports division in 1988. In 1989, a first-generation Subaru Legacy, tuned by STI, broke the FIA-certified world speed record over 100,000 kilometers. From there, STI moved on to the World Rally Championship, winning 3 constructors championships and 3 driver championships for Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Petter Solberg. It currently competes in the Nurburgring 24 Hour Challenge race winning its class two times in 2011 and 2012 and also in the Super GT series with its BRZ-based Super GT.
For more information about Subaru Tecnica International, please visit http://www.sti.jp/en/.
ABOUT SUBARU:
Subaru Canada, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of 90 authorized dealers across Canada. For more information, please visit www.subaru.ca or pr.subaru.ca or follow @Subaru_Canada on Twitter.