Subaru is known for rolling out special edition WRX STIs (like this Raiu Edition and Hikari Edition). And that’s fine with us – the more reasonably priced, track-built, all-wheel drive sedans in the wild, the better.
The Japanese brand’s latest is the 2020 WRX STI Kanrai Edition, built on the already capable Sport-tech trim, only available in this Ceramic White exterior scheme you see here. But that’s if you can get one. Only 75 units will be made available when it hits the market in Spring 2020 for a respectable C$50,395 across Canada (no US pricing available).
Japanese for ‘white thunder,’ the Kanrai version ramps up driving dynamics with an STI-tuned Bilstein performance suspension paired with a set of 19-inch BBS rims in bronze, all wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The stopping assembly also gets a boost with added silver painted calipers with Subaru cross-drilling the 6-pot front and 2-pot rear standard Brembo brakes to differentiate this rocket from the STI pack.
Based on the Sport-Tech trim, performance figures for the Kanrai Edition are as follows:
- Engine: 2.5L turbocharged Boxer 4-cylinder engine
- Power: Approximately 310 horsepower
- Torque: Approximately 290 lb-ft
- Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission
- Drive Type: Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Suspension: Performance-tuned suspension
- Brakes: Brembo performance brakes
Gone is the spare tire instead of a repair kit, shaving off some weight. On the styling front, you can’t have a limited edition without some cosmetic upgrades; here, Subaru gave the Kanrai Edition a nice black-on-white look for some subtle contrast, including a low-profile trunk lip spoiler, badging, mirror caps, and shark-fin antenna – all in black.
The interior includes everything you get in the Sport-Tech trim:
- Recaro performance-design front seats
- Subaru Starlink multimedia system
- Harman Kardon premium audio system
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Keyless access with push-button start
For some extra kick, the black front grille finds touches of cherry red. In our mind, the new WRX STI is ready to rock off the factory floor. But hey, if Subaru wishes to put out 75 special units with worthy upgrades, all the power to them.
