For the past few years, the Subaru Tecnica International (STI) – the high-performance tuning and motorsport division of Subaru – has launched some pretty sick cars in Japan, – the hometown of the automaker. However, in the U.S. and the international markets, the STI division has so far launched only a few cars. The good news is, a new model is arriving. The automaker has announced that the new 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA will arrive in the U.S. markets by 2018.

RA which stands for ‘Record Attempt’ has been applied to many STI models, however they were not sold outside Japan. The Subaru WRX STI Type RA will be carrying a 2.5L flat four-cylinder engine developing 310 horsepower. Besides the upgraded engine, it will also feature enhanced pistons, revised cold air intake and high-flow exhaust system, and an updated ECU. The six-speed manual transmission system has also been modified a little.

Furthermore, the overall weight of the car has been reduced, thanks to the new carbon-fiber roof and lightweight 19-inch wheels. The spare tire has been removed as well. Moreover, the 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA will also feature a front splitter, inverted front struts and rear double wish-bone suspension along with more performance upgrades.

The interior will extend comfortable Recaro seats, Utrasuede covered steering wheel and the exclusive STI logo on the center.

Only 500 examples of the Subaru WRX STI Type RA will be built and it is unlikely these will reach in the Middle East officially, unless some enthusiast would import it from the US.