Article file under http://www.caranddriver.com/photo-gallery/2015-subaru-wrx-sti-first-drive-review
Prior to the drive preview of the 2015 Subaru WRX STI in Carmel, California, the car debuted at this year’s Detroit auto show. At that point, everyone had discovered that the STI’s 2.5-liter engine would produce 305 hp at 6000 rpm—the same as the outgoing model. Armed with primarily this fact, they went on the type of warpath usually reserved for the likes of Silvio Berlusconi under cross-examination from Charlie Sheen. Typical of the frothy fury was Stevessvt’s comment in theBackfires thread for the debut story: “305 hp? What an absolute fail.”
And so, upon alighting in Eastwood Central, we cornered Masuo Takatsu, the program manager for both the WRX and STI. Said he: “I felt the STI’s weaker area was the handling side. If we didn’t have the chassis, why add more power to overwhelm it? Also, this EJ engine has proved itself in competition.
It’s an engine we confidently bring to the track, [whereas] the new FA-series in the WRX has not been proven in motorsports. Plus, we knew the aftermarket could supply more power to those STI owners who demanded it.”
