Autoblog

The guys who run Nihon Car (née Nihon Car & Bike) were able to get seat time in Subaru's latest limited-edition street-legal rally car, the Impreza WRX STI Type RA-R. Only 300 of the backroads bombers are being produced, and they're only being sold in Japan. Fortunately, the boys at Nihon are there to bring the goods to us Western folk via the Internet.

Their video review of the car is embedded after the jump. and hearing the RA-R's WRC-style exhaust note made us want to dial up Shatner for help in Pricelining our way over to Japan, pronto. Alas, that's not in the cards, so we'll live vicariously through Nihon Car. Their full review is here, and they have a photo gallery of their yellow tester that's car porn of the first order. Highly recommended.

To watch the video, follow the jump. Nihon Car also has a streamable and downloadable HD version of it on their site

[Source: Nihon Car]

Related Items:

• Rallylicious! Subaru WRX STi spec C TYPE RA-R

• Gallery: Subaru WRX STi Spec C Type RA-R

  

Click image for photo gallery

Ahhh, Japan -- where ever-more-muscular special editions pop into the marketplace with no advance warning whatsoever. On November 15, Subaru drops its latest rally-inspired performance bomber into showrooms. The Impreza WRX STi spec C TYPE RA-R (I don't know about you, but I love the Japanese penchant for giving their sports models these impressively long monikers) will be limited to 300 units, and offers the same power levels last seen in the limited-but-not-as-limited-as-this Impreza S204.

That means this latest Subie dishes out 320 horsepower and around 318 lb-ft of torque. The extra juice comes thanks to a larger-diameter turbine and ECU reprogramming combined with improved breathing up front and a freer-flowing exhaust. The upgraded and retuned suspension gets dropped 15mm compared to the base car. White-painted 18" STi wheels are wrapped in 40-series Bridgestone rubber, and a peek through the spokes reveals the car's 6-piston brakes. The body is essentially left alone, save for a black front lip spoiler and roof vane. A vivid yellow paint color will be offered, but is limited to 50 of the 300 cars. The other colors are Pure White and WR Rally Blue Mica, and all three finishes get a cherry red accent line that encompasses the center grille's inner surround. An optional carbon fiber rear wing and a different BBS wheel style are also available. We prefer the white rally-look standard rims, though. Inside, the standard sport seats can be upgraded to optional Recaro buckets, and a new knob adorns the shifter. Of course, the driver's favorite feature may simply be the right pedal, which stands ready and waiting to unleash the hounds underhood.

To answer the question you're surely thinking: no, you can't get it here. Sorry. If you're in Japan, however, one will set you back ¥4,284,000.

[Source: Subaru Japan]