Subaru’s Australian division has announced plans to launch a turn-key racer dubbed WRX STI NR4 Spec. Designed exclusively for racing, the NR4 Spec is not street-legal Down Under but it is fully compliant with the FIA’s NR4 regulations.
It takes a well-trained eye to tell the NR4 Spec apart from a stock WRX STI, especially if it’s riding on the factory alloys. However, a look behind the alloys reveals the sedan has been upgraded with adjustable Öhlins shock absorbers all around and AP Racing brake calipers on both axles.
That’s just the beginning, too. Although pictures of the interior are not available, Subaru promises the WRX STI gains Sparco fiberglass bucket seats with six-point harnesses, a three-spoke steering wheel, rubber floor mats in lieu of carpet, as well as both a hand-held fire extinguisher and a built-in extinguisher system. The list of options includes a heated windshield and a roof-mounted vent, and racers can choose whether they want to have the mandatory roll cage installed during the production process or weld it in themselves.
The NR4 Spec is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four engine that’s bolted to a five-speed dog-gear transmission, but Subaru has not published Australia-specific technical details. In England, where the car is also available through a company called JRM, the flat-four is tuned to pump out 280 horsepower at 4,250 rpm and a stout 413 foot-pounds of torque at 3,000 rpm. A two-stage boost system all but eliminates turbo lag, while a large intercooler and an upgraded radiator keep the mill’s temperature in check.
Pricing information for the Australian market hasn’t been announced yet, but the car costs nearly $160,000 in the UK. Interested racers should contact Subaru as quickly as possible because only a handful of NR4 Specs have been earmarked for the Australian market.
Unfortunately, Subaru is not currently planning on selling the WRX STI NR4 Spec in the United States.
